LarksTongue Reviews

Midnight Mass (2021)

Almost Shakespearean Like Horror/Tradgedy

[9/10 · 7 May 2022]

I think potential viewers must go into this expecting more of a Shakespearean drama than a straight drama or horror. Many scenes are just dare I say it: 'Monologues' demanding the attention of the viewer. Today we have been conditioned with the most basic scripts and dialogue that many will have trouble sitting through this. Let alone the conditioning of modern horror movies following a checklist. Think more Rosemary's Baby or The Omen for tone here.

It is not for everyone. However if you are like me; demanding more from their entertainment then the usual, than this series might really capture your attention. Never once was I bored. But I understand why other viewers were.

All of the characters and actors get time to really shine and actually ACT!!! Not the usual overly emotional overacting of today with crazy quick editing and light speed pace. The pace is methodical and really picks up at the halfway point after you get to know all of the characters. It's one of the few shows that I can't really state my favourite character. They are all complex and very flawed.

Themes wise; it takes a deep dive into many topics that other reviewers have mentioned and tends to show multiple sides to the themes which for me gave a lasting effect on me. Via philosophical monologues that many people are saying isn't realistic. However to me I have had many a discussion late night with close friends where we both just talk for long times in stream of consciousness style I. E. like this show.

Just a breath of fresh air to me. Although I understand the lower ratings to be honest. To me it's a flawed show in some areas but it's style and pacing are unique. It does not treat you like an idiot, like 90% of entertainment today. It treats you like a grown adult. And that's all I ask for.

Ben-Hur (1959)

Puts modern movie making to shame

[10/10 · 23 March 2022]

I honestly am getting to the point where I feel sorry for those who cannot appreciate films like these or older films simply because they are old. Not anger or combative arguments just pity. This movie simply blew me away.

Forget the religious story. Just look at the climax at the chariot scene. What they accomplished there is quite simply breathtaking. Today everything is done with CGI, let alone the safety for stuntmen today are of paramount. (Albeit for good reasons). For them to produce this scene with the limitations of the time is just... amazing. The buildup for the respective characters beforehand heightens the tension and drama. It's all* real. Heston even learned how to do chariot racing!

Wyler was very good at directing drama at the time and his style seems to compliment the epic film well as there is loads of dialogue in an epic. The subtly in the story of Jesus as well, It sort of happens in the background and is not central to the story as other biblical epics which come across more preachy.

On top of these elements the pacing is great (for an epic film), cinematography, editing production, tone, acting etc. All are top notch. You can argue it's too long as many do. However to me that is a cheap criticism considering you go into it knowing it is a 3.5 hour long epic. In fact I think they could have added 10 minutes when Ben-Hur goes to Rome to give the feeling of time progressing. However I understand why it was cut for pacing purposes.

A 10/10 obviously is the highest praise for a film. To me that does not mean a movie is perfect. It had a strong effect on me and is extremely memorable. I instantly thought "Wow, I could watch that again at any time. I will never be able to watch it again for the first time." That to me is a 10/10. Out of all the epics I've seen this stands out above them all. Even Spartacus.

P. S. To think Hollywood remade this!!!! My first thought after finishing it was "Who would try and remake this?!?!?!

(This is all my opinion)

Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)

Review Brigading at it's finest.

[5/10 · 12 April 2020]

The worst thing about this film has to be the very high praise this film got, leaving me to have actual expectations of a good film. Boy was I wrong. I can't stand the obvious parading of reviews paid by Sony Schils, Disney etc. to gas light this film into great territory. All these 10/10's really made me cringe almost as much as the movie itself. They then proceed to buy offshore bot companies to up vote all 10/10 reviews and down vote any critical review that is 8/10 or lower. It is quite clear to see that some people rate the movie 10/10 but in their review deconstructs how terrible the movie is. The bots up vote it only cause it's 10 and the algorithm is still in place. Sickening.

Now onto the movie, frankly the Tone of this movie is most accurate to what a comic book movie should feel like. Corny! It really is corny and takes no apologies for it. I respect that. Tom Holland really is a great Peter Parker. Actually acts like a 16 year old. Jake Gyllenhaal really brought Mysterio to life. Costumes were great but had a bit too much CGI in them. But for the most part that is all I liked of the film.

My main issue with this is the Comedy. It just was so much of the film and for me and my dad it never hit. I laughed at nothing not even the Samuel L. Jackson swear. It all felt just cringe worthy. Not much chemistry besides between Tom Holland and Jacob Batalon. Nothing like Thor Ragnarok where I actually found it funny. The funniest part was Mysterio saying "Now this is an Avengers level threat!." As it felt like a joke in of itself a parody of it. Worse part was I already saw it in thousands of memes on the internet.

A big fault is how the movie seems to just forget the characterization of Peter from all the Avenger films where he grew and became more of an adult as he went through you know a Civil War, died technically for 5 years, and had 3 father figures die doing what they believe in. This stuff is the definition of Tone Deaf. Others have pointed out the continuity errors from previous movie so i wont get into it too much. The plot itself is actually pretty tight and logical albeit way over the top and dumb in of itself. Hence Corny. But at the same time you have Marisa Tomei as Aunt May always thought that was weird choice but here it gets cringe as opposed to corny. Am i supposed to be attracted to AUNT MAY!!!!????? There is a blurred line from Corny to Cringe and this one moves from one side to the next.

Where I really lost it was how they went through Europe but it literally serves nothing to the plot at all. This could have all happened in New York and no one would have noticed. All they had to write instead of "This is where the Elementals arrived in my world." to "All the elementals are coming to New York." no one would have noticed. I wanted a stand alone Spider Man film with no Avenger exposition. Something that stands on it's own. Nope. Tony Stark guys!!! Mysterio is in Tony Stark's shadow. Isn't Uncle Ben, Peter's father figure, not Tony Stark? What?? Stan Lee Dies and they just ignore on the pre-established characterizations of everyone sort of like how the new Star Wars films did too. I would much preferred Mysterio's original origin as an actor/stuntman who was forgotten and chastised.

It's one of those movies that the more you think about it at all you start going "Huh? That didn't make sense." Using Illusions generated by drones with Shocker (CAN YOU SEE THE NEXT VILLAIN GUYS) like blasts, rockets, and guns really leaves me scratching the head. How do we know anything we are seeing is ever real then like come on. And there in lies the beauty of it they can just go next movie like they did with Star Wars and write this genius level dialogue; "Somehow Mysterio Survived because of an illusion." The most interesting part was the end when Spider Man has everyone finding out he his Peter Parker. Would have made a way, way, way better film. I won't go into the confusion me and my dad had with the MJ character. Is that Mary Jane? The red headed beauty? No its Michelle Jones how could I be so stupid?!?!?!?!? Now let's see if all my reviews get down voted by the schills. I could go on and on about this film.

A 6/10 at best but tired of the review brigading saying these Disney films are as good as Godfather, Lord of the Rings, Schindler's List etc. This cracks me up.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords (2004 Video Game)

Pure Art analyzing the philosophy of Good and Evil and their Motivations

[9/10 · 2 April 2020]

As time goes on, games seem to be cast in different lights as technology can cast old games aside as feeling "dated". It is inevitable. However some games are truly works of art and can be considered timeless. Knights of the Old Republic 2 counts as one of those games. Where the first one gives one of the greatest adventures in gaming KotOR 2 does something entirely different.

When I first played this as a young child I thought the GAME was amazingly fun with all sorts of choices for game play dark/light, force powers, companions, choices etc. It is the pinnacle of RP game ambition before graphics, presentation and streamlined game play took over. Not many games make you feel like an unstoppable Jedi/Sith.

Now as an adult I find this game to be simply put; Art. No game in the history besides maybe Bio shock, Prey, System Shock 2, and RDR 2 have attacked themes and played mind tricks on the players own beliefs. Simply put this game will challenge your beliefs in the grandest sense of good vs evil.

Kreia might be the greatest video game character ever. Every line of dialogue is captivating. This game is a meta analysis on Star Wars itself and what the Jedi and Sith are (morality). Transcending the setting and looking at the world in a Taoistic lens. It challenges what you think to be evil and good while at the same time the GAMEPLAY itself works in tandem with the themes of the story. Being good/jedi or evil/sith or even neutral all help bring the themes to light.

This is exactly what The Last Jedi attempted. Albeit far worse and with essentially 0 nuance. Even your companions react to you and challenge you at every turn where you have to maintain a balance and manipulate your companions with certain dialogue choices (influence) in order to make them the best they can be. Are you truly a wise/peaceful Jedi if you attempt to keep all companions happy? Are you not more like a sith using people to your advantage? This only scratches the surface of the themes.

Absolutely Brilliant. Only thing holding it from a 10 as others have said are the bugs, ending, and cut content. As of today there is a patched version on Steam and addresses many of the issues. Chris Avellone really hit a grand slam here and ever since I have followed him and loved gaming. Ironically nothing has come close to the grand scale of this game for me.

What is morale good and what is morale evil truly??? You could write English essays on this games themes.

Sarajevo (2014 TV Movie)

A solid historical drama that gives some food for thought

[7/10 · 31 March 2020]

I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. As a history geek I had this on my list for a while and finally watched it. It gives a great account of the tone and atmosphere in Sarajevo during the time. Fantastic costumes and authentic set pieces. There are not many useless scenes in the movie and it is paced very well. It does not waste your time. It has this great sense of impending doom, as if Austria-Hungary at the time was like a coke bottle with Mentos in it shaken up.

If you understand the historical context and the details of the event, this movie will captivate you. I find it disingenuous to rate movies based on historical accuracy as most history movies do not try to be 100% accurate. Despite this Sarajevo gives an incredibly detailed account of what happened but gives a nice spin on it making you wonder if what we know is the truth. It's the kind of movie that makes you re-educate yourself on what actually happened. It's not amazing but it is a solid 7/10 movie and not too long.

Frankly with a good history teacher giving context, this could be shown in classrooms.

Dunkirk (2017)

A hollow WW2 film.

[6/10 · 25 March 2020]

The age old saying for me is that "has it aged like a fine wine". This movie for me has not at all. Many people here have rating the movie 10/10 (saying it's as good as Godfather etc.) Many of the reviews were when it came out. They argue that the production design and sound mixing/editing transport you to the war. Yes that's great and all but it kind of is expected from a modern WW2 film with a 150 million budget. Some even argue that the lack of emotion and character building is the intention which is quite simply asinine in my opinion. Seriously you would rather have this movie than the same movie with relatable, likable characters? Movie could have worked a lot better if it was a straight forward narrative.

Setting is a one character not the only character in a story. I get it they have to wait to be rescued and feel paranoid/fear for their life. Great what else? Nothing. I literally don't remember a character besides Kenneth Branagh/Cillian Murphy but that's only because they seemed to have had the most lines of dialogue and are big names. Let alone the obvious reduction in scale as others have said, just look up Dunkirk and see the casualty list. All could have been added with CGI but Nolan is approaching levels where no one challenges his production anymore.

The movie is very imbalanced (3 separate stories) and is everything I'm hating in movies. A massive spectacle that where the movie is written around the spectacle itself. Nolan didn't write a story about a set of characters in the Dunkirk setting. He wrote a movie of Dunkirk and then wrote characters that could fit into it. It's like I'm watching a Wikipedia page movie.

The worst scene in the movie that really bugged me showed the complete lack of emotional binding characters was when Cillian Murphy accidentally kills the child (PTSD) on the boat. The driver barley cares he just sort of looks at it happen and just goes on despite the fact he let the kid come for some dumb reason anyways. Come on 10/10??? Give me a break.