Hoping to strike it rich with a series of paintings from an unknown artist who is also now dead, a group of art profiteers instead encounter a supernatural force determined to have revenge.
Jake Gyllenhaal (Morf), Rene Russo (Rhodora), Zawe Ashton (Josephina), Tom Sturridge (Jon), Toni Collette (Gretchen), John Malkovich (Piers), Natalia Dyer (Coco), Daveed Diggs (Damrish), Alan Mandell (Dease).
Velvet Buzzsaw is an interesting concept being a quirky mix of horror, drama, and arguably comedy. What the film does not do is execute well. The story begins well enough but quickly devolves into senseless scenes of boredom punctuated by weak attempts at horror. Drama is probably the strongest component of the film but even that is somewhat lost with the unusual, almost unrealistic, characters. The last third of the film, where we would hope to see the plot come together, felt like it missed the mark by a mile.
Surprisingly, acting was good. Gyllenhaal fit his unusual role with his usual style. Russo also delivered well as did Collette, Malkovich, and others. Ashton was solid in the first half of the film but felt like she lost it in the second half. The remainder of the supporting cast was at least interesting.
Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good with nice variety and a solid feel for the most part. Action scenes are mild but good while horror scenes were simply disappointing. Dialogue was a mess of failed humor, drama, and social commentary. Sound and soundtrack are okay.
Overall Velvet Buzzsaw is probably going to appeal to a fairly narrow audience. Those who enjoy high quality B-movies, quirky drama, or hate the art world may enjoy this one.
With some sexuality, nudity, violence, gore, foul language, potentially disturbing scenes, and a dose of mental destruction, save this one for older teens and above.
Released: 2019
Reviewed: 3.6.19
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Horror, Mystery
copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel
Jake Gyllenhaal (Morf), Rene Russo (Rhodora), Zawe Ashton (Josephina), Tom Sturridge (Jon), Toni Collette (Gretchen), John Malkovich (Piers), Natalia Dyer (Coco), Daveed Diggs (Damrish), Alan Mandell (Dease).
Velvet Buzzsaw is an interesting concept being a quirky mix of horror, drama, and arguably comedy. What the film does not do is execute well. The story begins well enough but quickly devolves into senseless scenes of boredom punctuated by weak attempts at horror. Drama is probably the strongest component of the film but even that is somewhat lost with the unusual, almost unrealistic, characters. The last third of the film, where we would hope to see the plot come together, felt like it missed the mark by a mile.
Surprisingly, acting was good. Gyllenhaal fit his unusual role with his usual style. Russo also delivered well as did Collette, Malkovich, and others. Ashton was solid in the first half of the film but felt like she lost it in the second half. The remainder of the supporting cast was at least interesting.
Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good with nice variety and a solid feel for the most part. Action scenes are mild but good while horror scenes were simply disappointing. Dialogue was a mess of failed humor, drama, and social commentary. Sound and soundtrack are okay.
Overall Velvet Buzzsaw is probably going to appeal to a fairly narrow audience. Those who enjoy high quality B-movies, quirky drama, or hate the art world may enjoy this one.
With some sexuality, nudity, violence, gore, foul language, potentially disturbing scenes, and a dose of mental destruction, save this one for older teens and above.
Released: 2019
Reviewed: 3.6.19
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Horror, Mystery
copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel
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