Change Your Image
jeremywraymond
Reviews
Fargo (2014)
A perfect series?
Yes, you should watch this show, all seasons, will episodes, and multiple times. This show is amazing with superb writing, acting, cinematography, narrative and character development, mise en scene, and diegetic and non diegetic elements. Each season acts as it's own independent narrative with some what of a interlocking story based around the mid west city of Fargo and the state of Minnesota. This show is technically amazing, story is unreal yet based on actually events with an unpredictable yet realistic characters.
So why is this not a perfect 10? The reason is the following seasons. The first season is an 11 if possible. The characters are meaningful, interesting, and despite their choices the audience can't help but sympathise with them. However, in the 2nd and 3rd season, the characters fall some what flat as the audience does not have as much of an attachment to them. What causes this lack of attachment could be caused by a number of things, from total character development to simple editing timeline. If the seasons are to improve as the show continues, without any second thoughts this review will be updated to an instant 9 or 10. I am in love with this show and vibes and the entirely of how amazing this show is. Despite what I have said about the other seasons, you should definitely watch them as they are way better then any current thriller mystery crime show that is on air at the moment.
Fractured (2019)
Fractured yet well put together?
You can definitely enjoy this film, it is suspenseful and dark, mysterious and put together with solid acting and grungy Fargo style vibes. Do read through this review to understand. I am critical but Fair, and like you, I am a normal viewer when it comes to watching film. However, even if one enjoys a movie, it does not necessarily make it 20/10 star film. We must look at the entire film: from form to tone, diegetic to non diegetic. The issue with this movie is that it is not necessary adding. What I mean by this is that it does not contribute a necessary meaning, moral, or critical theme. One way to explain it, is that it lacks it's own identity. It feels like just another suspended movie. The acting is memorable, however other diegetic elements feel thrown together and lack meaning and symbolism.
I have seen alot of reviews talking about the predictability of this film, it is predictable versus it is not. Looking technically, yes, this film is predictable. Most of the team managed to figure out the main twist within the first 10 to 15 minutes. That being said, the way we found out was more unpredictable. This was good, however, much of our team agreed that as the plot unfolded, it felt upsetting to see our original theories for the twist to be proven to be stronger and stronger. This is flaw because when watching a film of this genre, we always predict and develope theories as are excited too see them be proven wrong or altered as the plot continues. Here however, your theory will marginally get altered.
There is no such thing as a bad film, our criteria is strictly based on non bias, rather based on all aspects of visual and auditory narrative storytelling. This film is technically strong, however the plot falls slightly flat and it hurts the score vitally because of the importance of narrative in the given genre and predictability of the plot.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
Is this a Breaking Bad Movie?
Here's both the strength and weakness of this film, the origin. Technically speaking, this film is perfect. The montage sequences and fresh and inovative ,the camera angles and transitions are unique, acting is superb, set, lighting, placement, form, editing, all perfect. Even the script is excellently laid out. The issue here lies in the focus of the title: A Breaking Bad Movie. This movie relies heavily on the origin of the hit television show. Although it is exciting to see all the favourite characters again, and it keeps the same intended charm and feel the original show had, it falls some what flat on the plots limitations. There is no compelling emotions for the main character here or sense of danger for him as we all assumed prior that our antihero would either escape or be punished for his lifelong spree of wrong doings. Without spoiling anything, the plot is sadly very shallow and predictable, at times dull and stale. This movie sadly does not quite move along the plot of this very successful television universe, but it does the up loose ends which fans assumed was the conclusion from the original series finale.
This movie, from a mise en scene stand point is perfect and inspirational on all technical levels, however the restrictions of the plot gives this film a lower score in general.
Joker (2019)
Best Joker So Far?
Yes. Joker is not a typical superhero or supervillain film for that matter. This dramatically dark film by Todd Phillips echoes with strong themes of loneliness and madness, themes they are vital to represent the DC universes biggest and most iconic villans. Joaquin Phoenix is what made this film a 8 star. Despite the script weaker scenes at times, Pheonix made the entire film feel so naturally and right. His work here shines as he shows the most change of a Joker yet. The dramatic, realistic, and mysterious alteration of Joker from being a working party clown, to the crime boss we know him as today. This depiction of this iconic character is definitely the strong point. The rest of the film can feel shallow and traditionally plotted or with predictable events, however, there are way more unpredictable points in this plot line then the predictable, especially in the final two acts. The non diegetic use of music is a key component of symbolism and mood that complements and tires the movie together. Often overlooked, the use of audio in this film is vital and important.
The film as a while is a week deserved 8/10 in my opinion because of the amazing character development, acting, soundtrack, intensity, and dramatic expression of a traditional blockbuster with infused darkness, sorrow, and emotion.
The 'Burbs (1989)
Unpredictable, witty, and charming!
This 80's cult classic is often overlooked because of the other title released during this year for the audience. Although this is a PG movie, the themes are quite dark, but in a friendly and comedic matter. This film follows a traditional Hollywood style of plot, however it is arranged in such a way to make the entire movie feel mysterious and suspenseful while remaining very warm and welcoming. Characters are always critical, and here, the minor character are very stereotypical however the way they react to the rather natural main character Ray, played by Tom Hanks, is comedic and interesting while they are shoved into this plot driven narrative. The main character acts like a window with a revelation of the audience and he acts very predictable in all scenarios. That being said, the scenarios and plot is very unpredictable which gives this movie the perfect balance.
Over all this movie is hilarious, spooky, mysterious, and fantastic for any audience grouping.