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Reviews
Civil War (2024)
Dystopian America after... what exactly?
Dystopian America after... what exactly?
This is not exactly a sequal to the earlier film that was released on Netflix.
There's a lot going on and it was totally unclear to me why some of the states wanted to separate, why some succeeded, why some didn't and why the film had the ending it has.
Maybe I missed the plot...?
I've read my share of prepper/dystopian fiction. Usually there's a better introduction.
So, the journalists are on their way in the chaos and they run in all sorts of trouble. Talking about being a war correspondent to a young kid who tags along because she wants to follow in the footsteps of the greats.
They're all trying to get that one great picture.
The chaos is amazing and the sound effects, are loud, and I mean LOUD. They actually startled me some of the times. So the chaos is pretty awesome.
There are some attempts to give us insights into the characters. It wasn't enough for me to really feel a connection.
In the end I was left with the "why".
Blood & Gold (2023)
Tarantino, but not quite
The cuts are Tarantino. The choice of music is that of what Tarantino does as well.
The cinematics (filters, shots and cuts) used, very Tarantino.
But it's just a weird movie. The story line is thin. It's pretty gory and violent, but it isnt carried by strong acting as the cast in Inglorious B's or Django Unchained by Tarantino. It's just ...boring? There isn't the same humor as in Django or Pulp Fiction.
I had to watch it in 3 sittings. It just was not captivating enough and honestly I was thankful the movie was over as it was juat dragging on.
It feels it could've been a 50-60 minute and was extended to a little over 1h30.
Stowaway (2021)
...a sinking ship...
Started to watch this because of Frank Grillo.
I get the feeling this was a favor to someone who wants to get their first crack at a longer movie (directing/producing/editing/camera). If that's the case, most is forgiven.
So the plot is that a young woman inherits a yacht from her long lost father. The inheritance also comes with some complicated history and the young women will soon find herself in the middle of it.
What struck me immediately is the lighting and camera work. It just gives the movie the feel of a (low budget) soap opera, think "bold and the beautiful".
The editing is off. Either the scenes start just a bit to early or cut away to soon. The sequencing is just off, with many shots just repeating. It disrupts the flow of the movie and makes it cringing to watch. It's like the first time you learn to drive stick.
The set looks pretty cool. Unfortunately, the special effects are just poorly done. Think Sharkenado. (If sparks from an angle grinder fly in someones' face, the pain will be real).
(young and old) Rose is overselling the whole abandoned, "I don't care attitude" child and is underselling the suspense and action sequences.
I liked her in John Wick. She is capable of action movies and fight scenes. It's just not coming together for her in this movie. Maybe the step to being a lead actor was a bit to big for now?
Frank, I think he's an underrated actor. LOVED him in Warrior and The Purge: Anarchy. I don't know what he was thinking doing this movie. He's so out of place. He's working very hard to carry the dialogue. So either Rose is not giving back enough, or the lines don't give enough to talk about and/or the director is not giving enough direction to the actors.
Over all the acting is not convincing. There's no chemistry and the dialogues don't flow. Grillo keeps asking if her dad ever talked about him or the past. Rose keeps repeating that her dad was absent at best. It's just awkward.
The action sequences look rehearsed and aren't logical.
1) even someone who's had a week's worth of training with a riffle can hit a target from 50 m. A seasoned merc will definately hit the target.
2) A merc will easily escape a guillotine choke.
3) Street kids fight dirty, so they'll go for the groin, eyes and throat first.
So, I'm looking forward to Frank's next movie!
The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
Classic detective set in the 19th century
This is a detective like one of the classics. Set in the 19th century, a former army kolonel is called back to investigate a murder of a cadet at West Point.
This is NOT an action movie, or a Sherlock Holmes, it's not a fast paced thriller. The delivery of lines sometimes borderline on the old school theatrical and it makes sense in this movie.
It reminded me of the classic Poirot and Midsummer Murders.
You'll have to watch and enjoy how it all unfolds. There's plenty of room for guessing and the movie will keep you guessing for quite a while.
The 19th century atmosphere gives an extra dimension of darkness and eeriness.
The acting is strong by the strong cast. Bale is the tired and troubled detective whose history is sprinkled throughout the movie. Melling is the naive, lovestruck (over) dramatic poet. I think Bale really enjoyed some of Mellings deliveries, the smirk is almost a snigger. Mcburney and Spall play impatient officers, Anderson a hysterical mother and Jones a doctor and naive father.
Sentinelle (2021)
Someone needs to get revenge for putting this out.
It started out good with a good origin story. Then it tapered off. The fight scenes are okay. The movie is a poorly executed cliché of a revenge movie. Think "Equalizer" without the finesse or cinematography. It does have potential, it needs more oompf.
The Green Knight (2021)
Very slow to get the point accross
A member of king Arthurs court, Gawain, accepts to parttake in a game with The Green Knight. This leads to a journey on Gawain's behalf in which he uncovers certain sides of himself as future king.
To be honest, I had the same feeling when I read "Fiesta" by Hemmingway. I was just waiting for something to happen... and it never did. Whuch was the point of Fiesta. I dob't thibk it was the point of this movie.
Yes, there is the introspection, the great cinematics, the surrealism and symbolism. Taking all of that into accouny, I thought it was ... well ... rather boring.
Shazam! (2019)
Just couldn't get into it
It starts off as any classic and for some reason I just couldn't get into it.
There were some funny moments and slme pretty cool battles and in the end it went really predictable and sappy.
I was sort of glad I didn't watch it in theatre.
It's good for something if you rent it or just wait for it on Netflix.