Blimplarg

This film is an exercise in paranoia. I have to say it's not an enjoyable watch, however it is thought provoking.

Pascal and Phoenix (ably supported by Stone, O'Connell, Ward, and others) are very good. I would say there's a juxtaposition between the two main characters, but it's not quite true. All of the characters are imperfect, and not very likeable - they're all guilty of something, and that guilt combines and builds, fuelling a growing sense of doom, which it's difficult to escape.

What this film portrays, I think, is small town America, during the pandemic. But the essence, self interest, and amorality could be transplanted anywhere. Having said that it also feels like a microcosm of today's USA - polarised, introspective, and in trouble.

Aster's Directing is excellent, although can tend a little to visual hyperbole. The script is decently sparse and crisp.

All in all a very good film, but not one to watch if you want to feel entertained or comfortable.

This is a (very) dark comedy. This is a very entertaining film. This is a surprise.

As you might expect from the above, I didn't have high expectations going in to see this - I'd seen the trailer, and wasn't convinced. However, it turned out I was wrong.

The cast really gave this film some welly. It almost seems wrong to single out anyone, but Butler, King, Kravitz, and Smith, clearly enjoyed their roles. Some of the other characters, notably Kukushkin, gave the film both an edge and humour.

The Director kept the movie pacing along, for what turned out to be a highly entertaining and fun film. The plot was vaguely bonkers, but worked well, and had some really tense, and some very funny moments; not always an easy juxtaposition to get right. The script was sparing, and well balanced.

It's nice to be proved wrong occasionally. This is a film well worth seeing.

This film didn't work for me. I think it tries too hard to capture an essence of magic and whimsy but, for me, fails to do so. In trying to aspire to something that it fails to reach, it fractures the balance and narrative. The scenes all seem to last a beat too long - which is where any chance of magic dissipates. The ideas, and basic story, are all there - very much a Stephen King tale - but this is not Stand By Me, it doesn't have the personality.

The cast are all decent. The script feels "ish" in terms of the story but, I think, something is lost in either the Directing or Editing. It's a disjointed film (and I don't mind the plot device of gaps between scenes - they make sense), and whilst I think the pace was fine, there were moments of boredom. It also tried to introduce moments of awe and wonder, which also fell just short - so were not effective.

I really wanted to enjoy this movie but, rather than uplifting, it felt deflating. Nope.