beetrootsarered Reviews

How I Met Your Father (2022–2023)

Great show!

[12 August 2023]

Absolutely hilarious! Love that the characters are rather non conventional and the focus is on non-cliche and inclusive characters. I personally did not enjoy how i met your mother because it was very focused on the male characters and it was not really funny for me. But I found the characters in How I Met Your Father very relatable. And as someone that don't like comedy sitcoms in general, I think sitcoms are rather cheesy and the laugh track disturbs my ability to enjoy the show, but this is one of the sitcoms that I'm obsessed with. Love the modern spin on it and the quirky humor. Can't wait for more!!

I Am Not an Easy Man (2018)

We need more films like this

[20 July 2023]

Please make more films like this! We need more movies that illustrate what we talk about so much in our society nowadays. The humor is very tied to our current reality, which sometimes can seem very satire. Love how the movie was shot. The storyline is very interesting. Definitely recommend to watch. Love the portrayal of some of the most controversial topics we discuss especially in modern society. Very often its easier said when you're not the one living through something, and it takes being put in those shoes to realise how it really feels like to be living day to day in that situation. This film is educational in that way.

The Ultimatum: Queer Love (2023– )

Love how realistic it is

[1 June 2023]

I'm not a fan of reality shows at all, the drama & emotions are usually too over the top & exaggerated for my liking, but I am OBSESSED with this show! I did not expect to get so invested in all the couples & their individual journey of growth. I got really emotional seeing how things evolved throughout the series, following through everyone's discovery of what they want & don't want in a partner. As a queer person myself, I found this show to be one of the best media representation of queer love. And for that I thank the producers & everyone who participated in the show, putting themselves out there so bravely.

Gentleman Jack (2019–2022)

Absolutely Refreshing & Hooking!

[29 May 2021]

What I really want to exclaim is.. "Finally!" We as audience have very much - and very long needed such a character portrayal as Anne Lister in this series.

Daring, bold, intelligent, graceful, confident, unashamed, encompassing so many qualities that is so rarely depicted in a female character, much less a queer character!

The writing of this series is seamless, with the plot driven by character's motivations that never failed to hook and interest me. The emotional journey Anne goes through is very relatable for me, as a queer-identifying person myself. There are still not many accurate nor believable depictions of queer characters on screen today as raw and as moving as in Gentleman Jack. But this a story that anyone can relate to -queer or not queer - anyone who has searched for or is still searching for, something important in their lives.

Aaand don't get me started on the humor in this series, it's so gracefully folded into the various scenes, it's very cleverly entertaining and often takes us by delightful surprise!

This series is exciting, its bold, its witty, its nothing like anything you've ever seen before. And the cast delivers top notch performances. Suranne Jones is absolutely incredible.

Words are not enough to express how grateful I am for all the people who are involved in the making of this series that made it not only exist on screen, but exist with brilliance. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

SO YES, if you haven't watched it, you're definitely missing out!

Somewhere (2010)

Beautifully made

[18 February 2021]

I love the subtle humor throughout this film, every scene conveys a certain emotion, the cinematography is amazing While watching this film, I found myself examining the stark contrast in the relationship between Johnny and his daughter, and Johnny with every other woman he comes across.

Vita & Virginia (2018)

Very Intimate, and I love it

[7 December 2020]

First of all, the soundtrack. I was a little surprised that it was contemporary music at first, but immediately thought it incredibly refreshing and original, in a way, to have it be all the music we hear throughout this movie that is set in the 1920s. Isobel Waller-Bridge brilliantly composed of this movie's soundtrack and I feel so moved by the music. The little sound effects, trickles and whooshes in particular scenes adds so much effect of intimacy to it. I simply enjoy how the whole movie plays out, how the story unfolds, for those who don't know about Vita and Virginia's relationship, this movie "lives in the present" in a way, whereby we don't know what is going to happen next, no foreshadowing whatsoever. And it just feels like life, in itself, the way life happens, the way relationship happens, love happens. I think this film is beautiful, it flows so flawlessly from scene to scene. And the exchange of sentences that some found to be "unrealistic". I found to be poetic and complex. Not to mention, all cast members in this film has done an amazing job bringing their characters to life.

Je parle toute seule (2016)

Hilarious

[3 November 2020]

A stand up comedy lasting 1 hour and almost half. But it doesn't feel long at all. Incredibly hilarious, Blanche has a well rounded stand up comedian's ability to touch upon taboo topics, teasing just a little over the edge with jokes but reeling it back in time for audience's comfort, and unafraid of self degradation. Blanche addresses so many societal issues in the modern day, she is brilliant in her story telling, keeping on track but covering a wide range of details and making incredible joke or pun connections where one least expects it. This movie ended with such an irony relating to the title and to her whole stand up comedy as well. Do we see it as tragedy? Or do we laugh it off like how we did her stand up comedy? Where do we draw our own lines betweem jokes and seriousness?

The Science of Sleep (2006)

Dreamlike

[27 July 2020]

This is an interesting film to watch, that's for sure. It's abstract as you would expect it to be from the title itself. At some point as I was watching the film I felt the same sensation as I would as I am in a dream, this peculiar, not exactly unpleasant but uncomprehensible feeling. I think the film has achieved what it had set out to do. I also enjoyed how the film discussed on multiple occasions about topics that are pretty much beyond us, theories of the world we live in that can only blow our mind and fascinate us, and no more, just like dreams. It's real because its in our minds, but the line between reality and our own "dreams" gets blurred. Towards the end of the film I wondered if Stephane might be a schizophrenic. But I think that we as the audience were deliberately placed in the shoes of a somewhat child-like, simple minded character, which might be us when we are in our subconscious, with irrational fears and disabilities and beliefs about things. This film raises the question of how our world functions, about love and the occurrences of events, about time and about life. Love is very abstract, the way Stephane fell for Stephanie illustrated so, that we don't really have a say in who we fall for. We see how crippled Stephane can be from love, and that's what love does to us. Also, I absolutely loove Stephanie's (played by Charlotte Gainsbourg) uniquely sooting voice, her british accent and also her french is quite something!

Tomboy (2011)

Beautiful and so natural

[13 July 2020]

The actors in this film are amazing. Its incredible because in an interview Celine Sciamma said that the lead character Mikael/ Laure, played by Zoe Heran, was found by chance and not through typical casting agencies which proved to be absolutely perfect for the role. I like the lack of music throughout the whole film. It leaves it up to you to assess the situation in each scene, the emotions felt by the characters and the intensity of those emotions. I suppose this is a very prevalent feature in the majority of French films which I absolutely love. The film revolves around the experiences and encounters of adolescents, which has sort of a stripped back element of innocence that makes it impossible not to become invested. The storyline follows the lead character's discovery of self identity, the conflicts of the film is driven by complications of "how people and things should be" that we can see are already planted in most of the other children's idea of things. One watches this film and finds that, there is no fault in any of the characters. 9 out of 10 because this film questions so much revolving perception related to identity, and at the same time challenges the limits of love.

The Innocents (2016)

Les innocentes has just the right amount of everything

[11 July 2020]

This film celebrates the strength of women and sisterhood despite stark contrasts between the women's contrasting beliefs (fundamentally in religion, but can be soon to be tied to ethics and priority). Not an easy film to watch, as it is hard to imagine what hardships the sisters had to endure, but the film does not show illustrate that, it only shows the current state: conflicts and the struggle of the sisters as well as the doctor who took the risk to help. I like the fact that Mathilde's partner, a Jew who is pretty much the only male character throughout the film, is depicted as what an honorable man should be like. I give this movie 9 out of 10 because I think it does not overdramatise, and the subtlety is sufficient in conveying the message. The fact that it is based on a true story really got me thinking. Overall, the cinematography has a natural ambience and is aesthetically pleasing, good acting by the cast. I personally appreciate the subtle and slight moments of humor which is just the right amount and made the film more interesting to watch.

Breathe (2014)

Fast paced, very interesting to watch

[6 July 2020]

I think that this film is amazing. Five minutes into it and I'm completely sucked into the story of the film. I've got to say, a brilliant job done with the casting, I think this is one of the films for me that actors look perfect for their parts. Not to mention what an incredible job they've done. "Respire" unravels itself so seamlessly, every scene yielding importance yet ties to each other so well that I've not once, while watching the film, realize that the characters I'm seeing on screen are merely fictional.

When we watch a film, we bring our own expectations into it, the outcome of the characters, and for this film, I found myself sympathizing with not only Charlie, the main character protagonist but also Sarah, who is causing distress to Charlie.

I think this movie speaks about morals, we watch as both Charlie and Sarah, two characters fragile in their adolescence, balancing on thin ropes, and we watch closely as every choice they make is a leaning action towards either side of morality: which questions fundamentally, what does it mean to be a good friend, or even, what does it mean to be a good person?

The film reaches beyond what we would expect to be the ending of a story. It felt like it went off the script of a screenplay and dived into reality where we as the audience are in the characters' shoes, living the realistic absurdity of events and the unexplainable emotions that we experience.

Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017)

An emotional documentary

[28 June 2020]

One thing I really liked about this documentary is how it so often uses a musical and visual way to document her life, as opposed to a verbal narrative. It uses seamless camera and editing tactics to portray the events and her possible emotional states in a way that can't be accurately described with words, which essentially served the purpose of this documentary. We get a glimpse into the life of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, which is a stark contrast to her artistic persona as Ladygaga, a couple of scenes in this documentary depicts that. Joanne is such a sweet soul, and from this documentary we learn that every human being has struggles, even for a successful big star like Ladygaga, and that there are so many layers within one human being, her artistic stage persona does not fully represent her as a human being.

Captain Fantastic (2016)

Touched my soul

[4 November 2018]

I can't count the amount of times I've cried in this movie. Nothing dramatic, but it captured my heart so deeply, absolutely loved its subtle sense of humour, loved the way it raises questions about our modern day way of living, even though certain ways its portrayed do come across a little bit extreme. The main character being a fatherly figure who is unashamed of truth, not reluctant to break societal norms and expectations that may be deemed unnecessary.

Black Mirror: Men Against Fire (2016) Season 3, Episode 5

The extremity of "closing an eye"

[26 April 2018]

This episode illustrates how humans, for the sake of themselves- with their messed up idea of progression- are able to "close an eye", to see past cruelty, numb their senses and do harm to others. Convincing their minds that those who are different should be eliminated, in this film's case, literally, where the physical form and behaviour of the people are altered in the soldier's minds to be perceived as monster-like. This episode pushes further to question our idea of ethics. How can we turn away from the emotional component that makes us human and look at numbers, at statistics then decide superiority and inferiority then the fate of a population? The film ends with the main character, standing in front of his abandoned house, looking with altered perception. He'd rather see the image of a perfect house and his girl than to see truth for truth.

Black Mirror: San Junipero (2016) Season 3, Episode 4

The Eerie Truth about Humanity

[25 April 2018]

I think that this film portrays the messed up-ness of humanity, how we are so addicted to feeling good, having fun, even if it isn't real. Our ability to invent something with an idea so complicated and messed up (for us now, who have not been in contact with the insane advance technology , all for one reason, for us to have fun. This series looks into the lives of two old people - both on the verge of real physical death - being in a human-designed cloud system of a changeable eras for old people, to live in their young and fit bodies. The system is a metaphor of a more realistic, relatable and desirable form of 'heaven' (or at least for the people from that time frame) - partying all day all night, living like they're never going to die. The first character that enters the film is Yorki, an awkward and naive character in the system whom we eventually find out suffered from paralysation since she was 21. That explains her inexperience and her helpless desperation in the beginning. Because of being paralysed since 21, she hasn't met enough people, didn't see much of the world, and is selfish, not taking much of other's circumstances into consideration, which is in contrast to Kelly, who's "given so much of her life to her husband". Kelly, a woman who has lived pretty much a well rounded life, battled, bruised and had lived through it all, she wishes to leave everything, life in the real world as well as the system as she feels certain respect and maybe some guilt (that she denies of having) for her husband, whom she spent 49 years with, and her late daughter. They're not there to enjoy the rest of that "life" with her. I think that Kelly had a initial attraction towards Yorki because of her innocence, which is the opposite of her worn out and tired soul. She finds herself trying to not get attached while being in the system, perhaps was because she knows how love is so tiring, and having it once in her life is more than enough. But later in the film she made the choice to stay with Yorki in the system. What caused her to make such decision? Is it the element of her partner's change of gender, a gender that in the real world she never made a move for? I think that the people that chose to continue in the system are ignorant, choosing not to acknowledge the need of death that comes with the birth of life. So did Kelly made that decision because of how humane she essentially is? Just wanting to have fun, despite the ups and downs of life that is supposed to lead her into giving in to and accepting the natural ending of life? The film ends with 'happily ever after' somewhat, both women present in a carefree world, living forever young and wild. The question is that, is it really a happy ending? Because we as humans, with our complexities, could we really expect to live on happily every single day, partying non stop and knowing that we can never die? No matter how we attempt suicide. So is it a true happy ending or does it demonstrate how in need we as humans are of investing in the next moment, wanting it to be all good and fun, and choosing not to look at the larger picture, realising how such system should not exist. This film is beyond great. It plays the scenes out in a uniform fashion, bit by bit leaving traces of information revealing the essential backdrop of the story. Demonstrating again and again that things are not as easy and superficial as they seem. This story is brewed spectacularly, adding in tones of different eras, incorporating old and young, maturity and innocence, complications and simple mindless joy, with the consideration of our immortality, of how humans are capable of avoiding the naturally inevitable and to be in an unrealistic blissful ignorance forever.

Novitiate (2017)

Great Great film!

[18 April 2018]

The film begins by following through the life of a young girl who never expected to become a nun. As a child, she was intentionally 'exposed' to religion by her somewhat religion-mocking mother. The young girl experiences some family issues and sees the unhappiness of her single mother who went through a failed marriage. It probably shaped her to desire a form of love that is more uncommon, a form of love that her single and unhappy mother doubts and mocks, and perhaps has less complications than if she were to be with another person - and chooses to be married to God. But as she grows she realises that she is worthy of more, and is capable of wanting more, that though it may be scary to love another living, breathing, feeling human being, it's real. I think that this is a film about change. How inevitable change is in our lives, and learning how to embrace change, even if it pushes us way out of our comfort zone; or if its just that we feel what we once felt does not really apply anymore, it is okay to say and act otherwise. That though we may have felt very certain about things before, something that could be so sacred and profound like religion - choosing to be married to God - can be changed if you eventually feel differently about things, that freedom is ultimately your own choice. It is shown in the film that at the end when the Vatican 2 changes were announced, many chose to leave. We may convince ourselves that there is a higher power, but see how more than one third of the nuns decided to leave, and not essentially held back by the ties to God. The film also shows how times are changing in our society. Before,the girls were forbidden to have any doubts, not allowed to question the things Reverend Mother does, even if it was immoral. The film progresses and the girls are seen to be full on voicing their doubts about God's existence in front of Mother during 'fault-confessing' sessions. Melissa Leo is incredible. She perfectly portrayed Reverend Mother, an unreasonable authoritative person who often feels her position is threatened. She seems to be fearful of losing the exaggerated beliefs that became her known way of life. Feeling the need to torment others the way she tormented herself, her behaviour seems to be that of a sadist and hypocrite. "Things are easier when they are stricter" applies to the world of Reverend Mother. When the vatican 2 announced that the nuns are free, the Reverend Mother feels lost, as there is no rules to forcefully follow through anymore. Overall an amazing film. Absolutely loved the tones and emotions of the film.

Disobedience (2017)

More than an incredible love story

[8 April 2018]

Disobedience A lesbian love story, depicting the longing and repression aspects of a forbidden love, which essentially makes it a greater romance film. It also holds a greater social message. The film tells people that it is okay to choose to become anything, even if it is something else, in the sense that it's against social norms or expectations. Some people are born into societies that don't receive them well, they by all means have the rights to decide themselves what exactly they want to do. Everyone is free to choose. Hence the name of the film, disobedience. Although the first impression of the title hints an act that's frowned upon, but as the film progresses it unfolds itself and reveals to be a story about self-liberation, acceptance and compromise. In the end we see that the love story does not progress in the direction that is expected, where the characters do not end up together, perhaps ironically 'disobeying' the audience's expectations.

Battle of the Sexes (2017)

So entertaining it doesn't feel like a 2 hr movie

[21 March 2018]

Spectacular and very entertaining, sprinkled with good humour, so much that the 2 hours had passed by with an ending that left me being relieved to have gotten off an emotional roller coaster ride yet very satisfied with the ups and downs of it.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

absolutely worth watching

[6 February 2017]

This movie is so real and painful, which makes it so worth watching. Four healthy though unsatisfied people had their own set of dreams, which slowly warped into an obsession, then it gets disturbing as the obsession begins to take over their lives, ruining them. It shows how we are able to f* ourselves up because of the things we want, sometimes even involuntary desires. The cinematography and the pacing of the movie had a freakish effect on inducing an unpleasant feeling in me, but in a good way. The movie starts out pretty normal, as if nothing could really go that bad, but as the story progresses, disturbing thoughts of what may happen begins to creep in. Most of the shots of this movie is taken so that the audience experience exactly how the character is feeling, I must say that certain compositions are unique and are never seen before. A must watch if you're of mature age.

The Light Between Oceans (2016)

A movie illustrating "real life"

[3 February 2017]

The light between oceans is a movie about forgiving, letting go, even if it really hurts. People go through so much in life, and under varying circumstances, make decisions that are neither wrong nor right. But that's life, everyone has needs, and events sometimes occur for no clear purpose, cruel as it may be, perhaps its just to help us learn to forgive and let go. No one was the complete victim nor the definite guilty in this movie, the characters just arrive at where they are from all that they've been through. Which made this a tear-worthy movie, seeing the main characters suffer partially from their own doings yet not. I give it an eight out of ten, definitely a movie that illustrates how "real life" is. The composition of the scenes had a calming effect to it, coupling with the plot, helps quiet the mind and provoke feelings in the heart.

Melancholia (2011)

Pure art.

[2 February 2017]

Throughout this entire film, I felt this solemn emotion of loneliness and hopelessness, with a tinge of fear. This movie is pure art, its plot moved along not by words, but emotions and expressions of the characters in the film which I find very relatable. The movie made me feel small, just one in an entire vulnerable race. This movie is divided into two parts, the first displaying a supposed happy occasion - Justine's wedding - but though everything seemed perfectly fine, she didn't feel the same on the inside. The second part, however, showed the expected reaction of a caring and planned woman as she witnesses the end of her world. Both characters in each part of the movie felt the same feelings under different circumstances, but one of them being blamed for feeling that way because physically everything was meant to be enjoyed. I found the ending surprisingly frightening, coupled with the music that perfectly described the emotional and mental state in which the characters are in.

Split (IX) (2016)

Made me tense all the way in a good way

[1 February 2017]

Split is a movie with constant suspense, but personally I find it gives out too little information and is a too mysterious for my taste. I had hoped to explore more of the characters that roam in Kevin's mind, but the movie emphasizes more on the other leading character's tragic past, which could have been more interesting if it focused more on how Kevin's other personalities surfaced. Split also maintained a potential for something greater, which had me at the edge of my seat, bracing myself for the worst that was yet to come, but unfortunately, I found it slightly disappointing that the revelation does not pay off the tension throughout the film. Some actions made by the characters in the movie are deliberately meant to guide the movie to a desired ending, which personally applies to many of the horror films I have watched. But I enjoyed the cinematography, of how many shots were composed of the expressions of changing personalities.

Dead Man Walking (1995)

simple plot with complicated emotions

[23 January 2017]

I think that dead man walking is a simple movie with complex emotions. In this movie, the audience sees two sides of things from Sister Helen's point of view. We get a glimpse of so many emotions, from the victim's and the guilty's. As I was tugged between two parties, this movie really made me wonder if there can be a right punishment for crimes. The movie emphasized on the fact that murderers are humans too, can feel and is able to love just as much, no matter how unforgivable their actions were. I think this movie shows how imperfect we all are, and how we are so unable to be truly freed or satisfied. But nevertheless, only a good movie can draw tears, and it did.

Secret Window (2004)

Not so much of a thriller

[12 January 2017]

The movie had a very eerie and tense atmosphere since the beginning, but I think that the way the story progresses, it seems as if the movie producers are deliberately trying to steer away from the ending that might have been expected or had at least crossed the audience's mind. But I'd say that this movie focuses a lot more on details rather than the actual story plot or the events that take place in the story. So I feel that this intentional emphasis on detail has dragged the thriller movie on too long for my taste. Also I'd say that the actors' expressions in this movie were too little, barely giving out any clue about what might they be feeling or thinking, which soon became a little uninteresting.

The Social Network (2010)

Great film progression

[11 January 2017]

I think that its a great movie because I like how the story progresses and how the film is shot. However, I personally believe that the film's depiction of the characters are definitely an exaggeration to their real life situations, making it a little more of a fiction rather than an actual biography, which didn't really do the job of flabbergasting me in the way films based on real-life people are supposed to. This drama film also has a pretty decent sense of humour, adding a tinge of comedy into it. I guess I just really enjoy the formality of this movie. The twins in the movie - played by Armie Hammer - are too good looking.