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Respect (2021)
Jennifer Hudson's singing skills made justice to Aretha Franklin. The movie has a good pace, but I feel that it could develop more certain backstories of her life.
"Respect" is a solid biopic. I enjoyed Jennifer Hudson who covered quite a few songs from Franklin's discography. Definitely not an easy task, but I think that she gave justice to such a global icon. The story shows Aretha's evolution from a simple gospel choir singer, working with her father and touring with his church across the US, to finding her own voice and becoming the queen of Soul. The director managed to capture all the main difficult moments that she had to go through: her unexpected pregnancy, the difficult relationship with her excessively controlling father, an issue that perpetrated with her first husband, who wanted to manage every single aspect of her career and personal life. You can see that all these experiences surely reflected on her music and lyrics. However, I feel that screenwriters could elaborate on certain key-moments of her life, giving a more comprehensive knowledge of her character. At some point the movie focuses way too much on her tours and records. Considering that the movie is two hours and half long, I feel that screenwriters needed to balance things better. Nonetheless, the pacing was good and I felt entertained for the entirety of the experience.
The cinematography is really good. The director recreated some interviews, using handheld cameras and grainy filters, which gave dynamicity to the story. Obviously the music has a central role. I enjoyed the studio session scenes and the more intimate moments that Aretha had with her family while creating the prototypes of new songs. The cast is composed by a few famous names such as Forest Whitaker and Marlon Wayans. Was also glad to see Hailey Kilgore ("Power Book III"). You can be assured that the acting is on point. "Respect" is a good summary of Aretha Franklin's biography and in my perspective it deserves a rating of 7.5 out of 10.
Conan the Destroyer (1984)
An epic adventure, suitable for families. Engaging fights and quite engaging story.
"Conan The Destroyer" is an epic adventure more oriented towards family: the violence is there, but it is moderated. To be honest, I liked this choice: there are a lot of 'dumb' fights that are just fun to watch. I believe that this movie pleases both adults and youngsters: we can see a bit of blood and the makeup artists managed to create some advanced and quite creepy costumes, while keeping a plasticky feel to props and locations that are more suitable for kids. The acting can be a bit wooden and unnatural in some instances, but it is good enough for what this movie is. I personally think that Arnold Schawarzengger is quite iconic in this role and he delivered a good performance. I believe that people were just too harsh with this production. I quite enjoyed this adventure and I think it deserves a rate of 6.8.
The Penguin (2024)
Excellent spin-off where we can see all the complexity of the character of Oswald.
I have been waiting for "The Penguin" since it was first announced several months ago. HBO managed to explore different elements of this complex and in a way fascinating character: I loved how they showed the relationship that he has with his mother, making him vulnerable and protective. This element plays such an important role, as the audience understands where is coming from and why he became such a ruthless criminal. The Penguin is a strategist, every move that he makes has a specific purpose, and even when something unplanned is coming across he manages to find his way out of the problems. The dialogues are well written, interactions are so intense and some scenes really kept me on the verge. The conflict between Oz and Sofia Falcone is used to follow her rise to power. Cristin Milioti manages to portray the trauma that "The Hangman" had to endure on the Arkham Asylum in a believable way. I was sincerely impressed by her acting skills, as she gave life to an incredible portrayal of the comic book character.
The creators managed to wisely connect the series to the movie, by showing the aftermath of the disaster that happened at the ending: the consequences on the poorest part of Gotham were terrible. The plot uses Victor as a vessel to tell this part of the story. It was well implemented because it enriches the story, without losing the focus on the main plotline. This production is tough, violent and raw: no one in this criminal world is safe. This, in my perspective, is an example of good writing: all the characters need to face different challenges that take a huge toll on their lives. All this is dressed by an excellent cast: Colin Farrell is the equivalent of the Heath Ledger Joker: he is the perfect incarnation of this character and it will be extremely difficult to do better, in case of future iteration. This is a solid 10 out of 10.
Saltburn (2023)
A nice story with an interesting twist at the end. Some sequences seem unnecessary, making this movie slightly longer than it should be.
The best part of "Saltburn" is the photography: some shots are incredibly cinematic, the lighting is amazing and the editor absolutely nailed the music montages. The varied soundtrack highlights the mood of the different characters and situations very well. Barry Keoghan is a versatile actor and I liked how he portrayed this strange and psychopathic character. Jacob Elordi really shines here. At first Felix seems the trope of the spoiled womanizer guy, but through the movie screenwriters gave him more depth. A lot of great names are involved in this project such as Rosamund Pike ("Gone Girl") and Carey Mulligan ("The Great Gatsby", "Drive"), so you can be assured that the acting is on point. The plot is good: at first it seems like a coming-of-age story, but then it takes a more sinister turn.
At times it feels a bit too stretched out, some sequences could be completely cut, in order to have a slightly better and cohesive narration. However, the twist towards the end is worth it. The director managed to keep a surreal narration, where characters behave sometimes strangely. The movie uses dark comedy to deliver some funny scenes, which suit well with the English aristocratic context. The movie does not reinvent the wheel, but it tells an entertaining story that I enjoyed. My final rate is 6.5.
Crash (1996)
This is too weird even for me. I really do not understand the purpose of this movie.
During my life I have watched a lot of strange things, but "Crash" is one of the weirdest films that I have ever watched. Basically for one and a half hours we see a group of people crashing their cars and having sex immediately after an accident. In particular they are excited about body deformities. I understand everyone is aroused by different things, but this seems a pretty insane turn on. If this was used as a way to express a message, I would understand using such explicit scenes, but these are just a bunch of erotic sequences one after another. There is basically no plot and at the end I wondered what the purpose of this picture was.
I have my own interpretation: after the accident that we see at the very beginning, Ballard goes into a coma, and what we are seeing is just the product of his imagination. This is the only rational explanation that I came up with. I have to admit that the acting was pretty good: the cast did a really good job in portraying a bunch of characters with a crazy hobby. I particularly enjoyed the interpretation by Debora Unger, who was very sensual. My final mark is 3 out of 10.
Reptile (2023)
An intricate detective story that builds up tension and delivers a good twist.
As a fan of detective stories, I quite enjoyed "Reptile". It has all the good ingredients: a murder that needs to be resolved and where the solution is hiding the biggest secrets. An engaging slow-pace rhythm that kept me on the verge, wondering what was going to happen next. A good photography that matched with the overall vibes of the film.
Benicio Del Toro portrayed the part of the detective Tom Nichols wonderfully as he was able to effectively display an all-round personality: the screenwriters managed to create a character that does not fall on the typical noir detective with a tragic past cliche. Instead they managed to portray a normal man that finds himself in a tough situation. This is why in my perspective he is such a compelling and believable protagonist. I also like how the creators implemented his wife in the story as she marginally contributes to advance the story. Every single character plays an important role, and every dialogue serves a purpose. Never felt that there were filler scenes. Netflix released a good film with a curated plot and with a phenomenal cast that I definitely recommend. My final rate is 7.
Clean (2021)
The story is a bit cliche, but overall "Clean" surprised me, as it is not the usual action movie with plenty of unjustified violence.
When I first watched the trailer of "Clean" I was expecting the usual clone of "John Wick" starring Adrien Brody. But instead I found a movie that really deepens the backstory of the main character and provides a believable context that in a way justifies his actions. We can see that the protagonist is a vulnerable person that experienced something tragic. He is not just an invincible man.
The movie takes its time and it has a slow-paced first act. There are some violent scenes, but they are never too long or over the top, creating an equilibrium. The plot is nothing new and there are several cliches, especially towards the end. The monologues made by Clean through voiceovers are very uninspired. The interactions between him and Dianda are minimal but somewhat interesting; I like how they developed their father-daughter like relationship. It is not a movie that reinvent the wheel and it is extremely predictable, but I can see that creators put an effort into making an action movie that is a bit different from modern productions, falling in the same genre. Adrien Brody is deeply involved in this project, as he co-written the plot, co-produced the flick and compiled the entire soundtrack. In my perspective he did pretty good. My final rate is 6.3.
The Whale (2022)
A tale of self-destruction that explores what trauma might cause.
"The Whale" explores many sensitive topics. The story of Charlie is a tragic one. The guy fell in love with Alan and decided to leave the family to stay with him, but unfortunately due to a tragic event, he loses his lover. His coping mechanism is food and he gets to a point where he completely loses control and becomes obese. Most of the movie is set in a living room and this gives a sense of staticity that makes the audience understand how Charlie is feeling, stuck in a place that he cannot really leave.
However, the director explored the relationship that this man has with several other characters. I really enjoyed the interactions between him and his best friend Liz, who also takes the function of his caretaker. He tries to reconnect with his daughter. The dialogues between the two characters are harsh and Ellie really struggles to accept her father for who he became and what he did. I believe that there is no complete forgiveness from her side, however we can see that their interactions improve over the course of the film, and by the end there is some kind of resolution that is represented through a graphic allegory.
The director managed to keep my attention by providing small pieces of information about Charlie's story at a time. Only at the very end I had the full picture. There are scenes that are quite impactful from a psychological perspective. I would define this as a story of self-destruction, that is pretty believable. Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau were phenomenal. The acting by Sadie Sink was at times a bit too forced, there was definitely room for improvement. Overall, an emotional film that deserves 8 stars out of 10.
Extraction 2 (2023)
A more of the same sequel with good action sequences.
"Extraction II" is a sequel that starts off exactly where we left off. The first act is quite slow and provides a short but effective dive into Rake backstory, giving to the character just enough depth, in order to give a bit of variety to the whole storyline, instead of immediately jumping into the action. This gives the opportunity to the audience to see the main protagonist as a human being, with emotions and create some kind of bond. Other than that, I would say that this film utilizes the same formula: well directed shootings, with long takes that are patched together by competent editing. However some of these scenes feel definitely too long, and they could have applied some more cuts.
I walked in expecting an action packed production and I did not get disappointed. Definitely this is not an original movie with a groundbreaking plot, but the formula works greatly. It is a valid product, baked by professionals. If you are looking for an action packed film with plenty of gruesome violence, this might do the trick. My rate is a solid 7.
The Creator (2023)
Visually spectacular movie with a compelling first act, but that overall has a bland story.
Technically speaking "The Creator" is a valid movie: the VFX are amazing, the futuristic locations immerse the audience in a dystopian society where AI and humanity are in a global conflict. Since the beginning the tension is palpable and the director managed to deliver consistently intense action sequences. For the first act, the plot is compelling as there are also some interesting twists. However the story quickly becomes bland and forgettable. Screenwriters tried to develop a deeper storyline, but I believe that more could be done to enhance the experience: for instance, the entire relationship between Joshua and Alphie could have been so much better, by providing more meaningful interactions between these two characters. This is an aspect that was rushed. However, the overall narrative is enjoyable, the pace was good and the dialogues were enriching the plot with interesting details.
"The Creator" provides two entertaining hours and despite its flaws, I believe that it is a sci-fi movie that provides some food for thoughts about the future and what could happen if humans and AI would start to live together. This is not a new topic, but it is presented in a peculiar way here. All things considered, I am giving a rate of 6.2.
A Murder at the End of the World (2023)
Intriguing premises with a compelling mystery. Unfortunately the ending is pretty dull.
This show caught my attention, as the premises are really intriguing, the mystery set at the end of the first episode is amazing and it really pushed me to keep going. The creators constantly make you wonder what is behind Andy and his company. They glance at a possible culprit for the murder, but then they introduce small details or sudden changes that completely alter the situation and make you look into a different direction. This makes you doubt all the clues that were collected, and keeps your attention on a high level. I enjoyed the general setup and the characters that were portrayed; I liked to see an unconventional detective like Darby. The plot is enriched by interesting flashbacks that deepen the story of the main characters and that will be present for the episodes, adding dynamicity to the narration. The show is slow paced and I liked it a lot up to the fourth episode. Starting from the fifth chapter, things started to be a little bit too stretched out: there are many long and at times repetitive dialogues that stall the plot. These do not add anything of use to the audience. For a mini series of just seven episodes this is a huge problem. The investigative sequences become dull and illogic. There are at times some incredibly lucky coincidences that are a bit too convenient and that in my perspective ruined the initial setup incredibly.
From a technical perspective, the show looks amazing, the photography manages to capture the cold and inhospitable environment. The few CGI shots are well realized. The cast is composed of many great names, and I was glad to see such big names like Owen Wilson or promising actors like Harris Dickinson and Emma Corrin. 'A Murder at the End of the World' had so much potential, but the development is dull and the ending is incredibly rhetorical and unoriginal. My final mark is 6.5.
No Hard Feelings (2023)
A light and enjoyable comedy with a funny Jennifer Lawrence.
"No Hard Feelings" is an enjoyable comedy starring Jennnifer Lawrence. I am always happy when big Hollywood actors take part in minor projects like this one. It is in a way a coming-of-age movie, where we see Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) mature, in a quite peculiar way thanks to the help of Maddie. I liked how the relationship between the two protagonists developed as they helped each other understand which are their respective issues and how to fix them. The ending is sweet, as it closes a chapter for both of them, opening a new exciting part of their lives. This film in its simplicity brings a smile to my face, as there are several funny instances that I really appreciated. "No Hard Feelings" gave the audience one hour and forty minutes of light entertainment. I recommend it if you just want to relax. My rate is aligned with the average mark on IMDb: 6.5 stars out of 10.
Come True (2020)
Interesting concept with great premises, that unfortunately ends up to be messy and confusing.
"Come True" is a sci-fi movie with a great concept behind it. At first I was intrigued by the possibility that dreams and the real world could be intertwined. The way this idea is presented on screen is great: the special effects look credible and they are really well made. The nightmares sequences are captivating in their simplicity and they kept me glued to the screen. The photography has this ethereal look with all the neon lights that are a good match with the mood of the production. It is a film that is aesthetically pleasant and technically competent. The plot at first is engaging: the director and screenwriter Anthony Scott Burns managed to build a nice mystery around the character of Sarah Dunne. Unfortunately all the anticipation that was carefully built along the way, does not pay off, as the ending is quite disappointing. I have the feeling that the creators did not really know how to wrap up this project and they threw at the audience one of the most trivial and lazy endings that I have watched in a while. It does not provide any kind of solution for all the questions that the movie raised along the way. We really do not understand what happened to the protagonist. The last thirty minutes are a pure mess and this is truly a pity because I was really thinking that I found a hidden jem. It is quite frustrating to see a film that was completely ruined on its last act. I am gonna give this one the rate of 5.5, just because I truly enjoyed the photography, the CGI and the music.
Echo (2023)
A quite enjoyable and more mature Marvel spin-off. The ending is a bit disappointing as it does not provide any real closure.
I really enjoyed "Hawkeye" back in 2021, and the character of Echo was quite captivating. When a spin-off centered on her was announced, I was really looking forward to watching it. The content of the show is more mature, as the violence displayed is very explicit, for a Disney production. The stunts are well made and credible. Alaqua Cox has a good screen presence. Her character has a strong personality and we see her truly fighting, in order to reach her objective, nothing is handed to her. The series briefly shows some superpowers, but mostly Maya goes through difficulties using her human skill sets. This is an origin story that works greatly as a continuation of "Hawkeye", and I like the fact that I did not have to watch countless of other Marvel products in order to understand the storyline. I enjoyed the portrayal of the Native Indian of America that added a mystical twist to the plot.
This production does not shine in terms of technical qualities: special effects are low-budget and there is a massive use of the green screen that is pretty obvious, even to a non-trained eye. I believe that they could pull out something better. The ending was quite disappointing as it felt rushed and it did not give a proper closure. Maybe Marvel wanted to keep the door open for a possible sequel? Well, the answer is obvious. Certainly it is not a show that reinvents the wheel, but it is a decent entertaining experience. As a person that stopped a long time ago following the MCU, I am telling you that it is quite worth watching, especially if you enjoyed "Hawkeye". My rate is 6.5.
True Detective: Night Country: Part 6 (2024)
The first two episodes build greatly the mystery around the murders. Unfortunately the season lost itself by focusing too much on the personal drama of the characters.
I have been waiting for a new season of "True Detective" since 2019, so when it was finally announced, I was so excited. The setting is not really original, as there are already several detective stories located in cold and isolated places, but it is something completely different for this show. The premises are good and the first two episodes build very well the mystery surrounding the murders of the Tsalal scientists. The investigation goes on and we see a captivating development. Unfortunately mid season, the show started to drag the plot in pointless clues and never really progressed the detective work of Liz and Evangeline. Moreover, the creators lost way too much time on the personal drama of the protagonists, adding irrelevant details that only brings away the main scope of the story. At times I wondered if I was watching a soap opera. I believe that in previous seasons screenwriters manage to reach a better balance. The creators added some mystical elements/paranormal to spice the story, but the final result is just messy. I think it was a lazy choice, in order to cover up some plot holes. There are just too many convenient things, which is something that I do not expect from a detective story. The ending is in my perspective very unsatisfying.
Kali Reis and Jodie Foster portray two characters that complement each other and they are respectively the muscle and the brain of the investigation. The dialogues between them are mostly dull and trivial, far away from the quality that characterized the first and the third seasons. From a technical standpoint the show is good. There are some shots that are really well made and Alaska inspired a story with darker tones. There are a few CGI sequences that look outdated. The song "bury a friend" by Billie Eilish is a good fit for the intro. "Night Country" is the weakest season of the show. It has some good ideas that were not properly developed, and worst of all, it was not able to make me interested in the investigation. My final mark is 5. Let's hope that the next round will be better.
Lady Bird (2017)
Pleasant coming-of-age movie that shows believable conflicts and interactions.
The movie has a believable approach when it comes to personal growth and conflicts between the protagonist, her family and friends. The relationships and the interactions between different characters are not over-dramatized. This makes "Lady Bird" flow pretty well. I think that the length was perfect: the film told a story in one hour and half and not a minute felt wasted in pointless subplots. I enjoyed Christine's development from being an immature teenager, to reaching some kind of self-awareness. The relationship with the mother is very central and it feels real, with many ups and downs along the way. The world of Lady Bird is in constant evolution and the protagonist is not the only one that is going to change. I liked the fact that the screenwriter and director took the time to put this narrative world in motion, showing an evolution also of secondary characters. The sensation is that Greta Gerwig had a clear overall vision and this is why the film was never boring and the storytelling is simply great.
I truly enjoyed Saoirse Ronan's performance. She was convincing in the role of this rebel teenager. The actors that played the parents were amazing, however I think Laurie Metcalf really nailed the part of the mother, she was raw and intense in her interpretation. Timothée Chalamet was a bit dull to be honest and he played a pretty forgettable rich boy. "Lady Bird" has a nice photography that matches perfectly with the general mood of the film. This was a pleasant discovery. I strongly recommend this production, as I believe that it portrays the living conditions of an underprivileged household in such a realistic way. My rate is 7.
Jawan (2023)
Action packed Bollywood movie, with well choreographed dancing scenes and good humor.
"Jawan" is an action packed film that has all the ingredients to be a good piece of entertainment: impossible action scenes that are clearly made with a humoristic intent, complex and colorful choreographies and overall a good plot that kept me glued to the screen, despite its length. The story is pretty simple, but it has a couple of interesting plot twists that make it spicier. The stunts are amazingly done and I was truly surprised to see what Atlee managed to pull out. There are some sequences that are ridiculously over the top. Some editing techniques are overused, such as slow motion or speed ramps. I am aware of the fact that these are quite popular in Indian blockbusters, but after a while they just become repetitive and they lose their effectiveness.
Some sections feel a bit overwhelming, as the director tried cramming too many things, with no particular logic. The film changes mood too quickly, not giving the time to transition between a happy and wholesome sequence and a dramatic moment. Some scenes just do not match well together, and I feel that some important adjustments needed to be done, in order to make this production a bit more accessible. Aside from this minor setback, if you are looking for some brainless entertainment, "Jawan" might do the trick. My final rate is 7.5 out of 10.
The Watcher (2022)
Decent mystery show, entertaining enough to get to the end, but the plot is pretty unoriginal and very similar to other Murphy's productions.
At a first glance "The Watcher" looks like the weakened version of the first season of "American Horror Story". Typical American family moving into a big and expensive house, starting to experience weird phenomenons. However, this show is anchored to reality, so what seems at first a paranormal event, has a rational explanation. Still, there are many recycled elements from "Murder House" in my perspective, and in general the first season cannot really stand out in any way, as Murphy uses too many tropes. The storytelling and the editing are what makes this show entertaining enough to be watched until the end, as the directors wisely used flashbacks to add dynamicity to the story. Also the cast contributed to make it pleasant. There are many great names and the interactions between characters were credible.
There are a few critical points that made me scratch my head. I wonder why Murphy and Brennan always need to put some edgy characters such as Karen, even when they are clearly not a match for the story. I hated every single moment that Jennifer Coolidge was on screen. For some series these bizarre and over the top personalities work greatly (like in AHS), but in this case they are just a nuisance. At the beginning of the first episode, the show claims that the plot is inspired by true events, in reality "The Watcher" only took the idea from an event that happened to a family that received threatening letters from an anonymous sender and then he invented the rest. So, if you want to know what really happened, make a research on the internet: you will find the complete story, and it is truly not that interesting, so I understand why the creators needed to invent a lot of stuff, in order to make it usable for the audience. Despite all the criticisms that I made, I still think that it is worth a watch. I liked how screenwriters built the mystery and developed the characters. My rate is a 6.
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
An interesting plot, but way too confusing.
Maybe I am going against the tide, but I think that "12 Monkeys" is an inconclusive movie. The reasons why a man-made virus was used to wipe most of the world population is never explained. We get some clues along the way, but they are way too vague and inconsistent, and in the end they do not converge into a proper solution. I feel that the story just loses too much time in pointless and repetitive interactions, without providing any tangible development. Despite the cast being formed by important names such as Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, I did not like their interpretations at all. I think that they lacked emotions and they both were a bit ridiculous in some sequences.
However, there are few redeeming qualities: the director at first makes you wonder if what the audience is seeing is actually real, or if it is simply the result of a deranged mind that suffers from psychosis caused by the time travel. There are many misleading elements that guide the protagonist towards the wrong path, pointing the fingers towards the wrong culprits, providing an interesting twist. The photography matches perfectly with the plot: there are peculiar camera angles that well portray the confusion felt by Cole. The sound and visual effects are absolutely on point and I liked the post-apocalyptic Terry Gilliam built, it was different than your average sci-fi movie. All the elements for a good movie were there, but at some point you have to give at least some basic explanations of what is happening on screen. I do not like to be spoon fed by movies, but I do not even enjoy being left completely in the dark. I believe that the creators could find some kind of middle ground, providing the audience a clearer picture. For this reason, my final mark is 5.
Hazbin Hotel (2019)
Good animation show with a solid plot and interesting characters.
The style of "Hazbin Hotel" reminded me a bit of those Cartoon Network shows that were aired between the end of the 90's and the beginning of the 2000's: the heavy use of sound effects as a comedic tool, the animation reminded me of "The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy". This is animation for adults and there are many explicit images, so do not watch this with your kids. The series mixes funny moments with deeper sequences where the characters are showing some deep vulnerabilities. It is incredibly effective that the creator managed to tell so many things in just 25 minutes per episode. The original songs are used as a device to greatly shorten some plot developments that otherwise would probably require tedious and pointless dialogues. The soundtrack definitely adds dynamicity to the entire plot. Vivienne Medrano used the power of the musical at its best, providing a cohesive narration that kept me glued to the screen. Erika Henningsen and Stephanie Beatriz portrayed the two main characters perfectly, giving Charlie and Vaggie two opposite personalities, creating some sort of balance. I think that the interpretation of Alex Brightman as Adam was hilarious and added prestige to the show.
"Hazbin Hotel" is a story that surprisingly offers food for thoughts on many difficult topics, but it manages to do so with simplicity and levity which is a great achievement. However, the plot uses too many tropes that have been seen so many times in other similar products. I wish that both the creator and Amazon would dare a bit more when it comes to narrative solutions. Overall this toon deserves a 7, and I hope that this story will keep developing with a second season, as I am truly intrigued.
Babylon (2022)
Hollywood beyond the golden glaze.
"Babylon" is a movie that with its irony brings you inside the mechanics of the showbizIt is a deep journey into a manipulating world that ruined several lives, especially the ones of vulnerable and non experienced people, such as Nellie LeRoy. It is a portrayal of the rise and the fall of the famous fictional actor Jack Conrad that knew his success during the 20s, in the era of mute cinema, but was not able to keep up with the times, becoming irrelevant. It is the sad representation of a successful Studio Executive that after all his efforts decided to throw it all away for a false promise. And these are just a few elements that characterize this three hour piece. Damien Chazelle told of a time where Hollywood was experiencing big changes due to the big technological advancements between the 20s and the 30s, with the introduction of microphone and sounds, the first color cameras that completely changed the way to perceive the pictures.
It is a movie that manages to build a lot of tension on some instances that is relieved by effective comedy sequences that are so well placed and that made me genuinely laugh. The director managed to keep a good rhythm for the entire length, achieving a good balance between dynamic sequences and slow paced dialogues that deepened the different characters. The cast conveyed so many different emotions, but with big names such as Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt, I was not expecting otherwise. The photography is amazing and there are many shots that in my opinion will be iconic. Give it a few years. The first 30 minutes alone are memorable. The intro set perfectly the mood of the film and it immediately put the audience in the middle of the action. Great filmmaking there. The ending is truly a love letter to the Cinema, that in my perspective lasted way too long and it required some trims, in order to reach perfection. Other than that, this for me is a solid 8 and I strongly recommend watching "Babylon" if you are a movie goer. This is definitely a movie that I wish I had watched at the Cinema.
25th Hour (2002)
Spike Lee tells the last tough hours of a convicted man before going to prison for years.
"25th Hour" is a journey inside the mental state of Monty Brogan, a drug dealer that got sentenced to prison. We get a raw portrayal of what his last few hours as a free man looks like, dealing with the fact that he will not be able to conduct a normal life for a long time. So he and his two best friends and his girlfriends decide to spend one last night together, going out "celebrating". These characters all have different emotions regarding this sad occurrence. There are a lot of discordant emotions, characters feel confused and they really do not know how to behave: should they just enjoy these last few moments? Should they be sad?
Spike Lee developed the psychological profile of each character: Frank is a successful Wall Street broker that is very judgemental towards Monty's choices, defining him as a person that made money on people's desperation, while is basically doing the same thing by luring people in "investing" money on risky stocks, exploiting their weaknesses. Jacob is an insecure guy, trying to always see the good in people. He is very moralist, but in the end he commits extremely questionable and unlawful acts. These two characters have many altercations, because they are so different, yet united by hypocrisy. Ultimately we see a lot of tension between characters that build up for a while and that finally burst into some intense unfiltered dialogues. Edward Norton, Barry Pepper and Philip Hoffman were amazing and their acting was absolutely on point. They managed to convey different emotions effectively. Spike Lee made truly an original movie, and as always he makes some social protest, in this case about certain aspects of New York City, in a captivating monologue performed by Norton. I think that the ending is a bit stretched in terms of time, but it is poetic and it gives to the audience an alternative perspective of how things could have gone, if only different decisions were made. This is a deep and solid movie that deserves a 8 out of 10 mark.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Accepting the end of a romantic relationship.
Despite being 20 years old, the message of this film is still very current: accepting the end of a relationship is not easy, especially if it was a meaningful one, but eventually you need to let it go. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" conveys this through visual allegories that are very effective. It really makes you understand how Joel is trying to grip onto the memories of a love that has ended, having distorted memories of what it used to be. At some point he thinks that he had an idyllic experience with Clementine, even calling her the love of her life. By the end they discover to be absolutely incompatible, as they have two opposite ways of seeing life. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet gave a wonderful performance and they managed to convey all the tension, pain and confusion that the couple needed to pass through during these final moments. The director enhanced these emotions through a creative editing that showed some powerful images that stuck with me after the end. Michel Gondry portrayed this love-story in a realistic way: just two regular people, with a normal job and lifestyle, trying to deal with a breakup. The final act is truly bittersweet and it is just perfect, as having a definitive closure after a troubled relationship does not need to be a negative experience, but can also be seen as an opportunity to actually enjoy what it was. This movie is so relatable, as everyone sooner or later went through a similar situation. I normally do not watch romantic movies, however a lot of people suggested to me this classic over the years. I believe that in order to fully understand it, you had to live a similar experience in your life and this is why I probably waited to be 29 before watching this simple, but yet such a beautiful film. I'd never thought that I would give a 10 to a romantic drama/comedy, but this one is truly a gem. I definitely recommend it.
Verónica (2017)
Solid horror that portrays a possession that slightly differs from the average demonic/paranormal movie.
After watching "Hermana Muerte" the prequel film that tells the story of the nun Narcisa, I decided to give a shot also to "Verónica". The movie has some elements that makes it slightly different than your average demonic possession film, as the protagonist does not really take the shape of a monster and she is not tied to some bed, but she can operate as a normal human being, with no visible change in her behavior at first. The photography shines especially towards the end, where Paco Plaza managed to pull out a creative sequence shot. Verónica is a young teenager that comes from a underprivileged single-parent household. She needs to constantly take care of her siblings, as the mother works in a bar and she is very busy, ending her shifts late in the night. Her unconventional and busy life is also hindered by the big physical and psychological changes that adolescents go through. All these elements have an impact on the entire horror element. I am surprised by the depth level that screenwriters managed to achieve with her character.
From a technical standpoint, the movie is solid. The practical effects are nicely done, the CGI unfortunately looks basic, however it is well integrated. I was pleased by the photography techniques, as the director uses some blind spots, shadows and reflection to his advantage, creating tension. "Verónica" is a well written movie with an engaging story, hence my rate is 7 out of 10. It might not be a groundbreaking story, but it works and the acting is good.
Hermana Muerte (2023)
Old school style horror with an interesting concept, tense plot but not really scary.
Paco Plaza made a horror movie, using the photography, the lighting and a good sound design to scare his audience. The director never used cheap jump scares and exploited the supernatural element in an effective and grounded way. No cheap CGI demon, just good camera movement and excellent makeup, aided by some minor VFX that are integrated seamlessly. Overall from a technical perspective this film is well done and the editing has some creative ideas that I particularly enjoyed. "Hermana Muerte" uses the fear of the unknown to its advantage, making me doubt if there was really an evil presence, or if it was just my mind playing some tricks. I am all in for slow burner films, however I think that there are a few scenes displaying pointless dialogues and repetitive interactions that negatively affected the pace of the film. There were some moments where I wondered when the story would finally progress. Then, in the last 20 minutes, the movie just throws all at once the solution of the mystery. This took me a bit away from the intensity of the narration. I was hoping for a more gradual reveal of the dark events happened in the monastery, maybe by giving clues along the way that would keep me more engaged. There are some sequences that are tense, however I cannot really say that I was feeling scared, because we start to see the danger of the entity pretty late in the movie. The film goes from 0 to 100 too quickly. This is in my perspective the issue that prevented this production from achieving its true potential. The cast did overall a good job and the actors were credible in their performances. I have to particularly praise Aria Bedmar who was able to portray Sister Narcisa well, being able to convey the terror through her facial expressions. I give this Spanish horror movie a rating of 6, mostly for the effort to create something unconventional and that deviates a bit from the usual tropes of the genre. If you are into possession/supernatural cinema I definitely recommend a watch.