Author: noahmorriss

Horror, IranLeave a comment

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night: Noir Meets Vampires

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Noah Morriss Trailer for A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. Vice Youtube A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is the story of Arash, a young man struggling in Bad City, and the eponymous Girl, a vampire who stalks the city at night preying on those she deems as bad men. Their unification hinges on a shared cast of selfish men whom the girl slowly picks off. In the end, the two run off together into the night. Themes of retribution, feminism, and breaking free of oppression fill the film. With the film being black and white, and with … Continue reading A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night: Noir Meets Vampires

Drama, Thriller, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The Illusionist: Mysteries in a Black Abyss

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Noah Morriss Neil Burger’s The Illusionist is a story about an illusionist named Eisenheim in 1889 Vienna. His reputation for mystifying his audiences results in a chance meeting with his childhood sweetheart the Duchess Sophie von Teschen, who is being arranged to marry the notorious Crown Prince Leopold. An elaborate plan is set between the two to stage Sophie’s death so the two can run away together, all while Chief Inspector Uhl tries to piece the puzzle together. Major themes include deception, the desire to be better than one’s father, and the audience performer relationship. Time is used specifically to … Continue reading The Illusionist: Mysteries in a Black Abyss

Drama, Social problem, South AfricaLeave a comment

Sarafina!: Song and Dance, Fire and Protest

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Noah Morriss Darrell Roodt’s 1992 adaptation of the 1987 musical Sarafina! is about the title character’s time growing up during the Soweto uprising of 1976. Musical numbers merge with violence as students rise up against the Apartheid and attempt to liberate their country from oppression. The characters, many of which are young students, show an optimism and grit that waivers but never faults. The film leans heavy on themes of standing up to the man and the many ways that protest can take form.  Fire, as a form of protest, is consistently used and shown throughout the film. It’s what … Continue reading Sarafina!: Song and Dance, Fire and Protest

Drama, Legal drama, Social problemLeave a comment

The Citizen: To Dream The American Dream

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Noah Morriss Sam Kadi’s The Citizen is a story about Ibrahim, an Arabian immigrant, who wins the green card lottery and plans to move to America to find a new life. His plans are interrupted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks which make  acclimating to the States much more difficult. Ibrahim maintains a positive attitude throughout the film even after being inundated with countless issues involving racism, class, stereotypes, freedom of speech, and religion. In the end, his perseverance and ideals prevail allowing him to successfully become an American citizen and to live out his American Dream. The Citizen takes place … Continue reading The Citizen: To Dream The American Dream

Biographical, Drama, Legal drama, Social problemLeave a comment

From Mercy: A Look At Poverty

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Noah Morriss Destin Daniel Cretton’s Just Mercy (2019)is about a young black lawyer, Brian Stevenson, who moves to Alabama in an attempt to help those on death row. He meets resistance from local law enforcement when he tries to prove Walter McMillian’s innocence in a murder case and works to expose the corruption of the law that put him in jail. Themes of family, race, poverty, and power litter this biographical drama that depicts how the U.S. treats crime. The theme of hope is repeated throughout the film through the use of a multitude of symbols. The photos that Walter … Continue reading From Mercy: A Look At Poverty

ThrillerLeave a comment

The Killing Jar: Who Decides What’s Right or Wrong?

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Noah Morriss Poster for The Killing Jar to the left. IMDB Violence in the confines of a small town diner. Mark Young’s The Killing Jar (2010) is a bloody, bloody thriller. When provoked by a police officer, drifter Doe goes on a rampage of murder after being mistaken for the killer of a local family. In a twist midway through the film, it is revealed that the killer is actually one of the occupants of the diner, and Doe takes it upon himself to bring “justice” to the murdered. His methods become increasingly violent and misguided—bringing up the question of … Continue reading The Killing Jar: Who Decides What’s Right or Wrong?

War/CombatLeave a comment

Megan Leavey: If At First You Don’t Succeed

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Noah Morriss Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Megan Leavey is a biopic about the titular character’s growth from small town girl to purple heart awarded marine. Beginning as someone lost in life, Leavey finds a purpose in the marines where she becomes a K9 handler for Rex, a rowdy bomb-sniffing dog. Their relationship is messy to begin with, but with work on both sides they learn to love one another. While in Iraq, the two are caught in an explosion when in the field and are sent back home for treatment. Finished with the marines, Megan plans to adopt Rex and has to … Continue reading Megan Leavey: If At First You Don’t Succeed

Drama, IndependentLeave a comment

A Feast of Man: When the Rich Eat the Rich

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Noah Morriss Four socialites and one fiancé gather together after the death of their dear friend Gallagher in order to hear his last will and testament. Surprising everyone, the will requires the friends to consume the dead man’s corpse in order to receive a sizable amount of cash. After mulling over it for a weekend, the five agree to carry out the deed only to find that they have been tricked and that Gallagher is still alive. The friends leave frustrated and without the money. As the story progresses, the five lead characters get hungrier and hungrier for their secret … Continue reading A Feast of Man: When the Rich Eat the Rich

Comedy, DramaLeave a comment

Go For Zucker: Comedy Through the Camera

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Noah Morriss Jakob Zucker is a father, a lier, a gambler, and about to be thrown out of his house. As he schemes to pay back an old debt, he gets a message from his estranged brother saying that his mother has died. Upon reading the will, the two brothers learn that they must reconcile over a week-long period in order to receive their inheritance. Jakob, thinking that he can multitask, attempts to play in a billiards tournament to win enough prize money to pay off his debts, but ends up putting the inheritance in jeopardy. Given one last chance; … Continue reading Go For Zucker: Comedy Through the Camera