mark-217-307033 Reviews

True Detective: Night Country: Part 6 (2024) Season 4, Episode 6

All that potential to do so much good...

[1/10 · 20 February 2024]

After finishing this season I silently walked out into a bitter ice storm in the hope of being taken by a supernatural spirit until my ears bled and my eyes were gouged out in the hopes of removing all audible and visual memory of what I just watched. Sadly, I'm now in bed with a cold ruminating on this Titanic trajectory of a show.

The fact that multiple plot holes were explained away with "some questions have no answers" might be on par with the 'it was all a dream' writing trope.

I thought Foster and Kali Reiss did their best with a terrible script and performed admirably. Also admired the original song from John Hawkes and didn't realise he was a musician as well. They were the only bright spots in a script that would've been best thrown into a deep Alaskan lake before seeing the light of day, let alone making it to a HBO series.

Barbie (I) (2023)

Fun film whose script falls in on itself

[6/10 · 19 July 2023]

Margot Robbie's performance is perfect, and no other actor could've embodied the character as well as she does. However, Ryan Gosling is the film-stealer. I often forget his comedic talent, and he's given a lot of room to flex it in this. A cleverly executed Matchbox Twenty joke is particularly memorable.

While cynics and perhaps realists will argue that the film is primarily a marketing vehicle to sell Barbie dolls, it does attempt to carry a moral message. However, the commercial aspect of the movie undercuts the credibility of this message somewhat.

The movie starts off well, being smartly self-aware and offering a tongue-in-cheek critique of itself with many winks to the audience. However, as it progresses, the commentary on feminism and the patriarchy becomes heavy-handed, especially in the dialogue-heavy third act, which weighs down the overall narrative.

The set and wardrobe designs are a standout. I think kids will love this part alone, even if some of the humor and social commentary will go over their heads.

Overall, it's a fun film but not without its flaws. It's likely to spark discussion due to its blunt societal commentary. If you're looking for a visually impressive movie to entertain the kids, and you're willing to enjoy it without analyzing its message too deeply, then it's an enjoyable watch.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

And the Oscar goes to...

[10/10 · 19 July 2023]

I'm still collecting my thoughts after experiencing this film, Cillian Murphy might as well start clearing a space on his mantle for the Best Actor Oscar.

This film is a masterclass in weaving narratives and different time periods while exploring the profound depths of a man whose actions altered the world's trajectory forever, for better or worse. Nolan brings us into the complexities of Oppenheimer, and all the moral conflicts stirring within him.

Murphy's portrayal is so riveting that the long run-time became an afterthought. Robert Downey Jr also offers a great performance and Nolan's push and pull with how he uses sound design throughout is the cherry on top.

Some viewers might need a brief refresher on WWII and Cold War history, but any film lover should be happy to willingly lose themselves in this film for hours on end.

Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)

Way too slow and clunky

[4/10 · 5 July 2022]

Religion focused shows are often very boring and regularly a strange American quirk in storytelling but gave this a go anyway because the trailer looked good. Couldn't care less for the Mormon faith, they all look the same to me. A tedious crime drama that spends minute after painstaking minute focused on religious quackery and occasionally remembers to remind viewers of the throughline of a murder story that's happening in the background.

Acting is great, Garfield is great, storyline bored me to tears.