Zeiten des Umbruchs

I grew up in NYC and went to PS 154 around the same time Banks Repeta's character did, so I can totally relate to the story. That doesn't mean it makes this film better for me. In fact. I kept thinking "so what?". This entire story is a reality that almost everyone has experienced, whatever side of the coin you're on, so it's absolutely nothing revolutionary, and for that matter, it was rather hollow and bland. It was at least 30 mins too long, and the pacing was too slow to maintain engagement with the narrative. It was all basic filler with very little substance. Nevertheless, the young actors delivered convincing performances, as did the A-listers - although we have to expect that from them. I want to say it's a decent one-time watch for a reason I can't find, so I wont. You'll basically see great performances, a great score and soundtrack, excellent cinematography, but no compelling narrative. It's a generous 6/10 from me, only because it brought back memories when I was growing up in that era and neighborhood.

Didn't really know what the movie was about heading in, but even so the opening sequence was confusing and that feeling persists throughout as the narrative is somewhat chaotic, but this is the result of the movie being shown from a child's point of view. The movie seems like an authentic family experience, and for the most part I didn't really know what the purpose is or what it was leading to but still enjoyed it. A film that's massively elevated by the cast's performances.

The kids can get annoying at times as kids do but the movie let's you relate to them and feel their emotions. It has a few very uncomfortable scenes and has a constant piteous feel after the first act or so. We're just witnessing a family's life, so there's no actual story to it and narration feels off because life isn't always linear or follows a path. This will definitely put some people off.

The acting is superb, especially from the kids who're the lead roles and able to convey their emotion across; Anthony Hopkins and Anne Hathaway were amazing despite being only in supporting roles, felt like watching real people in real life not in a movie. Jessica Chastain was a surprise, she seemed off but I also think that's how her character was meant to be portrayed. It's just unfortunate such great performances had no story for them to hold together. The movie just feels like childhood memories to me all jumbled up.

It's not a movie for everyone and I hesitate to call it perfect nor recommend it but it is beautiful and the performances alone make this a worthy watch. The story wasn't much to behold, but I'll remember this for the heart rending feel it gave. I am still confused as to where the movie titled came from.

A dull and boring film which ended with me thinking "what was the point" and what a waste of time. A complete mystery as to what was the story and more importantly what was the moral of the story. Even Anthony Hopkins could not save this film. I kept on waiting for the wisdom of Hopkins' character to be revealed and passed on to his grandson given his obliquely alluded to family history of terror during the Second World War at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust. All Hopkins' character could come up with was a single reference to "be a mensch". We had to put up with two extremely annoying adolescents.

You've seen it many times before, watching other people grow up's such a chore, we've all been adolescent, distracted and pubescent, it's a boring set of takes and you will snore. Perhaps if it had something new to say, portrayed a family more uniquely in their way, a novel circumstance, to catch your eye, a second glance, not monotony of children in their play. If you make it to the end you might just wonder, why fine actors chose to loot your time and plunder, must be quite a fallow year, to want to make this and appear, in something that's so dull, it makes you want to slumber.

Although it also makes you wonder whether an aging Welshman is the only person who could have filled that specific role.

Armageddon Time (2022)

I don't understand why I didn't enjoy this film because normally I love these kinds of coming of age stories. Moreover, I watched this primarily for Anthony Hopkins' and as always, he delivered a terrific performance which should have sealed the deal and yet, it didn't. The director's intention is clearly there but when all the elements come together, the experience feels watered down as the film fails to have a clear focus.

Armageddon Time is a story a young boy who lives with his big family and that's about it. He is a mischievous and to some extent, an entitled brat who seems to only respect his grandfather. The movie tries to make us connect with the boy by showing various adventures and while some moments feel humorous and joyful, they barely make an impact. The sequences with the family are definitely the most enjoyable because of the great cast, particularly Anthony Hopkins who steals every scene he is in.

However, the whole experience feels like a half measure because the director was scared to show anything truly emotional or powerful. It's as if he couldn't decide whether to portray a tender relationship between a the boy and his grandfather, give an audience a lesson on morality or demonstrate the importance of achieving success in life. As a result, the movie falls flat and ends without leaving any sort of impression, inspiration or emotional aftertaste.

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