Grand Piano (2013) Director: Eugenio Mira Watched: 8/14/18 Rating: 6/10 {Clue: Written by this jazz-loving director} Comeback performance from a concert pianist that retired five years ago due to stagefright, How ironic that time his nerves are actually warranted- an unfortunate victim of a sniper with dubious motives and a perplexing modus operandi.A skilled camera lens that erratically yet poetically serves as our tour guide- sending us from conductor to pianist to violinist to audience to balcony back to pianist to backstage to villain- even split screen and through the gears under the piano's hood. Zealous fans of classical music will not be disappointed by the score- Exceptional compositions played beautifully as they augment the taut mood/tempo and thrills/suspense of the story. Laudable performances from Wood and Cusack in a taut "Phonebooth" meets "Whiplash" battle of wits. Lamentable premise that starts out tenuously at best- becoming campy by its unsatisfying finale. End result is a beautifully orchestrated concert with skilled musicians- but essential components of the symphony are defective. #Acrostic #PoemReview #Chicago #OneLocation #Music #StyleOverSubstance #WastedPotential

I ended up watching this twice, and to be honest that really only happened because it lasts a mere 1.5 hours, so I decided, "Why not try to figure out what this was really about?" I'm still not sure what exactly to make of the plot, but my best guess after two viewings is that it's supposed be a metaphorical depiction of a neurotic pianist's nervous breakdown. I don't really believe that any of the action which occurs during his historic comeback concert really happens in the world of the film.Instead, it seems more likely that the pianist (who reminds me a bit of Pee Wee Herman!) has taken refuge in his own mind and is listening to voices in his head. There are some interesting insights offered here about the nature of performance and the self-doubt which can plague the minds of people who spend nearly all of their time in practice rooms alone attempting to perfect the creations of composers--the true "creators" in the world of music. He is even playing a piece of music entitled "Slave Morality"!The problem with that interpretation is that it doesn't make very much sense. Still, it does make more sense than the alternative, that he is in reality giving a concert and listening to someone harassing him and threatening to kill him and his girlfriend (a famous actress), if he hits a single false note. No, this must be all occurring in his head, especially given the ending, which seems to represent his final break from reality. This was okay. Rather artistically put together, and with decent production values. A bit contrived, in some ways. Definitely a creative idea. Not a masterpiece, but better than a lot of movies these days.

Haiku Review-A guilty pleasure- An interesting concept- Says what on the boxI have to write ten lines, so I figure I should probably say a bit more . I liked this film, not a lot more to say. Well I guess you should probably watch it. I hope this is not considered "junk words". Y'see I only really want to write haikus. Perhaps that's not intellectual for ya'll. Doesn't really matter. Is this ten lines? Not yet. Also I spelt the word "Haiku" wrong. Sorry IMDb. Still not ten lines. So yeah Eijah Wood- is that his name?- he seems a pretty solid guy. Made a decent film. 6/10. Cool. Kinda short. Is that ten lines enough for you? NO! Appears I have to spell Haiku right before I post.

Grand Piano is similar to Phone Booth and other bottle films. Our hero is plagued by an anonymous tormentor who set a challenge or he will be killed. They usually are straight to DVD or VOD and has stars who are sliding from the A list with a cameo from the villain.Elijah Wood plays Tom Selznick a tormented pianist who had a breakdown on-stage while playing a famously unplayable piece of music. Tom is married to a rising film star and is making an one off stage appearance. However a mysterious voice threatens him to play perfectly or he and his wife will die.The set up is ludicrous but you get drawn in as Tom is puzzled and confused. He fears for the safety of his wife and finds himself in an impossible situation right in the middle of a concert hall.Its a taut thriller once you get over the silly plot point. John Cusack is the mysterious voice who has a motive for having the impossible piano piece played perfectly but the film loses its mystery when Cusack reveals himself and once we find out the motive, it all gets a bit nonsensical.Still a decent, entertaining, short, disposable film