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A14 PEOPLE / ARTS
Thursday 18 July 2024
Movie Review: A new generation drives into the storm in rousing ‘Twisters’

By LINDSEY BAHR great on the big screen.
AP Film Writer There is once again a crazy
We have a complex relation- opening that gives Edgar-
ship with disaster movies. Just Jones’ tornado-obsessed
look at the discussion about Kate a trauma origin story.
a “ Twisters “ poster, which The story is credited to Jo-
became a perfect encap- seph Kosinski (who was once
sulation of our love-hate ten- going to direct) and the
dencies. screenplay to Mark L. Smith
In the promo for the film, in (“The Revenant”) and none
theaters Thursday, actors of them can get the original
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen out of their heads. Yes, these
Powell and Anthony Ramos are all new characters (in-
are standing in front a mas- cluding Powell’s YouTube star
sive, menacing cyclone. It storm wrangler Tyler) and the
not only contains various only real connection to the
objects swirling in mid-air, first movie is that the Dorothy
from houses to trucks, but technology exists. But it is so
also appears to be on fire. referential as to be distract-
Some people wondered why ing: Literal lines of dialogue
the stars weren’t looking at (“I’m not back”); An attempt
said tornado. Others said if This image released by Universal Pictures shows Glen Powell, left, and Daisy Edgar-Jones in a to make Tyler’s crew a gang
you’re asking questions like scene from “Twisters.” Associated Press of Dustys (which underserves
why the tornado is on fire, actors like Sasha Lane and
this movie isn’t for you. of collective laughter where fact that in the 28 years since chapters” (anything to avoid Katy O’Brian); Making David
Both lines of thought can there wasn’t an intentional it was released we lost both calling it a sequel) that have Corenswet wear what’s es-
be true though. Maybe their joke, or a spirited post-movie Philip Seymour Hoffman and come and gone in recent sentially a recreation of Car-
coexistence is essential. This debate about the flawed lo- Bill Paxton. But it’s also just fun years. Audiences are crav- ey Elwes’ baseball cap and
makes no sense! Also, sign gistics of a plan and exactly to watch with fresh eyes, to ing something big and fun, earpiece. Don’t they want
me up immediately! Disaster how many people have died see the internet remember but worried that it won’t live us to think of “Twisters” on its
movies are almost required from being sucked into a tor- (or realize for the first time) up to their idea of what it own terms?
to be graded on a curve. nado. These are the movies that one of the storm chasers should be. This is inherently But Chung clearly also had a
And filmmaker Lee Isaac that are hard to see clearly was played by Todd Field, flawed because “Twister” vision, attempting to ground
Chung’s entry into the canon the first time but tend to be- the man who would go on has earned its reputation, the insanity in a real place
is perfectly paradoxical. come sneaky favorites over to write and direct “Tár.” I its quotability, across many with regionally appropri-
It might not be fair, or ratio- the years. re-watched it recently on viewings and many years. ate styles and music, and
nal, but there is something Such is the case with “Twist- plane and had a blast. I’d “Twisters” we’re just meeting. deeper characterization.
about the genre that inspires er,” Jan de Bont’s film about forgotten the insane open- It’s hard to get too excited The supporting players were
otherwise reasonable mov- storm chasing and remar- ing but remembered Dusty’s about a first date. thoughtfully cast. Its leads,
iegoers to giddily give them- riage. The modern collective impassioned foot chant. But Chung, a filmmaker best Powell and Edgar-Jones,

selves over to a wild premise love for it would probably There’s been a lot of cautious known for the comparatively are endlessly watchable with
the more ridiculous and illogi- surprise even the critics who optimism surrounding “Twist- small “Minari,” has made a palpable chemistry, even as
cal the better. There is some- reviewed it favorably in 1996. ers” that’s felt different from solid film with escalating they’re monologuing about
thing to be said about the joy Part of that is certainly the a lot of the reboots and “new action sequences that look sodium polyacrylate. q

Music Review: Clairo aims to ‘Charm’ on lush and layered new album

By RON HARRIS accepting, and exploring. ability.
Associated Press The standout song is “Sexy Credit must go to Clairo and
Clairo, the Atlanta-based to Someone,” a repeat- her “Charm” co-producer
indie pop singer-songwrit- worthy track on which Clairo Leon Michaels (of The Dap-
er, is out and about with sings about wanting to be Kings and El Michels Affair)
“Charm,” her third album wanted. “I want afterglow- for their attention to ana-
overall and first record in ing and when I call a car log. Clairo and company
three years. / Send me eyes with the brought together a live en-
The 11-track release is a knowing that I could pull it semble of horns, woodwinds
masterclass in modern but off,” Clairo croons against and vintage synthesizers to
reflective music, hearken- an upbeat drum shuffle and create a sound that is lush
ing back to ‘70s-inspired soft synthesizer stabs. Desir- and respectful of the pre-
pop grooves with a smooth ing to be sexy to someone digital process.
layer of Clairo’s character- is sexier than singing about Clairo fans are likely to love
istic soul. simply being sexy. These are this release. Newcomers to
Clairo previously landed on the savvy songwriting levels her music will be glad they
many a cool kid’s aesthetic that Clairo understands and found her. Clairo remains a
playlist with lovely tracks delivers. standout artist among the
such as “Sofia” and “Bags.” If you want something to current cadre of indie pop
She continues along the move your body to, steer practitioners for her quality
themes of love and sexuality toward “Add Up My Love,” a lyricism and consistent me-
here, blending playful mel- certified bop by Clairo stan- lodic inventiveness.
odies with astute lyrics that dards, quicker in pace than She’s a cut above one-trick
This cover image shows the self-released “Charm” by Clairo. observe the heart’s volatile her usual lilt and a track that ponies that deliver fleeting
Associated Press conditions: wanting, waiting, shows off the singer’s vocal earworms.q