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Reviews
The Retirement Plan (2023)
It's definitely not a 5...it's a hidden Gem!
Nicolas Cage's The Retirement Plan might just be the most misunderstood gem of its time. In an era where action films often tread a well-worn path of clichés and predictable plotlines, this movie stands out-not just for its unique premise but for its daring to mix self-referential humor with a surprisingly intricate plot that rewards viewers right up to its finale. Comparisons to Last Action Hero are apt, suggesting that, like its predecessor, The Retirement Plan is destined for cult status among those who appreciate its blend of satire, action, and heartfelt storytelling.
The film follows Nicolas Cage playing a version of himself, an ingenious casting choice that blurs the lines between fiction and reality in ways only Cage could convincingly pull off. The story starts with "Nick," a version of Cage who's down on his luck, financially strapped, and seemingly at the end of his career rope. This setup is a clever nod to the public's perception of Cage's real-life career, with its ups and downs and notorious spending sprees. When Nick's agent, in a last-ditch effort to salvage his client's career (and perhaps financial stability), offers him a job that seems too shady to be legit, the plot thickens. It's revealed that this job involves him in a CIA-led political kidnapping scheme-a premise that on its surface might seem absurd but is exactly the kind of twist that Cage's filmography would suggest he could dive into headfirst.
What makes The Retirement Plan stand out isn't just its willingness to play with meta-commentary and self-parody; it's how it executes these themes with a genuine sense of fun and adventure. The movie doesn't just rest on the laurels of its central gag (Nicolas Cage playing "Nicolas Cage") but builds upon it with a compelling narrative that keeps the audience guessing. The plot's temperature indeed "gets hotter" as it progresses, ratcheting up the stakes and the action in equal measure.
Critics who have panned the movie for its seemingly outlandish premise or convoluted plot twists might have missed the point. The Retirement Plan isn't trying to be a straightforward action movie. Instead, it's a playful, self-aware take on the genre that both parodies and pays homage to the action heroes and plots of the past. The film's pacing is deliberate, allowing the audience to become invested in Nick's journey, not just as an action hero but as a character facing a crossroads both professionally and personally.
The comparison to Last Action Hero is particularly telling. Much like that film, The Retirement Plan operates on multiple levels. On the surface, it's an entertaining action-comedy with all the requisite chases, fights, and explosions. But just beneath lies a commentary on Hollywood, the nature of celebrity, and the often-blurred lines between an actor's public persona and their real self. It's in this meta-textual play that the movie finds its heart, using Nicolas Cage's storied career and public image as a canvas to explore themes of redemption, self-discovery, and, ultimately, transformation.
The twist that many reviewers seem to have overlooked-or perhaps not given enough credit-is crucial not just for the plot but for the thematic resolution it provides. Without delving into spoilers, it's fair to say that the movie's climax and resolution offer a refreshing take on the "happy ending" trope. It's both surprising and satisfying, tying together the seemingly disparate threads of the story in a way that feels both earned and insightful. It's a testament to the screenplay's clever construction and Cage's performance that the ending feels neither contrived nor predictable but instead a natural culmination of the film's exploration of identity, fame, and personal growth.
The Retirement Plan is, at its core, a love letter to action movies and the actors who inhabit them. It's a film that understands the genre's conventions and then gleefully plays within-and sometimes against-those boundaries. Cage delivers a performance that is both self-deprecating and earnest, a tightrope walk that few actors could navigate as skillfully. His portrayal of "Nick" is at once a caricature and a deeply personal exploration, a balancing act that serves as the film's emotional and narrative anchor.
In conclusion, The Retirement Plan deserves a reevaluation. It's a film that is far smarter and more heartfelt than initial reviews might suggest. Its blend of action, humor, and meta-commentary creates a unique cinematic experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Like Last Action Hero, it's a movie that may well find its audience in retrospect, appreciated by those who understand its playful subversion of genre tropes and its celebration of the action hero's enduring appeal. It's the perfect Sunday night movie-not just for the entertainment value but for the way it leaves viewers reflecting on the nature of storytelling, heroism, and the art of cinema itself.
Bir Baskadir (2020)
Wanting more more more
This is what Turkish series should be like. A traditional Anatolian woman with a low income job. But she somehow outsmarts her boss which is a psychologist with a complex. She lives in a suburb of Istanbul with all the cliches you expect. A traditional brother, a conservative Imam. But as the show evolves the characters develop very pleasantly more in depth and some get a nice twist. The Imam's daughter for example.
Her down to earth intelligence which is common for most low educated Turkish woman is shown in a very pleasant way in this show. I loved every detail and dialogue. 5 stars for the makers artists and all who put great effort. 10 out of 10. I really want more of these shows!
Ps: also checkout another gem which is available on NetFlix: Fatma.
The Voyeurs (2021)
Original and nicely shot movie, a little erotic though
I'm glad I didn't let me hold back to watch this film by some negative reviews. Watched it with my wife and we kindly liked it. The moral seems far away sometimes but the film wraps it up very nicely. Sweeny is perfectly fit for her role and I think she is the discovery of the hot but cool, sexy but little crazy character she's playing again (also played kind of that in The White Lotus). Very watchable movie if you don't mind the minor script flaws, watch it with an open mind and enjoy the ride. A nice movie doesn't always have to be an Oscar nomination to entertain. This one does entertain.
Strange But True (2019)
A very watchable movie, makes sense.
Let me start with the fact that I really think this movie is underrated seeing the ratings. Yes the movie evolves slowly but once you give it a chance, like I did on a Sunday evening, it will let you watch it till the end. And the end makes sense and the pieces come together.
The story starts when a young girl shows up pregnant at the house of the (separated) family of his boyfriend who died 5 years earlier. Thinking that she's pregnant in a supernatural way she's not getting the empathy of his boyfriends mother. What follows is an unfold of an unexpected truth which is closer to common sense than expected.
So without spoiling the story I can say that it is not a non-fiction nor a thriller. It is a drama story with okay acting. Yes there is some tension in the last third part of the movie. But that makes it watchable till the end. The finale clears out all the questions so the script makes in that perspective good sense. With a good director it all ties up pretty nice. Good job.
Yildizlar da Kayar: Das Borak (2016)
Lame movie
Really these pictures are a disgrace for Turkish people. This is not a B movie, it's not even in the alphabet.
The Promise (2016)
A political very colored film, historically doubtful
The story could've been much more believable when the political part was kept away. Unfortunately the makers or funders as you wish wanted to make a statement in this movie. If you want your opinion kept clear don't watch.
Messiah (2020)
Mysterious and beautiful.
This pictures is a real bingewatcher. I loved how the director played the religion and politic aspects of life. Whether you are religious or not I think everyone could appreciate this serie. The choice is up to the viewer, just like in this picture the choice is up to the characters.
Vivarium (2019)
Dark themed film packed freshly and original. I liked it!
Let me be straight, this picture is not ment for the straight forward blockbuster seekers. This is not a Marvel or DC movie. I understand the ratings from that audience. Be prepared to watch a movie like 'Being John Malkovic' and not X-Men. Manage your expectation and you will have a nice movie evening before bedtime.
That said, the message I got at the end of this movie is the deeper meaning of life or the absence of a deeper meaning of it. People are marrying, getting children, raising them and eventuelly die. While the circle of life repeats itself. That is basically the abstract of life as we know it. I don't share this point of view but the story told in the film was fun to watch.
The story is told quickly and full of story twists which makes such a dark theme relatively light-hearted and fun to watch. I myself wouldn't put the film in the horror genre more in the mystery.
If you like art-house movies then this is could be a classic in the making. I think it's a fairly low budgetted film which is made very keen and turned out to be worth watching.
Replicas (2018)
Open your mind and give it a try
Ofcourse it's a crazy plot and if you only can handle non-fiction real life stories this movie is not for you. But however if you are an open minded human being them please ignore the special fx because that's not what this movie is about. The question is, what would you do if you had the ability to replicate your loved ones when they die? However the latter part of the movie turns into an cliche catch action movie where Reeves and his family roll into a cat and mouse story. But nonetheless the story gets a good surprise which saves the movie from being a bad one.