estaugas Reviews

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

The Grand Anderson Film

[9/10 · 27 March 2020]

The best way of describing The Grand Budapest Hotel is an art piece; all thanks to the film's stunning visuals due to the auteur, Wes Anderson.

The entire film is so mesmerising due to its unique and artful framing, be its use of: wide shots which are often accompanied with great puppetry work adding so much charm; symmetry being utilised to make many shots looks like a painting; and or the change of aspect ratio between decades which, in combination with the use of dull and bright colours, makes it easily distinguishable and engaging to watch.

The writing was also exceptional, balancing its witty comedy while still maintaining some of it's dark undertones. All the main and side characters had great personalities with all their respective actors giving their full efforts. Ralph Fiennes absolutely killed his role giving a lot likability presenting very memorable lines with an equally memorable performance.

The runtime is justified with every scene always serving a purpose and in combination with it's fast paced dialogue keeps its pacing sharp, keeping me on my toes until its end.

A Ghost Story (2017)

A Ghost Story

[9/10 · 10 March 2020]

The film is a ghost story, in the sense that there's a ghost in it, but it's also much more: a love story, a science fiction-inflected story about time travel and or time loops, an exploration of grief, loneliness and denial, the ephemeral nature of the flesh, and the anxiousness that comes from contemplating the end of consciousnes.

The film's presents ghosthood as a purgatorial in-between state, inhabited by individuals who refuse to let go of the life they can no longer have. This concept is conveyed through very little dialogue and minimalistic settings, evoking a very somber and encapsulating experience which is emphasised by the boxy ratio and bleak lighting.

Due to the heavy reliance on visual story-telling, cinematography plays an important part of the film and thankfully is was executed beautifully. The film is packed with many long takes and still cameras, giving way to a very slow paced film and leaning towards the interpective feel of the movie, allowing time to truly think over what's on screen and immersing the audience into its many themes. More immersion is added by the square-ish ratio and rounded edges, constricting us to the story and giving the vibe that we're looking into a key-hole at another's journey which in turns makes us think of our own journey through life.

The tracks are beautifully composted evoking a lot emotion and serving as a perfect companion to the thought provoking themes adding much more depth to the whole experience.

Overall you will either love a Ghost Story or outright hate it. Questions and ideas are constantly thrown at the audience with little answers, which many will see as 'fake deep', but I loved it, this film really worked for me. The movie feels very personal due to the constant comparison of one's life and the ghost's inducing so much thought and feelings as one tried to comprehend what the movies trying to say.

(Spoilers) I also want to comment on the party scene where Will Oldham has a nihilistic, pretentious monologue about meaning and the universe. Many people bash on this scene for its exposition nature and fake depth, but I think the writer's intentionally did this purposely so that they could refute it using the ghosts story. The cynical and lasting power of human attachment shown by the ghost is supposed to serve as a counter-example to the nihilism that manifests when one considers the idea of a universe build-to-end and be forgotten, demonstrating the useless of going out of your way for meaning. Meaning is achieved through experience. And this is why despite the progression of time that sweeps up the ghost towards the future and past, the ghost ends up at the same point of attachment.

Shin Godzilla (2016)

A Unique Take on Godzilla

[7/10 · 3 March 2020]

If you are expecting a stereotypical monster movie you will be disappointed. This film is definitely much more of a political thriller than a monster flick.

The movie is filled with plain and mostly forgettable characters, however, collectively they make the real protagonist of the film: Japan. The film critiques and parodies a dysfunctional bureaucracy, allowing for some not so subtle irony and other comedic moments using techniques such as extreme close-ups, quick changes in POV's, rapid-fire dialogue to reinforce these while still allowing for suspense when needed. Its overly fast pace is a bit jarring at times, making it hard to concentrate with its many fast and transitionless cuts.

Shin Godzilla feels very much like a documentary, with convincing this-is-really-happening atmosphere. The filmmakers really make you feel like a participant and witness to the events happening throughout the film engrossing you into the universe and adding a huge sense of realism which adds to the political side of the film and the impact of the destruction.

Godzilla himself is also amazing, the combination of puppeteering, animatronics and digital effects create such a unique portrayal of the monster evoking terror and intrigue. Though, the cgi isn't always perfect, but this can be overlooked.

The ending is also a mixed bag, it has a great message of collaboration and ends with an interesting introspection on who the bigger monster is: humanity or Godzilla. However it did feel too cheap and easy which kinda diminished the realistic tone set by the film.

The movie is definitely not perfect but its multi layered symbolism and message are so interesting I couldn't help but be invested throughout the whole thing.

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Enjoyable

[8/10 · 1 March 2020]

Definitely one of the more unique and interesting vampire films out there.

The writers did a fantastic job with the main characters. Each feels distinct from one another and their respective actors did a fantastic job bringing them to life, adding tons of personality and charm. The side cast also did great. There's many interviews throughout the film adding a lot of welcomed 'intermissions' where further depth is given to the characters.

The documetry style of filming also added a lot of charm to the film lending to some nice comedic moments and a general feeling of fun.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Satisfying Enough

[6/10 · 1 March 2020]

The Russo brothers manage to conclude this chapter of the MCU in a satisfying enough way by exploring the effects of a post snap world and allowing a sense of finality.

The biggest thing against this movie is without a doubt its pacing. The first act overstays its welcome bogging down the beginning and leaving me feeling bored. The movie does however quicken up a bit which sadly gives way to minor story problems and a bit of an underwhelming conclusion.

I also felt that some arcs and pay offs were not properly followed up on, leading to some grievances and frustrations in terms of characters and movie set ups, though it is understandable why they would sideline some of these characters.

Endgame may not be infinity war in terms of quality but it achieves what it sets out to do albeit in some problematic aways.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Edgar Wright's Magnum Opus

[10/10 · 1 March 2020]

Scott Pilgrim is without a doubt one of my all time favourite films.

Edgar Wright truly showcases his directorial ability through his use of transitions which guides the audience through its scenes and adds such a visual flair to the whole projects and at times even adding to its characters and furthering its comedy.

The writing is equally as masterful. The movie is super meta and clever in its approach to humour giving the film so much charm, watchablility and giving a couple good laughs.

The pacing of the film is also perfect, the combination of Wright's transitions and writing allows for such a fast paced film that keeps engagement throughout its entire run time and once again adding tons to its rewatchability.

This is without a doubt Edgar Wright's most underrated movie, it's truly a shame that its initial reception was underwhelming but I'm glad people are finally realising what a great film this is!

The Lighthouse (I) (2019)

Brilliant

[10/10 · 1 March 2020]

The best thing going for the lighthouse is definitely its music, perfectly menacing and foreboding and in combination with the choice of a black and white palette gives rise to a very tense and suspenseful atmosphere solidifying itself as a horror film.

The cinematography is very engaging making it easy to be sucked into the movie and immersed, allowing the film's atmosphere and suspense to really grip you and put you on edge.

Both Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe give outstanding performances. They pull of the 1890s English dialect flawlessly adding a lot of fidelity to the film. However, at times it is a bit hard to follow along with what they're saying.

The film also has a decent bit of dark comedy running throughout it, balancing its intensity and keeping it from becoming tiresome.