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Showing posts from January, 2024

Film Review #49 - Poor Things (2023)

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The film Poor Things (2023). a film by Yorgos Lanthimos, stands out as a unique yet very peculiar jewel in Hollywood cinema, marked by its creative storytelling and striking visual aesthetics. The film immediately grabs your attention with its very unusual and weird artistic elements. The cinematography is nothing short of amazing, introducing a blend of black and white scenes that add a layer of complexity and depth and colored scenes. The cinematography is consistently innovative, with techniques that often repeat, for instance, 360 degree shots (fisheye shot), fast zoom-ins and zoom-outs, medium full shots, overhead shots, and Scorsese-like quick pans from left to right. This type of cinematography added more dynamism to the visual experience. The film's use of CGI added an extra layer of surrealism as per its theme. The dance scenes are even more captivating. One of the film's most striking features is its unusual yet compelling use of sound and music. The vintage lo-fi, b

Film Review #48 - Tenet (2020)

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Tenet (2020) is a film by Christopher Nolan that stands out as an extraordinarily creative and thrilling action sci-fi film that I’ve ever seen. Experiencing this film in 70mm was a revelation; its sound, particularly loud for a 70mm screening, added a delightful vintage analogue vibe.  Music: Ludwig Göransson's score is nothing short of AMAZING. His work, which also includes compositions for the further film Oppenheimer (2023) movie, is breathtakingly creative. The tracks meld seamlessly with the film’s narrative, underpinning its dynamic vibe. In my opinion, Göransson proves himself a musical genius. His sound design is simply top-notch. Story: The script is a mind-bending journey, filled with thought-provoking dialogues. Each line adds depth and clarity to the unfolding mission, making no word superfluous.The accents of the actors, however, were at times challenging to discern and the dialogues were very important to hear the complex story. This is a film that demands a second

Film Review #047 - Inception (2010)

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Story: What stands out most in "Inception" is its originality, particularly in its non-linear storytelling, which is a characteristic feature of Nolan's movies. The movie has a complex narrative, with layers of dreams that unfold in a mind-bending manner. It's initially confusing but brilliantly executed.  Visual Storytelling: I am impressed with such clever details of how actors who are in the dream are checked whether they are really in the dream. There are very cool unexpected moments in the dream sequences that showcase the film's capacity to surprise and impress viewers. The special effects are impressive, highlighting advanced physics and carefully crafted real-life 3D models. Cinematography: Inception (2010) shines with its crisp cinematography, using medium and close-up shots and slow zoom-ins building tension. The chase scene set in Mombasa is a visual treat, showcasing the film's thoughtful location choices. The stunts, though appearing dangerous, a

Film Review #46 - Home Sweet Home (2023)

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Home Sweet Home (2023) is a mystery horror one-shot film directed and written by Thomas Sieben. It left a lasting, albeit unsettling, impression on me. The story is full of intrigue and suspense, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats without revealing any crucial plot details. The story revolves around Maria, a pregnant woman visiting her father-in-law's secluded country house, where she encounters a series of mysterious and disconcerting events. My experience watching this film, unfortunately, leaned more towards confusion and disappointment. This film was a sneak peak film in my local cinema and it left a negative emotional impact. During the film 6 people left the cinema hall from this movie. While the concept promised intrigue, the execution faltered. The storyline felt muddled and illogical, with a visual narrative that often bordered on tedious. This lack of clarity in storytelling led to moments where my attention waned, and the overall pace seemed to drag. However

Film Review #045 - Dunkirk (2017)

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Dunkirk (2017) is a historical epic thriller film that tells the story of the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II. It was written and directed by Christopher Nolan and shows the events from different perspectives - land, sea, and air. This is my 2nd time watching this film as my local cinema offered to watch it in the original version in 70mm projection. The image of the film in 70mm was vivid and vintage, although there was an occasional flickering during the film. The sound design in 'Dunkirk' is exceptional, reminiscent of the iconic ticking clock in Nolan's Interstellar (2014). This stood out to me the most with Hans Zimmer's score which is a masterpiece. It employs the Shepard tone, brilliantly underscoring the film's themes of fear and tension among the soldiers and the fear of the unknown. The Music and visual storytelling was emphasized a lot in this film and was pivotal. Although there was little dialogue in the movie, the dialogue per se was exceptional

Film Review #044 - Captain Miller (2024)

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Captain Miller (2024) is a Bollywood action thriller film directed by Arun Matheswaran. It marks his third full-length feature film. The movie opens with a disclaimer that intriguingly sets the tone, informing viewers that this film is partly based on true events and partly has fictional characters. This was a smart approach from the directors side to inform viewers. From my personal (anecdotal) experience, I have not seen this approach in other movies, especially Hollywood.  The storyline of "Captain Miller" was both compelling and well-crafted. The film managed to weave a rich narrative that was both entertaining and thought-provoking. As my first Bollywood film experience, it was an eye-opening introduction to the genre, leaving me impressed by its boldness and creativity, something I find lacking in many Hollywood productions. The film's storytelling is impressive. The use of narration in the introduction and at some scenes throughout the film boosts the viewing exper

Film Review #043 - The Beekeeper (2024)

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The Beekeeper (2024), directed by David Ayer, is an action thriller that expertly combines tension and magnitude. Featuring the talented Jason Statham as Adam Clay, the movie highlights Statham's unique combination of toughness and tactical skills, which make him an ideal choice for the role of the cunning assassin. The Beekeeper (2024) dazzles with its masterful cinematography. The film utilizes a mix of one-shots, medium, and full shots, with the characters artfully positioned at the center which was a standout feature of the film. These shots are rich in detail, benefitting from exceptional lighting that adds an impressive depth to each scene. The camera shots during the at night scenes are exceptionally clear, and the slow zoom-ins and outs are executed flawlessly. Daylight scenes radiate warmth, reminiscent of the haunting visual style seen in Saw X (2023). Another unique feature is rotating from the 90 degree angle to 0 degree angle from left to centre right in the landscape

Film Review #42 - Lizziehead (2023)

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Lizziehead (2023) is a romcom drama short film directed and written by M W Daniels, a filmmaker based in London, UK. The movie stars Alan Austen, Vera Bremerton, and Carolyn Burns. Awards: "Lizziehead" won the jury award at "The International film Awards LA", it then went on to win best comedy at "The Best International Film Festival" and it won best short film at " The European Arts Festival". The film also made the 2023 final of "The Cannes Monthly Competition". Spoiler Free Plot: I was immediately captivated by the introduction of this short film, which effectively sets the tone for what's to come. The narrative centers around Lizzie's life, delving into her dating life, sexuality, and unresolved “daddy issues”. Screenplay: The dialogue is a standout feature, brilliantly capturing the humor and absurdities of dating life. The screenplay is exceptional all over the short film, particularly in the second half, which escalate

Film Review #041 - Her (2013)

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  Structure: 1. Movie Facts 2. Spoiler Free Review --- 1. Movie Facts Here is a detailed overview of the 2013 film "Her" by Spike Jonze: Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Budget: $23 million Worldwide Gross: $48.3 million Story: The film is not based on any specific story or book. However, it draws inspiration from various sources, including the works of science fiction writers Philip K. Dick and Kazuo Ishiguro, as well as the concept of AI and its potential impact on human relationships. Director: Spike Jonze Spike Jonze is an American film director, screenwriter, music video director, and producer. He is known for his innovative and visually striking films, which often explore themes of human connection, technology, and the future. His most notable films include "Being John Malkovich" (1999), "Adaptation" (2002), "Where the Wild Things Are" (2009), and "Her" (2013). Writer: Spike Jonze "Her" marks Spike Jonze&

Film Review #040 - Focus (2015)

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1. Film Facts Genre: "Focus" (2015) is a romantic crime comedy-drama film. Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures was the distributor of "Focus." Production Budget: The production budget for "Focus" was approximately $50.1 million. Worldwide Gross: The film grossed around $159 million worldwide. Story/Book Basis: "Focus" is not based on a book or pre-existing story. It is an original screenplay. Directors and Writers: The film was directed and written by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. They are also known for directing films like "I Love You Phillip Morris" (2009) and "Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011). Notable Actors: Will Smith played the lead role of Nicky Spurgeon. Smith is famous for his roles in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Men in Black" series, "Independence Day," and "I Am Legend." Margot Robbie played Jess Barrett. Robbie is known for her roles in "Barbie", "The Wolf