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LIKES: Good Acting Funny At Times Realism Balanced With Hollywood Magic The Character Portrayal Decent Use of Most Characters The Establishment of a Community The Message Is Carried Throughout Summary: A sports movie often thrives on good characters, good performances, and finding the right amount of material to show in the film without cramming everything inside. Fire Inside accomplishes much of this for me, and I start with my review of the performances. Headley is great in her short time on her screen, cute, fierce, and shows that raw passion to succeed against all odds. She needs more time but establishes the groundwork that Destiny will build upon with Morrison's direction. Henry is my favorite character of the bunch, his utilization, his character, and his development are the most interesting of the bunch. He provides vulnerability, strength, and passion realistically, crafting a believable journey that I found relevant and emotional. It was a less intense version of Mickey and never tried to emulate the trainer to the same level, which served as a nice pairing to the much more intense older version of Shields. T-Rex is accurate on more than one level, the fighter inside brimming with heat that Destiny unleashes to such vicious degrees as the title suggested. The attitude matches the persona the interviews and footage show, and though a tad intense and over the top for me, fit the bill on the icon she had to portray. With fantastic chemistry and the establishment of a community, The Fire Inside doesn't stray from utilizing many of the characters to a respectable degree, as each member of Flint helps to control the inferno from engulfing Shields' entire character. Could there have been more involvement and time with other characters? Absolutely, but I felt there were few wasted characters in this film that other movies have done in their presentations. In addition, they never dropped the message or point of the movie in their inclusion but rather utilized it to further shape the fight that Shields was waging with her training.

Smart character use and acting aside, the movie also holds merit in the journey to where she is today. With a strong training focus present in many boxing movies, Morrison has managed to take the magic of Rocky's montage but curb it to be its own thing in focus on Shields and not just boxing. It moves towards some great fight scenes that center on Shields' attitude and the internal struggles that accompany them as almost a contender themselves. The fights have enough involvement to be exciting at times but never lose the realistic touch Morrison was targeting in her film. Throughout the whole film, though, the movie handles the drama components well through the message that is the mainstay of this film. The Fire Inside is all about hard work and determination to achieve the goals and the bumps along the way. Shields' journey was paved with challenges, but the movie shows what had to be done to get through them and how her coach assisted with this. It's smart, realistic, and relevant, perhaps the strongest component of this movie. Such a lesson provides a lot more meaning behind this story and could potentially do great things for the viewer with an open mind. Comedy helps ground the film from becoming cheesy but never undermines the message, a prime example of quality direction and writing culminating together.

DISLIKES: The Story Seems Crammed At Times The Fights Need A Little More Polishing and Magic The Fights Quit Two-Thirds Of The Way Becomes a slow drama that summarizes than explains Lacks the Full Spectacle Summary: Such balance came at a cost, though, primarily due to the shorter run time. The story feels cramped, elements are not fully explored, and it feels almost lacking in the grand scheme of things compared to movies like Remember the Titans and Cool Runnings. A few fights with the family seem quick add-ons, and some of the self-discovery is simplified or found off-camera during the time jumps. It helps not to bloat the film with massive levels of drama that would slow the pace down, but it's disappointing at times when it cuts into some of the other facets of the film I was invested in, like the fights. The Fire Inside short changes the boxing matches, the realism blunting them enough that they feel good, but then just sort of end. Where Rocky and Creed add that finesse to the movies with sound effects, an awesome score, and those key shots that unleash the fury of the bout, ironically, the flame felt sort of weak in these moments, with more vigor and vim in the post-fight moments than the actual punches. A little more spectacle and Hollywood magic would have enhanced these fights and made the build-up worth it. Even worse, about two-thirds of the way through, the boxing stops, which changes the entire pace and presentation of the movie to more melodramatic and after-school special design. This part felt a little stiff, the time dilating to a slower pace that, for an epic boxing movie, didn't feel the best finish to the film. Only the battle she waged on a different front added the spice it needed from being unnecessary, alongside the character development I talked about earlier. Either way, the full spectacle effect feels just shy in this movie for audience members like me.

The VERDICT The Fire Inside is a movie that is optimized for inspiring a lot of people with that incredible message baked into Shields' story. Morrison leads a great design with a strong and motivational film that should hopefully move people the way it moved me. Shields' life was hard and required a lot of sacrifice to get where she was, and this movie portrays that as one of the more realistic portrayals of a journey in a long time. Fantastic acting and character use keeps everything in check, and the added splendor of Hollywood helps enhance most things to an acceptable degree. Many, I feel, will love much of the story and find amazement in what this young woman accomplished in her rise to her current state. Movie-wise, the trailers exaggerate the fights a bit, the realism a bit too prevalent in the fighting that softened the impact of the fight, especially their finishes. Throw in the fighting scenes come to an end with still a third of the run time remaining, and you might be disappointed at the abrupt change of pace and feel of the movie. Thus, the full spectacle was not there for me, and it sort of hurts my recommendation to see this in theater, with a better optimization at home. My scores for this film are: Biography/Drama/Sports: 7.5-8.0 Movie Overall: 7.0.

LIKES: Atmosphere Strong Dialogue Feels Like A Book Brought To Life At Time Creepy/Scary Elements Strong Cinematography Incredible Dialogue Acting Is Amazing Summary: Eggers is all about his visual style, and once more, he has accomplished a fantastic visual style that embodies the Gothic-horror combination quite well. With a period pace that is mixed with a spooky twist, Nosferatu is loaded with an atmosphere that feels like the pages of a book brought to life. The costumes and scenery are strong representations of the times and establish some of the confines that represent the personality of the party involved. The strong visual elements provide a foundation that builds into a lore-driven horror, where shadows hold just as much life as the characters that travel around them. The constant grey filter adds a foreboding nature to the tale, where light only provides a shallow sanctuary from the encroaching horrors of the menace orchestrating everything. That lack of safety, the layering of dread alongside stronger characters establishes stakes, assisting with the suspense and thrills that I came looking for in my viewing. Eggers' visual choices to play close to black and white are advanced by his visual storytelling, with so many pieces coming together to establish the connection between everyone involved. And though this might not be the biggest scare movie we've seen in the past, its twisted aspects and gore arrive to add this realistic and savage edge that makes the creature even more sinister than your average fanged freak. Wrap all this up with beautiful angles, dynamic camera work, and masterful shots that utilize all of these elements into a stylish set of sequences and scenes. It's a risk at times, but those risks paid off for me a lot of times.

Past his direction of visuals, the story and dialogue come together to help bring the twisted tale of the count to life. Strong dialogue that conveys such terror is poetic at times to reflect the soul, yet not so lost in old English to be confusing and condescending. I was able to follow much of the story while also seeing how the lines were curtailed to the character alongside the actor selected to be that character. It's filled with emotion, yet not to the point of soap opera theatrics (to most the extent), all while testing the foundations of truth with science vs. Faith, all intelligently written in trying to stop what is at play. To help unleash the full potential of the lines, Eggers has assembled a talented cast with impressive skill in handling old-world stories and occult-based lore. Skarsgard adds another role to his belt, the mannerisms of the creature captured in his movements and twisting of words in his regal and acidic tone, such passion in each uttering word as he weaves in and out of the tale. Hoult's complex character is done well as his character goes through the motions and tries to adapt to the situation at hand, often keeping his tone in check and elevating the quality of young Thomas. Depp is astonishing as well, a bit more dramatic, but fully immersed into the maiden role trying to make sense of her life. Her screams punch the heart and the ears, her tears so raw and natural, while her words change with each personality quirk she adapts. Add in her nonverbal abilities, and you have another solid performance for an Oscar. Taylor-Johnson, Dafoe, Ineson, and the rest are all stunning, with incredible chemistry to make this complex congregation come to life.

DISLIKES: Graphicness Inconsistent Lighting Elements At Times The Story Feels Truncated At Times Slow As Dirt At times Summary: As with most artistic components, though, sometimes there are limitations that come with it, and I found a few with Nosferatu. The graphicness component is a big part of the movie and a major essence of Nosferatu's terror. Such savagery adds so much to the villain and the suspense of wondering what other tricks he will extend to get his desires. Yet, for viewers like me, this aspect gets excessive, sometimes to levels I didn't need to see in the theatrical cut and could have been in a director's cut. I don't enjoy some of the more "intimate" bouts of gore that Eggers seems enchanted with putting in his movies, though I feel this was still tamer than some of his other movies. Still, those who aren't fond of realistic twists to such dark material need to avoid this film. The story at times also struggles, some of the elements feeling blunt and unfinished in their portrayals, or perhaps even rushed at times. Nosferatu sometimes was not present as much as I thought he would be, and I felt that there was more to adapt from the tale than what we got. Add in the pacing at times, and you get a story that sometimes feels a bit bloated and missing some of the thrills earlier parts held, and the film gets lost in the dialog that it got stuck for me once or twice. Finally, the lighting gets inconsistent at times, though nothing like Game of Thrones, and it was hard on my eyes from the varying brightness.

The VERDICT: Nosferatu is one of my favorite works by Eggers and, quite honestly, one of the best movies of the year when it comes to style and story. A wonderful cinematography leads the charge with creative visuals and settings to bring the authenticity of the period to life. Savage tones, an ominous presence, and intense dialog all continue to wrap you into this dark cloud of dismay to see how such an ominous presence can be stopped. With incredible acting that brought the characters to life and an edge that keeps the debate of science and mythology are as much an enemy as the count himself. This film will bring a lot of people into the mix, dividing many in the common age, most likely, but many should appreciate the rich visuals that he made. Yet, the movie does have some artistic limitations that may dilute your enjoyment of the film, especially if you invested in the original tale. The graphic elements are vicious and can be a tad too much at times that sensitive viewers will not like it. The story still has elements that can be improved, perhaps in a director's cut that gives him more time to delve into the lore of the vampire lord. And the pace could use some sprucing up if you aren't just about bathing in the grotesque world Eggers has crafted for us to see. Add in a little technical sprucing and a few balance issues, and you will help this movie shine further. With all this in mind, those seeking the dark thrills of this tale should see it in theaters for the balance of story and strong visuals. However, those who can't take the risks of the expense of movies for such a violent epic might need to wait at home to watch this one.

My scores for Nosferatu are: Fantasy/Horror/Mystery: 9.0 Movie Overall: 8.0-8.5.

LIKES: The Setting The Costumes The Puls Om When All This Was Happening The Acting The Music Selection/Track List Summary: A Complete Unknown is a window back into history, and Hollywood continues to accomplish much in pulling us back into that experience. As the sixties roll in, the movie makes sure to adjust the technology and cameras to places that can reflect the times. Whatever was not naturally available was well-recreated, with so many details in the vehicles, appliances, art styles, and buildings welcoming us into Dylan's world. Layering with the effects were great hair, makeup, and costumes, all coming together to further immerse us into the times and fashion. What I particularly liked was the clothes sort of telling a story about Dylan's rise to fame as his pauper threads became princely. It's a statement, one that goes so well with the character that Dylan was portrayed to be in his musical arts. Such production value is something that excels for a movie of this type and reaches multiple audience types in their bouts of nostalgia.

Outside of the production value, the movie is also on the caliber of Oscar bait. The plot pays homage to the legendary music man and all he was involved in during a politically heavy time when so many things were brewing in the world. Mangold and his team were sharp in their presentation, keeping us ingrained in the times of Dylan's career and utilizing the setting to keep that realistic pulse beating. In addition, the writing also managed to maximize the impact of the songs by adding the emotional impact and innovation that Dylan's lyrics held. A smart medium to play in, I felt introduced to Dylan's attitude and his fortitude for changing by not playing to the traditions of artists before him, something highly illustrated in the opening of the film. As for the musical list, this is one of the best musical films that I've seen in a while in terms of quality and quantity. I'm not that big of a Dylan fan, but the nearly 150-minute run time was loaded with a lot of his tracks that are a staple to the fandom. A wondrous variety of numbers spread around various festivals, studios, and concerts, Dylan's movie biography will give you lots of his style to enjoy, with a stunning performance by Chalamet and his cohorts. It is authentic fun, and captures the spirit of the musical adventurer searching for their place in the world of music. In the theater, this music is loud, bold, and booming and optimizes the dive back into his performance world.

Finally, the acting is the crown jewel of this movie. The performances are as authentic as the music, the figures of the past brought to life by actors crafted and selected to mimic the artists. Excellent singing alongside instrument playing (or faking they are playing) further gives a music bohemian bond, with the festivals becoming a bonding ground for these actors to unleash their talents. Fanning is fine for the time she is on; she is sincere and an emotional light in a world that seems devoid of any fandom or real emotion. Monica Barbaro got more time on screen and made her own character come to life as Baez. I liked her fire and her balance. I loved her voice. And she was the character that I felt Elle's character needed to match in regards to billing. Norton did great as Pete Seeger, the mentor and friend, holding more positivity than I thought he would in this movie. I had fun with Mr. Roger's like charm and seeing his emotional spectrum broaden as Dylan's actions continued to test the amazing patience this man held for the upcoming star. Yet, Chalamet is going to be the man to pay attention to the most in this film. His mimicry of Dylan is spot on with his mannerisms and temperaments in the way he speaks and sings. He holds that attitude so well, and the way he managed to match the delivery of the songs. Chalamet continues to prove his power in becoming a character, and I feel this is a solid role for him to take the coveted award. By far one of the strongest pieces of this film, fans should rejoice in the work he has put into this character and how entertaining he can be at this time.

DISLIKES: It's An Okay Story Very Niche Too Many Characters Character Subplots Are Mediocre Some Songs Feel Skipped/Rushed The Numbers Are Okay At Times Too Much For One Movie Summary For all the good in the performances, the execution is a bit more limited in terms of all audience members enjoying this film. The story is limited to those who like political times and folk music and are Dylan fans, as this movie is focused on showing this man's mechanisms during the sixties. I found this one of the more niche music biographies, not focusing so much on the music-making or development process but instead more on just Dylan's very commanding personality. His legacy extends over many decades and awards, with an adaptable personality to evolve with the times, which sometimes comes off as more "interesting" than anything else. Dylan's personality was not to my liking, and when it floods the movie to this degree, it might be a bit off-putting than some of the other musical biography films. I felt sorry for several of the other characters whose stories seemed interesting, as many of them were very limited and seemed forgotten at times in the film. Elle Fanning, in particular, was shortened, her involvement much lower than I had anticipated from the trailers. Too many characters and figureheads sort of plague this movie for two hours, leaving me questioning why several of them were built up during the movie.

As for the songs, they don't all have the same time or attention; a few feel very edited down to the bare minimum to almost not be included. Fortunately, the times this is the case are few and far between, but if you aren't a fan of his music, this will make little difference. The main problem I had with the songs is that they included so many that I felt it got in the way of the other storytelling elements that I felt they were trying to craft. A Complete Unknown feels like a plot about nothing, not progressing to any extent, but instead just feeling like snapshots of his life that show his impact, but nothing more. The drama, the tests of time, a progression to something bigger, or at least the inspiration for his songs, and testing them felt marginal in this movie and kind of left me bored at times. With a plot reliant on character relationships, and those relationships lacking some merit and narrative due to paying homage to Dylan's work. Given the decades he spans, the movie is not remotely touching everything he achieved. Meaning that it would have been nice to have some stronger stories to sort of track to make this slice of life.

The VERDICT A Complete Unknown is another movie that immerses the audience in fan-favorite songs and indulges the Bob Dylan vibes to a shockingly amazing degree. The aesthetic is appealing, and the acting is of a high caliber that brings the role to life with frighteningly good matches to the mannerisms of the legend. Binding all of this together is a strong mix of songs and a phenomenal use of music to illustrate his influence in the world. Thus, fans of the man will enjoy this movie the most of anyone going to see this movie. Yet, with such focus on the music, the movie's compelling stories, subplots, and overall unity feel off and lost to the tribute to Dylan. So many characters feel underutilized, the full integration into all the historical events only feels a fraction of what it could be, and the generic pace is not as entertaining if you aren't the biggest fan of Dylan's music or his attitude. Certainly a fantastic Oscar candidate, the movie holds all the values of the award in terms of production and acting. Yet, as a movie in general, I think most will find the best entertainment value at home for most of the public. Fans of the legend should hit this one in theaters for the sound quality and the presence that the theater adds with the big screen. My scores for the A Complete Unknown are:

Biography/Music/Drama/Docudrama: 7.5-8.0 Movie Overall: 6.5-7.0.