Change Your Image
Jcarter7350
Reviews
Im Westen nichts Neues (2022)
The best WW1 Movie, top 10 war movies ever
Cinematography is outstanding, the story is true to the source, the message timeless and relevant (but has been heard before).
I find myself thinking about this movie long after I finished watching it, which is I think the hallmark of any exception film. It's not an easy watch, there's gore aplenty, but it's not gory for gratuity's sake. It feels REAL. And that's what makes it so heart wrenching and moving. It's better than 1917, which I considered outstanding, but a much harder watch and film I'd consider more rooted in realism than trying to be entertaining.
I haven't been as moved by a war movie since the first time I watched Saving Private Ryan or Platoon. I would like this one closer to Platoon in terms of "feel" and overall message about the futility of war, although there is little room for interpersonal conflict to speak of outside of the characters just trying to survive.
It's depressing, yes, but a message I think everyone should be reminded of amid ongoing conflicts territorial conflicts throughout the world.
I very rarely ever write reviews, but this movie deserves one. I applaud the INCREDIBLE production value which achieved a really grand sense of scale, the direction, and of course the cinematography. The only knock I have is on the pacing, which is a little bit uneven (perhaps by design), and length. Both issues could've been solved by cutting around 15 minutes from the run time but then again maybe something would've been lost. Don't be turned off by the subtitles. You could probably watch this film without dialogue and fully enjoy it
In summary, you need to watch this film and tell everyone you know who enjoys good cinema to do this same so that Netflix and other steaming companies will greenlight budgets for other projects like this. It's well worth the 2.5 hrs of your time and attention. 8.5/10.
Shoresy (2022)
Bingeable and Memorable, Despite Being Lowbrow
I finished Season 1's six 20ish-minute episodes in two days, and yet I wanted more. I came to care for these characters and their futures, which is impressive since I came into this show blind as a non-hockey playing American. The show is good, but it's not great (yet).
Shoresy's thematic elements and character development is held back by some very lowbrow humor and dialogue that could've used a few more re-writes. I almost stopped watching during a prolonged fart-joke scene in episode 1, but I'm glad I pushed through. Additionally, more than once I felt as if the dialogue during specific scenes was filler to hit a specific episode length. That said, I became so engrossed with these characters, their development, and the small town of Sudbury that I'm writing my first review so that hopefully others can enjoy the show and that it gets picked up for a second season.
I think what Shoresey really needs is a bigger writers' budget, but I will praise the editing, camera work, and overall production value for a show on this sort of budget. Jared Keeso, who plays the main character, and produces the show, is great in his role as the loveable and loyal (yet flawed) Shoresy. Tasya Teles, who plays the hockey team's GM, shows occasional flashes of great acting ability, although her character feels underdeveloped hamstrung by a less than fleshed-out script.
In summary, Shoresey is a pretty compelling production and I'm happy that I watched it. It's a solid 7/10, which means that it's a fine show, but it won't stand the test of time. With some tweaking and TLC from the studio, Shoresey could very well elevate to cult-classic status, but in any event these first 6 episodes are very much worth your time. Give yourself completely to 2 episodes, and I promise you'll be wanting more.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
Decent flick for Tarantino fans.
As someone who watches movies just as much to enjoy art as to be entertained, I enjoyed this movie. My friends who are casual movie fans and who view movies much less critically than myself, did not. The film is basically a who-dun-it with very few set pieces that would work much better as a play.
Where to begin. I'll just throw out some technical aspects of the film and their respective rating. Plot 6.5/10 Screenplay and dialogue (in true Tarantino fashion) 8.75/10 Cinematography 8/10. Acting 8.5/10 Pacing 5.5/10
It was honestly one of Tarantino's worse films. Perhaps this is because it didn't feel like a movie, but a stage production.
The dialogue is all top-notch and carried the rather weak plot and pacing. The movie ran about 30 minutes too long, and was even self- indulgent at times.
There are highly political undertones throughout the film, and race is a major device used in the film that is set shortly after the civil war, so if that sort of thing upsets you, skip it.
Although the main characters were fully developed, I found myself not caring about any of them. None of them were likable, or even remotely relatable. They were, however, interesting.
This is my first review, so I know it's all over the place. But to sum it up--I'd only recommend this film to people who truly enjoy movies as art and story telling devices. Even then, I'd say skip it in theaters and watch it at home. I was let down overall with the film, however I still recognized that it was decently crafted and worth at least 6.5 stars. Not Tarantino's best, as it lacked the style of his earlier films and was way less compelling, but still worth watching on a rainy afternoon at home..