munoz Reviews

The Shape of Water (2017)

Amazing cinematography, music and acting--but too much gore and focus on the villain

[6/10 · 19 February 2018]

I've rarely seen a movie that was so hard to rate.

The cinematography is breathtaking, and so is the music. Pure art! And the actors were all the perfect choice for their characters. You could definitely tell that del Toro had most of them already in mind when the film was just in its planning stages.

However, it's not a flawless movie, and I'm actually not quite sure if it's worthy of all this Oscar hype.

Some scenes could definitely have been more subtle, encouraging the viewer to draw his/her own conclusions. (To name an example (out of many), it's quite clear that the neighbor is gay, and has no romantic interest in the lead character. The scene where he was hitting on the bartender was unnecessary).

Also, too much screen time was dedicated to the villain. Yes, we do understand that he's an evil, evil man, with no respect for any living creatures, (and he has the gross habit of not washing his hands after going to the bathroom!) but these facts were rubbed in our faces over and over again.

Instead, I would have loved to know more about the water creature! Of course, some things about him should still have been shrouded in mystery, but for instance, it would have been delightful to see some more scenes where he and Elisa were bonding (and not in a sexual, but in a sensual way!).

Another thing that irked me was the fact that this film is definitely excessively gore:y. For instance, when the water creature ate the cat, why did we have to see it? You were not supposed to think he was evil for doing it, because it was clear that he didn't know that they were beloved pets (as if it wasn't clear enough, Giles even had to POINT IT OUT). There would be a million ways to tell the audience about it without actually *showing* it.

With this movie, Guillermo del Toro has been accused of plagiarism by multiple sources, and it's not very hard to see why. I haven't seen the play it's supposed to be based on, but the film does indeed have many visual (and musical!) similarities with Amelié (2001)--in the beginning, I was rather certain I was about to see a homage to the film in question, and I think my assumptions were correct. In short, plot-wise, this movie reminds us of things we have seen before, and it wasn't very hard to predict the ending.

To sum it up--I'm a little disappointed, because while it's a breathtaking visual experience (and I can't stop listening to the soundtrack, it's been on repeat since I found it on Spotify!) it comes across as a little flat, and way too shallow (no pun intended).

Sherdil (1999)

One of the worst movies I've ever seen.

[1/10 · 21 April 2003]

I am sorry to say it, but this has to be one of the worst disappointments of my entire life.

As a horse owner for more than ten years, I have in fact read many books about girls and horses of the same kind that this movie is supposed to be based on.

However, those stories always had a point--the girl would do *anything* for the horse, even if that involved getting dirty, losing her friends, forgetting about school and her homework and get loathed by the boys. Another important thing is the realism when it comes to the treatment of the horses. The authors of these books and stories often have lots of experience with horses themselves, and the stories use to contain lots of useful advice, no matter if the stories itself sometimes come out a bit unrealistic.

But this movie fails on all points. The main character is weak (surprisingly awful acting from the main characters--if you can talk about acting at all!), and I would not have allowed her to get near any of my horses. The (rather non-existent) story is flawed, unrealistic and also contains lots of continuity errors. The car-crash scene must be one of the most awkward scenes in the entire history of film making. I mean, for God's sake, if she had any knowledge whatsoever about horses, why on EARTH did she try to bike with the horse in tow?!!! And what makes it even more awkward is that when it's supposed to be dramatic, and the horse is "running away" with her, he's merely trotting, the halter-strap is not even tense!

And the fact that she's wearing a white, pure summer dress throughout the entire movie and that it is her love interest who saves them all in the end--well, that's just sickening.

But the most upsetting scene is no doubt when the horse nearly dies, and she just stands there, her dress still white and unstained, holding the halter strap, yelling "help, help"... in a so not convincing way...

The only positive thing about the movie is all the beautiful horses. But not even these will make it worth seeing. I feel sorry for them, having to act in this poor excuse for a film.

If you like this kind of stories that this film is supposed to be based upon, go read the story itself instead. Don't waste any time or money on this movie.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Different - and one of the best I've ever seen

[9/10 · 19 December 2001]

(This review contains some spoilers)

When I took my seat at my local cinema at midnight, I thought I was quite prepared for what to come. For little less than a year now, I've been part of the Internet-LOTR hype, downloading every image, preview, trailer and interview I could possibly find. (Naturally, I've also read the books a couple of times). However, the real experience turned out to be something quite different. Visually stunning beyond belief, and in ways that I couldn't possibly imagine, and have never seen before. And the acting... This is one of the few movies I've seen where the actors really _were_ their characters, not just playing them. Initially, when I saw the first pictures of the actors on the web, I must admit that the only one I had some doubts about was Elijah Wood as Frodo, (he was a little younger than I imagined Frodo to be, and perhaps too "cute") but oh... now, after seeing the movie, I realize how wrong I was. Now I really understand why he even is named "The Chosen One". He is the perfect Frodo; and the spirit of his character is the true spirit of the Frodo we know from the books. Wood really makes you care about him, he just feels so genuine, through and through. When Frodo is standing on the shore of Anduin, making the final decision to head for Mordor alone, and the tears are running down his face... For me, I think that was the most moving scene of the entire film.

The only thing that I found slightly disappointing was that evidently, a lot of scenes had to be cut down to make the three-hour limit. I would gladly spend another 30 minutes in my chair, (or more!) to stay a little longer in Rivendell and Lothlorien, to see more of the wanderings of the Fellowship and hear more campfire-conversations. It also felt like Merry's and Pippin's screen-time was a little limited, which removed a little depth from their characters. I have no doubts, however, that this will change with the second and third film. And I _really_ do hope that we'll see at least some of these missing scenes on the DVD, as soon as it comes out.

Oh, yes, this movie was really worth waiting for. It is absolutely one of the best I've ever seen - and I'm already counting the days... no, the hours, until Dec 18 of 2002, when I finally will take my seat in the theatre again, to see The Two Towers...