After exploring the realms of superhero and romantic comedy, Sydney Sweeney, the versatile actress, adds another feather to her cap with the visually stunning and uniquely captivating film ‘Immaculate ‘. Directed by Michael Mohan from a script by Andrew Lobel, the film follows Cecilia (Sweeney), an American nun of unwavering faith, as she embarks on a new chapter in a remote convent nestled in the picturesque Italian countryside. What starts as a warm welcome soon becomes a nightmare, unveiling the sinister secret and unspeakable horrors lurking in her new home.
I first viewed “Immaculate” at the theater on the same day I watched the significantly superior “The First Omen.” Films depicting the offspring of Satan are not groundbreaking, yet it remains puzzling that film studios released these movies in such proximity. “Immaculate” is a film that left me feeling paradoxically torn. On the one hand, it’s hard to deny how Sydney Sweeney’s performance as Cecilia was utterly spellbinding; she guided us through her character’s emotional rollercoaster in a convent dripping with intrigue and shadowy secrets.
From a narrative standpoint and undeniably convenient, the Italian countryside’s compelling backdrop heightens the unsettling atmosphere long after the movie’s conclusion. As we delved deeper into the intricacies of convent life, I oscillated between admiration for the masterful construction of tension and fear and frustration with the narrative’s superficiality. Although it effectively layered dread upon dread, the outcome presented as a hurried cliché.
While ‘Immaculate’ showcases visually stunning moments and skillfully cultivates suspense, its overall substance falls short of its aesthetic appeal. Viewers may be dissatisfied with its tendency to prioritize style over narrative depth. For enthusiasts of atmospheric horror, the film may hold appeal, but the expectation of a gratifying resolution should be tempered.
Final Grade: C-
“Immaculate” is now available to stream on numerous platforms.
One of the great things about buying a soundtrack when I was in my DJ prime was discovering a slow jam that I could put on my mix CDs. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to highlight one of the songs: Jagged Edge’s cover of Air Supply’s, “All Out of Love.”
After twenty-six years in the game, Atlanta-based quartet Jagged Edge is currently on the road celebrating the anniversary of their magnum opus sophomore album, “J.E. Heartbreak,” with a tour titled “An Intimate Evening With Jagged Edge.” To kick off our seventh wedding anniversary celebration, my wife and I will be the D.C. date on the tour this coming Wednesday.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to travel back to 1999 and show some love to R&B group Amyth, which was initially signed to LL Cool J Rock the Bells Records. Hailing from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the group was formed in 1995 while the members were students at Southern University.