Reviews
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
A movie to be proud of
Man, what a step up from the previous movie - which I found amazing, by the way. What I liked about the previous one was that it wasn't a remake of the 90s Jumanji but a completely new story, with great special effects, great acting, a solid story and a lot of humor. In the sequel you have double of everything - except humor, in this one it's literally a laugh a minute.
This is a wonderful family action movie that people of all ages can enjoy. So many good things here:
1: The story. Unlike in most Holywood action movies these days, there's actually a solid story that is made even cooler by the fact that it's taking place in a game, which gives the characters lots of different possibilities. The writers utilized that fact and came up with some very original stuff, which makes the movie all the more interesting, and you can't really predict what's gonna happen. I loved this about the previous movie, the twists were really impressive, but this one tops that.
2. The special effects. Finally the effects are used to enhance the already good story rather than replace it, as it's been happening for years in Hollywood movies. That's what effects are for. There are some really ingenious solutions here and it all looks very realistic and it pulls you into the story.
3. The actors have amazing chemistry, just like in the previous movie, but what I really loved was how The Rock was talking like Danny DeVito's character and Kevin Hart stopped yapping for a change and was talking slowly and taking his time to think like Danny Glover's character (which led to some funny developments in the story). There were some character switches in the game, which was really cool, some actors had to change their acting style because of that - which again led to other funny developments.
All characters' stories were very well managed and linked together, and I was really impressed with Nick Jonas' and Awkwafina's acting.
4 The humor. I don't know how the actors could keep a straight face throughout the movie. I LOVED the subdued, sarcastic humor here. You can still make a movie with no stoner humor, no fart jokes, no rude jokes. All the actors are so natural, there's no trying too hard, so they really pull this off.
This is a very entertaining movie with tons of positive energy. It will surprise you more than once, and make you feel good. A great heir to the original Jumanji and a fantastic sequel. Keep 'em coming.
6 Underground (2019)
'Was that Eminem?'
If you didn't find this funny, something tells me you didn't like the movie.
So, honestly, I don't know what I just watched. It's definitely one of the craziest movies I've ever seen. I kind of understand why the critics are not liking this movie, but at the same time it's a piece of real action that you don't get to see these days.
1. It's like an amped up hybrid of 'Fast and Furious' and 'Mission Impossible'.
2. It's incredibly shot, with a lot of attention to detail, which is mindblowing given the fact that this isn't 'Transformers' and they couldn't CGI the hell out of it.
3. The locations are brilliantly chosen, they are stunning and utilized to the max.
4. The storyline isn't great but it's still pretty decent and it feels original so you don't feel like you've seen it all before. In fact, there's a lot I haven't seen before so I was surprised round every corner.
5. Action is the word driving the whole thing. It's nonstop action (with only short pauses to catch your breath) but it doesn't feel tiring, except maybe the opening chase scene, which does seem to go for a bit too long. This is the only bit of the movie that felt strained and overdone. (And we know how Michael Bay likes to do these too-long chase scenes in 'Transformers', don't we?)
6. Except Ryan Reynolds, the actors are relatively unknown, which should take away from the movie but it doesn't, because of the amazing chemistry that they have and the script that allows them to really embody their characters. So it's like you're watching something real (which, again, rarely happens in movies these days).
7. The movie's hilarious. There's a lot of funny situational stuff and funny banter, and Ryan Reynolds' character has his own thing going on on top of that.
8. Weirdly, all the crazy stunts that the 6 pull off seem quite real and doable so you're not watching some superheroes doing some stuff you only see in movies. This looks like a properly trained human being could do it.
9. The soundtrack rocks.
10. I have to mention again how well this movie is shot. Michael Bay has his style, and he likes to film helicopters, that for sure, but all in all, this is spectacular directorial work. If you just think of all the ideas and planning that must have gone into this movie to make it look the way it does, it truly is impressive.
Sign me up for the next instalment yesterday.
Tomb Raider (2018)
Better than a lot of other movies out there
I don't get the 1-star reviews. This is definitely not the worst movie of the century. I can't say it has a great storyline, but at least it has some storyline, unlike most Hollywood action movies these days.
The things I liked:
1. The special effects. They looked real and Lara didn't look like some plastic figure jumping and tumbling around and whatnot. She looked like Alicia Vikander, an actual person that has stuff happen to her. Apparently Alicia did some stunts herself so maybe they didn't have to use so much CGI. And she looks very athletic so that adds to the overal feel of Lara being a spunky little adventuress.
2. Alicia as Lara. There's been a lot of talk about her practically nonexistent breasts, and 'of course' the real Lara is quite busty, but I find this talk ridiculous. Alicia looks stunning and sporty, and she oozes Lara Croft from every pore. Her acting was great too, it was very intense and realistic - the emotions and the sounds she made during the fight made it seem like it was all happening for real. You don't usually see it in movies.
I wish there was more game-like stuff in the movie, like in the first Tomb Raider movies. I loved Angelina Jolie's Lara doing her training at the manor, for example, and there was more cool ancient stuff going on. In this movie you see more of the kind of stuff you get from the game it was based on. The earlier games were more about riddles, the new ones are about running and fighting, which I personally don't like.
But the movie is entertaining, and I like how it was directed. It seems kinda raw, which the game is as well. This is Lara's initiation. This is what you want to see if you ever imagined yourself being Lara.
I hope there will be a sequel. I loved the games and as a huge fan I think this movie is pretty well made.
Black Panther (2018)
Gorgeous!
I absolutely loved this movie and I can't agree with anything that the haters say. It's a combination of a few things - that's why it's so amazing. It has a decent story that is properly developed (unlike a lot of action movies that focus on effects only), the effects are mind-blowing, the outfits are beautiful, the sets are stunning, and I loved the acting. Why are people saying the acting was terrible? I actually LOVED how authentic the actors played, better than many white actors. And the accents are a great addition to it. Oh, and let's not forget the humor. There were a lot of effortless funny lines.
I couldn't find anything wrong with this movie if I tried. Brilliantly executed, fun, magical and at the same time real. Great filmmaking that everyone can enjoy, not just black people. This is how a movie can tear down barriers. Made me think of how much the world needs peace, how we need to get rid of weapons and make it possible for every human being to travel and see the beauty of the places that are out of reach for many of us.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Easy on the eye and the brain
I don't know what the critics are saying, but I know why so many people disagree with them. It is surely a pretty production with great attention to detail, and if you liked High School Musical 3, you're going to love this. In order to like this movie, you have to go in with a certain mindset because this movie doesn't aspire to be anything more than light-hearted entertainment. It instantly made me think of 'Sing', the animated feature with animals singing in a musical, and that one was way above this in terms of music and storyline. Here, the plot is as straight as a piece of stick, there is zero actual drama and character development of any sort. The only thing that happens is that P.T. Barnum loses his job and buys a museum, that's all the story summarized for you (without any spoilers).
I enjoyed the music but yes, it's very pop and silly and for kids. Dancing is unoriginal and repetitive. And if you want to see how NOT to introduce the main characters' life stories in a movie, watch the first five minutes of this thing. Basically, it's a fast-forward version sung by the main character as a child - and the screenwriter didn't think you need more. Actually, the whole movie is like that - there is hardly anything to it, it's just a collection of beautiful images but there's nothing to make you care for the characters. All dramas are resolved with an imaginary flick of the fingers - one moment there's no drama, flick your fingers and you have a potentially dramatic situation, then flick them again and the problem is gone, and because the characters sing their problems away, you hardly notice anything happened anyway. What's the point of this? Hell, I have no idea.
I didn't expect this to be some seriously ambitious musical, but from the start I was wondering, why a musical at all? I would've loved to see the story of P.T. Barnum as a proper movie with a plot. With all the money that went into it, it could've been something truly spectacular. As it is now, we don't get to see who P.T. Barmum was, and what he did, all we see is a bunch of weird people singing and dancing, and even that is an exaggeration because most of those people are just kind of filling in, they have no actual place in the storyline, they're just dressed funny but other than that they have no reason to be in P.T. Barnum's circus. If P.T. Barnum's show looked anything like what they show here, nobody would go to see it.
Why did they use Barnum at all? Why not simply do a movie about SOME showman and his band of singing dancers? It actually doesn't matter that those people are freaks because that bit isn't explored at all. In the 21st century you'd imagine that this would be the perfect opportunity to squeeze in every controversial topic if you have a fat bearded woman here and an interracial couple, and a few other misfits. And yet, a circus that bases its feeling of family on the fact that they're all freaks, surprisingly avoids any real treatment of those various issues.There was more social commentary in 'Three billboards' - and that one wasn't impressive either.
Honestly, the worst thing about this movie is that they involved the actual greatest showman and didn't tell his story AT ALL. The only thing in common he has with the main character is the name and his circus. I didn't expect a historically accurate movie detailing all the turns of the man's life but come on, at least if you're setting the whole thing in the times when he lived, then show what life was like then? The British queen that he meets is probably the single thing that tells you that oh, this is the 19th century.
And what's with the computer-generated elephants twice the size of the actual animal in real life? Seriously, they couldn't get a live elephant to walk a few steps on the set?
This movie is best described, in my opinion, as rainbow cotton candy - it is that colorful and sweet, and it has just as much depth in any way whatsoever.
I would've given it fewer stars but it does have beautiful sets, the costumes are amazing, the acting is good, and you'll probably feel a little bit happier after watching this.
12 Monkeys (2015)
This is how you make a time travel show
I've waited 2 years to write this review. First, I was waiting till the end of season 1, then I thought no, they might still mess it up in season 2, and the beginning episodes seemed to confirm that. But then my questions were answered and it kept going great from there. Then I was thinking that season 3 might be a disappointment (things are bound to get sloppy eventually, right?) and there were a couple of hiccups - literally two, hence 'only' 9 stars - but after that it was smooth, ahem, nail-biting sailing till the very end.
I get that a lot of people are comparing this to the original movie, and I get the actor playing Cole isn't some hunk you want to watch week after week. In fact, he almost became the reason why I stopped watching after the first episode. He's too average to be a world-saving hero and he doesn't seem like a great actor. But the thing is, he has very good chemistry with the actress playing his love interest, Cassandra, and because they're always doing some interesting stuff, I managed to look past everything I didn't like about the guy, and I slowly grew to like his character.
What do I love about this series? The fact that whatever happens, you know why it happens and how. And I love how they travel through time there and back constantly and yet the whole story never stops making sense. Usually you expect that there will be inconsistency and plot holes, most movies in which they mess with the timeline are full of those. But here the writers did a terrific job and you don't have to scratch your head wondering how one thing would've changed another and hence rendered everything that came before pointless/stupid/impossible/you name it. There is no such thing in this series - which is a serious achievement if you think of all the timelines that can be affected. For the viewer to track all this is already hard, and how did the screenwriter not get this all tangled up? And in season 3 they even have the future to deal with and STILL it works with everything that happened in season 1. It's truly mind-bending sometimes. You're waiting for a hiccup and it doesn't come, except those two times in season 3, but even those can probably be explained, you just have to stretch your imagination a bit. Come to think of that, I now realize there was only really one unexplained thing.
And that's another thing that I like: that often you may wonder about whether something makes sense but the answer will be given eventually. Sometimes a person's motives may be unclear, but then you get a glimpse into the future when things change, and then you have to remember that what you saw earlier is actually the result of the future changing. You'd think someone wouldn't do this or that, and it's true, they shouldn't, but you're thinking about what led to the moment from the PAST, and they've already been in the FUTURE and they decided to take a different course of action, you just don't know it yet. This show does keep you on your toes. I love how clever it is.
I was never comparing it to the movie. I don't know why anyone would. Obviously, shows are often using concepts from movies and because you have all the time in the world to build your story, you can do whatever you want with it. And nobody says you have to stick to the original storyline. Someone liked the idea of the '12 monkeys' movie and they thought this would make a good show about time travel and that's what they wrote. Why are so many people so disappointed? If the movie could last 30 hours, this is probably where it would go, but in the movie we get a limited version of the show. The movie could never do in two hours what this series did, there's way too much going on.
Some reviewers complain about the actors or the lack of special effects, etc. This show doesn't pretend that it's a blockbuster movie, and the effects are really not needed because the story works fine without them. All you really need is to see that time travel machine do a decent job and it does. I like the pseudo-scienfitic jargon, although sometimes you have to figure out what sentences like 'We located their temporal signature' could possibly mean. But this is still within the limits of your imagination and you don't have to suspend your disbelief here. This could all potentially happen in the near future.
Cole and Cassie change so many things in the past, in so many different points in time, and yet all of that will still lead them to the starting point in episode 1. Like the snake swallowing its tail, this story can go in loops, and that's what I take away from it as the best thing about this show. In other series or movies about time travel the future changes, you start another timeline and you can't go in circles. That's what is wrong with those movies - their logic easily collapses once you manipulate things around. Not here.
I like the bits of humor that you get occasionally, and I like all the actors, they all have their personalities and life stories so it's easy to identify with them. I especially like the crazy Jennifer Goines, who throughout seasons 1 and 2 would tell her weird prophecies and I kept thinking it's BS, it's just some stupid stuff that's meant to sound like it makes sense but it doesn't. And she got me every single time because it always turned out that her prophecies were very smart and that she actually knows what she's doing, she has a purpose.
There's loads more going on here and I really hope they don't mess up season 4. I don't want to come back here and change my rating to only 3 stars. Let's hope it doesn't turn out to be another 'Lost'. The 3 seasons so far have built up to a point from which it almost seems it can only go down but I'm crossing my fingers that it won't be the case.
And in season 4 they're supposed to be traveling back to the Middle Ages. I can't wait and I couldn't ask for more. I really appreciate that the creators of this show put so much effort into all the details. They could've just said 'Who cares if this makes sense? Let's confuse the heck out of people, they won't know what's going on so they won't ask too many questions. And who says a TV series has to be logical anyway?' This could've easily happened.
'12 monkeys' is an amazing show so don't miss it. (And if they can explain that one hiccup that keeps bothering me, I will maybe be able to sleep again.)
Sing (2016)
Totally bonkers and awesome
I believe everyone else has already mentioned everything that's great about this movie, but I still want to say a few things. I'm 39 years-old but I absolutely loved it. I loved the hilarious script and the stunning design (you can't get enough of it), especially the looks and personalities of all the characters. If you pay attention to the details, you will be laughing out loud all the time. And what about the gorilla with an angel voice? What about Gunther the dancing pig with a German accent? What an amazing movie for both kids and adults! A real feel-good flick that reminded me of Zootopia because that one was also amazing and it also makes you totally happy inside. Nothing about Sing feels contrived or fake, it's simply an adorable story with great songs in it and lots of cute and funny stuff. I know it doesn't sound like a good movie the way I put it, but it really is. And I was shocked to discover the actors behind the voices - and I mean singing voices. Scarlett Johannson doing a rock song? That was a blast. And Taron Egerton doing the angel voice gorilla? Don't make me laugh, but oh my God, I want to have his record on my shelf yesterday. Everything about this movie was just right. It's unmissable. See it even if you're not a kid.
Taboo (2017)
Not everyone's cuppa but what a fine cuppa it is if you're into tea
Apparently Tom Hardy lost a few million on this one. I find it hard to believe. Perhaps the person who did the calculations only took into account how the show did on its mother channel on TV in the UK. But that's just the beginning of its story, I would say, because there is streaming and DVDs and foreign sales... A lot of people prefer to stream stuff because it's more convenient. A fixed TV time isn't always a good time to watch something. I'm pretty sure Hardy knew what he was doing, and anyway, it's just not freakin' possible that this show isn't gonna do amazingly well around the world. NO WAY.
It's a period show and not everyone is into those, but if you are, man, what a story. I have so much respect for Tom for being a great actor who just can't make a bad movie - and now he also created 'Taboo'? What a talent this guy has! You gotta love his approach to acting and storytelling and you can see he is only after the best quality in everything he does. 'Taboo' is yet another example of this.
The story line is very intriguing, it's cooking slowly but keeps you hooked, and all the characters are great and very colourful. There is so much attention to detail here, especially when it comes to historical accuracy, but not only that. It's easy to watch a show and say 'it's amazing', but take the time to stop and think about how much work went into designing this, and into the filming. It's not just the clothes and the places and mannerisms, etc., but the many different characters too, each of whom has their own story and personality. And then there's the whole main story and the many twists and turns, with James Delaney always being on top of things, always having an ace up his sleeve. How does one simply write such a show 'just like that'? We watch it and enjoy it, but the work - the work! Think about it every step of the way and you will truly be amazed at what Hardy achieved here. You'll see a perfectionist behind every frame.
I like all the actors playing all the different parts, they make it seem like this is happening for real. It's uncanny. And of course, Tom Hardy himself, the cursed James Delaney, who you know is a very bad man but you still want him to succeed. Hardy has outdone himself for sure, and hats off to him for always getting better and better, and doing it so easily. You can't take your eyes off the screen watching this. You just can't.
I wonder why there are only 8 episodes in this season. I was expecting something around 20 because this became my new favorite show. Now it looks like there might not even be season 2? If there's a petition to keep this show alive, just tell me where to put my signature. I'll sign with both hands and feet.
Passengers (2016)
We'd all do the same thing
So apparently a lot of people were SO offended by what's going on in this movie. Some said that 'it's not stalking if he's hot'. Looks like they missed out on some things in life, to say the least. This one is actually a no-brainer: no, it's not stalking if he's hot, well, let's say in 99% of cases. The thing is, this is how courting works. A guy who's interested in you tries to get your attention. At first you may not like him, and it doesn't matter if he's objectively attractive or not (here the critics of the movie claim that Chris Pratt is hot to everyone, which is definitely not true, so that kind of renders their argument void), but then you get to know him and you see that he's actually cool so you change your mind about him. Oh, and sometimes the guy may even be the total opposite of your type but he won't leave you alone, and you hate him for it, and then somehow as if magically he manages to make you fall in love with him. I'm sure everyone knows a story like that or two. But that's not what happens in this movie because here the characters are clearly into each other. So enough of the Stockholm Syndrome whining because 'Passengers' doesn't deserve all the hate. And yes, I'm a woman. But I grew up before people started going crazy about all this feminist/sexist/misogynist/chauvinist/perverse/stalker stuff that most of the time they only pretend to understand.
There, I got it out of my system. Now on to the review. I give this movie a solid 7 for being a warm, pretty love story. I didn't expect it to be some great sci fi flick so I didn't feel cheated when it turned out to be a romantic drama. The story could've been a bit more fleshed out because there was potential there, and then, with all the special effects, it would've been amazing. I thought for a moment that this could be like 'Titanic' in space, but there wasn't enough substance. Still, the movie is interesting and definitely worth a watch. And even though we don't really see how hard life was on the ship for Jim when he was alone, we can infer enough from what we do see. And anyone who's seen 'The Martian' or 'Moon' can compare and imagine what it's like to be alone, having no one to talk to and nothing to do. What do you do once you've played a little basketball and done a little dancing? What is Jim supposed to be doing for the next 90 years? What reason could he possibly have to go on living?
The movie does show very well how bad he feels when he has to wake Aurora up, and she does hate him, and that part of the story is pretty damn straightforward: he stole her life from her, sort of murdered her. But perhaps these two were meant to meet like that and make the most of what they got. If he didn't wake her up, their lives wouldn't be the same. And I don't think any of this needs explaining, really. When you watch the movie, you can understand all the human reasons for why they do what they do - why he doesn't want to live anymore, why he wakes her, why they fall in love, why she hates him but then forgives him. Seriously, this is so plain and simple. Like I said in the title of this review: we'd all do the same thing. Just imagine living alone in a place like this for a MONTH. I challenge you to survive that long without thinking of killing yourself at least once when you know it's all there is, that's all you've got, this big empty ship and 90 years of solitude and utter, mind-scrambling boredom. You'd be banging your head against walls all the time. So don't blame Jim for looking for a reason to live.
I quite enjoyed this movie and I hope that the critics get a grip and get a life. This isn't a story about a stalker. If Jim is a stalker then Jack from the 'Titanic' is also a stalker, and so is Christian Grey (OK, that one is a bit of a weirdo), and so is Richard Gere's character in 'Pretty Woman'. Not every guy chasing after a chick is a pervert (or a chick chasing after a guy, just think of Scarlett O'Hara 'stalking' her dear Ashley). These are movies, meant for our enjoyment. Let's not get political about every freakin' story we see on the screen.
Allied (2016)
Booooooring as hell
So... supposedly Angelina thought Brad had too much chemistry with Marion in this movie and that's why she asked for divorce? I don't know how this could be possible because watching these two leads was literally like watching paint dry. After the first third of the movie I started to wonder how I managed to sit through it... and then came the rest.
What's wrong with this movie? Almost everything. I was looking forward to watching it because I like both actors and this type of film, but actually both Pitt and Cotillard seemed like they weren't themselves - like they forgot how to act all of a sudden. They're both terrific actors so what the hell happened?
The story itself was about I don't know what, to be honest. There were too many things happening that were just loosely connected, there was no real structure, no real drama or tension. It was more or less as 'dramatic' as the quite horrible 'Ask the dust' with Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek, which was also a badly acted melodramatic period piece with a terrible script.
Visually the movie is beautiful and I understand why a lot of people like it: it's because it's not that obvious at first glance what's so wrong with this movie. It seems kind of good but then if you think about it a little, you realize it's actually just plain awful. The story is disjointed, the love between the leads doesn't look real at all, and the worst thing is that everything that the characters go through seems utterly pointless in the end. I just wanted to ask, what was it all about? What was the point of this drag?
No idea whatsoever.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
Amazed at how bad this is
Gosh, this was just plain awful to watch. I used to think Burton is a genius. Like another reviewer said, Burton has abandoned storytelling. Sure, the visuals are very nice, and you gotta like the quirkiness of it all, especially if like me you like magical movies, but come on, what about the story? I haven't read the book so I can't say how much it got butchered but I can comment on the quality of everything else here.
The main problem is that there is no plot. There is some A to Z semblance of a plot but who really cares about any of it? I don't know. Everything just falls flat, is lifeless and stiff. It was a torture to watch from the very beginning. It had no atmosphere, the acting was terrible, even from Chris O'Dowd. Only Eva Green was relatively good but the script was so bad that even she didn't have much to work with.
Maybe it was a movie for kids and I just didn't get it? Even so, the kids should be disappointed because there was nothing in this movie to draw me in, no suspense, drama, absolutely nothing. Just a bunch of scenes stitched together. And Burton is the director? You wouldn't be able to tell. His muse (Helena) abandoned him and he can't make a good movie anymore? I'm seriously wondering, what the hell was that?
Maybe it wasn't a one-star movie because not all of it was so awful, but because it was SO disappointing, I can only give it one star. I wish this movie hadn't been made.
Inception (2010)
A masterpiece that will get bigger with time
So, after reading some of the negative reviews it's clear to me that some people didn't understand what happened in the movie. For example, one criticism was that Cobb's children don't age at all and that his father somehow knew that Cobb is in the US and went there to meet him, even though he lives in Paris.
Well, let's get the easy bit out of the way: Cobb may have informed his father that he had plans to arrive. Or, maybe his father is on holiday, or he even doesn't teach anymore. But I'd say it's safe to say that we all know by now that Cobb didn't get out of the dream, that's why his kids look the same (which should be a clue to all the doubters about what REALLY happened at the end).
It's pointless to explain to the naysayers what they got wrong. I could maybe agree that there isn't much character development but I personally totally overlooked it both times I watched the movie. I was fascinated instead by the whole concept and its execution.
I can't add much more to what's already been said. This movie is an absolute masterpiece of storytelling. First, the whole idea of making a movie about something like this is unbelievable. Then you have the idea itself - how the characters went about planting the information into the guy's brain. Then there's the execution of this by Nolan and his crew, I mean, I watched it in awe when I realized what kind of work and creativity this required. Did someone just say, let's drop a truck from a bridge in slow motion, and that was it? This scene, this whole concept of this falling truck deserves an award in itself.
Then, finally, you have the visuals, which feel super-real and express exactly what they're supposed to express. Add to it the fantastic score and you have a mind-blowing experience.
What I loved on second viewing (and you have to see it more than once to fully appreciate its complexity) is that it all makes sense. Every single detail. It's like a symphony where no note is unnecessary and out of place. And you have to use your brain to follow all the breadcrumbs. I will repeat this: if you didn't like this movie, you didn't understand it. Nolan explains a big concept here, a concept that is actually simple but very complex. The logic of this whole story is so strong that even if you try to find holes in it, your brain will fill them up with stuff because it has absorbed this logic as you were watching the movie. That's what's so amazing about 'Inception': it talks about how the brain works and it gives your brain the chance to tap into the story to experience this dream too. Just as the characters' minds can develop the dream and build new stuff, your brain can do that too. I found this absolutely fascinating. But perhaps it's because I'm generally interested in matters of the mind. For those who aren't this may be just a big flashy science fiction movie.
Science fiction? Really? If you think so, you totally missed the point.
Regarding whether it was all a dream. Of course, people interpret it in various ways, some of those people even answered some of the questions about this movie wrong because they made the wrong assumptions.
Even if it was all a dream, it doesn't ruin the movie, because the movie is about reality. Yes, paradoxically, it is about what makes our reality real. Those 'dreams' that the characters find themselves in, are versions of our reality. The movie's point is: if we can get lost in a version of reality, how do we know when we're in the 'real' reality? That's why the ending is so ambiguous: because it leaves Cobb in a reality that is as real as can be, at least for the moment, and the only thing that could make it unreal is his totem. But if he can't see if the totem is spinning or not, how can he tell the difference?
I cannot praise Nolan's genius enough. He took a million pieces of information and build a whole reality out of them. A logical, fully functional reality. Now that's an achievement, and as some reviewer already mentioned, pure creation.
I'm writing this after the second viewing, six years after the movie came out. As of yesterday, this is to me the most brilliant movie ever made. I doubt anything will top it.
Child 44 (2015)
A really good thriller
Man, I managed to avoid watching this movie for a year. I read some bad reviews and I kept thinking, I don't want to watch it, it's gonna be bad. Finally, because I had nothing else to watch, I decided to kill some time with this movie and I'm so glad I did. I haven't read the original book, and I try not to compare books and films because I will always get upset about what they did with the source material. Maybe if I'd read it, I'd be furious like some other reviewers out there.
I really don't understand why people would call this movie boring and give it so little credit. Perhaps it's because they didn't understand that it was a movie about more than just the murders. I actually liked this concept a lot - the idea that there are several stories to it rather than just one story-line going smoothly from A to Z. Honestly, scene after scene I was wondering where the story would lead the characters, how it would end.
The movie kept me hooked till the end. It was very intense, and quite scary too because the regime of the USSR was brilliantly portrayed and you can just sense that there must be something bad waiting to happen round every corner. If you imagine what life would've been like back in the day, you can feel what the director and screenwriter wanted to achieve.
There were issues that should've been developed more. Some characters should've been given more attention and some things weren't explained so you have to figure stuff on your own - and maybe sometimes it's OK, but in this movie I think we should've been given a little more. For example, I didn't quite get why the whole operation was such a secret, why some people would kill some people and try to cover up the investigation. As much as I get that 'there's no murder in paradise' so you can't let anyone run around digging for some killer, I think that someone should've been interested in this guy. After all, 44 kids is kind of a big deal and why would you want to sweep that under the carpet?
All in all, though, the story is coherent, the acting is great, the mood is dark and heavy just as it should be, and all the extra stuff that some people found unnecessary, in my opinion really adds to the movie and makes it multidimensional rather than a one-dimensional thriller-by-numbers. Such stories are about the people, not about the plot. Once you accept that this is this kind of movie, maybe it will be easier to watch it with an open mind.
I loved it.
Life as We Know It (2010)
Life as we know it
I'm glad I saw this movie before I checked out its review on Rotten Tomatoes. At that time it was 11% and I definitely wouldn't dare watch it if I'd known. The other day I watched it again and loved it just as much as the first time. Rotten Tomatoes is giving it a slightly higher percentage of rot today: 28%. Wow. It looks like the critics really hated this movie, whereas the viewers - quite the opposite. And I'm in the latter group. This IS life as we know it, and that's what I liked. The critics clearly are all childless, and they must be miserable people with low self-esteem because they would complain about silly stuff, for example, that Josh Duhamel is too good-looking to play this unexpected dad here. Well, hello, Josh is a real person, who happens to be gorgeous, and in real life with his wife Fergie they do have a baby and no one seems to be whining about the fact that Josh is changing diapers and dealing with his kid's vomit, so. It's not his fault that he was born like that, is it? And do we want to see an ugly guy in a romantic comedy? Duh. I like the fact that the story is really fleshed out. We get to see how it might work, and how the characters fall for each other and get to understand that they are a family. The screenwriter wasn't just trying to get from A to Z and to tick off everything on their list of what goes into a romantic comedy. This is a comedy but also a drama so you don't just see cheese all the time. All characters, even the minor ones, have good parts, they have something interesting or funny to say, so the main two characters aren't acting in isolation from everything and everyone else. That was cool, it made it more realistic and authentic. Other reviewers mentioned Duhamel and Heigl's chemistry and I must say this is the first thing that strikes you about this movie. They really do make a great couple. The script helps a lot, of course, but the chemistry is what they put into the movie themselves, and they are what really makes it worth watching. They work so good together that they make you totally root for them. And you kinda know that they must get together in the end but at the same time you're interested in the journey too. I give it 8 out of 10 stars on a romance scale. As a movie in general it does have its flaws, it's far from being a masterpiece. But as a romantic comedy, this is a very solid, enjoyable movie that is funny and warm. It shows you why some things are worth a sacrifice sometimes, and that's good. Raising a baby takes a huge effort and we all hate our kids sometimes, we hate our lives changing so much, and yes, marriage may seem like prison. This movie shows you that it's normal to struggle but if your heart is in it, you can make it work and be happy.
The Killing (2011)
Can't get it out of my system
I spent two weeks binge-watching this series and after finishing last night, today I re-watched the first 6 episodes. My stomach has been in knots all this time, and frankly, most of the time I felt like I was about to have a heart attack.
That's how intense the show is. Not everything is perfect, and some reviewers point out some 'flaws' but that's a matter of opinion. I personally loved that we see the grieving family so much, and Linden's relationship with her son. Normally in shows the gruesome stuff is hidden, we don't get to feel what it's like to lose someone, to struggle from day to day trying to be the person we want to be. In other shows the focus is on the killer and detective work, and we don't see what a cop's personal life is like when he/she has to deal with the nuances of the job that they chose as their calling. 'The Killing' makes you wonder, who in this world is capable of being a homicide detective? Who wants to do that? If you criticize Linden, try to imagine what it would be like for you. I love how messed up she is, she's been doing it for years, it all must have gotten to her. And Holder, her junkie joke of a partner? That's what he is initially but he slowly becomes a real hero. Both of them are heroes because they care like no one else. They work round the clock to catch the bad guy, and they'd do absolutely anything, and sacrifice everything for the case and their partner. Both are seriously messed up but they 'found' each other and can fix each other - and that's not an easy job. It's beautiful to watch how tight they become in the end.
Well, that's why I wanted to give the show 9 stars - because at the end of season 3 things get crazy, and even though it does make sense throughout season 4, I felt royally cheated until almost the very end. Here you have the good guys with principles go off the rails. They turn on each other and seem like they're gonna lose everything. That wasn't supposed to happen (in my opinion at least). They were supposed to be OK. Now it looks like they didn't have a chance from the start. I hated who Linden and Holder became, and barely managed to get through season 4 because I was seriously expecting them to kill each other, and I couldn't stand the thought.
I love that the show is slow-cooking, but at the same time there's a lot of information coming in from all directions so it's a nail-biting experience. The detectives have such great chemistry that it's insane - and I don't mean they're so into each other. They simply get who the other person is. The acting is brilliant, as is the writing for these two. Most people would spend hours talking on a date and wouldn't find out much about each other, but Linden and Holder need only a sentence each to communicate a thousand words. Their most intimate conversations are about the case, and that's weird but also sweet because this is all they have: this job, and they can only show their true selves in a conversation with another person who knows this job inside out like they do. You get to know them so well through those limited sound bites that you learn to literally read their thoughts. That was the main reason why I was so immersed in the show: I wanted to see how their relationship develops - not a romantic relationship but their relationship as friends who could die for each other if they had to. They will remind you of you in your darkest hours, there is so much to relate to here, no matter where you've been emotionally. How does someone write that into a show and make it so real and authentic? The writers of the show did an outstanding job.
At first I didn't like the fact that Linden's ugly and that they always wear the same clothes and it always rains. But then the little things added up to create a mood that you can't shake off. (OK, I was happy that Holder finally changed into a different hoodie after maybe 8 episodes and that in season 2 it rained much less.) Linden basically has the same facial expression 95% of the time, but with that one face and her emotionless voice she does it all. And Holder, the ex-junkie joker has a whole arsenal of moves and looks that define him and help him connect with Linden in ways that no one ever has. That's why they're such a powerful, unstoppable force that you can't stop watching.
Season 4 is uglier than the previous ones, and of course throughout the show I asked myself sometimes, why this or that, but it does makes sense and the show is amazingly well written and directed. The story lines keep you guessing, and it seems like the writers were in control of all the threads of every story. Either that or they did a good job hiding what didn't work.
Anyone can point out plot holes or weird things in the show but the truth is, there's a lot that isn't said because you can work it out yourself. I like to pick a show or a movie apart. Here, I believed the writers. I think the show scores very high on credibility and it will have you asking until the end: 'Will they or won't they?' You go figure out what I mean.
This is the best crime show I've ever seen, no doubt. And that heart attack feeling isn't going away soon. It's definitely unmissable and addictive as hell. It cost me two weeks of my life but man, it was worth it.
ARQ (2016)
Gripping, interesting, refreshing - had me hooked till the last minute.
I'm starting to really like Netflix. Everything I've watched from them turns out to be very good, which is amazing because I was beginning to believe that the era of movies is over. It seems that nobody wants to make good movies anymore, CGI is king, and viewers are expected to like whatever is released by the greedy studios. Then Netflix happens and suddenly you can watch movies like ARQ.
To the point, though: I've just finished watching ARQ, literally one minute ago, and I didn't even wait for the credits to run, I was already on IMDb signing in to write a review. I've never done it before, but this time I had to. This movie deserves a lot of praise. Of course, it is a 'Groundhog day' type of movie that has been done before, but I've never seen it done so well. That's why I usually hate this type of movie: because they don't get the science right, they don't have a suspenseful story and they do a lot of illogical stuff just so they could wrap things up nicely. This isn't a mess of a movie like that. That's the main thing I liked about it, that they keep me waiting to see how the next loop is going to change. The story is really gripping, and I liked the actors a lot, they really make it look realistic and believable. And I love that someone finally came up with a story like that, in which you can see what might happen if you were stuck in a loop. Remember the movie 'Looper'? In the end, if you analyzed it, it didn't make sense. ARQ does, and it keeps you guessing, it's unpredictable. It was such a pleasure to watch, particularly because it's full of twists and turns and I challenge you to guess how it ends. Each loop is a surprise, I can't even say how refreshing it is to have watched something like that. I hope more people come to review ARQ and that they recognize what a little gem this movie is. It's not a great movie, I'm not saying it is, but it is a solid 8 out of 10 as someone already noticed. It really is. I like clever movies, and this was certainly clever. I liked 'Edge of tomorrow' with Tom Cruise for the same reason - because finally the scriptwriter got time travel right, or at least they make it look like that's the way it would work. It's an achievement. A big thumb up to Netflix.
Stranger Things (2016)
They don't make them like they used to..... Well, they just did.
This is what happens when you let the writers write a show the way it should be written. From what I know, around 20 networks told the brothers who wrote this that they should make a simple, one-dimensional series for dumb people. The brothers stuck to their vision because they wanted to make an amazing series and look what happened - they succeeded, because it turns out that viewers aren't as dumb as show producers think they are. If you know anything about storytelling, you will be blown away by what the writers have done here. The '80s details are one thing, the many references to classic and cult movies are another, but there is so much more to this. The child actors, for example, who were born already in the 21st century, are nothing like contemporary actors. They're just like Goonies, and I can't believe that they managed to act like that if they probably haven't even seen any '80s movies.
Then there's the story, or rather 4 of them, perfectly blended together. How new events of each story are presented bit by bit is just brilliant. Writers of 99% of of modern TV shows have no idea about what pacing is or what makes viewers care about the characters. In 'Stranger Things' the viewer connects with the characters immediately. You watch it and cherish every moment. I never liked Winona Ryder, her acting was always stiff to me. Here, she's totally brilliant, as is everyone else. It's as if you've time-travelled and you're watching stuff happen in a small town for real. It's so realistic.
Another amazing thing about this show is that there is hardly any CGI, or at least it's used in such a way that it doesn't show. Back in the '80s there was no CGI and movie-makers had to have sets built from scratch. Imagine how much work it took to make 'Terminator'. This show looks like it was mostly created by hand, except maybe the monster.
Next thing: dialogues. They sound so natural and so cool, especially the kids' dialogues, but other characters also have realistic lines, it's just such a pleasure to listen to people talk in this show. It's almost music to the ears because you don't hear good dialogue these days anymore, it's always stiff, cliché-ridden, pompous, and the like. Here, you hear people talk as they usually talk. Again, it's like you ended up in the '80s for real.
'Midnight special', a movie that came out recently, got good reviews from the critics, who said that it's very good despite the obvious reference to 'E.T.' Well, like many other movies, that one was pretty much a cookie-cutter movie, full of overused lines and tricks. In 'Stranger Things' you see a lot of things borrowed from other movies and '80s books but the show is still fresh and original, and it's beyond me how they managed to create the same kind of atmosphere that you would've seen in those movies from 30 years ago.
I hope that in season 2 the writers will keep up the good work because it would be a shame if they didn't. This is a must-see for everyone. It will make you recall at least 20 movies from when you were a kid. I'm just wondering what it's like for those born in the late '90s and later, that is those who don't know a world without the internet and cell phones and who've never seen the kind of clothes that the characters of 'Stranger Things' are wearing, or cars, or phones. When the mother of one kid says that they can go to the movie store together, that's bound to raise a few eyebrows.
The funniest thing about 'Stranger Things' is that even though we're surrounded by technology, and everyone's on Facebook and Instagram, and we're glued to our cell phones, you can watch this show and not realize that none of this stuff exists in the show's reality. You will be so immersed that it will all seem natural - the fact that kids don't play computer games in their free time or the fact that you have to develop a camera film in the dark room. If you've lived through the '80s, you will easily forget the 21st century for the duration of the show.
I hope Netflix will become THE network to go to if you want to watch a great show. Perhaps the dumbing down process can slowly be reversed and other networks will follow suit when they realize there's money to be made from interesting, cleverly-written and beautifully produced series. They don't make them like they used to but who says they can't again?
The Fall (2006)
At a loss for words
What could I possibly add to everything that all the other amazed reviewers wrote? If you want to know if you should see this movie, just read the titles of the 9- and 10-star reviews. This movie IS epic and mind-blowing and I feel like I can only repeat what others have said. It may not appeal to everyone because some people will think it's a movie for kids. They don't understand it as a fantasy for adults with a profound story that touches the heart. But don't read it as 'sentimental' - it isn't, it's just such a breathtakingly beautiful story you won't be able to take your eyes off it. The directing is fantastic, the visual side of the movie is unbelievable, the actors have such great chemistry that they transport you to a different world. A lot of the scenes between Lee Pace and Catinca were improvised (she was a little child so they couldn't teach her lines because she wouldn't act natural) and you can see it in their interactions. She's acting so great because she's just herself and the director simply captured every ounce of her childish charm. And those missing teeth and the cast on her arm, and how she cries in one dramatic scene, and every gesture she makes ... oh my God, you have to see this child.
I've seen this movie two times so far, and I was spellbound both times. I only got to see it thanks to an acquaintance who recommended this movie no one has heard of before, and I'm so grateful to him for that! 'The Fall' is in my top ten movies that have had the biggest impact on me, maybe even in the top three. It's definitely the most stunningly beautiful movie I've ever seen.I get that it does n't work for some people, but I think that when it works for others it's because it really touches them. This movie makes you feel something, it finds your soft spots. It brings you back to the time when you were a kid who believed in fairy tales and that the world was a certain kind of place.
The imagery, the ideas in the story, the choreography, the locations, the depth of emotion in the characters - everything about this movie is perfect, and it's for you, it's made out of love so that you'd fall in love. I saw this movie a few years ago and I still sometimes rewatch some scenes. Sometimes it's a place I want to see again, sometimes it's a piece of dialogue I want to listen to again, sometimes a little song.
Just watch it. Don't question its logic, it does make sense. Just immerse yourself in it and let it do to you what it's supposed to do.
Thank you Tarsem for this masterpiece!
Victor Frankenstein (2015)
Doesn't deserve the bad reviews at all
I was shocked to see how bad the reviews were on Rotten Tomatoes. 'Worst movie of the year?' WHAT??? This is the first decent movie I've seen in months (apart from 'Spotlight' but that one is in a different league). There are so many really bad movies out there recently that I almost lost all hope that I will ever see a good movie again. I was very positively surprised with this one. Sure, I've seen a few movies about Frankenstein's monster, I know what happens AFTER the monster becomes alive, but this movie is about what happens BEFORE and I liked how the mad scientist and his obsession were shown here. James McAvoy is a fantastic actor, I'm not a fan of Radcliffe but I actually liked him here as well. I'd say this is a solid drama, with interesting characters and great scenography. I like that there were so many details in the interiors (the machinery and everything else), you can really get a feel for what it must have been like to be a scientist back then. I'm glad this movie wasn't all CG and it actually had a story that made me pay attention throughout till the very end. Of course, there are weaker moments here and there but I can't agree that the story is ludicrous and doesn't add anything new. There's a lot of new here for me, I don't know, maybe other people have seen ALL the movie AND theatre adaptations and they're bored with this whole idea of a monster being raised from the dead (why are they still watching then?) Oh, but what about the 'Black Swan' that's been done to death? Why are they raising this one from the dead all the time and nobody complains?
I give 'Victor Frankenstein' 8 stars out of 10 because it's a gripping, very well executed movie. It made me think a few times about the implications and consequences of what Frankenstein was trying to achieve. It isn't just a failed horror movie (Really? Where did you get that idea?), it is an entertaining drama that utilizes props - something not many films do these days - and allows the actors to create a character that we care about. I certainly did care.
This movie is far from the 'straight to DVD' category and if you like this type of movies, I'd definitely recommend it. Sure, I've watched some movies because the reviewers were saying 'This movie isn't as bad as others make you believe' and they were actually VERY BAD (think the latest 'Die Hard' aka 'Die already!', as one reviewer noted in the title of his review) but I honestly can't see why anybody would hate 'Victor Frankenstein'. This is a strong, solid movie that's very entertaining and certainly not as forgettable as some will tell you. To be on the safe side, watch the first half an hour. If you decide you hate it, you can skip the rest; if you like it, you might just have a pretty nice evening.