li0904426 Reviews

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Godzilla as a metaphor!

[8/10 · 19 May 2024]

The movie "Godzilla Minus One" follows a former kamikaze pilot in postwar Japan who encounters the giant monster "Godzilla". Director Takashi Yamazaki constructs a movie in which every element possesses a deeper context beyond what meets the eye. The timing of the plot, set just after Japan's World War II defeat, and the portrayal of the protagonist as a frustrated Kazimake, are not mere coincidence, especially with the looming presence of Godzilla.

Once more, the film's standout feature lies in its screenplay, ingeniously employing a monster as a metaphor to depict a Japan ravaged by imperialist politics, where the central theme revolves around the notion of "dying for the country" taken quite literally. The director pays tribute to the classic 1954 original film by presenting a Godzilla reminiscent of the original, capturing even the subtle head movements and gait faithfully. Still the visual effects are stunning!!

This is another example that demonstrates the rebirth of Japanese cinema in the last decade.

Fallen Leaves (2023)

Melancholic love story

[7/10 · 9 May 2024]

The movie "Fallen Leaves" is about two lonely mature blue-collar individuals in Helsinki who find solace in each other's company. Writer/director Aki Kaurismäki creates a melancholic movie with subtle humor, exploring themes such as loneliness, chronic alcoholism, unemployment, isolation, and despair. The movie resembles a patchwork of aged photographs, each one weaving together to tell its story. The gloomy side of the main characters are illuminated as they find the chance for love.

Alma Pöysti's remarkable portrayal of Ansa and Jussi Vatanen's compelling performance as Holappa enhance the narrative.

Mars One (2022)

Mars of many!!!

[8/10 · 7 April 2024]

The movie "Mars One" delves into the daily lives of a typical low-middle-class family residing in the urban landscape of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Against the backdrop of a far-right political change, the family grapples with their individual challenges and dreams enhancing their humanity and resilience.

What enhances the movie's authenticity and emotional impact is its depiction of a black family: the father working as a building janitor, the mother employed as a maid, their daughter juggling law studies and tutoring, and their teenage son's dreams of becoming an astrophysicist. In this context, the very good director and creator Gabriel Martins crafts parallel storylines for each character, which are bound to intertwine and intersect as the film unfolds.

The story unfolds around a father's ambition to nurture his son into a professional football player, a mother struggling with emotional trauma and a belief in her ability to bring bad luck to everyone around her, a daughter defying her parents' conservative ideals to follow her own path, and a son torn between fulfilling his father's expectations and pursuing his fascination with the cosmos. The movie's beauty emanates from the delicate, original, and authentic performances of each character, with Rejane Faria's portrayal of Tercia, the mother, deserving special recognition. She serves as the guiding force weaving together all these stories.

"Mars One" is a heartfelt film that portrays the lives of an ordinary family, discussing everyday experiences with a universal appeal. Its themes are relatable to families worldwide, irrespective of their cultural background. The movie beautifully illustrates that the dream of Mars transcends borders and is a shared aspiration for humanity as a whole.

Afire (2023)

Not a convincing plot!!

[6/10 · 2 April 2024]

The movie "Afire" centers on the story of two close young friends, Leon and Felix, who opt to retreat to a holiday home by the Baltic Sea during a scorching hot summer. Upon arrival, they encounter Nadja, who is already renting the property.

The primary issue with the film lies in its casting choices, particularly evident in the portrayal of the young writer Leon by Thomas Schubert. Schubert's youthful appearance doesn't quite fit the character, resulting in a sense of disconnection throughout the movie. Another aspect that falls short is the credibility of the friendship between the two protagonists, Leon and Felix, who are complete opposites. Their personality differences - with Leon being serious and pessimistic while Felix is cheerful - make it challenging to believe in the authenticity of their bond.

The introduction of Nadja, portrayed by Paula Beer, and Devid, portrayed by Enno Trebs, serves to further delineate the personalities of Leon and Felix with better clarity.

The movie has highs and lows, with director Christian Petzold crafting a somewhat unconvincing narrative.

The Promised Land (2023)

Great Perfomances!!!

[8/10 · 2 April 2024]

The movie "The Promised Land" centers on Captain Ludvig Kahlen's quest to cultivate and revitalize desolate land in 18th-century Denmark. He also faces conflict with local landowner Frederich Schinkel. The movie's premise may not be entirely original, yet director Nikolaj Arcel's skillfully crafts a tale of revenge, power, ambition, and the quest for a better life against the backdrop of a challenging and rugged landscape.

The movie's standout lies in the performances of Mads Mikkelsen as Ludvig Kahlen and Simon Bennebjerg as Frederik De Schinkel. Notably, Bennebjerg's depiction of De Schinkel, the local magistrate and landowner, stands out as one of the most menacing villains of recent times, significantly enhancing the movie and thereby complementing Mikkelsen's performance.

The movie showcases stunning cinematography, skillfully capturing the harsh climatic conditions of the region. Director Nikolaj Arcel masterfully created a movie that embraces a wide spectrum of emotions.

The Color Purple (2023)

The Color Grey

[6/10 · 16 March 2024]

The movie "The Color Purple" is a musical period drama based on the stage musical of the same name, which in turn draws inspiration from Alice Walker's 1982 novel. This is also the second version for the cinema, inevitably inviting comparisons between the two works, whether intentional or not. As a musical, this film loses the intensity of the drama of Celie, an African American woman living in the American South during the early 1900s, who endures immense hardship, including an abusive husband and the loss of her children.

Despite the best efforts of the cast, the movie didn't succeed in transporting us to the era and racial segregation of the American South. The fault may lie in the screenplay, makeup, and art design.

Once more, Colman Domingo delivers a standout performance as Mister, showcasing his remarkable talent.

In summary, the movie is good, featuring some beautifully choreographed dance scenes, but it fails to capture the drama present in the book.

Mama's Boy (2022)

Boy's Mama!!!

[8/10 · 11 March 2024]

The movie "Mama's Boy" is a documentary about Dustin Lance Black, an Academy Award-winning screenwriter of the film Milk, and his upbringing in a conservative Mormon family, the impact of his mother's resilience, and his journey toward embracing his gay identity and activism. In actuality, the film doesn't primarily center around Dustin Lance Black's life; rather, it places a stronger emphasis on his family, particularly focusing on his mother. In this documentary, Dustin Lance Black demonstrates his exceptional storytelling skills. He skillfully captures the most impactful and crucial details from the family narrative in a simple, straightforward, and succinct manner that makes it feel as if we have personally witnessed each event.

The connection he shared with his mother is deeply moving, and her enduring strength in the fight for life permeates her son as though through a process of osmosis.

"Mama's Boy" is a timeless narrative of resilience, reconciliation, and the lasting connection between a mother and her son. By exchanging stories, it serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience that love can instill in us, compelling us to champion our beliefs.

Perfect Days (2023)

Perfect Days is a Perfect Film!!!!

[10/10 · 9 March 2024]

The movie "Perfect Days" can be considered a Perfect Film. Director Wim Wenders delves into the daily routine of Hirayama, a solitary and hard-working individual who toils as a public restroom cleaner in Tokyo. Once again, Wim Wenders adeptly turns the story's location into a character. The deliberate selection of the main character's profession was intended to create a stark contrast between the city's cleanliness and advanced technology and the perceived lowliness, repulsiveness, and inferiority associated with the chosen job. Hirayama takes great joy and pride in his work, executing with dignity and respect that nothing bothers him. We do not know his past but he lives in the present, in the now. That's why he is fixated on capturing moments of the wind's interaction with sunlight and tree leaves through his photography. For him, this phenomenon is unique, "it only exists once, at that moment".

The movie also explores themes of relationships, solitude, respect, and, crucially, emphasizes the significance of observing the small details in our day-to-day lives. It possesses a delicacy and simplicity that triggers an awakening to life, free from the burden of complaints and regrets.

Just as he achieved with "Wings of Desire," Wim Wenders has crafted a masterpiece that delves into the essence of our existence on Earth.

Saltburn (2023)

Poor script!!!!

[7/10 · 8 March 2024]

The movie "Saltburn" is a drama that explores the complexities of desire, obsession, and lies. While viewing the movie, one cannot help but observe the parallels with Patricia Highsmith's "The Talented Mr. Ripley." However, it seems that they are unrelated. Director Emerald Fennell revisits themes explored in her earlier work, "Promising Young Woman," touching on subjects like obsession, privilege, and the extremes people will reach in their pursuit of justice or the fulfillment of their desires. Fennell fell short of expectations in this movie, crafting a poor, weak, implausible script with banal dialogue.

Barry Keoghan as Oliver Quick stands out as the main highlight of this movie, marking a significant breakthrough in his career. Another highlight is Rosamund Pike's performance as Elspeth Catton.

Poor Things (2023)

Beautiful and Rich Things!!!

[10/10 · 8 March 2024]

The movie "Poor Things" is a cinematic gem, inviting audiences to soak in the brilliance of director Yorgos Lanthimos. The movie excels on all fronts, thanks to the original storyline, artistic elegance, and the cast's stunning performances. Lanthimos' vision plays a vital role in translating Alasdair Gray's book into a film that goes beyond mere words. The movie blends dreams, fantasy, illusion, future, and reality seamlessly, crafting allegories that critique the hypocritical, sexist, racist, and conformist aspects of our society. Upon Bella Baxter's revival, she leaps past childhood stages straight into adulthood, navigating a world without any societal concepts and established rules.

Undoubtedly, this stands as the finest movie of the year, and quite possibly, the past five years. The movie's beauty and authenticity are bound to linger in my thoughts for quite some time.

One Day (2024)

Inconsistent Episodes!!

[7/10 · 29 February 2024]

The mini-series "One Day" spans two decades, following the intertwined lives of college friends Dexter and Emma. I haven't seen the film adaptation or read David Nicholls' book, but I believe the creators achieved a good result with the mini-series.

The final result was somewhat compromised by a notable weakness: the dialogues, which were occasionally well-crafted but mostly lacked coherence and came across as immature. The text primarily impacted the performance of Ambika Mod as Emma with the excessive portrayal of whining, attitudes, negativity, and purism of a radical girl. The ambiguity in her character becomes evident as she is depicted as both the lover of the married headmaster and, simultaneously, expresses irritation at the sight of a cigarette girl in an upscale restaurant.

Another drawback lies in the direction, possibly due to the presence of multiple directors for a limited number of episodes, resulting in a lack of consistency.

The standout in the mini-series is Leo Woodall's portrayal of Dexter; it appears as though the role was tailor-made for him. His convincing depiction of a loser who succeeds mainly due to physical attractiveness is noteworthy. A man who is aware that Emma is the love of his life but found himself unable to fully commit to her. In every scene of the final episode, Woodal's outstanding interpretation is consistently reinforced. I believe this mini-series will serve as the turning point propelling the actor toward stardom.

Asteroid City (2023)

A Movie/Theater play

[8/10 · 13 February 2024]

The movie "Asteroid City" is a comedy/drama set in 1955. It follows a group of students and parents at a convention, disrupted by world-changing events. The film also covers the making of a play about these events. The story is satirical, and director-author Wes Anderson creatively employs metaphysical language. This time, he uses the Western deserts as the backdrop, where UFO stories and extraterrestrial sightings in the 60s coincided with atomic tests.

The movie is a fantastic "joke", and yet Wes Anderson introduces elements of family drama dealing with grief, teenagers facing challenges, and artists going through depression. The entire movie is constructed and performed like a great theatrical play.

American Fiction (2023)

American Fiction also bends to the Hollywood audience expectation

[8/10 · 12 February 2024]

The movie "American Fiction" revolves around a comedy-drama narrative, depicting the story of a disillusioned African-American novelist. In the plot, the author pens a satirical take on "black" literature, leading to unexpected fame and recognition. It's a great original story in which the author both satirizes and delves into the realm of literary creations. The story explores the contrast between works crafted solely for audience enjoyment and those born from extensive studies and research, often overlooked by that very audience.

The script is filled with remarkable lines, balancing humor with moments that prompt contemplation and analysis of marginalized black literature. It also sheds light on the expectations imposed by the white audience, urging conformity to a specific narrative assigned to the black population and their language.

The big disappointment of the story is the ending. The foundation constructed throughout the movie is unraveled by various versions of the ending. It seems as though both the author and the director succumb to conforming with the audience's expectationst.

Napoleon (2023)

Technically stunning movie!!!

[8/10 · 5 February 2024]

The movie "Napoleon" is a historical drama about Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power during the French Revolution, his military skills and his relationship with his wife, Josephine. Director Ridley Scott puts another historical event of humanity on the screen with mastery, the movie is a visual feast in all technical aspects, encompassing grand cinematography, costumes, makeup, art direction, and a captivating soundtrack.

While I disagree with most of the reviews here, I concur with the sentiment about the screenplay being inadequate. The storyline is inconsistent and fails to explore the character of Napoleon Bonaparte sufficiently. At times, he appears more of a caricature than a historical figure. Additionally, his wife Josephine is portrayed in a manner that seems more fitting for a 21st-century character rather than her historical context. The deficiencies in the screenplay primarily impact the actors, particularly Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby, whose performances come across as inauthentic.

Despite these issues, Ridley Scott's extensive experience allows him to deliver epic battle scenes that are both visually captivating and unforgettable.

BlackBerry (2023)

The rise and fall of Blackberry!

[8/10 · 2 February 2024]

The movie "BlackBerry" is about the rise and fall of the BlackBerry mobile phone, co-founded by Douglas Fregin and Mike Lazaridis, and investor Jim Balsillie. The movie is a fictional portrayal of how the BlackBerry mobile phones were brought to life by a group of nerdy friends in a small town in Canada. The movie adaptation and direction are both outstanding. Despite being a typical story about a start-up company, the movie maintains a steady pace and successfully keeps the audience engaged, mainly because of its riveting storytelling and performances. The movie effectively manages to encapsulate the inception, triumph, and downfall of BlackBerry in a smart, swift, and persuasive manner.

Rustin (2023)

It's about time!!!!

[9/10 · 30 January 2024]

The movie "Rustin" is a biographical drama about part of Bayard Rustin's life, the Civil Rights Movement influencer, and the main organizer of the March on Washington in 1963. Before watching this movie, Bayard Rustin was unknown to me and I believe my generation. This movie is long overdue and provides some insight into Rustin's significant role in the racial movements of the 60s.

In this plot, director George C. Wolfe takes us backstage at the Civil Rights Movements, illustrating how Rustin's candid homosexuality significantly influenced his relegation to a lesser role in these movements. The movie is powerful, depicting Rustin's struggle and triumph over dual prejudices in his lifetime.

Colman Domingo's portrayal vividly brings Bayard Rustin back to life. His performance captures a Rustin full of tenacity, determination, and zeal for a peaceful political march on Washington, yet also a man subdued, restrained, and overwhelmed because of his sexual orientation.

This movie should be viewed in every high school as an example of a decent, brave, shameless, and important hero in the history of every social movements in America.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

I wouldn't consider it a masterpiece!!

[8/10 · 27 January 2024]

The movie "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" is the computer-animated sequel to "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse". The makers of the first movie demonstrated greater creativity in the development of the sequel. The movie is replete with witty and humorous dialogues, which, along with the outstanding animation, stand as some of its most notable accomplishments. From a technical standpoint, everything fits like a glove, including the voice cast team.

The movie is action-packed and successfully captivates my interest for nearly two and a half hours. However, it's not just about the action; the movie also explores themes of familial bonds, adolescence, and friendship. The movie is good entertainment for enthusiasts of digital animation.

Nyad (2023)

Great Cast!!!

[7/10 · 21 January 2024]

The movie "Nyad" is a biographical drama about Diana Nyad, a long-distance swimmer. At age 64, she swam from Cuba to Florida, a 110-mile stretch. This was her fifth attempt. The movie essentially presents a familiar and standard narrative of an athlete striving to surpass her boundaries. The Directors, Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, do not shy away from portraying the intense, radical, narcissistic, and self-serving character temperament.

One of the few good things about "Nyad" is the casting, especially Annette Bening, who plays Diana Nyad, and Jodie Foster, who portrays her best friend and coach, Bonnie Stoll. Their on-screen chemistry successfully binds a plot that lacks originality.

Priscilla (2023)

Just another biopic movie, nothing else!!

[7/10 · 13 January 2024]

The movie "Priscilla" is a biopic drama based on Priscilla Presley's memoir "Elvis and Me". It explores her relationship with Elvis Presley, starting from their first encounter in Germany when she was just 14 and he was 24, and continuing through their courtship and stormy marriage. The movie offers a close-up view of Priscilla's life under public scrutiny and the intricacies of their relationship.

Director Sofia Coppola continues to explore complex themes like oppression, seclusion, and the feminine realm, primarily through characters who feel estranged from their surroundings. While this movie adheres to those recurring themes, it appears to be her career's most commercially oriented project.

The movie is purely a portrayal of Priscilla Presley's life, no more, no less. It lacks a deeper analysis of the life of a woman and wife, whose existence does not count, living under the control and in the shadow of a highly famous star.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Another Scorcese's gang movie!!!

[7/10 · 12 January 2024]

The movie "Killers of the Flower Moon" is a multi-genre plot, encompassing elements of romance, drama, mystery, history, and crime. It's set in the 1920s and revolves around a series of murders within the Osage Nation following the discovery of oil on their land. Director Martin Scorsese brings an indigenous story to the screen, a story forgotten in American history and filled with greed, corruption, and injustice. Scorsese is back and persists in employing the same techniques seen in his earlier movies. He repeatedly uses flashback scenes, seemingly to ensure that the audience has grasped the script.

Indeed, the screenplay is the movie's weak point. At times, it resembles a dialogue between teenagers, rendering numerous segments of the movie unconvincing, feeble, and lacking in meaning. Also, actress Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkhart, fails to convince. It appears as though she's been sedated from the beginning of the movie.

Overall, it mirrors other Scorsese gangster films, but with a twist. The struggle for supremacy now involves the native Osage Indians, who fall victim to White gangs in the pursuit of oil.

Society of the Snow (2023)

Society of Survivors

[8/10 · 6 January 2024]

The movie "Society of the Snow" is another version of the 1972 Andes flight disaster. The story revolves around the survival of a rugby team after their plane crashes in the Andes. Director J. A. Bayona adapted it from the book by Pablo Vierci and also from some survivors currently in their 70s.

By proposing a more humanistic and ideological vision for the film's theme of cannibalism, Mr. Bayona showcased his intelligence in directing. He also extended the film beyond two hours, thereby intensifying the strenuous, arduous, and perilous scenes of the journey through the Andes mountains. The cast is also spectacular, giving credibility to each character.

A significant problem with the film is the lack of authenticity in some scenes, which gives off a studio-like vibe. This isn't due to the actors, but rather the art direction. For instance, numerous scenes depict characters smoking inside the plane wreckage, which doesn't feel realistic.

The movie, overall, is compelling, particularly the emotional scenes in the final half-hour.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

"...and what God created...Man will destroy it..."

[8/10 · 2 January 2024]

The movie "Oppenheimer" is a biographical thriller about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who played a key role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II and thus the beginning of nuclear power. In an exceptional manner, Christopher Nolan, as the writer and director, successfully encapsulates the personal life, career, and philosophy of the scientist Oppenheimer within a three-hour timeframe.

Nolan meticulously examines the morals, loyalty, patriotism, ambiguities, and convictions of Oppenheimer, which after being exploited and manipulated by the American political machine, led to his subsequent fall from grace. This same manipulation that the American government used to create Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Bashar al-Assad and recently Hamas group.

Nolan made a difficult film, with super-efficient editing and stupendous and solid performances, starting with Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer and Robert Downey Jr. As Lewis Strauss.

The Holdovers (2023)

Paul Giamatti!!!

[7/10 · 30 December 2023]

The movie "The Holdovers" is a drama about a teacher, a student, and a cook at Barton Academy who influence each other's lives during Christmas holiday break. Director Alexander Payne, known for his exceptional storytelling, doesn't fail to impress in this movie. Despite the presence of clichés, over-dramatization, and characters that aren't entirely original, it's Paul Giamatti's commanding performance that truly steals the show. He constructs and deconstructs his character with great ease and precision, it's simply beautiful to watch his performance.

The movie, while commercially oriented and appealing to the masses by capturing the essence of the Christmas spirit, is a departure from what one might typically anticipate from Alexander Payne's themes.

A Star Is Born (2018)

Gaga shines!!!

[8/10 · 28 December 2023]

The movie "A Star Is Born" is a musical drama about a musician, Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), who discovers and mentors a struggling artist, Ally (Lady Gaga), while battling his own addiction. Bradley Cooper, in his directorial debut, masterfully delivers the fourth adaptation of this movie. He chooses to depict a more contemporary version, portraying an America that is grappling with darkness and illness. Furthermore, Cooper effectively transforms a popular singer into an actress who perfectly fits into Ally's role. Lady Gaga delivers a knockout performance, showing the nuances of a struggling singer with power and authenticity.

The movie also stands out due to the intense emotional journey of an artist at the end of his career, battling addiction to alcohol and drugs, and the healing power of music.

The exceptional soundtrack enhances the storyline, further accentuating the performances of the lead actors.

Maestro (2023)

Forgot to tell us about the ARTIST Leonard Bernstein!!!

[6/10 · 28 December 2023]

The movie "Maestro" chronicles the life of Leonard Bernstein and his relationship with his wife, Felicia from their first meeting in 1946 until 1989. The movie lacks vitality, and the dialogues are so structured that they seem to be scripted for a stage play. Indeed, the first part of the movie resembles a theatrical performance, too much choreographed, i.e. In each and every scene the characters had to light up and smoke a cigarette.

It seems director Bradley Cooper was so concerned with capturing the physical and emotional nuances of Leonard Bernstein that the movie ended up feeling hollow. In contrast to his previous movie "A Star is Born," where he successfully crafted a classic American naturalistic atmosphere, Bradley Cooper, armed with extensive information about Bernstein's life, seemed to lose focus and failed to effectively summarize it to us.

In the second part, the movie does a better job of depicting the family life of Bernstein, his wife Felicia, and their children. However, the movie continues to lack depth and substance. It's more concerned with his personal life than his artistic one.

It's quite peculiar that throughout the movie, despite the heavy emphasis on a central theme by screenwriters Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer, the terms "homosexual" or "bisexual" are never pronounced even once.

While the film is technically flawless, this seems to have led Bradley Cooper to overlook discussing the career, techniques, and inspiration that established Leonard Bernstein as one of America's greatest artists.