SinScope

The Terminal (2004) is a movie directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Andrew Niccol and Sacha Gervasi. The movie is about Viktor Navorski (cast as Tom Hanks), a man from Bulgaria. He gets stuck at JFK International Airport in New York City because his country had a civil war and his passport is no longer valid. The cinematography in The Terminal reminds me of Scorsese's style, which I really like. The camera work is amazing and it has many great camera shots that have so much depth, e.g., medium close-ups, wide shots, full shots, making more dynamic scenes. The Terminal is an engaging story with a lot of character development. Tom Hanks (Viktor) and Stanley Tucci (Dixon) both give outstanding performances, expertly bringing their characters to life. Hanks, in particular, brings a remarkable depth to the role, successfully balancing comedic and emotional elements. A notable mention is the character of Dixon, portrayed as someone who knows everything about. I found the movie’s s...

The "65" (2023) is a sci-fi movie directed and written by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. The pilot Mills (Adam Driver) crashes on a strange planet. He is stuck on an Earth from 65 million years ago. Now, Mills and the only other survivor, Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), have to explore the unknown place full of dangerous dinosaur-like creatures, with only one chance to survive. At its core, "65" is a complex narrative about survival on one hand. It revolves around two characters struggling to survive on a planet inhabited by dinosaur-like creatures. The tension between the characters adds somewhat depth to the plot, as their dialogue changes from not trusting each other to possibly working together. The movie cleverly introduces a plot twist in their interactions, adding depth to the narrative. However, even though the visual storytelling is complex, the story itself sometimes feels empty and leaves the viewer wanting more, but I felt there was something specific behind th...

Allegiant: Part 1 (2016) is a movie directed by Robert Schwentke. It's a science fiction action film based on a book by Veronica Roth. It is the third movie in The Divergent Series, coming after Divergent and Insurgent. It is based on Roth's trilogy.  The story is amazing. "Allegiant: Part 1" explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and finding oneself in a divided world. These ideas are included in the story, making viewers think about the moral challenges the characters face and the world they live in. This movie has a great score. It combines Tron: Legacy (2010) Daft Punk type cyberpunk synths with Hans Zimmer's orchestral signature sound. The combination of different sounds, including deep bass effects, makes it, in my opinion, the best soundtrack out of the three "Divergent" movies. The audio mixing is well-balanced and deserves recognition. It handles the balance between dialogue and music well, making sure it's clear and impactful, whether there...

Insurgent (2015) is a sci-fi action movie based on Veronica Roth's novel. It's the second movie after Divergent. It continues the story about Tris Prior (played by Shailene Woodley) fighting for her freedom and the freedom of her Divergent allies. The first film in the Divergent series, Divergent (2014), was directed by Neil Burger. However, the second film in the series, Insurgent (2015), was directed by Robert Schwentke. Neil Burger was about to direct the whole series of Divergent, but he had to step down due to scheduling conflicts. Robert Schwentke, who has directed only 7 action and sci-fi movies at that time, was hired to take his place. The beginning of the movie creates a futuristic feeling, with a powerful soundtrack by talanted Joseph Trapanese that matches the intense story. The sound design, including reverbs, swooshes, and reverse effects, boosts the film's visuals, making it more immersive. The cinematography of "Insurgent" is really good. It shows...

Translations (2023) is a debut Welsh romance drama directed by Keith Kopp that focuses on love between two people facing challenges with their mental health. The cast is an amazing up and coming talent Kate Morgan-Jones (The Pact, The Forfeit) and Alan Emrys (Young Wallander, Host). The beginning of the film is really impressive. The camera rotates in a creative way, going from darkness to showing the whole scene. It sets a really interesting tone for the movie. The movie stands out with its atmospheric instrumental music, which gives the film a mysterious and unforgettable feeling and vibe. The music in the movie, especially the calming piano songs, is important for setting the mood. However, sometimes the music is too loud and makes it hard to hear the dialogue. Adding subtle sound effects like crackling fire, boiling water, footsteps on sand, wind makes the film feel more genuine by connecting dialogues and monologues. The sound mixing is good, but the sound effects could be a bit q...

Divergent (2014) is a sci-fi action movie directed by Neil Burger which is based on a book called Divergent by Veronica Roth. The movie takes place in a future Chicago where people are split into factions based on their virtues. Beatrice (Tris) Prior, played by Shailene Woodley, finds out she is Divergent, which means she doesn't belong to just one faction. She is seen as a danger to the existing system, and she has to stay alive.  Divergent (2014) captivates with its stunning drone shots, showcasing a futuristic Chicago that, while heavily CGI-enhanced, felt unnecessary but still well-executed for its setting. Trise’s narration, voiced with compelling depth, adds a rich layer to the storytelling. From the very start, the movie hooks you with its humanistic portrayal of society, weaving a narrative that feels both big and personal. The soundtrack by Junkie XL is really good and has a soulful quality that matches the film's hopeful tone. It also uses the inspired music of this m...

"The Martian" (2015) directed by Ridley Scott, is a film about an astronaut surviving alone on Mars. It has a hopeful tone. Although it uses a lot of CGI that might not always be needed, the movie is still impressive in terms of story. The movie's music is also impressive.  The soundtrack combines classical orchestral tones with modern upbeat synthesizer rhythms, matching the film's emotions and energy perfectly. 'The Martian' skillfully combines humor with a tense plot, making the protagonist's determination to survive even stronger. This mix makes the story better and helps the audience like the main character even more. I found the performances of the actors to be highly entertaining. Notably, the film Interstellar (2014) featured respected actors such as Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain in key roles. Matt Damon effectively portrayed film's main character with his witty humor and survival skills, and Jessica Chastain also delivered an outstanding per...

Alongside Oppenheimer, it has been 4 months since Barbie (2023) was released. I really enjoyed watching Barbie (2023) by Greta Gerwig. for the first time. The music grabbed my attention right away and set the mood for a movie with excellent cinematography. The color grading looks amazing and goes well with the story of the film. Visual storytelling is important in Barbie's self-discovery trip, which is interestingly mirrored by Ken's own existential questions. Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie being cast as Ken and Barbie is really exciting. They play their roles with charm and ease, which makes the movie enjoyable. Barbie (2023) is an interesting movie that has some flaws, but it is entertaining and provides a different take on discovering who you are. Furthermore, although the movie's approach to feminism is thoughtful, it doesn't fully capture the importance and complexity of the subject. Feminism and women's rights, being profoundly important throughout history and...

It has been already 4 months since Oppenheimer (2023) by Christopher Nolan released. It is so rare for me but I would not believe that I would go watch this movie more than 1 time. I watched it 4 times which is 12 hours in total. This film is 3 hours long, and I can honestly say that I have never regretted seeing it more than once.  First time I watched Oppenheimer (2023) was in the local cinema in 2D format. Second time was on a big IMAX 2D screen format in Riga. Third time in Forum Cinemas in ISENSE format. Fourth time in 2D format but in German. Of all these options, the IMAX 2D experience was the most attractive. The loud sound system and big visuals made me feel like I was really in the movie. This format made "Oppenheimer" a really immersive and memorable experience.  Oppenheimer (2023) is not only visually impressive, but also delves deep into the moral challenges of developing the atomic bomb. The movie shows a "crazy chance" for morally undetermined charact...

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) is a black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Terence Winter. The movie is based on a book called "The Wolf of Wall Street" written by Jordan Belfort in 2007. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Belfort, a stockbroker in New York who does illegal stuff on Wall Street in the 1990s. The Wolf of Wall Street is a great movie that is similar to "Goodfellas" in its storytelling style. The movie's camera work is really impressive, done skillfully with a lot of emotion in each scene. The camera moves in a lively manner, which enhances the film’s mood. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is, as expected, brilliant. He performs his role with a lot of energy, especially in scenes that need intense emotions. He shows his skill by effectively portraying intense tension and loud dialogue. The movie's dialogue is really good and accurately represents the world of brokers. It feels real and interesting, making the movie more immersive....

Ex Machina is a 2014 science fiction psychological thriller film written and directed by Alex Garland. This is his first debut film release which is really impressive. The movie shows the relationship between Caleb, a programmer, and Ava, an AI. As Caleb tries to assess how smart Ava is, their conversations get more thought-provoking and complicated. This movie makes viewers think about consciousness and emotions in AI. The characters are well-crafted, particularly Nathan's character whose witty humor and occasional dad jokes add a lighter touch. Caleb is portrayed as a sympathetic and intelligent figure. His cautious yet eloquent questioning highlights the film's focus on the Turing Test, underscoring the tension between insecurity and intellect. Dialogues and Themes are intellectually stimulating. "Ex Machina" is really good at showing how humans and AI interact, making us think about what the Turing Test means. The conversations are smart and easy to understand; th...

Taxi Driver (1976) is a psychological thriller movie directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie is about Travis Bickle (casted as Robert De Niro), a Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver because of his insomnia and loneliness which is the main theme of the movie. The cinematography in Taxi Driver is simple and effective. The movie uses different types of shots, like daylight, close-ups, and side shots, which I found really impressive. The music goes well with the movie and makes it even better to watch. Although I desired greater emotional profundity, the actors' outstanding performances served to increase the film's attractiveness. Beyond an elementary portrayal of the daily life of a cab driver in New York City, "Taxi Driver"' delves deep into the personal challenges faced by its protagonist. Despite the character’s witty, uncritical, and freethinking nature, in contrast with his unstable mental state, the character was sympathetic. This part of the movie re...

Shutter Island (2010) is a psychological thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo (known for Avengers playing Hulk). The film is based on the 2003 novel by Dennis Lehane. The story is set in 1954 and follows two US Marshals who are sent to a remote psychiatric facility on Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient. This movie gave mixed feelings but in a good way to reflect about the humans. This story is very dramatic and scary from the protagonist's perspective due to his past and hallucinations. The main character's clash with his own thoughts adds a very compelling psychological tension. The delusional and nostalgic character is very similar to Nolan's movie Inception with the same protagonists in both movies. In terms of Cinematography, fast camera transition movements to another scene was a unique artistic approach for this movie but it was a bit too much. Although the movie used green screens and CGI...

I had a great opportunity to watch The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) before its official release on 17/11/2023. Here is my bigger picture review on it: Pacing: I find the film to be too fast-paced. Ironically, the film is set in a rush while the book is written at a slower pace. While the film lasts 2 hours and 37 minutes, extending it to 3 hours, similarly with Oppenheimer (2023) movie, could have allowed for a more thorough exploration. Nonetheless, the adaptation works well. Adaptation Details: I read the book in February and noticed that the film focuses on the most important parts of Coriolanus Snow's thoughts and other of course important details, but it leaves out some smaller details. The director did a good job handling these important parts, making a well-rounded portrayal even though certain elements were left out. Directing and Cinematography: The direction of Francis Lawrence has improved significantly, and the camerawork is outstanding wi...

After Hours (1985) is a black comedy (also known as dark comedy) movie by Martin Scorsese that captures his excellent skills in cinematography. His signature style is very noticeable if you have seen his films and adds a unique touch to the film. I was really captivated by the story of this theme. It is full of sharp dialogue and witty observations. Hence, I was very invested in it, and that's saying a lot, considering Joseph Minion's talent for dialogues that have depth. The script is interesting and highlights, in my opinion, the movie's main theme - trust no one. It was explored in a way that is both funny and thought-provoking, and at the same time a sense of pettiness from the protagonist's perspective. This is what black comedy is all about. Hence, the main character is sympathetic and relatable. After Hours (1985) initially reminded me of an episode from SpongeBob SquarePants called "Rock Bottom". Both narratives have a similar structure, but they tel...

Transcendence (2014) directed by Wally Pfister is a movie about a scientist who becomes part of an AI system and tries to become powerful. It is first-time that Wally Pfister directs his movie but all along before he has been collaborating with Chris Nolan since Momento (2000) came out, also worked on movies like The Batman Trilogy and Inception (2010) as a cinematographer. The movie has a talented cast with actors like Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, and Cillian Murphy. The story combines a romance between two humans where one of them becomes encapsulated in the computer system and becomes an AI, making the story even more complex and dramatic. The way AI is shown is relevant and makes you think about maybe the next 50 years of the future impact of AI, which can be scary. Although this movie is thought-provoking, the story per se is very slow-paced and oftentimes can be boring to watch. It does have the cool vibe of "Inception" with a soundtrack that reminds me of the Batman Tr...

Lucy (2014) is a French sci-fi action film directed by Luc Besson. Scarlett Johansson plays Lucy, a woman who gets special powers after taking a mind-altering drug. Plot: The concept of "Lucy" is both intriguing and surreal. Centering around a woman who unlocks the full potential of her brain, the film takes us on a sci-fi adventure that defies the norms of reality. The story starts from different points of view. Some parts might be confusing at first, but they fit well into the story as it progresses. The movie gets interesting when the main character goes on a journey and discovers new abilities that change the story a lot. This change makes the story more exciting by combining different storylines in an interesting way. They have a cool mix of intensity and surrealism that makes them stand out from other action scenes, e.g., in the movie Transcendence (2014). Writing: The script of "Lucy" is funny yet serious, and it's written and performed really well. Th...