Velvet Buzzsaw was a mixed bag for me which I didn't expect. My expectations were quite high after watching Nightcrawler a movie in which starred Gyllenhaal and was directed by Gilroy and this movie had the same actor-director combination. Gyllenhaal like always was phenomenal in this role, his and Toni Colette's performances were the best even though Colette didn't have a big role in the movie. Rest of the performances were ok not anything special. This certainly looks like a Gilroy movie, I loved the visual style and some scenes were shot to perfection. Now the negatives, firstly, it has all the horror cliches we've come to expect like fakescares, characters making horrible decisions and a cliche ending although ironically one aspect of the ending was unexpected. Secondly, I hate how some subplots were introduced towards the end and were never resolved or even mentioned later. Thirdly, the movie can't find a balance between horror and comedy, I found some scenes to be emotionally confusing i.e should I be laughing or be scared. In conclusion, the movie was a mixed bag, with things that work and things that don't in the end, the positives are more than the negative so I'll give the movie a "C+" or a 6.5/10.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Polar
(I) (2019)
A case of style over substance although that style was no filler, all killer.
25 January 2019
Polar is an interesting, heart pounding and intense movie with a great Mads Mikkelsen performance. The action in the movie was awesome to say the least and the gore wasn't just throwaway it actually added to the overall movie. However, the pacing was inconsistent as was the overall tone of the movie. The villains were treated poorly in my opinion meaning that the time used to introduce them and to show us their path leading upto their targets was wasted and the confrontation between our main characters took place a long time before the ending. Also, the movie tried to pull of a surprise at the end but it didn't work in my opinion as I saw it coming but that's not necessarily a negative. The movie was good but could've been great if it had strong villains and a bit more technicality in regards to pace, tone and direction however, the cinematography is beautiful in this movie and keeping all these aspects in mind I'll give it a 7/10 or a "B-".
Bird Box
(2018)
A rehash but with strong performances and a promising plot
13 January 2019
I was very hyped before watching this movie and I can't say it was worth it. Its not perfect by any means though, there are some wrong decisions made in the film making. Firstly, the movie dragged on a bit I was expecting a 1 hr 30 min or 1hr 45 min movie but instead I got a 2 hr 4 min movie which felt a bit too long. Secondly, some of the character arcs weren't fulfilled as I believe they should've been. Thirdly, I can understand why some people may compare this to A Quite Place so the timing of the release could've been better. However, the pros outweigh the cons firstly, the suspense built is perfect this is partly due to the actors but a major part is of the director. Secondly, the cinematography was spectacular including the color pallet. Thirdly, the performances were phenomenal especially the one given by Sandra Bullock the whole movie is built on her incredible performance, even the child actors were good. Lastly, it didn't feel like a throw away movie it was actually worth the time invested as it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats which I think is why I give it a 6.5/10 and "C" grade.
Ghoul
(2018)
A gripping show with freighting scares, sensational acting and an intimidating atmosphere Ghoul is truly an unmissable show.
31 August 2018
Ghoul had me on the edge of my seat just anticipating on what would come next. The atmosphere of the show was very unnerving a rarity for Indian horror shows and movies. Portraying a dark, misogynistic future Ghoul is a leftist's wet dream with undertones that really convey the fall of humanity in society. The acting was top notch especially Radhika Apte's, yeah she's practically in all Netflix Indian shows nowadays but I think its well deserved, she's a phenomenal actress and doesn't dissapoint here as well. However, the show was not flawless, it took a while to get started and the show should've been longer in my opinion. The entire first episode was just build up and I was expecting at least some action in the first episode as its only a three episode series but I was dissapointed in the opening episode. Luckily from there the show starts with the thrills and scares and doesn't dissapoint a bit after the first episode. I can draw comparisons between the atmosphere built here and the one built in The Thing(1982) which is one of the most atmospheric movies in my opinion and it really pays off. Netflix has ushered a new era fir Indian shows and I expect it to continue. In the end I'll give the show a "B+" and a "7.5/10".
Avengers: Infinity War
(2018)
Infinity War is the Marvel version of Game of Thrones and it pays off
30 August 2018
Avengers Infinity War is one of those rare gems where a movie exceeds your expectations. The action sequences and tge production design is phenomenal no surprise in that as its an MCU movie. Thanos is a fantastic villain, I despised his actions in the movie but there was something about the way his character was written that makes the audience know why his motives and they've shown him not necessarily a conflicted character but a character that has a certain level of humanity props to Josh Brolin for making Thanos believable and not some generic bad guy. This film really shocked me with some of the decisions and some of the character arks and I'm glad that it didn't go the safe route. Honestly I believe that this may very well be one of the best MCU movies and one of the best to come out this year. My only problem with the film is that the film didn't flow fluently which I get because there were so many subplots but that's the only issue I have. Lastly, the Russo brothers deserve the respect of every movie fan for putting together such an epic and grand movie and making it good.
With realistic action set pieces and a gripping storyline, Mission Impossible Fallout takes the Mission Impossible franchise to new heights by being the best action movie of
30 August 2018
The best action movie I've seen all year. I've not seen such an intense action movie ever since Mad Max Fury Road, the stunts are believable and awe-inspiring because Tom Cruise is actually performing them by himself which makes for great action set-pieces my favorite action sequence was the helicopter chase in the finale which to be honest, is the best finales I've seen in 2018. In regards to the Mission Impossible movies I like almost all of them except 2 but this has to be the best in the series. The plot maybe an issue for some people as its a bit hard to follow if you don't pay attention but I like the fact that the movie is not just a collection of mindless action sequences but it requires you to invest in the plot. The issue with the mission impossible movies has often been the villain but here we got the second best antagonist in the series after Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character in MI 3. All in all, if you love good action set-pieces go watch this movie, if you like good spy thrillers go watch this movie, if you love film in general go watch this movie guys.
Hereditary
(2018)
A gripping, unconventional and an unsettling movie, Hereditary is one of the best horror movies I've seen so far this decade.
30 August 2018
I don't know why I decided to watch this gem at 3 in the morning. This is one of the best horror movies so far this decade, it doesn't rely on jumpscares or loud noises like most horror films its more of an unconventional masterpiece. I loved the tension created in this movie and the editing choices were phenomenal and actually unsettled me alot. The acting in this movie is superb especially by the females in particular Toni Collette who actually in my opinion gives the best female performance of the year. The film does not feel claustrophobic but it does feel contained in these particular locations which adds to the horror of this movie. This is Ari Aster's first feature lenght movie as a director and now he's on my radar I can't wait to see what he does next because he has crafted this movie to almost perfection. The ending has to be the best but also the most unnerving endings I've seen. The only flaw I can think of is the exposition which I get it that in such movies characters have to speak out the exposition but I felt this movie would've been better with less vocal exposition like The Shining. In the end, Hereditary is a very gripping, unnerving and unconventional horror film the best infact since The Babadook, it combines the elements of art house and horror very well and its a must watch for all horror fans but viewer discretion is advised because of it's disturbing nature. I give it an "A+" and "9.5/10".
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