In a franchise comprised of 5 films now (7 if you include the AVPs), this film is a unique outlier to what normally would have run its course as a fifth film in a franchise. If you are a fan of the franchise, you will definitely appreciate how the Predator's armor is a bit different than what we are used to from previous entries, given that this is set 300 years before the original film and so it is a little less technology advanced, but still very effective. The two main characters are easy to root for, something I found difficult to do with "Predators". With the shorter runtime and the quick pace of the story, the movie never drags on one bit. The ending of the film I was somewhat dissatisfied with, I didn't feel it had much payoff and was very predictable, but other than that I didn't really have problems with the film. There is an atmosphere of suspense that is reminiscent of the original film, and the film delivers on what makes the antagonist so formidable, the violence simply doesn't hold back. The film is also unique in that it shows the Predator's interaction with non-human life forms on Earth, and some of it was rather disturbing, just as a heads up to any animal lovers out there. I think if anyone compares this to the original or even "Predator 2" (if you highly enjoy the latter), you might be disappointed, but if you enjoy it as it's own thing you will be satisfied. Fun film!
Reviews
9 Reviews
Gorgeous and thought-provoking film
30 January 2021
Saw the premiere of this film through Sundance online and wow, this film was magnificent. I had never heard of Valerie Taylor before but was intrigued by the synopsis I read online; long story short, Taylor's relationship with sharks started with spear fishing and she was very notable in her native Australia for it, but she and her husband put an end to their spear fishing days after they realized it was wrong. After Taylor's epiphany moment from killing one shark in particular, she and her husband instead became ambassadors to sharks and advocates for their conservation. They helped revolutionize and change society's interpretations of sharks as a whole and helped society sway away from the social construct that they are soulless, killing machines. Despite this though, as the documentary points out, we still have a long way to go to giving sharks the protection they truly deserve. Through gorgeous cinematography and great storytelling, the film achieves what it aims to.
Monsters and Men
(2018)
"If I resist arrest, are you gonna shoot me, too?"
16 October 2018
I was very excited to see this film and it certainly did not disappoint. A film of this kind is as relevant as they come and is up there in the ranks of other films with similar themes this year, such as Blindspotting and Black KkKlansman.
Manny, played by Hamilton's Anthony Ramos, records and looks on helplessly as his friend (who is African American) is shot and killed by the police. The killing has a ripple effect on the community and a plethora of citizens make their voices heard on the matter. Manny is just a family man who is trying his best to get by and provide for his family, but he ultimately puts his future in jeopardy to raise awareness of his friend's death.
John David Washington portrays Dennis Williams, a black police officer who has himself received questionable treatment from other police officers while off duty. He understands people being upset about the police killing, but he also feels that those people don't understand what it is like to be a cop, what it's like "out on the streets." The decision to have a black police officer as one of the lead characters was a great idea, as we get more than just one perspective.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. portrays Zyrick, a young and promising baseball player who decides to get involved in the fight by raising his voice along with so many others. Zyrick's father's desire is for him to reach baseball stardom, to leave the cruel streets behind him and achieve his wildest dreams, to not wind up shot on the streets like the man mentioned. This film is really about three characters and how their lives transpire after the shooting, and Zyrick was probably my favorite.
The ending to this film was the icing on the cake, brilliantly conveyed. There were several scenes in the film that emitted so much power, and the performances were fantastic. This film isn't one-sided and that's what I love about it; you get the story told from a police officer and from people on the other side. If you want to see a human story and a relevant theme told from different perspectives, go see this.
Manny, played by Hamilton's Anthony Ramos, records and looks on helplessly as his friend (who is African American) is shot and killed by the police. The killing has a ripple effect on the community and a plethora of citizens make their voices heard on the matter. Manny is just a family man who is trying his best to get by and provide for his family, but he ultimately puts his future in jeopardy to raise awareness of his friend's death.
John David Washington portrays Dennis Williams, a black police officer who has himself received questionable treatment from other police officers while off duty. He understands people being upset about the police killing, but he also feels that those people don't understand what it is like to be a cop, what it's like "out on the streets." The decision to have a black police officer as one of the lead characters was a great idea, as we get more than just one perspective.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. portrays Zyrick, a young and promising baseball player who decides to get involved in the fight by raising his voice along with so many others. Zyrick's father's desire is for him to reach baseball stardom, to leave the cruel streets behind him and achieve his wildest dreams, to not wind up shot on the streets like the man mentioned. This film is really about three characters and how their lives transpire after the shooting, and Zyrick was probably my favorite.
The ending to this film was the icing on the cake, brilliantly conveyed. There were several scenes in the film that emitted so much power, and the performances were fantastic. This film isn't one-sided and that's what I love about it; you get the story told from a police officer and from people on the other side. If you want to see a human story and a relevant theme told from different perspectives, go see this.
The King of Comedy
(1982)
Right Up There With Taxi Driver
13 October 2018
When people think of Martin Scorsese, they think Raging Bull or Taxi Driver or GoodFellas. This film, in my opinion, deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as those.
Robert De Niro delivers an impeccable performance as Rupert Pupkin, a delusional and obsessive comedian who simply won't leave comic icon Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) alone until he gives him the opportunity he so desperately desires. This is vintage De Niro, who so convincingly plays the part of a psychopath that I was absolutely astounded. De Niro is one of the greatest, certainly, but I've always associated him with mafia-type roles. That is obviously a huge disservice to his greatness, as is evident with this film.
Sandra Bernhard and Jerry Lewis also deliver great performances, Bernhard in particular; her character is so crazy that it comes off as incredibly humorous. Jerry Lewis' character I feel is a representation of celebrities that are just too famous, and the burden they bear as a result.
The film's theme of using humor as a way to deal with pain and difficulty in life is very interesting, and the ending of the film is open to various interpretations. Just how crazy is Rupert Pupkin? You'll have to watch to find out.
Robert De Niro delivers an impeccable performance as Rupert Pupkin, a delusional and obsessive comedian who simply won't leave comic icon Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) alone until he gives him the opportunity he so desperately desires. This is vintage De Niro, who so convincingly plays the part of a psychopath that I was absolutely astounded. De Niro is one of the greatest, certainly, but I've always associated him with mafia-type roles. That is obviously a huge disservice to his greatness, as is evident with this film.
Sandra Bernhard and Jerry Lewis also deliver great performances, Bernhard in particular; her character is so crazy that it comes off as incredibly humorous. Jerry Lewis' character I feel is a representation of celebrities that are just too famous, and the burden they bear as a result.
The film's theme of using humor as a way to deal with pain and difficulty in life is very interesting, and the ending of the film is open to various interpretations. Just how crazy is Rupert Pupkin? You'll have to watch to find out.
Juliet, Naked
(2018)
Why We Go To the Movies
10 October 2018
If you want a film that will make you think and make you feel happy, go see this film.
Rose Byrne is very likeable as Annie, who has spent 15 years with her boyfriend, Duncan(Chris O'Dowd's character), and has been mostly unhappy that whole time. She can't seem to understand his obsession with faded and mysterious has-been rock star Tucker Crowe, played by Ethan Hawke, and she understands Duncan's love for Tucker as a musician defeats his love for her. Annie begins a pen pal relationship with Tucker, which eventually leads him to visit the U.K. and the plot goes deeper from there.
Ethan Hawke is a revelation as always, portraying a broken man who is hated by so many but knows he still has one last chance. He has squandered any sort of chance at having a relationship with his many children, but he knows he can still have one with his youngest child, and that he has an opportunity with Annie. Hawke understands his character so well and we are thus able to empathize with him. We as an audience laugh at the things he does/says, but we also empathize with him. Byrne does a great job as Annie, and the two characters are so believable because they can relate to each other and the difficulties that have come their way. I loved Byrne in this film.
This is a film with loveable characters, a witty script, and just pure comedy. They don't make romantic comedies this great very often.
Rose Byrne is very likeable as Annie, who has spent 15 years with her boyfriend, Duncan(Chris O'Dowd's character), and has been mostly unhappy that whole time. She can't seem to understand his obsession with faded and mysterious has-been rock star Tucker Crowe, played by Ethan Hawke, and she understands Duncan's love for Tucker as a musician defeats his love for her. Annie begins a pen pal relationship with Tucker, which eventually leads him to visit the U.K. and the plot goes deeper from there.
Ethan Hawke is a revelation as always, portraying a broken man who is hated by so many but knows he still has one last chance. He has squandered any sort of chance at having a relationship with his many children, but he knows he can still have one with his youngest child, and that he has an opportunity with Annie. Hawke understands his character so well and we are thus able to empathize with him. We as an audience laugh at the things he does/says, but we also empathize with him. Byrne does a great job as Annie, and the two characters are so believable because they can relate to each other and the difficulties that have come their way. I loved Byrne in this film.
This is a film with loveable characters, a witty script, and just pure comedy. They don't make romantic comedies this great very often.
Before Sunset
(2004)
Perfect
30 September 2018
Ingenious is the best word to describe this film. The beautiful Paris setting for two people who reunite after nine years apart after one magical day is pure heaven. That being said, this film is purely for those who love independent cinema and love films purely about people. If you love those two things, you will be hard pressed to find a more perfect romantic story than this one.
One of the reasons this film is so special is because it takes us from the awareness we are watching something fictitious; it just feels so real. The relationship between Jesse and Céline feels so authentic. This film basically just encompasses their conversation in Paris before Jesse flies back to the U.S., and we as an audience realize how human these characters are. Their personal lives are in a corrosive state, they have never felt for another human being the way they did when they saw each other for the first and only time 9 years prior, and they ultimately realize they are not complete without one another. Most films would have a hard time establishing this pivotal part of a story and making it seem so real in just 80 minutes, but this film does it and succeeds. Wonderful film, go watch it!
One of the reasons this film is so special is because it takes us from the awareness we are watching something fictitious; it just feels so real. The relationship between Jesse and Céline feels so authentic. This film basically just encompasses their conversation in Paris before Jesse flies back to the U.S., and we as an audience realize how human these characters are. Their personal lives are in a corrosive state, they have never felt for another human being the way they did when they saw each other for the first and only time 9 years prior, and they ultimately realize they are not complete without one another. Most films would have a hard time establishing this pivotal part of a story and making it seem so real in just 80 minutes, but this film does it and succeeds. Wonderful film, go watch it!
American History X
(1998)
A film that continues to speak volumes to old and contemporary America
29 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This film is one that I would recommend to all, as it is just too important to ignore.
Racism, in all its disgusting and repulsive forms, is what built the United States, and it has unfortunately been ingrained into its fabric ever since, hovering over the country and continuing to derail its progress. Despite the progress the country has made in regards to annexing racism, it is still very much alive. This theme is very important to the film, as hate is passed down from generation to generation, in this case from the character of Derek Vinyard's father to Derek himself and ultimately to his brother, Danny.
The performance of Edward Norton and his transition from an angry and hateful human being to one of remorse and love for his family is impeccable. His character understands the pain he has inflicted on his family due to his beliefs of hate and tribalism, and that is a very positive message to movie goers; the more you become desensitized to what minorities go through in this country and the more you hate, the more your life will crumble. It is tragic to see the impact Derek has had on his family, more importantly his brother, which ends up being very detrimental at the end of the film.
One of the most moving scenes in the film is when Dr Sweeney visits Derek in prison, shortly after Derek has been raped by some of his fellow inmates. Derek is coming around now at this time about the errors of his ways, and Sweeney tells him, "You have to ask yourself, Derek, has any of this, any of your actions and your racist beliefs, made your life better?" Derek immediately responds "No" and begins to sob. Just a beautiful scene.
One issue I had with the film was how Danny, the younger brother of Derek, was so quick to realize the error of his ways, his thoughts. It just wasn't believable, from having been so upset with Derek one minute upon learning he didn't buy into racist propaganda to the next second tearing down the racist posters in his room. You would think it would take a whole lot more for him to change his thinking, based upon Derek's experiences in prison.
The slow motion scenes in this film are beautiful and the transition from black and white to color is also well crafted. The direction by Tony Kaye is exceptional.
Ultimately, this film is monumental in its importance and relevance to society today and holds a very imperative message - the more you hate, the more detrimental consequences it will have on your life. Life is too short to hate, just love. No need to be angry all the time, we are all the same.
9/10
Racism, in all its disgusting and repulsive forms, is what built the United States, and it has unfortunately been ingrained into its fabric ever since, hovering over the country and continuing to derail its progress. Despite the progress the country has made in regards to annexing racism, it is still very much alive. This theme is very important to the film, as hate is passed down from generation to generation, in this case from the character of Derek Vinyard's father to Derek himself and ultimately to his brother, Danny.
The performance of Edward Norton and his transition from an angry and hateful human being to one of remorse and love for his family is impeccable. His character understands the pain he has inflicted on his family due to his beliefs of hate and tribalism, and that is a very positive message to movie goers; the more you become desensitized to what minorities go through in this country and the more you hate, the more your life will crumble. It is tragic to see the impact Derek has had on his family, more importantly his brother, which ends up being very detrimental at the end of the film.
One of the most moving scenes in the film is when Dr Sweeney visits Derek in prison, shortly after Derek has been raped by some of his fellow inmates. Derek is coming around now at this time about the errors of his ways, and Sweeney tells him, "You have to ask yourself, Derek, has any of this, any of your actions and your racist beliefs, made your life better?" Derek immediately responds "No" and begins to sob. Just a beautiful scene.
One issue I had with the film was how Danny, the younger brother of Derek, was so quick to realize the error of his ways, his thoughts. It just wasn't believable, from having been so upset with Derek one minute upon learning he didn't buy into racist propaganda to the next second tearing down the racist posters in his room. You would think it would take a whole lot more for him to change his thinking, based upon Derek's experiences in prison.
The slow motion scenes in this film are beautiful and the transition from black and white to color is also well crafted. The direction by Tony Kaye is exceptional.
Ultimately, this film is monumental in its importance and relevance to society today and holds a very imperative message - the more you hate, the more detrimental consequences it will have on your life. Life is too short to hate, just love. No need to be angry all the time, we are all the same.
9/10
Stand by Me
(1986)
A Childhood Love Letter
9 September 2018
"The Princess Bride" and "Misery" are certainly great films, and you've probably heard of "When Harry Met Sally..." and "This Is Spinal Tap", but this film right here is Rob Reiner's most exceptional. What makes this film so moving is that the audience can empathize so well with its characters, characters who feels so real because of the challenges they are facing at such a young age. We can relate to the characters because most of us have gone through some similarities growing up.
Challenges such as lacking self-worth, being raised in a hostile family, and society's negative viewpoint of who you are are some of the few that are portrayed in this film. Another interesting theme I found within the film is that, yes, human beings and friends come in and out of our lives without warning, but that's the way life goes. We can share amazing, incredible moments with them, and ultimately those moments just became memories. The four friends in the movie go out to find a missing boy's body, but ultimately find so much more - their self-worth.
Rob Reiner's incredible direction and the performances of the four friends make you feel that the trauma and turbulence in their respective lives is real. A truly wonderful movie this is and should be applauded always, truly remarkable.
Challenges such as lacking self-worth, being raised in a hostile family, and society's negative viewpoint of who you are are some of the few that are portrayed in this film. Another interesting theme I found within the film is that, yes, human beings and friends come in and out of our lives without warning, but that's the way life goes. We can share amazing, incredible moments with them, and ultimately those moments just became memories. The four friends in the movie go out to find a missing boy's body, but ultimately find so much more - their self-worth.
Rob Reiner's incredible direction and the performances of the four friends make you feel that the trauma and turbulence in their respective lives is real. A truly wonderful movie this is and should be applauded always, truly remarkable.
The Bookshop
(2017)
Believe in Your Dreams, Even If Others Do Not
8 September 2018
Saw this film last night, my expectations being relatively low, as I had no idea really what it was about. Having seen it now, I can honestly say it is a film any indie film lover should watch.
The movie itself is rather gorgeous and I was hit with a rush of nostalgia for European films set in a similar era, this film being set in 1950s England.
A movie like this is important because it reminds its viewers to chase their dreams, no matter how outlandish and preposterous they may sound. Emily Mortimer's idea of opening up a bookshop leads to much controversy in her little town, but her determination to get what she wants and her love of books is unmatched. Bill Nighy does a fantastic job as her biggest client, and adds humor and goodness to the movie that would be lacking otherwise.
Admittedly, I did lack interest in the film here and there, but it was a good watch overall.
The movie itself is rather gorgeous and I was hit with a rush of nostalgia for European films set in a similar era, this film being set in 1950s England.
A movie like this is important because it reminds its viewers to chase their dreams, no matter how outlandish and preposterous they may sound. Emily Mortimer's idea of opening up a bookshop leads to much controversy in her little town, but her determination to get what she wants and her love of books is unmatched. Bill Nighy does a fantastic job as her biggest client, and adds humor and goodness to the movie that would be lacking otherwise.
Admittedly, I did lack interest in the film here and there, but it was a good watch overall.
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