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Movie Review

Review: Benediction

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Although more than a hundred years have passed since its inception, the world has never truly forgotten how much the First World War changed virtually every aspect of modern society – and the arts was no exception. The war gave birth to a whole new generation of ‘war poets’, with a few among them, such as Wilfred Owens and Robert Graves, having since become the most recognizable. However, there are very few quite as illustrious as Siegfried Sassoon, the focal character of the latest film from Terence Davies: Benediction. 

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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: 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!

Movie Review

Movie Review: Star Wars – The Rise of Skywalker (Spoiler-free!)

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So, it finally happened. Six years, two (canon) movies, two (spin-off) movies, and millions of dollars have led to this very moment. Thousands of hours have been spent planning the ending to this grand saga, one that, six years ago, hadn’t been seen for over a decade in the Star Wars universe. It’s definitely been a wild ride, with epic highs and lows (see: The Last Jedi) and leaps and bounds. All that being said, now that it’s finally over, how was it really?

First off, I’d like to say: wow, this movie is not kind to people who have epilepsy. My goodness. Watch at your own risk; my eyes still hurt. By now, I assume you all have a general idea of how the plot will go: Emperor Palpatine (yes, that Palpatine) is back, so buckle up. Rey is growing stronger, but she still is afraid of who she really is. Kylo Ren’s loyalty to the dark side is being tested by the minute, and the Resistance is ready to take a final stand. Amongst tested loyalties and uncertainty, which side will emerge victorious?

Let’s start by listing what I liked about this movie. It’s visually stunning, whether you watch it in 3D or not. The action scenes are intense (if not a bit too fast-paced) and some of the cinematography is downright stunning, which sounds weird when talking about a movie where people fight with giant glowsticks, but it is true. Our main three have some great interactions with one another, which is certainly more than I can say for The Last Jedi, where the main trio was separated for most of the film. Aside from our main trio, the other cast members do a good job as well, with Adam Driver definitely being my favourite new actor from this trilogy. Whether you like Kylo’s ending or not, you have to admit that he’s giving it his all. For old-timey and hardcore fans, there’s plenty of fanservice and cameos, which you will likely enjoy if you’re into that stuff. Overall, there is a lot going on in this movie, but that’s where my problems with it begin.

Due to (I think) the mainly negative response fans had to The Last Jedi, this film feels like JJ Abrams and co. were rushing to undo it by doing pretty much the opposite of what TLJ at least tried to do differently. In short, there’s a bit too much of what hardcore fans like – returning characters, old settings, and epic space battles. Moreover, because the previous story was a bit slow in its plot, this film is trying to cram everything of what I just mentioned above and more into a two-hour and a half runtime. New settings, characters, and plot devices are introduced every moment, and the editing department is trying to finish this story so quickly that you rarely ever get time to breathe before you’re shown the next plot point or chase scene. Aside from a few quiet moments of reflection here and there, the whole film is more or less like this, which left me very confused as to what I was actually supposed to focus on. Personally, although TLJ left me feeling quite conflicted as to how this trilogy would end, it was hard for me to dislike something that honest and ambitious. With this movie, although it doesn’t have the same low points as TLJ, it never hits the same high points as TFA, leaving it feeling bland and watery.

In conclusion: Rise of Skywalker isn’t as terrible as some people make it out to be. On the whole, it’s a serviceable conclusion to this trilogy, and regarding fanboys, there’s a lot for them to enjoy. However, despite the team’s best efforts, its oversaturation of fanservice, action, and story beats leave it feeling lackluster, and I doubt that, ten years from now, people will look back on this finale as fondly as they’ll look back on, say, Avengers: Endgame.

Final score: 6.5/10

Movie Review

Movie Review – Spider-Man: Far From Home

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After pretty much everyone on the planet saw Endgame and put in their two cents regarding the franchise’s biggest blockbuster (including myself), questions began turning to the next anticipated Marvel release – the sequel to the first film that really introduced Tom Holland as Spiderman – Far From Home. Once fans and the general populace heard that it would be set after the events of Endgame, questions turned to speculation and theories. After the incredible epic that was Endgame, how would other films in the MCU even compare? What could possibly be a bigger threat than Thanos? Could Peter Parker of all heroes pick up the pace?

But not too fast. What exactly happens in Marvel’s next film after their biggest and boldest hit yet? As it turns out, it’s quite simple. Peter Parker, still recovering after the effects of  Thanos snap and dealing with average high school problems, is excited about the class trip to Europe – finally a chance to relax, hang out with his friends, and who knows, maybe even confess to MJ! However, his plans are thwarted when mysterious beings known as Elementals start showing up all over the world and causing mass destruction… even his school trip becomes a target! Nick Fury and other agents fully trust Peter to deal with the issue, but he’s conflicted – with great power comes great responsibility after all. Things are made more complicated when an empathetic hero called Misterio offers to work with him and is even willing to understand Peter’s issues. But is Peter ready to leave his ‘friendly neighborhood Spider-Man’ persona behind?

To start off, one thing that I’m glad this movie addresses is the effects of people coming back from the ‘blip’ on society (i.e people being made homeless because of the ‘blip’ and some coming back the same age but with previously younger family members now being older than them) and the mental toll of both the snap and the loss of his father figure Tony Stark have on Peter. I personally feel like Far From Home handles Peter’s mental state and conflicting emotions very well, and it’s easy to both sympathize and emphasize with him – we’ve all had to deal with choosing between our responsibilities and what we really want. Moreover, we can understand why Peter doesn’t exactly want to be involved in all this Avenger stuff, since at the end of the day he’s just a friendly high school kid in a spider-themed mask who can do cool backflips. Tom Holland’s portrayal of the character gets better with every new release, and even the members of the supporting cast get their own moments to shine. Because this is a Spider-Man movie and by law it should be light-hearted in tone, it is filled to the brim with hilarious jokes and gags, but it still takes the time to let the hard-hitting scenes pack a punch.

Despite this film having come out after the very well-received Endgame and thus some were expecting it to be a letdown in comparison, it is pretty good. But it does have some issues. While I will admit that the visual effects and CGI in Marvel films are improving all the time (and this movie is no exception) and are cool to look at, this one in particular has a ton of action sequences and big epic battles that go on for a long time and leave you wondering when there’s going to be a scene that won’t make your eyes hurt. Also, some characters have returned from the snap with their personalities changed – for example, Nick Fury and the new agents of S.H.I.E.L.D as a whole don’t command as much authority as they used to and Fury is more of a comedic relief than anything (though he still has moments of awesome). Oh, and Misterio’s costume is so ugly it makes my eyes bleed.

In conclusion, Spider-Man: Far From Home is certainly no Endgame, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you don’t mind a teen high school comedy mixed in with your superhero fare, Far From Home is a surprisingly thematic and engaging film, with plenty of hilarity and fun times along the way. As the first movie to set the stage for the next phase of the MCU, it’ll be interesting to see where this franchise is headed next.

Final score: 7.5/10