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Emin96
Reviews
Good Time (2017)
Pure pleasurable chaos
Before watching Good Time, I saw it described as chaotic and gripping; now I've seen it, I describe it as perfect car crash cinema. The story is a mess and troubling to view, but you won't want to take your eyes off for a second.
As soon as we meet "Connie" (Robert Pattinson), you know exactly what you are in for ... a character so deeply rooted in their reality they'll stop at nothing and spare no one to get what they want. Props to Pattinson for his convincing and polished portrayal - he truly proved himself here. Benny Safdie as "Nick" and Jennifer Jason Leigh as "Corey" are commendable in their own depictions.
But don't incorrectly pigeonhole Good Times as a bank heist movie. Sure, there's a bank heist and plenty of crime, but moreover it's a depiction of a criminal's desperation and disregard for consequence. Put simply, it's a wild ride with a blindfold on.
The cinematography and framing is great. The incorporation of close ups immerse you in each character's frustrations. The dark and moody lighting is perfectly complimented by electric colours which match the story's gritty and turbulent nature.
I must be living under a rock because I'd never heard of Good Time until I stumbled across it on Netflix, and I'm sure pleased I did.
Free Guy (2021)
FEEL-GOOD ESCAPISM
I've never written a review on here before but, with everything going on in 2021, 'Free Guy' allowed me to forget about the world for a couple of hours - and for that it deserved one!
Firstly, the role of "Guy" was MADE for Ryan Reynolds. It would be a crime to audition anyone else and you could tell he enjoyed playing it. Great work too by Jodie Comer ("Millie") - and Channing Tatum ("Revenjamin Buttons") who literally made me laugh out loud which is no mean feat. Solid supporting cast too, although I could take-or-leave Taika Waititi despite appreciating his flair.
The story itself is simply enjoyable; if you watched the trailer, leave your preconceptions at the door. Artificial intelligence and open-world gaming has the potential to snowball into a complex idea for some, but 'Free Guy' is neither obnoxious nor existential. It is pure colour, fast-paced, funny, creative, and (better yet) UNIQUE.
The special effects are impressive; the soundtrack is uplifting, mainly thanks to a Mariah Carey classic; and I walked out the cinema with a smile on my face! Well done.