Rezensionen von josiahliljequist

Some films make you step back and think about your own life, your own morality and selfishness-and this one definitely did it for me. I was amazed by the depiction of these characters (who were loosely based on real life women), and the power they had to forgive and keep their faith. To have one of the greatest, if not the greatest, evils perpetrated against you and to be lied about the very crime, and yet to look forward with hope and love is something inspiring to say the least. And I don't think this film is just about gender. When August talks about teenage boys, he explains how they can indeed be dangerous, but that they also have tender and poignant emotions that need time and love to develop and be sustained. He sees hope in those boys. And in one of the most moving scenes in the film, when Ona is asked how she can stand having a rapist's baby inside her and actually love it, she explains how the baby is as innocent as all of us, just as the rapist was at the moment of his birth. Ona represents an undying optimism for humankind, one that is bolstered by her faith and ability to forgive, and I was certainly moved by her portrayal by Rooney Mara.

Some reviewers felt that the movie was slow and stagy, but I was thoroughly gripped with the drama and dialogue of the film. The performances are great, and the cinematography is focused and efficient at setting a somber mood with rays of beauty (like the time lapse of the setting sun, the children playing in the waves of grain, the starlit barn), and I believe Sarah Polley's decision to mute the color gradient was a smart one. Another aspect I found particularly effective was the score by Hildur-it was beautiful and tense, yet not overly sentimental, with minor key guitar strums that propelled the momentum of the one-day set film, while also creating a dreary and apprehensive mood as the women await their decision and fate.

Overall, I was moved and captivated by this film, enough that I wanted to write this review. And I can't say that for many movies.

I don't know if it's the cozy cinematography, the many tracking shots, or two actors that have been in a lot of his films, but this movie has a real whimsical, wholesome, Wes Anderson vibe to it and I liked it. Saoirse Ronan is incredibly cute and comical in her role as a apprentice cop learning the trade and trying to solve the mystery. Her puns in the beginning are pretty funny, and she just has such a sweet aura throughout that weirdly fits with the movie.

The film moves at a leisurely pace, almost like a British afternoon tea on a rainy day. Or drinking hot cocoa while watching an Agatha Christie murder mystery as the snow falls outside. That kind of vibe, and I'm here for it.

Oh, and we get to see Adrien Brody in a Grand Budapest Hotel-like rich jerk role, and it's pretty great.

This film really got me with the actors' performances and the atmosphere of the film. Stylistically, it definitely taps into a late 70s gritty suburban nostalgia, a la Stephen King or John Carpenter (think IT or Halloween). Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw carry the film with standout performances as two siblings trying to deal with bullies at school and at home, in addition to the lurking Grabber. Subtle quirks in characterization such as Finney sitting down and watching tv with his sister after her beating, or the camera lingering on Gwen skipping her way to a friend's house really show the director investing in the characters, not just the plot. And yes, Ethan Hawke is assuredly creepy as the villain, someone you can't wait to be taken out. Thematically, the film is about standing up and sticking together; certainly not the most original themes, but it does its job as a result of good direction, a tight script, and stellar acting. My litmus test for thrillers is if I feel invested enough in the characters that I actually want everything to be resolved, it means the movie's done it's job-this one definitely passes.

When I go to a Jurassic Park movie, I want something above all else-hyper realistic dinosaurs in cool environments, seeing them frolic in natural habitat, defend territory, battle other dinos for dominance, hunt humans, and the like. From the opening island scene with the brachiosaurus to the T-Rex reveal in the rainstorm, dinosaurs were front and center in the original Jurassic Park, inspiring a sense of grandeur and awe. The dinosaurs were what mattered, and everything else was peripheral-even the plot to get off the island. We all wanted another glimpse of the T-Rex, or were anxious to discover where the raptors were lurking.

So that was the first one. Now in this sixth installment, not only are dinosaurs relegated to a commercialized product that's seen on every tv screen in the movie, but they're demoted below the humans, genetics, and even mutated locusts in terms of importance. In a two and a half hour movie, one would expect dinosaurs to fill almost half that time, and yet they pale in screen time comparison to all the human characters. Instead, the director tried to insert cameos of the legacy characters in forced interactions and honestly cringey dialogue, shifting the focus away from the real meaning in the Jurassic Park franchise-awe for dinosaurs. The wonder is now gone.

I have given it five stars in respect for the franchise and the limited appearances of some of my favorite dinosaurs, but I'm sad to see that the director forgot what made Jurassic Park so special in the first place.

So this short film was deep. I think I learned more about how to and how not to parent from this short film than from any educational book or video.

Generational trauma and how it is passed down (and how it can be avoided) is explored in a Disney short- you heard that right- and all of it is explored and felt without any dialogue! It's only 7 minutes so won't go into detail about plot, but it starts out with two raccoons who go foraging by the sea.

Gorgeous hand drawn animation, and beautiful, emotional story. Wouldn't be surprised if it wins best short. (And though Encanto, the movie it precedes, is enchanting, this short exemplifies and expresses Encanto's theme more effectively than Encanto!)

I watched this movie with expectations that it would be a Guillermo Del Toro atmospheric/visual feast, and in that end it did not disappoint. All the gray, from the shabby buildings to the mist that clings to the mountains, everything exudes a sense of gloomy damp, a kind of claustrophobic enclosure in the northwest. A standout scene is near the beginning, when the father of the boy goes down the mine--the lighting is exquisite, with reds and shadows alternating in a deliciously creepy sequence. For a horror movie, it is short on jump scares (only one really big one), but what it lacks in scares it makes up for in atmosphere and disturbing imagery. And yes, the creature design for the Wendigo is awesome.

Props also to Keri Russell, who does her usual solid turn as an actress. The boy is also a good actor, and is the right amount of deer-in-the-headlights and creepy-loner-vibes.

And yes, tally up another one for horror movies with creepy kid's drawings.

(A really funny scene involves this, the only funny part of the movie) So, recommended. It has Malignant-like atmosphere and visuals, only it's a little less bonkers (but how can you outbonker James Wan's deranged creation? You can't.)

This movie is a little known gem. The score from Stanley Meyers and (mostly) Han Zimmer is haunting and moving, and it perfectly complements the beautiful cinematography of the fantasy world. The music stirred my soul, and the friendship between Marc and Anna was touching. The idea that two troubled souls can meet up in their dreams is one that fascinates me, one that reminds me why movies are so special in the first place. From start to finish, this movie is a minor masterpiece.

This episode is completely bonkers, and in the best way possible!! Dipper and Wendy form one of the greatest survivalist duos this side of Oregon, and it is a joy to watch! Bill Cipher finally flexes and the show reaches its artistic peak. A truly fantastic, imaginative episode.

P. S. The weirdness bubbles are a highlight for me, and if you've seen it you know the extreme coolness I'm talking about!

"...the deed of the mystery shack is signed over to SUCK A LEMON LITTLE MAN?!?!?!?"

--Gideon getting owned by Grunkle Stan

Need I say more?

I was expecting a cheap rip off of Happy Death Day and Groundhog Day when I watched this, but I thought it might be a fun, dumb slasher flick so I checked it out on Thursday previews. Turns out, it was so much more. The camerawork is slow and sensual in the first quarter of the film to produce a sense of calm, almost a lull before the storm before indulging in rapid cuts to mirror the chaos and claustrophobia of the main character reliving the same day over and over again. There are a few signature Hitchcockian staircase one-shots that are masterfully done, and simultaneous split-screen shots that aptly represent the confusion the man is going through to solve the mystery. One particular shot that I found fascinating was when there was a zoomed in shot of the man's eye, with the reflection of the moon mirrored perfectly in his pupil. I found, on the whole, a much higher quality craftsmanship with the mood and cinematography than any low budget thriller has a right to have. And the actors all play their part with aplomb, with no facepalming gaffes to speak of.

The whole movie plays like a series of drug-laced nightmares that won't end, and there are plenty of chills and thrills along the way. And while the ending is rather predictable and not altogether satisfying, the psychological journey that it takes to get there is more than worth the watch.

Okay everyone, finally Disney has got a show going right. The focus with this show (so far) is not world-building or any agenda, but actually making a FUNNY show! In the first two episodes I think I laughed more than in all their marvel show episodes combined so far. The "chemistry" (if it can be called that in animation) is fantastic between the voice actors, and the dialogue is sharp and snappy. This reminds me of Emperor's New Groove Disney, and I think that's one of the highest compliments I can give it!! It really is hilarious, and surprisingly most of the laughs come from the new characters--not Mike and Sully (though they're awesome too). Please give this show a chance if you want to laugh!!

I watched Doctor Sleep the other day, and it was an interesting sequel to The Shining. Ewan McGregor was the standout, with an excellent performance as a recovering alcoholic, suffering from PTSD resulting from the events at the Overlook Hotel. Rebecca Ferguson carried her own as the sadistic Rose the Hat, but the new actress in the film Kyliegh Curran struggled to keep up with her older cohorts. Her lack of acting ability brought down the film, especially during the third act. The cinematography was decent, with an older-time feel reminiscent of the original. Some great special effects were offset by some suspect ones. The part of the film that worked the most, was in Danny Torrance's (Ewan McGregor) character arc and his moving struggle with addiction. This heartfelt theme saved the movie from being simply another horrible sequel. There were only a few half-hearted scares in the movie, and it was more disturbing than anything else. All in all, I'll give it 6.5 stars out of 10.

Hostiles is an old fashioned drama/western that takes place in the late 19th century. It stars Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike, who do excellent jobs in their respective roles. Christian Bale plays as a Captain who's lifelong job has been in capturing and slaying indians, who suddenly on the cusp of retirement must escort an indian chief to his home, as he is being released. Rosamund Pike plays a grief-stricken lady, who must deal with her loss, and find strength to push through every day. Though there are a some well-shot action scenes, the movie is a drama through and through. It is in the complex nature of the main characters, and the heartfelt portrayal by the actors, that lifts this movie above oblivion. Beautiful cinematography, and a spare but haunting score accentuates the simplicity and beauty of the underlying emotions that pulse throughout the movie. Without spoiling it, the ending scene is one of my favorite endings in recent memory, as it is both subtle and powerful. Though the pace of the movie is slow (deliberately so) and the thrills few and far between, those who love character development and an older style of film-making should definitely give this movie a chance. I rate it 7 stars out of 10.

If you were born in the 90s or before, you had a connection with people...you absolutely loved this movie, and it made a mark on you. I think most people remember when they saw this movie first, because it was that awe inspiring of an experience. I remember that it was the first pg-13 movie I was allowed to watch, and what a way to start my grown up movie experience!!! Everything in this movie screams adventure, from the opening scene where the jungle leaves rustle, the shot of mysterious sparkling amber, to the landing of the helicopter on a remote rainforest island, the movie sets the tone for the greatest adventure movie ever made. As you hear John Williams glorious theme start to swell, and you see Alan remove his glasses and start to tremble, you know you're about to witness one of the most magical moments ever put on cinema. I can't go into detail on all the incredible scenes, from the T-Rex reveal, to the kitchen scene, but each one of them revolutionized what we thought movie magic could take us. Thank you Spielberg for making this enchanting piece of art for us, an entire generation is indebted to you.

Now look, if you came to this movie expecting any logic or interesting plot elements or character development, you came to the wrong movie. What I wanted to see was awe inspiring creatures do battle and at that it succeeds, albeit imperfectly. All the monsters were well designed, especially Mothra, and the battles were fairly well constructed. I do wish that more focus had been on the kaiju vs kaiju action, instead of needless pandering of the human characters. But at its best, this movie made me feel like a little kid watching in awe of such behemoths before me, and that is a great compliment indeed.

There's some good news about Kung Fu Panda 3, and there's some bad news. The good news is that it's genuinely funny at times and the animation is stunning(perhaps as good as we've seen from Dreamworks) and the movie works well enough to be enjoyable. The bad news is, it could have been much more. When Po meets his biological dad for the first time, it should have been an emotional, touching moment; instead it was played for laughs. And instead of making the villain Kai a threat to respect, they just made him goofy. Plus, the "Furious Five" get barely any screen time and the new characters are hardly worth mentioning. Also, the main idea of this movie being about "who am I", is practically a rehash of the first two movies. Yet with all its faults, the movie is still enjoyable if you take it for what it is, a funny, but cheesy third movie in the Kung Fu Panda trilogy.

I came into this movie with tempered expectations (thinking it would be the B-grade pixar movie this year.) I still walked out of the theater disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the animation is gorgeous and the visuals are possibly the best we've seen in an animated movie. But I don't go to watch a movie to see how realistic the scenery is, I want to watch a movie that's funny, heartfelt, and has those favorite characters we're all used to loving from pixar. To me, this movie had none of those things. Sure there were a few funny moments, but nothing that would elicit more than a few chuckles. And even though this movie tried (and I mean really tried) to have an emotional element to the story, I don't think you get to know the characters enough to even care about what happens to them. And then, perhaps the biggest weakness of all, there are only two characters that are in the majority of the movie (and only one character that actually talks) and not enough side characters to keep it interesting. This is a movie that I just wouldn't be interested in watching again and that, I fear, is the biggest criticism of all.