MovieAnalysis Reviews

Evil Does Not Exist (2023)

Evil Does Not Exist-An Ecological-Drama

[7/10 · 11 May 2024]

After his critically acclaimed 2021 Oscar-winning film 'Drive My Car', writer-director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi is back with his latest outing "Evil Does Not Exist". An uncanny ecological-drama, set in the Japanese village of Mizubiki, where locals' lives take an unexpected turn when they are approached by two agents from a Tokyo-based talent agency for the construction of a Glamping Site. The film revolves around a widower named Takumi (Hitoshi Omika), who lives with his daughter Hana (Ryô Nishikawa) and calls himself a jack of all trades-the local odd-job man. He is so attached to nature that he keeps forgetting to pick up his daughter after school (nearly every day).

The opening scene takes us on a 4-minute contemplative walk through a serene forest path while all this time, the camera is continuously glazing up. Hamaguchi spends a hefty amount of time showing Takumi's daily routine. The purpose of both shots here is to immerse the viewers in the beauty of nature, allowing them to observe and embrace what they see. This is enough to realise what a fine work of art the film is. Eiko Ishibashi's music plays a huge role in driving the narrative, as much as setting the mood. In an interview, Hamaguchi credited the musician as his inspiration behind this film.

Back to the story, in one of the most memorable scenes, the PR agents present their proposal of setting up a Glamping Site on the top of the mountain to locals during a town hall meeting. The locals fiercely oppose the idea because it threatens the town's water supply. "Any activities upstream will add up, leaving a huge impact downstream," says the village chief. The agents soon realise that these villagers are not the country bumpkins they ha assume, leading them to reconsider their stand. During one of their chats, one of the agents considers taking the job of caretaker at the Glamping site.

In dramatic final moments, the story takes a cynical turn that leaves the viewers astonished but more in a state of confusion. It's a culmination of reality and imagination. On the surface, it seems to be a social commentary about how humans are continuously spoiling nature which is causing an imbalance. It tries to demonstrate the importance of the delicate balance between nature and humanity, and too much interference in one can lead to drastic effects on the other. After a little bit of thinking, you will find that there's so much subtle imagery and symbolism in "Evil Does Not Exist" and hence there's a lot to pore over. Conversations are key to deducing the secrets of this film.

Ryûsuke Hamaguchi's "Evil Does Not Exist" asks for patience but with a sluggish pace and a lack of tension, it's too hard to peer through the mist. Even with all the experimental achievements, fantastic cinematography and outstanding musical score, the story seriously lacks engaging elements. Hamaguchi leaves too much for the audience to interpret. Its open for interpretation ending continues to unspool long after the closing credits have rolled. One thing is clear, this is a film that qualifies for the label "Not for Everyone". Also, it is not a horror film as its metaphorical title suggests. It's up to you, how you wish to interpret this film.

The Nun II (2023)

The Nun II - The Devil Lives

[7/10 · 17 September 2023]

Five years after Sister Irene miraculously defeated the demon nun of St. Carta in Romania, she is once again approached by the church in the hope of another miracle. This time, she is tasked to investigate the mysterious murders happening across Europe that are linked to the demon nun 'Valak'. With a new companion Sister Debra, will Sister Irene succeed in repeating history or Valak win the game this time?

The Nun (2018) is considered one of the weakest films in the Conjuring franchise. Where the first film was directed by Corin Hardy, the studio trusted the hands of Michael Chaves this time, who previously helmed The Curse of La Llorona (2019) and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), for the studio and the franchise. The sequel brings back Taissa Farmiga and Jonas Bloquet as Sister Irene and Maurice and of course Bonnie Aarons as Valak, with the addition of a few fresh characters played by Storm Reid, Katelyn Rose Downey, and Kate Anna Popplewell.

Learning from the criticisms of its predecessor, The Nun II tried to improvise a lot. Undoubtedly, it's better in almost every aspect than the first film, but at the same time, that was not the real challenge for the makers, was it? The good thing is that the film is actually well-made and has some incredible sequences that facilitate keeping the viewers engaged the whole time. The film gets better treatment in terms of cinematography and set pieces, with a more cohesive storyline compared to its predecessor.

The film effectively uses sound to scare and create a haunting atmosphere when combined with fantastic cinematography. Not all the jump scares work but a few do and none of them feels cheap this time around. The opening scene raises the bar high. The addition of the goat demon was an excellent choice. That's it for this new monster, won't reveal much about it. The film has enough emotional weight to make viewers feel more attached to the characters this time. The performances are likeable, especially that of Taissa Farmiga, who is my absolute favourite in this film. The rest of the cast is great as well and does a wonderful job.

Keeping the ups and downs of the first two acts aside, the third act of the film is surprisingly menacing. It's grand and spreads a sense of vulnerability. A scene within the film and the mid-credit scene once again tries to establish a tie with the conjuring films, although it's not clear how and up to what extent. Still, post-credits are always a delight for fans.

Coming to the negatives, my biggest criticism is the overexposure and closeup shots of Valak, which do not necessarily invoke fear but make her less effective as the story advances. That doesn't mean that the demonic Nun have a lot of screentime. Once again, the film doesn't give much insight into Valak's origin, which leaves us a little bit unsatisfied at the end. There are little to no surprises in the film's storyline. Chave's direction is improving with every outing, but still, he has not completely mastered the art of using jump scares with greater effectiveness.

In conclusion, The Nun II is an enjoyable entry in the Conjuring universe that exceeded my expectations. The film is visually rich and better than many other films of this universe with a more intriguing storyline. It's not the scariest film of the year but it's worth a watch. If you are invested in this spooky universe, you should definitely check it out. The film leaves us with a lot to intrigue about the future of the universe as well as how Valak ended up in The Conjuring 2 after all this.

The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

The Pale Blue Eye Review

[7/10 · 26 January 2023]

The boundaries which divides Life and Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins.

It's my third film from director Scott Cooper, the other two being Out of the Furnace (2013) and Hostiles (2017) and both films feature Christian Bale in the lead who is once again collaborating with Cooper in this murder mystery called The Pale Blue Eye.

Based on the novel by Louis Bayard, this murder mystery ride takes us back to 1830s America where the veteran detective Augustus Landor is being summoned by the West Point Academy Superintendent for the investigation of a bizarre murder of one of the cadets.

The film starts well, with unsettling murder and intense investigation sequences and for around 30-40 mins we are totally into the film. Cooper builds a strong suspenseful atmosphere around the murders which seems unsolvable for most of its runtime.

The colour palette and brilliant cinematography give the necessary ominous touch to the film and the shot with a character walking in the dark holding a lantern, surrounded by the thick layer of fog momentarily makes us forget that we are watching a murder mystery.

When it comes to holding the viewer's interest in the second act, the film flatters a bit. It's not gruelling to watch but the very slow pace and lack of cohesiveness genuinely test our patience.

The film has quite a few cadet interrogation scenes and I found myself struggling to distinguish between the cadets as none of the cadets had any personality trait that could separate one from the rest. The placement of numerous side characters that do not have any significant contribution to the film bothered me a lot.

The film recovers a little in its third act and serves a better conclusion than what I was expecting at this point. Although the climax part could have been so much better and demanded a better representation.

The twist placed at the end of the film is no less than a shock and never in my dreams, I could possibly think of it. Well, I personally liked this twist and looking back at everything that happened throughout the film it does make some sense but on the other hand, it might divide the audience as well.

Christian Bale masterfully plays the melancholic loner and widower. Harry Melling, who accompanies Bale, is equally majestic and does a great job of portraying the young and enthusiastic cadet cum poet Edgar Allen Poe. Tobey Jones tried his best to give as much as possible. The film fails every other character in numerous ways leaving no scope to shine.

The Pale Blue Eye is undoubtedly unsettling in nature and provides a hard-to-crack murder mystery supported by chilling cinematography. Unfortunately, it lacks some interesting clues that the viewers could work on simultaneously. The conversational narrative outweighs the urge to solve the mystery. Thanks to the great performances by Bale and Melling that genuinely saves the day. The film fails to create a lasting impression and the memory of its existence might fade away more quickly than it should.

Instagram: m_movie_reviews Rating: 6.9/10.

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

The Banshees of Inisherin: Movie Review

[8/10 · 19 December 2022]

Synopsis: The life of two long-time friends takes an unexpected turn when one decides to break all ties with the other without specifying any reason behind the decision.

On one fine beautiful day in 1923, on an Irish island, Pádraic Súilleabháin (Colin Farrell) visits his friend Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson) to call him to the pub just like any regular day. There he comes to know that Colm doesn't want to be friends with him anymore. Clueless Pádraic didn't understand the reason behind such a massive step and tries to dissolve the situation by apologizing and talking to his dear friend. Contrary to his efforts, the more he tries to talk to Colm, the more the situation worsens, and that further leads to devastating events in both of their lives.

The Banshees of Inisherin is an extremely beautiful film, both from a story as well as a scenic perspective. The screenplay is so smooth that one doesn't even realize the passing minutes of the runtime. The cinematography is brilliant. The wide-angle shots of captivating landscapes with cloudy sky and seashore give a soothing experience.

McDonagh's direction is top class and he has masterfully created a mesmerizing world around us in this film. On one end, the story's simplicity gives a touch of authenticity to the film; on the other hand, the diligent character development & careful writing, make the characters more real than fictional. Every moment and conversation has been used efficiently to develop the story and take it further. Everything happening on the screen makes sense. Since McDonagh himself has written the film, he embraces the characters with the utmost care, and it's evident too, throughout the film when as a viewer we can relate to the characters and the situations. Even smaller role characters are written with interesting character arcs.

When such a talented cast is onboard, you can expect top-notch performances. Colin Farrell once again gives an Oscar-worthy performance with an extremely powerful portrait of his character. You can literally feel his anguish and emotions. Brendan Gleeson is equally outstanding with his marvellous dialogue delivery and character portrayal. Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan are the scene stealers and make their characters memorable even with limited screen time.

This comedy-drama, under the carpet, is actually more of a tragic tale. There are metaphors, but one doesn't need to dwell too deeply to understand them. They have been laid out in simpler ways here. There are plenty of scenes that would make you laugh, but at the same time, there are many that would make you sad. The film explores various underlying themes like loneliness, sadness, love, and friendship under the umbrella theme of human relationships.

At the end of the day, I see The Banshees of Inisherin as a film that everyone would appreciate in one way or the other. It's smartly written, brilliantly directed, and passionately portrayed. It's a fascinating piece of cinema and every frame in it is simply admirable.

Follow me: on Instagram: m_movie_reviews Rating: 8.3/10.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)

Ranking and Short Review

[7/10 · 30 October 2022]

1. Lot 36: 8.0/10 The basic plot itself isn't much innovative but the darker tone and setting, the highly effective bgm, and how the story unfolds make it more interesting. With every passing minute, my curiosity kept increasing. I wish it were a little longer maybe 10 more mins at least.

2. Graveyard Rats: 7.8/10 This one really surprised me. It's creative, funny, and creepy too. The claustrophobic setting is extremely effective and at some point, I really started to feel it. The presence of rats itself is so haunting, isn't it?

3. The Outside: 7.5/10 A little discomforting yet intriguing. Even though we have some sense of how things would end up, it still plays out very well overall because of the impressive visuals, the psychotic setting, and the fabulous performance by Kate Micucci

4. The Autopsy: 7.3/10 It involves quite an amount of gore which you could expect in an autopsy procedure and at times I had to close my eyes or look away from the screen. Not exactly scary but definitely disturbing enough. It's impressive how things played out and lead to an unexpected and interesting climax.

5. Pickman's Model: 7.2/10 Highly disturbing sound design and intense visual representation are what make this story more haunting than I expected it to be. The overall story isn't very gripping because of the slow pace & a little repetitive nature but has that ominous touch in it which keep us invested.

6. The Murmuring: 7.0/10 For me, this was the most beautiful episode. The cinematography is just mind-blowing. It gives a kinda relief at the start. Essie Davis & Andrew Lincoln were authentic in their respective roles. Although the story wasn't much haunting but is more close to reality and had an emotional weight in it, not that it would make you cry but the one you could feel.

7. Dreams in the Witch House: 6.0/10 The visuals are absolutely fantastic and so are the performances. Even with a good start and wonderful setup the overall story kinda fails to leave an impression & also lacks the surprise element. I liked the ending but yet it could have been more interesting and engaging.

8. The Viewing: 4.0/10 The episode hooked me up initially and my mind was trying to crack the mystery. Sadly, I soon got bored. This felt like a long advertisement promoting drinking and drug consumption. When the story actually comes to the main point it was too late. Maybe I'm too hard on this story but I really didn't enjoy it much.

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The Good Nurse (2022)

It is a Business

[7/10 · 28 October 2022]

When a patient dies unexpectedly in a hospital and the police start to dig in, to find the cause of death, what comes out leads to a shocking conspiracy and an unnerving truth.

Seeing Redmayne and Chastain on the poster was enough for me to watch this film. These talented folks can elevate the movie experience seamlessly, in a very natural way. Both the actors deliver top-class performances and the chemistry between them is truly lovable. As much as I enjoyed watching them onscreen, I found most of the other characters including those played by some familiar faces like Kim Dickens and Noah Emmerich were a little less interesting and poorly developed. The supporting cast doesn't get fair screen time and the attention they deserved.

Usually, a strong story and an engaging screenplay let us forget about such inconsistencies as we move along with the storyline but unfortunately that's not the case here. Definitely, the matter in hands is sensitive and massively shocking but the film lacks the thrilling portrayal of the facts involved & a solid bgm to support it throughout the runtime. Due to this even the unnerving revelation at the end didn't have a hard impact on me. The suspense is totally missing from the narrative. It seems like the makers were least interested in keeping the secret safe in the first place which makes it highly predictable.

The film is slightly longer than it should be and at times there wasn't much going on in the story. Director onboard Tobias Lindholm, well known for his screenplays in 2012s The Hunt & the 2020s Another Round, seemed decent here but I believe he could have done a lot more with the film's overall structure. His approach is very subtle and maybe that was the intention but for me, it reduced the effectiveness and tension. Maybe my expectations were wrong as the film's title is The Good Nurse so it should be about the good one, not the bad one. Yet it's the great villains that make great heroes (strictly in the context of movies). I hope you are getting what I want to say.

Looking at the bigger picture, the actual case this film is based upon is definitely heart-wrenching. It's frustrating to see such crimes happening so easily and for all those years everyone was just covering it up for their own good. Truly unbelievable. It's majorly the strong performances by our two leads and my desire to know about the truth that helped to stay with the movie till the end. I don't see anything outstanding from the film-making perspective or on technical grounds. I wish it were more engaging. It's a decent film with a grounded approach and for fantastic performances and the true story, one can watch this film.

You can find me on Instagram and Letterboxd: m_movie_reviews

6.6/10.

The Midnight Club (2022)

The Sound of Stories are the Sound of Lives

[6/10 · 25 October 2022]

After giving us a haunting house, a gothic romance, and an island of vampires, Mike Flanagan is back with his new Netflix show 'The Midnight Club'. This time we follow a bunch of teenagers living in a hospice, each one of who suffers from some kind of terminal illness. They meet up daily at midnight in an old library and one of them would tell a story, a spooky one, to the others.

I'm a big fan of Flanagan and his previous Netflix works. Each one of them has a different aesthetic, tone, and theme. The Haunting of Hill House explored Grief, The Haunting of Bly Manor was about the corruption of the soul and The Midnight Mass was about poisonous religious faith. The Midnight Club is all about exploring the fear of death. Death is an integral part of this series from start to end. Since each one of our protagonists is suffering from some kind of terminal disease, we know that they are going to die at some point in time. But there is a twist, that you can find when you watch the show.

There are ghosts, jump scares, and an intriguing mystery about the hospice and its history but the most interesting & attractive element of this show lies in its name-The Midnight Club. Yes, the stories that are shared by these teenagers every night are the main highlight of the show. These are not just plain horror stories to scare you, I mean some of them might scare you but they also tell a lot about the narrator. It's through these stories that the show develops the characters. This is why the character development is quite slow-paced but it is done very well and in a balanced way. As the show progress and we get to spend more time with these characters, they start becoming more and more likable. Our perspective towards each individual grows and changes a lot between the start & the end of the show. I enjoyed the performances mostly, definitely, there are some ups and down but overall each one of them offers a variety and uniqueness. I also liked how this show gives a nod to some of the classic movies both directly and indirectly (the ester eggs).

Coming to negatives. The mystery surrounding the hospice and its suspenseful history is intriguing but gets lost somewhere in between as the show progresses. The ghosts are in a miserable state and fail to create any kind of horror at all. Not for even once you would feel terrified or shocked or spooked. The show loses its momentum a little bit during mid-season episodes and becomes quite tedious at times. Also going along, some characters take the back seat and didn't get proper screen time which is a little disappointing because every episode is almost an hour long. The subplots don't payoff at the end as the season ends with a cliffhanger leaving us on the edge of our seats with a long list of unanswered questions.

Conclusion: Like other Flanagan shows The Midnight Club has a different and unique vibe to it and has its merits but the show wouldn't be able to hold a strong place in his filmography. It is less of a horror and more of a coming-of-age teenage drama. There was a lot that I liked and enjoyed in this show but at the same time it doesn't fulfill my expectations in the end and that disappoints me. The surprises and reveals don't hit hard this time around. With death being like a shadow in here, the series isn't very emotional but does have some moments where you could sympathize with the characters. Due to the slow pace, too much talking, and the lack of solid stuff to hold the viewers, I have a feeling that some might leave this show midway.

Also, considering the cliffhanger moment and too many unanswered questions, there is a high possibility of a second season yet I still think Flanagan should have followed his one-story one-season approach.

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Rating: 6.4/10.

Drive (I) (2011)

Charismatic Gosling and His Killer Smile

[8/10 · 15 August 2022]

I admire how beautiful this film is. The silent scenes where Gosling and Mulligan would just look into each other's eyes and smile with minimal use of words are truly effective. The power of silence.

The darker scenes involving violence are not much, which I honestly expected going into the film but maybe they were not required here. The ones which we get were brutal. Another positive aspect of this film is its music that elevates the sense of foreboding which lingers in the background all the time.

Even though I enjoyed the film, the only things this film needed were more tension and a little bit of suspense.

If you liked this watch these: Léon: The Professional (1994), Nightcrawler (2014), Taxi Driver(1976)

Fun-Question: Why does no one ask Gosling his name?

Instagram/Letterboxd: m_movie_reviews

7.6/10.

Thirteen Lives (2022)

A Powerful Story of Courage, Bravery and Sacrifices

[8/10 · 8 August 2022]

Like many, I too remember watching this accident in news a few years ago. A group of 12 boys and their soccer coach who gets trapped in the Tham Luang cave in Thailand and how it took weeks of effort in rescuing all the lives. Unfortunately, I was never able to watch the national geographic documentary from last year, which is why I was not aware of the key details of the rescue operation. I guess it might have helped me to get more involved and attached to the story than I would have if I had watched that documentary.

Ron Howard is already an established name in the industry and once again with his Thirteen Lives, he has successfully recreated the horror and the heightened tension of a rescue operation. The screenplay is very grounded and doesn't involve any over-the-top heroic moments. The film rather than focusing on celebrating heroism, emphasizes creating tension by putting the raw situations and challenges faced by the rescue divers and navy seals. The film respectfully highlights the collective involvement of locals and volunteers who helped in every possible way they could. So everyone is a hero in this film. It's a powerful story and the situations are like an emotional tremor. There is this one specific scene where the coach tells the navy seal 'The parents are thanking me for taking care of their children. I thought they would blame me.' This scene literally filled my eyes with tears and is just one of such moments.

Thirteen lives is helmed with the presence of a talented cast of Colin Farrell, Viggo Mortensen, Joel Edgerton and Tom Bateman with fabulous Thai actors Pattrakorn Tungsupakul, Vithaya Pansringarm and Teeradon Supapunpinyo. All these actors have given a terrific performance. The film is strong in technical aspects as well. The bgm is chilling and brilliantly serves its purpose of elevating the tension.

The underwater cinematography and scenes are breathtaking. The mountains and terrains captured via drones are equally captivating. The respectful treatment of Thai culture and beliefs is praiseworthy.

Thirteen Lives is a story of courage, bravery and sacrifices that must be told. The film is full of hearts and seems very accurate in its representation of the facts. If you haven't watched any documentaries or movies on this incident, Thirteen Lives is a must-watch for you. Even if you have watched anything focused on this incident, Thirteen Lives is a worthy representation and should be watched.

If you liked this you might wanna check these: The 33 (2015), Everest (2015)

Theme(s): Survival, Man vs. Nature, Rescue Mission, Cultural Beliefs

Rating: 8.4/10.

The Gray Man (2022)

Worst movie of the year? Not at All

[7/10 · 30 July 2022]

The film's story isn't some out-of-the-box idea but is a mixture of familiar plots that we have seen through the years in numerous films of this genre, which is why the film's overall structure is quite predictable and the end result isn't very surprising.

What's remarkable in Marvel's famed Russo Brothers' The Gray Man is its action choreography and powerful performances.

The fast-paced screenplay with a number of fight scenes (both gun fights and hand-to-hand fights) and a few explosions makes sure that we never leave our couch.

The star-studded cast includes Ana de Armas, Ryan Gosling, and Chris Evans in lead with Alfre Woodard, Jessica Henwick, Dhanush, Julia Butters and Regé-Jean Page as the supporting cast.

Even with an average story, it's the cast that keeps this film afloat. Evans is unrecognizable (from a performance perspective) and it's clearly visible why he denied the protagonist's role for playing a psychopathic antagonist.

Ana de Armas and Ryan Gosling are equally fantastic. I expected a more screenplay for Alfre Woodard as she's a fabulous actress. Seeing Dhanush in a smaller role yet excellent hand-to-hand combat was a treat.

Another interesting aspect of the film is its cinematography and effective use of drones (mostly).

As already stated, the film's story and writing are a bit of a disappointment. It seems like writers had a checklist to make sure they cover every plot element from the most famous franchises.

The espionage part lacks effectiveness as the screenplay is action-heavy and seems like there wasn't enough room for it in the script.

Ana de Armas' character never gets a chance to tell her story to viewers and her involvement in all this mess made by seirra six doesn't make much sense.

In finality, Even with a formulaic approach, Russo Brothers' The Gray Man is an action-packed fast-paced thrill ride with a ton of fun in it if you can keep your expectations under control and don't compare it with the previous ventures of the directors.

As someone who enjoys Liam Neeson action-flicks a lot, I think I've managed to allot some space for such escapist cinema.

Had this film had better a script and a more mature direction, it would have been a phenomenal achievement for Russo Bros out of the MCU but as they are returning for a sequel, I hope they will rectify the minor problems with which this film suffered.

Rating: 7.3/10

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Dark Winds (2022– )

Dark Winds Complete S01 Review

[8/10 · 17 July 2022]

Set in 1971, the story revolves around the three Tribal Police officers, Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Jim Chee(Kiowa Gordon) and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten). Primarily we have two storylines going simultaneously. First, the investigation of a double murder of a young girl and an old man and the second one where the FBI is in search of the culprits behind a big heist and suspects that it's linked to a native American activist group.

It's quite intriguing how the show creates this dependency of both these departments on each other and how they constantly try to leverage the situation for their own good. The show successfully holds the suspense and keeps the tension high at times. It does a very good job of developing most of the characters and bringing distinctive personality traits out of them. Seeing the native American actors in the major roles makes it more believable and authentic. Another likeable aspect of this show is the representation of the Navajo cultural beliefs and traditions. I always find it interesting when a show tries something like this. Not very often but we do see the characters speaking in their native language which I personally liked. The supernatural aspect of the story does add an additional layer to the show although I found it a little overdone. The show never exactly dwells much into that subplot either until the finale. The moments of grief and self-realisation are handled effectively and one such specific moment does make us emotional.

The show lacks strong cliffhanger moments towards the end of each episode. It definitely gives True Detective vibes (one of the greatest crime investigation shows) but due to some minor issues never reaches that height. The activist organisation and events associated with them were not developed properly, especially their backstory and I found the end twist a little underwhelming. The finale turns out to be the shortest episode of the season and I expected more action and thrill from it. There are few subplots that never get an ending. Maybe they will continue them in the next season. These are the few things that in my opinion could have been improved.

Conclusion: As someone who craves crime shows and movies, Dark Winds definitely serves its purpose as an intriguing and well-made crime drama. The show handles the suspense, action and emotions in a balanced way. The cast performs extremely well. The Navajo traditions are the key highlight of the show. There are a few things that could have been done differently but none is a potential threat to our enjoyment. I enjoyed watching the 'Dark Winds' a lot.

Rating: 8.0/10

It would be interesting to see what a native American thinks of the show. If you have read the books, do you still find this show interesting or it was a disappointment for you?

Whatever your thoughts on this show, share them with me. You can find me on Instagram and Letterboxd: m_movie_reviews

BOOK VS SHOW Since I haven't read any of the books, I went online to find out how similar or different this show is from the books. I'll share a few important aspects of the show that are different from the books. The show didn't pick any specific plot from one book. It borrows different subplots from different books and combines them to create its own storyline. The personality traits of Leaphorn and Jim Chee have been interchanged. Manuelito is senior to Chee in the show and is a pre-established character in the show's timeline whereas the books do not introduce the character until 1996's "The Fallen Man."

Resident Evil (2022)

Better not to call it RE unless you have a calibre to deliver it

[5/10 · 16 July 2022]

Synopsis: Set 14 years after the Racoon City events, this is the story of the Wesker family, the Umbrella Corporation and a post-apocalyptic world.

Cinematic Analysis: We have seen numerous attempts to capitalise on the name of Resident Evil in the past couple of years. Does Netflix's 2022 series also falls into that category or does it have something interesting to offer? Let's talk about it.

The show's story revolves around Albert Wesker, his two daughters (Jade and Billie) and the infamous Umbrella corporation & their evil experiments. The story is divided into two timelines, one set in 2022 featuring the younger version of the Wesker sisters and the other in 2036 when the world is already facing a zombie apocalypse. The story keeps switching between these two timelines in an inconsistent manner. The main focus of this show is the Wesker family drama and the relationship between the sisters.

Although the whole Albert Wesker storyline is intriguing, the show fails to make us invest deeply into that sister-sister relationship. The characters suffer the lazy writing, as they are looped to make unforgivable mistakes and illogical choices. The first episode might be one of the most horribly written pilot episodes ever. Reason? It sets an impression of our main protagonist as an irritating character that lasts till the final episode because we see her making idiotic mistakes throughout the entire season. The show does borrow some monsters from the resident evil games and there is no doubt that Netflix has invested a good amount of money into making it which is clearly evident on the screen as well. The CGI/VFX are good(mostly) and the monsters looked terrific. A few scenes manage to entertain and there is this one specific action-packed encounter in episode 4, that is genuinely impressive and thrilling. The series becomes a little interesting in the second half of the season as some of the characters get better and also because we accept the fact that we are not watching a show related to the resident evil franchise. Lance Reddick as Wesker and Paola Nuñez as Evelyn Marcus make a lasting impression with their brilliant performances.

The main issue with the show is its plot and the lazy writing. It's more of a family drama than an actual horror show, where monsters and zombies make guest appearances here and there. Not a good choice when you name a series 'Resident Evil'. The inconsistent switching between timelines takes away all the momentum and it becomes a little frustrating at times. Even with an eight-episode season, many of the characters haven't been developed much. The story is extremely flawed and relies extensively on plot armour. The lack of horror and the choice to give criminally less screentime to monsters and zombies is something beyond my understanding. It's nearly impossible nowadays to see a show/film without any woke propaganda in it, especially when its a Netflix content.

Conclusion: Netflix's Resident Evil, just borrow a few of the stuff from the resident evil franchise but creates a totally different world that nowhere seems to be related to the universe of RE games. It's a series that looks good on paper but not on the screen. The fans looking for an honest representation of the RE game(s) are going to be disappointed once again. The show does not have enough strength to satisfy ordinary viewers and can't even survive as a standalone post-apocalyptic show. Resident Evil (2022) is neither a one-star show nor worth the ten stars like the 55.6 % (at the time of writing this review) the users rating suggests on IMDb. The makers have to understand that just by creating a show around the world of RE doesn't necessarily make it a part of it.

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Rating: 5.0/10.

Ms. Marvel (2022)

A Fresh Breath yet a Convoluted Mess

[6/10 · 14 July 2022]

Finally, with an action-packed finale, Ms Marvel has finished its season one run. The origin story of Kamala Khan, an American Muslim girl of Pakistani origin who finds her great-grandmother's mysterious bangle that unlocks her hidden superpowers. The show is yet another attempt to introduce some more diversity to the MCU and after the Black Panther, this show is the second one that celebrates the culture. There are so many things that make it unique and distinguishable from other Marvel projects. There was a lot to tell in KK's story as it's connected to some event, that happened way back in time. So what works well and what does not? Let's talk about it.

Ms Marvel beautifully develops the family moments as Kamala's family is an integral part of her entire story. I'm glad that parents are not characterized as villains this time, I loved their portrayal. The use of the neon lights and comical animation style to represent the fantasy world definitely needs praise. I don't recall seeing something like that before. The real charm of the show is Iman Vellani herself and she's the best thing that happened to Marvel in recent times. A real gem & a charismatic performer. Matt Lintz as Kamala's best friend Bruno and Zenobia Shroff as her mother Munneba, are no lesser to Vellani in any way. The show manages to give a respectable character arc to each and every supporting character. It's hard to not fall in love with these characters. One should not forget that Bollywood-styled wedding and those gossiping aunties at the community get-together event. The partition storyline, although it is not explained in the best way possible, the train station scene still gives chill. The scene refreshed my old memories of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.

The most obvious aspect where Ms Marvel struggles a lot is the huge pile of information this show wants to supply in one go. We merely get any explanation about the ongoing stuff. We move from one city to other, then from one timeline to another and just to make things more complex, there is a new dimension too. The way Kamala's powers work is a baffling mystery. The time-travel storyline didn't make any sense and we didn't get any mention of that from Kamala in the finale as well. I thought she would share such an important event at least with Bruno. The two sets of villains didn't help an already overstuffed show, but then it's more disappointing when none of them is satisfying. The show won't tell us what exactly the ClanDestines are and how they ended up in pre-independence India. No mention or enough details about the bangle itself. One more thing that makes this show distinctive from the rest is its fifth episode, where in her own show, Kamala has just five minutes of screen time.

Even with so much uniqueness as a standalone show, from a story perspective, Ms. Marvel is a convoluted mess with countless plot holes. With a mid-credit scene and that debatable ending, it seems Marvel once again successfully diverted the focus of viewers from shows mistakes to the bigger picture i.e. The future MCU projects.

Ms Marvel is the perfect example of why Marvel should stop this 6 episode season approach asap. The sole reason behind this show's existence is the upcoming MCU project 'The Marvels' and Kevin Feige did not want to commit the same mistake as he did in the past with Captain Marvel. Ms Marvel should have been at least a 10-episode series and with Netflix's 13-episode approach it would have done wonders.

Fun Take: What should we call the ClanDestines: One-dimensional or Noor-dimensional villains?

Rating: 6.4/10

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Incantation (2022)

Curse Inducing Story - Hard to Follow Structure

[7/10 · 10 July 2022]

Synopsis: When a mother gets back custody of her daughter after recovering from mental trauma, supernatural events start to occur around them which are somehow connected to the mother's past.

Cinematic Analysis: Incantation is a found-footage-styled ritualistic horror film. The story revolves around an ancient ritual that has been passed from one generation to the next, practised & performed by a family. Now, what is this ritual, why it's being performed and how it's connected to our lead character is what this film tells us.

The film doesn't rely heavily on jump scares, instead, the horror aspect lies in its artistic style and the eerie atmosphere that it tries to create around us. The film's objective is clear: to make viewers uncomfortable and a few scenes do succeed in doing so. I'm not a fan of find-footage films although I loved the 2019's Blair Witch game, Incantation is quite intriguing and the cinematography, especially in the rituals and temple scenes is top tier. Bgm too suits the situation.

Now talking about negatives, the overall structure of the film is a little complex and hard to follow at times as the film switches between the past and the present a lot. Sometimes it feels like some piece of the story is missing when the scene transitions. Like The Babadook (2014), a mother-child pair is in the centre of the film, but I missed that emotional bond in this film, although I clearly resonate with whatever is shown & explained at the end.

Conclusion: At the end of the day, Incantation successfully induces a feeling of being cursed through its artistic style, uncomfortable imagery and an interesting ritualistic angle. A less messy structure would have helped a lot in elevating the experience. Whether you will like this film or not, totally depends on your taste.

Theme(s): Rituals, Curse, Family, Mother-Daughter Relationship, Paranormal Entity

Tell the truth moment: Did you follow everything instructed during the final moments of the film? Do you feel cursed now? Would love to know your thoughts on this film in the comments (Letterboxd: M_Movie_Reviews).

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Rating: 7.0/10.

The Sea Beast (2022)

Predictability doesn't stop us from enjoying this heartful tale.

[8/10 · 10 July 2022]

Synopsis: For generations, a war is going on between sea monsters and humans. When a little girl and a young hunter get separated from their group they find a reason to stop this war.

Cinematic Analysis: Built on a premise similar to How to train your Dragon, Godzilla: King of Monsters and a little bit of Pirates of the Caribbean films, The Sea Beast is pretty much what one could expect it to be. It's easy to guess the ending but what matters is how we reach that conclusion. The story is simple and genuinely entertaining. We get a lot of fun moments and the film succeed in making us laugh numerous times. The animation is smooth, the quality is great and the monsters look super cool. The war scene at the beginning of the film is one of the best action sequences I've seen in recent times. It's a must for any animation movie to have compelling characters and The Sea Beast gives us quite a few of them.

A few of the weaknesses of this film are its predictability and less surprising moments, there was a chance to explore the monster island but we get to know very limited about it, and there is a mysterious lady subplot which in my opinion wasn't necessary and could have been achieved in a different way.

Conclusion: No matter how similar and basic its plot seems to be, there is no doubt that The Sea Beast gives us a heartful story and has enough material to keep us submerged in its world from start to end.

Theme(s): Friendship, Compassion, War

A Fact for Fun: Some monsters in this film are way more dangerous than the dinosaurs of Jurassic World: Dominion.

Rating: 7.6/10 [3.8/5]

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Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

Lavish from Outside, Hollow from Inside

[6/10 · 8 July 2022]

Seeing the original trio returning to the Jurassic franchise was an ineffable experience, but was that enough? JW: Dominion, the sixth film of the Jurassic franchise, takes the idea of co-existence to the next level, where dinosaurs roam freely in this world like any other animal species. Believe me, it's dumber than it sounds, but somehow, I managed to trick my mind to get along with the idea (like we had any other choice). Anyways, following the events of JW: Fallen Kingdom, dinosaurs are being illegally exported to different parts of the world and Maisie Lockwood now lives with Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard). Also Blue have a baby now. Two different storylines lead our Jurassic World team to meet the Jurassic Park team in the third act of the film.

It won't be wrong to say that there are as many reasons to dislike this film as we have to like it. Let's first talk about the likeable aspects of the film. The visuals of this film are unlike any other film in the franchise and the production value is much higher. Without any doubt, with the advancement of CGI and VFX technology, from a design perspective Dominion is far better than most of its predecessor films. There are lots of new dinosaurs we get to see throughout the film and for those who just want to see cool dinosaurs on the big screen, it's a treat. The cinematography is brilliant. As mentioned earlier it was a one-time kind of experience to watch the original cast back all together and also they have a proper role to play and contribute to the story with balanced screentime. Jeff Goldblum stands out with his skilful performance and humorous dialogues. The film expands Maisie's story and reveals more about her past. The opening sequence might end up being one of my favourite opening sequences of this franchise and the first 10-12 mins were very satisfying.

All this looks great when we see them as individual set pieces but director Colin Trevorrow in establishing his vision forgot what we the audience wanted from him. The thrill, the tension and the horror. Dominion lacks all of these. Even Jurassic Park III is more thrilling compared to this film. The core idea of co-existence itself was flawed but nothing was more painful and disappointing than seeing dinosaurs being sidelined as they aren't much of a threat now. The trailer was too revealing. A few scenes seem extremely fake and the stakes were too low because we already know that nothing can happen to our protagonist. Campbell Scott as the main villain was not at all compelling and in an overly-crowded film, no one demanded his presence either. Trevorrow co-wrote this with Derek Connolly, but still, it seems heavily inspired by countless movies. Dominion feels more like a Tom Cruise spy film than a science-fiction adventure. Writing is not only unpleasant but depends heavily on coincidences.

Dominion lacks the awesomeness of Spielberg's OG nail-biting horror adventure and the terror of Trevorrow's own Jurassic World. Jurassic Park (I, II and III) were all about dinosaurs and Dominion should have kept itself confined inside that predefined boundary. No matter how rich and lavish Dominion looks from the outside, from inside it's completely hollow. There is no doubt that fans of this franchise (including myself) won't be relying on any reviews and hence like all films of the franchise, this one too is going to be a massive success no matter what. Looking forward to your thoughts on this film in the comments (Letterboxd: m_movie_reviews) if you have watched it.

Rating: 6.2/10.

Black Crab (2022)

Potential Story-Generic Ending

[7/10 · 3 July 2022]

Synopsis: In hope of getting reunited with her separated daughter, a mother embarks on a mission to deliver a secret package with a team of 5 soldiers.

Cinematic Analysis: Skating through a frozen ocean/sea and at the same time hiding from the enemy, I must say from the very first shot I was into this film. An action-packed war story with some extremely beautiful and mesmerizing scenes. The tension and suspense behind everything we witness on the screen make sure that we are kept hooked (most of the time). Noomi Rapace as the main protagonist leads this film and also single-handedly carries it too.

The story is interesting and without any extra effort one will be able to complete this film but yet the film ends without providing the answers we were looking for the whole time. The information we get in here is scanty. It's not that the film ends abruptly or doesn't have any proper conclusion, but there were so many things that the film should have explained. The third act of the film is way more generic and doesn't do justice to the film.

Conclusion: It would have been better if it was a series instead of a film as I wanted to know more about the war and the enemy. In the larger picture, Black Crab might be a little disappointing but Noomi's serious performance and strong first two acts definitely make this film a one-time watch. Not bad but could have been something extraordinary.

Theme(s): War, Modern Warfare, Fight against the nature

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Rating: 6.8/10.

Father Stu (2022)

Journey from Recklessness to Righteousness

[5/10 · 2 July 2022]

Synopsis: Based on real-life events of a reckless amateur boxer Stuart Long, who went to Los Angeles in hope of becoming a successful actor but finds a totally different path and becomes a priest.

Cinematic Analysis: I would be honest, after watching this film's trailer I didn't have many expectations from it but I was sure that Mark Wahlberg is going to give a top-notch performance. So just to witness the awesomeness of his performance I watched this film and I'm glad that I was right, his acting was outstanding and the only thing that helped me to stay with the film till the end.

The story isn't much inspiring considering that it depicts real-life events in someone's life. I wasn't familiar with the personality at all, so to me, it seems either they left the inspirational part out of the film or maybe I'm not seeing something that the makers did. What I actually felt is that it's a generic story of someone who went becomes something that nobody expected not the person himself. The film showcases too much of the backstory of Stuart Lang that it overshadows the story of Father Stu.

Talking about the editing, first of all, the trailer of the film gives almost everything the film has to the viewers. That's kinda disappointing because the film is two hours long and it's expected to give more than the trailer, something that stands out and is actually impactful. It might offend some but I literally found the second act of the film too boring. The third act kind of tries to get everything back on track but can't undo all the damage being done already. I was detached from the film which was supposed to be an inspirational and emotional ride.

Aside from Wahlberg, Mel Gibson for whatever time he's on-screen was really satisfying. The rest of the supporting cast wasn't great but they do what they were asked for. Can't really blame them, can we?

Conclusion: I've seen many films that talk about God and religion and are inspiring, they give purpose to many, and hits the right strings to make you feel for the character(s) and people surrounding them. Unfortunately, Father Stu isn't that film. I strongly believe that there was much more about Father Stu that wasn't told.

Theme(s): Inspiring Journey, Church Culture, Christianity, Alcohol Addiction, Family Dynamics

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Rating: 5.0/10.

No Exit (I) (2022)

A thrilling experience with predictable structure

[7/10 · 19 June 2022]

Synopsis: A group of strangers get stuck in a visitors centre on a stormy night, only to find that one of them has kidnapped a girl. Who's trustworthy and who's the culprit is the primary question.

Cinematic Analysis: The first film that came to my mind after I learned about this film's premise is Identity (2003). The basic plot of No Exit is very much similar to that of Identity but there are many notable differences in both film's stories and approaches.

No Exit gives you what you expect from a horror thriller. A gripping story, with engaging characters, adverse conditions, untrustworthy strangers and the run for survival situations. The film kicks off by introducing us to our lead character and gives a brief idea about her past and as the story progresses we get to know a thing or two about others as well. The blizzard situation works perfectly and is being used effectively as an additional tool to elevate the tension. The performances are great most of the time, especially Havana Liu's. The overall structure of the film might be predictable but the film manages to surprise us on several occasions with its twists and turns.

There are definitely a few things that could have been better, different and up to some extent logical. The story could easily have used some more strangers. Some decisions that seem questionable could have been explained by building up better dynamics among the characters and with a little focused writing. Also, character development had some scope, maybe some flashbacks would have helped as there as the film spends enough time in the first act for this and also it isn't very lengthy. 15-20 mins would have improved the film's experience with all these little things being kept checked. The film seems to be in some kind of rush as it reveals a few things quite early rather than using more screentime for the who-is-it part.

Themes: Kidnapping, Survival, Isolation, Drug Addiction,

Conclusion: No Exit isn't the most clever or an extraordinary thriller but neither it's that boring/disappointing. I had a good time watching this. There are enough moments of tension and thrills to keep you sticking with the film till the end and it might give you goosebumps occasionally. The film definitely could have been much better, but still the final cut we get here is entertaining, and one wouldn't regret spending time on this film. If you are looking for an enjoyable & less complex thriller, your search ends here. If you are looking for an extremely clever,out-of-the-box whodunit drama then this film might disappoint you.

Rating: 7.3/10 3.6/5

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Wrong Turn (2021)

Surprisingly Interesting yet Leave Us with Unsatisfaction

[6/10 · 13 June 2022]

I didn't expect anything from this latest instalment of the Wrong Turn franchise, but I'm surprised how this film managed to keep me hooked till the end. The story is genuinely interesting and different from other films in the franchise. I don't see any reason to consider it part of the Wrong Turn franchise except its name.

Performances aren't irritating and there are moments that reminded me of Final Destination films. The traps and hide & seek sequences were well placed and maintained the unpredictability of the story. Camera work is commendable too. The costume design is fantastic, especially the Foundation members wearing Skull were creepy and created an original horror film kinda atmosphere.

Even though this film is better than many other franchise films in numerous aspects, this doesn't mean that this film is extraordinary. Like previous instalments, many characters of the group don't have any significant role to play. This one significantly focuses on one character. It's better to not talk about the stupid decisions taken by some characters as this isn't just a problem with this film or franchise but with most horror films especially slasher films. There is a lot of scope for improvement throughout the film. I was expecting some more action towards the end of the film.

Theme(s): Cultural Beliefs and Differences, Intrusion, Forceful Marriage, Racism and Sexual Orientation (underlying theme)

Conclusion: A decent film that doesn't have anything novel to offer but still manages to entertain above our expectations. A little more focused approach & treatment could have improved the overall structure of the film. Binge it on any ordinary day if you are looking for a less complex watch to kill your time.

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Rating: 6.3/10 3.1/5.

The Bad Guys (2022)

Let's Enjoy the Craziness

[8/10 · 8 June 2022]

Synopsis: An infamous heist group of a snake, a spider, a shark, & a piranha known as 'The Bad Guys' is led by a wolf named Wolf (yeah, the villain of every story). The group plans to steal a golden trophy that no other thief has succeeded in stealing but not everything goes as per the plan and circumstances lead them to become 'The Good Guys'. To find how easy or challenging this journey of goodness is going to be for them, you have to watch the film.

Cinematic Analysis: 'The Bad Guys' is extremely funny and thoroughly enjoyable. Each and every character has unique personality traits and every member of this heist group is lovable. They are well written and has moments to shine in the story. The voice acting is brilliant and takes our enjoyment to the next level. The best thing about this film is that the energy with which the film kicks off remains intact till the end and the characters never lose their charm. The film does have emotional moments but seems to be intentionally kept short. The twists and turns aren't very shocking but surprisingly we enjoy them.

The animation is vibrant and flawless. The film is filled with fun moments and only because of these moments we don't care about the predictable nature of the story. The film would make you laugh out loud on numerous occasions. The bond between Wolf and Snake is heart-stealing, all thanks to Sam Rockwell and Marc Maron's voice-over. Awkwafina (as Tarantula), Zazie Beetz (as Diane Foxington) and Alex Borstein (as Police Chief) are equally great.

What doesn't work?

The unoriginal and extremely generic heist story. Most of the time film is fast-paced and due to this the time taking moments of the film feels a little out of place. The villain's arc could have been written in a better way. He's just decent here. One more thing that feels a little awkward here is the use of humans. It would have been better if the story was set entirely in the world of animals like Zootopia. There was no need for human characters in it.

Theme(s): Friendship, Redemption, Kindness

Conclusion: The character dynamics, speedy car chase sequences, crazy heist techniques and some ninja-level action with charismatic characters make 'The Bad Guys' a perfectly balanced (family) entertainer.

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Rating: 7.8/10 3.9/5.

Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)

An In-depth Investigation of Dark Corners of Religion and Blind Faith

[8/10 · 8 June 2022]

Based on true events, Under the Banner of Heaven tells the story of Detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield), a devout LDS, who investigates a double murder of a woman named Brenda (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her 15 months old baby girl. This slow-burn crime investigation drama mainly presents factual and real details but few fictional elements have been added for better representation of the story.

The storyline of the series is mainly divided into three parts: 1. Present-day investigation of the murders by Detective Jeb and his partner Detective Bill Taba.

2. Past of the Lafferty family through flashbacks.

3. The very early days of Joseph Smith & LDS (Latter-day Saints) history. The Mormon ideology and how it changed over the course of time.

Almost every episode, these three timelines share the screentime, and their representation is perfectly balanced without causing much confusion.

The first episode starts with Jeb Pyre playing with his two daughters when he gets a call about the double murder. Soon after he finishes examining the crime scene, the police arrest Brenda's husband Allen from outside their house, all covered in blood. Hereafter starts the game of interrogation and revelation of dark secrets.

The story quickly grabs our attention and as the shocking secrets of the Lafferty's start to come to light, the series becomes more and more interesting. The series holds the suspense strongly till the very last episode. Every episode adds a new angle to the case and makes it more complicated for the detectives.

The series is never shy to showcase how some people use the dark corners of a religion for their own good. They would follow unorthodox ways to achieve things they want and would use God's name to justify everything. The Lafferty's, members of the church and many more characters use 'Heavenly Father' too prominently throughout the series.

There's lots of symbolism and the way this show interweaves together the present events and Mormon historical events is genuinely interesting. The series also highlights the inability (to take necessary action) of people sitting at higher positions in church when someone asks for their help. The series will make you question yourself, just like Jeb when he starts to see things clearly. One of the important question this series raise is what should be one's priority - religion or law? It was obvious from the events of the first episode that at some point, religion and law will stand against each other face to face.

Jeb Pyre being the central character, is being used as a messenger to convey the idea of this show to the audience. He's a faithful Mormon with a beautiful happy family. But as the murder investigation proceeds and horrific revelations start to come out, he struggles a lot because he couldn't believe how the same scriptures that gave him peace and strength now could be used to justify the murders. In one of the episodes he says about the finding of interrogation, 'Things appear to be inward more than outward', perfectly describing why he's in such a state of conflict. He starts to question himself, an inner conflict that eventually outbursts in the finale. The character is being written with utmost care and Andrew beautifully plays this role.

Even though we have Garfield in the lead role, every character of this show shines. They all have distinct portrayals and characteristics. Every actor and actress has given a tremendous performance. The writing is very tight and the dialogues are focused and thought-provoking. The cinematography is brilliant.

I found myself intrigued to see more of Mormon history as much as I was interested in the present-day investigation. The cliffhangers at the end of every episode increase our excitement for the next episode.

The show does a phenomenal job of showcasing one's inner conflicts, the race to hold authoritative power in a family, faith and chaos, moulding the meaning of religious text according to one's need, religious extremism, and much more.

I don't see this show as anti-religion, as we have people like Brenda who are faithful to their religion and don't hesitate to raise voices for the weaker. On the other hand we have Bill Taba who isn't a Mormon and is seen as an outsider yet his sole motive is to get justice for Brenda. Unlike Jeb, he's not afraid to ask questions to church authorities and powerful people. If you watch it with an open mind, you will find the same.

The finale was the most interesting and thrilling episode of the series. It provides a perfect conclusion to the story. We get to know that even in her tragic end moments, Brenda remained strong and faithful. This show is an honourable tribute to Brenda and her infant girl. Jeb too finds peace with the help of Bill.

The only problem I faced is sometimes it's confusing to remember the names of the Lafferty brothers (they are too many) and since their look is different in flashbacks to that at the time of investigation I struggled a little bit in recognising them (sometimes). The pace is too slow at times which might be an issue for some viewers and there are many conversations which might bore a few viewers. In my opinion, this limited episode Hulu series is a must-watch. In India it's available to binge on Disney+ Hotstar.

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Rating: 8.3/10 4.2/5.

Against the Ice (2022)

Against the Ice Review

[6/10 · 17 May 2022]

Synopsis: Two Danish men embark on an expedition (Denmark Expedition) through the landscape of Greenland in search of proof to prove that the American claim on one of its parts is wrong and entire Greenland is part of Denmark.

Cinematic Analysis: A survival adventure story, based on the true events, Against the Ice is quite fascinating in terms of locations and its realistic approach. It perfectly showcases the challenges and the dangers those explorers used to put themselves in while they were on these missions. There wasn't any guarantee that they will return but yet they took chances against nature because nobody else would do that if they didn't.

Everything we see on the screen is being shot in real locations and that makes this film more special. The cinematography is brilliant and the film beautifully captures a variety of landscapes. The performances were great. As a viewer, we too become part of this extraordinary journey. The film does a fine job in highlighting the mental suffering of the characters.

What doesn't work?

I feel like the background of the expedition could have been explained in a better way at the beginning of the film.

Towards the end, the film spent a huge amount of time showing the psychological effects on our main characters' state of mind, but it would have been better if the film had shown us some story from their past instead of just showing hallucinations and dreams.

I started to feel the film's length towards the end. Editing had some scope for improvement. The transition between the scenes isn't smooth sometimes. I didn't have a strong emotional connection with our heroes.

All in all, Against the Ice, is definitely worth a watch but don't expect the overdramatic thrilling scenes or a very emotional story that will make you cry. Nonetheless, this film does put the courage shown by those two men realistically and that must be appreciated.

Rating: 6/10 Letterboxd: M_Movie_Reviews Instagram: M_Movie_Reviews.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

Fun Unleashed!!!

[7/10 · 8 May 2022]

I wasn't very keen to watch this film because I didn't like the first part. But I'm glad I watched it. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is more enjoyable, funnier, and more action-packed and this time, the plot felt more convincing. If I divide the story into parts, I find it highly influenced by MCU films. Tell me in the comments if you think the same.

The human characters don't interfere much this time (only when they need to), which is a very wise decision in my opinion as it avoids all the cheesiness the first part had.

Jim Carrey is fantastic once again. The two new characters Knuckle and Tails are the perfect addition to the franchise. The screenplay is definitely praiseworthy especially when it dwells on the past to explain all the ongoing stuff. Children are gonna love it.

What went wrong?

The story felt a little boring for some time in the second act and there are a few scenes that could have been cut out. There isn't any creative or out of the box representation on the directional front.

All in all, this sequel is more mature & well developed than its predecessor and definitely deserves a watch. As the post-credit scene suggests, Sonic will return and I'm excited to see in what direction this story goes next.

Rating: 7/10 Follow Me on Instagram: M_Movie_Reviews.

The Devil You Know (III) (2022)

Realistic but not much Effective

[5/10 · 8 May 2022]

Premise: The Devil You Know, a crime drama revolving around a black family. Marcus, who has just come out of prison is trying to make his life again with a new job and his family's support. One day, when he hears about a recent crime in news, that could lead to his brother, he chooses to protect him. What he does and how that affects him and his family is the rest of the film's story.

Cinematic Analysis: Calling it a crime thriller might be misleading as there aren't any thrills involved here. The story is mostly focused on family dynamics, the ups and downs, and their daily lives. Heavy on conversations, the film tries to explore the impact a crime can have on people around us, especially our loved ones. It tries to bring us the inner conflicts and emotions they feel when something like this happens.

The film is around 2 hrs long and the screenplay is extremely elongated. Instead of spending so much time on family get-togethers, if the makers would have invested some time to explain the backstory of our lead character, it surely would have helped a lot to connect with him on an emotional level and for a better understanding of the choices he made. The film focuses on things that are less important and never touches on the impactful aspects.

The ending is surprising, never expected it to end this way. Performances are good but character development did have some scope to improve. On technical levels like cinematography, score etc., the film does a fine job.

Conclusion: In finality, The Devil You Know had a potential and impactful plot but the screenplay couldn't bring out our emotions or make us care for any of the characters. It lacks a tighter script and proper execution.

Rating: 5/10

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