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Rick-L
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Reviews
Glubzhe! (2020)
A brave and unique experiment
Much like the acclaimed work of the film's protagonists, Glubzhe! is both shallow and nuanced, crude and yet surprisingly witty.
Some shots are exceedingly length and a few actors left more to be desired in their acting. Lapenko's appearance was a welcome delight and was, truth be told, one of the reasons I decided to watch.
Despite what I've already said and the 6 star rating hanging over these words, I still think that more films like this should exist, and I think that, ultimately, this is a good film.
Although 'out-loud' laughs are often sparse, there are many subtly humorous situations. Moreover, a great deal of the allusions and subject matter surround Russia's identity -
Chekov, the Imperial era, classical theatre - these are all brushed aside. Tostoi's portrait hangs in the protagonist's dingy, dilapidated apartment. Meanwhile, modern, sleek, and wealthy Russia is portrayed as dim-witted men in suits and porn-obsessed masses...
By my description, it's a little on the nose - and a lot of this film is just that. But at the same time, there was a strange kinship that I felt while watching this movie, that is was made by a group of people who care for the fate of their country.
For a film about porn and corruption, the overall message of this film is a positive one that leaves one with a warm feeling, deep inside.
Lev Yashin. Vratar moey mechty (2019)
Inspiring, despite technical shortcomings
A well-paced and engaging biopic. Very enjoyable, even for viewers like myself that aren't die-hard football fans.
Admittedly, the audio equalisation was amateurish in places. Also, a few extras looked a little too eager to be reading their lines.
Nevertheless, the main characters played their parts excellently. Soviet-era culture was very well captured, too.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
Thrilling and mysterious
The story throws you off the trail then lures you back into predicting the outcome, only to throw you off again. Towards the end of the film I found myself yelling at my laptop, 'Who was it then!? Who was it!?'
All of the actors performed well, although the heroes' personalities weren't explored much. Additional information and side characters were hard to keep track of. I can see why this was necessary, but it would be nice to have a little more depth to the fictional world.
Despite these minor shortcomings, this film undoubtedly belongs in the iMDB Top 250. Go watch it.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Perfect movie
This movie had everything I wanted. The antagonist's arc is believable and satisfying, the supporting characters are hilarious, and the blend of humour and drama is ideal. Moreover, the visual effects are magical. They aren't just a glittery distraction, though. Antman's theme of resizing objects is used to great effect throughout the entire movie. What might have been a silly gimmick in less experienced hands is a vital component of the movie's action and narrative.
This movie lacks revelatory philosophical insight. It doesn't push the boundaries of cinematography into avant-garde directions. It is, however, an incredibly satisfying film that accomplishes every goal it sets for itself. This is a textbook example of a comedy-action movie done right. I cannot find fault with this film.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Exciting flick with an lacklustre ending.
Clooney's acting is on point, as is Tarantino's. The preacher and his daughter both play their roles excellently, too.
The over-the-top violence is exciting. The special effects are remarkable. Though some might call the effects dated, I prefer them to modern CGI.
The range of scenes in this movie is very impressive. From the intimate suspense of the beginning to the thrilling shootouts that come later, the storyline ceaselessly ups the ante.
The storyline is simple, but well executed. The film's ending, however, is disappointing. I feel like more needs to be said.
Astral (2018)
One of the worst movies I have ever seen.
Let's be clear: the intention of this review isn't to rip into the movie's creators or to spite them. Many one star reviews are full of colourful metaphors and biting remarks. I'll avoid excessive hyperbole and state the reasons for why I was left severely disappointed with this film.
The movie disappointed me in all aspects. It spends a long time building up to a scary part that never arrives.
Long-winded and repetitive scenes introduce a range of supporting characters. Mid-way through the movie, most of these characters disappear from the narrative, making me question why they were ever given so much screen time in the first place. Overall, I'm at a loss as what the purpose of many scenes was. They just took up screen time.
Many of the protagonist's friends go into lengthy descriptions about the mechanics of astral projections. But these rules never come into play.
There were a handful of briefly creepy moments and scares, but I expected them to be foreshadowing something much larger. Apparently not. The ending comes out of nowhere with nothing resolved.
To sum up, this feels like the introduction to a horror movie that ends before it begins.
La La Land (2016)
A Musical Lacking in Music, but Makes up for it with Charm
The introductory scene had me hyped for large, precisely choreographed, crowd dance routines. Instead, the story rapidly zooms down to the two main characters.
There's a lot of charm and nostalgic wonder to this film. It's a classic story of desperately passionate people trying to catch a break in cruelly beautiful world. But I can't help but lament the lack of actual /musical/ scenes.
For once, this is a musical where the story comes first. It's a refreshing change, but a little jarring.
Léon (1994)
Like watching a movie for the very first time.
Léon is anything but predictable. The sheer peculiarity of this story engulfed me into its world.
Here is a movie without a clear-cut morale. This is a glimpse into a strange, squalid, but touching world. One which is very close to ours.
Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
The whole time, I was either laughing or crying
I was worried that the movie would be a lifeless platform be indulgent product placement. Instead, the cross-overs are on par with 'Who Framed Rodger Rabbit'.
This movie is consistently funny, entertaining and emotionally engaging. As others have pointed out, the ending is satisfying and meaningful.
Doctor Strange (2016)
My favourite Marvel.
Inception meets Lovecraft in a compelling hero movie.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Slow build-up, big pay-off.
The first half of the movie is ambling, sloppily weaving together the different strands. The second half of the movie weaves the strands into a complex and thrilling adventure.