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Reviews
BlackBerry (2023)
An interesting modern business tale
Taking place in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada beginning in the mid-1990s, the life and death of the titular mobile phone device is depicted in this film. The device inventors, Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin, are portrayed by Jay Baruchel and Matt Johnson. The business investor specialist, Jim Balsillie, is played by Glenn Howerton. Johnson is also the film's director and co-writer.
"Blackberry" is a well executed film about a recent history that is well known. It also manages to give just enough technical and business jargon to be interesting without being confusing to anyone not an expert in either field.
Howerton is perfect as a brazen business bully who easily takes command of a group of technical geniuses who appear to be slackers. Baruchel shines in later scenes in which he has evolved to success but still acts like the techie with weak communications skills.
Overall, this is a fine film that puts the ruthlessness of the business world on full display. - dbamateurcritic.
Suzume no Tojimari (2022)
a mixed result
The title character is a seventeen-year-old girl living on the Japanese island of Kyushu. After meeting a young man named Souta, the two encounter supernatural wayward doors that lead to other worlds. Some doors must be sealed in order to avoid earthquakes in the near future. "Suzume" is an animated film.
The film has beautiful animation and there is an amazing scene at the end but there are flaws that diminish its value.
Scenes of Suzume chasing someone while taking major risks didn't make sense. There are other scenes that also didn't make sense including one of a three-legged chair (once in the human form) believing he can actually catch a cat that has the ability of flying and talking. Seemingly smart characters were inconsistent in such scenes. There were inconsistencies with the cat character, too.
Most Japanse animated films are entertaining and fascinating but for me, this one missed the mark despite its compassion toward those grieving from the 2011 earthquake in Tohoku. - dbamateurcritic.
Elvis (2022)
entertaining
The film is based on the life and career of Elvis Presley (portrayed by Austin Butler) with emphasis on the unethical influence of Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).
The film's first half has an amazing style that advances the story quickly. Kudos to director Baz Luhrmann and his editing team for this. But around the three-quarters mark, the film is starting to feel too long (it's just under two and three-quarters hours). And throughout, there is a negative vibe as the film is narrated by the Parker character who is repulsive and sleazy.
But the concluding scenes are very heartfelt especially for anyone old enough to remember when Elvis was alive and famous. And the number "Unchained Melody" is a goosebumps moment that is worthy of reaching the stratosphere. - dbamateurcritic.
West Side Story (2021)
Magnificent
A remake of the 1961 musical which was based on a Broadway show with a theme based on Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet': Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler) have recently fallen in love at first sight but their relationship is in danger as each is associated with rival Manhattan gangs: Tony has links with a gang of poor whites (the Jets) while Maria is part of a Puerto Rican immigrant community that is linked with the Sharks gang.
While the original film remains outstanding, the newer version manages to maintain the original greatness and even improve in some ways. For one, the actors playing lead roles of Tony, Maria, and Anita (Ariana DeBose) in the updated version all do their own singing throughout the film - not so in the original. Also, Elgort is consistently great in the role of Tony while Richard Beymer was mixed in the original. Further, many scenes (including the song "America") were performed on location with extras rather than on movie stages.
Those magnificent songs by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim are given the tribute they deserve. Among the most memorable: the aforementioned "America" with energy to spare; the love duet "Tonight" moves the heart beautifully; and the DeBose/Zegler duet of "A Boy Like That / I Have a Love" is one of cinema's greater moments.
Legendary director Steven Spielberg proves his greatness again aided by perfect lighting, choreography, and dancers. One of the most memorable moments is an overhead view of the rival gangs moving toward each other while their long shadows are seen before their bodies are visible. Despite knowing what is about to happen next, the film is always tense and edgy.
The superb cast also includes David Alvarez and Mike Faist. And what a brilliant choice of casting to include Rita Moreno (Anita in the original film version) as Tony's drugstore boss. The gal can still move an audience to tears.
Sublime! - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 10 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMNTS:
- Directing by Steven Spielberg
- Acting Ensemble.
Fantasia (1940)
Sublime
A Walt Disney production: eight animated segments are accompanied with classical music pieces. All but one are conducted by Leopold Stokowski and performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra.
The film's clever beginning doesn't start right away with the first animated piece. Instead, it shows the orchestra musicians gradually arriving to take their places before performing with different coloured shadows lingering behind them. This works smartly as a device to create anticipation.
Each sequence is introduced by Master of Ceremonies Deems Taylor, a music composer and critic. Taylor is an excellent choice for this function. He is an articulate narrator and reverent of the art he is introducing while never seeming snobbish or distant from audience members whose knowledge of music might be much less than his. There is an irony in his introduction of "The Nutcracker Suite" in which he states that this ballet suite is rarely performed any more. How times (and many Christmas seasons) have changed since then.
The colourful animation is sublime and perfectly suited to the beautiful music that accompanies each segment. This rare art form was repeated in "Fantasia 2000" but is not likely to be equaled. And though the initial elation wavers a tiny bit in the last third of the film, it is more than revived in the final segment using Schubert's "Ave Maria". This part of the film is as close to heaven-on-earth as anything could ever be in a movie theatre or anywhere else.
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Animation
- Musical Accompaniment.
The Bad Seed (1956)
A great thriller with great performances
Christine Penmark (Nancy Kelly) is taking care of her eight-year old daughter, Rhoda (Patty McCormack), while her husband is away on military duty. After a tragedy occurs at Rhoda's school, more and more evidence shows that Rhoda might have been responsible for the tragedy. The film is based on the play by Maxwell Anderson which is based on the novel by William March.
There are times the film feels far-fetched but overall, it is consistent within its own fictional universe. Its greatest asset is its cast.
Kelly is at her best during the film when she transitions after a serious inner-conflict including a pivotal scene with her father (well played by Paul Fix). McCormack is an exceptional child actress especially during meltdown scenes. But the prize for scene-stealing has to go to Eileen Heckart as the "town drunk" who is suffering the most from the tragedy.
Heckart has only two scenes of about five minutes each and she tears the screen with both of them especially the first one. Drunk, blunt, and well distant from the hoity-toity language used by Christine, her friends, her landlady, and Rhoda's teacher, Heckart's character also stands out as someone who prefers truth over upward social mobility.
Yet another cast standout is Henry Jones as a building superintendent who seems to understand Rhoda better than everyone else.
A thriller, a great drama, and a great cast. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Acting Ensemble.
Faces (1968)
Brilliantly acted
During the early stages of the sexual revolution in southern California, the film follows the disintegration of a marriage of a middle-aged, well-off couple (Richard and Maria Frost played by John Marley and Lynn Carlin).
There are approximately six extended scenes in this film that are in cinéma-verité style and allow the magnificent cast to show their best in scenes that are spontaneous, tense, and awkward much like in real life. And as the title implies, the actors' faces are always in focus.
The late sixties debauchery (or liberation depending on one's perspective) is like an invisible character who greatly affects the others in the film. Richard seems like he has been waiting anxiously for this new world and wallows in it like a starving animal. Maria partakes reluctantly while it is clear she is more comfortable with the standards in earlier time periods. During the story, each becomes involved with a voluptuous blond: Jeannie (Gena Rowlands) for Richard; and Chet (Seymour Cassel) for Maria.
Director / writer John Cassavetes succeeded in making a powerful film using unconventional methods during an unconventional time when many were awkward in adjusting to the 'new morality'. His wisest decision was to give his talented cast the freedom to improvise with many close-ups. They rewarded him with great performances. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Acting Ensemble.
Sweet Charity (1969)
MacLaine at her best plus great musical numbers
Based on the Broadway musical (which was based on the Italian film 'Nights of Cabiria' released in 1957): Charity Hope Valentine (Shirley MacLaine) is a dance hall hostess in a nightclub in Times Square. Love-hungry and unlucky in love, she meets Oscar (John McMartin) and a romance begins.
MacLaine is magical in this film and this has to be one of her best performances. In her love-starvation, she is perfectly naïve and innocent. She is at her best in two scenes near the end: one is her last scene with McMartin in which she shows the epitome of low self-esteem; the other is when she is at a pay-phone talking to her friends which shows the epitome of people-pleasing. And she succeeds greatly as a "triple threat" too.
The story is well updated in place and time in its inclusion of the hippy culture of the late 60s - best shown in the musical number "The Rhythm of Life" (featuring Sammy Davis Jr. Who is great) and a later scene in Central Park.
The Oscar character sometimes seems underdeveloped and out of sync. And McMartin's performance is not on par with MacLaine's. There are also times the story seems depressing but the praises for this film outnumber the criticisms.
Other great musical numbers include "Big Spender", "If My Friends Could See Me Now", "I Love to Cry at Weddings", "Where Am I Going?", "I'm a Brass Band", and "There's Got To Be Something Better Than This" which MacLaine performs with Chita Rivera and Paula Kelly who each do great work as Charity's co-worker friends.
The conclusion leaves a very different feeling compared to musicals of that time period but the final caption pieces everything together perfectly. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 our of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS
- Acting by Shirley MacLaine
- Musical Numbers (Songs by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields; Choreography by Bob Fosse who also directed the film)
My Brilliant Career (1979)
A beautiful film and a great lead performance
In the late 1800s in rural Australia, Sybylla Melvyn (Judy Davis) is sent from her family's country farm to live temporarily with her wealthy maternal grandmother (Aileen Britton) during which there is a budding romance with a neighbouring childhood friend (Sam Neill). Despite the barriers in her station in life, Sybylla dreams of being a published writer. The film is based on the mostly autobiographical novel by Miles Franklin.
The New South Wales region of Australia is beautifully photographed by Donald McAlpine with great guidance from director Gillian Armstrong. In addition to being a film that is beautiful to look at, there is so much more.
"My Brilliant Career" is a great tribute to all fiery independent spirits who just cannot fit in wherever they are. Davis perfectly personifies this attitude and its consequences as Sybylla whose barriers include the limited options for young women of a particular time and place. These limits are expressed during some of the film's most powerful conversations that Sybylla has with her aunts (Wendy Hughes and Patricia Kennedy).
The pull-push element of the romance is also done well where there are strong feelings of love and other deep emotions.
A very good film in many ways as well as a beautiful capsule of time and place. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Acting by Judy Davis.
Aus dem Nichts (2017)
A fascinating story
Katja (Diane Kruger) lives in Hamburg, Germany with her husband Nuri - a man of Kurdish Turkish heritage - and their five-year-old son. In the film's three segments, her life is chronicled. The first involves a major crime; the second involves the trial resulting from the crime; and the third follows the trial's verdict.
Each of the film's segments - and the film as a whole - are full of surprises and shocks but never far-fetched. As the main character has serious flaws while remaining an object of sympathy, a great deal of credit can be given to Kruger for her solid lead performance and Fatih Akin for his strong directing and especially for his brilliant, multi-layered screenplay. The narrative also covers tensions in a mixed-race extended family.
As the family lawyer, Denis Moschitto also delivers a fine performance as the most grounded character in the film. In one courtroom scene, he unleashes a massive amount of power and emotion.
The film's conclusion is truly shocking but, after much thought and discussion, could make sense under the circumstances. The fact that the film can generate so much thought and discussion makes its screenplay one of the best of the year. - dbamateurcritic
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Screenplay by Fatih Akin.
From Here to Eternity (1953)
A great cast and a great film
In 1941 in the Hawaiian island of Oahu, the story focuses on a U. S. Army unit (Schofield Barracks) and the lives of some of its members plus their love interests. The film is based on the novel by James Jones.
The main characters include First Sergeant Milton Warden (Burt Lancaster) who reports to Captain Dana Holmes (Phillip Ober) who frequently cheats on his wife Karen (Deborah Kerr) with whom Milton has a secret affair. Also reporting to Holmes are Privates Robert E. Lee Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) and Angelo Maggio (Frank Sinatra). Prewitt is a former boxer who refuses to box any more due to a past incident; he hooks up with Lorene (Donna Reed), a hostess at a social club. Maggio has a serious conflict with stockade Sergeant Judson (Ernest Borgnine).
Despite occasional 'soap opera' moments, the film is always enjoyable and has a great mix of military stories with love stories. Some of the bullying scenes are difficult to endure although some of the worst incidents take place off-screen and are narrated later by the victims.
The greatest asset in this remarkable film is its superb cast. Sinatra shines in a scene with Clift after Maggio has been brutally mistreated by Judson. The following scene, taking place the next day, shows Clift at his best. And the same can be said for Reed during the film's last half-hour. And yes, Lancaster and Kerr really fire it up during that famous beach scene. To be fair, all are great in various scenes. These are just the highlights.
This film fully deserves its classic status. And of course, its climax (like so many other scenes) is magnificently executed by director Fred Zinnemann. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Acting Ensemble.
Brother (2022)
very good
Based on the novel by David Chariandy: in the 1990s in the Scarborough suburb of Toronto, Ruth (Marsha Stephanie Blake) is a Jamaican immigrant raising her teenage sons Francis (Aaron Pierre) and Michael (Lamar Johnson). Non-linear storytelling is used in three different time periods to show the family's struggles, strengths, and life-changing events.
Many small scenes are used in the storytelling and they work very well. Even though the multiple time lines are challenging at first, this method pays off very well. This is mainly because the later time-frame indicates that a serious change has happened in the middle time period. The viewer is left curious as to what mysterious event will happen in the middle frame as the film is nearing its end. So, while the climax is in the middle time-frame, it ends up being exposed near the film's end rather than in the middle as it would have in a linear time frame.
The film's first half is depressing as it exposes hardships with very few lighter moments to relieve the sadness. While this would be a handicap for other films, "Brother" works well in channeling the mood to melancholy in its last quarter as it pieces all the mysteries together so compassionately. It is also accompanied beautifully by the song "Ne Me Quitte Pas" sung by Nina Simone. In fact, director/writer Clement Virgo uses music beautifully throughout his fine film with an impressive score by Todor Kobakov.
"Brother" uses various themes effectively including police brutality; the poor immigrant experience; exploitive talent contests in the 1990s in Toronto (and the false hope and heartbreak that arise); and the terrible effects from grief. This film is courageous in its detailed focus on grief which is rare and praiseworthy.
The main performances are powerful especially Johnson whose character is the main focus of the film and Blake whose character changes significantly in different time periods. - dbamateurcritic.
Riceboy Sleeps (2022)
A great lead performance
So-Young (Choi Seung-Yoon) immigrates from South Korea along with her young son, Dong-Hyun (Dohyun Noel Hwang; later played by Ethan Hwang) to the Vancouver region in Canada. The film chronicles their various adjustments, struggles, and victories. "Riceboy Sleeps" is based partly on the life of Anthony Shim who is also the film's director and writer.
The early scenes in Canada show troubles of adjustment for both mother and son at work and at school respectively. This is greatly highlighted in a powerful, fiery scene in a school principal's office. These scenes take place around 1990 before the story jumps to 1999. At this point, adjustment has taken place and the main characters have less trouble standing out as "ethnics" and the racism they faced in earlier years. And while Shim shows great talent as a writer and director, his acting skills are also well displayed in the later section where he plays So-Young's boyfriend, a character who has a sweet humility that comes off as shy and awkward sometimes.
But Shim's best talents show in his directing. Many scenes are rich with depth and in some of them, the camera moves perfectly in single-shot scenes.
A scene in Korea near the end seems to have a different flow compared to the film's other scenes. And while it is quite good and necessary to the story, part of it might be far-fetched as it includes someone whose health is very weak and not likely to sustain the demands of travel. But this is a minor complaint for a film that shines in so many other ways.
The movie's most outstanding asset is Choi's performance. While she has great cathartic scenes at Dong-Hyun's school and her workplace, she is most powerful in subtle, quiet ways. This includes her awkward adjustment in a new job in a new country plus her most outstanding scene (and possibly the best in the film): one in which she is having a conversation with a doctor.
Some have compared "Riceboy Sleeps" with "Minari". This is a compliment to both great films. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Acting by Choi Seung-Yoon.
An Cailín Ciúin (2022)
very powerful
In 1981, Cáit (Catherine Clinch) is nine years old and part of a large, poor family in rural Ireland. Relating poorly in her family and in school, she is sent during the summer to stay with her mother's well-off second cousin, Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley) and her husband Seán (Andrew Bennett). The film is based on the short story "Foster" by Claire Keegan and is mostly in the Gaelic language.
"The Quiet Girl" is a powerful film in which mysteries are gradually revealed. And Cáit is not the only quiet person in the story. Seán also says very little and the gradual bond between the two is one of the film's treasures. Each encourages the other to speak more.
This may or may not be true in Irish culture but it seems, at least in Irish films (including "Brooklyn" , "The Banshees of Inisherin" and the current film), that each Irish community has a wretched gossip: someone middle-aged or older who believes it is her duty to know everyone's private affairs and occasionally to pass the information on to others. This particular archetype in "The Quiet Girl" reveals important past history in the film's second half.
Ultimately, it is the film's final scene that is its most powerful. Like so many other scenes that precede it, words are few while subtext is overpowering. And director/writer Colm Bailréad chooses to cut the scene at a moment that might seem premature but ends up being more gripping than if the scene had continued. A brilliant decision to complete a beautifully, moving film highlighted by an exceptional child performance. - dbamateurcritic.
American Sniper (2014)
a mixed result
Based on the true story of Chris Kyle, an expert marksman and U. S. Navy Seal, Bradley Cooper portrays the main character who fought in the front lines during the Iraq War.
The first half of the movie is seen mainly through Kyle's viewpoint. He is a devout patriot and sees his mission as saving his country and its people. This is a fair viewpoint but the movie avoids the many counter-arguments happening at the time of that very divisive war.
Iraqi civilians are mainly portrayed as the "bad guys" which is unfair considering their ordinary lives have been uprooted with so many radical changes.
Thankfully, the film doesn't have a totally biased viewpoint. It is quite honest in the difficulties faced by soldiers after returning home. For Chris, this is mainly reflected by his wife, played by Sienna Miller, who is clear in her unhappiness about Chris' drive and how he has changed. Though Cooper gives a rather good performance, there could have been more depth and subtlety in the portrayal of someone who is driven while denying the effect of the traumas he has experienced.
At times, the film seems too long but it ends with a very moving finale that is felt well after the movie's completion. The ending also centers around an event that boldly and effectively takes place off-screen. - dbamateurcritic.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2022)
Nan Goldin is a fascinating documentary subject
The career, activism, and life of renowned New York photographer Nan Goldin are the subject of this documentary.
Various subjects are covered in this film. The main one involves an activist group P. A. I. N. (Prescription Addiction Intervention Now) and its battles against the wealthy Sackler family who own Purdue Pharma. P. A. I. N's main goal is to hold Purdue Pharma accountable for the current opioid addiction crisis.
Other subjects include the highlights of Goldin's career and her earlier involvement in support of members of the LGBT community during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s. One of the most moving subjects involves memories of Goldin's childhood which included a heartbreaking tragedy. Here, the footage of the 1950s and 1960s was gripping.
The filmmakers made a great decision to have Goldin do most of the narration. She has a great voice that is genuine and unpolished. And the placing of photographs was also perfectly arranged throughout the film.
The film is intriguing while also telling a great activist story in which it is sometimes a mystery whether P. A. I. N. will fully or partially succeed in its goals. In addition, many fascinating eras and histories are covered in the film. Occasionally, it feels like too much is covered but the film wins overall. - dbamateurcritic.
Living (2022)
A touching film
1953, London: Rodney Williams (Bill Nighy) is a senior city bureaucrat who, like his colleagues and superiors, has little or no interest in doing good for the city despite being paid to do so. After receiving shocking news, Rodney's life values change significantly. "Living" is a remake of the Japanese film "Ikiru" (To Live) released in 1952 and which takes place around the same time.
During scenes involving Rodney's workplace, "Living" perfectly exposes one of the most repulsive collective acts of our world: passing the buck. Other forms of human nature are also on display including the fact that we're very different - in a better way - when responding to tragedy and how sad it is that our better ways are likely only temporary.
"Living" has a very special scene during its last fifteen minutes involving one of Rodney's younger colleagues and a police officer. This scene is touching in the deepest of ways and it is the highlight of the film which has many other fine moments underlined by Nighy's performance.
The film creates a time capsule in many ways. One of them is the special colour cinematography that was typical of many films released during its time period. This is a fine film with a lot of inspiration to reflect on life. - dbamateurcritic.
Beurokeo (2022)
A fascinating makeshift family
A church in Busan, Korea provides a special service where abandoned babies can be dropped off and later adopted into families. Two criminals steal unregistered babies with the intention of illegally selling them on the adoption black market.
This film has a strange but believable bunch of misfits who unintentionally create a makeshift family. The two criminals and a kidnapped baby are joined by a young repentant mother and a boy from an orphanage. The extended family gradually expands to include detectives assigned to keep watch on the criminals plus prospective adoptive parents.
As could be expected, there is a lot of comical relief despite - or maybe because of - all the criminality involved. In the end, "Broker" has a great story with much intermingling in an odd mix. - dbamateurcritic.
The Danish Girl (2015)
Redmayne is superb
Based on a true story: In 1920s Copenhagen, Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne) is a landscape artist and his wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander) is a portrait artist. When a female model is late to pose for Gerda, she asks Einar to temporarily replace her, partly dressed in women's clothes. This incident re-stimulates Einar's early desires to live as a female.
It is also notable that Einar's transition to Lili Elbe is one of the first known transgender incidents in history.
I'm sure my fellow movie buffs can recall times when a film was universally acclaimed and we just didn't see what any of the fuss is about. Sometimes, we even disliked the film. "The Danish Girl" creates that rare situation in the opposite direction: a film that is universally rated as mediocre or disappointing; but one which I found superb. The naysayers at least agree that Redmayne and Vikander are great in their roles. More on that later.
I believe that director Tom Hooper (who helped raise "The King's Speech" to such a high level) deserves great credit for elevating the mood in this film to one of intensity mixed with beauty. There is much risk in expressing true identity at a time when the term "transgender" did not even exist. The deeper understanding of artists, among others, is on display with kindness and compassion. The beauty of cities like Copenhagen, Paris, and Dresden (with exquisite set designs, cinematography, and music) all contribute to keep the aesthetics of this film at the highest level.
But it truly is the acting that makes this film as great as it is. Redmayne's performance alone would have been adequate but Vikander's contribution is more than that of a supporting role. As an emerging artist and as a woman whose marriage is changing in ways that could never have been equaled at that time, Vikander brings great depth to Gerda as her love and support are unyielding during a very difficult and unusual time.
Redmayne is truly sensational in this film. This is not a surprise considering his turn in last year's "The Theory of Everything" for which he was rightly praised with multiple awards. In "Danish Girl", his depth goes even further as he boldly and courageously exposes the sensitivity of a unique and misunderstood soul. From the time he first reacts to wearing women's clothes, the movie is riveting as he easily conveys nuance in his facial expressions and takes great risks to be truthful and authentic.
As Charlize Theron did with "Monster", Redmanyne's sublime performance raises a fine film to an even greater level. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Lead Performance by Eddie Redmayne.
Sorcerer (1977)
This movie as some of the best action scenes ever filmed.
Four international criminal fugitives end up in a South American village: Jackie Scanlon (Roy Scheider) from the USA; Victor Manzon (Bruno Cremer) from France; Nilo (Francisco Rabal) from Mexico; and Kassem (Amidou) from Israel. In the hope of escaping their current desperation, they agree to partake in a very dangerous mission of transporting badly stored dynamite using unstable trucks. The film is based on the French novel "La Salaire de la Peur" (The Wages of Fear) by Georges Arnaud. The book had previously been adapted into a French film released in 1953.
Sometimes, the film is difficult to follow in the beginning although its international intrigue is always fascinating. But any early reservations are destroyed once the truck journeys begin. Without revealing too much, there is one scene involving a suspension bridge and another involving a tree. They are among the best action scenes ever filmed. In particular, the bridge scene is so thrilling and grueling that the suspense (no pun intended) is almost painful. For this, the highest praise must go to director William Friedkin and editors Bud Smith and Robert K. Lambert.
Luckily, the thrills don't stop at those scenes. The intrigue continues right to the end with a moment that is not only cleverly executed but also perfectly grim and fatalistic for a film of this nature. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Directing by William Friedkin.
Close (2022)
Brilliantly directed, written, and acted
In a rural area of French-speaking Belgium, two thirteen-year old boys share a long-term, deep friendship that includes physical affection. As they reach puberty and begin high school, Léo (Eden Dambrine) begins to feel uncomfortable with the closeness and veers away from it. This leaves Rémi (Gustav De Waele) feeling confused and rejected.
The film is divided into three primary segments. The first shows the pre-adolescent childhood bliss that the boys share with each other, within their families, with each other's families, and within the (mostly) supportive community around them. The second segment focusses on Léo's changed attitude (plus how other children influenced this) and how this affects Rémi. The last segment is so radically different from the other two that as little as possible will be mentioned of it here in order to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say that "Close" has a similarity to the Italian film "The Hand of God" released a year before it in that both films have a shocking, unexpected climax near the half-way mark.
The viewer is set up to feel every possible emotion while watching this film. Director Lukas Dhont (also one of the film's screenwriters) ensures that every scene, now matter how ordinary it may seem, is executed with a gentle sensitivity. And he is helped with an exceptional cast. The two young leads are perfect in conveying a full range of feelings within their friendship. Dambrine deserves further praise for showing conflicting feelings, including the denial of such feelings, in the most subtle of ways.
Further praise goes to the cast playing the boys' families: Émilie Dequenne and Kevin Janssens (as Rémi's parents), Léa Drucker and Marc Weiss (as Léo's parents), and Igor van Dessel (as Léo's older brother). There's a very special scene when the two families are having dinner together. The viewer is likely to see in advance that an attempt at pleasant, ordinary conversation will likely lead to unintended consequences. This is one of the film's more profound moments. Drucker is powerful during the film's climactic scene while Dequenne shows greatness in more than a few special scenes including a pivotal one near the film's end.
"Close" turns the coming-of-age genre in a totally different direction with courage and insight. Kudos to Dhont and Angelo Tijssens for their powerful screenplay. Their story also shows in subtle ways how individuals can be affected by outside paradigms - the paradigm in this case being the collective belief that males must keep a minimum distance from each other - except for violence. Anyone who hasn't seen this film yet but plans to see it should be prepared to feel. A lot!
This film is so emotionally touching and honest that it has a very strong chance of being my favourite for the decade even if there are many other films to see before the end of the 2020s. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 10 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Directing by Lukas Dhont
- Screenplay by Lukas Dhont and Angelo Tijssens
- Acting by Eden Dambrine, Gustav De Waele, and Émilie Dequenne.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
totally bizarre and quite fascinating
Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) is a Chinese-American immigrant and the co-owner of a laundromat with her husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan). She has strained relations with Waymond as well as their daughter (Stephanie Hsu) and her father (James Hong). Further, she and her business are being targeted by a high-achieving tax auditor/inspector (Jamie Lee Curtis). As if this isn't enough, she learns of other versions of herself in parallel universes and is forced to make important decisions to save the entire multiverse.
The experience of viewing this film feels like being stoned without taking any drugs. To call it totally bizarre might be an understatement. Once the surreal aspects took wing in the film's second half-hour, the movie seemed like a write-off as it was so strange but it paid to stick around. When the oddities seemed less odd and at least a bit understandable, a message of goodness came through. This message was badly needed for Evelyn whose name might be code for Everyone at least during some times in our lives: overworked, under-appreciated, and unsatisfied with life. (Note that the first three letters in the words Evelyn and Everyone are similar to those in the first two words in the film's title.)
By the film's end, it's fair to say that although the trip was outlandish, it does succeed in encouraging a lighter attitude toward life. Plus Yeoh and Hsu are very powerful in a final scene together. - dbamateurcritic.
Women Talking (2022)
Double praise for Polley as director and writer
Based on true events covered in the fictional novel by Miriam Toews: in 2010, a Mennonite colony is in crisis as many men within it have sedated and raped women and girls within the community. During a two-day period when the men are absent, a select group of women are to collectively decide the fate of the females as well as young boys within the colony: whether the decision is to do nothing; stay and fight; or leave.
The rich and thoughtful dialogue of this film potentially encourages the viewer to reflect on similar personal dilemmas past and present as it is filled with both inner and outer conflicts (fight vs. Flight vs. Freeze). Dealing openly with trauma that is often silenced and suppressed is also a plus for this great film.
There are some long conversations in "Women Talking". In most films, this would have resulted in dullness but director/writer Sarah Polley and her great cast have a way of keeping such scenes lively and fascinating. The best is a discussion about forgiveness - a topic that often encourages pompous platitudes especially when pontificated by devious people who know how to cleverly deflect responsibility. Whether discussed from a religious perspective (as in this film) or otherwise, there are well-known attitudes on forgiveness that are brief, rigid, and narrow-minded. While the special scene in the film includes such attitudes, it also provides the audience a gift in expanding the discussion and the expression of other perspectives culminating in a simple line that perfectly exposes a universal misinterpretation around forgiveness. This line alleviates many misconceptions about forgiveness that are filled with dogma and stupidity.
Other great films are recalled when watching "Women Talking". They include the classic "Fiddler on the Roof" as well as "The Innocents", a lesser known - but equally worthy - Polish film released in 2016.
There is a unique and special feminine perspective in "Women Talking". It is very unfortunate that this perspective is rare in the world of cinema but this rarity adds to the impact of the very emotionally powerful experience of viewing this film. The great cast includes Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, Jessie Buckley, Sheila McCarthy, Michelle McLeod, and Frances McDormand. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Directing by Sarah Polley
- Screenplay by Sarah Polley (based on the novel by Miriam Toews)
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Possibly the most beautiful visuals ever
A sequel to "Avatar" released in 2009: in the fictional eco-universe of Pandora, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is the chief of the Omatikaya clan where he and his wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) raise their family. Facing further threats from the Resources Development Administration, the family finds refuge in a sea community of Pandora occupied by the Metkayina clan where further battles await.
The visuals in this film are spectacular; possibly the best ever. The experience was greatly enhanced by seeing the film in 3D on IMAX. The very best scenes occur when the characters are interacting beautifully with nature.
The story of the film is moving and pleasant though perhaps a bit simple in some instances and overly busy in others such as the climactic scene. But every element of the story that relates to nature and the need for its protection win every time. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 8 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS: Visual Effects, Cinematography, Set Design.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Great Entertainment
A sequel to Top Gun (1986): Captain Pete Mitchell aka Maverick (Tom Cruise) is a top-notch military pilot in his fifties and is assigned to train ten exceptional recruits to destroy a uranium enrichment plant.
This film might be confusing to those unfamiliar with the prequel but for the rest of us, it fits as fine entertainment.
The main character is fascinating in that he is confident of his exceptional talents while being self-aware enough to know that using his talents to climb a career path with a series of promotions is just not his thing. In this way, he is a tribute many who are like him who march to the beat of a different drummer rather than cave in to mainstream standards.
The grand finale seems standard but it is enhanced by a solid plot twist. Overall, "Top Gun: Maverick" is big-budget Hollywood at its best with many thrills. - dbamateurcritic.