atekasiddiq Reviews

The Batman (2022)

Gritty, Fresh & Hopeful

[8/10 · 5 March 2022]

The movie sets a dark tone with Batman initiating conversation with the audience saying he's the shadow, he's hidden and he's vengeance. With our eyes set from his binoculars to his perfectly gruesome action stunts, his investigative skills also shines through. The character of Bruce Wayne and Batman merge together beautifully as one person which gives off a very gritty, tired yet a hopeful vibe. His understanding of Gotham, it's villains and history come together perfectly as the story unravels. At few scenarios, I hoped that there was more unpredictability of the situations. For example: As amazing and riveting the car chase was, I wish it was kept unknown to the public that he emerges out of the fire. He could've cross chased him from another street and bumped into him. Let the audience be in the illusion that in fact he did manage to KILL the Batman. Since Penguin didn't turn out to be the actual person they were looking for, expected more puzzling confrontation with the Riddler himself. Person to person with not jail bars in between them. Riddler could've taken Alfred prisoner and asked the Batman to save him with riddles so that we could see more emotion of Batman emerging. Certain scenarios could've been more intense but all in all, a perfect symmetry of acting from all the actors. Robert Pattinson really pulled the Batman character. Zoe Cravitz was also pretty apt with her character. Riddler also came across as psychotic, very good inclusion of the riddles and the show that he pulled off. Gordon was also good with his character along with Penguin. Gotham was beautifully shown with dark aesthetics and gritty neighbourhood filled with hooligans who don't care much about justice and a civil system. Very nicely shot scenes that gave off vintage environment. Also how the police officers communicate calling Batman a freak, which added to the tonality of how the Batman in that era is seen. In the end, the movie was gritty yet fresh and hopeful.

The Incredible Jessica James (2017)

Refreshing

[8/10 · 19 August 2021]

Ms James is me. Her witty nature, her sassy confidence, her nature very much resmebled to mine. Fighting patriarchy and the system one day at a time with just being you. I guess my prime days of rebellion are far from over but just like Sarah Jones reminds her, there's no "making it". If you've already got the best in your life right now and you're doing what you love, you've already "gotten it". Doesn't matter if a 1000 people reject you or that one love got away. Your boat carries on with the paddle you take. Honesty shines through like warm sunshine on a hustling day and Jessica's story reminds of how important that is in building trust with anything or anyone. Mostly with yourself. Being kind and forgiving, but most of all, giving yourself time to just be. Through that process, if someone comes along and stays by you, know that you've got a dope person. As she would say it. Let your passion shine through in small ways. Let it be alive. Remind yourself of why you chose it to be your savior and why you love it so much. Stay by it and let that inspire people. The right ones will see right through you. Jessica would agree with me, I guess. A raw and fantastic movie.

Sound of Metal (2019)

A Well Written & Performed Movie

[8/10 · 20 March 2021]

In stillness, there's peace. You appreciate that statement even more after watching this movie. Life is noise. Maybe some noises are nice, are welcoming, are stimulating, are more lovely than you can imagine. But when you accept the stillness, you realise that sometimes you just have so much to look forward to, so much you can't let go, so much you want to make things work but as Ruben portrays, it's almsot surreal and beautiful how this character comes full circle to the actuality of his new world. You sometimes mute the movie as well, to feel what he's feeling, you feel with his pain and the same time you feel what all he can achieve or is capable of achieving. A very well put together movie and beautifully directed.

David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020 TV Movie)

A Remarkable Witness Statement for a Hopeful Future

[9/10 · 18 October 2020]

My personal love for nature and it's ongoing crisis around the globe continues to motivate me to spread the message of hope just as Sir David Attenborough still does. It's only when you see the vast lands, the beautiful species on land and within, that you get a deeper appreciation of what exists on our planet. And he has shown us marvelously with his experience that it's now time to wake up, it's time to act and now is the time to not just save our planet but ourselves from our inevitable doom. It's quite simple to watch such eye opening documentaries and turn a blind eye. But to make sure you do something about it to make an individual change is what truly matters. It's as simple as spreading the message that we need to do better, we NEED to become better in order to survive. We NEED to rebuild on ourselves and put out our bets energy into the life that gave US life. It still does given out irresponsible actions towards diet, transport and lifestyle. We need to rewire our brains and our lifestyles to acknowledge the fact that there's more to life than what we percieve it to be. If we didn't eat meat for 2 days in a week, we're not going to die. If we survive in plant based diet, we can assure ourselves that we do not need what's been shown to us that we actually need. Capitalism will ruin not only the basic humane and moral life of ours but in turn will take our planet away from what it once was. The only way that it can thrive is with renewable and sustainable ideas. With Sir David Attenborough's and along with the entire globe's effort, we can truly imagine the life we can live in the coming years. Ah, what a sight! Let's start making a change, for even the smallest one can spread throughout the globe for a better world to live. A beautiful documentary indeed, and an exclaiming reminder that shows the horrid possibilities if we don't act soon as a collective.

Dirilis: Ertugrul (2014–2019)

An Emotional Rendition of a Beautiful History

[10/10 · 7 October 2020]

As a muslim, you only dream of such days, where justice prevails and you're grateful for moments when you're content. What a beautiful journey it has been watching Ertugrul, it was not only refreshing to see a chapter of Islamic world unfold in history, but also quite meaningful and insightful at the same time. Very few TV series have done that to me personally, but from Ertugrul, there's a lot to learn. A lot to be inspired from. Even though at the end of the day, it's a TV series, you get hope for better days. When you're going through the worst of trials, you're never quite alone if you have a firm faith. With a firm faith, you can conquer the most vast lands on this earth, you can conquer the most evil of evil, and most importantly, yourself. What's more beneficial than conquering your ownself, forgiving yourself and holding responsibility for your actions? With love comes patience and pain, but there also comes mercy. Such is the love that resides in everything. Such is the love of our Creator. To feel his creation, to be engulfed in his might and be the best of the best in his eyes. Through Ertugrul, you not only experience a human's will being tested but you also realise the importance of true authority, justice, freedom and the fight for what's right. Has it not been the only thing that mattered over the years? The fight for justice and equality? Even though we're a 1000 years apart, our struggle still remains the same. To keep believing in what's right and be free from oppression. Be it a man's world or a woman's, we all get to learn that we all have our individual places in this world, we all have our journeys to take. At the end of the day, it's important to stay true to yourself and keep fighting. For the days in this life are limited to what we know, but the life after that is what we fight for. What we'll struggle for till the end of time itself. Money, power, love, family, they'll have their share of grief, but you keep on. Cuz so did Ertugrul. And that's what it's all about. Learn from your past, be grateful in the present and be hopeful for the future.

Little Women (2019)

A Beautiful Rendition

[8/10 · 5 February 2020]

Greta has made me feel nostalgic for a feeling I cannot express. Little Women transported me back to a state of expression I've been meaning to express for quite a while. With Jo and her will to excel through life and love, I seek to gather all my strength in rowing my boat with time and love by my side. For life's too short to be angry about things that haven't gone your way. There's only a path forward, connections made with time and people living their lives, but out of all, you're living yours, as of now, and the best you can do is, be yourself, unapologetically, forever. That's what Little Women has instilled in me, toward the end. It sure is a beautiful rendition, a promising take on an everlasting classic.

Marriage Story (2019)

A Ravishing Masterpiece

[9/10 · 10 December 2019]

Noah Baumbach always surprises you with his transparent direction. The best so far, would be Marriage Story. The way he has portrayed the emotional Rollercoaster through this movie got me into tears, which normally a movie doesn't. But this was quite a masterpiece and I couldn't help but give a round of applause to his direction and the amazing acting by Scarlett and Adam. Such beautiful stuff. What was so amazing about this movie was that it was so transparent and yet so refreshing at the same time. The humor was marvelous and it was where it had to be. All in all, A Ravishing masterpiece.

The Irishman (2019)

A Good Stretch

[8/10 · 8 December 2019]

Eventhough I almost dozed off watching the entire movie, there have been many scenes which were quite amazing in terms of cinematography and direction. The way Scorsese managed to keep me curious till the end, makes it wonderful during a time like this to pull off such a movie. Will have to give it to the cast, especially Al Pacino and De Niro. Classy actors. They know what they need to do and how. The chemistry between the actors and Scorsese was somehow shown through this movie and I think it was change to watch a movie that shows an entire lifetime of a man, who in a way lives out his life and at the end of it all, gets a date for his outcomes. You can't help but feel for De Niro, who tried till the end to be whole with who he was and somehow, also feel how he failed due to who he was. In a way, you realise that what you've done is done, and you can't alter it but rather pray. That you'll get love from somewhere in the end, even if you're all alone. Eventhough the movie did drag a bit, the essence of the movie was not altered, which is something I respect. People want things to get over soon and not absorb the message of a movie's entirety. But with The Irishman, you don't miss out the message that Scorsese tried to achieve. And it was well directed. And well put. So I'd say, it was one of a kind. Sure did transport me back to when I watched Godfather, but it lacked a bit of action. Even if it was subtle, the politics bored me. But all in all, it was okay. Worth a watch.

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

Quentin has arrived.

[8/10 · 26 November 2019]

If you're expecting a classic reboot of Pulp Fiction, well it was almost close enough but this movie was quite something else. But OUTH was a whole new experience of its own. It builds up the scenes as expected from Quentin's movies. Major shout out to Brad Pitt for being such a bad ass. Like god damn, he shone through the movie. Can't deny Leo's acting, it was out of this world. Nobody can do it like him. All in all, including the humor, the way he focuses on food, drinks and feet lol classic stuff. Gotta give it to Quentin, he didn't miss out on them details. You never know what to expect with his movies and quite frankly even if this movie a bit stretched out, I'm glad. It was definately worth watching it.

The Breadwinner (2017)

Courage; Redefined.

[8/10 · 26 February 2019]

This beautiful animated movie really crosses the boundaries with courage, amazing storyline and animation. It captures the emotions perfectly of Parvana and her family in Afghanistan. It depicts the horrors and overcomes the fear of them by Parvana narrating the story of a boy and his courage till the end of the movie. It kept me engaged with the ongoing scenes and the relativity moved me on a personal level. Being an intellectual woman in a conservative society is never easy and only through kindness, perseverance and love can we all find a way to what we really want to achieve.

Through violence, there's no answer to any confliction. As Rumi states, it's the rain that makes the flowers grow, not the thunder.

Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)

A Beautiful Documentary

[8/10 · 26 February 2019]

As my title suggests, it indeed was truly a beautiful documentary. Such a kind story of Steve Rogers. And it's portrayed beautifully through this documentary. The insights on deep subjects like death, divorce and violence and how he took the initiative to spread his take on such intellectual subjects to kids was just phenomenal to watch. And not just the kids, I have this feeling that he impacted the adults in a very strange way too.

And the very fact that he excelled in doing what he does, he was being bullied, and being made fun of was damnation. And I realized that it's so true, it's as he said, "it's a constant battle to overcome evil." and he did just that by being himself. He didn't say it was easy, his tolerance for something that was considered bad, was used against him and that is human nature. But the way he used his life to dedicate to children and their upbringing gave me joy and inspiration. Because he understood that a child gets affected in many ways possible that stays with him or her till the end, and so it's our sole responsibility to be there for a child or an adult in the most caring way possible.

He said you're loved for who you are. And people had many doubts about that, saying they weren't special and that he was making a mockery of people by holding a special bias that they couldn't reach upto. But he replies very beautifully to that by saying, what he meant by that was you don't have to be sensational for people to love you. You're just special the way you are. And that sunk in pretty deep in my heart and I'll carry that thought till the end.

I'll end my review with his quote that goes like "The greatest thing that we can do is to help somebody know that they're loved and capable of loving" and I hope we all do just that.

Silenced (2011)

A powerful display of a harsh reality.

[9/10 · 20 February 2019]

No other movie highlights the issues on sexual abuse as Silenced does. It's almost astonishing to know that due to this movie, they reopened the case and passed the "Dogani Law" reinforcing harsh punishments for the offenders.

The movie displays the horrors in the most truest way possible. The script, each dialogue plays with your emotions like never before. And to know that this was based on a true incident makes it even more chilling to know how cruel certain people can be and to what extent they would go to try to save themselves. It was quite emotional for me and it will definitely make me see the world through another lens, to be more vigilant and kind because I somehow connect with the characters if the storyline connects to mine. This movie was beautiful not in the way they portray the abuse, but to show how the children can overcome such horror and that there are a few people who would give their lives to fight for justice.

The movie ends with a beautiful quote where Seo Yoo-jin says that "we fight not to change the world but to not let the world change you" and I think that's gonna resonate with me for quite a while.

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018)

A Nostalgic Experience.

[8/10 · 26 November 2018]

When it's Coldplay, you know you'd be expecting some tears. Be it their song, or a movie or a documentary, it's meant to break you in the most raw-est ways possible. I know that's not a word, but can't really describe it any other way. And it's not the bad kind of tears. They're healthy ones. The ones, you wish people understood. The ones that you cry when you're alone or you feel like nothing matters, that's when you know, their songs do. They matter. Not because they're all cliche now and famous, it's mostly to do with how they transport you to good times. To times when it was alright. When people didn't tell you how hard life would be when you grow up. It was easy then. This movie/ documentary made me transport back to my childhood days. When I walked around with my Walkman around the house. I'd wait for their song "Viva La Vida" to come on MTV, just so that I could record it and play it a million times again. My mum thought I was insane. But I didn't stop. Because I connected with their songs in an instant. There was something about them, that made me "FEEL" things. Like I just did after watching this movie. It's truly exceptional what they still can do with their songs. And it's absolutely magical. Just like how they are. And how they always were. All that humor, bad times good times, makes you almost feel like we're all one band. One collective band. Just like Chris said. And we're gonna be alright. Everything's possible. Just, never give up.

Maniac (2018)

A Humurous Psychoanalysis.

[8/10 · 24 September 2018]

A brilliant masterpiece of it's own kind. Emma Stone and Jonah Hill were amazing. The idea behind the script of this series is beautiful. It captures every aspect of real life like possibilities and emphasizes on hope. Portrays that no matter what happens, we're not always truly alone. Even if our consciousness seems unreal at times, it's all we've got. I loved the dark humor element as well. Was definitely a plus for me. All in all, a great series.

Anthony Joshua: The Road to Klitschko (2017 TV Movie)

Only a highlight of what AJ has achieved so far.

[7/10 · 28 August 2018]

Such pure content. This movie makes you truly realize how down to earth Anthony Joshua really is. And not only that, he's born to be in the ring. He's born to achieve that level of status only because he shows that he deserves it. This movie brings out all kinds of emotions in the audience, from sarcasm of AJ to the true passion he has for boxing. To put aside the very factor of him being a boxer, he admires the love and support of the people, of those people who supported him when he was nothing. And this movie highlights very little of that, but it does and it's just an overwhelming factor about AJ. A truly remarkable human being.

Stand by Me (1986)

A Beautiful Take On What You'd Call Friendship.

[8/10 · 26 August 2018]

Friends somehow understand you more than anyone at times. They've got your back through thick and thin. And even if it might get ugly at times, be it tears or a crime, your friends are there. And this movie truly encapsulates that very journey of getting even closer to one another by how the events unfold themsleves. The sassy diologues and witty sarcasm add to the very authenticity of this movie. At the end, you get to know, no matter what happens, you're not alone.