sukanya-samy

Plot and Script

What if you could become a whole new person and often? Would you know who you are? Does our job define who we are? Or does one have to introspect often to figure out the reason fro their existence?

These are some questions Complete Unknown tries to answer. Alice played by Rachel Weisz enters into Tom's (Michael Shannon) life by what seems like stalking but it is clarified that they were lovers – 15 years ago. Lovers who fell apart because Tom had a path in life to tread and Alice wanted no such thing.

Alice took off without telling a soul leading her parents and Tom to think she was dead. She underwent complete transformations to become different people in different countries – biologist, nurse, magician's assistant and many more.

But the lack of permanency is what brings her back to Tom whose definition of static is what is driving a wedge in his life and between him and his wife. What happens when Tom and Alice meet at his birthday party surrounded by his friends who think Alice is an enigma? Do they buy her tales of taking off or think she is a pathological liar?

This is movie is a one-night tale and has a solid premise which unfortunately doesn't hold until the end.

Characterization and Acting (C&A)

Acting by Weisz and Shannon was very strong – we see both their points of view of who they think they are and self-imposed limitations. There are cameos by Kathy Bates and Danny Glover who are great but I don't know why they were important. Tom's friends were OK too but didn't really build into these characters. That's one reason where it fell short in this department – I didn't care enough for all the characters.

Sounds and Effects (S&E)

The background score was effective and the scenes which take you back to what Alice was at a given point in time were extremely 'tidy'.

Cinematography and Visuals (C&V)

I think this was one of the stronger aspects of the film. The movie looks great and the visuals are awesome in most settings.

Direction and Overall (D &O)

Amazon studios and Joshua Marston tried to make a great movie with an okay'ish script and that is what led this movie to not be great! There were many loopholes in the script and the story and characters never really develop fully.

So here are my scores:

Plot and Script (P&S)- 1.0

Characterization and Acting (C&A) – 1.5

Sounds and Effects (S&E) – 1.0

Cinematography and Visuals (C&V) – 1.5

Direction and Overall (D &O) – 1.0

Overall Score – 6.0 out of 10

One time watch but forgettable.

First reviewed on 'broth of blogs' on word-press. OK lets start with the good. The special effects were spectacular - I am just another one who feels it was Kaleidoscope-y/Inception-y but really, they looked great. But was there anything else?

Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange was good, but not as great as Downey as Tony Stark like most people are comparing. I mean Stark was so much more defined. I didn't even see why people are saying there are comparisons - there were like 2 scenes where Strange is shown to be an egotist and a brazenly rude genius. I didn't really care he lost his hands but I did care when Stark was being held hostage because they developed the character there you see. With Strange, they just fast forwarded without showing anything.

I didn't really care for the whole mysticism and magic - I mean I know and have read about chakras and energy and what one can do with practices like Pranic Healing and Reiki. The whole Kamar Taj nonsense just felt so superficial, fake even. You send Strange up to Everest and he learns magic because he can't take the cold? Come on folks!

I really like the chemistry between Stark and Potts because, again, they gave it time to develop. We do see some history here with Strange and his ex-love interest Christine Palmer but I didn't feel any emotions when he insults her because that is what he has always done and says sorry when he realizes that he has been a dick all the while.

There was just too much going on with the plot too. Instead of the film makers taking time to develop the characters and just sticking to one world-disaster waiting to happen, they just zipped past the jerk-turned- superhero-saves-the-world bit. You see, some of the other superheros are more common, I mean most people would know the stories of Superman or Iron Man or Avengers. But Doctor Strange, they needed more of a back story. Not exposition, of where there was just too much in the movie.

And what was Tilda Swinton doing in the movie? They could have at-least taken an Asian as the ancient one. Don't even get me started on Chiwetel Ejiofor and his role in the movie. He just looked gave up too easily being the Master and all.

I could just go on and on about it but I will stop.

Folks, I don't have anything against the actors, I think they did what they were asked to and they did it to the best of their abilities - I blame the greedy studios, trying to make another superhero movie just to fit the MIU. This could have been great, memorable even, if they had just given it time.

I think the only memorable thing in the movie was Benedict Wong as Wong. Lol, he was funny.

First reviewed on broth of blogs.This movie about a nurse Lily (Ruth Wilson) who comes to take care of an old author, Iris Blum, living alone in a remote house. Iris is almost senile and speaks to Lily only referring to her as Polly. Lily finds out that Polly was Iris's most famous character and she attempts reading one of the books that Iris has written. And something happens.

The story is simple enough but is still cryptic. I didn't get a few parts but I don't think I care. It is about the forgotten lives in the house. The movie is poetic (literally) and I quite enjoyed it.

Characterization and Acting (C&A)

Characterization was done well, I would have probably liked some exposition but I think this movie is supposed to be puzzling. Ruth Wilson plays the part to perfection - scared, vulnerable and alone. She really looks like she is going to have a heart attack anytime. Its totally her show as she probably has 80 minutes screen time of 90 minutes of the movie.

Sounds and Effects (S&E)

The background of this movie is just mind blowing. It is the scariest I have heard till date. Has this weird ability to spook you as well even if nothing scary is happening. Full points here. There weren't any jump scares and it is all left to your imagination at the end.

Cinematography and Visuals (C&V)

Like I said the movie is poetic. It is slow, there isn't much of a story but it moves you and creeps you out. They didn't overdo the actual horror which works in the movie's favor. The lighting was great and the setting itself eerie. Great stuff.

Direction and Overall (D &O)

Overall, the movie looked and sounded great. The acting was really good I thought. Only complaint I have is that maybe it could have had a little more exposition to actually understand some stuff which wasn't clear.

So here are my scores:

Plot and Script (P&S)- 1

Characterization and Acting (C&A) – 1

Sounds and Effects (S&E) – 2.0

Cinematography and Visuals (C&V) – 1.5

Direction and Overall (D &O) – 1

Overall Score – 6.5 out of 10

Good watch for Halloween 2016! Just be patient, the movie is not as long as its title!!