On today's Manic Monday, it happens to be Easter Monday. Obviously, the Monday Blues is not that present in this case because the only thing we could be manic from is excessive food consumption. And maybe the one or other relative that we really can't stand and always have to see on holidays...
Anyway, to cut things short, I'd like to wish you all a very happy Easter and clebrate the occasion by giving you the most exciting scene from my Easter go-to movie number one: William Wyler's Ben-Hur (1959). And now it's back to eating candy for me.
I know what you did last weekend. But don't fret, I won't hold you accountable for it. Why? Because I did exactly the same thing. The second season of Marvel's acclaimed Netflix series Daredevil is out for us to shamelessly binge-watch since 18 March and, by now, we should all be through with it. I mean, we're only human, right?
First reactions to the brandnew 13 episodes have been lukewarm at best, though. With the original showrunners Drew Goddard and Steven S. DeKnight gone and Vincent D'Onofrio's charismatic villain, the Kingpin, sidelined, many critics seem to have lost interest in the latest escapades of the vigilante in crimson spandex.
I, however, had a sheer blast watching the show, thinking that its few flaws and weaknesses simply cannot outdo the general thrill and excitement. So, what's to love? I tell you in my compilation of Top 3 Things About Daredevil Season 2.
Granted that this narrative device is as old as the hills, I still dig how it's put to use here. After having a brief romantic fling with nurse Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) in the first season, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) - lawyer by day, Daredevil by night - now finds himself between two love interests. Number one is his legal assistant Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), a woman known for her kind nature and sense of justice. Their romance is sweet, pure and full of hearts and bubbles and candy cotton. Number two is his recently returned college darling Elektra Natchios (Eoldie Yung), a woman with sinister drives and a troubled past. Their romance is laden with sexual tension and profound shared experiences - not always of the good kind. What we have here is a beautifully Dorian Gray-ish set-up in which two opposite poles struggle for one man's soul. While Karen's (presumed) innocence gives Matt the chance to try and be his best version possible, Elektra allows him to embrace his vigilante nature and self-destructive tendencies. While for Matt it could be a fresh start with Karen, it's Elektra's acceptance that makes him feel good about his real self.
Besides giving us some cute, lovey-dovey scenes on the one hand and some sizzlingly sexy ones on the other, this triangle opens up the possibility of digging deeper into the three characters involved. I love how Matt is incapable of choosing between the two ladies. Every time he feels closer to one of them, he simultaneously feels the loss of the other. He can never let one go completely. This has us witness Matt's struggle between the light and dark sides of his nature: his endorsement of the legal system and religious values vs. his need to roam the streets as a masked vigilante taking justice into his own hands, struggling with the question of how far he can go in punishing his enemies. I personally am of the persuasion that Elektra is the one for him. But since he now believes she's dead and we really don't know in which state of mind she'll return... Who knows.
Karen, as the embodiment of everything that's good in Matt's eyes, has her own struggle to deal with amidst all of this. We know from season 1 and a few hints here and there that she's not as pure as Matt would like her to be, having taken a man's life in self-defence and all. Now, she still struggles with her demons and finds herself not completely rejecting the Punisher's (Jon Bernthal) revengeful killing ways. I love the scene in which Karen speaks her mind to Matt and deconstructs the high pedestal he's put her on.
Elektra, in the meantime, seeks to win Matt's love by abandoning her murderous desires - and barely succeeds. The show has done a marvellous job introducing her character as a perfectly complex woman who's not entirely evil and yet miles away from being good. Besides, Yung's performance endows Elektra with the necessary coolness and vulnerability to make her completely engaging.
To wrap this up, Matt's affection for the two women really isn't about them, it seems. It's much more about him. They appear like mere projects in which the goal is to keep the one pure and innocent, and to refine the other. The triangle gives us a close look into Matt's psyche and what we find there isn't always pleasant. There are quite a few moments in this season in which I just want to slap him in the face and tell him to get a grip. And that's what I love about this show and this narrative device in particular: it's not afraid to portray its characters as deeply flawed and, yes, unlikeable. And it raises questions without presenting easy answers. Human beings are complicated and not always proceeding on noble intentions. Or sometimes they can get lost following those good intents. Season 2 manages to show all this and still have me invested in the fate of its characters.
Frank Castle a.k.a. The Punisher is much more than just another character to embody Matt's psychological struggle. Having lost his wife and two children in a shootout involving the police and multiple criminal gangs, he takes vigilantism to homicidal heights. Unlike Daredevil, he is out for blood and, once face to face with the enemy, mercy is something that never crosses his mind.
While, on the one hand, his presence naturally serves to make Daredevil question his own moral/religious code, The Punisher, right from the start, develops his own dynamics. Castle is deeply flawed, out of his mind, blinded by hatred and pain - and still he's probably one of the most beloved characters of the new season. What could have been a mere brute with a murderous agenda becomes a man of compelling ambivalence and heartfelt humanity in Jon Bernthal's capable hands. The underrated actor evokes a kind of sympathy that goes beyond the clichéd stereotype of the father unable to protect his loved ones. He brings subtle and honest emotions to the table and pairs them with repulsiveness, violence and ruthlessness. Just like Daredevil, we, the audience, are forced to face our inner demons: what does our moral code say about The Punisher? Can we condemn him? Do we applaud him?
On a different note, Castle's military background, that is his skills as a sniper and in single combat, is handy when it comes to sprucing up the screen with badass action fare. But here the character also walks a fascinatingly thin line between oozing coolness and conveying a brutal, frightening intensity.
Perfectly complex, emotional, physical, intense - this Punisher has won me over.
1. The Stairwell Fight Scene
A while ago, I already celebrated the Hallway Fight Scene from season 1 in our A Scene to Remember section. Now, the makers of Daredevil went out trying to top that for season 2.
And. They. Did.
In what appears to be a five-minute one-take sequence in episode 3 the camera follows Daredevil down a dimly lit stairwell while he tries to fight off a bunch of thugs. The whole thing had me drop my jaw. It's just thrilling and mind-blowing mayhem, yet precisely orchestrated and artistically staged.
While this scene probably is the masterful standout, I'd like to take it as a representative of all the fantastic stunt work showcased within the entire series. Daredevil refrains from wearing out CGI effects. It much more relies on well-choreographed fights and skillful cinematography. It lives from the fact that it is not about flashy heroes in flashy costumes performing flashy tricks. It's about down-to-Earth characters facing real danger. Their brawls are exhausting and demanding. They're adrenaline-fuelled and cool to look at, yet scary - and they leave scars. Matt Murdock's reality is a grim and threatening one, and this reality is evoked not only by the wonderful set and costume design, the sound department or the motivated ensemble cast. No, it's also thanks to the camera people and the extraordinary stuntmen and -women that the show is able to convey such a unique, gritty atmosphere. Kudos to that!
That's it. Let us know what you like best about Daredevil season 2 in the comments below.
When the first season of Marvel's Daredevil invited us to an excessive binge-watching session earlier this year, it became obvious that the show was willing to take risks and try new things in TV as well as in the comic adaptation genre. It allowed for its eponymous hero to not be flashy and invincible, but rather gritty and vulnerable. It went for an unpolished, sinister look instead of a slick, glossy one. It neglected CGI spectacle for well-choreographed, physically challenging stunt work. And it produced dialogues that weren't meant to be one-liner fun festivals but gave the characters room to unfold and breathe.
I admit, the scene I love most in season one, taken from the second episode called "Cut Man", is void of any talking. It is a pure action scene in which Matt Murdock, a.k.a. the Daredevil, fights a bunch of thugs in order to rescue a small boy kidnapped by the ruthless criminals.
This certainly is a scene that was etched on my memory long after I first saw it. As an almost three-minute long one-take shot, it is sheer stunt greatness and unlike anything I've seen on TV so far. And while it manages to stand out on its own, it also unites all the above mentioned qualities that mark the series in its entirety. It's dark and rough and physical, technically brilliant, and it portrays Murdock not as someone who has an easy-peasy time fighting the bad guys. No, he's vulnerable, tired and scarred right before and at the end of the sequence. This depiction further fleshes out his character, showing that despite all the harm and destruction he brings upon himself, he's still willing to stand up against the injustices of Hell's Kitchen.
In this case, action is not just a mere kick-and-punch extravaganza, it also enhances the character narrative. And, hey, I love me some brainy action.
It's Manic Monday again, and I guess most of us feel like good ol' Buster Keaton up there. The first day after the weekend usually provokes in most of us the desire to jump off the next building in order to make the Monday Blues stop. As it happens, it's also World Jump Day today, so, to be honest, we've actually got enough motive to pursue our break-neck endeavour.
Initially meant to raise awareness for global warming, this special holiday is definitely not designed for risqué stunts or suicidal tendencies, though. This is why, in order to keep you safe and sound, I've decided to celebrate the occasion by compiling a list of noteworthy jumps in cinematic history. Therefore, stay off the roofs, BSPeeps, prop up your feet and get through this dreadful day by watching beloved movie characters take the leap for you.
Keaton is even willing to take the jump for you twice. In this classic from the silent film era, the master of stunts leaps head-first through a human body to escape from two threatening pursuers. It's probably the most surreal and fun jump of today's list.
Don't shed a tear, Wendy! Although Captain Hook sends you over the plank, there's no need to fret. We all know that what is meant to be a sure death amongst the crocodiles will eventually be prevented by the flying Neverland inhabitant Peter, who hides next to the ship to catch poor Wendy just in time.
This film turned actor James Dean into the embodiment of teenage rebellion and sheer coolness. He's so cool that in the chickie run scene, he manages to jump out of his car right before it goes off a steep cliff, while his opponent Buzz races straight into his demise. Timing is everything when taking a leap.
Mary Poppins (1964)
After all the tragic jumping, it's time for another lovely leap. Mary Poppins, a.k.a. the best nanny ever, shows us what a bit of faith and imagination can do to a bog-standard jump onto a pavement drawing. This has always been my favourite part of the film.
Bromance is essential in the third part of the popular sports movie franchise revolving around boxer Rocky Balboa. There's really nothing like showing off some ridiculuous moves - formation-dance-style - together with your BFF. When it comes to this list, this is one of the few instances in which I dare say: Do try this at home!
I know, I know, this is probably the most obvious choice. But as a Dirty Dancing devotee with a mild crush on Patrick Swayze I just can't help but put this fine example of jump-and-lift action onto the list. Just look at the people in the audience. Eveybody's perfectly delighted. And don't tell me you haven't tried this out yourselves in a swimming pool nearby at least once. Been there, done that.
"You jump, I jump. Remember?" - How could we possibly not remember this, Jack? I guess all of us 90s children vividly recollect the first meeting between first-class passenger Rose DeWitt Bukater and third-class traveller Jack Dawson, and their tragic fate on the ship of dreams, the Titanic. Granted that Rose does not actually jump off the ship in the end, it's the thought that counts.
This jump is on the list because, well, it's friggin' amazing! Just look at how the camera follows the stuntman over the balcony and through the smashing window. Action cinema per-fec-tion!
Speaking of action cinema: Disney's Tangled, while mostly being a romantic coming-of-age story, definitely has its kick-ass adventure moments. Here, Rapunzle jumps off a rock formation to escape from some pursuers, using her hair to gallantly swing back to the ground. The whole thing results in a dam break and is definitely worth a watch. Enjoy some tough lady action, BSPeeps.
Back to more tragic grounds: This beautifully staged scene from Christopher Nolan's dream walker adventure has main character Cobb witness the suicide of his wife Mal. "I'm asking you to take a leap of faith," is what she says to him shortly before she plunges off the building. Definitely don't do this at home!
There are countless impressive stunts in George Miller's newest Mad Max installment. However, this well-choreographed slow-mo jump definitely fits the occasion best. But, mind you, this is not only jumping for jumping's sake. The scene also functions as an effective depiction of fanatism. Don't we just love our jumps subtle and meanigful?
Thanks for taking the leap with us today, BSPeeps. Feel free to let us know about your favourite movie jumps in the comment section below.
