Tag: movie

Movie Review

Movie Review: The French Dispatch (2021)

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At this point, it’s safe to say that Wes Anderson has become a very… interesting figure in the film community. While his films have all grown into critical and commercial successes the more his career has moved along, with The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2014 launching him into near-stardom, general opinion of him remains mixed – and for good reason. Anderson is one of the most unique film-makers working today, with an incredibly distinct style of film usually characterized by offbeat, quirky humour, somewhat dysfunctional characters, and particularly stunning visuals – all of which are either a blessing or a detriment depending on who you’re talking to. Nonetheless, it is nothing short of impressive that the man has been able to keep making such niche products and yet amassing a larger following with each new film he puts out. But is it possible for things to become too niche? Now that his new film is out, I’ll take the opportunity to answer the question: Has Wes Anderson finally lost it?

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Movie Review

Movie Review: Dune (2021)

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Let’s say, hypothetically, someone put a gun to your head and asked you to name one long-running science fiction film franchise. You’d probably answer with Star Wars (as would the majority of people), some small minority would say the Star Trek films., and… that’s kind of it. Despite how endearingly popular the sci-fi genre is in every type of media, there haven’t really been many long-lasting sci-fi film series at all – and since the Star Wars sequel trilogy wrapped up in 2019, there’s been nothing new to be interested in. But, a new challenger has entered the fray, and that challenger is Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, an adaptation of the 1965 novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. As someone who has read the novel and liked it well enough, I awaited this film with cautious optimism – and finally got to see it.

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Movie Review

Movie Review: No Time To Die (Spoiler-free!)

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Short disclaimer: Though this post contains no spoilers for the movie being reviewed, it will assume that you have watched or are at least familiar with the Daniel Craig-era Bond films, particularly Skyfall and Spectre.

Well, if there’s one thing that the film releases of 2021 have taught me, it’s that all good things must come to an end. This statement most definitely applies to Evangelion 3.0+1.0, the finale of the Rebuild of Evangelion series that I watched back in August (no review, sorry), and now applies to this film as well – which, to be honest, I had almost forgotten was meant to come out (I was still in that post-Evangelion 3.0+1.0 haze) until that October 1st release date snuck up on me like an serial killer to his unsuspecting victim, and I had to effectively speedrun my way through the Daniel Craig-era Bond films at the expense of my own sanity. At last, I finally got to see No Time To Die – the 25th entry in the film series and the last featuring Craig as the iconic British spy. So, whether you’re a newbie or a war-torn veteran of this series, I hope that you’ll be interested in whatever I have to say.

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Movie Review

Movie Review: Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

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When the DCEU’s first iteration of Wonder Woman was released 2017, for many, including myself, it was considered the first good (if not fairly decent) DCEU film adaptation of a classic superhero – and not only a classic superhero, but one that inspired generations of women and girls. Of course, a sequel was inevitable, and, after three long years and a global pandemic, it was finally released. So, how does it hold up?

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Movie Review

Movie Review: The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

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I’ll admit: I’m a fan of courtroom drama. The theatricals, the stakes, the tension… what’s not to love? There’s something about courtroom scenes in films and other media that really get me on the edge of my seat. However, it is rare that I watch a film (or other piece of media) where the main premise, cliffhanger, and selling point is courtroom drama. Especially when it involves a real-life story that I knew very little about… until now. I’ve watched plenty of great courtroom scenes (acted or otherwise) before: Can Aaron Sorkin’s latest film somehow surpass my expectations?

For the uninitiated: The Trial of the Chicago 7 is, as you can probably already tell, based on a true story. Beginning in 1969 and ending in 1970, the film follows the more-than-100 days long trial of eight (it is lowered to seven later, you’ll see) defendants, each belonging to a different societal or cultural movement, who have all been charged with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and several other misdemeanors regarding the 1968 anti-Vietnam War protests during that year’s Democratic National Convention. A seemingly innocuous trial of eight protestors unfolds, becoming one of America’s most publicized and controversial trials.

First things first: I was blown away by the sheer amount of talent displayed in this film – by talent, I mean both the actors that are displayed and the acting abilities that are shown. I knew little about the cast beforehand, so I was happily surprised when I saw the amount of very recognizable actors casted: Most notably, Sacha Baron Cohen as hippie Abbie Hoffman, Eddie Redmayne as student leader Tom Hayden, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as prosecutor Richard Schultz, amongst others. But don’t be fooled, these guys aren’t just around for recognition. Every major player is casted and played with pinpoint precision, so much so that you can almost see how this all played out in real-time. Hoffman (Baron Cohen), despite acting like an ostensibly ridiculous, careless hippie, is still given his moments of subtlety, while Schultz (Gordon-Levitt) and opposition prosecutor Kunstler (Mark Rylance) both skillfully play the role of government-servers caught between loyalty and justice with nuance. In short, every actor gives it their all, and by the end you’ll likely be left with many unique perspectives.

Of course, good performances ultimately mean nothing without good writing, and that’s where Aaron Sorkin comes in. Having learned that he’d begun working on the script more than a decade ago in 2007, I’m not surprised by how well the dialogue is written: It’s quippy when it has to be, serious when it has to be, and captures the personalities of every person involved with cleverness and wit. And I believe that it is this writing that managed to make a more than 2-hour long film that takes place almost entirely in a single courtroom pass by all the more quickly.

In conclusion, The Trial of the Chicago 7 may not have the most exciting premise for most people, it is still a well-acted, well-shot, and well-written piece of work that puts a much-needed spotlight on an important cultural and societal event in the history of American protests, 60s movements, and the quest for justice – the last of which is sorely needed today more than ever.

Final score: 10/10

Movie Review

Movie Review: Tenet (2020)

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Having seen Inception, and enjoyed it, it would be a lie to say I didn’t have high hopes for Tenet. After all, I enjoyed Dunkirk, Nolan’s prior film, when I saw it three years ago as well. Though I knew little of the plot of this film preceding my viewing of it, what I did know – entropy, time travel, and high stakes – seemed promising, and if anything, it looked to be Nolan’s most ambitious idea put to film yet, and that’s not a statement to be taken lightly. So, what did I think?

The plot is set into motion when the film’s main character, known only as ‘The Protagonist’ (John David Washington), is employed by a top-secret organization known as ‘Tenet’, who are using “inverted” entropy to prevent the outbreak of a possible World War III. After our protagonist tests a couple of ‘inverted’ bullets, he learns that said bullets were inverted by an infamous Russian arms dealer named Sator. To this end, he teams up with Neil (Robert Pattinson) to try and uncover the truth behind Sator’s operation and ensure the future of the human race once and for all.

First things first, I was pleasantly surprised by Washington’s performance, given that he definitely wasn’t as well-known compared to his co-stars. Though his character has no name or even any real backstory, Washington still delivers a great performance of charismatic character that we can all root for. Not to be outdone, Pattinson plays Neil with an undoubtedly equal level of charisma, and the interactions between the two protagonists is fun to watch. While I had some issues with the main ‘hook’ of the film, watching the characters move backwards through time was visually entertaining and definitely impressive, given Nolan’s aversion to CGI, as were the action sequences, which utilized both the actors and vehicles around them in unique ways.

However (and I think this is an opinion shared by many), my enjoyment of Tenet differed from my enjoyment of Inception when the plot started really kicking in. If you couldn’t already tell, the film delves into a lot of difficult concepts, such as entropy & inverted time, and believe me, it does not take either of these concepts lightly. Unlike Inception, where the ideas were still somewhat vague, almost every scene that isn’t an action sequence in Tenet is filled with exposition explaining said concepts, and it can definitely be quite mind-draining at times. Moreover, I found difficulties in enjoying Sator as a villain, since I personally dislike the “homicidal Russian arms-dealer” trope; that, and Branagh’s Russian accent was laughable.

However, despite the obvious reservations with this film, I didn’t dislike it. While at first I was annoyed that the plot wasn’t as well-explained or put-together as it should’ve been, I enjoyed it a lot more when I didn’t try to analyze too much and simply went along for the ride. If you are going to watch Tenet, just keep this in mind: Don’t stress too much, just enjoy it as much as you can.

Final score: 7/10

Movie Review

Movie Review: Inception (10th Anniversary Edition)

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I’m going to be real for a second: I’ve never seen Inception, partly because I wasn’t really ‘into’ film at the time and also because I was, like, eight years old. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t know about Inception; at this point, I don’t think there’s anyone that hasn’t. I knew it was the favourite film of a lot of people, that it had a really dope fight scene in a hotel, and that it single-handedly popularized the use of the DUNNN sound effect you hear in basically every trailer ever these days. So, when it was announced that Inception would be re-released in theatres as a celebration of its tenth anniversary and to promote Nolan’s new film Tenet, I knew this was my chance to actually watch the film that has been talked about non-stop for a decade.

So, what even is Inception about? Described in the least complicated way possible, the story follows Cobb (DiCaprio) and his partner Arthur (Gordon-Levitt), who work as spies… of a sort. In short, they use experimental technology to infiltrate and manipulate the subconscious and extract information through dreams. On one mission, their target, Saito (Watanabe), offers the two a seemingly impossible task: placing an idea in an already subconscious mind. In exchange for convincing the son of a rich man to dissolve his father’s company, Saito promises to also dissolve Cobb’s status as a criminal. Taking on the offer, Cobb assembles a team of experts, including Ariadne (Page), a somewhat naïve but talented architecture student. But the team of six are up against the clock, and it will require more than just luck to make the impossible possible.

First things first, I can definitely see why this film is upheld as a classic of modern cinema. Not only does it present a unique idea (well, for the time at least), but it is able to combine this idea with a tight script and good film-making, something that most ‘unique’ films today lack. The characters, while not the most in-depth, offer no shortage of entertaining quirks and talents, and every actor present gives it their all. The score, composed by Hans Zimmer, is tailored to every scene, and the action sequences are nothing short of impressive; you can tell how much work went into them and I’m surprised at how well they hold up 10 years later. Watching this film on the big screen was definitely an experience!

When you’ve got a film as well put-together as one directed by Chris Nolan, it’s difficult to find a fault. If anything, a scene in the film where the team stake out a fortified mountain base, aside from reminding me of Metal Gear Solid, goes on for a little too long and is rather boring to look at compared to the colorful scenes seen previously. Furthermore, as you may have already guessed from my plot description, it is not a film most people can walk away from understanding everything that happened. It definitely requires rewatches, that’s for sure.

But my complains are merely small potatoes compared to the full-course meal that is Inception – an intriguing story, all-star cast, and never-ending excitement. Though some may argue that it is ‘overrated’, I personally believe that it is ultimately deserving of its spot as a modern classic, if all those imitations of it haven’t already proved that. Now, off to watch Tenet!

Final score: 9.5/10

Movie Review

Movie Review: Little Women (2019)

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It’s safe to say that Little Women is not only one of the most iconic novels of all time, but it’s also one of the most popular go-to’s when it comes to adapting a novel for the silver screen. With film adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s classic going back as far as 1917 (though, sadly, this adaptation is now considered lost), it is only fact that each generation has their own version of the famous book. It is also a piece that becomes more relevant with the passage of time, and it was clear that yet another film should be added to the collection. So enters 2019 Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig, a filmmaker with more than her fair share of praise as of recently. But does it live up to that praise?

Although I think most people probably already know the general plot of Little Women, I’ll try and recap it quickly. The story centers around the four sisters of the March household: the oldest, graceful Meg, spunky tomboy Jo, quiet Beth, and the youngest, the artistic but bratty Amy. Unbeknown to these four girls, their lives are about to change – be it because of romance, secret ambitions, or heartbreak. Chronicling their lives from adolescence to adulthood, the film follows the inseparable four as they live, laugh, cry, and struggle together through the challenges and hardships of life.

Right off the bat, one thing that immediately sets this film apart from the rest is its use of structure and pacing. Instead of simply following the story by-the-book, that is to say starting from when the four are all teenagers and ending when they’re all adults in a linear fashion, Gerwig employs interesting techniques that involve the plot cutting back and forth between different time periods in their lives, all the while making it rather easy to follow (at least, I thought so) and not boring. It’s also clear that Gerwig has definitely learned a lot about cinematography and shot composition since her previous film, Lady Bird. This film is simply gorgeous to look at. Another aspect of this production that blew me away is the amount of acting talent involved (as I wrote this, I found out that Laura Dern, who plays the girls’ mother Marmie, won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, which is very much well-deserved!) from everyone involved. I was especially surprised by Timothée Chalamet as Laurie, who I felt was really playing a character, not just playing himself. Of course, it would all be empty without Alexandre Desplat’s charming score, which makes the film’s quiet scenes speak the loudest.

Although this is normally the part where I list my dislikes, I find it very hard to think of any particular gripe I had regarding this film. Yes, not everything in the book is present in the film, but all that mattered to me was that the important ones were. Yes, not every sister gets an equal amount of screentime, but all the actresses did the best they could regardless, and Saoirse Ronan as Jo is such a good performance that it doesn’t really matter if the focus is mostly on her.

Overall, compared the previous film disaster I reviewed, The Rise of Skywalker, Greta Grewig’s Little Women is a breath of fresh air. When you combine a rapidly-improving director with a talented cast, beautiful cinematography, and a tight script, you get a once-in-a-lifetime cinema experience. Whether you’re a fan of the book or not, this is certainly one film you wouldn’t want to miss.

Final score: 9/10

Top Lists

Top Lists: My 5 Favourite Films of 2019

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It’s that time of the year again, folks. As I did last year, I will be ranking my 5 favourite films of 2019 (in no particular order), just like every other person that calls themselves a ‘film critic’ is doing. This list was a little difficult to make, mainly because I think there are a few films that I would likely put here (such as The Aeronauts or Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women) – except for the fact that none of the cinemas around me are showing them and they’ll probably be released too late into the year to make this list, but nonetheless, this will have to do. (Please note that these are my own opinions!) 

5. Burning (dir. Lee Chang-dong) 

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I’ll be real with you guys for a minute: I only watched this film because it was an adaptation of a Murakami novel. But it’s definitely a lot more than that: it’s a character study, a murder mystery, and a psychological thriller in one. Combined with great performances from all the actors and an equally as great soundtrack by Mowg, this film both meets and subverts expectations. I don’t know if Murakami watches the adaptations of his films, but I think he’d be proud.

4. If Beale Street Could Talk (dir. Barry Jenkins)

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It’s rare that I watch a romance film and even rarer that I recommend one, but this is most definitely an exception. Based on a novel of the same name and directed by the acclaimed Barry Jenkins, this story follows New York couple Tish and Fonny, whose lives are flipped upside-down when the former is arrested for a crime his family is certain he didn’t commit. Amidst tested relationship and a chase to prove his innocence is a fantastic love story, punctuated by great drama, heartfelt moments, and superb acting by every cast member (especially Regina King, who won Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars). A must-watch whether you like romance or not.

3. Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel II. lost butterfly (dir. Tomonori Sudou)

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Despite the picture you’re seeing right now, lost butterfly is not some typical romance story. It’s not even a romance story.. not really. The second installment in Type-moon and Ufotable’s adaptation of Fate/stay Night’s third route is definitely a spectacle. While the first movie did a great job at establishing the characters and tone of the visual novel’s darkest and bleakest story, lost butterfly builds on that greatness and cranks it up to eleven. Of course, ufotable‘s animation gets better with each passing movie, and the talented voice cast give it their all. Although the Fate franchise is difficult to get into, this movie certainly shows what has the power to be. Perhaps the third and final movie will be on next year’s list?

2. Children of the Sea (dir. Eiko Tanaka)

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It’s not an end-of-year list unless it includes two animated movies, is it? Set on one fateful summer vacation, Ruka becomes unexpectedly intertwined in the lives of two boys, Umi and Sora, whose connections to the water contains astonishing secrets. While the three get closer, a strange occurrence is discovered: ocean life is disappearing. With her two new friends in tow, Ruka sets out to fix this problem. Based on a popular manga, this movie is no slacker in adaptation. Consisting of beautiful animation, likeable characters, and a wonderful atmosphere, this is one coming-of-age story I’ll never forget.

1. Avengers: Endgame (dir. Anthony & Joe Russo)

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Has it really been more than a year since Infinity War came out? It’s felt like so long since I put it on last year’s list. As it turns out, the hype for this film totally paid off, both literally and figuratively. Despite its moments of comic book silliness and drama, Endgame improves upon its predecessor in almost all aspects, including epicness. Not only is this an entertaining experience for Marvel fans, but for the general public as well – you can’t really say that for a lot of superhero movies. That’s an achievement in and of itself. It’s safe to say that people will still be talking about this spectacle for years to come, mark my words!

Anime Review

Anime Review: I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

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Before anyone asks: Yes, that’s the actual title of this film. I know. It’s a weird and silly enough title to turn one completely off on watching it. At first, I was only willing to give it a passing a glance and go “Huh, that’s anime for you” and never touch it again. However, having seen one of my acquaintances watch it and highly enjoy it, I decided to save it for a rainy day and hopefully get around it at some point. As you can clearly tell, I did get around to watching it; otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this review. But before we get into it, what’s this even about?

Directed by Shin’ichiro Ushijima and adapted from a former web-novel of the same name by Yoru Sumino, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (Kimi no Suizō o Tabetai in Japanese) follows the life of a introverted and reclusive high school boy (who makes it a point never to say people’s names out loud or reveal his own) and his accidental meeting with Sakura Yamauchi, a bright and peppy girl in his class (also his disinterested library assistant). This boy-meets-girl story is twisted upside-down when he realizes that Sakura has terminal pancreatic cancer – and he’s the only person outside her immediate family who knows. Not wanting to waste a moment, Sakura immediately invites him to be her “partner” in her bucket list escapades, to which he hesitantly agrees – but will he be able to stay by her side until the end?

I’m personally not the biggest fan of the whole “sickness romance” genre, and the last I remember consuming of it was when I read The Fault in Our Stars all those years ago. However, this film is surprisingly interesting and subversive in that sense. The relationship between our MC and Sakura is slowly but carefully built up, and it never tries to be too dramatic or melancholic. Sakura herself isn’t all moody about her condition either, and her excitement in crossing items of her bucket list is well-matched with the more down-to-earth MC, who always reminds her of the reality but is never overbearing or annoying about it. This ying-yang pair influence each other in various ways throughout the almost two-hour long film, and their influences can be understood. The animation, although not anything overly special or bombastic, remains consistent throughout, and there are a a few scenes that stand out as being especially beautiful.

Despite this praise, there’s more things that may annoy one about this film other than the oddball title. If the almost two-hour runtime doesn’t already make you bored, it should go without saying that the first third or so is quite slow-paced, and it takes a while before the MC is able to break out of his book-covered shell and get the ball rolling. Moreover, there’s a few extended scenes that consist of little more that characters contemplating in either silence or with soft piano music playing in the background (great soundtrack, by the way) that may leave more than a few people spiritless. However, if you’re willing to stick through these minor issues, it’s an ultimately rewarding experience.

In a way, this film is less about coming to terms with dying but more about coming to terms with living and what that all means. Even though you may not understand it or where its all going at first, everything will make sense in the end. And who knows, you may even have a changed perspective on life!

Final score: 8/10