Movie Reviews
IT: Chapter Two
IT: Chapter Two is the second installation in the sequology. The first movie followed a group of friends in the fictional town of Derry, Maine, as they had to work to defeat the supernatural clown known as Pennywise. In the second film, Pennywise has returned 27 years later and the “Losers” must reunite to beat the evil clown once and for all.
Despite all of the flack it gets, the second movie does a lot right in my opinion. The story is still very strong and stays true to the novel in many ways. Despite it needing to be cut short due to the long length of the book, the movie still keeps what it thinks is essential and cuts away what they think isn’t. The characters are as strong as ever. They still have all of the same charm from the first movie, and the adults casted resemble the kids to a tee.
Though the movie does a lot right in my opinion, it also most definitely has it flaws. The pacing is often slow, and it lacks in the departments of scares compared to the first film. You often find the characters on their own, and you know that it is when the scares are going to take place. They use the same horror template and often rely too heavily on jump-scares. Although using jumpscares isn’t always bad, it can become a burden on the story when the audience knows exactly what’s coming. As well as its often boring scares, the movie fails to find the same charm as the first. In the novel, the material as the characters were kids was always the superior literature. In this, the film crew really put themselves in a bad spot when splitting the movies up chronologically rather than having the plots switch back and forth throughout.
In the end, although IT: Chapter 2 isn’t the perfect sequel, it does its job adequately. Even if it struggles in terms of horror at times, it still stays true and concludes what everyone really loved about the first film: the characters.
Despite all of the flack it gets, the second movie does a lot right in my opinion. The story is still very strong and stays true to the novel in many ways. Despite it needing to be cut short due to the long length of the book, the movie still keeps what it thinks is essential and cuts away what they think isn’t. The characters are as strong as ever. They still have all of the same charm from the first movie, and the adults casted resemble the kids to a tee.
Though the movie does a lot right in my opinion, it also most definitely has it flaws. The pacing is often slow, and it lacks in the departments of scares compared to the first film. You often find the characters on their own, and you know that it is when the scares are going to take place. They use the same horror template and often rely too heavily on jump-scares. Although using jumpscares isn’t always bad, it can become a burden on the story when the audience knows exactly what’s coming. As well as its often boring scares, the movie fails to find the same charm as the first. In the novel, the material as the characters were kids was always the superior literature. In this, the film crew really put themselves in a bad spot when splitting the movies up chronologically rather than having the plots switch back and forth throughout.
In the end, although IT: Chapter 2 isn’t the perfect sequel, it does its job adequately. Even if it struggles in terms of horror at times, it still stays true and concludes what everyone really loved about the first film: the characters.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is Quentin Tarantino’s 9th directorial outing. This film follows the story of Western star Rick Dalton and his stuntman/best friend, Cliff Booth. The movie takes place in the quickly changing world of the 1960s. As Dalton and Cliff try to figure out where their lives are meant to go, Sharon Tate rises to stardom and is stalked by the Manson cult as they plan to murder her.
Praised for its creative characters and exciting concepts, Hollywood is considered one of Tarantino’s most ambitious projects to date. The environment Tarantino is able to immerse audiences in is nothing less than mesmerizing, and despite the flaws this film has, the setting and characters he incorporates seems to trump most, if not all of the flaws. Rick Dalton is an insecure and engaging character whose emotional spiral is a joy to watch throughout the film. Cliff Boothe, on the other hand, is one of the most original and creative characters of the year. He’s a classic Tarantino character, and a great one at that.
While most of the characters in this film are well-rounded and well-developed, that doesn’t go for all of them. Margot Robbie’s character, Sharon Tate, one of the three protagonists, but unlike Boothe and Dalton, has a very flat and unamusing character in my opinion. Most of her scenes seemed convoluted and non meaningful. While she is a key point of the world the characters are living in, she doesn’t seem to keep up with the pace the rest of the film is able to create. As well as Sharon Tate, the story also has a pacing issue. Being 3 hours long, it’s hard for any film besides Endgame to stay engaging throughout the entirety of its run. There are some scenes that feel like some of the fat could be cut out, and some scenes that feel like they don’t even need to be there at all.
Despite all of its flaws, the movie’s highlights greatly trump the former. Although it suffers from a long runtime, the fun characters and the flashy environment continually make up for the film’s downfalls. With a stellar cast with names Like Pitt, DiCaprio, and Robbie, it’s hard to go wrong, especially with Tarantino at the helm of it all.
Praised for its creative characters and exciting concepts, Hollywood is considered one of Tarantino’s most ambitious projects to date. The environment Tarantino is able to immerse audiences in is nothing less than mesmerizing, and despite the flaws this film has, the setting and characters he incorporates seems to trump most, if not all of the flaws. Rick Dalton is an insecure and engaging character whose emotional spiral is a joy to watch throughout the film. Cliff Boothe, on the other hand, is one of the most original and creative characters of the year. He’s a classic Tarantino character, and a great one at that.
While most of the characters in this film are well-rounded and well-developed, that doesn’t go for all of them. Margot Robbie’s character, Sharon Tate, one of the three protagonists, but unlike Boothe and Dalton, has a very flat and unamusing character in my opinion. Most of her scenes seemed convoluted and non meaningful. While she is a key point of the world the characters are living in, she doesn’t seem to keep up with the pace the rest of the film is able to create. As well as Sharon Tate, the story also has a pacing issue. Being 3 hours long, it’s hard for any film besides Endgame to stay engaging throughout the entirety of its run. There are some scenes that feel like some of the fat could be cut out, and some scenes that feel like they don’t even need to be there at all.
Despite all of its flaws, the movie’s highlights greatly trump the former. Although it suffers from a long runtime, the fun characters and the flashy environment continually make up for the film’s downfalls. With a stellar cast with names Like Pitt, DiCaprio, and Robbie, it’s hard to go wrong, especially with Tarantino at the helm of it all.
Joker
Joker is a masterpiece. It follows the story of an introverted street clown named Arthur Fleck. Living in the poverty-ridden city that is Arkham, Arthur often finds himself being the butt of society. Due to this as well as several other factors, Arthur’s life spirals into one joke he’s convinced the world around him just wouldn’t get.
This movie does so much right. The actors, to begin with, are phenomenal. Joaquin Phoenix is the perfect fit for this character, and he can embody the energy of the character he’s playing beautifully. Robert De Niro plays the talk show host Franklin Murray. He’s incredibly charismatic and adds a comedic palate cleanser of a character compared to Phoenix’s dark and solemn Arthur Fleck. The film’s cinematography is also incredibly full of flare. Along with all of these factors including the score, including several songs from Frank Sinatra, Todd Phillips creates a standout film in an era where comic book films can often seem uninspired and oversaturated.
This film has my heart in so many ways, but I am still in the belief that no movie is without flaws. A critique that many have had with this film is that it takes away from all of the mystery that surrounds the comic book icon. Since his origins in the comics, Joker has never gotten a definitive backstory of his own, and because of the film. Because of this interpretation of the character, many fans feel as if this character is missing a big part of who he is. Despite this critique, I feel as if the wonderfully-tied together backstory makes up for the character drifting from his source material.
Although Joker isn’t a perfect film, it’s pretty close to it in my eyes. It doesn’t run too long and it tells a cohesive and moving story that is often overlooked in society today. All of the things this film does right makes for an exciting watch that keeps you thinking long after the film is over. Joker isn’t without its problems, but I believe it sets a new standard for the future of comic book movies, and that’s more than enough to ask for in this day and age.
This movie does so much right. The actors, to begin with, are phenomenal. Joaquin Phoenix is the perfect fit for this character, and he can embody the energy of the character he’s playing beautifully. Robert De Niro plays the talk show host Franklin Murray. He’s incredibly charismatic and adds a comedic palate cleanser of a character compared to Phoenix’s dark and solemn Arthur Fleck. The film’s cinematography is also incredibly full of flare. Along with all of these factors including the score, including several songs from Frank Sinatra, Todd Phillips creates a standout film in an era where comic book films can often seem uninspired and oversaturated.
This film has my heart in so many ways, but I am still in the belief that no movie is without flaws. A critique that many have had with this film is that it takes away from all of the mystery that surrounds the comic book icon. Since his origins in the comics, Joker has never gotten a definitive backstory of his own, and because of the film. Because of this interpretation of the character, many fans feel as if this character is missing a big part of who he is. Despite this critique, I feel as if the wonderfully-tied together backstory makes up for the character drifting from his source material.
Although Joker isn’t a perfect film, it’s pretty close to it in my eyes. It doesn’t run too long and it tells a cohesive and moving story that is often overlooked in society today. All of the things this film does right makes for an exciting watch that keeps you thinking long after the film is over. Joker isn’t without its problems, but I believe it sets a new standard for the future of comic book movies, and that’s more than enough to ask for in this day and age.
The Mandalorian: Chapter I
This week I’m gonna be mixing it up in honor of Disney Plus releasing. Instead of a movie, I’ll be reviewing a show this week. The Mandalorian released along with Disney Plus on November 12th and it’s pretty great. I’m a big Star Wars fan and the show has a lot to offer in terms of expanding the universe and the story it has to tell.
The Mandalorian sets the scene and tone of the show beautifully. It takes place post-fall of the Empire and from the beginning it’s clear the structure of the universe is in shambles. The story is very action-based and has very minimal dialogue as of the first episode. Some fans believed that the protagonist would be completely dialogue-free, but he does indeed speak throughout the episode. The first episode is a great introduction into what the show is heading towards, and introduces a lot of new lore to the Star Wars universe that hasn’t been explored, but still seems to respect the original vision Geroge Lucas had. As always, there’s a wide array of unique and original aliens, and much of them are actually puppet-based in comparison to the overuse of CGI we’ve seen in recent years. The general tone of the show feels like a space western with a flare. This blog is spoiler-free, but I would like to mention that the end of the first episode will most definitely an incredibly large impact on the Star Wars universe as we know it.
There weren’t many problems with this first episode, but it wasn’t perfect. The pacing of the episode felt slow and meaningless at times during the first act, but picks up quickly once the main plot narrative is introduced.
Although The Mandalorian only has one episode released as I’m writing this blog, I think it has a lot of potential. It looks like it’s going to introduce a new perspective into the Star Wars canon and hopefully it will tie into the final movie in the Star Wars saga. Jon Faverau is doing something very right with this show, and I’m beyond excited to see what’s to come.
The Mandalorian sets the scene and tone of the show beautifully. It takes place post-fall of the Empire and from the beginning it’s clear the structure of the universe is in shambles. The story is very action-based and has very minimal dialogue as of the first episode. Some fans believed that the protagonist would be completely dialogue-free, but he does indeed speak throughout the episode. The first episode is a great introduction into what the show is heading towards, and introduces a lot of new lore to the Star Wars universe that hasn’t been explored, but still seems to respect the original vision Geroge Lucas had. As always, there’s a wide array of unique and original aliens, and much of them are actually puppet-based in comparison to the overuse of CGI we’ve seen in recent years. The general tone of the show feels like a space western with a flare. This blog is spoiler-free, but I would like to mention that the end of the first episode will most definitely an incredibly large impact on the Star Wars universe as we know it.
There weren’t many problems with this first episode, but it wasn’t perfect. The pacing of the episode felt slow and meaningless at times during the first act, but picks up quickly once the main plot narrative is introduced.
Although The Mandalorian only has one episode released as I’m writing this blog, I think it has a lot of potential. It looks like it’s going to introduce a new perspective into the Star Wars canon and hopefully it will tie into the final movie in the Star Wars saga. Jon Faverau is doing something very right with this show, and I’m beyond excited to see what’s to come.
The Jungle Book (2016)
The movie I’m going to be reviewing today is The Jungle Book (2016). The film is a remake of the classic Disney animated film from the company’s golden age. It follows the story of a young boy named Mowgli who is raised by monkeys and is one with the jungle. Once he meets an unlikely friend, a bear named Baloo, he goes on the adventure of a lifetime to discover whether or not he belongs in the jungle with his family or with his species.
For being a live action remake, this one does a lot I like. I usually am not a huge fan of the live action Disney remakes, but compared to the newer ones being made, this one has a lot of heart put into it. The CGI is absolutely breathtaking and does a lot to give character to the animated animal. The child who plays Mowgli does a great job of emoting, especially with character who aren’t even really there around him. The score in the film is absolutely delightful and helps move the tone and the story along at multiple points. Overall, the film does a lot right when it comes to the most important factors, and because of that the movie does a great job delivering a fun time that audiences are sure to enjoy.
Although this movie has an abundance of positives for it’s genre as a live-action remake, it does have its faults as any movie does. Because of the nature of the film, it loses a lot of the charm that the animated version had. A lot of characterization and dramatic expression is lost in transition to the CGI animals. This film also strays from the original’s plot to a decent extent, and because of this it seems at times that the film doesn’t know exactly where it’s going throughout.
The Jungle Book (2016) is a general delight. Although it suffers from minor flaws throughout, it still finds a way to shine in it’s own way. Though Disney has struggled with recent films to find a way to add new charm and heart to their live action CGI films, The Jungle Book (2016) pioneered the trend and did it much better than the films that followed it. With a culmination of the voice, the score, and the lively animation, The Jungle Book is a joy for new and old fans alike.
For being a live action remake, this one does a lot I like. I usually am not a huge fan of the live action Disney remakes, but compared to the newer ones being made, this one has a lot of heart put into it. The CGI is absolutely breathtaking and does a lot to give character to the animated animal. The child who plays Mowgli does a great job of emoting, especially with character who aren’t even really there around him. The score in the film is absolutely delightful and helps move the tone and the story along at multiple points. Overall, the film does a lot right when it comes to the most important factors, and because of that the movie does a great job delivering a fun time that audiences are sure to enjoy.
Although this movie has an abundance of positives for it’s genre as a live-action remake, it does have its faults as any movie does. Because of the nature of the film, it loses a lot of the charm that the animated version had. A lot of characterization and dramatic expression is lost in transition to the CGI animals. This film also strays from the original’s plot to a decent extent, and because of this it seems at times that the film doesn’t know exactly where it’s going throughout.
The Jungle Book (2016) is a general delight. Although it suffers from minor flaws throughout, it still finds a way to shine in it’s own way. Though Disney has struggled with recent films to find a way to add new charm and heart to their live action CGI films, The Jungle Book (2016) pioneered the trend and did it much better than the films that followed it. With a culmination of the voice, the score, and the lively animation, The Jungle Book is a joy for new and old fans alike.
The Red Tide
The movie I watched this week is one that some may call an indie endeavor. The movie Red Tide is a film that was recommended to me by my good friend, Genaro. It follows the story of Barack Obama and Donald Trump attempting to clone themselves with the goal to avoid assassination attempts. It goes wrong, though, and their races are switched as well as their beliefs. These clones escape and become communists. When learning of this, the original Donald Trump and Barack Obama must come together to fight what’s right, despite their differences.
This film was beyond a splash of surprise to me. It’s animation style was abstract yet still digestible and understandable. It had a lot of very divisive topics within the film’s span that the writing was able to make enjoyable. Not only that, though, but it also makes you question your belief system. In a way that can’t be described as anything but funny, heartwarming, and thought provoking, The Red Tide speaks to audiences in a new and unique way that hasn’t been explored much in recent years. Surprisingly enough, this movie was one that Genaro sent me on a social media website, so its positives definitely surpassed my expectations in that regard.
In terms of negatives for this movie, it was mostly just in terms of production quality. I did state it was an indie movie, though, so that is expected. The animation style is choppy during some of the high filled scenes and can feel underwhelming during some of the more high-paced action sequences. As well as animation issues, the film lacks a fitting score to fill the scenes, but this could be due to the nature of the film’s abstract tone and approach. The only other real critique I had with the film was its lack of a satisfying ending, but I think the reason for that is they’re leading up to a potential sequel.
In conclusion, The Red Tide is something I can’t describe as anything but a pleasant surprise. For being a funny and jovial as it is, the film packs a surprisingly hard punch at audiences that leaves them thinking long after watching. Though I can’t say I would love to see a movie like this one in theaters, I can sure say I had a darn good time watching it.
This film was beyond a splash of surprise to me. It’s animation style was abstract yet still digestible and understandable. It had a lot of very divisive topics within the film’s span that the writing was able to make enjoyable. Not only that, though, but it also makes you question your belief system. In a way that can’t be described as anything but funny, heartwarming, and thought provoking, The Red Tide speaks to audiences in a new and unique way that hasn’t been explored much in recent years. Surprisingly enough, this movie was one that Genaro sent me on a social media website, so its positives definitely surpassed my expectations in that regard.
In terms of negatives for this movie, it was mostly just in terms of production quality. I did state it was an indie movie, though, so that is expected. The animation style is choppy during some of the high filled scenes and can feel underwhelming during some of the more high-paced action sequences. As well as animation issues, the film lacks a fitting score to fill the scenes, but this could be due to the nature of the film’s abstract tone and approach. The only other real critique I had with the film was its lack of a satisfying ending, but I think the reason for that is they’re leading up to a potential sequel.
In conclusion, The Red Tide is something I can’t describe as anything but a pleasant surprise. For being a funny and jovial as it is, the film packs a surprisingly hard punch at audiences that leaves them thinking long after watching. Though I can’t say I would love to see a movie like this one in theaters, I can sure say I had a darn good time watching it.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
This week’s movie review is one that I’ve been excited to review since I got to see in late December. Today we’re going to be talking about The Rise of Skywalker. This movie is a lot to unload just because of how much impact this film has on the Star Wars franchise going forward. For this reason, rather than being separated by the goods, the bads, and a final conclusion, this review will be in more of an essay form.
This movie had a lot to accomplish from the get-go. To wrap up a saga spanning over 40 years is a big feat on its own, but this is freaking Star Wars we’re talking about here. The stakes are 10 times higher. After leaving Rian Johnson to direct the penultimate Skywalker saga movie, fan backlash and controversy led Disney and Abrams into a cycle of trying to correct what was already set in stone. Subsequently, TROS feels at times like rather than developing its own story, it’s trying to correct a past one.
And although the film faces these pacing and spacing issues, it is filled to the brim with fans service that The Last Jedi seemed to be devoid of. I don’t want to divulge into spoiler territory, but Abrams is sure to incorporate numerous moments that will make longtime fans leave the theater with a big smile on their face. All of the original legacy characters are great where they’re included, with a number of beautiful send offs that beautifully honor decades of performances. Although there was a lack of development for the sequel characters throughout the first two films, TROS did all it could to flesh out the characters more. That is, besides Finn. In my opinion, Finn had the most lost potential of this entire trilogy; a rogue stormtrooper is a concept that’s never been explored, and they seemed to have totally thrown it out the window. In terms of good character development, though, Kylo Ren is definitely top tier. His arc between the three films is one of my favorite and he has some of his best moments in the newest movie.
In conclusion, although The Rise of Skywalker had a number of moments that are lackluster, it delivers where it matters: wrapping up the saga. Abrams seems a little too focused on fixing the problems of a previous story rather than truly developing its own. The movie has some wonderful moments that overlooks the faults, making for a heartwarming and bittersweet ending to a decades-spanning experience.
This movie had a lot to accomplish from the get-go. To wrap up a saga spanning over 40 years is a big feat on its own, but this is freaking Star Wars we’re talking about here. The stakes are 10 times higher. After leaving Rian Johnson to direct the penultimate Skywalker saga movie, fan backlash and controversy led Disney and Abrams into a cycle of trying to correct what was already set in stone. Subsequently, TROS feels at times like rather than developing its own story, it’s trying to correct a past one.
And although the film faces these pacing and spacing issues, it is filled to the brim with fans service that The Last Jedi seemed to be devoid of. I don’t want to divulge into spoiler territory, but Abrams is sure to incorporate numerous moments that will make longtime fans leave the theater with a big smile on their face. All of the original legacy characters are great where they’re included, with a number of beautiful send offs that beautifully honor decades of performances. Although there was a lack of development for the sequel characters throughout the first two films, TROS did all it could to flesh out the characters more. That is, besides Finn. In my opinion, Finn had the most lost potential of this entire trilogy; a rogue stormtrooper is a concept that’s never been explored, and they seemed to have totally thrown it out the window. In terms of good character development, though, Kylo Ren is definitely top tier. His arc between the three films is one of my favorite and he has some of his best moments in the newest movie.
In conclusion, although The Rise of Skywalker had a number of moments that are lackluster, it delivers where it matters: wrapping up the saga. Abrams seems a little too focused on fixing the problems of a previous story rather than truly developing its own. The movie has some wonderful moments that overlooks the faults, making for a heartwarming and bittersweet ending to a decades-spanning experience.
My Life
This week I’ll be reviewing a movie I’m going to do a speech on starting at the Apple Valley tournament. The film is called My Life and it follows the story of a husband and wife. The wife is late into her pregnancy and the husband is diagnosed with terminal cancer. After learning of his diagnosis, the soon-to-be father begins making tapes to teach his child about what’s important in life while also fighting for his life and coming to terms with his inevitable mortality. I would like to begin this review by stating that this movie isn’t amazing. It definitely has its moments, but staggers in its presentation.
In terms of the film’s positives, there are a slew. The cast includes big names such as Michael Keaton, Nicole Kidman, as well as number of less known actors. Despite looking the part of a true cancer patient, Keaton manages to conjure the heart and morale of a pessimistic man coming to terms with his life. Nicole Kidman also does an extraordinary job acting as Keaton’s companion who has to manage his sickness while also juggling the pregnancy of their soon-to-be son. As well as the actors in the film, the movie does a great job of mixing the sad and somber moments with its funny and heartwarming ones. The scenes in which Bob, the protagonist, is speaking into his camera to his future son is filled with moments of beauty and laughter as well as sadness and heartbreak.
Although this movie has its positives without a doubt, it is tainted by its flaws. The film often strives to convey strong messages about life and death, but those messages are blurred by the convoluted plot. It seems as if the screenplay that was written outranks the rest of the aspects by leaps and bounds. The main theme is muddied by an overload of scenes and unnecessary plotlines that only seem to have closure within small scenes that are related to the actual film. Between his job, his parental conflict and the tension with his wife, the movie often seems to be going down a few too many paths to follow.
Despite the star-studded cast of this film and the beautiful screenplay, My Life just seems to miss the mark. It has its moments of glory and sentiment, but these few splinters of the movie are too muddied down by the convoluted plot and lack of focus throughout.
In terms of the film’s positives, there are a slew. The cast includes big names such as Michael Keaton, Nicole Kidman, as well as number of less known actors. Despite looking the part of a true cancer patient, Keaton manages to conjure the heart and morale of a pessimistic man coming to terms with his life. Nicole Kidman also does an extraordinary job acting as Keaton’s companion who has to manage his sickness while also juggling the pregnancy of their soon-to-be son. As well as the actors in the film, the movie does a great job of mixing the sad and somber moments with its funny and heartwarming ones. The scenes in which Bob, the protagonist, is speaking into his camera to his future son is filled with moments of beauty and laughter as well as sadness and heartbreak.
Although this movie has its positives without a doubt, it is tainted by its flaws. The film often strives to convey strong messages about life and death, but those messages are blurred by the convoluted plot. It seems as if the screenplay that was written outranks the rest of the aspects by leaps and bounds. The main theme is muddied by an overload of scenes and unnecessary plotlines that only seem to have closure within small scenes that are related to the actual film. Between his job, his parental conflict and the tension with his wife, the movie often seems to be going down a few too many paths to follow.
Despite the star-studded cast of this film and the beautiful screenplay, My Life just seems to miss the mark. It has its moments of glory and sentiment, but these few splinters of the movie are too muddied down by the convoluted plot and lack of focus throughout.
Uncut Gems
The movie I’m reviewing this week is Adam Sandler’s most recent outing. Uncut Gems came out this year to audience and critical acclaim alike. The film follows a New York jeweler on his journey to make it big and catch a break. It’s a tense ride and a really unique movie-watching experience. With having so little flaws, many were angered to see Sandler and the rest of the film crew snubbed at the Oscars this year.
The movie does a great job establishing its tone from the beginning. The chaotic fuel the movie runs on is in its DNA from the start. Sandler opens with a rushed and tense performance, complimenting character traits that would follow from the rest of the film. The Safdie Brothers (directors) set the scene of the everyday hussle and bussle the jewel shop and help audiences understand really well what’s going on. The supporting cast is fantastic in this movie, from the love interest to the weird but welcome Weeknd cameo. This feels like a classic New York movie, and that energy radiates throughout. Despite the flaws of the protagonist, the Safdie Brothers find a way to push him forward in a way that will make audiences question their former state of mind after the fact.
In terms of flaws, those in this movie are few and far between. At its worst, the movie lacks a clear motive throughout, but at its best, the film brings audiences along on a journey that makes them feel as tense and in suspense as the protagonist.
Uncut Gems is wonderfully chaotic. Whether it be the cast, the cinematography, or the pacing, it’s hard to find a knick or scratch in the quality. The Safdie brothers have brought raw, bloody fun to the table that will keep audiences on the edge of their seat. The cameos from celebrities and athletes throughout are nothing short of a joy. Despite its few problems in the eyes of general audiences, if you’re a film buff you’ll be sure to love what this one brings to the table.
The movie does a great job establishing its tone from the beginning. The chaotic fuel the movie runs on is in its DNA from the start. Sandler opens with a rushed and tense performance, complimenting character traits that would follow from the rest of the film. The Safdie Brothers (directors) set the scene of the everyday hussle and bussle the jewel shop and help audiences understand really well what’s going on. The supporting cast is fantastic in this movie, from the love interest to the weird but welcome Weeknd cameo. This feels like a classic New York movie, and that energy radiates throughout. Despite the flaws of the protagonist, the Safdie Brothers find a way to push him forward in a way that will make audiences question their former state of mind after the fact.
In terms of flaws, those in this movie are few and far between. At its worst, the movie lacks a clear motive throughout, but at its best, the film brings audiences along on a journey that makes them feel as tense and in suspense as the protagonist.
Uncut Gems is wonderfully chaotic. Whether it be the cast, the cinematography, or the pacing, it’s hard to find a knick or scratch in the quality. The Safdie brothers have brought raw, bloody fun to the table that will keep audiences on the edge of their seat. The cameos from celebrities and athletes throughout are nothing short of a joy. Despite its few problems in the eyes of general audiences, if you’re a film buff you’ll be sure to love what this one brings to the table.
Jojo Rabbit
Before I even begin this review, I should admit that after seeing this movie, I consider it one of my new favorites of all time, so my opinion may be biased to some extent. Breakout director Taika Waititi returns once again and sparks magic with a film that has connected with critics and audiences alike. Despite its upfront and divisive setting that may leave many viewers uncomfortable, Jojo Rabbit is a masterpiece that tackles the prospects of humor, love, and anti-hate all in one fell swoop.
This movie does more right than I can even begin to explain. It opens up with a scene that sets up the tone in a way that lets audiences know what kind of film it will be while still showing respect to the awful events the film was based on. Taking place in Nazi Germany during the second half of WWII, making a movie about a young member of the Hitler youth is divisive and controversial, to begin with. However, Taika Waititi manages to tackle it in a way that is inoffensive while still harnessing his crude and often uncomfortable sense of humor. The heart he manages to put into such tough subjects is beyond commendable, culminating into a film that is important and poignant for all audiences in such a polarizing time around the world. Among the story’s profound message, the cast is also stellar. Director Taika Waititi plays imaginary-friend Hitler and brings a necessary amount of satire and outrageousness to the role. Breakout star Roman Griffin Davis stole the show, cementing himself as a strong up-and-comer in his first film. Scarlett Johansson performs one of her best performances in years, showing that her acting skills far outreach what her resume was up to this point. One of the most beautiful parts of the movie, though, is the cinematography. It evokes a sense of Wes Anderson's style while highlighting the underlying sense of dread throughout Germany at the end of the war. The tone is bright and optimistic, but what is happening where the audience may not be looking exhibits the true headspace of the German regime. This work represents the false sense of unity and prosperity throughout the country in the latter end of WWII and only adds to the numerous layers Jojo Rabbit has to unpeel.
Before watching this film, I was unsure whether or not I would feel like it was appropriate to show it to my friends and family. After watching it, however, I felt like it was something they needed to see. The beautiful ways in which Taika Waititi manages to blend humor and darkness invokes a sense of both humanity and tragedy all at once. Jojo Rabbit is nothing short of a masterpiece.
This movie does more right than I can even begin to explain. It opens up with a scene that sets up the tone in a way that lets audiences know what kind of film it will be while still showing respect to the awful events the film was based on. Taking place in Nazi Germany during the second half of WWII, making a movie about a young member of the Hitler youth is divisive and controversial, to begin with. However, Taika Waititi manages to tackle it in a way that is inoffensive while still harnessing his crude and often uncomfortable sense of humor. The heart he manages to put into such tough subjects is beyond commendable, culminating into a film that is important and poignant for all audiences in such a polarizing time around the world. Among the story’s profound message, the cast is also stellar. Director Taika Waititi plays imaginary-friend Hitler and brings a necessary amount of satire and outrageousness to the role. Breakout star Roman Griffin Davis stole the show, cementing himself as a strong up-and-comer in his first film. Scarlett Johansson performs one of her best performances in years, showing that her acting skills far outreach what her resume was up to this point. One of the most beautiful parts of the movie, though, is the cinematography. It evokes a sense of Wes Anderson's style while highlighting the underlying sense of dread throughout Germany at the end of the war. The tone is bright and optimistic, but what is happening where the audience may not be looking exhibits the true headspace of the German regime. This work represents the false sense of unity and prosperity throughout the country in the latter end of WWII and only adds to the numerous layers Jojo Rabbit has to unpeel.
Before watching this film, I was unsure whether or not I would feel like it was appropriate to show it to my friends and family. After watching it, however, I felt like it was something they needed to see. The beautiful ways in which Taika Waititi manages to blend humor and darkness invokes a sense of both humanity and tragedy all at once. Jojo Rabbit is nothing short of a masterpiece.