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nicholasadrianandrade
Reviews
Amityville: An Origin Story (2023)
The George Lutz Horror
Firstly, this doc is very good. Though I'd argue that there could have been more said - i.e. The other theories regarding the night the DeFeos died. That aside, Origins does prove my own personal belief of the matter. I do, in fact, think that the Lutzs experienced a residual haunting due to the horrific murders. Like an echo - it lingered, waiting to be heard. And George, feeding into this energy - be that by drugs or his own personal demons - made it worse. And perhaps the narrator is right - maybe 112 Ocean Avenue needs a certain type of person to reawaken that trauma. Or maybe getting rid of George Lutz saved not only those children, but the home itself.
Mijn beste vriendin Anne Frank (2021)
In defense of a young woman...
I have to say that I thought this film was very well acted, and evenly paced. The leads were very believable - and honest, and I'm starting to think that Hollywood has painted Anne in a much more favorable light when considering the harsh reviews here (especially on Anne as a character).
Reading her diary, and watching the countless retellings, I've come to the conclusion, and many historians seem to attest to this, that Anne wasn't the saint we think of when we consider her story. She was a young teenager - who rebelled, and often at times, came across as rude and quite invasive over her sexuality, and where she stood in part to her own social standings. As teenagers often do.
All of this rings true in what is based on a memoir account by the titular best friend of the title, Hannah Goslar. And it's that sort of honesty that I admire when coming into this film. Yes, as the viewer you may come to question Anne and her actions, especially in regards to the kind Hannah - but again, that is the tragedy. These were young women - tossed into circumstances, and atrocities, that no human being should have ever been subjected to. Are we to think any less when these characters are anything other than victims? No, they were people - and people can be messy, especially at that age - and I much more feel for these true to life women when I am allowed to consider both their good and bad attributes. They feel more earnest in that regard - not just these figures in a story told mainly due to the U. S. curriculum, but as real women who unfortunately had to ordeal these terrible crimes, along with thousands of others.
Wendy (2020)
Wendy is more Peter Pan than people give it credit for
I was very surprised by this adaptation, even more so by the reviews - which has left me wondering whether or not people remember how gloomy and thoughtful the original JM Barrie story could be. For the most part, the film hits the familiar beats while keeping most of Barrie's thoughts on aging and childhood intact - with it's own creative spins given throughout to catch one by surprise. It wasn't until a good portion into the plot that I had to stop and realize - oh, we're in that part of the novel! Which as a huge Peter Pan fan, I applauded to. My only negative gripe on the film would be it's ending, mainly because I felt it wrapped too quickly once the Neverland adventure had ended. Still, it left a lasting impression - enough to warrant this little review. If one is coming into this film hoping for a Disney adaptation, I'd say either wait for the live action remake or catch the, equally brilliant, 2003 film. If however, like me, you are a fan of the original novel and/or stage play, give this a shot - it's just as moving with a tinge of depression masked by the wonderment, and surprise, that is growing up. And as Peter once learned, life is in fact the grandest adventure of all - even in spite of the heartaches that we may come to face.