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frank-boester
Reviews
Sicario (2015)
Film noir in bright sunlight
Honestly, I don't know what more I expected: but Sicario left me a bit underwhelmed for all the praised that it received.
Don't get me wrong, this is a very fine movie - but there is possibly more urgent on your or my playlist...
Fine performances from all the main actors, handled more than expertly in the technical and directorial department, it is indeed the lack of development that leaves you a bit empty in the end.
'That's it?' you ask yourself ...none of the characters has a change or transition. We pretty much leave the circumstances as the protagonist has been dropped into them.
On the plus side, it is possibly a worthy "Traffic" (Soderbergh, 2000) successor with a 2015 update. Not as multifaceted as the former as it doesn't review as many aspects and plotlines. But the fact that apparently it has not gotten better but worse leaves you as disillusioned as Emily Blunt's character in the final act.
Bullet Train (2022)
So much better than I expected
I watched this.haphazardly one night because I didn't want to commit to a more must-see movie on my watch list ...and expected something that could be stopped halfway to finish the next day without much hesitation....
The general consensus about this flick was of a brainless frenzy of shootings and action on a train with little or no rationale.
Dead wrong. 'Bullet train' holds a finely tuned plot (if contrived a bit), but don't tell me that Pulp Fiction is realistic or probable.
Weird characters with.engaging idiosyncracies, a constant forward moving plot, LOTS of twists - and a slew of action set pieces. Handled with finesse in editing and pacing.
This train is a fun ride: put your smartphone aside = no time to check your social media during this, as you would miss important points or comedic moments!
White Lightnin' (2009)
shocking in part, partly revolting and appalling
Seen this one at the Berlin Filmfestival 2009 and did not know what I was up for. Felt quite a bit sorry for the friends I brought with me cause it turned out to be a tour de force in part.
The style, the editing, the acting - all that is pretty impressive and engaging. But mind you: the depicted life story is most of the time not a pretty sight and not for the faint of heart. The depictions of substance abuse (lighter and gas fumes) by the young Jesco White, his violent outbursts, self mutilation, up to the murders in the end of the movie... I don't know a better way to stage this in a feature film and it is supposed to be true to the life of Jesco White. Still, beware what you might be up for: could be your first walk-out in a long time.
I don't regret watching this movie, though I don't know if I had gone had I known what I was up for. Besides, I was glad I could end the film festival with another movie after that... sort of to clear my mind.