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annelauremilleville
Reviews
Kadaver (2020)
Impressive first feature film
Great surprise, in particular when you know that it is Jarand Herdal's first feature film! We right away get into the swing of things, even if the context remains slightly confused. We easily become attached to this family who is struggling to survive in this apocalyptic world and we understand their choice to go to this "cabaret-hotel". There is no doubt that the atmosphere (or should I say the atmospheres!), the score and the direction pay tribute to the genre.
The overall acting performance is remarkable but I was particularly enthusiastic and impressed about those of Gitte Witt (Leonora), Thorbjørn Harr (Matthias) and Trine Wiggen (Raquel).
In my opinion, the only downside is the narrative that seems to get lost at times and leaves us with many questions and an ending that fell short on my expectations.
Megalopolis (2024)
Unique Cinematic experience
Audacious and spectacular, fanciful and poetic at times ... but above all, very disturbing! I love the comparison between the collapse of ancient Rome and the current decline of the West.
In terms of CGI, there's some very good stuff (the collapsing statues) and some not good at all... But the film's overall aesthetic is surprising and, despite the sometimes abrupt editing and sloppy segues, you quickly get into the atmosphere of the film.
A lot of themes are tackled, but, probably due to lack of time, they're often skimmed over: Manipulation of the people by power-seeking politicians, Fighting for his convictions despite all opposition, plots orchestrated to bring someone down, open criticism of the elite and the powerful.
Several moments are a bit long-winded, despite the well-paced, philosophically accessible dialogues. Certain aspects of the film are unnecessary and a little too far-fetched for my taste, such as the power over time which, even if intriguing, doesn't add much because it's neither explained nor used at key moments in the character's life...
In short, a surprising film, a fine cinematic experience which I personally enjoyed, but which will undoubtedly not be to everyone's taste.
Split (2016)
James McAvoy's feat
Confusing, enigmatic, disturbing... and completely crazy! This is what comes to mind when talking about Hedwig/Kevin/Barry/Denis/Patricia/... well, James McAvoy's different roles which he manages to switch from one to the other with disconcerting ease, even though the behaviours, voices, expressions and intonations are all different. A remarkable feat of acting! Otherwise, although the fascination we can feel for the main character and the affection we have for Dr. Fletcher and Casey, I found that the story lacked depth, that we guessed the end rather quickly and that the narration was at some points a bit slow. Despite the fact that I'm not a fan of films lasting more than 2hrs, I sincerely wish this one had been longer, so as to get a glimpse of more of his personalities. Nonetheless, this film must be seen by any cinema lovers, especially as it's part of the M. Night Shyamalan's emblematic trilogy ;-)
The Fall Guy (2024)
Popcorn movie
As I loved Bullet Train by the same director, I had similar expectations... hence my disappointment. Although I found the action scenes entertaining and most of the plot well thought-out, and loved the cinematic references throughout, I'd eventually qualify this film as dull. While the film begins with the hero's fall (both literally and figuratively), it doesn't dwell too much on his highway to hell or his fears to get back. And, even if I like Ryan Gosling's acting performance, what a shame this film did not offer the main role to a real stuntman who would be able to do his own stunts and would have been a voice for this atypical and little-known profession.
However, I did appreciate some characters such as Dan and Gail, which I'd have loved seeing more on screen. On the other hand, I felt sorry for Emily Blunt, whose character has no interest whatsoever and could even have been dropped from the final version, which would have allowed more time to develop Colt's character.
In short, an enjoyable film to watch in the cinema (not sure if I'd have watched it all the way to the end on streaming) but one I won't be looking to see again.
Challengers (2024)
A film to be seen more for its direction than for the story itself
As a tennis fan, I quickly understood the film's ambition to draw a parallel between the sporting world and love relationships: competition between suitors/participants, keeping your career/relationship going over time, the power of the mind... But I haven't been thrilled about this "trouple" story. I admit that the direction is incredible (especially the different angles on the court, which are stunning), the music is very effective and the actors play well. However, it's the story itself that I find disappointing.... In short, my rating is more a reflection of the film's technical qualities than a general appreciation, as I clearly don't think I'd like to see it again.
Mondays: Kono taimurupu, look joshi ni kidzuka senai to owaranai (2022)
Great time loop movie
At first sight, a Japanese film with a rather banal synopsis: a group trapped in a time loop. And yet, the film offers unexpected twists and turns, takes us on an emotional rollercoaster and, above all, makes us have a great time, even though the underlying issues are very serious. This film was definitely a surprise for me, in terms of script, acting, direction/editing and music. And I'll certainly have more consideration for pigeons in the future!
Whether you're a Japanese film fan or not, I highly recommend it! A fun and feel-good movie for all, that I will have pleasure to rewatch for sure.
Monkey Man (2024)
Incredible first film
When an Indian actor is fed up with not being offered his dream action role and decides to write one, produce it, direct it and play in it, it looks like MONKEY MAN by Dev Patel. And for a first film, it's impressive! Everything is there: Choreographed fights, funny situations that make you laugh as well as jump, endearing characters, villains that you can't help but hating at first glance, beautiful settings and places, effective music and constant intensity.
Although the heart of the story is quite simple (a young man who he wants revenge on his mother's killers), many themes are subtly addressed throughout : the poor vs the rich , transidentity, spirituality, corruption, "luxury prostitution", ...
Worth noting an ambitious direction with lots of "shaky cam" but highly efficient on screen and many ingenious plans playing with perspectives and mirror reflections. Let's hope this film is only the first of a long line of Mr Patel's masterpieces to come!
Clearly a movie to see on the big screen to appreciate at its true value.
C'è ancora domani (2023)
Fantastic Italian movie
An engaged, feminist and civic-minded film: a gem! Dealing with a serious and heavy subject that, even if the story takes place after the war and is shot in black and white, painfully echoes what far too many women still suffer nowadays. The musical scenes are both off-the-wall and perfectly in tune with the story, making you smile with tenderness or shed a tear of sorrow. Intensity all the way through, with a mind-blowing end that is so meaningful... BRAVO!
Incredible performance of Paola Cortellisi in front and behind camera. I hope the International worl of Cinema will hear more from her work in a near future.
The Zone of Interest (2023)
The banality of war's horror
This film slaps, both cinematically and emotionally speaking. Far from being yet another film about the Second World War, it approaches the Holocaust from a new angle: from the house next door to the camp, occupied by Rodolphe Höss' family, the camp director.
From the very beginning of the film, starting with several (long?) minutes of black screen, the viewer is invited to listen in order to understand. Obsessed by what we do not see, the soundtrack highlights the horror in the midst of which this family has built a happy routine.
Delicate dialogues and direction, irreproachable acting performances, and memorable visuals, with the exception of the scenes shot in negative, although I understand their significance.
The parallel at the end is surprising and reminds us how important the duty of memory is (and the moral/ethical that we put in it) so that history does not repeat, NEVER.
I'd like to encourage people to see this film, but I can understand why it might be difficult for an uninformed audience to take the story literally without seeing the strong message it tries to deliver.
Bob Marley: One Love (2024)
Pleasant to watch but not a biopic
Very smooth film, which only focuses on Bob Marley's Peace & Love message. It is not a biopic, but a tribute to the musician and man of peace. Anything that might tarnish the reggae star's image (excessive drug use, infidelity with children from several women, violent fits of anger, etc.) is not clearly addressed, but merely suggested in some scenes, which gives the impression of vagueness in the narrative, in addition to flashback scenes that are not always easy to identify. Otherwise, the cinematography is beautiful, the performances by Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch are very convincing and the musicality of the film totally immerses us in the atmosphere of this time.
Laughter Has No Color (2022)
Inspirational documentary
A great documentary mainly narrated by Sir Frank Cooper, a fantastic story teller who explains his motivation to create the First Black Stand-up Comedy Awards and the financial and ideological obstacles he had to overcome. Thanks to the passion that has driven him over the years, the AAHAS Awards Ceremony highlighted many black artists such as Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg. This collection of touching testimonials proves that if you believe strongly in a project that it can positively impact an entire community, and whatever obstacles are put in your way, it is worth fighting for it. As Sir Frank says, "don't wait for people to do things for you, you've got to take the initiative." Bravo to Jeremy Norrie for this moving and passionate documentary made with deference.
Eat, Play, Diet (2024)
perfect explanatory documentary on the diet world
A clear and well-informed film on the current situation of food consumption habits in the United States and its impact on Americans' health. Cross-interviews with athletes, nutritionists and catering professionals analyze the most popular diets by specifying their strengths and limitations. This informative and tolerant documentary questions our nutrition and reminds us of the meaning of "eating well." Moreover, technically speaking, the shots, the sound, the editing, ... there is absolutely nothing to complain about! Congratulations to the team behind this beautiful project which I hope will be widely accessible for educational purposes.
American Anxiety: Inside the Hidden Epidemic of Anxiety and Depression (2023)
Must-see documentary
A precise, intelligent, respectful and well-documented film on a difficult subject that is increasingly affecting our society, yet which is difficult to talk about: depression (and anxiety). We've all been personnally touched, in one way or another, by depression, but this "modern illness" is still misunderstood. In this 1h30, the causes, consequences, medicinal and therapeutic treatments are explained by professionnals, by patients who have suffered from depression through moving testimonies. This is supported by clear data on the current situation in the United States and its massive acceleration in recent years. Congratulations to the team behind this project, which I hope will be widely accessible for educational and preventive purposes.
Next Goal Wins (2023)
Sweet but not much else
The kind of film you understand how it is going to end after watching the first minutes (inspired by a true story by the way!). A supposed feel good movie without any surprise... However I admit that some lines made me smile. I'm maybe not the right audience for this so-called friendly comedy. Totally ignorant of the football world, I focused on the characters: all different and touching, in particular the transgender player Jahiya that we are unfortunately not used to seeing in movies. Therefore this film is not unpleasant to watch but it will not be for sure a must-see film for cinema lovers.
Wonka (2023)
Sweet Christmas movie
With all due respect to fans of Tim Burton's version, I think this prequel opus is a success: colors, songs, fantasy... that's exactly what you'd expect from a film on Willy Wonka, isn't it?
According to my view, this « sweet fantastic reality » created by the sets, costumes and special effects is very accomplished, and helps us to immerse in Wonka's adventures to fullfill his dreams: set up his own business and share the magic of his chocolate with the rest of the world. Olivia Colman and Calah Lane are excellent all along, as is Timothée Chalamet, who once again rises to the challenges of his role. Of course, many will be unable to resist making comparisons with Johnny Depp's previous performance, but in my opinion, Mr. Chalamet has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. A perfect Christmas film for young and less young curious ones!
The Holdovers (2023)
Perfect Christmas movie
Brilliant and moving, this film is the cinematic gem of this December. I loved this unexpected trio, for whom you can't help but feel a sincere tenderness. Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa and Da'Vine Joy Randolph succeed in taking us from laughter to tears from start to finish. BRAVO to the costume, set and prop teams, who make the story's temporality totally believable. We even gets misled from the cinematography offering the typical image grain of this period: excellent work ! Exactly the kind of film we love to see in theaters, but unfortunately don't get to see often enough. It is sure to become one of my Christmas classics.
Napoleon (2023)
Historical romance inspired by Napoleon's life
A new Ridley Scott's movie that was rather successful, in my opinion. The Brit he is didn't offend the French woman I am! It's worth noting, however, that the British troops seem far better organized than the French... Underlying message ?
The main narrative arc chosen is the love story between Joséphine and Napoleon... why not! I found Joséphine's character very well written and particularly refreshing in this very masculine universe. The development of their tumultuous relationship shows the talent of Vanessa Kirby, whose performance is impeccable from start to finish, while Joaquim Phoenix, against all expectations, lacked flexibility in his acting as he alternately plays a charismatic soldier, emasculated husband or egotistical politician. Moreover, the historical errors and the shortcuts are too big to ignore ! Apart from that, I found the film gripping, with legendary battles, and didn't even notice the 2.5 hours. I'd be curious to see if the 4-hour version will fill in the gaps.
To conclude, if you want to see a historical romance inspired by Napoleon's life and you're in the mood for a big-screen movie, go and see it!
La passion de Dodin Bouffant (2023)
A promising romance swallowed too fast
Benoit Magimel and Juliette Binoche are masterful, as usual, as they subtlety unveil a discreet but moving love story linked to their common passion for cooking and the art of French gastronomy. Accompanied by two stunning young actresses (Galatea Bellugi and Bonnie Chagneau-Ravoire) and excellent actors such as Emmanuel Salinger, nonetheless this film disappoints. Although I particularly enjoyed the (too?) long scene of the multi-course meal preparation, where the camera follows everyone's movements and gives us the impression of being with them in the kitchen, each sequence drags on and bores. It's a pity to have sacrificed the development of this atypical couple's story in favor of scenes of repeated culinary orgies that are unappetizing to watch.
Panic Room (2002)
Great thriller
Immersed in intense tension from start to finish, this film, which I'm seeing for the first time more than 20 years after its release, hasn't aged a bit! With a perfect cast (Jodie Foster, Kristin Stewart, Forest Whitaker, Jared Leto), the almost 2-hour film goes by like a flash. The cinematography perfectly masters the nuances of lighting for a film that takes place almost exclusively at night. David Fincher, once again, did not disappoint. Even if this film is less cerebral than "Fight Club" for my taste, it's clearly worth seeing. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it, , whether you're a thriller fan or not.
The Woman (2011)
Disturbing but worth watching
I'm still not sure whether I like it or not, but it definitely made an impression on me. It's disconcerting to see such an accurate analysis of the bonds between women from a male director. Without any word, they understand each other thanks to the very intense still shots of their gazes, a very interesting approach. They move from fear to the curiosity of meeting a wild (and totally emancipated) woman, and then a kind of sisterhood is established as the story progresses. The female characters are intelligently written. However, all the male roles are categorized as brutes, which is, in my opinion, the most negative point of this film for such a lack of nuance.
It's worth noting that, despite some very gory situations, they're not really seen on screen but just implied, which I appreciated. Pollyanna McIntosh, whom I didn't know before this film, is stunning and definitely an actress to keep an eye on.
The Menu (2022)
Delicious to watch
An original and strange film, to say the least. It's true that these last years the world of chefs has become one of the new fascinations on screens. Its strict discipline and rigorous culinary chemistry, combined with the aesthetics of the plate and the harmony of flavors, prove to be a complex art that only the best chefs know how to master. The heart of the film highlights the sometimes extreme involvement of chefs in their cuisine for a privileged clientele who are unaware of the excellence they are being served. Ralph Fiennes is perfect as a chef adrift, and Anya Taylor-Joy as the enigmatic Margot. Although the dessert is a little disappointing, I highly recommend this film.
Buried (2010)
Perfect claustrophobic movie ever
As simple as the synopsis sounds (a guy's in a box, buried alive with a telephone), yet this film is pure genius. Right from the start, we're there, in the box with Paul, in the most claustrophobic atmosphere ever. Without knowing who he is, we identify with him and feel the panic gradually rising up. After 20 minutes, we legitimately wonder whether the intensity can be maintained until the film's 90-minute running time... Well, yes! We're with him in this mess from start to finish, experiencing the highs and lows intensely, and never ceasing to wonder "what would I do in his place? Also noteworthy is Ryan Reynolds' breathtaking performance, his best I've ever seen. A must-see masterpiece.
Dogman (2023)
Bark of delight
This film is simply brilliant, whatever the fervent critics say! A great Luc Besson's movie like we haven't seen in a while. Being compared to an insipid Joker it shows how little it's been understood. Just because an outsider struggles to survive despite the horrors he has been through doesn't mean he is a Joker's copycat! Films about men with broken souls existed before the Joker! Anyway, this film is full of tenderness and poetry, with impeccable picture quality and breathtaking scenes such as the Edith Piaf's song performance: mind blowing! BRAVO and I hope Caleb Landry Jones will get an Oscar nomination, more than deserved!!
Introspectum Motel (2021)
Icy revenge lesson
What a story! Introspectrum motel is a thrill from start to finish. The least we can say is that the writers had no shortage of ideas, with some surprising twists! Revenge is clearly a dish best served cold, and cheated spouses know how to savor it! Although I felt the film was a little long-winded at times, and the ending, at least for me, remains very enigmatic, this independent film is worth seeing. I particularly enjoyed Michelle Wright's performance (Felipe's wife). Some of the shots are also noteworthy, especially the outdoor scenes, which I found to be particularly well shot. However, I found the sound disturbing, to the point where I couldn't understand certain lines...
Toxic Impulses (2022)
Impressive indie film
Very impressive film for an independent movie. Particularly the soundtrack, which blew me away from start to finish with its effectiveness - the music is catchy when it needs to be. The cinematography is also very good, and the editing perfect in my opinion. The acting is also commendable, especially Benedikt Sebastien (Mosley), Olivia Buckle (Zemira), Helene Udy (Liz) and Sara Elizabeth Ryan (Keisha). I confess that the story didn't transcend me, but the technical quality is there. The positive note at the end stands out from the rest of the story, but I think it does a lot of good. Bravo to all the team for this impressive work!