Change Your Image
mieriks
Reviews
Big Business (1988)
Light and fun
This movie, about two couples of sisters from New York and from the countryside who discover that they are connected in an incredible way, is a good comedy movie!
It offers a fun concept with light entertainment that mostly captivates you throughout. The actors do their part worthy with their energy, and the movie has a decent humor and manages to create a somewhat complicated and silly storyline that challenges us. It is somewhat predictable at times but since it is a light movie, it is not that important.
This movie delivers a lighthearted comedy with an engaging concept and solid performances. While predictable at times, its humor and entertaining storyline make it a delightful watch for light entertainment seekers.
Tre nøtter til Askepott (2021)
Little to give
This movie, about the heroine who battles against her evil stepmother for her dream of meeting the handsome prince, is a weak fairytale movie.
It is a remake of Three Wishes for Cinderella (1973), and we cannot expect much more than what Three Wishes for Cinderella (1973) offers. Unfortunately, I feel that Three Wishes for Cinderella (2021) offers less. It has all the characters, and the storyline is quite similar. However, some of what I miss, is character development and more depth. I feel like the protagonist Cinderella is just a piece in her own story without doing much out of herself. I cannot connect to her at all, and when I start to hope for some sort of connection and chemistry between her and the prince, the movie fails doing that. The movie has its turns and a few funny and good moments, but there is almost nothing in-between. I wish the movie was at least 15 minutes longer to give room for what it lacks, filling the holes it has.
In conclusion, this movie fails to breathe new life into the classic fairytale. While it retains the characters and storyline of its predecessor, it lacks the emotional depth and character development needed to engage me. With minimal chemistry between Cinderella and the prince, the movie falls short of its potential, leaving me unsatisfied.
Nanny McPhee (2005)
Nostalgic and comforting
This movie, about widower Cedric Brown who hires Nanny McPhee to care for his seven rambunctious children, is a great supernatural fantasy movie!
It so nostalgic to me. I have not seen it in many years, and it is strange and exciting to see it again. It is somewhat simple but still a heartwarming movie with lots of entertainment and fun. The character are energetic and funny, like Aunt Adelaide, Mrs. Blatherwick, and Mrs. Quickly, but Nanny McPhee is definitely my favorite character, and I love her part of the story. Nanny McPhee is peculiar, funny, and kind at the same time, affecting the people around her in a good and caring way. That aside, the movie has amazing costumes, strengthening the periodic setting, and the score and other elements elevate the movie as well. A nostalgic and comforting watch!
In conclusion, this movie is a heartwarming and entertaining supernatural fantasy. The movie's nostalgic charm, energetic characters, and Nanny McPhee's peculiar yet kind nature make it delightful. With amazing costumes and a strong score, it remains a comforting and enjoyable watch, even after many years.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Magical
This movie, about a brave, beautiful, and brilliant young woman who is imprisoned by a beast in his castle, is a good dark fantasy movie!
I admit that I do not connect to the characters as much as I want to, both the protagonist Belle and the beast, hindering me of caring much about them. Also, I did not feel the antagonist Gaston as threatening as I wanted to, either. There is also too much musical content for my taste that rather drags the story than making me more interested.
Anyway, I think the third act is the best part because it gets more intense with its good climax and ending. Also, the visuals are generally fantastic with its beautiful CGI and details alongside great sceneries and colors. The score is good as well, and the actors do great. Therefore, I think this is a worthy movie adaptation!
In conclusion, this movie shines with stunning visuals, strong performances, and an intense third act. Despite some disconnect with characters and an underwhelming antagonist, it remains a worthy adaptation, though the musical content can drag the story at times.
Snøsøsteren (2024)
Emotional
This movie, about a young boy named Julian, is a masterpiece!
I am very surprised by how much I enjoyed it. First of all, it is a Netflix movie. Second, it is mainly for children. And third, it is Norwegian. These reasons are typical for not having the best movies, but The Snow Sister stands out with its handful of qualities.
While the themes and commentary are simple, the movie excels with its handling of the beautiful and emotional story due to several elements. The pacing is almost perfect, the editing is fantastic, the dialogues feel mature, planned, and appropriate, and the actors do great, especially Celina Meyer Hovland (as Hedvig). I love her energy, and I appreciate that she does not do too much out of her role. The main actor, Mudit Gupta (as Julian), is not as good but does worthy. But there is more that elevates the experience. The score is absolutely amazing, which I am a sucker for, and I could listen to it every day. The visuals are great as well, much because of the good camerawork and nice visual effects. Speaking of the story, it is so much to say about it because it manages to be beautiful, tragic, warm, and dark simultaneously. This makes the experience an emotional ride that can touch everybody's hearts.
In conclusion, this is a surprising masterpiece. Despite being a children's movie on Netflix, it excels with perfect pacing, mature dialogues, strong performances, and exceptional score and visuals. It beautifully balances beauty, tragedy, warmth, and darkness, making it an emotional journey for all viewers.
Gladiator II (2024)
Much to enjoy
This movie, about Lucius who is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people, is a good sequel to Gladiator (2000)!
I watched it at Colosseum Cinema in Norway, which should be the perfect way to experience it.
The negative things first. I think the movie lacks a bit of flow, much because of its structure, pacing, editing, and dialogues. The structure feels a bit inconsistent, affected by pacing issues. The editing is inconsistent as well, where the choice of shots can feel a bit random at times. The dialogues are not bad, but they can also feel a bit random and inconsistent. Also, I did not get that strong connection to the protagonist Lucius as I expected, which I think is because of his lack of screen time despite being the main character, but he managed to do his part of the story in a mostly good way. To add, I was disappointed by Connie Nielsen's (as Lucilla) acting after being impressed by her in the predecessor. Her character, the mother of Lucius, has an important role, but Nielsen does too much out of her role by exaggerating.
Anyway, the movie's actors are mostly good where their characters are quite likable, especially the twins, Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla, who are quite funny because of their childish and psychotic behavior. The movie feels grand-scaled with its huge sceneries, detailed, costumes, and fantastic makeup, making it quite a cinematic experience with its cool action with a great choreography, beautiful score by composer Harry Gregson-Williams, amazing sound design, and most of the visuals that are appealing. Plot-wise, the story has a mostly good link with a couple of surprises with several memorable moments, making the movie a worthy sequel despite not being necessary.
Despite some issues with structure, pacing, and editing, this movie offers a grand cinematic experience. The movie's impressive sceneries, detailed costumes, and fantastic makeup contribute to its epic feel. While the protagonist Lucius could have had more screen time, the actors, especially the twins Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla, deliver likable performances. The action sequences are well-choreographed, and the score by Gregson-Williams enhances the overall atmosphere. Although Nielsen's performance as Lucilla was disappointing, the movie includes memorable moments and surprises, making it a worthy, if not essential, sequel to the original Gladiator.
Gladiator (2000)
Thematically beautiful
This movie, about a former Roman General who sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery, is a masterpiece!
It can feel a bit stretched at times and some of the action can look slightly outdated with its combination of camerawork, editing, and score but its strength lies within its themes, such as symbolism, politics, desire, and hate. There are a lot of great characters in the movie but the protagonist Maximus and antagonist Commodus shine with their fight to earn the people of Rome. Maximus' story is powerful but tragic but my favorite character is definitely Commodus who has all the power in the world but yet fails to win the people. I think Joaquin Phoenix (as Commodus) nails his character by delivering an absolutely perfect performance. His indirect intensity is just so good. The technical aspects in the movie are amazing but it is the score by composer Hans Zimmer that shines through the story because it elevates the movie in several ways. The movie is not perfect but it is filled with lots of qualities and I am starting to get really fond of it.
This is a symbolically rich masterpiece that, despite some outdated action sequences, excels in its exploration of themes like symbolism, politics, desire, and hate. The characters, especially Maximus and Commodus, are compelling, with Phoenix delivering a standout performance. The movie's technical aspects are impressive, and Zimmer's score elevates the story, making it a movie filled with qualities that grow on you.
Poor Things (2023)
A good story, but too bizarre
This movie, about a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter, is an okay dark comedy movie.
It has a somewhat engaging story with nice costumes and makeup, great production design, mostly good acting, a few funny and engaging moments, and nice color grading. It definitely has its own charm. However, there are several elements that detract my experience to be a mixed one. The movie clearly tries to be experimental, which it definitely is, but while it successfully marks its peculiarity, its peculiarly gets too bizarre for my taste. This is much due to its technical aspects, like the camera scope-lense, the zooming and rotation techniques, and the numb score. This did not really appeal to me, and I struggled to feel much of the experience as a pure enjoyment.
This movie offers an engaging story with great production design and acting, but its experimental nature, including peculiar camera techniques and a numb score, detracts from the overall enjoyment. While it has its charm, the bizarre elements make it a mixed experience for me.
Moana (2016)
Visually beautiful
This movie, about Moana who answers the Ocean's call to seek out Maui to set things right, is a good computer animation movie!
It rushes at times including the essential scenes, and there is a bit too much musical content for me. Also, I think the backstory is weak and it has a little lack of emotional engagement.
Anyway, it is visually stunning! The animation has beautiful colors and lots of details, and every scene is a feast for the eyes, especially with its cultural elements. The movie has much to be entertained by despite my criticism, and it is rarely boring. It has many memorable scenes, like the private scene and the climax, and its humor is somewhat appealing. A worthy experience nonetheless!
Despite its rushed pacing and excessive musical content, this is a visually stunning movie with vibrant animation and cultural richness. While the backstory and emotional engagement may be lacking, the movie offers memorable scenes and humor, making it an entertaining and worthy experience.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
A worthy new start
This movie, about a young ape who goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he has been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike, is a great sequel to War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)!
Most people think it is the weakest of The Planet of the Apes Quadrilogy (2011-2024) yet, but I think it is slightly better than Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), which makes Dawn of the Planet of the Apes the weakest yet for me despite that I think it is still a great movie.
I did not have high expectations for it, but I absolutely love it, especially the first and second act. We go off to a new start with new characters but are left with a legacy from its predecessors. Noa is the new protagonist with his own story, and there is much to unveil and discover about him as a character and the world around him. I am surprised that I connected to him so early, and that really elevated the engagement for me. Noa's storyline is very dynamic, and there is nothing to dislike. I appreciate that the movie both respects "Caesar's" trilogy, does not milk his story, and uses him in an appropriate way. Speaking of the acts, I love the first and second one but I have mixed thoughts about the third. There is much to love here, like the action in general and when Noa calls for the eagles, but I also missed something more and maybe something unique.
Anyway, I love every character in the movie, and I am glad the technical aspects reach the same level as the predecessors with its beautiful CGI and details. The sound design and score are worth mentioning as well because they elevate the cinematic experience alongside the amazing cinematography and visuals, making Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes a worthy sequel!
In conclusion, this is a strong sequel that respects its predecessors while introducing new characters. Despite mixed reviews, it surpasses Dawn of the Planet of the Apes for me. The first and second acts are particularly engaging, with Noa's dynamic storyline and respectful nods to Caesar's legacy. The impressive CGI, sound design, and cinematography enhance the experience. While the third act has some flaws, the action sequences and character development make it a worthy addition to the series, leaving much to anticipate in future installments.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Emotional
This movie, about Caesar who wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind, is a masterpiece!
I admit that it can feel somewhat long and stretched a few times, but it is the emotional engagement that sticks with you and overshadows most of the "flaws". There is also a couple of moments that I think should be more clear, like when only we see the protagonist Caesar's dead wife and oldest son for a few seconds, and then we move on with the story although they also get mentioned later in the movie.
Anyway, I think the movie masterfully furfills its purpose. The war between the humans and apes continues, and what I find really interesting and captivating is the way the virus transforms humans into being more and more primitive while the apes develop their intelligence. Everything turns upside down. Trust is one of the main themes of the predecessor, and because Caesar trusted the predecessor's antagonist Koba, he gets a lot to suffer for in War for the Planet of the Apes. I think the movie beautifully portrays uprise, hope, and anger while blending well-crafted dialogues, action, and drama. Its CGI is amazing as expected as well as the rest of its technical aspects. It is such a cinematic experience from top to bottom!
This movie portrays the human-ape war with emotional depth. It shows humans becoming primitive while apes gain intelligence. Trust leads to Caesar's suffering due to his faith in Koba. The movie blends strong dialogues, action, and drama, supported by stunning CGI, making it a remarkable cinematic experience.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Fantastic visuals
This movie, about the fragile peace between apes and humans that is threatened as mistrust and betrayal threaten to plunge both tribes into a war for dominance over the Earth, is a great sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)!
The story follows the protagonist Caesar who after many years has started a family and his pack of apes has grown and settled into the forest. I really like the conflict between the apes and the humans because the movie has so many effective scenes that both challenges them and gives us beautiful and emotional engagement. I like the first half more than the second, but they both have their qualities. In terms of technical aspects, the movie has an improvement compared to its predecessor. The visuals are amazing where the hairs of the apes are as detailed as they can be, and the locations, sceneries, and visuals and practical effects are impressive. A worthy sequel by far!
This is a visually stunning sequel exploring fragile peace between apes and humans. With emotional depth and impressive effects, it is a worthy continuation of the series.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Exceptional character development
This movie, about a substance designed to help the brain repair itself that gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising, is a masterpiece!
The protagonist Caesar has probably one of the best character developments I have ever seen, and the concept of the movie, a substance that can improve intelligence, is interesting. His story is compelling all the way, and he gets our sympathy as soon as we see him as a newborn chimpanzee. Then the story of Caesar begins. Caesar gets raised by Will Rodman, who gets fond of him earlier than he expects, and learns faster than any other chimpanzee. The movie masterfully creates effective scenes that develops and challenges Caesar, and after he gets put behind bars after an unlucky incident, everything changes. Caesar becomes so intelligent that he both learns how to become an alfa, gather an army of apes to get justice for them, and escape from the primate facility, leading to chaos for the humans.
Through the build-up of the story, I think the movie blends every element in a fantastic way. The CGI looks amazing although it has minor flaws, the body language of the apes are insanely accurate, the immersive sound design and editing give a great depiction of what the movie tries to tell, and the pacing feels close to perfect. During the escape of the apes, I think the movie symbolizes the power of the apes in such a good way. They feel so powerful despite they have no equipments opposite to the humans but still manage to show dominance against the humans. The escape contains a lot of clever scenes that are as compelling as they can get, and what I think is the cherry on top of the cape is when Caesar says "no" in the primate facility and "Caesar is home" to Will. Absolutely brilliant.
This movie excels in character development, CGI, and sound design. Caesar's journey from a newborn chimpanzee to a leader is compelling. The movie's pacing and depiction of the apes' power highlight their dominance. The escape scenes are engaging, culminating in powerful moments when Caesar asserts his independence. This movie brilliantly combines storytelling, visual effects, and thematic depth.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
A feast for the eyes
This movie, about John Wick who uncovers a path to defeating The High Table, is a good sequel to John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)!
It somewhat struggles with its dialogues like its predecessors, but the protagonist John Wick's "yeah" is starting to grow on me, becoming a charm of the series. The 170 minutes long runtime can also feel somewhat dragging because of the huge amount of non-stop action.
Anyway, it is definitely a feast for the eyes, mostly because of the insane lighting. The movie masterfully blends different colors in its shots, and every shot is basically a work of art. The choreography is fantastic, but this time, Donnie Yen (as Caine) has joined the cast, performing an absolute banger of fighting. I have only seen Yen in four other movies, but I have quickly been impressed by his skills. The movie has many great and unique scenes, but my favorite scene is ironically enough John Wick falling down the stairs, which is actually one of my favorite scenes in the entire series. Ridiculous and funny! I am happy to experience that the series has finally come to a conclusion after the non-stop action and a couple of clever scenes, which is satisfying.
This movie dazzles with stunning visuals and relentless action. Despite its long runtime and some dialogue flaws, the movie shines with artistic shots and Yen's impressive fight scenes. Unique moments, like a humorous stair fall, add charm. Overall, it delivers a satisfying conclusion to the series with its non-stop action and clever scenes.
The School for Good and Evil (2022)
Impressive
This movie, about the best friends Sophie and Agatha who find themselves on opposing sides of an epic battle when they are swept away into an enchanted school where aspiring heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance between Good and Evil, is a great supernatural fantasy movie!
What I appreciate is that it is self aware where it does not take itself too seriously while bringing rich content into its simple plot. The movie does not try too hard to be perfect, which lets us not to be too critical. You can just relax and watch it as an entertaining movie.
The storyline is somewhat unpredictable until the predictable third act, but as a whole, it is compelling. As said, the plot can feel a bit simple at first, but the movie impresses with its content, in my opinion. It has funny, interesting, and cool characters who develop much of the story, and what I love the most is the antagonist Rafal's influence on one of the protagonists Sophie because the magnitude of evilness of the movie is rare to find in a movie - at least for what I have seen before. Sophie is an adventurous girl who thinks she is on the wrong school, but the longer she stays at her school, the more exposed she gets. I love that she slowly transforms into an evil form, an old lady, with a similar rebellious vibe as in Cruella (2021), which leads to a battle between the schools, creating chaos.
I have mixed thoughts about the other protagonist Agatha. I like her story inside her school where she struggles to fit in, as for Shophie at her school, but slowly gets into things that reflect her as a person. After Sophie has turned evil, Agatha confronts Sophie, which I think is a bit cliche and straightforward, making me like her less and less. Her opinion is that there is no black and white but that we are complex human beings with both good and evil qualities. This is definitely an important and realistic point, but I expected more from her. Her statement is too obvious and I missed something deeper and more complex, as well as Rafal's defeat, leading by to a predictable conclusion, as said.
Anyway, the movie introduces genres like fantasy, action, and comedy, making it a potential captivating experience for fantasy fans. The movie slightly struggles with handling green screens, but the rest of the technical aspects are pretty good. Both the digital and practical effects are impressive as well as the amazing costumes and makeups, and the sceneries and score are also worth mentioning.
This is a captivating fantasy movie that balances humor and depth. It shines with its rich content and engaging characters, especially Sophie's transformation under Rafal's influence. While the plot is simple and the third act predictable, the overall storyline remains compelling. Agatha's character, though clichéd, adds a realistic view on human complexity. Despite some green screen flaws, the movie excels in effects, costumes, makeup, and scenic design. This blend of fantasy, action, and comedy makes it a must-watch for genre fans, offering a visually impressive and entertaining experience.
Twisters (2024)
Nice effects, but a flawed execution
This movie, about Kate Carter who is persuaded to return to Oklahoma to work with a new team and new technologies, is an okay sequel to Twister (1996).
It has been 28 years since the release of its predecessor, and it is natural to expect an improvement within several elements in the sequel, especially the technical ones. The visual effects in Twisters are really nice themselves, where the tornadoes have a good simulation with a nice flow and many details. Outside the technical aspects, the performances are also a small step-up from Twister generally, thanks to Daisy Edgar-Jones (as Kate) and Glen Powell (as Tyler), although I think Philip Seymour Hoffman as Dusty in Twister did the best of all.
But that is really it. The rest of the elements are a sted-down from the predecessor. The plot tells that the protagonist Kate has been traumatized after a tragic incident during a tornado chase where she lost all of her friends including her boyfriend, which I think is a really good opening, but the rest of the movie feels rather like a reboot of Twister than a sequel, much because the structure is basically the same in terms of its acts. One of my expectations was the cinematography. The cinematography is my favorite element in the predecessor, but the cinematography in Twisters does not have that same level. I think it lacks aerial shots, which kind of hinders its energy that Twister had. Also, I kind of liked the relationship between Kate and Tyler, but their story together gets rushed. All in all, I am disappointed in terms of my expectations, but Twisters as a movie itself is neither a good or bad experience, but rather a mixed one.
In conclusion, while this movie showcases impressive visual effects and commendable performances by Edgar-Jones and Powell, it falls short in other critical areas. The plot, despite a promising start, mirrors the structure of its predecessor too closely, making it feel more like a reboot than a true sequel. The cinematography, a highlight of its predecessor, lacks the same dynamic energy, particularly in its aerial shots. Additionally, the rushed development of Kate and Tyler's relationship detracts from the overall narrative. Ultimately, Twisters offers a mixed experience, neither fully satisfying nor entirely disappointing.
Chinjeolhan geumjassi (2005)
Creative and artistic
This movie, about a woman who seeks revenge through increasingly brutal means, is a great dark comedy movie!
I admit that I did not manage to get the story all the way. It is Korean-spoken (although I enabled English subtitles) and uses non-linear storytelling, but the movie still manages to engage me because of the rest of its elements. I got the story later in the movie, and along with Lee Young-ae's brilliant performance as the protagonist Lee Geum-ja and most of her story, it can potentially get emotional sooner or later in the movie. Speaking of the rest of the elements, the cinematography and score are my favorite elements of the movie because there is much to be impressed by. The genius camerawork and the cinematic color grading are amazing, and while a few shots are a bit weird, they give the movie its own charm. The score has a mostly classical style, but I love its epic and dramatic themes, and I could listen to them all day. Ms. Geum-ja acts like a cold and purposeful lady with little emotion most of the runtime, but the style of the score still depicts her true emotions, which is essential. To mention, the movie has barely some pacing-issues, but it is nothing to get distracted by. Lady Vengeance is a creative movie that delves into revenge and comedy with an artistic approach with its cinematography and score, creating a unique experience.
In conclusion, this movie captivates with its artistic elements. Despite non-linear storytelling and language barriers, it engages through stunning cinematography and an evocative score. Young-ae's performance adds depth, making the emotional journey compelling. The movie's charm lies in its brilliant camerawork and dramatic musical themes, effectively conveying the protagonist's emotions. Overall, it is a creative and memorable exploration of revenge.
Anora (2024)
An immersive combination of romance, comedy, and thriller
This movie, about Anora who meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch, is a masterpiece!
It exceptionally blends different genres, from romance to comedy to thriller, offering you a powerful experience. In terms of blending genres, the movie does it perfectly. Not that it uses all the genres simultaneously, but its acts are distributed by these genres. The first act is the romantic part. The protagonist Ani develops an unlikely relationship with a customer, leading to a spontaneous marriage. The second act is the comedy part. It contains physical violence and trauma, but with a satire and understated humor that elevate the comedy genre. The third act is the thriller part. Ani and the Russian men find Ani's husband Ivan. Ani tries to clarify the situation to the drunk Ivan while the Russian men try to take away their marriage, leading to Ani getting told by Ivan to agree with his parents. She gets shocked, getting her life turned upside down. Ani immediately agrees to a divorce and gets transported home by one of the Russian men, Igor, who first had physically insulted her but over time has shown sympathy and understanding, but before we know the word of it, Ani gets raped by him at her most vulnerable state. Ani's story was already a tragedy before this moment, but the raping really caught me off-guard and has been stuck with me. Very powerful.
The movie explains itself, but I cannot avoid telling how good Mikey Madison (as Ani) is. She is definitely Oscar-worthy, and the rest of cast do their part worthy as well. In terms of the technical aspects, the cinematography masterfully captures the important elements of the story and conveys it effectively, and the editing is great as well, creating a nice flow throughout the movie. Anora is not for everyone who finds violence or sexual assault as too much, but the movie is an amazing exemplar of a story that is offers both entertainment, a powerful story, and an important message.
In conclusion, this is a standout movie that skillfully combines romance, comedy, and thriller elements. Madison's portrayal of Ani is exceptional and Oscar-worthy. The cinematography and editing are top-notch, enhancing the story's impact. Although its intense themes may not suit all viewers, the movie delivers a powerful narrative and important message. Anora is a must-watch for those who appreciate a well-crafted, genre-blending movie.
The Wild Robot (2024)
Visual qualities, but a weak structure
This movie, about an intelligent robot called Roz that is stranded on an uninhabited island, is an okay computer animation movie.
It has received such praise globally, which has made me have high expectations for it. The movie starts off mostly interesting with a lot of short scenes, almost like a montage, depicting the difficulties for the protagonist Roz of living in the wild among competeting animals, trying to complete her mission. It has visual qualities, and I love its vibrant colors as well as the physics and world building. Also, the sound design and score are appealing.
However, I struggle to get a connection to the characters, much because of the movie's rush. Some of its rushed pace is good, but it is too fast-paced as a whole for my part. It does not give enough room for building up to the highlights, hindering the highlights to show their full potential. Also, I think the movie has an odd structure, in terms of its storyline, making it sometimes hard to interpret the point of some scenes, which rather can feel useless. Despite a good animation overall, I think it is strange how the animators have designed the animals. Personally, I think they look ugly and outdated, like they are from an old video game.
In conclusion, while this movie boasts impressive visual qualities and a captivating sound design, it falls short in character development and pacing. The rushed narrative hinders emotional connection and diminishes the impact of key moments. Additionally, the outdated design of the animals detracts from the overall experience. Despite its global praise and vibrant animation, the movie's structural weaknesses and odd storyline make it less engaging than expected.
Twister (1996)
Cinematic entertainment
This movie, about two storm chasers on the brink of divorce who must work together to create an advanced weather alert system by putting themselves in the cross-hairs of extremely violent tornadoes, is a good disaster movie!
I think the story and the general writing are not worthy for being memorable because of its simple plot, cliché dialogues, predictability, and some mediocre acting. Narratively, it stumbles. However, it is definitely a cinematic experience! I love the aerial shots of when they are driving in lines, and I think the energy of the characters, facing the tornadoes, elevates the excitement. The stunts are fantastic as well as the digital and practical effects, and the sound creates an atmosphere of tension. With a big screen and surround sound, you will definitely go on a wild ride.
Despite its narrative flaws and predictability, this movie excels as a cinematic experience. The movie's stunning aerial shots, thrilling stunts, and immersive sound design create an intense atmosphere. Watching it on a big screen with surround sound ensures an exhilarating and unforgettable ride.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)
Great action and cinematography
This movie, about John Wick who is on the run after killing a member of the international assassins' guild, is a good sequel to John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)!
The dialogues are still terrible, and some of the performances are mid. However, the movie is an improvement compared to its predecessors! It has more of what feels like an actual story, which automatically is more appealing. The action has a more dynamic touch, also considering the bullets feels more powerful this time. The camerawork and cinematography are handled even better with more movements and shaking and beautiful colors, making the action scenes have more depth and intensity. Except from its dialogues, the movie still struggles with some of its elements, like pacing and illogical stuff, but overall, this is definitely my best experience with the John Wick series so far!
This movie impresses with dynamic action and stunning cinematography. Despite weak dialogues and some mid performances, it offers a more engaging story and powerful action sequences. While pacing and logic issues persist, it remains the best experience in the John Wick series so far.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
Somewhat enjoyable, but feels superficial
This movie, about John Wick who discovers that a large bounty has been put on his life, is an okay sequel to John Wick (2014).
I like how the protagonist John Wick appear as an extremely dangerous man like in the movie's predecessor, where he is one man fighting like an whole army. In terms of technical aspects, the color grading is appealing as well as the score, and the cinematography is mostly good. To add, the stunts are great!
However, I think the movie struggles with much of the rest of its elements. The acting, including Keanu Reeves' (as John Wick), is mediocre, and the dialogues are terrible. The plot is a bit simple and thin despite being slightly better than John Wick, and the editing feels somewhat inconsistent. What disappoints me a bit is the action itself, especially the gunfire. Most of the movie consists of gunfire, but there is so much gunfire that it feels superficial - that the bullets does not feel powerful. Therefore, these shortcomings leave me with a mixed experience overall.
This movie is visually appealing with good cinematography and stunts. However, it suffers from mediocre acting, poor dialogues, and a thin plot. The excessive gunfire feels superficial, reducing the impact of the action. Overall, it provides a mixed experience, making it an okay but not outstanding sequel.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
Fun humor, but mediocre writing
This movie, about Eddie Brock who attempts to reignite his career by interviewing serial killer Cletus Kasady, is an okay sequel to Venom (2018).
The credit scene in the first movie hypes up Venom: Let There Be Carnage because it is a credit scene itself, and Woody Harrelson (as Cletus Kasady) usually play fun characters. Venom: Let There Be Carnage mostly maintains the same vibes and energy from its predecessor, and I think Venom is even funnier because of his childish behavior - his dark voice and extreme look just makes his relationship with the protagonist Eddie Brock absurd.
Unfortunately, the writing is the main element that makes the movie fall short. It forces the story to be predictable, hindering its engagement, and in addition, it follows a familiar pattern of similar movies. The antagonist Cletus Kasady has a potential, but he fails to be a worthy psycho villain, and the third act is as basic as it can be with its brutal but simple action and lack of surprises, leaving me with a mixed experience.
This movie is an entertaining sequel with fun humor and a familiar vibe. However, its mediocre writing makes the story predictable and less engaging. Despite Harrelson's potential as Cletus Kasady, the third act of the movie is basic and lacks surprises, resulting in a mixed viewing experience.
Venom (2018)
Fun and entertaining
This movie, about a failed reporter who is bonded to an alien entity, is a good kaiju movie!
It does take a few shortcuts with its narrative along some other narratively poor elements, and some of the visual effects are not perfect. Also, the reasons of the actions of the protagonist Carlton Drake is a bit simple and straightforward, and the movie lacks a bit of emotional engagement.
Anyway, the movie is still fun and entertaining! It has much action, the effects are mostly appealing, the sound editing is great, and despite that I was worried if Venom was getting an inappropriate personality, I am surprised that his soft spot works. Venom's soft spot hinders the movie to get too serious, which is a good thing, and that makes it more relaxing to watch the movie and enjoy it.
Despite its flaws, this is an entertaining kaiju movie. The action, appealing effects, and sound editing make it enjoyable. Venom's soft spot adds a lighthearted touch, preventing the movie from becoming too serious and enhancing its fun factor.
Cruella (2021)
Absolutely tremendous
This movie, about young grifter Estella who transforms herself into the raucous, revenge-bent Cruella de Vil, is a perfect adventure movie!
It is absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Almost every element is so good that the minor flaws are invisible. The plot is not exceptional itself, thinking about some movies that already have a similar plot, but it is about what you make out of it that matters - and it looks! The script impresses with its clever elements that hit the audience in so many different ways, letting the movie mainly represent a revengeful theme, but perfectly blends it with sadness, humor, and genious among others. The story has an amazing development and build-ups, and a couple of times, it tricks you to think that the movie is about to end, but it still continues to impress all the way while you get worried if it is going to get too long, containing unnecessities.
Speaking of its revengeful theme, I cannot love it enough. Yes, the protagonist Estella may be shifting to Cruella a bit abruptly despite having a somewhat good reason, but I do not care. She represents her yinyang in such a fantastic way where Estella is the shy and humiliated one, and Cruella the evil and angry. But they have one thing in common; passion. Not necessarily for fashion only, but the inner eagerness to prove themselves and leave a mark on the world. It fuels Estella's creativity and ambition while it ignites Cruella's rebellious and daring spirit. Their shared drive for recognition and success is what makes their transformation both compelling and believable.
The performances are brilliant, especially Emma Stone's (as Estella). She perfectly and masterfully fills her character, but not only Estella, but Cruella as well. The rest of the cast also impress with their parts, especially Emma Thompson (as the Baroness), but I would like to mention Tipper Seifert-Cleveland (as Estella (12 yrs)) with her outstanding performance as a remarkable establishment of Estella's past. This kind of backstory as an opening to a movie is typical to be mediocre, at least with my experience, but this one exceeded my expectations.
To get rid of the negative elements, I begin to say that I think the handheld camera technique is slightly jarring at times, but that is just slightly, and the use of CGI for the animals feels a bit flat, but in the end, they mean almost nothing. Howeber, the rest of the technical aspects amaze me. The cinematography and its color grading are immersive, the editing is on-point as well as the sound editing, and the score is just phenomenal, which I could listen to everyday. There is so much more to say, but I have said many things already.
In conclusion, this is a visually stunning and emotionally engaging movie that captivates from start to finish. Despite a familiar plot, the movie excels through its clever script, blending themes of revenge, humor, and sadness seamlessly. The transformation of Estella into Cruella is compelling, driven by a shared passion for recognition and success. Stone's performance is masterful, bringing depth to both Estella and Cruella, while the supporting cast, particularly Thompson and Seifert-Cleveland, also shine. Although minor technical flaws like the handheld camera technique and CGI for animals are present, they do not detract from the overall experience. The cinematography, editing, and phenomenal score of the movie contribute to its immersive quality. The movie stands out as a remarkable adventure movie, leaving a lasting impression with its brilliant execution and unforgettable characters.