Mini-Reviews: Train Dreams / Shelby Oaks / The History of Sound

I know this is later than I hoped, but hey, at least it’s up at all. Let’s get it done.

__________________________________________________

Train Dreams

“All the wondrous, devastating layers of an entire life.”

Director: Clint Bentley
Cast: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Kerry Condon, Will Patton, and William H. Macy
Synopsis: “A logger leads a life of quiet grace as he experiences love and loss during an era of monumental change in early 20th-century America.”

I was really blown away by Train Dreams, which comes from the same team behind last year’s Sing Sing (one of my favorites of that year). It has the same qualities of the newer Terrence Malick movies, specifically The Tree of Life, that really made me feel spellbound by its philosophical take on a man trying to hold onto what he has left in the changing world that surrounds him. Edgerton really shows up here, especially when he’s paired with Jones. Macy is also fantastic in his small role, as always. Bryce Dessner of The National also made a gorgeous score for it, so I recommend listening to that too on its own. This is a great find from Sundance, and I hope you guys check it out.

Ryan’s Grade: A



__________________________________________________

Shelby Oaks

"Who took Riley Brennan?"

Director: Chris Stuckmann
Cast: Camille Sullivan, Brendan Sexton III, Keith David, Sarah Durn, Derek Mears, Emily Bennett, Charlie Talbert, Robin Bartlett, and Michael Beach
Synopsis: “A woman's obsessive search for her missing sister leads her into a terrifying mystery at the hands of an unknown evil.”

I really was looking forward to Shelby Oaks, but if it’s anything, it’s just boring. This may be film critic/YouTuber Chris Stuckmann’s first foray into big-budget filmmaking, and while I respect him really taking a big leap, I wish the movie itself was better. Shelby Oaks starts off pretty strong with a mockumentary-style opening, but it just keeps pulling from different horror movies to try and make a hodge-podge of a movie. Stuckmann definitely has something as a writer/director, but like all things, sometimes it takes a bit to hone in the craft. Good try, though. I hope the next one is better.

Ryan’s Grade: D+



__________________________________________________

The History of Sound

Director: Oliver Hermanus
Cast: Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor, Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, Hadley Robinson, Emma Canning, and Chris Cooper
Synopsis: “In 1917, two young music students attending the Boston Conservatory bond over their mutual love of folk music. They reconnect a few years later, embarking on a song collecting trip in the backwaters of Maine.”

I really don’t have too much to say about The History of Sound, other than it was pleasant to watch. I liked the story of these two students traveling across Maine to archive music, as well as seeing the relationship between the two of them grow then collapse, but it really stopped there in terms of my personal enjoyment. Mescal and O’Connor are usually great separately, and they have very good chemistry together here. It’s nice to listen to and look at too, but there wasn’t anything that blew me away about it. If you’re a fan of either main actor, give The History of Sound a shot.

Ryan’s Grade: B