alli_m97 Reviews

The Lives of Others (2006)

a masterpiece

[10/10 · 17 March 2021]

Lives of Others is one of the best films I've seen. A great character study of a ruthless secret police officer discovering his compassion and humanity while becoming involved in the life of the people he is spying on. A rare piece of cinema and a real tearjerker. Highly recommended.

Tenet (2020)

disappointing...

[7/10 · 15 March 2021]

I love Christopher Nolan and was waiting a long time to see this one... even longer because of the pandemic... only to be disappointed. There are occasional moments of brilliant storytelling bogged down by excessively expositional plotting and flat acting... Pass on this one and watch memento and inception again...

The Father (I) (2020)

A great movie

[10/10 · 15 March 2021]

I saw this at the Woodstock film festival and it stayed with me long after. The conceit of experiencing dementia and confusion through the eyes of the person suffering from it it very effective, and coupled with great performances, this is a great little piece of cinema.

Mank (2020)

I really wanted it to be better

[8/10 · 15 March 2021]

It's hard not to get your hopes up and not to be disappointed when you wait months to see a David Fincher movie about Citizen Kane, done in perfect Wellsian style and with great performances, and yet... the story just isn't compelling enough, and the attempt to take credit away from Welles seems like a pointless way to end the movie...

Paper Spiders (2020)

Incredibly moving

[10/10 · 15 March 2021]

I can't think of many films that made me laugh and cry so much... I saw this at the Woodstock film festival last year and have been thinking about it so often since. What begins as a fun, quirky coming of age dramedy gradually turns into a heartbreaking drama that is incredibly touching and powerful. Lili Taylor and Stefania Owen are both fantastic, and their love and pain feel so real. This is one of those films that stay with you long after you've seen them.

Ex Machina (2014)

sci fi at its best

[10/10 · 15 March 2021]

Every once in a long while comes a sci fi film that excels as an intelligent character drama as much as it does as a sci fi thriller. This is one of those rare films, which says no less about desire than it does about technology. Excellent movie.

Fences (2016)

Well done!

[10/10 · 15 March 2021]

As a fan of the play I was hesitant to watch it, afraid that it may Hollywoodize the story, but this wasn't the case. Denzel and Viola deliver great performances, and manage to make this a fascinating watch despite the limitations of the setting. Highly recommended.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)

sincere and upretentious slice of life drama

[8/10 · 15 March 2021]

Never Rarely is a good movie, sincere and unpretentious, but also a bit overrated like many Sundance films... All the men in the movie are manipulative and exploitative in a way that makes the audience start viewing the agenda of the movie while watching the movie itself. Still, a worthwhile slice-of-life drama.

Blue Valentine (2010)

original and heartbreaking

[10/10 · 15 March 2021]

Few love stories in recent cinema felt as real and authentic. Both Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams give terrific performances, and the storytelling is flawless, not a single false note. A great indie, highly recommended.

I Care a Lot (2020)

I care, but not so much

[8/10 · 15 March 2021]

A very good thriller full of unexpected twists, but a little hard to care about it all when the main characters are so evil... still well worth the watch. Rosamund Pike in her best role since Gone Girl.

The Shape of Water (2017)

Sally Hawkins is marvelous

[10/10 · 15 March 2021]

Sally Hawkins gives one of the best performances I can remember. The story reminded me a little bit of "Splash", but transcended the adult fairy tale genre with interesting insights on otherness in society. A very good movie.