#GrantBowler

[doomonfilm]

Review : Guns Akimbo (2020)

Amazon Prime is one of the more unique streaming services in terms of original content... from early on in their existence, they were able to pull high level actors, directors and properties into their creative sphere, with Suspiria serving as an early high bar for future content to meet.  Though I’ve not committed to a full deep dive yet, certain things do catch my attention now and again, and with 2020 wrapping, it felt like I could no longer put off a viewing of Guns Akimbo.  

Skizm, an underground network featuring criminals fighting one another to the death in over-the-top battles, has taken hold of the internet community, much to the chagrin or dismay of whomever is asked.  Computer programmer Miles (Daniel Radcliffe), who spends his free time trolling online communities, spends an evening trolling the Skizm community before the chat admins reveal that they have his IP location.  A short time later, Skizm figurehead Riktor (Ned Dennehy) shows up to assault Miles at his apartment with the help of his henchman.  Miles awakens from the ordeal not only severely beat, but with a gun attached to each hand, as well as a very angry and dangerous opponent in the form of Skizm champion Nix (Samara Weaving).  Scared, confused and desperate, Miles reaches out to any and everyone he can in the hopes of surviving the nightmare that has become his new reality.

As a hyperbolic narrative, Guns Akimbo serves well as a warning of how fixations with social media can take over your life and well-being in very real, major ways.  If Miles is meant to be the character we connect with, then his gun-hands are a symbol of how deep social media immersion can skew your perspective on reality to a nearly complete polar opposite of what one considers standard, with many people online aggressively attacking others in a manner they would never do while face to face.  The hilariously (for a time) out of place romance element also shows how far gone Miles has gone in his dedication to trolling... he has built enough of a connection with Nova that she seeks his company and cares for him, but is so involved in his online immersion that it fractures the connection to the point where he is not heard, even when he is clearly in danger.  The film manages to find a soft landing place amidst all of its chaos by providing a plea for the presence of mercy in a merciless realm, which is a very fitting message for the heightened aggressive nature of communication that has emerged from the “shelter-in-place” era.

In more direct ways, the film uses its lens as an exaggerated examination on social media’s fascination with the worst aspects of society, and the sensationalism that has ballooned out of this fascination.  I believe that Skizm was purposely named to sound like a drug, as the nature of following social media to the point that it dictates your attitude is a form of addiction in its own right.  The film also shows how once you put yourself on the internet, not only is someone always watching casually and ready to pounce on your every move, but many watch with a controlling interest of some sort, be it data-mining, commercial or otherwise.  With this in mind, the gun-hands find a second form of symbolism in how they hinder Miles from an easy reintegration into the real world, with the effect of his online causality hanging around once he leaves (or is forced out of) his safety zone... the gun-hands even cause Miles pain when fired for most of the film, further driving home how painful untethering yourself from online can be.  Ironically, this exaggerated journey makes Miles a social media sensation, which is another twisted reality that we often see mirrored in real life.

The energetic, charismatic and often disorienting cinematography sets (and holds up) a fever pitch tone that matches the immediacy of the issues faced by Miles.  Much of the post-production flare added enhances the experience, informing us much in the way that a comic book or video game does.  The costuming is wonderfully on the nose, especially with the contrast of the initial uniform that Miles adorns versus the outfit Nix wears, and how it shows just how out of his depth that Miles is while draping everyone else in the Skizm world in some form of visual badassery.  The fight choreography and gunplay sequences are insanely entertaining and well put together, further driving home the suspension of belief and immersion felt by the viewer.  The humor is wonderfully present and self-aware, which helps take the edge off of the stylized over-the-top personas and violence that fill up the world of Guns Akimbo.

Daniel Radcliffe completely steps up to the plate in the role of audience surrogate protagonist, matching our arc of discovery and immersion as he grows with us experience by experience.  Samara Weaving dives deep into the abyss of unstoppable Terminator while providing us with brief glimpses of vulnerability, making our connection to her a complex but enjoyable one.  Ned Dennehy is wonderfully twisted, buying fully into the role of a man driven mad by the power he holds over others while remaining a slave to the needs of the “entertainment” machine.  Natasha Liu Bordizzo brings an element of compassion to the film, which seems very naturally out of place in the over the top presentation, but not so much that her presence isn’t welcome and very much needed.  Grant Bowler and Edwin Wright bring a grounded bit of sinisterness into the mix, while Milo Cawthorne and Rhys Darby inject perfect moments of humor to take the edge off of things.  Richard Knowles, Mark Rowley, Set Sjöstrand, Rachael Ofori, Jack Riddiford and more round out the vast supporting cast.

While this film is more than likely not going to win any awards, it is definitely worth a watch or two, especially if you’re looking to turn your brain off and spend a couple of hours having fun.  It’s been nice to see Samara Weaving in so many films (and different types of films) the past couple of years, and Guns Akimbo marks a big notch in that impressive belt.  10 out of 10 in terms of fun. 

[raquelzine]

Qué ver en casa: #Defiance No os preocupéis, que lo que estamos pasando no es nada. Para el 2046, está previsto que varias razas extraterrestres hayan llegado a la Tierra, que haya habido una guerra universal, que nuestro planeta haya sido devastado, y que los supervivientes estén intentando reconstruirlo.

[elizapdushku]

Harrow (2018-present) #harrow #ioangruffudd #damiengarvey #darrengilshenan #ellanewton #joleneanderson #robynmalcolm #mirrahfoulkes #remyhii #annalisephillips #hunterpagelochard #tonybarry #grantbowler #faustinaagolley #miriamasmith #dianaglenn #tasneemroc #jingxuanchan #harrisongilbertson #stephenmirwin #leighmcgrath #tvtuesday #tvtuesdays #tvilove #favouritetvseries https://www.instagram.com/p/CPmFlpPM51E/?utm_medium=tumblr

[scifitalk]

Time Capsule Episode 147

[l1ve2r1se]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Darius French (@d._riptide)

After watching “Guns Akimbo”...... #film #filmreview #filmreviews #moviereview #moviereviews #filmcritic #cinema #cinemabuff #2020 #altitudefilmdistribution #madmanentertainment #gunsakimbo #gunsakimbomovie #danielradcliffe #samaraweaving #natashaliubordizzo #grantbowler (at Gwinnett County, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-utPdXF73e/?igshid=p2djj9dictjh

[franciscubbins]

#TorranceCoombs #stillstarcrossed #CountParis #abc #LashanaLynch #SterlingSulieman #WadeBriggs #ZuleikhaRobinson #GrantBowler #EbonéeNoel #DanHildebrand #MedalionRahimi #SusanWooldridge #AnthonyHead #ShondaRhimes #ShondaLand

[marosvoliowest]

As everyone knows Still Star-Crossed has been struggling with ratings and is in danger of not being renewed for a second season. So lets have a trending party on twitter which will let it known how much this show is already loved and that we want a second season. 

Let’s trend on Monday the 19th “StillStarCrossedSeason2″ 

The tweets might be counted as spam if only it includes the hashtag and random letters and numbers. So the best way to trend is to have sentences or words included in the tweet! If the phrase or sentence is repeated however it will only be counted as one so shake it up with each tweet! Also retweets don’t count in adding numbers to the trends. 

Don’t forget to mention writers, producers, actors, and networks in tweets so that they can catch on! Here are some of their twitter handles:

@shondarhimes   @ABCNetwork  @ABCStudios @StarCrossedABC @ShondalandTV @MelindaTaub @LashanaLynch @TheSterlingEnd @EboneeReigne @torrancecoombs   @medalionR @GrantBowler @AnthonySHead

Remember if you tweet these people some of them may even get involved in our trend! Ive seen actors help out before! 

We will be having this trending party start before the show airs! After we also will be live tweeting during the whole new episode and telling our reactions and saying what we like about the show and want more of! (Don’t forget to use #StillStarCrossed and tagging ships and such!)

So let’s come together and show our support for this show! Lets work to get a season two!

(if you need more information contact me or @mindykahling)

[queensknight87]

@torrancecoombs: Throwback to a pig unicorn selfie with @TheSterlingEnd @GrantBowler @EboneeReigne #StillStarCrossed

[shonda-does-shakespeare]

GrantBowler:  @AnthonySHead and I invite you to watch the season premiere of #StillStarCrossed on @ABCNetwork in 1 hour! 10/9C I'll be live tweeting

[themoinmontrose]

new zealanderactor grant bowler @GrantBowler is 49 today  #happybirthday 

[headshotsbymarc-blog]

Grant Bowler | marccartwrightheadshots.com 📸@grant.bowler . . . #grantbowler #StillStarCrossed #trueblood #cooter #actorslife #abc #hbo #audition #actor #losangeles #la #acting #laheadshots #actorheadshots #casting #filming #photoshoot #auditions #auditionlife #callback #commercial #onset #setlife #newheadshots #leadingman #actoroftheday #abcnetwork #shondarhimes #shondaland #defiance

[scifitalk]

Time Capsule Episode 103

[l1ve2r1se]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Darius French (@d._riptide)

Gonna make time for this one since I didn’t see while it was out before hell broke loose. #film #filmreview #filmreviews #moviereview #moviereviews #filmcritic #cinema #cinemabuff #2020 #altitudefilmdistribution #madmanentertainment #gunsakimbo #gunsakimbomovie #danielradcliffe #samaraweaving #natashaliubordizzo #grantbowler (at Gwinnett County, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-qJDQBlIqY/?igshid=1b162baesaadg

[blackleathersjackets]

Defiance American Television Series Season 2 Nolan Jacket for sale at Discounted Price $199.00 Buy Online Grant Bowler Leather Jacket with free Shipping Worldwide. This Jacket Material is Genuine Leather, Viscose Lining, Black in Color, Broad Lapelcollar with Dual Button Lining at both Sides for Closing, Full Sleeves with Leather Design Pattern on Elbow, Open Hem Cuffs, Design Element on Front and at Back, One Jetted Pocket on Waist, Fine Stitching.

Buy Now! Click Here: Defiance Nolan Jacket 

[filmstoryboards-blog]

#defiance production #storyboard I did in Ep with #grantbowler

[conographyphotos]

#defiance #renewdefiance #dragoncon #dragoncon2014 #tonycurran #jesserath #juliebenz #grantbowler #syfy #aaronsagers #CONography (at Dragon*Con)