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richhowardlopez
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Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities: Pickman's Model (2022)
Everyone's a critic.
The reviews for this episode are quite disappointing.
Suddenly everyone is a Lovecraft snob, a Director, an Editor, a horror master. Take your pick.
Coming from a fan of Lovecraft over the last 11 years, I really enjoyed this episode. It's not the directors point to rival or compete with Lovecraft. It's to adapt a story.
People complaining that the episode didn't replicate Lovecraft's writings... Do you hear yourself? Lovecraft is one of the more challenging authors to read. He writes very complex, verbose, and sometimes even convoluted weaving structures.
What does the episode do? It does a great job of presenting that horrifying, unknown darkness. That one-of-a-kind flavor of terror that could only come from Lovecraft. Or adaptations of his work.
It's not a predictable jump-scare 101 presentation. It's a jarring, tense, methodical fall into insanity, blood, and fearful unknowns.
People need to quite trying to be an arm-chair movie-critic and just sit back and enjoy the adaptation.
Enjoy these precious few minutes we get to have in Lovecrafts world. We seldom get to see his works brought to the screens. And, I, for one, hope this can open some more cosmic doors to future possibilities where that can happen more often.
But, it stands less of a chance of happening if some people suddenly decide they are Lovecraft snobs, and want to uselessly shred an otherwise faithful adaption.
Just sit back, enjoy the ride, and be horrified (for all the right reasons!)
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Outstanding movie that critics/casuals STILL don't understand.
The movie is truly amazing for us hardcore Matrix fans.
Unfortunately, I think it's going to suffer the same fate as Reloaded and Revolutions where people took their misunderstanding of the movie's philosophies and topics and converted it all into disapproval of the movie.
Not everyone is going to get it, and therefore they won't enjoy it. And you'll see them on here and Metacritic leaving low scores....
Resurrections is a love letter, and explanation of the original trilogy, while expanding the story and explaining what has happened in the time since the original movies.
The pace of the movie in the beginning is very fast. YOU HAVE to be up on the first 3 movies otherwise the movie's pace will blitz you. If you're ready for it, it's very exciting. It's a roller-coaster and it's a lot of fun if you're set for it.
The tone is different than the original 3 movies. The washed out green-tint is gone. The dramatic slow-tones are gone. THIS IS INTENTIONAL. If you paid attention to the end of Revolutions, and pay attention to the explanation in the movie, you'll understand why things LOOK and FEEL different. People who are complaining about the difference DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION! Don't let casuals influence your feelings/decisions on the movie based on something they didn't pay attention to...
The action sequences are one thing I can nitpick. The fighting scenes seemed a bit more focused in the original trilogy, where as in Resurrections, they are a bit muddled, chaotic, and unfocused. You still have plenty of sequences to appreciate the work everyone put in to the stunts and fighting of the scenes. The things they do are spectacular if you appreciate them.
The special effects definitely get a healthy update. The transformations of Agents look much smoother. Bullet-time effects are still loyal to the original style.
The story progresses so much, it's so satisfying to have many questions answered. And things are set up beautifully for future movies.
Acting and character direction is solid. While there are a lot of side characters, they all have great personalities to connect with. Every character has a healthy expressive attitude. Returning characters have great progression and character building added to them. The things each of them is concerned about MAKES SENSE and the connections to the old movies are strong.
I was emotionally invested. The actions sense provided tons of suspense. Each milestone moment in the movie left a lasting effect on me.
I've been a longtime fan of the series since it first came out. I've watched the original trilogy numerous times. I've watched the Animatrix, and poured of the relevant stories in that series (The Second Renaissance, The Kid, The Last Flight of The Osiris) numerous times. I've played all the games. Even the now deceased Matrix Online MMORPG.
As someone that deeply understand universe of The Matrix I think it's safe to say "I get it!" I understand what Lana was doing when presenting this movie. And I love it. It was a fantastic movie.
Bottom line is - if you're a casual viewer, you're probably not going to 10/10 enjoy it. But if you're a hardcore fan, you'll understand the evolution and philosophies of the movie. You'll understand where things are going. You'll enjoy the answers to the burning questions we've had for almost 20 years now. You'll enjoy the ride.
What a ride. So excited for the future of The Matrix.
Underwater (2020)
Lovecraft fans - this is what we've been waiting for. Disregard the uninitiated critics!
I didn't see much of the movie trailers, but I heard a lot of the #lovecraftian label being slung around when the movie came out. Eventually picked it up on Vudu, and I'm so glad it's in my collection. In fact, I think it's one of the best movies of 2020.
It wastes no time in getting started. Lots of shots have incredible amounts of detail in them for those that pay attention, and follow scene-to-scene how those details connect. Lovecraft fans will notice a theme, and will pick up the sub-plot behind the scenes very quickly. Which adds to the excitement, and horror of the movie.
For those not initiated in Lovecraft, you're going to miss a lot. It's going to seem like a simple horror movie, deep underwater, with potential scary monsters. And I can see how many average or negative reviews are coming from that. You will only "get" this movie if you've read some of the more popular H.P. Lovecraft works.
Much like Lovecraft's works, I predict this movie will catch on later after home release. I hope it does.
And if the movie seems muddy, and unclear, and chaotic at times - that's not lazy production. That's a nod to Lovecraft. Things are not meant to be clear. Things are meant to be insane, questionable, erratic.
The sound-work further lends itself to this in it's horror sequences. And then in the calmer scenes lends itself to a confused contemplation. The theme of horror in the deep sea. The fear of the unknown. Dialogues between characters seem so natural. From banter between two characters pulling one out of the rubble, to lesser-sane moments of characters dragging each other across the bottom of the pitch black darkness.
And the movie masterfully delivers a final act.
Lovecraft fans - we're finally getting what we've wanted. We have The Color out of Space. and we have Underwater.
"We shall dive down through black abysses ... and in that lair of the Deep Ones we shall dwell amidst wonder and glory forever" -H.P.Lovecraft
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Engrossing. Open minds and regular anime fans will enjoy it.
I felt really impressed by this movie. Every shot has an astounding amount of detail in it. And I really feel like all the actors took it seriously.
By the end of the movie, I was emotionally involved, and story elements had me shedding a tear. It was delightfully weird, such is all sci- fi anime. The visuals were stunning, and relentless. Each character had a great identity under their surface, though many critics would disagree (many of which were unfamiliar with the anime movie).
The score sounded amazing. The whole feel of the movie is very enveloping. The pace is also perfect. by the end, the movie just feels so neatly wrapped up, it should have ribbon tied to it. Many movies nowadays feel very jittery and forced, but this had a great flow to it.
Watch it. You might love it, you might hate it. But don't just hate on it because everyone else, and critics did. The major critics, just by looking at their reviews, clearly demonstrate they are NOT familiar with the anime AT ALL. Many of their complaints would pierce through this adaptation into the original movie as well. So. disregard those who don't even know what they're talking about.