pj-naturalfinance Reviews

Red Rocket (2021)

Unique movie making and experience

[10/10 · 25 January 2024]

10/10 is a little hard to justify, but there is a lot special about this film.

Like Florida Project, this is an iconic setting of American culture under poverty/housing stress.

The plot seems to move extremely slow, and you question why every scene is included, but it still kept me awake very late at night following it.

A very compelling love story bumps up the rating.

While the plot feels slow there are extremely well depicted stress points on characters that are more relatable than typical horror villan attacks.

A unique film maker choice is that every lie made by (anti?)hero would be expected to backfire later in plot unveiling. This may not turn out as such a plot formula.

Lady in the Water (2006)

M. Night's best movie

[9/10 · 9 July 2023]

Not quite 10/10 because it is a tad slow.

Story/plot is about divine fate, finding purpose, and overcoming sadness. The slowness does allow audience time to reflect on the themes through the mood setting.

Signs is a much simpler movie with same plot elements, with more likeable actors, but it is a less rewatchable story.

A fault with this movie is that the ending may be considered more surprising than satisfying, without the character development justifying the ending. His films typically are about a surprising but satisfying ending that fully circles back the plot elements.

The key difference/originality with this film is that fate is a deep mystery, so audience speculates about it, and then so fate may or may not exist in this story.

Muriel's Wedding (1994)

10/10 for start of movie

[7/10 · 3 October 2022]

If you are ever invited to a wedding, and there is no flower throwing ceremony, advise the bride to have one at her next wedding. Always fun and drama.

Toni Colette is super talented. Movie provides exceptional character development at the start, and has 2 super hot Australian bitches set up as mean girls. Australian Napoleon Dynamite. Abba is deserving of being immortalized in film, and is tolerable for what the heroine symbolizes as their fan base.

As great as the start is, there are weird plot twists that slow down the film, and it significantly loses steam as it goes. All the characters lose their likability.

Ending is not so amazing/inspiring as to tie together poor character establishment in slow middle.

The Lobster (2015)

one of the best movies ever

[10/10 · 19 April 2021]

Very strong treatment on conformity as top reviewer points out. Though absurdism is constant and extreme, it is horror absurdism rather than comedic. If there is another understated theme of the movie it is of controlling-abusive women.

What makes the movie one of the greatest is the horror absurdism, visual style, and very unique plot.

Palm Springs (2020)

Best movie of 2020

[10/10 · 18 March 2021]

This is ultra fast paced and MUCH better than the similar gimmick of Ground Hog Day. It is a fantastic exploration of the human spectrum reaction to having unlimited time. Executed brilliantly and without condescension.

Its writting/directing/movie that should be winning awards, even though the acting is good.

Passenger Side (2009)

great writing and dialogue

[10/10 · 20 March 2016]

surreal story twists aside, which are enjoyable, and make the movie quite unique just for those, the highlight of the film is what seems like a 90 minute banter exchange between the 2 brothers.

Likely Adam Scott's best role. Maybe one of his first? Not the personality he's known for.

Joel Bissonette is much less known but the acting is good.

Matt Bissonette's writing and originality in this film instantly means wanting to see all of his other films.

The film is rewatchable if only to appreciate or criticize the plot choices.

All Is Bright (2013)

Good Christmas despair movie

[9/10 · 15 October 2013]

I wouldn't call this a comedy. But it is touching and a serious account of struggling for Christmas.

There is brilliant subtlety in the plot and ending that is easily not noticed.

Part of the film's charm is rooting the origins of Christmas in Quebec, where it deserves to be.

The movie is neither depressing nor uplifting while staying interesting, and the choice to make it so is interesting.

This is definitely worth seeing. Don't expect too much. Though this is arguably Giamatti's best acting since that wine tasting movie.

American Violet (2008)

Must see movie -- important story

[8/10 · 27 July 2013]

Story wise this is definitely 10 stars. Its unclear what dramatic embellishments were made, but it is based on a true story, and there was incredible courage required by those involved to pursue this fight.

Its a powerful emotional and human perspective on a horrible injustice that most definitely hasn't been resolved. The end of the movie will tell you the life updates of all the major characters, make sure you pay attention to the DA's.

While the movie focuses on racial bias against blacks, the issues of legal persecution apply to all people, and the movie does a fair job in illustrating those impacts. As a social issue, there's been no improvement, and likely worsening, since 2000 or 2008, and that is what makes this movie so fundamental and important.

Let Me In (I) (2010)

This is basically a shot for shot remake of the Swedish movie

[5/10 · 24 July 2013]

Moretz is nowhere near as good as the Swedish actress with dubbed voice over lines.

The boy is about the same, but since the movie is about their relationship, he can't make Moretz any good. The dubbed Swedish performances have a much better rapport between the actors.

There was no reason to make this movie. See "let the right one in" instead.

In terms of Swedish movies, this is by far the best one. Its an easy 9 stars. The feminist propaganda is quaintly Swedish without being overwhelming, and the very minor introspection into Swedish society adds to the movie, where even the most isolated American could still relate.

Some of the scene remakes, when most are exact copies, are questionable. The pool scene for some reason doesn't reveal the saviour at the end.

See the Swedish movie twice instead of wasting time on this one.

In America (2002)

Sarah Bolger singing desperado makes this 10 stars

[10/10 · 21 July 2013]

This movie is about many things. The main plot line is family pain and struggle.

What makes this movie great though is its portrayal of mental health and its "solutions". One is just reaching out to a hermit. The beauty and power of children to accomplish this.

The power of that message is in this song. Sarah Bolger has an absolutely incredibly fantastic and beautiful singing voice, and the song's punchline is "let somebody love you before its too late"

That message applies to her character's parents, and the more obviously sad character in the film.

Children of Men (2006)

Strong candidate for best movie ever

[10/10 · 21 July 2013]

The primary reason for considering this the best movie ever is the message:

A doomed world would be depressing. Children are the only value we ever create as humanity. No human value is beyond political exploitation.

These are storyline arguments, but the acting/directing brings out the message beautifully.

There are some action scenes that are also completely spectacular.

The only argument against this movie being the greatest, is that some movies are more visually stunning, and there's not much of a love story.