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helensilk89
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10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
From distinguished to disappointing
Wow, I can't express how disappointed I am with the direction this movie decided to take.
It was phenomenally done from the beginning: it had intrigue, a great story setup, a stellar cast who were all highly believable in their roles that made me feel pure anxiety through the screen as I imagined myself in that scenario. The story was unique and built up a great mystery where you didn't know which reality to believe, because both sides were conveyed equally believably. Many theories were possible, so it was pure entertainment to watch. Edge of your seat material.
And then... it all fell apart. It decided to take a very cheap route, which was suddenly poorly made (because of the overuse of effects that were also in parts poor quality), and about 27 plot holes and inconsistencies one right after the other. I was so baffled. It was like the last third was hijacked by an excited 15-year-old while the first two parts were philosophical, subtle, nuanced, and slowly built an intensity and intrigue that makes a film good.
This could have EASILY been an average 8+ star movie, if it weren't for the lazy overzealous writing at the end. It always disappoints me when writers just don't know when to stop, and no one tells them. But oh well, you win some, you lose some.
I'll pretend the last part didn't happen. I give the first two thirds a solid 8.
One Life (2023)
There will be some onions cut next to you
Anthony Hopkins has a comforting aura about him that makes you pay attention when he's on screen, and make you want to listen so carefully to him, even when he's not speaking.
This film was, if nothing else, moving and emotional.
I knew going into it that I was going to experience emotions - it is war-related, after all. But I did not know it would have such a lasting effect. I frequently think about it.
As a non-frequent movie goer, I've definitely never been in a cinema where the entire audience was moved all at once. This was my first time experiencing this phenomenon. We went to see it during a 2023 movie festival, and the huge screening room was entirely packed. We were all squished up against each other. There were a couple moving scenes here and there that touched everyone in the audience, and I could hear people start sniffling after a couple of these scenes. Then one scene in particular caused the entire theatre to lose our collective cool, which was very liberating. Not one dry eye left their seat that day!
It's a fairly straightforward plotline, told simply and without any complexities. Some people may find it overly simple. But I like how this story was told, and how such a simple showcasing of events could break an entire theatre room in a beat. There was such a great dosage of humour woven throughout, that it made it all the more wonderful.
Last Sentinel (2023)
Entertaining
A decent movie if loneliness and desolation at sea are your jam. That's exactly what I went in for, and that's exactly what I got. It's a great movie to watch on a big screen, as it made it very atmospheric. It's slow-paced, and that's what I tend to go for.
The script was really minimal and predictable, which was the main setback for me. They could have made the dialogue less dry, and it's hard to believe that being stuck together for that long they still haven't decided on any in-jokes. We also don't get a sense of who they are as people, I think it really focussed on what was happening in the moment.
All in all, a very decent watch and gives you exactly what you need if the whole "stuck alone with anxiety and tensions at sea" is what you're into.
Klokkenluider (2022)
Minimalistic and tense. The sound was a paid actor.
First of all, can we commend the amazing use of sound in this film? The deep contrasts between loud and quiet is so impactful. Really kept my senses perked the whole time.
Secondly, although the story is quite slow-paced, it kept engaged the ENTIRE film. Didn't lose its grip once. The great use of sound had a lot to do with it.
The conversation was minimalistic, but not boring - on the contrary, it was intriguing and made you want to know more.
The story itself is thought-provoking, and left me with a lot to ponder about at the end. I found it especially fascinating how much and how little we get all at same time.
Roxy (2022)
How far will you go?
We follow the life of Thomas, a taxi driver. A taxi driver's job is not to judge, or get involved, or give moral advice. It's to drive. To go where he's told to go, for a price. So when he gets some shady passengers with a ravenous dog, who have money, and have places to be... how far will he really go?
I like the idea that it's "Taxi Driver", but with a European setting, humour, and mannerisms. A very German Rob de Niro directed by a Georgian mind.
The story is a great example of how a morally neutral (yet socially proper) character lives his life. He doesn't stick his nose in other people's business, he takes on everyone's side like a chameleon. Is that good or bad? Is being amoral better or worse than being immoral? If you don't take sides, are you everyone's ally or everyone's enemy? And can new opportunities that never came up before, really change a person's perspective on the world, and what he's capable of?
These questions arise as you watch the story unfold, and you want to put yourself in their situation to see what you yourself would do.
It's a move that's great to discuss afterwards over a wine.