alex_cohen Reviews

Nope (2022)

8 solid + 1 extra star for casting Michael Wincott

[9/10 · 28 August 2022]

Common, apples with apples, please. Compared to the garbage being released these days, this film really stands out.

And, I think, the comparison with M Night can be seen as a compliment. It's an original film done by a creative director. The production and cinematography are outstanding. It's a balanced mix of sci fi, horror and a western. It's not a perfect movie, but a very good one.

It was a pleasure to see Michael Wincott in a major production.

The chimp story (along with the protagonist familiarity with horses) is the key to explain the approach and the choices to the problem on hands. Makes sense for me.

9/10.

The Unforgivable (2021)

A turkey.

[1/10 · 26 December 2021]

Not a festive kind. Boring, unbelievable and full of plot holes. No Oscar for Bullock. Vincent and Viola are just waisted in this woke mess. Pitiful.

The dilemma of 5 years old being the perpetrator is non existent. It just used as an excuse to redeem Bullock's character in our eyes. Manipulative and still missing the mark. Was done much better in far superior'Nothing but the truth". Watch the latter for a quality story and believable characters.

All in all, not a good movie.

Tenet (2020)

Cliched and disapointing...

[1/10 · 2 December 2020]

Well, so much for my favorite director. I used to like pretty much everything he was coming up with. Yeap, including Dunkirk. But, it seems to be true: all good things come to an end. The characters are not likable, the motivations are confusing and inconsistent, at times even not believable. The story is full of cliches, event includes a communists-forced bare-hands-plutonian-picking Soviet children turn oligarch... Uninteresting. Disappointing.

Smoke & Mirrors (2016)

Like reading a book.

[10/10 · 27 August 2020]

That means - it demands some patience from you. A patient viewer is up for treat though. Characters are interesting and nuanced, and, more importantly, believable. None are just good or bad, but complex personalities. Just like in real life. Even small parts are exquisitely meaty and therefore make an impression. The story (being based on a true one) is interesting and also grounded in reality. No big shootouts or car chases. The acting and directing is on point. Very good, believable ending. Well done! 10/10

Sputnik (2020)

As bad as it gets, or how Hollywood lost it's monopoly on "cranberry".

[1/10 · 27 August 2020]

Leave alone the unoriginal plot and borderline bad acting, this Russian-made film has a Hollywoodish, c-grade movie feel to it. That is, disregard to details and lack of any depths to the characters when it comes to portraying anyone non-American. Not to mention the contradicting motives of pretty much everyone involved. We used to laugh at American movies portraying Russians (or Russia), well, the laugh is on us now. O. Akinshina, who, by the way, has only two facial expressions throughout the movie: annoyed discontent and irritated indifference, plays Tatyana - a doctor with "moral values", who is "trying to save everyone". None of it, of course, is true since she is only trying to save one person (who, in his turn, is a threat to pretty much every living thing on Earth and she KNOWS it), while countless others are being slaughtered left and right as a direct result of her actions. The portrait of her heroine wouldn't be complete without mentioning that she has to express her annoyance at everything and everyone "soviet" in every second phrase she is saying i.e. every 5-10 minutes. Mr. Bondarchuk can actually be very entertaining, e.g. "Down House" or "$ 8 1/2". Not this time though. He seems tired and uninterested. The rest of the cast isn't really worth mentioning. Another disappointing effort from Russia. 1/10

Bloodshot (2020)

The only star is for having Guy Pearce in it. Just bad.

[1/10 · 11 April 2020]

A major spoiler - this flick is bad. No plot details needed. It just bad at everything: the story is stupid, acting is bad, action scenes are laughable and special effects are not impressive. Avoid at all costs. 1/10

Dark Waters (2019)

David vs Goliath

[9/10 · 28 March 2020]

One might argue that filling David's shoes is a rather big law firm, but this argument is irrelevant - compared to the industry's giant DuPont, it's a David nonetheless. The movie tells a story of a epic struggle of a corporate lawyer (and clients he represents) and a huge chemical company. It has all the components of a good drama: corruption, deception and manipulation, dedication and sacrifice. This subject is interesting in its own right, especially (as stated in the end of the movie, just before the end credits) it does concern all of us. But, moreover, this film is about one man's obsession. People get hurt and do die. Due to someone's greed and disregard to "little man"'s life. Someone ought to be held responsible and be brought to justice one way or another. There are many good people out there to take on such task, but only a handful of those who's willing to stick to it for over a decade. At some expense, I must add - it nearly cost him his career, his marriage and health. It takes a real obsession - you can feel it: he can't just drop it. No matter how hard it is, he keeps on going. And this what made it for me a compelling story. Mark Ruffalo is great in it. Kind of reminded me of a work he did in two other great movies about men on a mission - Spotlight (2015) and Zodiac (2007). Anne Hathaway has a very few scenes in this movie, but delivers the point being made by this film. I have a soft spot for both Tim Robbins and Bill Pullman. In my opinion, they both were fine in their small parts. 9/10 for me after the first watch.

The Ugly Swans (2006)

Not a good movie.

[1/10 · 20 October 2018]

This one is a miss. It's based on a book by Strugatsky brothers, but fails miserably to bring to the screen the enigmatic quality the book possesses. It's rather a straight forward attempt to push a liberal agenda. And a clumsy one imho. The book is way more nuanced and really tries to make one think on a subject of humanity. The movie feels cheap and it is in most parts poorly acted. Especially by children actors. It's often regarded as Tarkovsky's influenced film (Lopushanskiy, the director, being a Tarkovsky's protege) but it isn't. I don't see any Tarkovsky influences here. Nether in style, nor in story construction.

Breaking In (2018)

Don't waste your time.

[1/10 · 4 August 2018]

Avoid at all cost. Dull and predictable. Lacks action and realism. Poorly acted beaten to death story.

Phantom Thread (2017)

Heartless, pointless and boring.

[4/10 · 17 July 2018]

There Will Be Blood (TWBB) is one of my favorite movies. Paul Thomas Anderson is a director of above mentioned film and a very talented director. A patient storyteller with unique perspective. Daniel Day-Lewis is a star of TWBB and one of the greatest actors alive. This movie has both of these men, but left me bored, not entertained and disappointed. It's not a story about love - I don't think these people are capable of love. It's not about one man obsession with perfecting his craft. He was born a perfectionist. It's one woman'd quest (a struggle really) to belong. Where she doesn't. And she knows it. So does everyone else. But her obsession finds a way. And then, the unthinkable happens. Won't tell you what! No spoilers this time. You'll have sit through 2+ hours to experience the "grand finale ". Of course it's not all bad. 1* is the minimum here, so we just take it for granted (it's only fair - an effort was made). Another * is for Daniel Day-Lewis being in it. One more for cinematography. And another again for DDL - it's a pleasure to see this man work, never mind the material. 4/10

Dorogoy moy chelovek (1958)

Another good Russian drama

[8/10 · 13 July 2018]

Being familiar with Yuri German's novellas, I have to admit that this movie does capture the tone and style of his books. Like most of his work, this movie tells a life story. It's of two people and few more that make the most impact on their lives. One is a boy, a young man who grows up to be a doctor. In love with a girl dreaming of becoming an actress. The man is one of honor and principles, so when a choice is to be made, he doesn't hesitate. However, she does. They get separated, then the war happens. They meet again and you can tell right away: they are in love. But, at the same time, extremely not sure of one another feelings. They get separated again and this time around, you can tell: this is an honest story - a chance for a happy end is as fat as it is in real life. The story goes on and not for a moment did I lose the sympathy for 2 main characters. The acting of 2 leads is very good. Batalov is young and handsome. He just made an impact with 2 movies that came out a year before (1956), one of which was The Cranes Are Flying. His task here is the personify The Soviet Man (yes, all 3 starting with capitals - TSM) - the moral beacon, the man of principles and honor. So, at times he can seem a bit stiff, but not for lack of talent or acting skills, I believe this is the honest portrayal of TSM. And the fact that you might disapprove or disagree, doesn't change it. Not much Soviet propaganda here, hence recommended to all interested in Soviet cinema of 1960s. 8/10

Red Sparrow (2018)

Utter garbage

[1/10 · 9 June 2018]

Utter garbage. Nothing to add really. Cheap propaganda piece. nothing/10

Flights in Dreams and in Reality (1983)

The self-destructive nature of midlife crisis...

[10/10 · 28 May 2018]

I first saw this movie back in the 80's when I still was in my teens. Couldn't possibly understand the subject, but something struck me in Oleg Yankovskiy's performance. His Sergey was recognizable. Even familiar. I saw this man somewhere. Probably in my father, who was going through a little midlife crisis of his own at the time. So Yankovskiy's Sergey was genuine - tragic, lonely, selfish (and self-loathing at the same time), lost man. Looking for love while unable to feel love towards others. Even himself. It's not even love he is after, it's reassurance of his worth. On his self-destructive path he ruins not only his life, but few other's close to him. And you despise him, feel for him, pity him and just wish that he (and those hurt by him) would walk away with least damage possible. The movie is slow, but doesn't drag. The way autumn (literally and symbolically) is translated to the screen does make you feel a little cold. The acting is excellent from all involved with a standouts from Yankovskiy and Lyudmila Gurchenko. 9.5/10

Counterpart (2017–2019)

Fringe with brains

[7/10 · 24 May 2018]

These are my reflections on first season. This show starts quite effectively. Everything is there - mystery, intelligent plot, fine acting. The overall neo noir feel doesn't hurt either. Reminded me of Fringe (2008), but smarter and better acted with more intriguing, involving and believable (if one can use such a term in regard to a sci-fi show) story line. Its about parallel worlds that treat one another like East and West during the Cold War era. Mutual blame, trust issues, espionage and counter intelligence, sleeper sells, rogue fractions and what not. Wanted to like it so much, but have to admit: the ending is an emotional let down for me personally. Didn't like it one bit. Felt that the whole premise was betrayed by certain "short cuts" taken by the story. Good acting from most involved. J.K. Simmons (Howard) is effective, though a bit methodical. Standouts: Sara Serraiocco (Baldwin), Ulrich Thomsen (Aldrich) and, as cool as they get - Stephen Rea (Pope) in a very menacing role. Liked the show till the last 2 episodes, thus 6,5/10*