nlsteven-attheMovies Reviews

The Gray Man (2022)

Pounding non-stop action

[8/10 · 20 July 2022]

The Gray Man may not not have gone down well with industry critics, but it gets a huge thumbs-up from me for its 120 minutes of sheer thrills, fight scenes and luring screen presence of its two leads, Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. Action aplenty, the Russo Brothers most certainly know how to create a summer blockbuster that will get action fans to hit the replay button over and over again. I was fortunate enough to catch the limited cinema screening of The Gray Man at my local theater. The film deserves to be viewed on the largest possible screen and mega-surround sound system.

Parallel Mothers (2021)

A Mother's Joy

[10/10 · 6 May 2022]

I am glad the Academy Awards took notice of Penelope Cruz's stunning performance as the compromised lost mother and child of the fascist Spain. For my money, she delivered the most Oscarworthy acting performance of 2022's five nominees. Pedro Almodóvar demonstrates once again the mastery over his works. Parallel Mothers touches you in places you thought were unaccessible. It is a film that I think will stand the test of time as an Almodóvar must-watch movie. Bravo !

Moon Knight (2022)

Oscar the Great

[8/10 · 2 April 2022]

The first episode of Marvel's latest Disney+ series Moon Knight far exceeded my expectations . During its first 40 odd minutes, I was treated to a brilliant performance by Oscar Isaacs (with a cool British accent), captivating on-location photography and a gripping tale of mental anguish. It wasn't until the final five minutes that we get a glimpse of what this show is all about - another Marvel superhero flick with all the requisite Marvel CGIs and action scenes. Let's hope the next five episodes will focus on what makes this episode beyond great and less of the Marvel formula that we have become accustomed and subject to.

The Bubble (2022)

Not So Funny....

[4/10 · 2 April 2022]

The Bubble is Judd Apatow's not very funny satirical take on the miserable lives of actors while on a production shoot of a sci-fi movie during a pandemic lockdown. While I appreciate the behind-the-scene insights into the daily lives of spoilt celebrities, the jokes here simply don't land and the larger-than-celeb-life impressions are beyond belief. Watch The Bubble not for the laughs, but as a reminder of why we should do all the necessary to be rid of this wretched virus.

Turning Red (2022)

A Visual Feast for all...

[9/10 · 24 March 2022]

I absolutely loved Turning Red even though I don't particularly go for children animation films. Its themes are highly appealing and eye-opening: Asian family values, the growing pains of adulthood and the conflicts between friendship and filial piety. It is a gorgeous visual feast and smart too, interposing Japanese anime styles with the more traditional Pixar digital wizardry And bravo Pixar for letting a female (Asian) director (Domee Shi) - helm this memorable production. It's long overdue. Plenty of food for thought here.

Deep Water (I) (2022)

Un-erotic.....

[5/10 · 24 March 2022]

Deep Water treads on murky waters of serial adultery and spousal jealousy. With its psychological erotic dark themes, It should have been a great show a la Ben Affleck's Gone Girl but it isn't. Not only do Affleck and his then girlfriend Ana de Armas lack zero sexual chemistry on-screen, it is frustrating to watch these two beautiful people tease their gazillion admirers with fully clothed sex scenes and emotionless exchanges. Director Adrian Lyne, the master of erotic thrillers, has made better films in the past such as Fatal Attraction.

The Adam Project (2022)

When We Were Young

[7/10 · 12 March 2022]

The Adam Project is a fun time-travel project. Targeted at the adolescence in us, the film is jam-packed with entertaining sci-fi action scenes - hell, it even borrows the lightsaber weapon from Star Wars -, lightweight dialogue and touchy-feely father-son interactions courtesy of Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo in top goofy form. Sit back, enjoy and don't think too hard....and expect Netflix to rack in billions of viewing minutes with this one.

Flee (2021)

A Harrowing Experience...

[10/10 · 11 March 2022]

Utterly compelling.... Flee couldn't be more relevant in these times of Russian oppression. It is an ambitious documentary - rendered mostly in animation format supposedly to protect the lead's identity - touching on a wide of issues ranging from the atrocities of the Afghan war, the plights of a war refugee, corrupt law enforcement, human trafficking and the closet life of a gay Muslim man. Expect Flee to win the Oscar for Best Documentary Film.

Fresh (2022)

For Meat Lovers Only....

[5/10 · 11 March 2022]

Its subject matter is gruesome - a modern dating encounter that turns into a cannibalistic horror affair. I simply didn't have the appetite for the generous portions of human meat that the movie shamelessly serves up. There is no denying the artistic quality of Mimi Cave's directorial debut but I would have preferred to see less reliance on the shock factor to impress. Not recommended as post-dinner viewing.

Pieces of Her (2022)

Dismissable stuff

[2/10 · 9 March 2022]

Dreary and dreadful. This Australian Netflix limited series is completely let down by a dismal script, bad non-linear editing and an irritating young daughter/female protagonist who can't decide if she is looking to get killed for being nosy or rejecting her endearing mum with a hidden past, played by a wonderful Toni Collette. Just skip it.

The Batman (2022)

Mesmerizing...

[9/10 · 8 March 2022]

The Caped Crusader as an intense detective sans superpowers? Kudos to director Matt Reeves for avoiding the trappings of the all-too-familiar pow-wow superhero formula, and creating a dark thriller that has action, suspense, acting chops (well done Pattinson 👍🏻), neo-noir elements and a brooding music soundtrack to hold my attention for its almost 3-hour run-time. The Batman is indeed an addictive and mesmerising watch.

Being the Ricardos (2021)

Nostalgia is good

[7/10 · 6 March 2022]

Despite its so-so critical reviews, I found Being The Ricardo's a pleasant enough watch. It is a showcase for some top-notch performances: Kidman delivers an Oscar-worthy portrayal of the 60s' funniest TV lady , Javier Bardem as the absolutely charming Desi Arnaz and jK Simmons, reliable as always, in his role as Lucy's BFF. Nostalgia is good.

Inventing Anna (2022)

Familiar Shonda Rimes-fare

[5/10 · 6 March 2022]

Anna Sorokin's story is a fascinating one to follow. The show, though, could do with at least 3 hours less of Vivian Kent (the reporter), whose storyline is absolutely unnecessary and detracts from the essence of the series. All in all, this is a classic Shonda Rimes production featuring a bunch of familiar faces from her earlier Scandal series, more suited for TV binge-ing than artistic appreciation.

Kimi (2022)

Less Is More

[7/10 · 6 March 2022]

Steven Soderbergh's suspenseful hi-tech version of Rear Window, featuring an excellent performance by Zöe Kravitz. At only 89 minutes, less is more as the film races through a nail-biting experience of living in a agoraphobic pandemic era dominated by voice-assisted smart devices.

Belfast (2021)

Endearing...

[8/10 · 11 February 2022]

You need to be in the right mood to get through Kenneth Brannagh's highly personal childhood film but it's brilliant in every sense of the word. The entire leading cast ensemble deserves award recognition, its B&W cinematography is just gorgeous and the music soundtrack by Van Morrison is familiar and infectious - shame about his anti-vax stance though. The film deserves all the love Oscar has bestowed upon it.

Nightmare Alley (2021)

Convoluted

[6/10 · 2 February 2022]

There is no doubt that Nightmare Alley is an exquisitely shot film. Guillermo del Toro proves once again that he has the chops to craft a visual spectacle of immeasurable quality. But and it's a big BUT - this is not an easy film to digest if you have not read Gresham's source novel or the Wikipedia synopsis. Its screenplay is convoluted, and at times, meandering and twisty. Shame about its talented cast, who seems to struggle to keep the narrative going. I might appreciate the film more after a second viewing.

CODA (2021)

Listen To Your Heart...

[10/10 · 31 January 2022]

CODA deals with the predicaments of a normal child living with her deaf family - all played by a representational cast of deaf actors. And boy, what a lovely film it is. It's packed with emotions and tearjerking moments, especially that one scene when Ruby's dad asks her to sing for him, while placing his hands on her throat to feel her vocal cords. I can think of no other 2021 film - apart from Minari - that is more endearing.

Licorice Pizza (2021)

Simply Irresistible....

[10/10 · 31 January 2022]

A delicious piece of 70s nostalgia. Newcomers Cooper Hoffman (son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Alana Haim (one third of the band Haim) ignite the screen as the film's mismatched couple and Paul Thomas Anderson a.k.a. PTA, serving as the film's director, cinematographer and writer, proves that he is the one to watch at Oscar 2022. I left the movie house feeling a sense of joy and hope in these uncertain times.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Overhyped

[4/10 · 16 January 2022]

No Way Home is a fan service movie through and through. Since I am not a Spidey fan, it does absolutely nothing to move or excite me. Bringing back Tobey and Andrew is a cheap stunt to lure its legion of fans into flocking back to the movie theaters.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

[6/10 · 10 January 2022]

As a fan of the Matrix trilogy, I wanted so much to like The Matrix Resurrections but I was decidedly non-plussed with this reboot/sequel/Matrix revisited. Sure, the Neo/Trinity reunion is to die for, it's action scenes are still as wowza as ever, the CGIs are even more impressive and the script is littered with some über-cool dialogues, but the film's biggest let-down is its lack of originality. It leans heavily on nostalgia, reinventing the best of the fight sequences from the earlier Matrix movies and employing flashback clips to remind us how long it has been since the Trilogy series ended. Perhaps a case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it?

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Drive My Car (2021)

The Long and Winding Road

[9/10 · 9 January 2022]

Brace yourself for a long, slow-burn, three-hour sitting as Drive My Car meanders through complex layers of dialogue, emotions, mental anguish and road trips. Entertaining - it is not, but as art form, it is right up there among the best - beautiful cinematography, sensitive directing, an engaging screenplay, comprehensive editing (thumbs up to director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi for avoiding the use of flashback scenes) and the brilliant performance of a multi-lingual cast. There is so much to digest here.

Quo Vadis, Aida? (2020)

Heart-Wrenching

[8/10 · 7 January 2022]

I have been procrastinating watching this film for over a year due to its heavy subject-matter until I came across Obama's list of his top films of 2021. I can see why he thinks Quo Vadis, Aida deserves a nod. It is shocking, brutal, emotional, suspenseful and confrontational in depicting the atrocities of war, and telling in terms of the failure of the UN to prevent a mass human genocide. The film is a tough, yet must-see, watch, and I think It will take a while before I can brace myself to go through another movie experience like this.

Happiest Season (2020)

Happiest Ending....

[6/10 · 22 December 2021]

A touch of holiday slush...Happiest Season is heartwarming enough with loads of relatable moments and a predictable ending. I can see why critics are going gaga over Kristen Stewart's performance in Spencer. She has definitely stepped up to the plate after dabbling with rom-coms and the soppy Twilight saga.

West Side Story (2021)

Rejoice...

[10/10 · 21 December 2021]

Steven Spielberg can do no wrong. Everything about WSS 2021 is honed to perfection - the diverse cast, visual spectacle, music, stupendous dance numbers and exquisite cinematography. I'm glad Spielberg deftly addressed the negative stereotyping of the 1961 movie by including proper LatinX representation, relevant racial inequality discussions and a sprinkling of Spanish language dialogues. Will the Academy please give the 90-year-old Rita Moreno her second WSS Oscar recognition for that unforgettable live "Somewhere" performance. Long may she live, act and sing !

Encounter (III) (2021)

Misled....

[4/10 · 14 December 2021]

Oh my, Encounter is not the sci-fi thriller it sells itself as. There are no aliens or even sci-fi elements despite the deceptive opening scene with alien-like insects. Instead, it is a tedious melodramatic watch. The movie tells the story of an ex-convict who abducts his two sons under the illusion that aliens have taken over. Together they go on a road trip while daddy deals with his PTSD issues with the authorities on the hunt. It is an emotional ride for sure and all the film has going for it is Riz Ahmed's passable performance.