Armageddon Time

source: Armageddon Time

Didn't really know what the movie was about heading in, but even so the opening sequence was confusing and that feeling persists throughout as the narrative is somewhat chaotic, but this is the result of the movie being shown from a child's point of view. The movie seems like an authentic family experience, and for the most part I didn't really know what the purpose is or what it was leading to but still enjoyed it. A film that's massively elevated by the cast's performances. The kids can get annoying at times as kids do but the movie let's you relate to them and feel their emotions. It has a few very uncomfortable scenes and has a constant piteous feel after the first act or so. We're just witnessing a family's life, so there's no actual story to it and narration feels off because life isn't always linear or follows a path. This will definitely put some people off. The acting is superb, especially from the kids who're the lead roles and able to convey their emotion across; Anthony Hopkins and Anne Hathaway were amazing despite being only in supporting roles, felt like watching real people in real life not in a movie. Jessica Chastain was a surprise, she seemed off but I also think that's how her character was meant to be portrayed. It's just unfortunate such great performances had no story for them to hold together. The movie just feels like childhood memories to me all jumbled up. It's not a movie for everyone and I hesitate to call it perfect nor recommend it but it is beautiful and the performances alone make this a worthy watch. The story wasn't much to behold, but I'll remember this for the heart rending feel it gave. I am still confused as to where the movie titled came from.

The 2022 coming-of-age drama "Armageddon Time" is an autobiographical story about James Gray's tumultuous childhood living in Queens, New York in the 1980s. Paul 'Jellybean' Graff portrayed by breakout star Banks Repeta is a loose reflection of filmmaker James Gray. Paul aspires to be an artist, although his family is adamant that he goes to college and gets a more stable career. After making a funny doodle of his teacher in class, Paul befriends Johnny Davis, a black kid with a troubled past and limited family outside of his grandmother. The film heavily emphasizes the importance of family and how it influences a person's life. I love how the film is told through the point of view of Paul. It avoids going on a tangent, e.g., focusing on Johnny Davis' backstory. Anthony Hopkins as Paul's grandfather Aaron gives as usual a remarkable performance. I was, however, surprised by how much screen time he got. The supporting cast consisting of Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong are great additions and bring a certain level of flare and wit to the movie. Especially the scene where Irving Graff (Jeremy Strong) dances and makes a bunch of noise to wake up the kids is very comical. Paul Graff's sudden lapse of judgment in the police station goes to show that the American law enforcement had a racial bias in the 1980s (and still do). The title of the movie refers to Ronald Reagan's speech claiming that Armageddon was near. The underlying issue of white privilege and racial inequality is made prominent in this movie. White privilege became an important principle for many American schools in the 1980s. During Ronald Reagan's administration, white privilege became more prevalent. The level of systemic racism seen in the movie is quite extreme yet pertains to realism. Blacks have always had a disadvantage in life compared to whites, and this movie makes it abundantly clear. To conclude, "Armageddon Time" is an intricately crafted coming-of-age story with James Gray's own personal touch. Despite a sense of emptiness in some areas, I still fairly enjoyed the film for what it was. Other tidbits: *Fun Fact: Jessica Chastain makes a surprising cameo as Donald Trump's sister Maryanne Trump. Final verdict: 8.5/10.

From beginning to end, Armageddon Time pulls you in and holds your attention flawlessly. The acting in the movie was very good. Each character had there own personality and felt different from one another. The family felt very real as well. The directing and writing were very good as well. It delivers all the highs and lows throughout the story and for a runtime as short as this is, it impresses me. The one thing I will say that I didn't really understand was how they chose to end it. It just seemed like there was more story to tell and the film just decided to end there. But overall this is a very good film that has all the laughs, emotion and talent needed to make a film of this caliber.

I love coming of age movies, but I just didn't care for this one at all. There was just nothing in this movie that I found particularly interesting or new, I know it was based on the directors life, but it just felt unnecessary. I definitely found this to be overrated considering the positive reviews it has gotten. I would be surprised if this is a major award contender like I thought it would be, because it was just so bleak and dull. It also doesn't help when the majority of the characters in the film are very unlikable. Lastly, one minor aspect that I was very frustrated with was the main kid being a Yankees fan, when it is mentioned multiple times that they live in Queens and are by Flushing. Reggie Jackson poster, yankee sticker in the bedroom and mentions of Ron Guidry... come on give the Mets some love. Waste of time.

If you're looking at the title and expecting an action-packed movie, think again. This movie is simply a look at a Jewish boy's home and school life (with passing references to the racism his ancestors have faced in the past and some advantages they have now) compared to his black friend he met at school. They each have somewhat similar situations, get reactions from adults and other kids, and handle those reactions in their own way. That's pretty much it. Of course there are situations that bring out the differences, but it isn't like we're talking a great deal of suspense and action. The pace of the movie doesn't really change throughout, which gives it a realistic feel, but doesn't do much for the audience's anticipation and suspense. As we left the theater, I overheard multiple people saying it was the worst movie they ever saw. I personally won't go that far, but it wasn't good, which is evident by my rating. The actors played their parts well enough; it just wasn't an entertaining or emotion-evoking script. If you're going to watch it, I'd say wait and see it at home. Nothing screams, "You gotta see this at the theater".

James Gray's latest film, Armageddon Time was literally one of the most frustrating films to watch in my life. Taking place in NYC decades ago, involves an 11 year old named Paul who attends school, draws all day, smokes weed, gets whipped harshly by his father in the bathtub, then gets sent to a very expensive prep school that is paid for by his hard working parents. Instead of showing gratitude for the life he has, Paul continues to draw pictures with literally no direction in his life, his parents continue to complain about how unfair life is to working people despite living in a nice house in NYC and making a good living. Paul has an African American friend who is harshly treated by their teacher and wants to move to Florida. Paul after being angry with his father, comes up with the incredibly stupid idea of stealing an expensive computer from his prep school after hours. Now most children would never do anything so stupid, but Paul spends the rest of the movie angry that society doesn't conform to his standards, despite the upper class lifestyle his appliance repairman father gives him. In the end, Paul and his friend Johnny get busted for the computer theft and Paul lets his friend take the punishment for HIS crime, which is absolutely infuriating to most people. That's what makes this film so frustrating to watch, it seems that James Grey has an altered since of history. In fact, I highly doubt that Donald Trumps Father, Fred actually went to Pauls' school acting all high and mighty. No wonder Armageddon Time failed to connect with most audiences, it seems the only person who really enjoyed this film is the director himself and it seems no one else can relate or connect with his story, I wonder why!

This coming-of-age story is more about the about the weakness of a family than anything else. The parents are so self absorbed they don't bother to spend quality time with their youngest son, who winds up only interacting in a positive way with his grandfather. And then they wonder why he's acting up at school when all they do is yell at him and beat him with a belt! For some reason the writer also has to throw some digs at consertives like Ronald Reagan and The Donald's father and sister. It served no purpose, other than sounding vincdictive and out of place. In fact, most of the movie was out of place. Set in 1980, but looking like it was out of the late '60's or sometime in the 70's. The family is supposed to be rich, but they are living in what I would call a small shabby house. There is lots of talk by them about the targeting of ethnic groups while they, themselves are sort of racist -- not wanting their kid to hang out with his only friend who happens to be black, and putting him in a private school because, according to them, the public school is admitting too many minorities! And then there is the black friend who's completely marginalized in the movie, acting as a victim even though at the start he seemed to have a lot of possibilities. PLUS, remember this is 1980, not 1950. It's a low budget movie that could have trully risen to academy award status if it had a more believeable storyline. The entire direction of the movie just doesnt ring true. It's too bad because there were some very competent actors in this film. For me, a big disappointment.

Watching the trailer left me confused as to the point of the movie, after having watched the movie I now understand why... At no point did this film reflect anything remotely resembling a coherent story, it was a vague artsy attempt at an emotional tale, and relying far too much on the acting of Anthony Hopkins to prop it up. This is the movie of a first year cinema student trying to make their mark on the world, while failing to add any plot, charisma, or really any substance, leaving you with a perplexing angsty childhood narrative. I have seen more characterisation in Taylor Swifts breakup lyrics, and more plot on the comic strip on the back of my child's cereal box then was in this movie. Trust me whatever fulfilment you seek in this movie, you will be sadly left with a sour taste in your mouth, and perhaps a high score on Candy Crush as literally any distraction has more entertainment value then this masquerade.