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cgoodwin1991
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After Yang (2021)
Moving and melancholic
Kogonada may be the best director working today, and I say that while considering the fact that he only has only released two feature length movies. He's doing what he does best better than anyone else does what they do best. Quality over quantity, beautifully shot, emotionally charged, cathartic movies.
His movies are not for everyone, but for fans of Ozu and Japanese/Eastern Asian sentiment in movies he is a Modern, updated version.
Note: Ozu should be appreciated, but to say some of his movies did not age is absurd, most 40s/50s movies show some age, and this does not exclude the greats (except maybe Kurosawa).
I would say whether you are watching this or Columbus (2017), don't search too hard for strongly pronounced, singular themes on the human condition. Otherwise, you'll get lost in all of them and end up like the top commenters calling the movie pretentious and boring while having never watched a French movie from the 60s.
Kogonada makes movies that make you feel as opposed to think. I didn't even know why I was feeling certain emotions, but I certainly did. That's okay though, not everything needs to be so black and white.
I think 10 different people could watch this movie and have 10 different opinions about what it is about, and they could all be right. But truly, don't think so hard, it's not that type of movie.
The Sparks Brothers (2021)
Those Mysteries
Edgar Wright always does great work, and when it was announced that he would be at the helm of a Sparks documentary, I was ecstatic.
I was of course excited to see the movie, but more than that I was excited that a big name director would be exposing the world and some of my fellow Americans (hopefully) to Sparks.
The band is not easy to find, and it is absolutely criminal. I myself only discovered the band 2 or so years ago and fell in love immediately, listening to the then 24 studio albums over a course of about a month for hours a day. I implore you to do the same, I really don't think you'll regret it.
The documentary really was true to Sparks sensibilities too, as Edgar promised he would try to do. The artists were not the center of attention, but rather the art was the center of attention. The dedication to their craft, along with an immense amount of wit and talent is what has sustained them as a band for 50 years.
The two are just so easily lovable guys, and immense talents with a one of a kind sound. As a fan, it made me happy to see the two in the limelight where they should be, taking a quick break to reflect after 50 years of innovating in the field. Here's to 200 more Sparks albums!
Wandafuru raifu (1998)
Meditative
The first thing any good movie should do is make you think. This one achieves that goal with its main premise alone. That premise being if you could only select one memory from your life to "take with you", what would that memory be?
I think anyone watching intently will immediately ponder this question rather introspectively, and if you're like me, come up with nothing.
But Koreeda delicately asks and guides his viewers through this difficult question through his characters, their thoughts, and their tribulations while choosing a memory.
And so he doesn't stop by simply asking a question, but helping to answer it too. With a very simple plot and a subtle twist, he guides us beyond our own vanity and achieves possibly the most human movie I've ever had the pleasure to have watched.
Slow burn like all of the movies I've seen by him, but well worth your time. Cathartic, charming, thought-provoking, and moving. 9.5/10
Mula sa kung ano ang noon (2014)
Wonderfully different, but not for me
Being bored is an acquired taste; I don't mind it. Just as I didn't mind this movie.
But be prepared to be just that...quite bored. And if that is an issue with you, then you probably won't see it through.
But if you do see it through. I think an understanding of the political turmoil in the Philippines, and possibly even some Philippine lore could help someone better understand and enjoy this movie. I got the broad scope, but something was missing for me.
I don't pretend to be a historian, a movie buff, or a guy who didn't just learn who Lav Diaz was yesterday, so please take this review with a grain of...whatever.
Very different from anything else I've seen, beautiful to look at, and wonderfully peaceful at times. Worth a look if you've got a lot of time on your hands. And don't pretend that you don't if you've read this entire review.
Gisaengchung (2019)
Brilliant
I reserve 10 stars for only the cream of the crop, and I can safely say after one viewing that this was just that.
Masterfully done in every aspect. All of the acting, camerawork, and design was fitting and never over the top.
The plot was wonderfully paced and the organic tension created was very effective. Furthermore, this movie had much to say thematically and did a incredible job conveying those thematic elements while staying within itself.
I don't want to spoil even the slightest minor detail so that every viewer can enjoy this movie; as we are all only lucky enough to experience one so brilliant every five years or so. All I would advise is that you do see it, and for those of you averse to foreign films, don't let it impede you. It truly is the finest movie I've seen in recent memory. You'll forget it was in Korean.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Perfect
I reserve 10 stars to only the cream of the crop of my subjective opinion. I also realize that I am leaving a review of a movie that came out over 10 years ago, but I'd like to leave my 2 cents just in case anyone cares, even though they almost certainly don't.
This is MY best/favorite movie of all time. Beginning, middle, and end are so perfectly aligned and executed. Every line, every cut, every performance is spot on. If you listen to the opening monologue and keep it in your mind throughout the movie, you can see how carefully done everything is. Thematically it is bleak, and very precise. The movie is not obscure or vague in what it is trying to present, but it also doesn't beat a dead horse in getting it's message across. The dialogue is extremely careful, and well-executed. The people who I have discussed this movie with who don't care for it take issue with the plot. The plot is very simple, and has very little to do with the picture. I understand that this isn't some people's cup of tea. Some people enjoy a Hollywood plot with everything settled when the credits roll, and that's fine. So if that is your thing, you might not like this movie, because it certainly won't give you closure, put a smile on your face, and help you sleep at night as you put your kids to bed during your miserable life. I would recommend any Marvel or Pixar movie to you (There are about 500 to pick from).
I don't like to compare books to movies because it's an entirely different platform, but you really don't have a gripe if that's your thing. The book is very well represented, almost to a T.
I've seen this movie probably 30 times and it never loses it's luster. It doesn't get better with every view, that's a cliche that I won't abide by. However, it remains so truthful, and it's message grows more relevant with each passing day for those of us who are unfortunate enough to be paying attention. "Okay, I'll be a part of this world."
Joker (2019)
Angst
Ages 12-35 will love this movie. Like seemingly every other character study in Hollywood, it exaggerates the impact of poor parenting and bullying to appeal to the masses who feel a certain way about how poorly their life has gone. The movie wanted to be realistic and gritty, but it wasn't. If just one person could show me where all of these 30 year olds who are getting bullied for doing their jobs are, maybe it would validate some of the ridiculousness.
Using a famous character unnecessarily to make this movie is another issue I took. Creativity is lacking though, and money must be made, so I digress.
The pacing was decent, but the first 1.5 hours were almost too boring to stay awake though. The redeeming quality was the acting, though not "Oscar worthy". Phoenix almost always turns in a good performance as one of the more versatile actors.