RocioBMendez Reviews

Me Before You (2016)

Charming

[7/10 · 16 June 2016]

Me Before You, is a romantic drama that paves a light-heartedness throughout a confronting, profound context. Luisa (Emilia Clarke) is breathtakingly charming as caretaker for a recently-paralyzed, Will (Sam Claflin). While the story has its predictability's, it also surprises within them. Notable nuances by Clarke, and Claflin shift this film from tolerable to pleasurable.

The stand-out performance would go to Clark, with her vulnerability palpable, due almost exclusively to her extensive, engaging facial expressions, and mannerisms.

While some are calling this film controversial, in regards to the under-laying topic of euthanasia, I simply see it is as an account, a version of a story, of a characters mindset, and their decision regarding their own life.

In a society so quick to take offence, while being so offensive –– I conclude that it depends on your intent as a movie-goer.

If you're open to characters making their own decisions in a film, I'm sure you'll find that Me Before You, puts you first.

By Rocio Belinda Mendez

***/5

Force Majeure (2014)

Interesting

[6/10 · 7 October 2014]

Force Majeure is a long-winded drama, set and shot in a resort in the French Alps, during a five- day family holiday. A narrow escape from an impromptu avalanche results in Tomas' (Johannes Kuhnke) instinctive reaction. Ironically it causes a snowball effect in the family dynamic and patriarch in particular. With great performances by all involved, especially Ebba (Lisa Loven Kongsli) this film builds, and maintains an awkward tension throughout.

With lengthy takes and drawn out moments, it succeeds in creating realism. However, it treads a fine line between tiresome and artistic. An abundance of beautiful cinematography and scenery, although seemingly gratuitous at times, it is definitely something to look at. With a score and flow you'll either love or hate, the technical aspects of the film surpass the plot development. An intriguing premise that provided food-for-thought as the film progressed, was let down by a somewhat weak and untidy finale.

***/5 ******/10

By Rocio Belinda Mendez

Step Up All In (2014)

Step Down

[3/10 · 10 September 2014]

Step up All In is yet another failed attempt at making a feature film simply by showcasing dancing talent. Well-choreographed movement was also lacking throughout, although it endeavoured to entertain in the last 15 minutes, and succeeded. The progression of the "story" was constantly skipping over entire moments, with as little as one sentence or a voice-over to catch the audience up to speed. Unfortunately the acting was laughable, and not during intentionally comedic dialogue. There were some good sporadic dance sequences intertwined between weak performances from all involved. The only breath of fresh air was "Moose" (Adam Sevani) and his beautiful parents, which added the humility needed to make any of these plot progressions believable. For fans of this franchise it may have managed to reach expectations, although even they may tire of this regurgitated story and predictability. In this over saturated dance-battle-extravaganza market –– it's time to step down.

*/5 ***/10

By Rocio Belinda Mendez

Deliver Us from Evil (I) (2014)

Creepy

[6/10 · 10 September 2014]

Deliver us from Evil is a decently crafted crime thriller with a supernatural twist, based in the Bronx, New York. Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) is a police officer, who uses his inherent tendency to uncover the city's sudden series of occult happenings. Somewhat unoriginal in story and dialogue, yet contrastingly genuine in performance and fright, it does entertain. Edgar Ramírez nearly steals the light as an unconventional priest, focused on the rituals of exorcism; the two coincide with some blood-curdling scenes that demand attention, and reprimand lack of faith.

Although at first seeming gratuitously scary at times, the story does end up gripping the audience by it's acute final moments; which manage to hold their own in this exemplar genre.

***/5 ******/10

By Rocio Belinda Mendez

Finding Vivian Maier (2013)

Captivating

[8/10 · 10 September 2014]

Finding Vivian Maier is a beautifully crafted documentary. It's centred around a mysterious woman, who roamed the streets capturing the unalloyed reality of the view behind her lens. At a first glance she was merely a nanny, but at a second, and third gander she was not only an artist, but a tender observer of the human condition. Over 100,000 negatives were inadvertently discovered at an Auction in Chicago; many of which were never seen by Miss Maier herself. Captivating from start to finish, although somewhat disagreeable at times due to those being interviewed –– some distract from the story itself, and the tone of the film.

The heart of the story is her wish to stay as anonymous as possible, yet all involved are rummaging through her intimate archives. This intriguing narrative hypocritically captures talent, while also treading a fine line between honouring an artist, and mild exploitation; which in essence is Vivian's posthumous fame. Such beauty should be shared, but by whom?

****/5 ********/10

By Rocio Belinda Mendez

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Oddly Awesome

[8/10 · 10 September 2014]

What We Do in the Shadows is a hilarious mockumentary that revolves around three house mates, who just happen to be immortal Vampires with a thirst for human blood. An outrageously surreal contrast between the normal streets of Wellington, New Zealand, and the very atypical selection of undead –– including Werewolves, Zombies and Vampires, oh my! The film crew follows the lives of Viago (Taika Waititi), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), and Vladislav (Jemaine Clement) as they look for their necks victim. Their comedic timing, and performances will leave you in stitches. The camera work is emblematic of the genre, and although some may find it distracting, it rings true in this context. The duration only adds to the overall positive experience of this society- relevant satiric comedy. Almost like an inside-out horror production, it has an abundance of comedy with horror relief, so to speak. An eccentric and imaginative perspective on an over saturated subject.

****/5 ********/10 By Rocio Belinda Mendez