annelauremilleville Reviews

The Fall Guy (2024)

Popcorn movie

[6/10 · 5 June 2024]

As I loved Bullet Train by the same director, I had similar expectations... hence my disappointment. Although I found the action scenes entertaining and most of the plot well thought-out, and loved the cinematic references throughout, I'd eventually qualify this film as dull. While the film begins with the hero's fall (both literally and figuratively), it doesn't dwell too much on his highway to hell or his fears to get back. And, even if I like Ryan Gosling's acting performance, what a shame this film did not offer the main role to a real stuntman who would be able to do his own stunts and would have been a voice for this atypical and little-known profession.

However, I did appreciate some characters such as Dan and Gail, which I'd have loved seeing more on screen. On the other hand, I felt sorry for Emily Blunt, whose character has no interest whatsoever and could even have been dropped from the final version, which would have allowed more time to develop Colt's character.

In short, an enjoyable film to watch in the cinema (not sure if I'd have watched it all the way to the end on streaming) but one I won't be looking to see again.

Challengers (2024)

A film to be seen more for its direction than for the story itself

[7/10 · 31 May 2024]

As a tennis fan, I quickly understood the film's ambition to draw a parallel between the sporting world and love relationships: competition between suitors/participants, keeping your career/relationship going over time, the power of the mind... But I haven't been thrilled about this "trouple" story. I admit that the direction is incredible (especially the different angles on the court, which are stunning), the music is very effective and the actors play well. However, it's the story itself that I find disappointing.... In short, my rating is more a reflection of the film's technical qualities than a general appreciation, as I clearly don't think I'd like to see it again.

Mondays: See You 'This' Week! (2022)

Great time loop movie

[8/10 · 31 May 2024]

At first sight, a Japanese film with a rather banal synopsis: a group trapped in a time loop. And yet, the film offers unexpected twists and turns, takes us on an emotional rollercoaster and, above all, makes us have a great time, even though the underlying issues are very serious. This film was definitely a surprise for me, in terms of script, acting, direction/editing and music. And I'll certainly have more consideration for pigeons in the future!

Whether you're a Japanese film fan or not, I highly recommend it! A fun and feel-good movie for all, that I will have pleasure to rewatch for sure.

Monkey Man (2024)

Incredible first film

[9/10 · 12 May 2024]

When an Indian actor is fed up with not being offered his dream action role and decides to write one, produce it, direct it and play in it, it looks like MONKEY MAN by Dev Patel. And for a first film, it's impressive! Everything is there: Choreographed fights, funny situations that make you laugh as well as jump, endearing characters, villains that you can't help but hating at first glance, beautiful settings and places, effective music and constant intensity.

Although the heart of the story is quite simple (a young man who he wants revenge on his mother's killers), many themes are subtly addressed throughout : the poor vs the rich , transidentity, spirituality, corruption, "luxury prostitution", ... Worth noting an ambitious direction with lots of "shaky cam" but highly efficient on screen and many ingenious plans playing with perspectives and mirror reflections. Let's hope this film is only the first of a long line of Mr Patel's masterpieces to come!

Clearly a movie to see on the big screen to appreciate at its true value.

There's Still Tomorrow (2023)

Fantastic Italian movie

[9/10 · 9 May 2024]

An engaged, feminist and civic-minded film: a gem! Dealing with a serious and heavy subject that, even if the story takes place after the war and is shot in black and white, painfully echoes what far too many women still suffer nowadays. The musical scenes are both off-the-wall and perfectly in tune with the story, making you smile with tenderness or shed a tear of sorrow. Intensity all the way through, with a mind-blowing end that is so meaningful... BRAVO!

Incredible performance of Paola Cortellisi in front and behind camera. I hope the International worl of Cinema will hear more from her work in a near future.

The Zone of Interest (2023)

The banality of war's horror

[9/10 · 10 March 2024]

This film slaps, both cinematically and emotionally speaking. Far from being yet another film about the Second World War, it approaches the Holocaust from a new angle: from the house next door to the camp, occupied by Rodolphe Höss' family, the camp director.

From the very beginning of the film, starting with several (long?) minutes of black screen, the viewer is invited to listen in order to understand. Obsessed by what we do not see, the soundtrack highlights the horror in the midst of which this family has built a happy routine.

Delicate dialogues and direction, irreproachable acting performances, and memorable visuals, with the exception of the scenes shot in negative, although I understand their significance.

The parallel at the end is surprising and reminds us how important the duty of memory is (and the moral/ethical that we put in it) so that history does not repeat, NEVER.

I'd like to encourage people to see this film, but I can understand why it might be difficult for an uninformed audience to take the story literally without seeing the strong message it tries to deliver.

Bob Marley: One Love (2024)

Pleasant to watch but not a biopic

[5/10 · 21 February 2024]

Very smooth film, which only focuses on Bob Marley's Peace & Love message. It is not a biopic, but a tribute to the musician and man of peace. Anything that might tarnish the reggae star's image (excessive drug use, infidelity with children from several women, violent fits of anger, etc.) is not clearly addressed, but merely suggested in some scenes, which gives the impression of vagueness in the narrative, in addition to flashback scenes that are not always easy to identify. Otherwise, the cinematography is beautiful, the performances by Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch are very convincing and the musicality of the film totally immerses us in the atmosphere of this time.

Laughter Has No Color (2022)

Inspirational documentary

[10/10 · 8 January 2024]

A great documentary mainly narrated by Sir Frank Cooper, a fantastic story teller who explains his motivation to create the First Black Stand-up Comedy Awards and the financial and ideological obstacles he had to overcome. Thanks to the passion that has driven him over the years, the AAHAS Awards Ceremony highlighted many black artists such as Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg. This collection of touching testimonials proves that if you believe strongly in a project that it can positively impact an entire community, and whatever obstacles are put in your way, it is worth fighting for it. As Sir Frank says, "don't wait for people to do things for you, you've got to take the initiative." Bravo to Jeremy Norrie for this moving and passionate documentary made with deference.

Eat, Play, Diet (2024)

perfect explanatory documentary on the diet world

[10/10 · 8 January 2024]

A clear and well-informed film on the current situation of food consumption habits in the United States and its impact on Americans' health. Cross-interviews with athletes, nutritionists and catering professionals analyze the most popular diets by specifying their strengths and limitations. This informative and tolerant documentary questions our nutrition and reminds us of the meaning of "eating well." Moreover, technically speaking, the shots, the sound, the editing, ... there is absolutely nothing to complain about! Congratulations to the team behind this beautiful project which I hope will be widely accessible for educational purposes.

American Anxiety: Inside the Hidden Epidemic of Anxiety and Depression (2023)

Must-see documentary

[10/10 · 23 December 2023]

A precise, intelligent, respectful and well-documented film on a difficult subject that is increasingly affecting our society, yet which is difficult to talk about: depression (and anxiety). We've all been personnally touched, in one way or another, by depression, but this "modern illness" is still misunderstood. In this 1h30, the causes, consequences, medicinal and therapeutic treatments are explained by professionnals, by patients who have suffered from depression through moving testimonies. This is supported by clear data on the current situation in the United States and its massive acceleration in recent years. Congratulations to the team behind this project, which I hope will be widely accessible for educational and preventive purposes.

Next Goal Wins (2023)

Sweet but not much else

[5/10 · 22 December 2023]

The kind of film you understand how it is going to end after watching the first minutes (inspired by a true story by the way!). A supposed feel good movie without any surprise... However I admit that some lines made me smile. I'm maybe not the right audience for this so-called friendly comedy. Totally ignorant of the football world, I focused on the characters: all different and touching, in particular the transgender player Jahiya that we are unfortunately not used to seeing in movies. Therefore this film is not unpleasant to watch but it will not be for sure a must-see film for cinema lovers.

Wonka (2023)

Sweet Christmas movie

[8/10 · 20 December 2023]

With all due respect to fans of Tim Burton's version, I think this prequel opus is a success: colors, songs, fantasy... that's exactly what you'd expect from a film on Willy Wonka, isn't it?

According to my view, this « sweet fantastic reality » created by the sets, costumes and special effects is very accomplished, and helps us to immerse in Wonka's adventures to fullfill his dreams: set up his own business and share the magic of his chocolate with the rest of the world. Olivia Colman and Calah Lane are excellent all along, as is Timothée Chalamet, who once again rises to the challenges of his role. Of course, many will be unable to resist making comparisons with Johnny Depp's previous performance, but in my opinion, Mr. Chalamet has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. A perfect Christmas film for young and less young curious ones!

The Holdovers (2023)

Perfect Christmas movie

[8/10 · 17 December 2023]

Brilliant and moving, this film is the cinematic gem of this December. I loved this unexpected trio, for whom you can't help but feel a sincere tenderness. Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa and Da'Vine Joy Randolph succeed in taking us from laughter to tears from start to finish. BRAVO to the costume, set and prop teams, who make the story's temporality totally believable. We even gets misled from the cinematography offering the typical image grain of this period: excellent work ! Exactly the kind of film we love to see in theaters, but unfortunately don't get to see often enough. It is sure to become one of my Christmas classics.

Napoleon (2023)

Historical romance inspired by Napoleon's life

[7/10 · 27 November 2023]

A new Ridley Scott's movie that was rather successful, in my opinion. The Brit he is didn't offend the French woman I am! It's worth noting, however, that the British troops seem far better organized than the French... Underlying message ?

The main narrative arc chosen is the love story between Joséphine and Napoleon... why not! I found Joséphine's character very well written and particularly refreshing in this very masculine universe. The development of their tumultuous relationship shows the talent of Vanessa Kirby, whose performance is impeccable from start to finish, while Joaquim Phoenix, against all expectations, lacked flexibility in his acting as he alternately plays a charismatic soldier, emasculated husband or egotistical politician. Moreover, the historical errors and the shortcuts are too big to ignore ! Apart from that, I found the film gripping, with legendary battles, and didn't even notice the 2.5 hours. I'd be curious to see if the 4-hour version will fill in the gaps.

To conclude, if you want to see a historical romance inspired by Napoleon's life and you're in the mood for a big-screen movie, go and see it!

The Taste of Things (2023)

A promising romance swallowed too fast

[6/10 · 17 November 2023]

Benoit Magimel and Juliette Binoche are masterful, as usual, as they subtlety unveil a discreet but moving love story linked to their common passion for cooking and the art of French gastronomy. Accompanied by two stunning young actresses (Galatea Bellugi and Bonnie Chagneau-Ravoire) and excellent actors such as Emmanuel Salinger, nonetheless this film disappoints. Although I particularly enjoyed the (too?) long scene of the multi-course meal preparation, where the camera follows everyone's movements and gives us the impression of being with them in the kitchen, each sequence drags on and bores. It's a pity to have sacrificed the development of this atypical couple's story in favor of scenes of repeated culinary orgies that are unappetizing to watch.

Panic Room (2002)

Great thriller

[8/10 · 10 November 2023]

Immersed in intense tension from start to finish, this film, which I'm seeing for the first time more than 20 years after its release, hasn't aged a bit! With a perfect cast (Jodie Foster, Kristin Stewart, Forest Whitaker, Jared Leto), the almost 2-hour film goes by like a flash. The cinematography perfectly masters the nuances of lighting for a film that takes place almost exclusively at night. David Fincher, once again, did not disappoint. Even if this film is less cerebral than "Fight Club" for my taste, it's clearly worth seeing. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it, , whether you're a thriller fan or not.

The Woman (I) (2011)

Disturbing but worth watching

[8/10 · 4 November 2023]

I'm still not sure whether I like it or not, but it definitely made an impression on me. It's disconcerting to see such an accurate analysis of the bonds between women from a male director. Without any word, they understand each other thanks to the very intense still shots of their gazes, a very interesting approach. They move from fear to the curiosity of meeting a wild (and totally emancipated) woman, and then a kind of sisterhood is established as the story progresses. The female characters are intelligently written. However, all the male roles are categorized as brutes, which is, in my opinion, the most negative point of this film for such a lack of nuance.

It's worth noting that, despite some very gory situations, they're not really seen on screen but just implied, which I appreciated. Pollyanna McIntosh, whom I didn't know before this film, is stunning and definitely an actress to keep an eye on.

The Menu (2022)

Delicious to watch

[8/10 · 4 November 2023]

An original and strange film, to say the least. It's true that these last years the world of chefs has become one of the new fascinations on screens. Its strict discipline and rigorous culinary chemistry, combined with the aesthetics of the plate and the harmony of flavors, prove to be a complex art that only the best chefs know how to master. The heart of the film highlights the sometimes extreme involvement of chefs in their cuisine for a privileged clientele who are unaware of the excellence they are being served. Ralph Fiennes is perfect as a chef adrift, and Anya Taylor-Joy as the enigmatic Margot. Although the dessert is a little disappointing, I highly recommend this film.

Buried (2010)

Perfect claustrophobic movie ever

[8/10 · 4 November 2023]

As simple as the synopsis sounds (a guy's in a box, buried alive with a telephone), yet this film is pure genius. Right from the start, we're there, in the box with Paul, in the most claustrophobic atmosphere ever. Without knowing who he is, we identify with him and feel the panic gradually rising up. After 20 minutes, we legitimately wonder whether the intensity can be maintained until the film's 90-minute running time... Well, yes! We're with him in this mess from start to finish, experiencing the highs and lows intensely, and never ceasing to wonder "what would I do in his place? Also noteworthy is Ryan Reynolds' breathtaking performance, his best I've ever seen. A must-see masterpiece.

DogMan (2023)

Bark of delight

[8/10 · 9 October 2023]

This film is simply brilliant, whatever the fervent critics say! A great Luc Besson's movie like we haven't seen in a while. Being compared to an insipid Joker it shows how little it's been understood. Just because an outsider struggles to survive despite the horrors he has been through doesn't mean he is a Joker's copycat! Films about men with broken souls existed before the Joker! Anyway, this film is full of tenderness and poetry, with impeccable picture quality and breathtaking scenes such as the Edith Piaf's song performance: mind blowing! BRAVO and I hope Caleb Landry Jones will get an Oscar nomination, more than deserved!!

Introspectum Motel (2021)

Icy revenge lesson

[5/10 · 2 October 2023]

What a story! Introspectrum motel is a thrill from start to finish. The least we can say is that the writers had no shortage of ideas, with some surprising twists! Revenge is clearly a dish best served cold, and cheated spouses know how to savor it! Although I felt the film was a little long-winded at times, and the ending, at least for me, remains very enigmatic, this independent film is worth seeing. I particularly enjoyed Michelle Wright's performance (Felipe's wife). Some of the shots are also noteworthy, especially the outdoor scenes, which I found to be particularly well shot. However, I found the sound disturbing, to the point where I couldn't understand certain lines...

Toxic Impulses (2022)

Impressive indie film

[8/10 · 1 October 2023]

Very impressive film for an independent movie. Particularly the soundtrack, which blew me away from start to finish with its effectiveness - the music is catchy when it needs to be. The cinematography is also very good, and the editing perfect in my opinion. The acting is also commendable, especially Benedikt Sebastien (Mosley), Olivia Buckle (Zemira), Helene Udy (Liz) and Sara Elizabeth Ryan (Keisha). I confess that the story didn't transcend me, but the technical quality is there. The positive note at the end stands out from the rest of the story, but I think it does a lot of good. Bravo to all the team for this impressive work!

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Outstanding movie

[9/10 · 4 August 2023]

Dallas Buyers Club is definitely one of the most poignant films I've ever seen. Incredible performances by Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto (oscars well deserved gentlemen!) and Jennifer Garner, whom acting moved me all film long. Despite the heavy subject matter, this film deserves to be seen by as many people as possible, as much for its meticulous narrative as for the exceptional performances by the actors. This movie is proof that a talented director on a shoestring budget can make a magnificent work of art, thanks to his vision, perseverance and the support of collaborators willing to make the impossible possible.

Barbie (I) (2023)

Not what I expected

[7/10 · 4 August 2023]

As of today's date, I would say this is the film produced by Luckychap Entertainment that I've liked the least, despite a more than promising trailer. Despite a perfect cast (Margot Robbie & Ryan Gosling seem to be born to play these roles, and the adorable America Ferrera & Emma Mackey are always a delight to have on screen) + sets & atmosphere that exceeded my expectations, I wasn't convinced by the storytelling at the end. The first half of the film is great, but things get complicated when Barbie & Ken leave Barbieland, and here we fall into the trap of a war of the sexes, when I think it would have been more appropriate to try and raise awareness of the fact that "domination" never serves anyone. In short, the film is worth seeing, but I have to admit that given my expectations of it, I'm a little disappointed, even if the costumes/settings/acting are stunning.

As the Village Sleeps (2021)

When a scary game becomes a living nightmare

[9/10 · 17 July 2023]

"When a scary game becomes a living nightmare," that's how I would sum up "As The Village Sleeps." This is Jumanji revisited in a horror movie version. It captivated me from the very first scene. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. I was particularly impressed by the image clarity in the night scenes. The lighting has been intelligently thought out, which is rarely the case. The music is also worth highlighting in this film. The cast distribution is good, and although the story is focused on around ten characters, it's easy to understand who's who, and the group dynamic works well. Definitely a great horror movie that kept me in suspense until the end (and this comes from someone who hates horror movies!)