Re-Porter Blog: The Porter Report #4 (Year -End Post)

 

    Hello followers!!! Congratulations on making it to the end of 2020. I think it's an understatement to say that everybody is very much relieved to be just about over and done with this year because...people are just about over and done with this year. Under normal circumstances, this would be the day that I would give you 5 top five movies of the year and get you prepped and ready for the new films coming next year. However, the way the world is right now has changed a lot of what would be thought a fun-filled year at the cinema. Even now, the amount of uncertainty in the air makes the possibility of getting that event type atmosphere back pretty scarce for the time being. Don't get me wrong, I will still try to get a 2021 top 10 list to you as per usual. But for this post, I wanted to take a look back at this year and how it fundamentally changed and or could change blockbuster filmmaking going forward. 

The amount of emotional baggage that has piled up over these past 365 days has been stressful, depressing, infuriating, and just downright tiring. Despite some progress being made to get us out of the hole we are in, which is pretty encouraging, it's obvious things could take a while to get back to a sense of calm and normalcy if that is even possible anymore. One of the big things that we lost this year was the theatrical experience. After 2019 brought us so many memorable films, I and a lot of other theater dwellers were eagerly anticipating what the next crop of theatrical blockbusters had in store. Thennnnn COVID-19 happened and any and all plans for seeing movies in theaters were all but lost.

Mulan and Tenet were once looked at as the  

tentpole releases that would get us back to the theaters. 

Ultimately, Mulan streamed exclusively on Disney + 

while Tenet released to theaters as

 intended with middling box office returns. 

The pandemic's chokehold on the movie theater industry this year is pretty staggering and quite depressing. With the chaos of an unraveling world enveloping our every waking hour, it can be damaging to the psyche and the spirit to be around all that negativity for an extended period of time. The theatrical experience offers a chance to escape in the literal sense and get lost in worlds on larger than life screens. Sadly, COVID-19 hit putting any and all plans for theatrical outings on indefinite hold. Its effects are still being felt even hours before the new year rings in. The year that saw three high-profile blockbusters that were headlined by women both behind and in front of the camera (Mulan, Wonder Woman 1984, Black Widow) being all but lost with one going to streaming, one releasing during the holiday season, and one ultimately pushed back to the still uncertain 2021 release calendar. Marvel Studios was depressingly MIA all year marking the first time since 2009 that the studio didn't release a tentpole film in the MCU series. In addition to that, Warner Bros Pictures sent shockwaves through the industry announcing that every film (and I mean EVERY FILM) in the studios 2021 lineup would release simultaneously on HBO Max and in theaters. It's a double-edged sword to be sure. One that could have positive and negative effects moving forward. On the one hand, this ensures that all the movies in WB's lineup for next year will release on time and in theaters that are operating. Conversely, this inevitably causes a rift between the studio and the filmmakers who intended to show their projects exclusively in theaters.

Wonder Woman 1984 and Soul found themselves indirect 

competition with each other over Christmas Day. The latter garnered critical acclaim despite 

being a Disney + exclusive and the former 

released to moderately mixed reviews while also

 being the official launching pad of a slew of Warner Bros Pictures 

releasing simultaneously in theaters and the HBO Max Streaming Service. 

I for one see it from both sides. From the filmmaker's standpoint, it's a pretty rough blow to know that you set out to make a film that most people could potentially choose to see a home when you really want them to see it on the biggest screen possible. That said, some of these films that are set to come out next year cost a pretty penny, and keeping it on the shelf and or pushing it back could mean trouble down the road. Especially in a time where the industry is in a serious financial drought. If theaters are not open, streaming is the last resort to get your project out there for the world to see. A ton of the films in Warner Bros lineup (some of which will be on the top 10 tomorrow) ranges from anticipated installments of established franchises to the launch of potential new ones. A lot is riding on these movies and if a simultaneous theatrical and streaming release is the way to go, then so be it. If the film is quality, then the format shouldn't matter. 

But just to be clear, there are a bunch of movies that will debut both in theaters and via streaming that I will automatically choose to see in theaters because of the scale of the film. As they say: some movies are meant to be seen on the big screen. But the fact of the matter is, we just don't know. Hell, all of my 2021 most anticipated movies could get pushed back or sent to the streaming in just a matter of a few months. This is what 2020 has given us the most. Uncertainty, confusion, anxiety, and a new landscape to adapt to. Overall, the future seems both bleak and bright at the same time. I'm optimistic that the theatrical experience can be salvaged but I'm not oblivious to the changes that have occurred just this year alone. 2021 certainly has questions around it but hopefully, it will be the beginning of a renewed sense of security and joy not seen since the early part of 2020. 

Before I close out this post, I actually did get to see some films this year. 4 to be exact. I wanted to give you my thoughts on the cinematic experiences I did have this year despite the limited visits to a cineplex.

Pete Doctor's first film since the incredible Inside Out is a movie that has really stuck with me long after viewing. The gorgeous animation aside, the film's message about not letting the passions you want to make a living off of keep you from actually living is poignant, layered, heartfelt, and complex. Pixar always excels at blending high-quality storytelling telling with engaging nuance and this movie is no exception. A treat to watch from start to finish. 

 

Christopher Nolan's latest film was one of the most thrilling and confusing blockbusters put to screen this year. A commanding performance from John David Washington made him a star on the rise I can wait to see him light up the screen this decade and the action was bombastic and pulse-pounding even if the script made you more confused than engaged. Overall, I'm happy to say I caught this one in IMAX making the experience all the more memorable. Tenet was a great reminder of why streaming services can't match the gravitas and ambiance of the cinematic experience. 

Ironically, Onward was the first and last film I saw before COVID-19 shut down the world. A fun and heartfelt film that had plenty of laughs and a ton of heart, the movie proved to be a solid addition to the Pixar portfolio despite not quite living up to the monumental standards of its studio predecessors. Overall, this was a vibrant road trip I thoroughly enjoyed and would never be against taking again.

Wonder Woman's latest endeavor has been marred with controversy over the past few days. Whether it's a genuine dislike for the overall product or people unfairly holding it up to the standard of its genre-breaking predecessor, I appreciate Wonder Woman 1984 for what it is: a fun, vibrant, and surprisingly emotional follow-up to the 2017 blockbuster. Gal Gadot continues to shine as the DC cinematic franchise's brightest star and exudes the swagger and confidence fit for a leading lady. It is in no way a perfect film or sequel. But it's the type of escapist outing that is both welcome and needed. 

Despite the difficult year it has been, I’m still thankful that we were able to get through it all. I've never been more ready to turn the page and start anew. Until we see each other in the new year, have a wonderful and safe NYE!!!

Re-Porter Blog: The Porter Report #3

Life and Purpose

A Deeper Look At The Layered Nuance of Pixar's Soul

By: Brandon Porter

    In the midst of this unprecedented global pandemic, a lot of people have been pondering what truly matters in the life that they live. What is my purpose? Does my life have meaning?, Am I living my life to the fullest? These questions seem to be cropping up more and more when you have had plenty of time to isolate, quarantine, and reflect while also protecting yourself from the dangers of COVID-19. It also is the emotional backbone of Disney & Pixar's latest cinematic outing Soul. Watching this wonderfully crafted film and reflecting on its after-effects of its messaging caused me to seriously consider how I look at the idea of purpose and how it can be both beneficial and detrimental to life and how someone lives it. We can evaluate this by looking at Joe Gardner, played by Jaime Foxx, and how he is living his life. 

Joe is one passionate guy. He loves music especially jazz and believes it is the reason he's been put on this earth. It's what drives him, it's what wakes him up every morning, it's the thing he "believes" gives his life meaning. It's always awesome when someone finds something that makes them happy and inspires them to move forward in life. But what happens when passion and purpose become a potentially poisonous and even destructive tool that keeps us chained down and not getting the most out of life. Now to clarify, Joe's passion is his greatest strength and it's the thing that makes him a character that you genuinely root for. It can be found in how he interacts with the people around him. Despite him not having an interest in teaching full time due to his ambitions, you can feel his excitement when one of his students starts to really feel and get lost in the music. He goes out of his way to share his passion with his students whether they are motivated or not. When he plays and he gets in the zone, his students start to perk up, they start listening more intently, they ingest his devotion and love for the arts. It's a quality that true teachers possess and separates them from those just coasting to get a paycheck. 

Despite him having a terrific ability to inspire his students, he is still fixated on his dream of becoming a world-famous jazz musician. There is nothing wrong with that at all. But once we get deeper into the film, the problematic elements start to come to the surface. When he dies and goes to the great before, we get a clearer picture of how he is living his life or rather how little he's actually living his life. He is so fixated on the endgame ahead that he hasn't made time to truly enjoy little things that balance out disappointment, failure, or even mediocrity. No romantic relationships, no life outside of music, a constant obsession with his passion. It's hard to establish deep relationships with people when you always seem to talk so much about what you know most about as shown with his visit to the barbershop. It's good to talk about what you love with people who share the same interest. But sometimes, nuance in conversations strengthen relationships and make you more layered and complex.

But the real question comes when Joe finally gets the gig of his dreams and knocks it out of the park. He is excited about the future now that he believes his life has officially begun. Then reality hits him when he realizes that his future in this new career endeavor is...doing the same thing over again. It's a real turning point for Joe as he comes to the realization that even his passion for jazz was his life, he wasn't truly living his life. This brings up my ultimate question. What happens when the passion that we want to make a living out of keeps us from actually living? What happens when the things we love take over our overall being to where there isn't much room for anything else? What happens to us? It's the questions that I continue to contemplate even after seeing the film. It's the overall message of the movie and why the film has stuck with me after the credits roll.

Look at some of the most famous people in the world. You may look at them excel at an activity and the word that you say is: "He was born to do this." That is an encouraging statement to make about someone who genuinely loves what they do. But what if the thing that you claim they were born to do is all they want to do or believe they should. Think about any professional athlete or, in Joe's case, musician. They live and breathe their craft and don't leave room for anything else. This can be problematic especially when they reach the peak of their careers and gathered up all the accolades possible for their genre or profession. For example, an NBA player lives and breathes basketball. He is so good at it and it's the thing he thinks about when he wakes up and when he falls asleep. He's locked in and focused on just improving his game and doesn't leave room for much else. No family, no relationships, no social interactions, no sense of purpose besides basketball. He gathers up all the accolades possible. All the rings, all the trophies, all the records. Once he gets to the end of his career, he looks around and realizes...his life had no meaning besides playing with that little orange ball. He has little to no connection with his family, he can't hold a conversation without bringing up basketball, he can't maintain a relationship, he doesn't really have friends, and he just stays in the gym, works, plays, goes home, and does it all again the next morning. Now for some, this could work to keep them out of trouble because things like family and friends can impede your progression especially if they aren't bringing value to the relationship. But life needs to be more than the passion you want to turn into a living. As Joe learns, it's the little things that give life meaning. Spending time with his father, passionately teaching his students, enjoying a nice piece of pie or pizza, loving his mother, enjoying a nice cool breeze. His journey with 22 makes him realize the things that give life meaning are the little things we take for granted. Actually living every day to the fullest and being content with outcomes. You'll have good days and bad days. But tomorrow is a fresh start and an opportunity to do be. 

By the end of Soul, Joe gets a second chance to live life but this time he'll do it without letting his passion overtake his life. It's a message that couldn't be more timely as we continue to navigate the uncharted waters of this pandemic for the remaining days of 2020 and into 2021. So many people could be questioning what their purpose is and making adjustments to be sure they get the most out of the time on earth they have left. It could be career changes, disconnecting from people who don't bring value to your life, or simply devoting more time to family and personal health. Your dreams are valid & your passion should be fed, celebrated, and shared. But make sure you balance it out with the beauty of the little things to truly transform your life into something it was always meant to be...worth living.

Re-Porter Blog: Star Wars The Force Awakens 5th Anniversary Special

Hey followers. Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this difficult year and holiday season. Today is going to be a special post for several reasons. I wanted to talk a little bit about Star Wars although we are not getting a Star Wars movie in December this year (or the next 3 years for that matter). For those who don’t who (or do know but decided to not acknowledge it for...reasons), today marks the 5^th anniversary of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. It was one of the many defining events of the past decade of pop culture and ushered in a new era for the beloved saga. I wanted to take this opportunity to express why I love this Star Wars film and why I have a love for this particular era of Star Wars. Now full disclaimer, I’m not oblivious to the climate of Star Wars fandom right now when it comes to these movies. I know that the sequel trilogy is pretty much destined to be labeled as the franchise bastard child for the next decade or two much to my sadness. I’m not looking for a debate on quality or minutiae, I’m not looking to be questioned whether I or anyone else is a real fan, a corporate shill, or an SJW, and I’m not looking to be the subject of some cynical “pop culture” expert’s psych evaluation because I like a certain piece of a series that he or she dislikes. If that is why you are here, sorry to say you will not find any of that in this post. Trust me, you have a plethora of options to experience that type of content on other platforms if that is what you are looking for. The TRUE goal of this post is to, like every other fan of this saga, express why these films and the stories told have meant so much to my personal Star Wars fandom. I apologize in advance for the length but let’s jump in.

Looking back on the hype leading up to The Force Awakens, my Star Wars fandom was strong but not like it is now. Star Wars: The Clone Wars came out at a time when my attention and passion was diverted elsewhere, the prequels appeal had severally faded as the trilogy's problems became more apparent, and my desire to dive into the series was regulated to just watching the original trilogy and not diving into comics and books. Throughout the film's promotional period, I was excited about it in every way, shape, or form. Meeting new characters who would soon become some of my favorites in the saga, seeing old friends who hadn't missed a step since we last saw them, fun humor, fast-paced action, dark and emotional moments, chill-inducing scenes that still resonate to this day, and just an overall good time at the movies. Once I experienced it for myself, the film lived up to my expectations of both being a fun and engaging Star Wars film and a terrific reentry point into the franchise. 

Once the film was over, I found myself so invested in where the story was potentially going and where the characters would go next. Credit goes to director JJ Abrams for delivering big-time despite initial hesitation about taking the job. To be totally honest and to his credit, I admire anyone who says yes to the task of doing a Star Wars movie given the huge amount of responsibility (and baggage) that comes with it. In Abrams' case, he would be either the craziest person alive to say that he will do a Star Wars movie or he'd be the craziest and dumbest person alive to turn it down knowing how much of a fan he is. Fortunately, he chose the former and did a hell of a job delivering a quality experience with a talented group of actors. 

Speaking of actors, how can I talk about this movie without acknowledging the incredible trio who brought characters into my life that are now among my favorites in the saga. John Boyega, Oscar Issac, and Daisy Ridley brought heart, humor, emotion, and swagger to this trilogy and created one the best trios I've seen since the original 3. John Boyega had star potential from the moment he came into the limelight and his connection to the fans made him an instant favorite. Oscar's veteran presence allowed him to bring prestige and charm to the role of Poe Dameron turning him into one of my favorite characters in Star Wars. As for Daisy, her quiet strength, humility, and megawatt smile lit up every room she was in making her a beacon of light for a new generation of female Star Wars fans. The characters they portray also leave a strong impact on me as well. Finn's journey from a man who wants to run to liberator for the oppressed is inspiring and powerful, Poe's journey is filled with valuable lessons about the distinct differences between leaders and heroes, and Rey's arc shows the importance of not being defined by who you share blood with and how your actions in the here and now will take you further than your name will. Rey, Finn, and Poe are characters I've had the pleasure of getting to know and connect with and I'm forever grateful to John, Oscar, and Daisy for gifting them to me. 

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't bring up BB-8. The lovable rolling droid who set the fandom on fire from the moment he rolled out at Star Wars Celebration 5 years ago. Rarely does a character come along that you love before the movie comes out and end up loving even more afterward? From how he talks, his movements, to this scene here...

BB-8 is a joy to watch and he instantly became one of my favorite droids in Star Wars. 

But if we're gonna talk about heroes, we gotta talk about villains as well. You wanna talk about making a freaking statement out of the gate, Kylo Ren did so within his first 3 minutes on screen. Adam Driver deserves all the credit in the world for delivering such a complex and layered antagonist and playing him with such intensity and physicality. Impulsive and violent when unfocused yet precise and unpredictable when calm and collected, Kylo Ren's inner instability makes you question his every move and motive. What makes him even more dangerous and threatening is that you don't know what he is going to do until it's already done. You can't read his face and you have no idea what his intentions are until the blood has spilled. A villain worthy of being in the conversation for sure as one of the best in the saga. 

The Force Awakens also gave me some of the most memorable moments of the saga. The birth of Finn and Poe's relationship via escape from the Star Destroyer is iconic in every sense of the word and has resulted in them becoming one of my all-time favorite duos in the saga. The friendship of Finn and Rey is sweet, emotional, and based on an understanding that they both want to find their place in the world. The sequence of resistance X-Wings flying over the waters of Takodana with John Williams Resistance March score blasting never fails to make me shiver with glee, Kylo Ren stopping the blaster bolt and Poe at the same time never fails to be awesome, Han and Chewie back on-screen are like the biggest hug ever for any Star Wars fans, the Jakku chase sequence with The Millennium Falcon, Rey's pulling the lightsaber to her, Finn's epic duel with the riot trooper and so many more make this a Star Wars movie I can't help but love. I could literally go on and on about how much this film means to me as it came at a time where I didn't think Star Wars would be as strong as it was back in my childhood. 

 I truly owe a lot to Episode 7 and its following installments for allowing me to do things Star Wars related I never thought of doing before. Over the course of the trilogy's run, my personal fandom started to grow and evolve. For the first time ever, I was actively looking to dive into stories outside of the movies. A practice I never considered doing in previous years. For the first time in my life, Star Wars could give me an unforgettable experience in places other than the theater. I credit it for motivating me to watch and be immersed in Star Wars Rebels which is now my favorite animated series in the saga. I went to Star Wars Weekends for the first time allowing me to mingle with fellow Star Wars fans, I read terrific novels and comics in the new canon some of which are among my favorites in the series, and I took a leap of faith and attended my first Star Wars Celebration and D23 Expo. These movies allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and connect with this franchise as I never have before. The Force Awakens wasn't my first step into a larger world. It was my first step into my re-entry and resurgent return as a Star Wars fan. Despite all of the discussions and debates about how everything went or should have gone, I hold these movies, their characters, and the stories that were told high as the best Star Wars trilogy since the Original. Each film changed how I will look at Star Wars down the road. Force Awakens showed me that the series can still be as relevant and impactful in this ever changing Hollywood landscape, The Last Jedi taught me to look deeper and never look at things from a surface level/face value perspective, and The Rise of Skywalker reminded me to quit sweating the intricacies and minute details and just be in the moment with the characters. All three may not be perfect, but they are among my favorites in the saga and will remain there for the foreseeable future. 

But as for Episode 7 and my connection with it, this movie brought Star Wars back into my life in a big way and I'm forever grateful for the memories it has given me. The fan I am now is due to this movie that had all odds stacked against it and became a generational lightning rod that introduced millions of people to a galaxy far, far away and welcomed older fans back into the fold. 5 years later, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a cinematic experience I cherish to this day that continues to thrill and excite me. A movie that proves to all that the force hasn't just awakened, it has never been stronger.