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Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Like Reading a News Article
Don't get fooled by the director or the cast. Don't get fooled by the score either. It's 8.1 at the time of writing this but I assure you it will get down to no more than 7.5. This is a bad movie, plain and simple.
The whole story is told in such a lackluster way that there is no drama to it. It's like reading a long (a very long) newspaper article from start to finish where everything is narrated in a factual and boring way. There is no stakes, no big question, no expectation and no rush. The characters are shrouded in no clouds of mystery and no one changes from start to finish.
Went to watch it to in the cinema. Truly disappointing. I wasted my time, don't waste yours.
Bullet Train (2022)
Worth it!
This is a genuinely good movie. Full of laughs, full of action and fight sequences and not afraid to even mock itself (the water bottle scene). I consider it to be the best aciton movie of 2022 so far.
The Gray Man (2022)
Action Packed Movie
The Gray Man is an entertaining action, pure and simple!. It's the story of Sierra Six, an agent of the Sierra program gone rogue after a mission where he is assigned to kill one of his own, another Sierra agent. It stars Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, and Ana de Armas. The movie is packed with explosions, guns, combats, and classic good/evil characters. I think it's a classical action movie while revealing some novelties here and there which makes up a good experience.
I have mixed feelings about the story and characters. The direction that Six takes and his motivations are confusing at times and even out of character. The story starts with search for truth but changes to rescue mission toward the third act. Even the unsatisfying ending makes you wonder about the characters motivations for his insubordinations in the first place. I know the story is an adoption of a book with the same name, however, I feel it is a lame excuse to say that's how it is in the book!
Having said that, this movie is packed with other things to be enjoyable. Some of the dialogues are funny and innovative in an action movie (you don't throw a loaded gun). Also, the locations, the action sequences and the combats keep you on the edge of your seat half the time and it never gets boring. The back stories told non-linearly adds to the experience and reveals more as you progress into the move. You never get bored during the movie and would enjoy every moment.
In conclusion, if seen as an "action movie" with not that high of an expectation, The Gray Man can be a great movie and a definite must watch.
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)
Strathairn is Perfect, The Story is NOT!
"Good Night, and Good Luck." tells the story of Edward R. Murrow, a CBS television host in the 50s, and his attempts to expose senator Joseph McCarthy and his methods of dealing with communism. While this is a generally entertaining movie, it is somewhat bland.
The story and the characters of the movie are boring and even tedious at times. Firstly, there is not enough evidence of "McCarthyismic" methods in the film to help the audience side with Murrow. Secondly, the characters did not seem to be putting anything at stake to make their decisions engaging. For example, what would happen if McCarthy attacked Murrow? Oh, wait! He did, and nothing happened! Finally, there was no conflict in the story, from start to finish: they went after McCarthy, he gave a response, they denied it, the court order for investigation of McCarthy.
The directing and artistic choices of the movie, however, were good. I liked the black and white aesthetic of the film. The intermediary scenes of the singing African-American lady were enjoyable. Finally, the composition and the cinematography seemed just right and well-thought-out.
The perfect thing about this movie is David Strathairn, though. His acting was superb. To me, it seemed like he was an actual piece of the 50s. Everything from his voice to his face was fitting for the era and a TV host. He played the role with such authority and presence that it is hard not to notice him.
In the end, I would not recommend "Good Night, and Good Luck." as an engaging drama or exciting historical drama. I would, however, enjoyed Strathairn's performance and the general theme of the 50s captured in it.
The Last King of Scotland (2006)
Good Movie
The Last King of Scotland is a historical drama based on Idi Amin, the former Ugandan dictator. This movie was overall an enjoyable experience for me. The story was entertaining, and the actings, particularly that of Whitaker, were excellent. Also, the soundtracks are a delight to the ear. My only complaint is the goriness of the third act, that while not unfitting for a film like this, was inconsistent with the rest of this movie.
The Queen (2006)
Helen Mirren and The Stag
The Queen is a biopic of Queen Elizabeth II. It describes the Queen's struggles after the death of Princess Diana and the people of Britain yearning for change and modernization. It is an accurate and entertaining drama with excellent acting performances and is a movie worth your time.
The general direction combined with Helen Mirren's performance makes this a good movie. As for the performance, Helen Mirren is acting superbly and portrays the Queen with grace and authority. Speaking for the direction, I love how the director chose the actual videos of Princess Diana to tell her story. Also, the scenes with the Queen are shot with 35mm films and those of Blair with 16mm to distinguish their worlds. Finally, as far as I searched, the movie is faithful to the actual events, which is a plus for a biopic in my mind.
The story is based on real-life events and engaging. With the appointment of Tony Blair, a modernizer, the people are hopeful that needed changes will follow. Interestingly, by the end of the movie, both the Queen and Blair, affected by their relationship, are more moderate on their ideas. Also, the story contains some symbolism which makes it more powerful. The stag we see near the third act is a symbol for Princess Diana, and Queen admiring it and mourning its death shows her embracing her feelings for Diana.
In conclusion, for those interested in biopics and great performances, The Queen is a great choice worthy of your time.
The Green Knight (2021)
An Insult to Your Time
The Green Knight is a fantasy based on the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. I wish I could write this in bold: THIS MOVIE IS AN ABSOLUTE WASTE OF YOUR TIME! There is no story here! No plot points! No engaging scene! My finger is sore from all the fast-forwarding I had to do. Some parts of this film are like those tiresome quests you have to do in role-playing games which you need to spend 90% of your time walking. You can easily skip half of this movie as they serve no purpose in the plot and are just there to prolong the movie. I am so disappointed in myself to be tricked into watching this movie!
Babel (2006)
Another Masterpiece by Alejandro González
Babel is a drama directed by Alejandro González that revolves around four different stories and an ensemble of characters connected by a rifle. It has a simple plot that is narrated beautifully and is a worthwhile movie.
The main strength of this movie is its powerful story. Firstly the narration and cuts between the stories have made a simple plot entertaining and engaging. Secondly, there are many scenes in which you know or guess something awful is about to happen; this gives you thrilling suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. For example, in the bus scene, I was excitedly holding my breath from the beginning until I found out where the bullet lands. Finally, the underlying symbolism of the rifle that shows how a simple object can connect many people from different continents and the relationship with the name of the movie itself is another intriguing point.
Another thing to enjoy its movie is the soundtrack and the atmosphere of each story. The music by Gustavo Santaolalla is heart-warming and captivating. Furthermore, it gives a different atmosphere and feeling to each plot which further distinguishes individual narratives. I replayed the end credits multiple times to hear the music over and over. For the music alone, this is a movie that I can recommend.
In conclusion, Babel is a powerful movie with a strong narrative and captivating music by a strong director and is a must-watch for anyone enjoying González's movies.
Notes on a Scandal (2006)
A Must-Not-Watch Movie!
"Notes on a Scandal" is the story of a bitter old teacher who befriends a new colleague. Soon, she uncovers that this new teacher is having an affair with one of her underaged students. The story starts in a good way but ultimately grows to be uninteresting. Characters are well written, but you would not be bothered to root for any of them since the plot is not engaging at all, and overall, this is a movie that you would forget the week after watching it. The only redeeming qualities of this movie are the soundtracks and Cate Blanchett's acting, which both gave me chills; however, I still would not recommend this movie to anyone.
Le scaphandre et le papillon (2007)
Regret Watching this
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is about a guy having a stroke and getting the locked-in syndrome that makes his whole body paralyzed except his left eye. I won't waste words or more of my time on this movie, so I would say this: Do not watch this movie! It lacks any engaging plot points. It lacks any hope for a story like this. It actually lacks anything to make you latch into or enjoy it. The only thing worthy about this movie is its directing and how you can feel yourself in the main character's shoes. However, this is not something you would like to waste your time on.
Die Fälscher (2007)
Poor Cinematography, Passive Hero
"The Counterfeiters" is a drama about Operation Bernhard, following Salomon Sorowitsch as a Jewish criminal in the concentration camps of World War II. Salomon is a professional counterfeiter before the war, and after a few years, Nazis recruit him as a centerpiece member of Operation Bernhard. This is an overall enjoyable movie; however, it has few disappointments.
The story is the greatest disappointment of this movie. It starts and continues well. It revolves around the moral question of trading your honor and ideals for survival. The dialogues move the story forward, and Salomon's interactions with Burger make the audience ponder upon the said question. However, as the hero, Saloman is a highly bland character, and his passiveness makes the third act anticlimactic and unsatisfying.
The general atmosphere of the movie is both good and bad at times. In many moments, there are shakings in camera and zoom-ins and zoom-outs that in times make you wonder whether this is a low-budget movie filmed by an amateur. However, the music and general sounds are what compensate for the cinematography. For example, in The scene where Holst shoots Karloff and the next part, the music and the sounds capture the tension perfectly.
To conclude, I would recommend "The Counterfeiters" to anyone interested in movies about Holocaust and Operation Bernhard. However, if you are looking for something worth your time, you have better options.
F9 (2021)
Beyond-Ridiculous Movie
F9 gathers Dom Toretto's "Family" once again for yet another adventure; However, this time, it is a beyond-ridiculous endeavor that not only insults the audience but also is not enjoyable in any way.
The first insult is the characters, their motivations, and their decisions. Suddenly, Dom has a brother? OK, fine! Why does he think he was living in his brother's shadow? Because someone said "You're the useless one"? That's it? Why did Dom, the guy that uses the word "family" every 5 seconds is so easy to believe that Jakob killed their father? Why does Jakob suddenly turn good? Because his partner betrayed him? Why did Dom suddenly forgive Jakob? Because of a series of flashbacks that reveal nothing new? Why did Otto decide to take sides with Cipher? What did she have to offer to him? As a matter of fact, what did Jakob offered to him?
The next insult is the story and the dialogues. I was getting a headache by some of the dialogues regarding family. What a nonsensical way to bring back Han! Using magnets in the way depicted in the movie was unbelievable even for a comic book movie. Driving to outer space? Why??! Every character in this movie should be recruited by the Avengers! As Roman stated in the movie, they are all invincible. Finally, Why did everyone get involved in the story at all? Where were the cops, the CIA, or other military forces?
If you respect your intelligence and your time, you would not watch this movie.
Okuribito (2008)
Waste of Time, Do not be Fooled by Oscar Win
"Departures" is a movie about Daigo, the main character, who comes back to his hometown after his orchestra is disbanded to become an encoffiner, a job that, while it pays well and has flexible hours, is not a respectable one. This movie truly has nothing special to offer. While the story starts interestingly and with some comedic pats, it quickly becomes a boring nightmare, begging for fast-forwards. There is the element of beauty and elegance, and the relation between the encoffining ceremony and playing the cello that several reviews are mentioning but honestly, as long as a movie itself is not enjoyable (regarding the story, dialogues, or the general theme), elegance does not cut it. I would not recommend anyone waste their time on this. Try not to be fooled by the Oscar win.
Frost/Nixon (2008)
Engaging Battle of Wills
"Frost/Nixon" is a political drama inspired by David Frost's interviews with Richard Nixon after the Watergate incident and his resignation from the presidency. The movie portrays Frost and Nixon as opponents in a duel where each of them tries to best the other in the interviews.
The movie's general theme, the story, the characters, and Langella's performance are exhilarating. While Frost is making efforts to elicit the answer for hard questions from Nixon, Nixon himself is trying to throw Frost off balance and control the interviews' process, which makes the story engaging. As a case in point, the moments seconds before the start of each interview where Nixon would get into Frost's head by a personal remark on his character or his actions are entertaining. Furthermore, Frank Langella's performance as Nixon is passionate and impactful; although, the same cannot be said about his appearance as the character is far from satisfying.
There is nothing particularly wrong with this movie, but I still could not give it more than 7. "Frost/Nixon" is not a picture that I would ever rewatch or be able to remember after a while. Frost is not a worthy adversary for Nixon in a substantial portion of the movie, and the start of the third act seemed like a Rocky montage where he suddenly becomes tougher. Also, in movies like this, not being loyal to the source materials can be a disadvantage for some people. However, we should not forget the artistic license and that this is not a biopic but a historical drama.
In the end, I can say that "Frost/Nixon" is an enjoyable movie revolving around a battle of wills and the Watergate scandal, which can be worthwhile for people interested in political dramas.
Changeling (2008)
Exaggerated Story but Great Portrayal of the 20s
Changeling tells the story of Christine, a single mother whose little boy, Walter, is missing. After a few months of search, the LAPD finds a boy with a similar description to Walter's and reunites him with Christine, only to discover that she is stating that he is not her boy. What follows is a battle between the LAPD, not wanting to admit that they found the wrong boy and, therefore, be embarrassed further, and Christine, who wants her boy back.
The story and the characters have both their strengths and weaknesses. While the main character's relentlessness is the driving force of the story and is entertaining, her lack of courage and passiveness in some scenes makes it hard to root for her. However, Angelina Jolie's performance of Christine, depicting a concerned mother, is impactful and emotional, which makes up for the character at some levels. The other thing to note here is the clever way of expressing oppression against women in the story; however, the plot and the overall theme can seem exaggerated. For example, the behavior of staff at the mental hospital was over-dramatic, in my opinion.
Changeling is an OK movie with some enjoyable traits. I can not say that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and there were times in which fast-forwarding seemed like a good option. However, the visual theme of the film and their depiction of the 20s was entertaining. For instance, every street shot is reminiscent of the good old days. Also, the costumes help
build up this atmosphere.
To conclude, I can say that Changeling is not a bad movie; if you are into the 20s period and enjoy drama with a side of mystery, chances are you would enjoy it.
The Reader (2008)
Good Story, Great Acting, Awesome Cinematography
"The Reader" tells a 40-year-old narrative of Michael, his relationship with an older woman Hanna, and the trial of Hanna for her role as a guard in a Nazi concentration camp. The story compares Hannas's effects on Jewish children and women with the impact she had on Michael after abandoning him.
The most prominent features of this movie are the performances and the cinematography. The first thing that shines is Kate Winslet giving an astounding performance, making her character shine in every scene. The next thing to notice is the cinematography; every frame is a beautiful picture in its way - worthy of attention. As a case in point, the church sequence where the girls are singing chorus is gorgeous. Moreover, the combination of the shots and the acting makes the whole experience a cinematic delight.
The story, in general, was enjoyable but could be better. The beginning scene was redundant and seemed to be there just for the first plot point: Ralph Fiennes is the older Michael. Furthermore, while the sequence at the end of the second act where Michael was recording the books was somewhat climactic, what followed and the final resolution of the movie was relatively lackluster. However, the overall adaptation and the screenplay were worthwhile, and not only was it enjoyable, but it also moved at a reasonable pace.
To sum up, this movie is a feast for the eye with its beautiful cinematography and an enjoyable experience in terms of story and acting.
Milk (2008)
Inspiring Story Combined with Superb Acting
Milk is a biopic about Harvey Milk, a gay activist and politician. Starring Sean Penn as the lead actor, Milk depicts an inspiring story combined with superb acting.
The main strength of Milk is the performances - especially Sean Penn's incredible acting. He performs the character so well and so original that you cannot help but fall in love with him. Moreover, His voice, posture, and overall body language are all tuned to perfection. Furthermore, In the romance scenes, I was amazed at how I could genuinely grasp the feeling of the characters. For example, I loved the first scene where Harvey meets Scott.
The story is an excellent biography but no so much of a wholesome movie plot. As far as I researched, Milk is a pretty accurate movie and loyal to its sources. However, when looking at the story as a screenplay for a feature film, the third act was not satisfying, and Dan White's character and motivations are not relatable. Some adjustments could improve this flaw, such as focusing on White's mental illness (as are the reasons for his light sentence in real life) or his homophobic tendencies. Given these, the story, still, is an enjoyable one.
To sum up, While having some minor flaws, Milk is an inspiring and wonderful movie and would be worth watching.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Strong Story but Way too Happy
Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of Jamal, an Indian boy, his brother Salim, and the "third musketeer" and love interest of Jamal, Latika. It is a feel-good movie with a strong story, cinematography, and music.
The story is where this movie shines. First of all, it's captivating and exciting. Secondly, the characters are all engaging, and you strive to know more about them. Finally, the flashbacks happen in logical relations to the plot, and each of them is interesting and further explains the back story of the characters. The only problem I had was with the ending, which was too happy for my taste.
Other features that make Slumdog Millionaire such a good movie are the music along with the cinematography. The camera angles are used very wisely to capture the feeling of the characters. Furthermore, the music is very engaging and further improves the sense of each scene. However, the final dancing and singing sequence seemed too tacky to me, but I believe it is a substantial feature in many Bollywood movies.
In conclusion, this movie feeds you happiness by the spoon, which can either lift your spirit or make you sick; however, it is an excellent film that I would recommend.
The Blind Side (2009)
Generic Story with Feel-Good Theme
The Blind Side tells the story of the young Michael Oher, an underprivileged kid saved and adopted by the Tuohy family and, by their support, becomes a football player.
The general theme and story are of a generic feel-good movie. So, for the correct audience, The Blind Side is filled with happy and emotional moments that lift your spirit. However, in some parts, the movie goes far with this and becomes similar to a cheap comedy. As a case in point, the moments with the little brother, while being funny, are exaggerated and not believable enough. Furthermore, the third act seems strange and out of place as it has no actual connection with the rest of the movie.
The acting of Sandra Bullock and the casting of Quinton Aaron are the main strengths of the movie. Sandra Bullock gives an outstanding performance of a kind, loving, and confident woman and a mother. Unfortunately, while Bullock's acting is enjoyable, the performance of other actors seems a bit bland that probably stems from their poor dialogues. Given that, the actor of the main character, played by Quinton Aaron, has the perfect face, posture, and expressions for the movie, which makes you genuinely care about and love his character. To give some examples, I loved scenes where he is doubtfully staring at someone or blurts out the words "I don't know!".
In conclusion, if you are feeling low and need an emotional boost, this movie is satisfying; however, I would not recommend it for a having gratifying cinema experience.
The Hurt Locker (2008)
What a Waste of Time...
The Hurt Locker is a war movie revolving around an explosive ordnance disposal team in the Iraq war. Being the winner of the best picture and best direction Oscars, I had high hopes for it, but after watching it, I realized I would never rewatch, remember or recommend it as there was nothing for me in the whole movie to latch into. I didn't find the story or the characters and their relationship interesting. Also, the camera shakings and overall style of cinematography were terrible in my mind. The only thing I found redeeming was Jeremy Renner's performance; however, it still cannot make this movie worth your
time.
El secreto de sus ojos (2009)
Great Characters, Great Story
The Secret in Their Eyes tells the story of the rape/homicide of Liliana Coloto and the main character - legal counselor Esposito working on the case. I love this movie and believe it's a must-see for anyone enjoying crime and detective stories.
The movie shines in its main story, subplots, and its characters. There is never a dull moment in any scene, and the plot has a good pace. Furthermore, there are subplots regarding the relationship of the movie's different characters, which help the audience invest in them and conceals and foreshadows the main plot cleverly. In my mind, the characters themselves are well-written and believable. As a case in point, I connected well with Sandoval, his actions, and his dialogues.
The next strength of the movie is it's directing alongside the success of inducing the feeling of characters to the audience. In the elevator scene where Gomez comes in and reloads his gun, his reflection in the mirror and the shivering of Soledad and Esposito says millions of words without any dialogue. As another example, in the interrogation scene, the camera angle and the sound of Gomez breathing create the proper tension the situation deserves.
In conclusion, I recommend this movie to anyone fond of the genre because of its strong story, highly believable characters, and ingenious directing.
A Single Man (2009)
Simple Story with No Conflicts
A Single Man narrates the story of a depressed gay British university professor after the loss of his life-long partner. Furthermore, it tells the backstory of the main character and his relationship through flashbacks.
There are some elements in the movie that I found interesting. Firstly, the overall visual theme of the film is desaturated, and every time George is bonding with someone, the picture is injected with colors. Secondly, the music is excellent, and it captures the essence of each scene. Finally, I loved the ending and how it circles back - in reverse, to the first scene of the movie.
However, I did not enjoy the overall story of the movie. It seems like a fairy tale; George loses his love and finds love again and decides to live instead of committing suicide. I was desperately hoping for some conflict or plot point but was not satisfied. Although, to be fair, while the scene where George and Kenny go swimming was not bad, it wasn't enough for me.
In conclusion, I did not enjoy the movie and would not recommend it as there are many better options both in the domain of loss of loved ones and LGBT-related stories.
Luca (2021)
Mediocre Story, Great Theme, Awesome Depiction of Portorosso
Luca is a "sea-monster" boy who-after becoming friends with a troublemaker, Alberto, becomes fascinated by the idea of going to the land and explore the wonders of the human city of Portorosso. However, as the villagers are hostile to sea monsters, he needs to keep his identity a secret. The story has a theme of childhood friendship and acceptance from others; it also explores the idea of hiding your true self in society. I love how they resolve the story around this concept and that both the boys and the villagers accept their true identities. However, I am a little disappointed in general due to the story's simplicity and the overall arc the characters go through. As a Disney movie, I honestly expected more from the story. For example, I would have loved it if something more substantial would have drawn Luca to Alberto after he betrayed him by calling him a sea monster in front of everyone.
Luca is a beautiful animation. Considering the style of Disney animations, the characters are designed in a cartoonish way, but the scenery in all the shots is breathtaking, and I was tempted to pause every frame to take in the gorgeous designs. From the bottom of the ocean to the landscapes of Portorosso, everything was designed to perfection. Because of this alone, I recommend this movie to anyone who loves animations.
Finally, as expected in every Disney movie, the music and the voice actings were beautiful and would correctly capture the essence of every scene. In some situations - such as the scene where Luca betrays Alberto, the music would give me the final push to become emotional, and I would definitely check out the soundtracks later. Also, Jacob Tremblay and Jack Dylan Grazer both give excellent performances as the movie's main characters; however, the accent is better judged by a native Italian.
In conclusion, I would say that Luca is worth your time, and with great art designs and resounding theme, It can be enjoyable to the audience.