theredandwhitekey Reviews

Counterpart (2017–2019)

Brilliant

[9/10 · 11 December 2017]

Unexpected, dark, quirky, Counterpart is a noir sci-fi fantasy playing in today's world but within a setting mixed with modern (2017) and retro (1970's) locations and gizmos- The story is not about the past, it is about the present, but of 2 parallel worlds that connect through a secret doorway or hallway, and just as it mixes between the contrasts in these 2 worlds in the story so does it mix in its set design, with a little hint of dystopia here and there.

It builds up in a fascinating way and thankfully has just enough of Looper and not too much so as to make it genuinely unique. With a genuinely unique lead actor.

A must watch for its high quality story telling, character build up, set design, music, editing and classic yet seamless directing.

The first episode's tempo and mood are a good sign for what's to come as far as the story, very well approached, mystifying and might branch to the unexpected.

Well done STARZ

Message from the King (2016)

Hidden Among the Rags (of LA) comes a Beauty of Cinematic Excellence

[8/10 · 6 August 2017]

This movie shows you what cinema should look like. This old craft of making movies with tempo, cinematography, editing and score is deprived of all imprints of judgement, opinion or the director's indulging in his pretentious personality as many directors strive to do these days; it seems that the director has nothing to prove but only the commitment to telling a beautiful masterful story filmed with excellence and craftsmanship. The goal here is to learn what real cinema is. Everything serves the story, everything is well balanced. It's an exercise in genre and a director's pure intentions to making only cinema. You don't get pitiful emotion or euphoric fake bliss you only marvel in excellence. No shot is overrated, no emotion is fake. This is a work of a master. And these days masters are found in Europe. It brought me back to my film school days when I was in awe with the great directors of past and how they can create a work of art without the excesses of today's cinematic work that is riddled with uselessness and has no soul or beauty. Mind you, this is not a masterpiece, far from it; rather this is a lesson of what true cinema is... Watch it and be in awe...

Oasis (2017 TV Movie)

For True Lovers of Philip K. Dick's or Frank Herbert's Genre of Science Fiction

[9/10 · 26 June 2017]

A science fiction, existential, futuristic looking series (haven't read the book) set in a dystopic future(??). What more can I say? All the elements for true fans are there and are very well put together: acting, set design, art direction, directing and soundtrack!! One of those series that makes you think about existence, the human race and what's out there, far far away. When is the godd***** season for goodness sake coming??? c'mon... yalla...been waiting, and waiting, and checking, and waiting... If Amazon needs feedback, you definitely have it by now: Please green- light this series and do it fast!

Solace (II) (2015)

Contre point

[7/10 · 24 January 2016]

Firstly, I liked this movie very much. What I didn't like were 2 things: the story was a bit lame (the directing makes it unpredictable) but otherwise the story was flatly OK. The second thing: the tempo and the editing were fast as if it were a TV series. Other than that, it was excellent. The mood of the movie with its colors and lenses and frames was different than anything I've seen, as if the director intentionally wanted to give this genre a different approach. Thus the contre point description: it's too fast and too lucid to belong to this genre. That being said, I can reiterate now and say I liked this movie. It worked for me. It's surprisingly haunting, fresh, it doesn't bore you for a second and it keeps building up. Other than the lame story and the fast editing tempo it's a great effort by an amateur genius (the director). It lingers in your mind, the contre point aspect, the score, the script, the performance by the actors. It's really worth a watch.

The Big Short (2015)

Is it Mocumentary? Regardless, it's genius! Not to be missed

[9/10 · 18 January 2016]

Truly masterfully done. If this genre is called mocumentary, which I've seen being developed throughout these past few years, then Adam McKay is the king of this genre. At first, as you begin to sink into the movie, you as a viewer, are not fully convinced that this mash up works or will work. Alas, as you go further, you realize that it is practically flawless. Why did Adam McKay use this genre in my opinion? Because with the story and script of the movie, it fits perfectly. The proof is that for such a seemingly boring calamity to be portrayed in such fluidity and class and entertainment, it requires the work of a master. And not only is Adam McKay the master here, but also the script writers and the actors. Watch it, enjoy it and learn in many ways.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Movie Goers Deserve Better From Hollywood: Complete Failure, what a shame

[1/10 · 23 December 2015]

If you want to sell merchandise for a target of 8 to 12 year old children, in my opinion, they too deserve a better story and dialogue. Not in a million years would I have imagined that well loved franchises and films in general could stoop so low for the purpose of profit.

Star Wars episode (? I dunno, who cares now! right?) won't probably be the end of the franchise but it sure hell deserves to be, boy it was an awful movie.

First, even if you want to make this franchise appeal more to 8 year olds, since they buy the merchandise, you don't have to make the story that stupid and plain. You don't have to make the dialogue that simple and predictable (worse than a baby TV series) and for a budget that big, the least you can do is make it a little more creative and engaging (I promise you, if you do Hollywood, even 8 year olds would love it and feel challenged and hooked, thus they will buy more) It is a shame that such potential would be wasted.

Secondly, nothing is good in this movie. The score is annoying, the plot is surpassed and a remake of a million other movie plots (including recent star wars), the effects and design was average and the acting was hideous. Even the fight scenes were ridiculous and bad, they could have at least hired a good (Korean, Chinese, American martial arts and swords fights coordinator) I believe that even in the most commercial and capitalist country in the world, to hype something then completely disappoint is getting pretty boring...

I long for the good old days of cinema when it was a craft rather than a soul-less business.

Congratulations Hollywood, this movie shall go into the dust bin of history. What a loss...