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Baby Reindeer (2024)
Since there is no character development, the series is a large trauma dump
I went into the series loving the first two episodes, however as the series progressed, the topic started straying away from the protagonists stalker and leading into a completely different storyline of his personal issues and life. This would have been fine, if it had not been marketed solely based on the stalker character Martha.
After finishing the series and letting it sink in, my perception of it has gone down and it is increasingly difficult to express due to the fact that the story is true (to what extent I do not know). The acting and visuals were wonderful, the cinematography particularly caught my eye as well-produced. The writing also started off well, however it left me unsatisfied when the potentials for character development were presented and no opportunities were taken. I kept repeating that the protagonist should go to a therapist and that he had so many opportunities to confide in the multiple people close to him who wished to help. I understand that this is a true story and that it can be difficult when tackling mental illness, however it got tiring after a while. I understand that the protagonist is deeply troubled, but there was so much buildup of how his life was going downhill, had moments of euphoria and then tumbled back down. The ending followed the pattern by being down in the dumps and not providing any solution or psychological change as the middle and start of the show. The viewer is left carrying the burden of this man's traumatic experiences, without seeing them try to get better, maintaining destructive loops and going back to the people who hurt him. Instead of taking it as a cautionary tale and showing a way out, the creator who is reflecting his own story is still feeding off of his own self-proclaimed greatest weakness. Let me explain: in his moments of revelation, the protagonist explains how they want fame so much and how they would do anything to feel as if they were respected, important and not a nobody. By not providing a solution and by creating a series that is so exposing to his own issues (particularly being the one to act out his most traumatic moments of abuse), he seems to be stuck in the same loop even today. Now, through the series, he has gained the fame and recognition he had desired all along, this time through exposing his own trauma instead of tackling it in a healthy way through therapy and interpersonal contact.
I understand that this is his depiction of his story, but putting this burden on the viewers just seems like an odd choice. A big "I suffered so now you have to experience it," going back to his own focus on himself (perhaps narcissism may be a bit extreme a term) that can be seen through the story and by knowing that the creator is writing his own story, starring in it and revealing the most intimate details of his life - quite masochistic as another review pointed out.
House of Gucci (2021)
It is meant to be funny, right?
I deeply agree with many reviews I've read concerning the badly done Italian accents that may be considered quite insulting to Italians. Why did they hire famous actors and even Lady Gaga (who is surely very wealthy as a musician and does not need to expand into film) in the one film opportunity that one can hire actual Italian actors for and help propagate their careers? They would certainly be more authentic and portray the Mediterranean spirit.
I recently read an article claiming that there is a lack of creativity in many new films leads to many biopics that were quite unnecessary at the moment. I believe that this can be an "easy way" to make new films that Ridley Scott is quite into. Why not focus on quality over quantity?
Following, the shots last too long and the dialogues/script is shallow. The phrases you see in this movie are evidently unrealistic and cause one to cringe. The shots really let you understand how long this movie is. It isn't a captivating two and a half hours, rather you see the characters slowly walk, converse and exit the frames.
As aforementioned, the casting was off. Not only are all the characters unlikable, which may portray their real personas, yet in a film this can be quite problematic as one is not invested in the series of events or plot. The trailer for this movie can be seen as a concise version of the film, tackling the main events as well. The scenes are incohesive, it seems as if there was no content control or shortening. This movie didn't have to be near this long. They were lackluster and generally lacking the creative touch.
Eternals (2021)
Eternally good at appropriating Greek mythology
This film was extremely long and with each added minute of run time came another dozen problems. It was completely cumbersome to watch with a plot that was all over the place, mingling scenes and times and characters. It felt as though the scriptwriters wanted to intertwine a bunch of ideas that they just brainstormed on the spot and this film is the product. Nothing is cohesive, this film was too ambitious with no depth to make it work.
The biggest problem comes with the character. Their names are taken from Greek mythology without explaining the contexts or details. Supposedly the characters were to have inspired Greek mythology, itself, which is so degrading for the culture and saddening that impressionable young viewers may actually believe this. Instead of giving value to the culture that created some of the most amazing mythology, it doesn't do so in the slightest. The names are warped and spelled horribly, thus making any knowledgeable viewer cringe.
What makes this worse is the fact that all other marvel movies try to tell the story of the culture (ie. Norse mythology in Thor) and do not use it as a mere method to gain more attention. Personally, this bothered me greatly as there are so many amazing pieces of work that cherish Greek mythology and utilize it wonderfully (such as Percy Jackson, targeted to similar demographics).
In conclusion, this film is held up by its budget and effects, it would not stand on any other ground.
Velvet Goldmine (1998)
An Incredibly Important Film With Astounding Acting
I went into this film as I was on a Ewan McGregor film spree after loving his previous work, little did I know this film would become one of my all time favorites! As a huge music fan with a love for Oscar Wilde and properly done representation, this movie was simply perfect for me. It was witty, the script balances fantasy, reality and euphoria perfectly. It gave an incredible insight into the glam rock era and how it contrasts with the following 80s. The characters were all very detailed and after reading more about Todd Haynes approach, you could clearly see all the Easter eggs pointing at Bowie and the two musicians (Iggy Pop and Loud Reed) that Curt Wild was meant to represent. All I can say is the mix of costumes, makeup, glam and cinematography created a truly carefree atmosphere that helps any generation understand what this era must have been like. The Oscar Wilde quotes and storyline were so wonderfully implemented and I found myself smiling when the quote about ivory and gold was so beautifully combined.
After reading more about Todd Haynes I immediately drew the connection with Far From Heaven (a more serious film without the glam, but wonderfully done nevertheless). I definitely think that the way he makes his films conveys a deeper meaning and really immerses one into the storyline, he definitely has a way of evoking feelings in the viewer that I believe to be quite rare.
I could go on and on about this movie; it's definitely a cult classic and it shocked me that more people weren't talking about it anywhere! It just seems like too important a movie to be forgotten; whereas there are so many movies that are way older that are still talked about on all social media... I wish I could share this movie with someone, it definitely made me feel nostalgia of a period I hadn't experienced.
The acting was truly something else! Everyone was so immersed in their characters and it really showed on screen. The cinematography was masterful and looking at individual stills alone is enough to understand how beautiful the glitter era was. The story is the perfect line between reality and fiction because you can definitely see Bowie in Bryan Slade but you still have enough room to interpret it as you will. When Brian Slade is shot, you can clearly understand that this is when Bowie tried to reinvent himself for the 80s music scene when glam was fading. Additionally, the soundtrack worked wonders because it was so authentic and it still managed not to use a single Bowie song.
I know this review is all over the place, but I just feel the need to mention that this film really portrays a changing era and how it is within society's grasp to normalize sexuality. The way the actors portray it is so important for young individuals who may see themselves represented.
Personally, I know I love a film when I want to watch it again a few days later. Very few films have managed to do this for me. Also, the soundtrack was marvelous and I've been saving all the songs! What a pity that Sebastian sung by JRM was not on the soundtrack because it was one of my favorites! Also Ewan McGregor's Gimme Danger should have been included as well!
Shallow Grave (1994)
But Juliet, you're a doctor. You kill people every day.
This film is definitely an early one in Ewan McGregor's career, yet it is still fun and enjoyable. Despite the simple plot with not much detail, the characters were interesting and the psychological element of seeing different people's reactions to finding a huge sum of money was really well done.
There were quite a few witty lines that definitely are deserving of a couple laughs and each character is written in a very honest way. It really boils down to human nature and greed, as the characters go to such lengths to secure the money for themselves. It is so interesting to see these young characters in their previous mundane lives where they try to have fun with possible roommates grow into their corrupt lifestyles and constant fear of being hunted down. I definitely think the attic element was well done, it always creates a vibe necessary to all thrillers.
I think I'm biased in saying that any film with Ewan McGregor is at the very least enjoyable, yet one can definitely understand how much he adds to a performance and how he has a really great dynamic with his fellow actors that contributes to the performance. It is also amazing to see his range as he goes from Shallow Grave to Trainspotting and then to Velvet Goldmine.
Fatal Attraction (1987)
The Best Character was the Dog
This movie has been so highly acclaimed and I wonder why. The characters were very unlikeable and that made it very difficult to immerse oneself into the storyline and feel suspense as to what was happening to Michael Douglas' character. The plot felt mundane and there are so many other thrillers that appeal to one psychologically instead of directly targeting one's family and pets (which is the easy option for a shallow plot). Additionally, I cannot think of a possible scenario in any film which would justify portraying animal cruelty (even indirectly). I cannot believe that this film has utilized such means to further the shallow plot.
Apart from that, the film was so predictable. At the end when Glen Close's character appears in Michael Douglas' bathroom it was so evident that the wife would wipe away the foggy mirror and see her standing behind her. I wonder whether it seems cliche now or whether it was also cliche when this film was released. If only one could sit down and think of a few more unique and characteristic scenes, then I would justify a higher rating.
Next, this film had quite a large budget (16 million) for the final piece that we see. I understand that quite a lot of that would be for paying the highly famous actors, yet if you compare the scenery, environment, effects, costumes, music and location with a film such as Velvet Goldmine (which had a budget of only 8 million) then you will be negatively surprised.
Overall, I cannot understand what made this movie such a box office hit and cult classic.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Sequels Ruin Franchises
The Matrix Resurrections was an unneeded addition to the legendary Matrix series. Many people agreed that the third installment of the series was not up to par with the standards set in place by the first two, yet the fourth one is even more underwhelming.
To begin, the film put messages out in a very direct manner such as "face zuck" which tied the film to extremely recent events and thus made it lose its novelty. It did not allowing the viewer to comprehend any hidden meanings as they are so blatantly portrayed. Apart from that, these messages do not tie in with the plot progression and they seem so out of place. The antithesis between this film which tries to become a critic of political happenings and the originals which immersed themselves deeply into the story is shocking.
Despite one's assumption that graphics and film editing should have become even more advanced, the colors were not even close to the original which had underlying greens and blues that gave the scene a deeper element. Additionally, the effects that made the originals so popular (namely the slow motion movements) seemed worse in this film than in those released decades ago.
I feel as though the Wachowskis should work on a new series instead of changing the legacy of The Matrix by bringing it into the 2020s.
Additionally, having new actors for established characters (like Morpheus and Agent Smith) lost the flair of the original (though I know certain actors like Hugo Weaving were not available).
The implementation of a video game inside The Matrix to explain the history of Neo and Trinity was an odd approach which I personally didn't appreciate. I understand what it was meant to do (explain the memories they may have and keep them close to the matrix by having Neo work on the video game), yet I feel as though it loses the ingenuity of the original films that did not rely on external or cultural elements to explain their respective plots. Additionally, I think it binds The Matrix storyline to the late 20th and early 21st century which I personally find a little disappointing as The Matrix was originally made in a way that was ambiguous, so as to apply to many different decades.
Next, I feel as though Lana Wachowski decided to take a superhero approach to the ending. I found myself cringing when Trinity and Neo fly off during the last seen, I don't know who thought it was a good idea. It really saddens me to see a monumental series turn into a superhero movie that has lost touch with its roots.
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (2021)
One of Wes Anderson's Most Incoherent Films
As a huge Wes Anderson fan, I definitely saw all of his characteristic elements in this film. The cinematography (as always) was top notch and it went by so quickly! I wish I could watch it at x0.5 speed in order to savor and analyze every single shot choice and angle! The colors and the mix between black and white made it a film noir and artistic colorful film mix which I always appreciate. I really think the actors were well chosen and definitely fit Wes Anderson's aesthetic (the attention to detail is always something else in his work). Apart from that, I want to take a moment and appreciate the amazing miniatures that Anderson always has, they are such an amazing idea for setting and they are so inspired, the details, the colors and the scale definitely contribute to the fairytale style of his films.
What struck me as odd was the storyline; this film is the first of Anderson's films that doesn't focus on one group of people in one storyline. Compared to Darjeeling Limited and all his other amazing films, this follows multiple storylines and emulates the format of a magazine and its individual stories or entires. I have to say it is difficult to follow and it definitely requires more than one viewing to fully understand the breadth of Anderson's messages. When I watched it I didn't have subtitles and you can imagine how difficult the dialogue and plot was to follow! I really appreciate how Anderson mixes different languages and takes a European approach to his filmmaking. I definitely will come back and edit this review after I've had more time to rewatch and comprehend this film.
Of course I need to mention that none of Anderson's works are blockbusters or catered to everyone, they are quite specific and one either likes them or not. I believe this has gained so much publicity because people believe it is interesting to say they have watched it and not because they legitimately focus on the storyline. Of course there's no shame in that, one can enjoy this film for the visuals alone!
I personally think it was a little difficult to follow because the moment you start familiarizing yourself with the plot of one story, it abruptly moves on and introduces another story. I definitely think Anderson is extremely ambitious and wanted to include as many things as possible, though this does somehow hinder one's understanding of the story and it may become difficult to follow and even a little frustrating as it is unpleasant to not understand what one is viewing.
Overall, I definitely want to hear other people's opinions of this film and come to some final conclusions as it is still such a new concept! One thing I think we can all agree on is Anderson's sheer originality!!!
Last Action Hero (1993)
Created by Fans for Fans
Definitely an enjoyable spoof with some witty lines. I had to write this review just to mention my appreciation for the line about Salieri and Mozart from Amadeus, as well as the Terminator cameo! I love the allusions to other films that you can tell the creators were very fond of.
Jumper (2008)
Had Potential
This film had an idea and dare I say it started off well. The execution was badly done and the storyline could have been greatly enhanced. It was such a shame to have a slightly redundant plot that remained greatly unexplained. I wish we had more insight into the protagonist's abilities, where they come from and the rising hatred against them (meaning the people who hunt down people who can teleport). There were so many amazing locations which make the execution even more of a shame because they weren't utilized even close to their full potential. This film was not one that would stand out to you after having watched it, apart from the loose idea that was then misguided.
Dune (2021)
An Insult to the Original
The original movie released in 1984 was definitely a piece of work that could be improved. The graphics were badly done, yet the story was coherent and it stayed true to the original story. Despite the complexity of the narrative, one could still grasp what was going on and was interested in viewing the film even to crack jokes and have fun.
This remake was unnecessary and is gaining so much popularity from fans of the actors who will not care about the plot or original story. For starters, it was way too slow! If someone calls the first one long, I'd agree yet call it justified. It focused on important details and dragged in an understandable manner. This film on the other hand rushes through important moments (such as when Paul puts his hand in the box that was otherwise explained in the first film and when the Stillsuit becomes second nature to him, as well as when his doctor turns evil and dissects a body which was never included) and drags on on unnecessary scenes that do not contribute to the narrative. From this, I can conclude that important characters from the storyline were removed (such as the trio that trained Paul) and the storyline is lacking compared to the original. I find it so odd that the film rushed the important moments while still managing to have a way longer screen time than the original (if you assume that this is one half of a duology and the second film will almost certainly be as long).
The choice of splitting the film in half was definitely for financial gain and marketing.
On another note, as this film focuses on the characters and the landscape and targets younger audiences, it focuses on the cinematography and visual aspects to make up for the lack of plot and complex world building that the viewers would not be interested in. The cinematography tried so hard to be artistic but became cliche and cringey. The scene with a hand holding a knife and being so perfectly drenched in blood is stuck in my mind and I cannot believe the creators thought this was artistic. There is a fine line between making the movie a montage of artistic scenes and using Cinematography to progress the plot and make the film visually appealing as an extra element. This film has clearly done the first and it loses so many layers and opportunities because of it.
I am still amazed that this film tries to make a cult story into a mainstream piece of media by targeting young audiences that would not watch this otherwise (if only I could find statistics comparing the demographic of this film and the original and even seeing how many individuals who watched this film have also watched or read the original stories).
Overall, this movie is too slow, loses attention, focuses on budget and expensive graphics. Definitely a movie your eyes start closing to.
The original film, despite the primitive effects and difficult story to follow was one you wanted to see, even to discuss with people and even make fun of to an extent. This one will only gain acclaim for its acting and cinematography (wrongfully so). I foresee it being nominated for so many academy awards for no reason...
Don't Look Up (2021)
Enjoyable but Mundane
This movie was a good one to see once and not think about again. Definitely something you'd watch with friends and discuss for a short while after. The concept of comets hitting earth has been overdone and in order to have a memorable movie about it now, one must go the extra mile and produce a unique piece of work that combines the intricacies of the human condition with the technology meant to combat the imminent threat.
This film was comic, definitely poking fun at people in positions of power and spreading a message about our over reliance on media and how we no longer form opinions on our own, rather are influenced by the stance of people we follow. This movie was infuriating in the messages it portrayed (basically the blatant disregard of the comet) which was definitely well done. The acting was really good (obviously the protagonists have a huge expanse of films and talent that go with them), yet I feel some characters were unnecessary, namely Ariana Grande.
Aesthetically, the film definitely had a large budget that I personally do not justify, other films have used the same sum and made remarkable sets and CGI that cannot be compared to this film's. The cinematography was nothing special and the overall film was more of a drama than a plot - it focused more on the reactions and human condition than at combatting the problem at hand (which was of course a stylistic choice and not one that will penalize the movie).