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Us (2019)
I want to love this movie so badly!
When I saw just the trailer to the film, it stayed in an ambiguously supernatural territory, and the raised questions sparked my intrigue, my imagination and psychological tension. What are these entities are and where they come from? Are they from a shadow dimension that parallels our own? Are they mirroring demonic entities? Are they manifestations of the dark parts of our own identities that somehow severed from the characters' souls? I got really excited at all the possibilities.
...but I was a little disappointed when it went into sci-fi territory. Peele doesn't outright say they were clones, but it was alluded. I hate to label Us as science fiction, but when it enters that territory, it raises a list of logistical questions that can't go unanswered... And I love a film shrouded in ambiguity, but science fiction requires answers, at least before the credits roll... Makes me WISH the film was the (perhaps Lovecraftian) quantum fiction that was in my mind when I saw the trailer.
Seeing Lupita Nyong'o play these two roles was a joy, and the film still exuded Jordan Peele's creative vision and sense of fun. I still can't wait to see what he comes out with next.
Us (2019)
I want to love this movie so badly!
When I saw just the trailer to the film, it stayed in an ambiguously supernatural territory, and the raised questions sparked my intrigue, my imagination and psychological tension. What are these entities are and where they come from? Are they from a shadow dimension that parallels our own? Are they mirroring demonic entities? Are they manifestations of the dark parts of our own identities that somehow severed from the characters' souls? I got really excited at all the possibilities.
...but I was a little disappointed when it went into sci-fi territory. Peele doesn't outright say they were clones, but it was alluded. I hate to label Us as science fiction, but when it enters that territory, it raises a list of logistical questions that can't go unanswered... And I love a film shrouded in ambiguity, but science fiction requires answers, at least before the credits roll... Makes me WISH the film was the (perhaps Lovecraftian) quantum fiction that was in my mind when I saw the trailer.
Seeing Lupita Nyong'o play these two roles was a joy, and the film still exuded Jordan Peele's creative vision and sense of fun. I still can't wait to see what he comes out with next.
Wild (2014)
SO much to appreciate
A story about a real-life woman carrying figurative and literal baggage while she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail on foot while processing her messy past... Wild is a very complex and nuanced portrayal of a real-life woman's external and internal journey.
This film can be so easily overlooked but there is so much to appreciate:
It is heavy, devastating, empowering, with great performances, directing and editing. If you enjoyed Big Little Lies, this will be up your alley; David E. Kelley is great at stitching together flashes of haunting memories in a surreal way that somehow manages to reveal a character's ghosts and their life's story without causing confusion and trusting his audience. Reese Witherspoon is killing the producer game, and this is the best acting performance I've ever seen from her.
The Revenant (2015)
wow
This was the most beautiful screensaver I've ever stared at
Arrival (2016)
No spoilers but...
Skip the trailers and the reviews and just watch it. (if you're expecting an action-packed sci fi thriller, this isn't for you)
This movie is cerebral and heady, engaging, intriguing, surprising, and smart. Surprising is an understatement.
Okay stop reading if you haven't seen the movie...........
If you have, then you already know... Not since the Sixth Sense has a movie's twist blown my mind. Is it considered a spoiler to say there's a twist, even if I don't go into detail?
My only critique was ONE LINE Jeremy Renner says at/near the end. Not only was it unnecessary, it made everyone cringe and it was also patronizing, which was so confusing because the movie did so well to trust our intelligence up until then.
Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
mixed emotions
Right off the bat, Ralph and Vanellope's major complication was completely self-inflicted. They owe an obscene amount of money to pay for an arcade game part on Ebay--not because it cost that much, but because they made the bid themselves... Self-inflicted conflicts, though sometimes relatable, aren't so great when you're trying to get the audience to empathize with the characters and invest in their conflict.
Not sure if its the same writing team as the first but the the plot and the laws of the new internet universe got kind of convoluted. Unlike the first movie where the rules of the arcade world were clearly defined and the story structure was solid. There were areas that did need defining that were unclear, and yet there were moments that didn't need defining that were way too spelled out (i.e. the climax was a virus monster literally copied from ralph's insecurities... That is way too literal, and yet I have so many logistic questions about that).
Unfortunately the gimmicks of the trailer were some of the most fun parts. Overall it wasn't too painful to watch, though I have no desire to see it again.
I could watch the first movie over and over.
Searching (2018)
not as gimmicky as I thought!
Great performances by all the actors. an intelligently-written and well-paced script; it really respected the audience's intelligence so that's always appreciated. It mislead and surprised more than once.
and hell yeah to having an Indian American filmmaker and Korean American lead create an entertaining and well-received movie, especially so soon after Crazy Rich Asians.
Legally Blonde (2001)
6.2?
Solid story structure, funny jokes, empowering message, feel-good tone--this movie is a classic and should be rated AT LEAST a 7.0, if it weren't for all the biased sheep who rated based on their hatred of a color and what it represents.
Sharp Objects (2018)
I had high hopes
Director of Big Little Lies? Producer of Get Out? Writer of Gone Girl? Amy Adams?
I was so enthused for this.
But episode after episode, the pace never picked up. I appreciate slow burn thrillers and indie films so I have a high tolerance for stories that take its time, but this series is dull because the bulk of the mystery and reveal of information relies on exposition and backstory rather than present-tense cause-and-effect plot points, which is a formula for an uninteresting story.
Amy Adams is fantastic. From an acting lens, I actually enjoy watching her on the screen, even when nothing's happening, which sums up the seven episodes I've seen so far.
--edit--
I watched the whole thing. There was a good pay-off during the last two episodes and I'm glad I stuck around til the end. Just when I thought I had it figured out, some disturbing twists and turns occur.
The Village (2004)
underrated.
It's far from a perfect film, but I have to give it a 10 to combat the mediocre ratings because of a collective bias against M. Night's hit-or-miss films.
The twists and reveals aren't as satisfying as those of The Sixth Sense, and there's some unfortunately shoddy editing in the climactic scenes (all those establishing shots of the forest take us out from the tension...)
But this movie is my go-to example for how to portray romance. Writers take note. There are various forces that keep the two lovers apart from each other throughout; it's through DISTANCE, rather than through kissing and sex scenes, that keeps the tension strong. and that tension only adds to the thrills.
And the violin score is equally thrilling, haunting and gorgeous. One of the most beautifully scored films ever.
Does it deserve a 10? No but somewhere between 7.0 - 7.7 would be more fair.
Queer Eye (2018)
all the negative reviews have something in common.
The small handful of negative reviews I've read seem to take issue with Jonathan's flamboyancy, but a lot of these critics are self-proclaimed gay men who have a problem with "negative gay stereotypes." I'm here to tell you there is nothing innately negative about flamboyancy other than the fact that our society deemed all things associated with femininity as inferior. In other words, those reviewers are projecting their own self-hate and internalized homophobia onto this show, and their reviews reflects their own baggage, NOT the quality of the show. So what if Jonathan is a bit extra? If you can't learn to find him endearing, admire his unapologetic courage, or appreciate how he really rounds out the spectrum of masculinity displayed on the cast, you won't see how much of an essential part he is to the show's theme of acceptance in the diversity of people.
That aside, the design transformations are aesthetically on point, incredibly tasteful and thoughtfully custom-tailored to the hero subjects. And, the best part is, the show has a lot of heart. It is uplifting and motivating--it transcends outer beauty as it promotes self-care, self-respect, self-confidence and self-worth, but also love and acceptance in a toxic culture. It's a feel-good without the escapism which makes for a cathartic viewing experience.