jaysanchu07

2018's A Star is Born is praiseworthy for the emotional experience the picture partakes its audience. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's chemistry paves the way, with portrayals that oozes with honesty, ushering a romance I wouldn't mind paying to witness as the feeling is real world genuine. Their intimate moments NEVER feel forced or manufactured for the sake of emotional returns. Instead, these episodes are lived-in & personal, making Jackson & Ally's connection deeply human and beautiful. Coming to the performances, hands down for Cooper as he completely disappears in his portrayal of Jackson. Here, his appearance, voice & posture exudes this seasoned, weary musician at conflict against loneliness & addiction. As for Lady Gaga, though absolutely believable, her acting chops settles on being on the safe side, underplaying in comparison to her leading man's dramatic depth.

Of course, Cooper's directorial debut is another success story, with filmmaking craft that furthers the movie's emotional immersiveness, elevated by superb musical energy. The actor turned director's approach favors documentary-style close-ups, making Jackson & Ally's interactions feel personal and intimate. The musical sequences are exceptionally staged, with numbers like that of Shallow that pulls at your heartstrings for its emotionally charged notes & lyrics that mirrors the characters' inner spaces. These more than make up for the A Star Is Born's familiar and can be telegraphed narrative.

Overall, safe to mention that Rocket Raccoon is a badass filmmaker! Here, the performances, cinematography and direction work together seamlessly to deliver an absolutely moving, resonant remake deserving of its accolades.

2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald does enough to become a worthy addition to the Harry Potter franchise. JK Rowling's struggles however, to compel through sharp storytelling is the picture's unfortunate shortcoming, holding back this sequel's entertainment charm.

What works with Crimes of Grindelwald is its continuance of superb showcasing of the wonders of its world, whether through the spell-works, the magical creatures, or set pieces of the ever expanding Wizarding World. The sense of adventure & fantasy continues to appeal then, as these peculiarities entice, and with action sequences that don't hold back on magical elements, CoG does justice to the OG from 2015. Of course, the praiseworthy ensemble makes a return and NEVER skimps on the promised winning chemistry & individual fascinating quirks. Eddie Redmayne & Dan Fogler for instance, reprises their uber-amusing characters, whether as the exceptional & socially awkward Newt Scamander, or the comical romancer Jacob Kowalski. The addition of Johnny Depp is another casting success, delivering an unsettling antagonist that steals scenes through subtle yet, piercing intensity alone.

And then there's Rowling's aforementioned storytelling. Here, the movie jumps from one plot thread to another, resulting in a narrative that feels overstuffed & unnecessarily complicated. With these, emotional arcs struggle to land, and plot twists are met with bafflement instead of satisfaction. So much so that CoG's ending reveal that doubles the amount of unanswered questions was an inconvenience, dampening expectations for what could come next.

Yes, Crimes of Grindelwald is watchable and amusing when it focuses on the glimmer of its magical pieces and the wonderful realm it operates in. It unravels however, when it starts to indulge in complicated subplots and over-expositions that were momentum stoppers. What happened JK?

The low critics rating of 2018's Peter Rabbit is undeserved I feel. We expected its beats to be mostly kid-friendly gags and was pleasantly surprised with its cleverness made for adults. It's brand of comedy whether witty banters or slapstick, was then great entertainment with laugh-out-loud moments to boot. Apart from the jokes and humor, the picture hops along with engaging energy & charm ushered from its praiseworthy blend of CGI & catchy performances. The animated rabbits are brought to life with meticulous detail, where textures, expressive faces, and fluid movements make every scene feel immersive. And then there's Domhnall Gleeson spirited portrayal of Thomas McGregor. Here, Gleeson doubles the amusement as he channels an uptight city man with his fits of rage & expressions, conveying genuine bewilderment & vulnerability when needed. These, while managing the physical comedy and romance subplot with the warm & sincere Rose Byrne with grace & gusto, ushers a central character that is more human than cartoonish, worthy of the audience's following.

Despite its entertaining successes however, Peter Rabbit simply isn't a must watch, as its narrative is lightweight, almost inconsequential. The storyline jumps from one mischief to another without much emotional footprints. As the movie ends then, it is quick to fade from memory.

Overall, Peter Rabbit is a charming but shallow cinematic piece. The cohesive marriage of humor, performances & visual flavor guarantees a good time at the movies. Just taper down your expectations when it comes to compelling narratives. There isn't one.