xNecRosex Reviews

Challengers (2024)

Surprisingly good.

[9/10 · 25 April 2024]

I think after a couple of 7-8/10 films, Guadagnino finally strikes with his best film to date. Electrifying, sexy drama. Zendaya solidifies her position in the big leagues.

I caught myself smiling in the movie theater, and that hasn't happened in a while. I genuinely enjoyed the entire film from start to finish. I didn't even feel the urge to check the time on my watch.

It's high-level filmmaking, with great ideas and overall very solid execution. I had thought Guadagnino might lose steam during the 142-minute runtime, but boy was I wrong; he held the reins the entire time without loosening his grip.

The tennis scenes are well-executed, but they're not the main focus of the movie; that remains the love triangle throughout.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

The best in the series??

[8/10 · 8 July 2023]

(Review after the pre-screening in IMAX) Quite possibly the best in the series thus far!

Action-packed from start to finish with high production value and clever dialogue. This film has a charm to it, and will keep you amazed by its brio.

It reminded me of the good ol' summer blockbusters from like 20 years ago... it's a popcorn movie with basically nonstop action, however, it somehow manages to not seem dumb and also doesn't make you feel like you're losing IQ by watching it, which very few films of this genre managed to accomplish as of late.

Cruise is fantastic as usual, this is THE role he, as an actor, will be remembered for.

Hayley Atwell is a great addition as well.

From the technical standpoint - there isn't anything really worth criticising... I would have to be nitpicking problems that - in this genre - aren't really problems.

Camera and editing are great!

One thing I'd point out though is, and that's just my personal and subjective opinion, the "take home message" about the dangers of the sentient AI that is imminent in the real world could have been stressed a little more... I doubt there will be people coming home from the theatre thinking "bloody hell what if something like this happens for real"... it kinda stays within the realms of the film itself and the repercussions of creating such an AI will most likely not be felt by the audience that isn't particularly tech-savvy or doesn't keep up with the current advances in the tech world.

To sum up; Definitely worth your time, worth your money, matches or exceeds expectations, one of the best if not the best in the franchise. See it in IMAX if possible, but normal theatre is gonna work as well.

8.5/10 for me.

Looking forward to watching Part Two next year.

Drops of God (2023)

Something fresh! RECOMMENDED FOR WINE LOVERS.

[8/10 · 3 June 2023]

Finally something original... feels... fresh!

Loved the setting in different countries and the concept of multiple languages used at once. Characters fit their role perfectly, the contrast between the Japanese and French (European) culture is very well defined and not overblown.

It's a smart watch, and you can also learn a thing or two about wine. Definitely a must-see for wine lovers, both in theory/academics or just people who enjoy drinking wine.

The romance as a subplot is alright, it doesn't take the main stage and lingers in behind the main story just to spice things up a little...

The tests keep you guessing and you never really know who's gonna win until the last episode at which point it becomes clear rather early in the episode.

After lots of twists and smart intrigue, the ending feels like a nice closure.

I can only hope we get to see more original shows like this one.

Decision to Leave (2022)

He's done it again.

[9/10 · 13 August 2022]

A master of his craft, Park Chan-wook returns with his noir-romance/drama and checks all my boxes.

This is his third movie (after Oldboy and Handmaiden) that I rate 9/10. I kinda like he steered into a different genre this time around... or not so much a different genre, but a different take on it.

Throughout the film there is a question hanging behind every corner of the detective's investigation (whose marriage isn't working)... when do you realise your marriage no longer works... what will trigger the decision to leave?

Also, the use of iPhones and smart devices is very cleverly done. It's not overdone, it's not distracting but it's a major theme presented in the film.

Spoiler: Lots of great scenes, but the one towards the finale with camera pointed down at the road like an eagle eye and when Seo-rae says in Chinese:

"The moment you say you love me your love is over the moment your love ends my love has begun."

is top-notch, as well as the score, the acting, the emotion... it's all there and if you've ever been in a relationship, it cuts deep.

Elvis (2022)

Vapid delirious frenzy muddle

[4/10 · 13 August 2022]

Doesn't really feel like a film.

An overproduced, never-ending frantic 160-minute trailer playing at an unbearable pace.

Audacious production sets. Decent performance by Austin... but as a whole this thing is just a distraught vapid mess.

Operation Mincemeat (2021)

This one is a big miss.

[5/10 · 5 August 2022]

I'm sorry, but this one just doesn't work.

Lost within its own realms of fiction and utterly pointless subplots.

Entire sections of the film feel ridiculous and pointless. Occasionally overwrought dialogues.

Disappointment.

On the Count of Three (2021)

Great debut by Jarrod Carmichael

[7/10 · 22 June 2022]

It's a solid debut.

A role made for Christopher Abbott, I love seeing him in films of this genre, it's totally fitting his look/behaviour.... it almost feels like he's not even acting, it's very genuine.

Looking forward to watching the director's next one!

The Northman (2022)

Ahhh not what you expect!

[6/10 · 22 June 2022]

Expected more of a classic Vikings-style flick, was unpleasantly surprised.

It's in line with director's previous movies when it comes to style and execution tho. Dafoe and Kidman are side-roles, it's all on Skarsgard and Taylor-Joy.

-The mystic/metaphysical part of the movie didn't do it for me.

-Some scenes seem over-extended for no particular reason.

-Could have been 10-20 mins shorter.

-Some fighting sequences albeit brutal and bloody, can look fake for a triple A production film.

I liked the ending though, it kinda saved it from falling below the "fresh" threshold. (sub 6/10)

Crimes of the Future (2022)

Eerie but not repulsive

[5/10 · 22 June 2022]

Some might find it disgusting I just found it weird... in a bad way. I'm not sure if the gore scenes were made to look like from 80s on purpose or not, but my guess is it was done on purpose and/or it doesn't matter.

Surgery is the new sex is an interesting idea, but lacks explanation and just feels a bit random... also the conversations amongst some of the characters feel out of place and could be easily removed without affecting the film...

Could require a second viewing.

Happy Together (1997)

Not the Kar Wai Wong's best

[6/10 · 22 June 2022]

It's fitting the director's collection, indeed.... but it's not his best (and not his worst). It's kinda joyless, not really touching and fussed over. More easily forgettable than the rest of his flicks.

This is not a bad film by any means though, just could have been a lot better.

Mad God (2021)

Very niche

[4/10 · 22 June 2022]

This is a very niche movie for an extremely limited audience. Even still, despite a few interesting sequences it doesn't work as whole for me. I might be missing something but then again so will the vast majority of people.

Maybe I'll give this another try later, thus far for me though, it missed the mark.

Dual (2022)

Missed the mark

[6/10 · 6 June 2022]

Interesting, albeit very easily forgettable take on the subject.

It's not very original to be fair. Theo's role is basically a cameo and Aaron isn't acting, a side role.

Death on the Nile (2022)

Green Screen Extravaganza

[3/10 · 10 April 2022]

Holy smokes, the production is very bad on this one, tbh the amount of green screen scenes probably surpasses the number used in The Black Panther, and that's something!

Sometimes it's so bad it doesn't even look like a film made in this century. The fake blurry background in quite honestly all scenes that take place outside is really distracting and just looks awful.

Cheap production, low-grade acting. Story/writing average at best.

Overall pretty bad.

Severance (2022– )

Stupendous

[9/10 · 9 April 2022]

After the S01 finale, I conclude this is the best Apple TV+ show overall as of April 2022.

For All Mankind might have a higher production value (because of the budget and theme) but regarding all other aspects, music, direction, writing... this is probably the best one thus far.

Can't wait for S02! Highly recommended for everyone who's into drama or mysterious, mind-bending stuff or just wants to watch something clever.

The French Dispatch (2021)

All style no substance

[3/10 · 25 December 2021]

Very pretentious imho. Reminds me of trying to replicate the effect of The Budapest Hotel but fails horribly, the army of triple A actors paying tribute to Wes can't save this flick.

I wanted to like this, but I can't.

Lamb (2021)

This ain't it chief

[4/10 · 25 December 2021]

It kinda resembles what The Lobster or similar flicks achieved. This one pretty much fails on all fronts.

It's rather boring, there is no "eye-opening" reveal.

In the end, it doesn't feel rewarding.

Forgettable.

The atmosphere of the movie is great though. Wish the pacing was different.

This is definitely not meant for general audiences with short attention spans.

Encounter (III) (2021)

meh

[5/10 · 25 December 2021]

Yet another PTSD drama story with a slight twist.

Not what most people expect, but early into the movie you realise this ain't no sci-fi flick, it's just a casual PTSD drama of which we've seen dozens of movies in the last decade.

Doesn't bring anything particularly interesting to the mix.

Don't Look Up (2021)

At least he tried

[6/10 · 25 December 2021]

Well, I do appreciate Adam McKay trying, sadly this one doesn't work. It's neither funny nor serious.

The army of AAA actors can't save this mess.

I would assume the main problem is script, the general idea was there but it didn't translate to the Silver screen as intended.

Finch (2021)

Snoozefest

[5/10 · 24 December 2021]

Totally forgettable, I reckon this was NOT produced by Apple, they picked the movie up as maybe nobody wanted to opt for the theatre wide release?

I no longer wonder why...

Hanks can do better than this.

The White Lotus (2021–2025)

Hmmm

[6/10 · 24 December 2021]

Started off great, unfortunately after a promising start it goes downhill, the last episode kinda makes up for it but it's not enough.

Just another series you're gonna forget you have watched.

The satire of the privilege and couple of scenes are there, it's just not profund enough to make an impact.

Blue Bayou (2021)

Decent, not memorable

[6/10 · 23 December 2021]

Average American drama... We've seen dozens of similar movies and most of them were met with similar fate -> lost & forgotten.

Alicia is great, but not even she can make this flick more memorable.

14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)

Nice but pretentious

[7/10 · 23 December 2021]

It's a great achievement but very little went into technicals, and how things were actually planned and done. A lot of time it's just trying to be something it's not, it's trying too hard to feel mesmerising and showcase everything in a fancy fashion.

The ego and self-flattery is absolutely enormous. Could use more humility.

There is literally 2-3 seconds of footage from some of the peaks, then minutes of Nims bragging around.

I do get that nobody's done that before but holy hell we could have learnt something about mountaineering and climbing rather than watching him brag about how OverPowered he was born.

JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass (2021)

This ain't it chief

[6/10 · 23 December 2021]

I've been closely following JFK's assassination and the aftermath, and this "documentary" offers little to nothing new, it just sums some points (that aren't even connected) up and explores fine-picked theories that fit the narrative, but overall lacks character or directions.... or closure.

I highly doubt we'll ever get a good mainstream documentary about JFK. Some gaps just can't be filled with void... not sure what was the purpose of this flick, but it misses hard.

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Not what I expected

[5/10 · 23 December 2021]

Below average late-night flick.

Definitely expected more of Anya Taylor-Joy, she's barely present.

I was pumped for this after seeing the trailers, but it falls short of expectations.

Sadly, can't recommend this one.

Landscapers (2021)

Hmmm... nice idea, well executed but....

[6/10 · 23 December 2021]

BORING!

Holy hell I wanted to like this but my attention kept drifting away. This has so much potential but just doesn't go far enough. The actors are great ...but there is something missing, idk what it is to be honest.

All in all, leaves you with a sour taste in mouth.