#Waithe Test FAILED

[letamreviews]

Review - Paranoid Park; or, Figuring Out Just How Much the Little Stuff Don't Matter (2007)

Text Aloud (6:15) version removed (for licensing reasons). Audio version to be done (eventually).

This is essentially a repost from my Letterboxd review last year (before this blog’s creation). I just love this film so much that my review got out of hand lengthy to be point of being admittedly unreasonable for Letterboxd’s formatting.

WARNING: Having watched the film long before seeing the trailer, I highly recommend avoiding as much info about its plot as possible. That includes the premise, trailer, YouTube comments, and other reviews.

Slight Spoilers

(page break included just before Minor Spoilers)

First of all, let me tell you about dat opening. The film starts with a weird compilation of different songs set to a seemingly insignificant time-lapse of some river-over-passing bridge (I learned later that it's the St. Johns Bridge). Then the opening goes on for three more minutes surprisingly (and somehow beautifully). It's strange and a little unsettling. In hindsight, its probably a way to prepare the viewer for the strangeness of the film.

Now for the plot. This is a coming of age story about a kid who, after a traumatic experience, is dealing with the realization that shit don't matter. Girlfriends, divorce, teachers--all that shit. It's unfortunate that he had to be scarred for life only to effectively start growing up too quickly, but that's life for you. It just doesn't give a shit. And as the movie progresses we realize, to some degree, that neither does he.

While I found the back and forth time jumps to be confusing at first, I eventually got used to and learned to appreciate them as part of the cinematic experience. It's like you're on this confusing journey with Alex, but homeboy keepin' secrets from everybody so you're trying to figure out what happened and why he's doing the things he's doing.

There are a number of scenes showing him just walking around as if part of his daily routine of sorts, but it seems more like an attempt to escape his concerns. This is quite the contrast to a scene that chronologically happens beforehand—the scene of him driving to the park. I found myself appreciating the intermission that this was. While it was odd at first, like the ladder climb in Metal Gear Solid 3, it doubled as a relaxing moment of subtle tension and an opportunity to really see him, especially as a regular kid.

Now about the cinematography. I like to take screenshots of films, and this one is full of screenshot-worthy scenes, especially during key conversations. Namely, the one between him and the officer. The cinematographer does everything right during that questioning scene. And dat ever encroaching camera? Damn, that's a nice shot. Don't even get me started on dat sound effect.

Speaking of sound, Paranoid Park does something unusual with its soundtrack to the point of being rather experimental, especially when certain sounds come into sudden focus as if painfully yanked straight from Alex's head in order to let us into a place he's keeping guarded from everyone else. With the way things are done, I was left throughout the film to wonder what was with the voice and sounds blended into the music. Honestly, I feel like there's more to the soundtrack and sound effects than I realize.

Similar to Wanuri Kahiu's Rafiki (2018), Paranoid Park has dialogue scenes without lip movement. I counted two in total. The second one was well enough hidden, but the first seemed unintentionally left noticeable. Either way, they both felt artful and experimental.

Speaking of dialogue, there are a few moments where characters say unnatural lines for their age. I found them very noticeable and a little distracting in terms of believability, but they don't ruin the scenes so it's forgivable.

If there's anything I must critique it's the fact that they're obviously teenagers until half-way through. That is to say most of their acting is rather raw and without projected character. Sometimes this works in such a way that the film seems more stylized. Other times, they're obviously teenagers. Except for Macy and Jennifer, though. They felt more natural, especially Jennifer. Speaking of it working, I suddenly remember his little brother. That kid's voice was such that it seemed as if there was something wrong with his mic. He only had a couple of scenes, so I never got used to it.

Minor Spoilers

Let this minor spoiler digest for a moment: It took a traumatic experience for him to stop wasting time with someone he didn't like and start spending more with someone he did. That being said, I like the presentation of an obvious opportunity to pursue the prettier Rachel and repeat the same mistake.

Other Things I Loved:

The long takes.

The intimate focus on people's faces, especially when the editor slows it down.

The March of the Skater Kids.

The reflection shots.

When the hands [don't] touch.

When the last piece of the puzzle is found and everything makes sense.

That the best scene in the entire film is near the end when she's "pushing" him along the road.

Other Noteworthy Things:

There are entire scenes where Alex is effectively bearing the face of a liar. The way he delivers his lines during them is almost uncanny.

The fact that he wasn't even into it.

The conversations with Jennifer, especially the last one.

The fact that his parents are naturally clueless.

The line that tells the future.

The reason and revelation of why he's narrating.

The question I still have of whether or not he told the officer.

The fact that the actors who play Jared, Alex, Macy, and Jennifer are all 16, 15, 14, and 13 respectively.

Fun Fact:

This film was shot with an aspect ratio of 1.33, which is "often referred to as ‘academy’, and more accurately 1.37:1." It's very noticeable, but not bothersome. In fact, the film looks wrong when cropped down to a more typical aspect ratio, which is what you'll find in it's many YouTube videos. There are just significant (and yet unappreciated) portions of the footage that become torn away from view when it isn't presented with the aspect ratio that the film was clearly designed to be presented in. Read Joe Beres' Walker article Paranoid Park’s aspect ratio conundrum to learn more and see an example of this for yourself.

Tests:

Because this is a repost, and I don’t feel like it, I’m gonna skip 3 crew tests completely. Here’s the test process for the rest, though.

[docrotten]

TOP 8 MUST-SEE HORROR MOVIES for APRIL 2021 - Gruesome Guide

I am your host Doc Rotten and this is the GRUESOME GUIDE to Horror Movies for Month 2021. Back with me again are the scariest, goriest, bloodiest co-hosts on the 'Net. Joining Doc is Vanessa, Podcasting Rock Star & International Cosplay Queen.

TRAIN TO BUSAN PRESENTS: PENINSULA - 04/01/2021

Synopsis: A zombie virus has in the last 4 years spread to all of South Korea. 4 Koreans in HK sail thru the blockade to Incheon for USD20,000,000 on a truck. Director: Sang-ho Yeon Writer: Sang-ho Yeon, Ryu Yong-jae Cast: Dong-won Gang, Lee Jung-hyun, Re Lee

THE UNHOLY - 04/02/2021

Synopsis: A hearing-impaired girl is visited by the Virgin Mary and can suddenly hear, speak, and heal the sick. As people flock to witness her miracles, terrifying events unfold. Are they the work of the Virgin Mary or something much more sinister? Director: Evan Spiliotopoulos Writer: Evan Spiliotopoulos, based on a book by James Herbert Cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Cary Elwes, Katie Aselton

THE BELIEVER - 04/02/2021

Synopsis: THE BELIEVERis the story of an out-of-work scientist facing mental deterioration who finds he may be battling his wife’s obsession with demonic activity. Lucas is an out-of-work nuclear scientist, struggles with tension in his marriage after his wife Violet mysteriously terminates her pregnancy without his consent. Director: Shan Serafin Writer: Shan Serafin Cast: Sophie Kargman (‘Violet’), Aidan Bristow (‘Lucas’), Billy Zane (‘Dr. Benedict’), Susan Wilder (‘Charlotte’), Lindsey Ginter (‘Gus’), and Robbie Goldstein (‘Old Man’).

THEM - 04/09/2021

Synopsis: THEM is a limited anthology series that explores terror in America. The first season, 1950s-set COVENANT centers around a Black family who move from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood during the period known as The Great Migration. The family’s idyllic home becomes ground zero where malevolent forces, next door and otherworldly, threaten to taunt, ravage and destroy them Creator: Little Marvin w/ Lena Waithe Writer: Little Marvin Cast: Alison Pill, Deborah Ayorinde, Ryan Kwanten, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Dale Dickey

HELD - 04/09/2021

Synopsis: A couple's failing marriage is put to the test when they are held hostage in an isolated vacation rental by an unseen Voice that commands their every move. Director: Travis Cluff, Chris Lofing Writer: Jill Awbrey Cast: Jill Awbrey, Bart Johnson, Rez Kempton

THE BANISHING - 04/15/2021

Synopsis: The Banishing tells the story of the most haunted house in England. In the 1930s, a young reverend, his wife, and daughter move into a manor with a horrifying secret. Director: Christopher Smith Writer: David Beton, Ray Bogdanovich, Dean Lines Cast: Jessica Brown Findlay, John Lynch, Sean Harris

MORTAL KOMBAT - 04/16/2021

Synopsis: MMA fighter Cole Young seeks out Earth's greatest champions in order to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high-stakes battle for the universe. Director: Simon McQuoid Writer: Greg Russo, Dave Callaham, Oren Uziel Based on: The Video Game by Ed Boon and John Tobias Cast: Jessica McNamee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Josh Lawson, Joe Taslim, Lewis Tan, Tadanobu Asano, Ludi Lin, Mechad Brooks

JAKOB'S WIFE - 04/16/2021

Synopsis: Anne, married to a small-town Minister, feels her life has been shrinking over the past 30 years. Encountering "The Master" brings her a new sense of power and an appetite to live bolder. However, the change comes with a heavy body count. Director: Travis Stevens Writer: Kathy Charles, Mark Steensland, Travis Stevens Cast: Barbara Crampton, Larry Fessenden, Bonnie Aarons

Check out this episode!