The End

I don't think I had been equally excited for a film as I was nervous in a long time. Oppenheimer's feature debut was bound to be an uncompromising and singular vision, but I truly haven't seen anything like it. Clearly they have no idea how to market this film because neon is supposed to be releasing this limited in December and there's still no poster or trailer. I digress, but this film truly had me perked up throughout most of its runtime. Technically, this film has the sauce. Really interesting and detailed environment, cinematography and the use of lighting are also critical and work to contextualize scenes. The weak links are in the story and the music. While I don't think the golden age-style musical is necessary a gimmick, I don't think it's as fully realized or utilized as well as they'd hoped. I'd say for at least half the songs I was engaged but they all sound so similar. Aside from the moments where it feels like the visuals are meant to coincide with what's happening, it's just people walking around talk-singing how they feel. And it's a very thematically-loose film too, kind of has its eggs in too many baskets, without properly divulging into anything. When it's not scratching the surface of something profound, it can often feel trite. With all that being said, I really liked this movie. It's not for everyone and the dude next to me was so obviously bored, along with my girlfriend who said she'd probably never watch it again but liked it enough. You can't put it in a box and there's nothing like it which I think should merit a watch. While it's not looking to satisfy any lingering questions you might have, or any larger questions at that, it's begging something of you and asking, "are we too far gone, or guilty, to recover from our past?"

Post apocalyptic movies are probably my favorite genre, and I love Michael Shannon and Tilda Swinton, so I was really looking forward to this movie. I also like musicals, but I did have my doubts about whether the two genres could mix.

Maybe they can, but not this time, because as a musical, it's *absolutely terrible*. The songs are so generic and bland that you forget them the minute they end. Seriously, I watched this last night and can't remember a single song. Michael Shannon does have a surprisingly good singing voice, but Tilda Swinton sounds pretty much exactly like you would expect Tilda Swinton to sound, and that's not good.

Setting the music aside, it's a pretty mediocre story. It's about a family and a few others living an "idyllic" life underground after some sort of never specified apocalypse. Things get shaken up when a newcomer arrives, and then.... well, not much happens. Certainly not enough to fill two and a half hours.

I'm glad I watched it on Hulu rather than wasting money at the theater.

I really wanted to enjoy this musical comedy because writer/director Joshua Oppenheimer made one of the best documentaries I've seen-The Act of Killing. The ending with Anwar dry heaving on the roof remains one of the most memorable endings to anything ever.

I was amped to see his first fictional film here. It's a mixed bag sadly.

Firstly the pace is so slow and laborious that mid way through I was getting fidgety, there wasn't much drama or tension which for a film about a family living (?hiding) in a salt mine would generally generate something tense and foreboding. Sadly, it's absent here. Even the arrival of a black girl (!) would rock the apple cart but feels strangely anti-climatic.

The romance between her ('Girl') and George MacKay (' Boy') lacks chemistry and conviction.

At 2.5hrs it is too long and scenes go nowhere.

This outlandish premise may have been better helmed by Yorgos Lanthimos who would have injected much more humour and ' sickness'. In fact the weird characters reminded me of his own ' Dogtooth' .

The songs aren't that memorable and like ' Amelia Perez' would have been better suited by not featuring them at all. It doesn't add much depth to the characters situation.

Nonetheless, I admire Mr Oppenheimer's chutzpah in creating something different.

And he has got a decent supporting cast-it's great to see Lennie James, Tim McInnerny and Bronagher Gallagher all on screen for a change.

Not a film I loved but I liked and admired it.

No pun intended - a great cast! No doubt about that - and they can act and play ... I really like them. You can have different opinions about their singing ability I reckon - we do have one (female) main character who seems to be above everyone else ... the others seem to be content with their voice ... not too bad, but I don't think one would tell them they can have a second career (or third? Or fourth and so forth ... again no pun intended).

I had no idea the movie would be a musical - not the biggest fan of the genre - still (and hopefully you are or were aware of this) the main story had quite the weight with it. Also the movie is way too long for its own good ... yes criticism, yes society and humanity ... but there is a point where you may just feel numb.

Which may very well be the point - so I reckon a bigger/higher score would be more apt ... still the movie is more likely to annoy you at times ... maybe even multiple times ... and I don't think you'll be sitting there thinking: very clever ... even though it has more than the fair share of moments where you could attest it to be clever ... it evens itself out with other moments ... and the length ... have I mentioned it is too long? All that said, it is in the eye of the beholder and I always love watching Michael Shannon doing his thing! One of the greatest to grace our screens (whichever size ... length that may be in the end) ...

This film won't be for everyone and plays like a theatre musical.

The cinematography however is quite beautiful and the tale a poignant one.

Set in a fancy bunker after a disaster with very few survivors a wealthy family and friends gets on with living life in ignorant bliss.

One day a stranger appears from outside who leaves them with more questions than answers who stirs up emotions.

Its a simple telling of the human condition and however create our own reality and bubbles to help hide or mask our deepest fears and worries.

Its a slow burn that peels away layers and gradually gives you clues into each characters background and personality. There is am eerie feel to the atmosphere which is suddenly lifted into a sweet musical stage show which is both unnerving and uplifting.

The songs are not huge dramatic musical numbers but more emotional story telling that give you an insight into what is really going on in these peoples heads.

7/10 very well done.