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Thomas-Musings
Check out his internet presence at www.thomasmusings.com
Reviews
Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics (2020)
Misses something important (objectivity, that is)
I can't take seriously any claim that reality is subjective. Like, have you looked around at all? Do better, Dr. Chopra. As for the film itself, I also didn't find the satire to be engaging or amusing, so while I appreciate the argument it is making, it falls way too short of the mark to be effective.
The on-camera personalities were a mix of well-known and C-list personalities. It included Carrie Fisher, but again, it wasn't enough. It conveniently forgot that multiple of those actors had passed away in part due to complications stemming from their drug use. So yeah, not a great presentation, that could do more harm than good.
Art History (2011)
A case study in cinematography
There is a moment, early in the film, where the camera is just placed on the two actors, who are also acting in the movie they are making in the film (yes, very meta). It lingers on them while they are just allowed to act in the moment, under the direction of the director. I found it to be very cool and a good lesson in cinematography.
Plus, I had to just chuckle at the ending when everything literally fell apart.
007 - For Our Eyes Only (2020)
007 Deserves Better
You know those clickbait articles? This film is just like that, and it sounds like it is narrated by an AI. It is hardly engaging, only an overview of the actors and characters.
Solara (2018)
Masterclass in film-making
What can I say, it is a brilliantly-executed short film which hits all the right notes.
The FP (2011)
A roaring good time
If Mad Max and Idiocracy had a baby...
The idea of this film, with a deadly DDR-type game, piqued my interest so much that it was the first one I ever purchased from Xbox Movies.
And boy, did it deliver. Cheesy, violent, perverted, and amazing.
What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2018)
The term "love letter" gets overused...
...but it fits. Ira Steven Behr really did craft a loving response to DS9's legacy. By bringing back all the main cast, and bringing us literally into the writers room (if only for an imaginary episode), it reminds me why I fell in love with the series in the first place.
Space Girl (2012)
Amazing - simple but true
Lauren Francesca and her team have crafted an amazing and richly detailed scifi world that may have its roots in b-movies but is A++. Plus, Lauren is beautiful in mind, body, and soul.
The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)
Holiday Special has a new meaning
What can I say? It is glorious. Holiday Special has a new meaning, Jedi.
Wings (1927)
Well-deserved Best Picture winner
I can see why it was the Best Picture winner...equal parts entertaining, harsh, and heart-rending.
Jungle Bride (1933)
Fantastic filmmaking
Anita Paige does a great turn here, as the titular bride, but more than a damsel in distress. And the movie makes a lion fight almost believable.
The Witches (2020)
A fun adventure
A rip-roaring adventure, where the scene-chewing villainess rightfully gets her comeuppance.
The Landlord (1970)
Almost a good story
It almost had me...but that evil "Dr" character ruined it for me in the last few minutes
Qingse ditu (2001)
Weird trajectories
I must admit, I didn't know what kind of love story it was before I started watching; which is fine. But ultimately it doesn't go anywhere between the two guys. And their third friend/viewpoint Mimi, just has a weird trajectory that killed the movie for me. She really should have had better handling.
Oblomok imperii (1929)
Well-crafted
Normally not too much of a fan of silent films, but this one's long shots and montages do it a big credit. Plus, neat fourth-wall breaking ending.
Perfect Sense (2011)
Cheesy love story in a scifi drama
There would be a damn good film here, if it wasn't being watched during a real pandemic. I would also say that the movie doesn't know what it wants to be, but it really does: a cheesy love story couched in scifi drama. Beautiful actors, though.
The Wizard of Oz (1925)
Uncharming and overlong
Take or leave the 1920s pratfalls. But the movie is uncharming, and takes literally half the film to get Dorothy to Oz, an interminable character development that detracts from it.
La passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928)
Too much staring into space
Joan's wide-eyed stare off into space gets repetitive real-quick.
L'inferno (1911)
Stark and dreary, but technically brilliant
Stark and dreary, but richly detailed and perfectly paced. I am told it is Italy's first feature-length film, so kudos for such technical achievement. You can really believe that those sinners are suffering.
The Song of Ceylon (1934)
Gem among documentaries
I'm not familiar with the historical context of it, but it is beautifully shot, and expertly sounded. A true gem among early documentaries.
À ma soeur ! (2001)
Does the ending spoil the rest?
Not sure whether the sudden, unexpected ending spoils the other, good romantic aspects of the film.
Knives Out (2019)
Perfect whodunit
Daniel Craig (and the rest of the cast) deliver a startlingly fresh and storied show in this perfectly framed whodunit.
Contes immoraux (1973)
Gratuitious, but for arts sake
I like it. It is super gratuitous, and deals with heavy topics like rape, incest, and murder. But there is a reason for that, so I appreciate what the director is trying to do. Plus it is beautifully framed.
Bird Box (2018)
High Octane Nigthmare Fuel: The Movie
High Octane Nigthmare Fuel: The Movie. Come for Sandra Bullock navigating a river blindfold, stay for the well-realized character moments.
The Call of the Wild (2020)
Capture's the novel's spirit
I was a little iffy on the CGI dog, but wow. This film inspired me so much. Truly encapsulates the spirit of the novel.
Stealing Beauty (1996)
Rich, well-paced, and sensual
It is very much European in its sensibilities, but full of rich characters, and is wonderfully paced. And very, very sensual.