Review: The Humans and House of Gucci

A Double Feature Review!

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The Humans

Actors Richard Jenkins and Jayne Houdyshell.

The Humans is a film fueled with anxiety that will send one's blood pressure through the roof. With intriguing camerawork and an all-star cast, this is a film that sneaks up on you. Eerie and powerful; The Humans will rattle your bones. Happy Thanksgiving! The Humans is one of the most claustrophobic movies of the year, while also being superbly led by an all-star cast: Jayne Houdyshell, Richard Jenkins, Amy Schumer, Beanie Feldstein, Steven Yeun, and June Squibb. Houdyshell and Jenkins stand out with their raw and hard-hitting performances as the parents of Schumer and Feldstein's characters. Houdyshell gives us one of the most profound performances of 2021, and it's a shame that she's not being recognized more for her powerful performance. While Jenkins is at the top of his game, showcasing a father who is overshadowed with guilt and paranoia. In the past, Schumer and Feldstein have given us incredible comedic performances. With The Humans, they easily prove that they can deliver more dramatic and gut-wrenching roles. The film revolves around Feldstein's new apartment that she just moved into.

The Cast: Houdyshell, Jenkins, Amy Schumer, Beanie Feldstein, Steven Yeun, & June Squibb.

Her father (Jenkins) is concerned about her new apartment in New York City (Chinatown) and would rather her live in Scranton, PA with them. The apartment creaks, rattles, and drips,  sending an unsettling feeling down your spine. Schumer is also struggling with problems of her own. She had just broken up with her longtime girlfriend. Yeun comes in as Feldstein's new boyfriend, who's trying to make a first good impression meeting the family. While at 92, Squibb plays the grandma and has been suffering from dementia for a while now. Mostly nonverbal, but Squibb is still able to convey a raw and moving performance that hits you like a shot to the heart. The Humans is Stephen Karam's directorial debut, which is also based on his one-act Broadway play of the same name. Karam knows how to stage scenes with a moving camera that lingers and sways, giving off horror-esque vibes. Along with the intriguing sound mixing that will give one goosebumps, The Humans is one of the most engrossing movies to come out this year. Dysfunction, paranoia, and claustrophobia are all part of the appetizers. Wait until you see the full course meal. You won't know what hit you.

The Humans is rated R (Restricted) Language | Some Sexual Material.

See it in theaters or stream it on Showtime Anytime.

Directed by Stephen Karam

Starring Jayne Houdyshell, Richard Jenkins, Amy Schumer, Beanie Feldstein, Steven Yeun, and June Squibb.

House of Gucci

Actors Adam Driver and Lady Gaga

House of Gucci is stylish, bombastic, campy, and wildly entertaining. Lady Gaga is fantastic. She dazzles in every scene. Likewise, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, and Jared Leto are all great. Glynis and I thoroughly enjoyed it. At 84, director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator) is still rockin' and rollin' with making movies. Scott even released two movies in 2021 alone: The Last Duel and House of Gucci. While Gucci might not be Scott's strongest feature, it's definitely his most fun and stylish. With Gucci, we get a biopic that is fueled with style, audacity, and campiness (in a good way). Like the Italian family themselves (Gucci): everything in this movie is way over-the-top, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Clocking in at 2 hours and 38 minutes, Gucci is a tad leggy and probably could have been trimmed up slightly. Nevertheless, I was amused and intrigued from beginning to end. Just like she did back in 2018's A Star Is Born, Gaga gives us another rousing performance. She continues to prove that she's not only a born pop star but a born actress. House of Gucci is inspired by the true story of one Italian family's fashion empire that's engulfed with betrayal, decadence, revenge, and, eventually, murder.

Actress Lady Gaga

Patrizia Reggiani (a dazzling Gaga) is an outsider who marries into the Gucci family. Patrizia falls in love with Maurizio Gucci (a strong Driver). Rodolfo Gucci (a fantastic Jeremy Irons) disapproves of the marriage. There's also Aldo Gucci (a stellar Pacino), who is currently leading the fashion empire. Accompanying Aldo is his "idiot" son, Paolo Gucci (a surprisingly good Leto). Leto's performance is the most bananas out of the entire cast, but he also delivers some of the best comedic moments in the film. Not only is Gucci bombastic with its filmmaking approach, but it is also very funny. There were some genuinely good laughs I got out of this movie. As Patrizia's ambition begins to slowly unravel, Maurizio's choices begin to go down a dark road of lust and adultery. In some ways, Maurizio becomes a bigger monster than Patrizia, that is, until she decides to hire a hitman to kill him. Screenwriters Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna do a good job of humanizing Patrizia's story; while also feeding the story with style, pizazz, and greed. House of Gucci is a fun movie to watch this holiday season, so sit back, drink some espresso, and enjoy the show.

Actress Lady Gaga

House of Gucci is rated R (Restricted) Some Sexual Content | Language | Brief Nudity | Violence.

Directed by Ridley Scott

Starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, and Salma Hayek.