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samrussell99
Reviews
Mr. Nobody (2009)
Synesthetic
Mr. Nobody
Is a
Synesthetic movie. In some ways it feels more like a music video than a movie - a vehicle for the colorful vignettes and scenes, with wild transitions and bright colors.
BLUE, YELLOW, RED are the threads of Nemo's existence. His possible realities with lovers Elise, Elaine, and Anna meld and crash into each other through space and time.
The origin point for this whirlwind theme park ride is the imagination of Child Nemo - who is considering each reality as he makes his decision between father or mother. This is only revealed at the end of the movie, which caps it off nicely - we have a concept of both ends of the diverging spindles, like the ends of a telemere.
Most of Nemo's realities do not end well. Perhaps this is a reminder that life is fleeting. In fact, that seems to be the main message - life is fleeting, and unpredictable.
It would be a nicer movie if there were nicer endings. But it is colorful, well-woven, and beautiful. The scenes are well choreographed; the music is well placed. And, the storyline with Anna is powerful. Possibly unhealthy, certainly powerful.
Possibly unhealthy, certainly powerful.
10/10.
Big Time Adolescence (2019)
Some People are Black Holes
Pete Davidson is great. He's great because he's playing himself. He is the ultimate antihero. Zeke's influence is felt in every scene of the movie - the parties, the girls, all of it. They are all infused with his patina.
Zeke, who begins as entertaining but ends as trite and soulless, is a representation of all those things people try to find meaning in during their high school years. It is the story of one man who can't connect with anyone, and who personifies all the methods people use to try and get ahead in the world without building something real. Look at all the scenes where Zeke shines - they are dark. In the night. Slowly, the movie brings his personality into the daylight. All the grime, filth, and destructive patterns of behavior are laid bare as the movie goes on.
Most of the characters are interesting. Machine Gun Kelly is hilarious in his role. Zeke's girlfriend is good too. The kid plays his part well. His perception reflects that of the audience, even though he isn't really all that interesting himself. Most scenes are entertaining. A couple are stereotypical.
Zeke's story is obviously the crown jewel of the movie, and his story is nothing. A black hole. As the movie drags his darkness into the light, his quirks become less and less entertaining. The story of the main character is not that resonant, but the way we see Zeke's evolution through his eyes, along with some laughs and entertaining scenes along the way, is more than enough to make this a good movie - the bitter, acrylic, burger joint ending seals the deal.