For the first hour of White Noise, I found myself very entertained. But for the second half I found myself incredibly bored. They felt like two separate films. If the first half had just been the whole film. I probably would have have given this film an 8. Or possibly a 9. It goes from being an apocalyptic family satire, to a revenge tale. I believe Noah Baumbach didn't even know what exactly he was going for. White Noise was average. The two aspects holding me back from giving it a 4 are again the first half and another stellar performance from Adam Driver. Nowhere near as good as Marriage Story. Then again they are very different films.
Reviews
94 Reviews
The Whale
(2022)
I Wanted to Like it More
28 December 2022
The best thing that The Whale has to offer is undoubtedly the phenomenal performance from Brendan Fraser. He is for sure going to get nominated. In fact, I'd be very happy if he won. It's well directed by Aronofsky. However, I have a few issues that hold this film back from being great. The score. It's not bad at all it's just overused. The story is extremely similar to one of Aronofsky's previous films The Wrestler. And the last being that the ending did not really work for me on an emotional level. The Whale is a well acted, written and directed drama. But the unsatisfying ending and familiar story are huge drawbacks. I'd highly recommend it just for Fraser's performance alone.
Funny Pages
(2022)
A Very Different Coming of Age Film
27 December 2022
Funny Pages is an authentic look at how teenagers pursue their dreams. When we are young, we often believe that we have to know what our purpose is. This film represents how self-destructive we are at this stage of life when trying to fulfill our deepest desires. Though many will find this film pointless, it is a subtle, uniquely directed and layered film. I loved the cinematography, they did a great job at making it look like a film from the 70s. I highly recommend Funny Pages, it's a realistic and thoughtful portrayal of an early life crisis. Which is very relatable to what I am currently going through.
Babylon
(I) (2022)
This Was Something
24 December 2022
Babylon is by far the most polarizing film of 2022. I gotta say, I absolutely loved it. Rotten Tomatoes currently holds it at 55%. Rotten Tomatoes is not a good website when it comes down to knowing what the general consensus for a film is. This is the 4th entry in Damien Chazelle's filmography. His first two being Whiplash and La La Land, which are some of my favorite films of all time. Whiplash being my personal favorite. As well as First Man which was solid. This is his most ambitious film to date, and one of the most ambitious films I've ever seen. It's just always on. Every scene is filled to brim with chaotic energy. Diego Calva has a promising career ahead of him. Brad Pitt was very good. But the standout was undoubtedly Margot Robbie. I'd say it's her best performance. She needs that Oscar. This films ending is an insane and fantastic tribute to cinema. Babylon is one of my favorite films of the year.
Aftersun
(II) (2022)
We Are Shaped by Our Memories
21 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Aftersun is one of the most oddly touching and unique films of the year. The acting from the two leads was phenomenal. The cinematography and color palette was gorgeous. This is a very impressive directorial debut. As children, we don't know much of anything. It isn't until later in life when it hits us. That realization of finally understanding what you never understood for so long. Aftersun depicts this idea so perfectly. It is told through a woman remembering a vacation with her father, and how she realizes that she never really knew him. Depression is not always obvious. Just because everything looks okay on the outside doesn't mean everything is okay on the inside.
The Return of Innaritu
19 December 2022
Bardo is a very interesting film. What I admire most about it is Innaritu's craftsmanship and artistic merit that he was able to foster. However, that is also my main criticism with the film. It's a bit too artsy for its own good. In other words, it is somewhat pretentious. I believe Innaritu didn't even know what he was going for thematically. I'm fine with films having a long runtime. They just have to be paced well. Of course the pacing is not good here. It could have benefited from a shorter runtime. Overall, I thought Bardo was fine, but the unfocused narrative and bad pacing is what really holds it back from being great for me.
Avatar: The Way of Water
(2022)
Mighty
18 December 2022
The long awaited sequel to the highest grossing film of all time has finally arrived, and it's great! I saw this film in 3D IMAX, and it is one of the best and most overwhelming experiences I have ever had. Everything that James Cameron did in the first film technically, is on a whole different caliber. My primary issue is the same one I had with the original Avatar, and that is the story. It's not bad at all, it's just very surface level. I'm not saying that all stories have to be complex, but when it come to this film it was a clear case of "Style over Substance." Avatar The Way of Water was absolutely worth the wait. Hopefully it does not take James Cameron as long to make the next one.
Empire of Light
(2022)
The Latest Oscar Bait Film
18 December 2022
My least favorite genre in all of film is Oscar Bait. And this film is a very clear example of that. Sam Mendes' last film 1917 was one of the best war films I've ever seen. Such a fall from grace. The acting is decent, aside from Olivia Coleman who was great as usual. The drama was forced, manipulative and unearned. It didn't know if it wanted to be a romance, or if it wanted to be about loneliness or racism. It was mundanely all over the place. The other aspect that I really appreciated was the cinematography from the GOAT Roger Deakins. Overall, Empire of Light isn't that bad. But it was incredibly boring and unfocused which made it forgettable.
Mr. Robot
(2015–2019)
Hello Friend
4 December 2022
As of now, Mr. Robot stands as my favorite TV series. It is masterful in every aspect. Pretty much every episode is written and directed by the creator, Sam Esmail. His collaboration with cinematographer Tod Campbell is nothing short of beautiful. This series has many themes at play. Society, loneliness, but in particular how the main protagonist Elliot Alderson copes with these things. By confronting the depths of his fractured psychology. The most common complaint with this series is that the second season is bad. While I wouldn't say it's bad, it's much slower compared to the other seasons. But it's still great. The final season is incredible, it contains brilliant references to films and probably my favorite ending of any TV series. The acting is phenomenal. Rami Malek portrays Elliot to perfection, I couldn't imagine anyone else playing him. Same goes for Christian Slater. The rest of the cast is terrific as well. Especially B. D. Wong. Though this series is critically acclaimed, I believe that the primary reason that's it's not as famous as some other shows is because it aired on USA. To anyone who hasn't watched Mr. Robot, binge it as soon as you can. It's on Amazon for free.
Glass Onion
(2022)
Another Solid Whodunnit From Johnson
26 November 2022
I found Glass Onion to be just as good as Knives Out. All be it not nearly as memorable. In particular the cast. I really like a lot of the actors, Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Kate Hudson, and of course the returning Daniel Craig. And they all did a great job, but each character in Knives Out had so much personality. The characters in this film however aren't as interesting. In fact they are very cartoonish at points. I still had a really fun time with this film. The performances from the aforementioned Daniel Craig and Janelle Monae we're the standouts. The mystery itself is very intriguing. I'm curious to see what Rian Johnson does next with this series.
The Fabelmans
(2022)
Spielberg's Passion Project
25 November 2022
This is clearly the most passionate Spielberg has been about a film since Schindler's List. This film is essentially his origin story. The story of how one of the greatest and most influential directors came to fruition. His style is ever present, and visually, this is one of his best films. The acting from everybody was fantastic. The lead whom I am not familiar with, and of course Michelle Williams and Paul Dano. They were great. My main issue with the film is that it is very melodramatic. It's cheesy. And I'm quite aware that most of Spielberg's films are like that. But in the case of this film, it was a bit hard to take seriously. Overall, The Fabelmans is a perfect thanksgiving film, and it's very inspiring.
Bones and All
(2022)
Tainted Love
23 November 2022
I had lunch before I saw this film, that was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Bones And All was one of my most anticipated films of the year. It's without a doubt my favorite horror film of the year, though I wouldn't necessarily refer to it as that. Bones And All is a beautifully disturbing love story wrapped within the confines of a horror film. The direction from Luca Guadagnino is nothing short of spellbinding. Whom Timothee Chalamet had worked with prior to on Call me by Your Name. Which is one of my favorite romances. I adored the cinematography. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross's score is one of their most minimalist and unique pieces of work. Timothee Chalamet delivered perhaps the best performance of his career. And up and comer Taylor Russell was excellent. Their chemistry was great, you really bought the twisted affection they had for one another. The shear terror and intimacy being displayed is something that no film has ever elicited on me before. This may just be my favorite film of the year.
Solid War Film
23 November 2022
All Quiet on The Western Front is really good. However, I didn't find it to be as great as people are saying. It's well directed, the cinematography is beautiful and it's depiction of war is probably the most accurate and intense since Saving Private Ryan. My primary issue with the film was that it strived to be a sort of character study. But the main character himself was not very interesting. And there are plenty of scenes without him. A film like Dunkirk for example, all be it much shorter in length, does not try focus on any particular character. Because that film was about a singular moment in war. All Quiet on The Western Front was slightly over ambitious in that sense.
The Menu
(2022)
Yes Chef
22 November 2022
The Menu is yet another interesting satire of 2022. It is uniquely directed by Mark Mylod. Who directed a lot of episodes from Game of Thrones and Succession. The performances by Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes we're great. The best aspect of this film for me was the pacing. The film never drags. It's always moving at a reasonable speed. My main issue with the film was that it is very over the top. But the self-awareness adds to the entertainment value. I also wished it delved more into the themes it was going for. The Menu is one of the most enjoyable films of the year. I recommend it to anyone who wants to see a good film with their friends.
Triangle of Sadness
(2022)
Best Comedy of The Year
21 November 2022
Similar to The Banshees of Inisherin, another great film from this year, Triangle of Sadness brilliantly masters comedy with deep themes. Social commentary in this films case. This film is absolutely hysterical. In particular a scene where people were having dinner. That was amazing. This is could have easily just been another "mocking of the upper class" type film. Instead, it critiques all of the absurd aspects of human beings. The rich, poor, civilized, communist, capitalist, nihilist, marxist. My only issues with the film were that is a bit too long, and the ending. It wasn't bad at all, I just wanted more out of it. If it weren't for those things I would've given this film a 10. Triangle of Sadness is another gem of 2022.
Causeway
(2022)
Heartfelt Character Study
13 November 2022
Causeway is one of the most underrated films of the year so far. It may not boast the most original of themes. But it's held together by simple yet effective direction, clever writing and fantastic performances from the two leads. Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry were phenomenal. This is J-Law's best role since "Mother!". BTH continues to be one of the most under-appreciated actors working right now. Though many people may find this film boring and pointless. It's a quiet observation of the affects of trauma and how we as humans cope with it. And in this films case, it tells us that in the end, we all need somebody. Even if it's just platonic.
Could Have Been Great
13 November 2022
Black Panther, in my opinion, is the most overrated film of all time. It wasn't bad, and it was certainly far from great. The fact that it got nominated for best picture is a joke. For the majority of this film however, I found myself to be really liking it. The slower pace, and cinematography were aspects that I was not expecting to appreciate. Sadly there are a few issues that really bog it down for me. The first one being that there is a new Black Panther, I won't say who but I think it would've been more impactful if no one took on the mantle. The Ironheart character felt extremely underdeveloped. And the climax was very unsatisfying. Overall this film is about as Oscar worthy as it's predecessor, in that it's not Oscar worthy at all.
The Sopranos
(1999–2007)
A Landmark in Television
9 November 2022
The Sopranos was the first time a TV show took itself seriously. It was plot-driven, hard-hitting, intense, emotional. We wouldn't have shows like Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul if it weren't for The Sopranos. Though there are arcs, most of the time it's just the daily life of these characters. In particular, Tony Soprano. James Gandolfini delivered one of the best performances of all time. May he Rest In Peace. This show is very divisive when it comes to the ending. Personally, I thought it was brilliant. It made so much sense. It was admittedly cruel yet dedicated to it's themes. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a self-proclaimed lover of cinema, or television.
Shame
(2011)
Perhaps The Best Film About Addiction
8 November 2022
Steve McQueen's Shame is one of the most masterfully constructed films I've witnessed. It is raw in every sense of the word. This film is often referred to as a "sex film" simply because of the NC-17 rating. While it is graphic, it's always in service of conveying the main theme. Sean Bobbitt's cinematography is remarkable. Not only is it beautiful to look at, it's also packed with deep symbolism. The dialogue is so enriching. Michael Fassbender was phenomenal. I feel like no one talks about him anymore. He's such an underrated talent and this is his best performance. Carey Mulligan was excellent as well. Shame is about the weight of addiction and how easily it can seep it's way into all aspects of life.
Tár
(2022)
Requires Patience
31 October 2022
I had not seen a single trailer or advertisement for Tar. All I knew is that it starred Cate Blanchett as a conductor. This is perhaps the most patient and subtle film of the year. Blanchett delivers yet another fantastic performance. There was a lot of physicality to it, especially during the conducting scenes. The direction, writing, and cinematography were all very "First Reformed Esque". This film is without a doubt a slow-burn. From my interpretation, the overarching theme of the film was the idea of the "self-destructive artist". It raises questions about whether or not if we want to produce art for the sake of integrity or greed.
The Banshees of Inisherin
(2022)
Well Done
28 October 2022
This film has officially solidified Martin McDonaugh as one of the best directors working today. In Bruges is one of my favorite films, and Three Billboards was great. Seven Psychopaths was really good as well. His mastery of weaving in darkness with comedy is yet again exemplified as being nothing short of incredible. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are phenomenal. Their chemistry, even over 10 years after In Bruges has never been better. This is also one of the most thematically rich films of the year. The Banshees of Inisherin absolutely lived up to my expectations. I highly recommend you go check this film out. I can't wait to see what McDonaugh does next.
Black Adam
(2022)
Yet Another Tragedy of The DCEU
22 October 2022
My expectations for Black Adam were rather low. It was either going to be awful or dumb fun. Obviously, it was awful. I'm surprised this film is getting mixed reception, and not just flat-out bad reception. The story was bland, the CGI was terrible, and the dialogue was painfully generic. Dwayne Johnson delivered a very dull performance. Majority of his lines were (as I stated earlier) generic. The third act is nothing but loud, brain-frying, CGI nonsense. Apparently this film was supposed to be rated R, honestly it would have benefited significantly. We've seen before that DC has no quarrels with making they're films R. The story would have been way more interesting if the main "antagonists" were just the JLA. Who by the way were incredibly underused and underdeveloped. It could have made for a unique narrative that was told from a perspective that we don't usually see in comic-book films.
La haine
(1995)
So Far, So Good
12 October 2022
La Haine may just be my favorite foreign film of all time. Right up there with City of God and Oldboy. La Haine is a very hard film to categorize. It's serious, but not too serious to the point of calling it a drama. And It's funny but not funny enough to be a comedy. It is my number 1 recommendation for anyone trying to get into foreign cinema. Or "French New Wave" if you will. Because it's short, yet thematically rich and masterfully filmed. There are so many homages to Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee. La Haine has remained immensely relevant every since it's release in 95, with its beautifully haunting depiction of a crumbling society. Remember, "It's not how you fall that matters, it's how you land."
There Will Be Blood
(2007)
I Drink Your Milkshake
12 October 2022
In my opinion, There Will be Blood is the greatest film of the 21st century. Not my favorite, but the greatest. It is perfect in every aspect. This is Paul Thomas Anderson's magnum opus. His direction and use of long takes is cinematically pleasing in every sense of the word. The score is one of the all time greats. The cinematography from Robert Elswit is immaculate. And of course, Daniel Day-Lewis. His performance here is often hailed as one of the best of all time. I couldn't agree more. I would place it in my top 5. We can't not mention the career best performance from Paul Dano. The scene in the bowling alley is probably my favorite scene in cinematic history. Ultimately, There Will be Blood is about how greed and selfishness can consume all aspects of the human psyche. There Will be Blood is a film you must watch before you die.
Mad God
(2021)
Phil Tippett Can Take a Well Deserved Bow
9 October 2022
Mad God is probably the most unique animated film that I have ever had the pleasure of watching. It is a surrealistic post-apocalyptic horror film thirty years in the making. It is essentially the "Boyhood" of the animated genre. The amount of craftsmanship, detail and world building that is on display is truly something to behold. There is no dialogue throughout the entirety of its duration. Resulting in one of the finest examples of visual storytelling. My only gripe with the film is that in some parts the stop-motion is a little bit iffy. Though most of the time it's mesmerizing to look at. Mad God is one of my favorite films of the year.
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