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Reviews
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Disappointing :(
I feel like I'm taking crazy pills or have missed a dose, as I cannot comprehend the high praise for this sequel.
I adored Part 1, which introduced me to this trippy Sci-Fi and the grandeur of a far-flung potential future.
Part 2 was all spectacle, yelling, and repetition (we get it, he's the chosen one), marred by:
poor editing (I'm genuinely shocked they didn't start the film on Giedi Prime with that battle sequence. Beginning it there would have pulled us in to this weird SciFi world and made it clear that there was some horrific villain who would be a huge threat to Paul and his ambitions, instead we got a slow paced intro about returning a dead body. Dull)
Lackluster pacing (yes, there's a lot to cover, but the narrative swings between too much happening and sudden lulls, or a weird build-up to a climax that kind of just happens out of nowhere - bang - and it's done).
The lead, Timothee, falls short of charisma (he's genuinely trying, but he seems miscast)
The romance feels totally unconvincing (almost as bad as that romance in Attack of the Clones).
The villain, despite a cool appearance, lacks depth. Yes, he's psychotic and needs to constantly look up beneath a furrowed hairless brow to show us that, but he's not scary or threatening.
Maybe I need to watch it again, but I was disappointed for sure, and I don't really know if it's just me missing something or if everyone's expectations of good films are being watered down, and we're forgetting that good movies get under your skin, whereas this one barely made a scratch.
The Clearing (2023)
Potentially great series ruined
There's a lot to appreciate about this series - the scenery, music, art direction, and child actors. However, it's all for naught because of the insane idea to have three different timelines running in each episode. It subtracts incredibly from the pacing, coherence, tension, overall impact, and, sadly, its watchability.
I just could not get through each episode without being bored or confused. Did the director not have the confidence to tell the story linearly? It feels like a cheap way to build intrigue, but it just doesn't work. Should not each timeline have the impetus to be its own story without being intercut with bits from the past? I could almost forgive the two timelines, but when a third one started, I was out.
The story feels grim and hopeless, and it's not really pleasant to watch. Sorry.
Earth (2023)
Really great. Highly recommended.
The documentary boasts outstanding special effects, arguably the best in the genre to date. It's unfortunate that the post-show epilogue doesn't acknowledge the remarkable work put into them, much like the recognition given to scientists and filmmakers.
Chris, the host, brings a passionate energy, though his accent and inflections may take some adjustment. However, his script shines with brilliance, flowing seamlessly and matching the caliber of Attenborough's candor.
While some critical reviews point out gaps in coverage, considering the vast span of 4.6 billion years, the documentary impressively tackles a substantial amount. Addressing the impact of human activities on Earth's biodiversity is a necessary but somber reminder. A follow-up series with Chris, focusing on solutions and engaging viewers to contribute ideas, could be a powerful addition to address the impending challenges.
The Holdovers (2023)
Gorgeous to look at, but with a very thin plot.
Such a visually stunning film! The setting, cinematography, art direction, and costumes are all top-notch. However, the story/screenplay falls short, impacting the overall direction of the film.
Paul Giamatti gives it his best, but there are moments where you can almost sense his frustration with the story itself. His talent seems too great for the limitations of this movie.
The kid performs adequately, but the central plot (his story) fails to pack the emotional punch it should, and his crescendo scene really should have hit harder. Unfortunately also, Da'Vine Joy Randolph's acting doesn't measure up here at all; you find yourself craving more from her character, but it never materializes.
I find it rather odd to comprehend the high ratings this film is getting here. Perhaps viewers were captivated by the film's retro aesthetic, but it ultimately feels rather hollow and lacking substance.
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Truly, truly awful.
Amidst a swarm of evidently fabricated high-rating user reviews, I feel compelled to counterbalance the narrative with a thoroughly justified 1-star critique.
This cinematic endeavor is nothing short of dismal. It unequivocally solidifies my conviction that Julia Roberts is a subpar actor, with Ethan Hawke delivering a performance that barely scrapes by, marred by a conspicuous absence of chemistry with Roberts. The illusion of their on-screen matrimony is shattered, replaced by a palpable sense of Roberts begrudgingly navigating the realm of subpar Netflix productions. Her attempt to elevate the material falls flat, rendering her performance unconvincing and downright abysmal.
The young actors in the cast are not even worth a passing mention.
While Mahershala Ali manages to salvage some credibility, he grapples with a script that leaves him uncertain of his own direction.
The CGI employed is woefully inadequate, culminating in a Tesla scene that elicits more laughter than awe. Prolonged, verbose dialogues replace the expected panic and terror in critical moments. A perplexing subplot involving a deer adds nothing but a sense of absurdity. As the ending unfolds, the relief is palpable, particularly after briskly skipping through sizable portions of the film.
In the realm of Netflix films, this one parallels the neglected videos of yore in antiquated rental stores-never chosen and ultimately destined for the discard pile.
Gary and His Demons (2018)
I'm glad I gave it a go
It's actually quite good. The writing is funny and the plot lines do their best to be subversive and creative. Obviously he's killing Demons (it's pretty funny how simple it is for him to do), but it's mostly about his 'personal' demons and it's hilarious how the story-lines go nuts as he does this. It's similar to Rick and Morty, though not as finessed. I hope they do more seasons.
However, I really, really hate though this cheap and basic type of computer generated animation, and it'd be so much better if they put more effort in to enhancing the quality of the backgrounds and the characters themselves. Everything is too boxy, flat, thin and plain, especially for a show about a variety of demons from hell (they're all blue, ok, cool...but you can do better animators).
Kid 90 (2021)
It's narcissitic, but you can't blame her. A warning to not let your kid become an actor.
It's a good (and quite engaging) study in to how a child actors life can make them self-centered and narcissistic. Enough so to make a documentary about themselves and then a desire to share extremely personal details with the world.
However...
This is probably one of the only ways she can do it, and if you'd lived her life you'd probably want to do the same. There'd just be no other way to express the pain and frustration with the world and how it chewed up a very talented individual and spat her out when it was done with her (or couldn't cope with her becoming a woman with larger than average breasts apparently). I truly can't imagine how hard her life would have been and the life altering decisions she had to make, though it's just her one life, her very, very privileged, wealthy, jet-setting life, and that's all it is and that's all you should expect with this documentary. A study on one of our human brethren, and how their path shaped their story, enough so to be able to share it honestly with others.
I must say that her monologue/interview voice over she seemed a little rehearsed, performative and maybe a little fake, though I'm sure that wasn't her intention, but to us regular, non celebrity folk, it's just a bit self-centered, but again, who can blame her. The Hollywood machine created and influenced this poor young kid, and was done with her when she wasn't the plucky Punky anymore (though really, did she just have a terrible agent that couldn't get her the roles she deserved or was she just a free-spirited bohemian like her father at heart?).
I deeply appreciate that she's shared this story with the world. The celebrity world is a terrifying vortex of misery and narcissism, with extreme highs and lows that only a lucky few can maneuver and only with immense support and genuine love, and most crucially: random luck.
I truly hope she can come out on top and finds peace, she deserves it so much (as do we all).
Old (2021)
Laughably bad
MNS, you're a terrible filmmaker. Please just stop, we can't take it anymore.