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A Real Pain (2024)
LIFF38 2024 #3
A Real Pain is a funny and smartly written film but also hard to watch.
We follow two cousins who travel to Poland to reconnect with their heritage and honour their late grandmother.
But as the two tour Poland, past/present complications arise in their relationship. They are both sides of the coin in terms of different personalities. David (Jesse Eisenberg) is reserved and rational, and he is married and has a daughter, while Benji (Kieran Culkin) is a sharp, open book, has no filter, and is alone. The character of Benji reminded me of two people in my life. One was so electronic and kid-like in personality that their presence alone could light up the room. You want to be around them. While the other can be unbearable and too much. That's Benji - you like him, but he can be too much.
It is very much an actor and character study film. We are given hints of a troubling past through bits of dialogue and the two performances. They both envy what each other has. David wants to be free and open with his emotions again, while Benji wants to settle down with someone. Afterward, it got me thinking; we live our ordinary lives and routines, sometimes longing for something more, while someone out there would kill to have what we have.
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg are stellar in their roles as two cousins. This is Culkin's best role yet, as he manages to tackle so many complex and challenging emotions as an actor, but he did it magnificently. One of the challenges that Culkin had was the risk of making the character too obnoxious, but he managed to avoid the trappings, and we empathise with both his and Eisenberg's character.
Jesse is also superb here, and since his character is more restrained, most of the film's humour comes from his reactions. However, there's a scene where we see a more emotional side to him. The bottled-up thoughts and feelings finally explode after some time in a monologue, where everything falls out. It was both heartbreaking and raw.
Directed/written by actor Jesse Eisenberg, who wanted to make a Holocaust-type film but make it feel different from others that came before, set in the present day, and the main characters are two Jewish cousins who arrive in Poland to visit Auschwitz. The film uses the everlasting horrors of the holocaust that still affect many people as an example that we as humans shut ourselves off, numb ourselves from the pain, past experiences, insecurities, and whatever can hurt us in life. It's a human defence mechanism to protect ourselves, but we shut ourselves off completely, and we forget how to be open.
It can be the death of someone you might know, a famous person you like, or seeing a tragic event that happened in another country on your social news feed as you're scrolling through your phone. You feel bad but quickly forget and move on because we have problems to sort out.
Well, those were the biggest takeaways I got from the film. It's one of those movies that leaves you with a lot to digest. And we do indeed think more than we feel.
Gladiator II (2024)
Gladiator II - Review
"The gates of hell are open night and day; Smooth the descent, and easy is the way: But to come back from hell and view the cheerful skies, In this the task and mighty labor lies."
Gladiator II is...decent. It's not incredible or the best sequel like the early reactions on Twitter were claiming it to be. It's very messy and didn't need to exist. Although, you can watch this as a campy soap opera.
The score is not memorable, some CGI shots look iffy, and the film isn't as visually stunning as the first.
Paul Mescal is good here and is giving it his all. But I don't think he fits this type of movie. It's the same with Cate Blanchett in Borderlands; both fantastic actors put in the wrong film.
But Denzel Washington, on the other hand, is easily the best part here. You probably already heard that he's a scene stealer, and it's true. Whenever Denzel appeared on screen, his presence held my full attention. Denzel is a Shakespearean actor, and he made his lines sound like rich poetry. It's all through pacing and creating the complexity of the character. He was superb in this.
Fred Hechinger & Joseph Quinn were also enjoyable here as the eccentric siblings. Denzel, Quinn, and Hechinger understood the assignment and did not take the film too seriously, unlike the rest of the cast.
Pedro Pascal is fine here.
Overall rating: Was I entertained? Somewhat.
Paddington in Peru (2024)
Paddington in Peru - Review
Paddington in Peru is the weakest entry in the Paddington movies. Not terrible or anything like that. It's just alright.
It's still an enjoyable and adorable film with a unique visual style. I cared for the characters, especially Paddington and the Brown family. I like them all. It's got a very sweetheart.
But Paul King not coming back was a big mistake, as no offense to Dougal Wilson (he did a decent job), but King brought something special to these movies.
And taking Paddington out of London was another mistake. It may be in execution that it could work, but I found myself less engaged in the story as soon as he left London, which is the whole film. I know that Paddy exploring his origin and returning to his roots in Peru could make for a great adventure, but it all boils down to better execution.
Who knows, this might grow on me over the years, but as it is, it's perfectly fine.
Anora (2024)
LIFF38 2024 #2
Anora is outstanding and is one of my favourite films in Sean Baker's impressive filmography. It is hilarious, engaging, heartbreaking, and unbiased with the subject matter-everything the acting, writing, characters, directing - all superb.
With the runtime of 2 hours and 19 minutes, the movie could go on for an extra few minutes or even an hour, and I would be all right with that, as I was with it from start to finish. I was grinning from ear to ear like an idiot throughout.
We follow Anora, who prefers to be called Ani, who works as a sex worker/exotic dancer at a club where she approaches her male clients during the night of partying. The type of men who are either cheating on their partners or are lonely or have never talked to a woman before in their lives. Some are easy-going, while some are painfully awkward. She is good at what she does, and one of her skills is making her clients feel special through talking. And also, other things that are...physical. But she knows what they want to hear, and any insecurities there may have faded away as she 'acts' interested in them. She is only acting, of course, as guys are easy to sweep up when in the presence of a pretty lady.
It's all routine work, almost like a 9 to 5 job, until one shift where she meets a young, rich, and immature man named Ivan, the son of a Russian oligarch. He has no job, lives in a fancy, expensive house, and has zero problems/responsibilities. He is super lively and always happy. Both Ani and Ivan fall in love and eventually marry in Las Vegas. But all hell breaks loose when Ivan's parents learn of their son's marriage to a sex worker.
It sounds like Pretty Woman, but I would call it the anti-Pretty Woman.
Mikey Madison delivers one of the best performances of the year and makes the character of Ani so relatable, as we, the audience, live in harsh reality, and yet, we cannot help but fall in love with that movie fantasy idea and we see ourselves in her character; we want that happy ending, and we also want her to have it, even if we know it is too good to be true. It is also a very demanding role to play, but she did a stellar job. She is a star.
All the characters in the movie are fantastic, feel very natural, and all have unique personalities. The performances from the supporting cast were all terrific.
One of the aspects that I loved about the film is that a character that shows up mid-way through named Igor (played wonderfully by Yura Borisov). I loved how, at the start, a character like Igor, who I initially thought would be a one-note joke of the creepy and weird guy doing crazy things for the audience to laugh. Igor and his partner Garnick resemble Tweedle Dee and Dum characters, so I didn't take too much notice other than their comedic antics. His odd mannerisms and awkward demeanour I passed off as humour. It was only towards the end that I realized he was a complex character, and you would not expect that character to be a part of a gut-punch ending. The film kept surprising me and kept me invested, even when it was wrapping up. On a second re-watch in the future, I would look at his scenes differently.
The last 30 (or so) minutes were non-stop mayhem, where things just kept getting worse. While watching the film at the cinema, I was sitting next to this lady, and she covered her face while saying "Oh no" to the unfortunate situations that the characters were in. It was hilarious.
But despite the madness that unfolds, I loved how, at the very end, it begins to slow down and takes its time during an intimate moment between characters for us to absorb it all. So, when the credits rolled, I was left stunned and overwhelmed with complicated emotions that stayed with me for hours after the movie ended. It's one of those endings you won't forget.
I didn't expect that, but the film kept surprising me until its last frame.
It is one of the best movies I have seen at this year's film festival, and I don't think anything can top it. Anora is excellent.
Rumours (2024)
LIFF38 2024 #1
My first film at this year's Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF), and there is plenty to discuss.
Rumours is a black comedy and a satire about the Group of Seven (G7), where leaders of the world's wealthiest democracies, such as Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, gather for the annual meeting. However, as night falls, they all get abandoned and lost in the woods, soon encountering odd findings in the misty and dark woods.
There is a brilliant movie somewhere in Rumours. The premise alone should make a clever and hilarious apocalyptic political satire where all the leaders of the world get reduced to buffoons. One reviewer compared this to Night of the Living Dead meets Dr. Strangelove.
There are parts in Rumours that work well. Whereas most of it does not.
Firstly, the movie looks excellent. The cinematographer helps give the film an otherworldly look/feel, especially in the nighttime sequences in the woods, and that is by adding glowing colours that you don't usually see in the woods at night.
The movie is littered with commentary, both metaphorical and literal speaking. All the world leaders brainstorm a draft statement in response to a global crisis. All different minds from different kinds of countries. Speaking of minds, later in the film, where things hit the fan, they discover a giant brain sitting in the woods; yep, for real. So, here we have all the brains of world leaders in one place, but when it comes to making the world a better place, the brain power suddenly stops working.
Charles Dances plays the American president in the film, even though he never changes his British accent. I am guessing this is an intentional choice for comedy. This president is lazy and elderly and not fit to be running the country (sound familiar). He falls asleep most of the time, so the others have written the statement for him, and most of his words are taken from his sleep talking. He even uses an American flag napkin.
Some of the humour worked, and I got a chuckle from it. All the actors do a fine job in their roles. Sadly, it is the script that lets them down.
As I said earlier, there is a good movie somewhere here, but the writing needed to be sharper and more work. I did not find most of the humour funny, and after a while, I felt disconnected. Every premise has the potential to be a solid movie. It is the execution that is key.
I eavesdropped on a couple of people's conversations after it was over, where one guy mentioned how there would probably be a film analysis of it on YouTube shortly, and probably right. I can see Ryan Hollinger making a video of it.
Despite not loving it, I still admire how unusual it is.
Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023)
The Carmichael Manor - Review
Hell House LLC Origins is a much better entry than Lake of Fire and has moments of genuine scares. It has a different scenery this time and expands on the mythology, and for the better, makes it very refreshing.
It feels like a soft reboot after the terrible third entry.
There is a scene where a clown stalks someone in the house. The clown would get closer every time you look away, even for a split second. It is a frightening scene that keeps you on edge. The feeling of dread builds and builds, but the catch here is that the threat itself is right in front of you to see.
Then again, the Hell House movies always have moments of effective scares and creative set pieces to make you feel unnerved, and this one is no different. However, the performances in these movies are still not great, and it doesn't do anything new with the paranormal-found footage structure. But for what they are, the Hell House films are still enjoyable, especially around Halloween time.
Happy Halloween, everyone! 🎃
Lake Mungo (2008)
Lake Mungo - Review
Lake Mungo features one of the best and most effective jump scares I have seen in a horror movie. Thinking about the scene itself sends me a feeling of terror and chills. It isn't just a cheap thrill, as it leaves you guessing. The slow build-up to it and you as the viewer, at first, not knowing what you are looking at, but when the realization kicks in, so does the terror.
It's right up there with the best scares like The Exorcist III, Insidious, Rec, The Conjuring, Sinister, and It Follows.
The rest of the movie is equally solid and unnerving. It has this sense of sadness and eerie, almost like a classic ghost story. It's very unique in that aspect.
Hell House LLC (2015)
Hell House LCC - Review
How is this for a horror movie: A haunted house that is actually haunted?
Before watching, I initially had no high expectations for this one, as I thought this would be one of those cheap and crappy horror movies just judging from the poster, but this was better than I was expecting.
However, the film does fall into the horror cliches, with characters being typical stupid horror movie characters that hearing spooky noises at night is a great time to investigate it with low batterie lights. What is even more frustrating is that none of them turn on the switch lights, which work fine, and yet, for some reason, they don't turn them on. The characters are an annoying aspect of the film, which hurt some of my enjoyment.
Other than that, the film did well in using the haunted house setting effectively, which uses the environment and all the usual horror attractions you would commonly see to its advantage.
Some scenes were genuinely creepy. As I said in another review, if a horror movie makes me look away from the screen because I am too scared, it is doing something right. I had that a couple of times during this.
Hell House LLC has genuinely creepy moments and is a decent horror flick.
V/H/S/Beyond (2024)
Beyond - Review
OK, now that's more like it.
V/H/S/Beyond is a much better entry than V/H/S/ 85, as it's in the same vein as 1 & 2 regarding the creative set pieces for the different segments and how enjoyable the experience was.
My favourite segments in ranking order are Live and Let Dive, Stowaway, and Stork.
Live and Let Dive has an exciting hook in which aliens attack a group of skydivers as they are about to jump. While some land in an orange Grove, either injured or dead, they are suddenly attacked by the aliens one by one.
Stowaway is a lucid segment where a woman named Halley documents and investigates the possible existence of Extraterrestrial life in the Mojave Desert. She interviews the locals who claim to have seen strange glowing lights at night. She eventually finds what she is looking for, but her findings come at a cost that will change her for life. Either for better or worse.
Stork is an entertaining shoot-'em-up, where a police unit goes into a dilapidated house late at night and fights off different supernatural creatures not from planet Earth.
The rest of the segments were equally enjoyable; there are just some that are better than most.
Savageland (2015)
Forget found footage. How about found photos?
If you have been on the Internet for a while, you may have seen or come across creepy or out-of-context photos that become disturbing when you learn the context behind them. It's either moments before disaster or the last moments of someone's life. Or how about ¹creepy and disturbing-looking photos that you don't know the context behind but are still horrifying? A single frame of horror forever captured.
Savageland is all about that. Taking place in the Bordertown of Sangre De Cristo, Arizona, which holds over 58 residents, but in one night, all 57 residents are killed, except for one man, a Mexican photographer named Francisco Salazar, who, in the eyes of the white man law, is quickly believed to be responsible for the killings of 57 people (yeah seriously), and he is on death row. Throughout his time in police custody and in court, he remains silent. The public response towards him is no better. Everyone is in a rage and wants his blood. All those innocent people, children including, were killed brutally and savagely in the hands of one monster. However, you know there is something that doesn't make sense about all of this. How could one man kill 57 people with a machete and pitchfork in one night? A single man managed to wipe out an entire town. You don't need to be a detective to know something is wrong.
But then they discovered his camera, which may tell a different story of what happened that night. The photos are a series of black and white photographs of the townspeople going mad and killing each other with extreme motion blur that makes them appear monstrous and deformed creatures from hell. They did a fantastic job with the photographs because they look terrifying, and you wonder what is happening. Some are hard to tell what you are looking at, and that alone is unnerving.
But did any of this happen, or is this a setup? Are the photos real or fake? Is Salazar lying or telling the truth? You will have to watch the movie to find out the answer.
The movie is a mockumentary, which uses fake interviews to give it some authenticity, making it appear that these are real people providing authentic interviews.
You know, after seeing many horror movies that reuse the same genre tropes, but when a movie comes along and does something different with the formula and does it well, its effect will stay with you long after it's over.
The Substance (2024)
The Substance - Review
The Substance is a sickly and creatively over-the-top body horror flick where everything in this world is heightened to a ridiculous level, but it's incredibly well-made and a fantastic watch.
Its approach to its theme of insecurity and self-hatred that we have with ourselves was a compelling way of portraying it. In some way, it is a unique take on Dorian Gray.
The performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley were superb, especially for Moore, who I'm thrilled to see again on the screen. And this might be the best work from Dennis Quaid I have seen. His character is disgusting and has this forced hyper nature that makes his presence uncomfortable.
I highly recommend watching this movie while eating.
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes..."
The story of Macbeth has always been my favourite William Shakespeare play. Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, Julius Caesar, and Romeo and Juliet are the only plays I understand with the language, themes, and characters. But understanding them is different from what makes them fantastic. There have been hundreds or even thousands of essays and people analyzing his plays that better articulate their importance and how each story can still have relevance in modern society than I ever could put into words.
The Tragedy of Macbeth takes an old-school approach by not modernizing the text through setting and period but by being as faithful as possible. Sometimes, it is like watching a 1950s theatre production, and I do not mean that in an awful way. With it being as faithful as possible, it resorts to its original roots, the theatre. Even so, it still manages to be cinematic with its excellent cinematography and production design, sometimes reminding me of an Orson Welles movie.
The set, at times, looks stagey with the background scenery that feels non-existent, or at points, the environment seems like it is taking place on a stage, which is done intentionally with the whole being faithful to Shakespeare's play.
The black-and-white cinematography is a cinephile's wet dream. Haunting and every frame have implanted in my mind-one of the best-looking movies of 2021.
Denzel Washington captures the power of hunger, poisoned at heart, and the greed that consumes Macbeth. We have seen the influences of Shakespeare's work in modern media, like Walter White in Breaking Bad and Frank Underwood in House of Cards. So, people unfamiliar with Macbeth might see some similarities and maybe realize how vast Shakespeare's work has transcended across their favourite media without even realizing it. His dagger monologue was epic and another perfect portrayal of the character that you can add to the collection of previous Shakespearean performers.
Overall rating: Even if you do not understand the words or know everything happening, it will keep you engaged through its rich and beautiful visuals, which can help tell the story without the language barrier.
Manhunter (1986)
Manhunter - Review
"Dream much... Will?"
Before The Silence of the Lambs, Michael Mann takes a first stab at the world of Hannibal Lecter.
It's a shame that Silence of the Lambs and the TV show Hannibal are so incredible that this got overlooked and underappreciated.
But even with that, its quality and slick style is still strong after all these years. The murder mystery is absorbing, and this version of Hannibal Lecter, played by Brian Cox, is different but effective. This version is more manipulative, and he doesn't look threatening, but the scariest part is that that's how he gets you when your guard is down.
The visuals, the score, and the acting are terrific. Some have criticized this as overkill in style and little in substance. What many are not noting and are missing from the film is besides its appearance as stylish in visuals and the slick film marking, on the inside, it is rotten. There is this uneasy atmosphere throughout. It is almost like the feeling that evil is lurking nearby. The movie can play into someone's fear of being watched or having an intruder enter their home, at worst, late at night while sleeping in their bed, the most vulnerable they can ever be. The world is an open pool filled with scary and terrible people, and they are out there, you may encounter these types of people without knowing it. ManHunter reminds you of that, and it is terrifying.
Well, that is what I got from the film.
The Northman (2022)
The Northman - Review
"I Am Amleth The Bear-Wolf, Son Of King Aurvandill The War Raven. And I. Am. His. Vengeance!"
It is an awful shame that this did not do better at the box office, but then again, I am not surprised since this was never a mainstream film, only for die-hard cinephiles.
It is an epic arthouse revenge movie that is often dreamlike.
The Northman is not my favourite Robert Eggers film when compared to his past two films, but it is still terrific.
The costumes, production design, and cinematography were all fantastic, especially the cinematography, which was a clear standout with certain shots implanted in my head.
As for now, this is a giant budget in Robert Eggers's filmography, and he handled the scale amazingly. Eggers continues his path as a fantastic filmmaker, and I will be excited for whatever project he has next in store.
Oh, and like The Lighthouse, this movie has the best fart scene in modern cinema.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
"Can you find the wolves in this picture?"
Killers of the Flower Moon is one of the bleakest films from Martin Scorsese. Marty is no stranger to making movies with challenging topics, but here, the film focuses on a dark but forgotten time in history. While watching the film, you can tell and feel that a master film marker like Martin Scorsese made it.
The performance from everyone was fantastic. Leonardo DiCaprio is excellent as the simple-minded but devilishly charming Ernest Burkhart. DiCaprio looks dirty and unwashed in this movie, and I can only describe him as a pile of dirty clothes.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his best performances in what feels like ages, as when he puts in the work, he is one of the best actors ever. He plays William Hale, a vile but cunning man who hoodwinked the Osage Nation through his trustworthy and helpful persona. All promises to keep the Osage people safe and bring them justice after the mysterious killings of their people were nothing more than monstrous lies. He hated them all. It is still scary and relevant that high-powered people in leadership preach promises for a better way of life for the people, but they lie and secretly could not care less. Sadly, this is nothing new and will forever be relevant for future generations.
But it is Lily Gladstone who is the heart and soul of the film as Mollie Burkhart. Even when she speaks no words, her expressive eyes convey so much. This is the first movie I have seen Gladstone in (I have not seen Certain Women yet), and she is a stand-out and stayed with me long after the movie ended.
The cinematographer, production work, and the score from the late Robbie Robertson were all superb, especially the score. In the opening scene, where Osage men dance around the column of erupting oil in slow motion, and Robertson's score kicks in, I knew I was in for a great movie.
My only issue with the movie is some of the pacing can be sluggish at parts. The more I think about it, this should have been a TV mini-series because you can only do as much as it can with a theatrical runtime in a film.
Putting aside that, what I got the most out of the movie is the focus on evil and greed in people. And the twisted love story between Ernest and Mollie Burkhart. Ernest, behind her back, is slowly killing her family members one by one, including Mollie, but while doing this, he still loves her.
The horrifying realisation is that the people who caused the worst and most inhuman atrocities can also greet you with a smile and hug, treat you like a friend, and make you feel safe and at home, all without knowing their sinister intentions.
All of Us Strangers (2023)
All of Us Strangers - Review
"Don't let this get tangled up again."
All of Us Strangers is a devastating but beautiful film about love, loss, depression, and loneliness.
Andrew Scott delivers a raw and emotionally devastating performance, where his character is scared by tragedy at an early age and the absence of parents growing up. The supporting cast of Paul Mescal, Claire Foy, and Jamie Bell were terrific in their parts, and the moments we see with them are the most heartbreaking.
Director Andrew Haigh gives the movie a dream-like quality, where we slip in and out of the present and revisit our past, where the ghosts of familiar faces haunt them. A lot of the time, you do not know what is present or not because you are in the perspective of a grief-stricken man stuck in the past and hurting from it. But he also allows the scenes to breathe and for us to connect with the characters.
The real pain in dealing with the grief of a loved one is often the things that we did not get to say or the things we wish we did. It is the things that are left unfinished, open, and raw. Tragedy can happen when we least expect it and can rob us of the opportunity to say our goodbyes. This film deals with that in such a broken but brilliant way.
Overall rating: All of Us Strangers is a brilliant movie about the echoes of grief. While it can be a heavy watch, besides the dark cloud that hovers over the film, it does have its funny and sweet moments and some mesmerizing visuals.
It is a love story that you won't forget.
The Flash (2023)
The Flush
The Flash is a lot. I was never bored watching it, and I found it enjoyable. I am, however, mixed on everything else with the creative choices.
Despite what some celebrities have said (i.e., Tom Cruise, James Gunn, and Stephen King), this is not the best superhero movie ever. But it is the Most superhero film to date. It has everything.
This movie has been stuck in development hell for years now. Announced way back in 2014, throughout that time, directors and writers came and went. Hence, I feel like this movie is a collection of every idea those people had and cramped into one movie. On top of that, with DC rebooting and Ezra Miller's legal issues, more significant changes had to be made through reshoots. So, we have a film that has been shifted around and changed about 1 trillion times until its eventual release. The storyline and structure feel chunky and have plenty of fat to their bones.
So, the elephant in the room who has caused so many problems for both DC and Warner Bros, Erza (We Need to Talk About) Miller. How is Erza's performance? Horrific crimes aside, I thought Miller was enjoyable. I can honestly understand why they did not reshoot all of the scenes that the people on film Twitter were suggesting because Miller (I would say) is in 95% of the film, and what is trickier is that there are two versions of the character since it is a multiverse story. And, of course, other factors would make it impossible to reshoot to consider. In a situation like this, I say bite the bullet and release it anyway.
OK, enough of that drama trivia. Now for the things that I liked.
Michael Keaton makes his return as the Caped Crusader, Batman! Keaton's presence helped elevate my interest in what was happening in the story. And whenever he is not present, I miss him greatly.
Speaking of Batman, I guess this is the last time we will see Ben Affleck's Batman/Bruce Wayne. Sad, but if he wants to go, then let him go. His final scene and speech are memorable. "Not this time. Maybe some other time."
The score from composer Benjamin Wallfisch was solid and mixed in the old but familiar music from previous DC movies well.
Now for the things I was lukewarm with and the other things I did not like.
Sasha Calle, as Supergirl, is...fine but not fantastic. I was not as wowed as people were with her performance. I am not faulting the actress here, but I think people are overhyping her.
Now, let us go over the most talked about aspect of the film that I think everyone can universally agree on, even if you like the movie, but these are some of the worst visual effects in a big-budget film in ages. I question if it's finished because it looks like Play Station Two graphics. There was not a single frame that looked believable. Every shot is so unsettling and digitally gross. When we get to 'the cameo scenes', we see Superman Christopher Reeves come back from the grave in CGI form, a horrific sight. Or how about Adam West as Batman? What about Nicholas Cage as Superman from the unmade Superman Lives film? Stuff like that rubbed me the wrong way.
Also, if you do not know any in-depth film history/trivia, seeing a Nicholas Cage Superman fighting a giant alien spider will be strange and confusing to the general audience.
Michael Shannon is back as Zod, and he could not care less if he even tried. In all fairness, he probably had no idea what was happening. I find it funny how he cared more in Pottersville than he did in this, and he isn't even good in that movie, either.
Is it just me, or did anyone else feel like the ending was a downer? I mean, where and what happens to the characters is devastating. It left me feeling a bit sad. I have a feeling this is done unintentionally, lol.
Overall rating: Despite my mixed reaction, I still found the film entertaining and never dull. The DCEU is a hot mess, and the behind-the-scenes drama is so fascinating that there should be a documentary about it in the future. Besides Blue Beetle and Aquaman 2, this movie is more of a finale to this broken universe. After ten years of an uneven series of films, it is time to put it to rest...and start again.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
"Give 'em hell, Indiana Jones!"
Before I start, I am reviewing this now because I completely forgot to review it, and no, I am not even joking, lol. I was super busy then and had a lot going on that this film left my memory for a while. I remember now, one year later. Again, movies should be timeless and be talked about anytime rather than seen as outdated. But for this instance, I just forgot it, lol. It happens.
Anywhere, to the review,
Watching Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was a depressing experience. I had high hopes director James Mangold would give Indy his grand send-off after his brilliant 2017 film Logan. But here is a movie with some of the worst tropes in modern big-budget films. It is overly long with terrible pacing, a bloated budget, uncanny de-aging on older actors, and soulless attempts at nostalgia.
An iconic character reduces to a sad and pathetic has-been with no friends or family, the punchline to all jokes about his age and his miserable state. It is the same thing that Disney has done to Hans Solo and Luke Skywalker. Why do they keep doing this? It is getting disrespectful to the characters.
People have described this as "FuN"; I wonder what movie they saw because it is so dull. The action scenes are bland and not exciting, and since our main hero is in his late 70s, it limits what they can do with him in the action without it being too ridiculous. The only tension I felt throughout the film was when a 70-year-old Indy got punched in the face by the baddies. I thought those punches would be more deadly, lol.
The score from the legendary John Williams needs to be improved here. And why did this get an Oscar nomination for best score? I do not remember anything from it. When the iconic theme started playing, it was so empty and flat.
Mads Mikkelsen is once again playing a villain in a big-budget movie, and I wish Hollywood knew what to do with him and not safely cast him as another evil character. Mads himself is good in the film because Mads Mikkelsen has never delivered a poor performance in anything. He is such a talented performer, not only in acting but in gymnastics and dancing. He joins Giancarlo Esposito and Ben Mendelsohn in being typecasted to play the same character in everything.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helen Shaw, I have never hated a character more than her. I hated her more than the main villains. The way she treated and talked to Indy. What an unlikeable and annoying character she is. Of course, the actress is not to blame here, but the writing is. So, do not mistake this as an attack on the actor. It is the character I am attacking.
Antonio Banderas is here, and he did not do anything. I will leave it as that.
Before seeing Dial of Density, I wondered how they were going to address Indy's son, Mutt Williams, because if you did not know after the release of the last Indy movie, Shia LaBeouf (who played Mutt) said some harsh words about Indy 4 and director Steven Spielberg. He pissed off a lot of people in the industry. He since then distracted himself from Hollywood. Also, his controversial behaviour in the headlines has made his chances of a return very slim. But how they handled his character by killing him off-screen is a massive mistake. Why could they just recast the part? By killing his character off, they are suggesting that nobody could play this part, but Shia, which is not true because he sucked in the last one and is easily replaceable. Mutt's death is the reason that Indy is depressed and alone (with his wife Marion leaving him). His death puts a black cloud over the film. Shia haunts this movie, and it ruins it all. It is such a stupid decision to kill the character.
I know I have been very negative throughout this review, but that is only out of disappointment and anger at the missed potential. But is there anything that I did like? Well, yes, yes, there is.
Harrison Ford is great here, and he does care about this character. There has not been any other actor that has so many iconic characters in cinema history than Ford. Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and Rick Deckard. His final scene in the movie is both emotional and bittersweet. I may have disliked the film, but if Mr. Ford is happy with it, I am over the moon for him.
The cinematography looks stunning here, with the lighting and use of shadows that make it visually pleasing.
The final action climax is the only thrilling aspect of the film because it is going in an unexpected direction. I lifted my head out of a sleepy slumber from the rest of the movie and said to myself, "Oh, where is this going?"
John Rhys-Davies returns as Sallah, and, as usual, he is always a joy to watch.
Overall rating: I only watched this at the cinema to see Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones one last time. Despite everything I have said in this review, I appreciate that I got the opportunity to see him hang up the hat and whip. The adventure is over, but it is a journey of a lifetime, and that is unforgettable.
Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones and always will be. Thank you, Mr. Ford.
The Killer (2023)
Stick to the plan
"Of those who like to put their faith in mankind's inherent goodness, I have to ask- based on what, exactly?"
The Killer is the funniest black comedy I have seen in a while. The humour is as dry as the sand surrounding the pyramids. I think the movie is a bit misunderstood in that aspect, and I usually hate using the phrase "misunderstood" because I sound like a smart-ass, but it is a different way to view it.
The main Hitman needs to improve at his job. But he gives off the vibe of a professional at his top form. The opening scene is where he talks (through narration) in precise detail about executing the perfect kill. The preparation methods, the long days of waiting for his target, suffering from the boredom of waiting for his target, listening to the band The Smiths to get him into a murderous mindset, and his use of fancy words to sound intelligent. All of that to fail horribly.
He is incompetent, but there is comedy gold to it.
The storyline is simple - a killer on a mission that goes wrong and embarks on international missions.
This is not Fincher's best movie, but in terms of filmmaking, it is excellent.
David Fincher is the type of director you learn more about filmmaking than any film professor. In 'The Killer', I somewhat see it as his autobiography, in some weird and dark way. Let me explain. I do not know Fincher personally, but the impression I get from him from interviews or whenever he gets the time to talk - his super dry sense of humour is hard to tell if he is joking or not, the effort to reach perfection and details to filmmaking which can come off as cold, and whenever his film does not work out it feels like a massive blow. I might be reaching here, but that is what I got from it.
One fight scene was amazing to watch. The way the camera moved with the punches made the hits more impactful. I loved how aggressive and brutal it was. It is what a fight scene would look like if Fincher directed, besides Fight Club.
Michael Fassbender is such a talented performer that he can make a blank character enjoyable to watch on screen. He is one of those actors you can watch for hours without them saying anything, but you are engaged in watching them.
The score from Trent Razner is fantastic, and he is one of the best film composers to date.
The sound work here is fantastic and you get a strong sense that plenty of thought went into making the sound detailed and precise. Everything from the sounds of lethal gloves crinkling, an electric heater turning on, and whenever the hitman puts earphones in to listen to music to calm himself before he kills someone, and the music is slightly muffled. It is all great stuff.
Overall rating: As I said before, it is not Fincher's best movie, as I prefer his other work with more to it in terms of story and characters. I have seen some mixed reactions to this, although I still liked this.
Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver (2024)
It's no Lord of the Rings, Dune, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones
The biggest compliment I can give Rebel Moon: Part Two is that I didn't fall asleep this time.
I have never seen a movie so desperately wanting to be not only a franchise but a Wiki fandom hotspot with its world, characters, science fiction names, etc. We have seen failed attempts at a cinematic universe before, but this is something else.
The problem is that the characters and the world of Rebel Moon are not interesting. It's not original either, as you can pick up on many familiar things you have seen in other movies. It's no Lord of the Rings, Dune, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones.
There is a scene where all our heroes sit around and share their backstories. After someone finishes their back story, they might as well say "OK, your turn."
And when characters do bite the dust, I didn't care. You couldn't pay me to care about these guys.
There is an R-rated cut for Part One and Two that Snyder is trying to drum up hype for, but I highly doubt there's a good movie somewhere on the cutting room floor. And why is there a director's cut when this is a streaming release and not a theatrical release? Why didn't they release the R-rated cuts to begin with? Because nobody is campaigning like they did for Justice League. So, people have to watch (in total) a six-hour-long movie. Why!? So stupid, lol. And bold of them to think that I am watching both films again.
Zack Snyder is just like George Lucas, not a talentless hack, but he needs to stop surrounding himself with 'yes men'.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
"May thy knife chip and shatter."
The word epic when describing certain big-budget movies is often overdone and rarely rings true to the quality of the film. Besides going towards the actors' egos, you never feel the epic scale or where the trillion of money went. Nowadays, big-budget movies look phony and rushed. There is no sense of passion or soul. It must also include cinematic richness in the filmmaking, pacing, and intelligent scene choices. For a while, since cinemas re-open after COVID, I thought that we would never get that anymore. This new age of factory-made products that you blankly stare at for hours and then quickly forget about when the credits roll. I am feeling less excited about new releases.
But after watching Dune: Part Two, everything that I thought was missing in big-budget movies is found here. This movie gave that to me.
Dune: Part Two blew me away! It was one of the best IMAX experiences I have ever had. I have seen it twice already, and it is the type of movie that should stay in cinemas, especially in IMAX. It's been a while since I was in awe watching something so massive, ambitious, and executed wonderfully. I liked the first Dune, but this is MILES BETTER. This is more like it! The scope and scale were monumental! What I loved the most was the movie has this sense of spirituality and sacredness felt through the score, cinematography, costumes, and production design.
This is already one of the best movies of 2024 so far. Whether or not that title gets topped, for now, it's my favourite of 2024.
The opening scene is one of the strongest of the year/of all time, as it perfectly welcomes you back into the world and sets you up for the visual journey ahead. The uses of colour this time around, with the use of striking dune orange, harsh colours, and how the colour palette represents different locations and characters.
Director Denis Villeneuve is one of the best filmmakers of our time. This guy keeps winning and will follow a similar path to another director, Christopher Nolan. He's a director who makes bold and clever choices.
I was more invested in this world than I had before. There's a fancy and sci-fi name to it, but I call it space religion. This movie leans more into the weird and creepy world of Dune. It's interesting to see how water and any other fluid are sacred and should not be put to waste. So, no crying and no throwing up. Even after someone dies or is about to die, all the water inside of us gets sucked out with a device to avoid it going to waste.
I find Timothee Chalamet overrated in certain movies. If you have seen my Wonka review, you have seen one out of many examples of me not connecting with his performances. The others are Hot Summer Nights, Beautiful Boy, and The French Dispatch. However, in Dune: Part Two, I thought he was incredible. It is his best performance since Call Me by Your Name. I loved his character arc here. From where he starts to where he ends up is tragic. It is a classic tragedy of a beautiful angel stripped away of his wings, falling into the depths of hell, and becoming the devil in the eyes of non-believers. He commands the screen, holds your attention, and has a sweet fury of revenge in his system. It was magnetic to watch.
Zendya has more screen time and plays a crucial role in the story, where her character is the only sane and reasonable person. But her scenes with Chalamet and their eventual romance, which could have easily come across as cheesy or forced, were instead sweet, pure, and believable.
But Austin Butler blew me away here. The first time he opened his mouth and said his first line, my jaw was on the floor because I could not believe that voice was coming out of him. Butler sounded just like Stellan Skarsgard. It was unbelievable. He plays the role of Feyd-Rautha, an absolute psychopath who thrives on pain, both inflicting on others and himself. In a scene where he sees if the knives presented to him are sharp enough, he stabs and slashes those around him to test their quality. After killing them, "It's not sharp enough". But he is not without showing respect if you earned it. From Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Elvis, The Bikeriders, and this movie, Butler continues to excel in every role.
The supporting cast: Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Lea Seydoux, Florence Pugh, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, and Christopher Walken were all terrific in their roles, and there is so much depth to the characters, both in the writing and acting, that with each repeat viewing brings new details.
Also, not forgetting Dave Bautista, who is more than just muscle but a complex character who is vulnerable, scared, rageful, and wounded, and Bautista played it brilliantly. He is the best wrestler turned actor in the business.
The score from Hans Zimmer is nothing short of extraordinary. It is grand and hits the perfect notes. There were points where it reminded me of Greek composer Vangelis, especially his work on Blade Runner. I have listened to the Quiet Between the Storms score countless times and countless more. For me, the score triggers a feeling of joy, pain, and unknown euphoria.
The sound work deserves mention, as it was detailed and added to the overall experience of this other world.
The visual effects, production, and costume designs were all superb.
There were points where it felt like a horror movie. It gave me an uncomfortable chill down my spine, which I did not expect going in. The hero character type gets flipped on its head. The horror behind using religion to achieve power and control will not be terrifying.
I have been debating ever since I first saw this - should I give this the perfect five-star rating? I don't usually give these out like candy. I have been switching back and forth on potential ratings. This review did help me eventually decide, as it breaks down what I liked the most. I looked to see if I had any problems with the movie, but I could not find any. Sometimes you must give in.
Argylle (2024)
Argylle - Review
Matthew Vaughn has not been the same since Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Argylle is another misfire from the director. It's overlong with awful pacing and over-stuffed set pieces-noticeable visual effects by, who I am assuming, underpaid and stressed-out visual artists. They like The Beatles song - Now And Then because they played it many times. I like the song, but how the film used it in the story and what it meant to the characters could have been better.
At first, I thought the first half was decent at best, but everything else quickly went downhill after that. You know, it is said that good movies get better with each passing thought, but this is the opposite, as it gets worse as time goes by.
Sam Rockwell is the only decent part of this. He is the type of actor that elevates everything that he is in. He is the Philip Seymour Hoffman of our time. Hoffman and Rockwell are always good in movies, as they bring a creative flavour to sometimes flavourless material. Sam Rockwell needs to pick better movies.
Despite being put all over the posters and marketing, Henry Cavil is barely in this movie. It is much worse with John Cena, who is given nothing in this film. The same thing for Samuel L. Jackson, who does not need to be in this film as he is a nothing character.
The action scenes range from impressive to not impressive. The impression part comes towards the end with the corridor fight scene with all the coloured smoke flare. And the least impressive being everything else. The action and fight scenes lacked that dynamic punch.
Overall Rating: The writer of the movie is named Jason Fuchs. No, he isn't related to Fred Fuchs. But who gives a fuch, right?
Oppenheimer (2023)
The best of the best!
"I believe we did."
Out of all the movies I saw in 2023, this movie has not left my mind since leaving the cinema auditorium when I watched it back in July.
After giving it a long thought and consideration, this might be Christopher Nolan's best movie. It's not an easy watch with the subject matter and pacing, but that didn't stop it from being a massive hit with critics, audiences, and, surprisingly, the box office. This three-hour-long talky movie managed to beat out every single blockbuster this summer. I have never seen anything like it. I worked at my cinema on the opening day of this movie and Barbie, and I have never seen it so packed since Avengers: Endgame. Everybody dressed up for the double feature event of the summer. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone was happy. It was a good day.
Oppenheimer is fantastic! It is a three-hour-long historical drama that is dialogue-heavy, which may sound off-putting, but I found it all engaging. People have best described it as a mixture of Oliver Stone's JFK and David Fincher's The Social Network.
It won't be for everyone, and that's all right.
I have to say, this is the best I have seen from Cillian Murphy, whose expressive face can convey so much fear and painful regret. His eyes are his most powerful tool as an actor, and Director Christopher Nolan knows this. It is one of my favourite performances from 2023, and nothing that I have seen has topped it. I try not to care about the Oscars because I don't like to be disappointed, but I hope he gets nominated and wins. He has my vote.
However, it's not only Cillian who deserves the credit, as the entire cast did a brilliant job despite their small screen time.
This is also the best I have seen from Robert Downey Jr. In a long time, as he delivered a superb performance. He plays Lewis Strauss, a narcissistic cry-baby whose facades he puts on slowly crumbs as the film progresses. He delivers an utterly fantastic monologue midway through the film about ego, loss of power, and fury. He has played Iron Man/Tony Stark for so long that you forget what an actor Downey can be. Same with Cillian, I hope he gets nominated and wins.
It's a huge cast, and there wasn't a single bad or mediocre performance in sight. Everybody showed up to work and gave it their all.
Emily Blunt is terrific as Kitty Oppenheimer. The Testimony scene is one of the best scenes in the film, where she stops being the victim housewife, collects herself, and commands the room. But another scene that doesn't get mentioned is when Oppenheimer and Kitty meet for the first, then ride together on horses, and have a special connection. It was a sweet and memorable scene.
The rest of the supporting cast - Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Benny Safdie, Jason Clarke, Rami Malek, and Alden Ehrenreich were all stellar. Also, this might be random, but Jason Clarke reminds me of Gene Hackman. It's just a thought I had.
A special mention to Gary Oldman as Harry Truman, Tom Conti as Albert Einstein, and Casey Affleck as Colonel Pash, who made an impression on me in the little time we had them. Oldman is excellent at playing sinister and cold subtly, where we see President Truman drop the act and tell the hard truth about his role as President and what his decisions can do to them, mentally and emotionally. It was a chilling and eye-opening scene. Conti is phenomenal in his six minutes of screen time, where the bond between Oppey and Albert is adorable and heartbreaking. I say heartbreaking because we see the horror and disappointment on Einsten's face from the outcome. But Casey Affleck made me feel so uncomfortable, as he had a dangerous air in his scene. He brilliantly plays a ruthless and remorseless Cold War intelligence agent. He gives the vibe of "if you are lying, you're dead."
It's mind-blowing (to me) how massive a cast can be, and nobody was wasted or forgettable. It's one of the best ensemble cast for any movie ever.
The score by Ludwig Göransson is so powerful to listen to. The sheer weight of this theme that it almost brought a tear to my eye. I had goosebumps all over my body when 'Can You Hear the Music' and 'Destroyer Of Worlds' started playing. It's the perfect score to listen to if you are studying. Ludwig Göransson is one of the best composers working today.
The Trinity (nuclear test) scene is one of my favourite scenes of the year, with masterclass directing and pacing. The build-up to it, the dread, and the anticipation of the bang was an otherworldly experience. My hands were sweaty, and I was leaning so far back into my seat; it was so tense. I never felt that in my 24 years of life. And the silence in the room was defying until the bang eventually caught up.
Or how about the gymnasium scene after the Trinity Test? It might be the most impressive scene in Nolan's filmography. It's a horrific scene where you feel the horror that Oppenheimer is experiencing, knowing what he had done. It scared me more than any horror movie tried to do. Everything from the haunting visuals, the sound work, the editing, and Cillian's acting made the scene effective.
And the ending, the best ending to a movie this year. It ends on a chilling and terrifying note that is relevant today. The last frame is unforgettable.
Director Christopher Nolan is one of the best filmmakers working today. The story is not told as a conventional biopic but rather as a fragmented one, often circling the timeline of events. Nolan delivers a meaningful and riveting visual feast with rich characters and dialogue.
Everything on the technical side is an achievement. The visual effects and cinematography were stunning and inspiring for any upcoming filmmakers to learn from. The makeup and hair team also deserves a shout-out, especially towards the end, with some convincing old-age makeup.
Beautiful direction, acting, writing, and score. The best of the best!
Overall rating: Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Another solid entry in the series
"We live and die in the shadows, for those we hold close, and for those we never meet."
If you were following the production of Dead Reckoning, then you know the mission to finish the film was beyond hellish. The entire filming was struck with bad luck. If not, don't worry - I will fill you in. If you already know or don't care - skip the next paragraph.
So, this movie and The Batman were hit the hardest during filming due to the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. The original plan was to shoot Parts 1 & 2 back to back, but with delays messing up the filming schedule and the budget ballooning to $291 million, making it the most expensive MI film to date. Nicholas Hoult was initially cast as the villain but had to drop out due to his commitments with the TV show The Great. So many crew members contracted COVID-19 that production had to stop for weeks until it eventually started again. Of course, this led to the famous audio rant from Mr. Cruise himself, who yelled at two crew members for not following the rules. Whether you think he was in the right or wrong, it does, however, give us an idea of how stressful it was trying to make a blockbuster during a global pandemic. With the film set in different locations worldwide and the long filming hours, self-isolating during those long months must have been extra tiring.
But in the end, it was all worth it.
It's 2 hours and 43 minutes long, yet you never feel it. It's got solid pacing - the mark of a good movie. It follows the same formula as the previous films, where a mission goes wrong, and our MI crew must fight all odds to stop a world-ending event, where some people still don't trust Ethan Hunt for whatever reason, despite being right every single time in the past. And yet, it's so entertaining to watch.
Director Christopher McQuarrie is the saviour of this franchise, as every entry feels fresh, exciting, and cinematic. McQuarrie understands cinema, the visual language, and the slick rhythm of pace and flow.
While the action did not blow me away like Fallout, it's still fantastic. The last action scene involves train carriages one by one falling off a destroyed bridge. It was the most thrilling thing I have seen. The Rome Chase scene had plenty of thrills and comedy to go around. Funny enough, Fast X filmed a chase scene in the same area in Rome, but the comparison between the two movies is night and day. Fast X looked phony with the overuse of CGI, and it was not thrilling enough. Dead Reckoning, on the other hand, was done more practically and looked so much better. It made better use of the area for the action set pieces. Another comparison is that these two action franchises have been going on for a while now, but one is getting better with each installment while the other is getting dumber.
How about the stunt of Cruise throwing himself and his motorbike off a cliff, which the trailers showed to death in the marketing, and it still managed to take my breath away when I saw it in IMAX; not many modern movies do that. Movies like this remind us why we go to the cinema. For the thrill, for the experience.
I cared about the MI crew. In Dead Reckoning - there is room for emotional depth and always an enjoyable collaboration.
A newcomer to the series, Hayley Atwell, is a standout and gave an excellent performance. The funny thing is, she isn't a 20-something newcomer to the film scene or anything like that, as she has already starred in big movies before this, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And yet, this feels like a breakout role. Those movies did her dirty.
Pom Klementieff is another newcomer to the series, as the silent but deadly henchman. Most of her character is a mystery but intriguing screen presence.
With the main threat being AI, it never felt timelier than ever, even though the script was finished before all the AI mess started to take effect. What is even more perfect for the film's message is that this came out around the Writers and Actors strike, with one of the reasons the strike happened was that movie studios are pushing AI to take over people's jobs. This movie feels like a big middle finger to AI and higher-ups using it.
Director Christopher McQuarrie's love for cinema, style, mixture of genres, stunt work, language, and flow with pacing has benefited this series ever since he took over this franchise. The action was exciting, and the score was fantastic. It has been nearly 30 years since this franchise started, and it keeps improving.
I do have issues with the film. I admire the real stunt work from behind the scenes, but the use of CGI overshadows the realness of the stunt work, and it's easy to think most of it was on a computer. As I said earlier, it's nowhere near as great as Fallout, as I thought the action scenes and pacing to be better.
Other than that, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is a solid entry in one of the best action franchises.
Barbie (2023)
You are KENough.
"Humans have only one ending. Ideas live forever."
Sometimes in life, you embrace being you because you are KENough.
On a serious note, I had a great time with Barbie.
Do not let the title or poster fool you into thinking this is another stupid kid's movie for little girls because despite the colourful and happy-go-lucky comedic start with the introduction of Barbie Land. The film quickly and suddenly goes into mature themes, where the narrative shifts to gender roles in society, mostly on women.
But as soon as the line "Do you ever think about dying?" drops, you are in for something different. Weirdly enough, this reminded me of The Lego Movie, and what is even stranger is that it stars Will Ferrell.
One of the most amusing parts I got from the movie is that the film feels "insidery" and what I mean by that is that it speaks to women and is made for them, which only they will truly understand. So, any comedic or emotional scenes regarding female experiences will have a bigger laugh and impact for them, while the guys are not picking it up. On the other hand, it manages not to alienate, and that's very tricky to pull off. Anyone can still enjoy it, but it's just something I notice with the audience. I mean, it is why it's having such a positive reaction, both box office and reception, as audiences and critics finally got something that strikes a decent balance of being entertaining and well-made.
Margot Robbie is fantastic as the main Barbie. She portrayed her character's feelings, thoughts, and inner turmoil beautifully. It's another ensemble film where everyone does solid work.
But man, Ryan Gosling as Ken is fantastic. Gosling is one of the best comedic talents of today. I would say this - Gosling's casting as Ken is up there with Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean. I hope he gets an Oscar nomination for this. Yep, I am dead serious. Whenever Gosling was on screen, I was smiling from ear to ear. His passion for the character is both amusing and hilarious. His musical number I'm Just Ken was the highlight.
Director Greta Gerwig is one of the most unique voices in cinema right now. Her influences with classic cinema, mostly in music, dance, and rich visuals are on display here. Her directing for the musical segments, especially with 'I'm Just Ken', is fantastic.
The movie has flaws. It can get overstuffed with so much going on, and the preachy message can be too much at points. It needed more nuance. But that is it for problems.
If you are a guy, check this one out. Go out of your comfort zone.
With the internet phenomenon known as Barbenheimer, who would have thought that a movie based on a doll and another film about the creation of the nuclear bomb would save cinema? Hopefully, this is a sign of great things to come. Audiences are hungry for quality again.