yehonatanresnick Reviews

Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver (2024)

Worse than the first one.

[2/10 · 22 May 2024]

Regardless of disliking the first film, I wanted to give the sequel a shot, thinking maybe the conclusion of the story would somehow improve these films. I was wrong, very wrong. It is exactly more of the same. Here Kora along her companions barricade themselves in 'Veldt', Kora's home, and prepare for the attack of the Realms forces. With cringe worthy dialogue, an unbelievably annoying villain and yet again a predictable chain of events, this film flopped miserably.

I am guessing both films were filmed simultaneously for there were no improvements whatsoever from the backlash of the first film. Most performances were weak and over dramatic, a lot of which in my opinion is due to the writing. I had numerous points in the film where I laughed uncontrollably while supposedly serious scenes were taking place.

Kora's narrative for this entire film was to earn herself redemption for her previous actions and by doing so maybe start a new, peaceful life. That's why in her moment of truth she completely abandons her moral plans and has a change of heart. Her character was written to be a selfless hero, but to me came out as a pretentious bore.

More of the same. Visually boring, bad writing and bad performances. Again, the ending is meant to set up more sequels that I believe won't happen. Not recommended.

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)

Not Zack Snyder's best work.

[3/10 · 22 May 2024]

I am a fan of Zack Snyder's work. 'Man of Steel' and '300' are some of my favorite films ever. That's why I was so utterly shocked and disappointed when I saw this film. Rebel Moon to me is basically a ripoff adaptation of 'Star Wars'. Think about it, a young farm girl must rebel against the evil tyrant forces that rule the galaxy after threatening to destroy the place she calls home. She then scrapes the galaxy for people who too were chased by this force, ultimately creating a rebellion. And to top it off, fricking plasma swords, or for how most are accustomed to, "Lightsabers".

The cast itself isn't bad at all. Some terrific actors star in this film. Djimon Hounsou (Titus), Charlie Hunnam (Kai) and Anthony Hopkins (Jimmy) are amongst them. Unfortunately for me, the main protagonist, 'Kora' played by Sofia Boutella, fell short for me and didn't resonate with me at all. A shallow performance in my opinion.

The plot is just filled with cliches and doesn't seem to give us anything new or original. No character builds a connection with the audience because no real effort is put to make us care about what's going on, at least that's how I've felt. Plus everything seemed to be predictable.

Visually too, I was not expecting much as this was a Netflix production. And unlike most of their series which look fantastic, their films aren't usually impressive to look at. This film was no different.

Did not enjoy this view. I was baffled by the dialogue and performances that carried throughout the film. The ending is left with a cliffhanger "setting up" the sequel and runs for a little over two hours.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Glad they went forward with this universe.

[7/10 · 16 May 2024]

After recently watching the Caesar trilogy and may I say loving each film, I was excited as to where the story could go from there. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the forth installment in this universe. Many generations after Caesar's rule, Apes dominate the world, having different clans rule areas of the planet. We meet a young ape named Noa, played by Owen Teague, as he goes on an adventure to liberate his clan from a corrupt ape society, while learning the truth about his and his ancestors past.

I must give credit for how this film looks. Having beautiful set pieces, cities enduring the terrifying beauty of nature and apes who now look more real than ever, I was left with mixed feelings. This film is far from being bad, but chunks of it in my opinion were either dragged on or plain unnecessary.

The first hour and a half were slow as hell. I get wanting to bring the audience up to date on what's been going on since the events of the trilogy, but I felt they could've summerized it a lot quicker. There are reoccurring moments of wide shots where you see Noa and his companions ride through the ruins of the city. And while I say again, it looked absolutely beautiful, it was repeated a lot and would save the viewers a lot of time.

With that being said, the second half of the film picked up its pace. It introduced the main antagonist 'Proximus Caesar', played by Kevin Durand. Proximus is the ruler of the ape society. Following Caesar's unofficial will and twisting it to his advantage, he makes a fantastic villain. I also liked how humans aren't as relevant to the plot and most of the chaos was caused between the apes. This film embodied corruption and exploitation, and to me it also metaphors leaders today in a way, using their power for their own gain rather than for the well being of their people.

I enjoyed this film as an action blockbuster but also as a philosophical film. It nuances and hints at human behaviour in a discrete way. The film runs at two hours and twenty five minutes, which is pretty long. Nevertheless, if you enjoyed the first three films, I bet you will enjoy this one.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Awesome ride, really recommended.

[8/10 · 11 May 2024]

What a fantastic sequel to one of the better films of the MCU. Kicking things off right out the bat of the events of the previous film. After the guardians take up a job by 'The Sovereign' to retrieve their valuables, Rocket decides to steal them, causing the entire golden fleet to chase them down. While chased and almost destroyed, a mysterious man comes to the aid of the guardians and obliterates the fleet. Later it is revealed that man is actually Peter Quill's long lost father, Ego. They then travel to Ego's planet, where they unravel slowly but surely Peter's origin and past.

This film came in the golden era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where most of their films absolutely crushed it. Yet still this one stood out for me. I remember first watching this film in the theater. Experiencing the theater reactions, laughing my butt off, and become emotional because this film does get you.

Chris Pratt along with the rest of the cast completely embody their characters. Each actor perfectly casted in my opinion. Bradley Cooper voices Rocket splendidly, and Mantis's introduction couldn't have landed better. Pom Klementieff's performance added wonders to the film and to the team.

The mixture of comedy and heartfelt moments work here. Neither overshadow the other, and both are crucial for this film to work. Plus it is beautifully captured. The set pieces are colorful and wonderfully crafted. Another big plus is the playlist for this film. Some of the greatest songs of the 20th century appear here and make this film ever more groovy and fun.

Loved rewatching this, it never gets old. Phase 3 of the MCU is possibly the best out of them all, were this film standing out there. The runtime is under two and a half hours and is a great watch for any circumstance.

Scary Movie 2 (2001)

Funny, fun nonsense

[6/10 · 7 May 2024]

Scary Movie 2 directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, is a satire comedy film parodying classic horror films from over the years. Starring Anna Faris as Cindy, our protagonist along with an ensemble of comedic actors.

My main take in this film is to not take it seriously, and when you don't, it can actually be a pretty good ride. The thing about satire comedy is the sky's the limit with the options to make a good joke. Plus this was made at a time where comedy had more free will and was open to explore topics which today wouldn't be accepted or appropriate.

Obviously, this film has numerous flaws. If you take a look at this film objectively, by parameters of good cinema, it lacks a basic structure along with other problems. Plot development has little to no value, yet this film is barely 80 minutes so not really a lot of time to really have a strong story. This would be better off as a series of sketches from a late show.

Nevertheless, for what this film is meant to be, I really enjoyed it. I rewatched it many times over the years and am always left with a good laugh. If you are looking for a comedy that isn't affected by today's standards and just want to have a pleasant evening, I would recommend this.

Beetlejuice (1988)

Outdated

[6/10 · 6 May 2024]

Funny how so many think of this film as a cult classic and yet I just saw it for the first time now. I have heard so much about this film over the years from friends that grew up on it and finally decided to give it a go. To say I liked what I saw would be a bit of a stretch, but I didn't hate it.

Adam and Barbara, played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, are a newly wed couple on vacation in the hopes of getting away from it all. All is well until a car crash resulting in their deaths, leaves their spirits stuck in their house between heaven and earth and are left almost hopeless with nowhere to go and no one to talk to. When a new family moves into their home, harassing and reeking havoc on the now dead couple, they are left with no choice but to hire the one spirit who can spook them away.

I found Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) quite annoying very early to his introduction, getting on my nerves most of the time he was on screen.

I think both Alec and Geena gave good performances as well as Winona Ryder, who stood out in the film playing Lynda the daughter of the new family. I also think the film is a bit outdated for a children's audience but then again it was made in the late 80s.

This film shouts Tim Burton. The gothic and horror elements he leaves in his films make him unique to other directors. He reminds me of Wes Anderson. Not because of similarities in their films but because both share their own originality and can make their films stand out. I am a huge Burton fan, watching his movies since I can remember.

For the most part I thought this film was fine. My main problem was that the main character annoyed the hell out of me. Pacing was alright with a runtime of an hour and half. Some jokes landed here as well, having this film suited for older children and adults in my opinion.

Damsel (2024)

Boring and poorly written.

[3/10 · 27 April 2024]

I was intrigued by the trailer and was hoping for it to surpass my expectations. Unfortunately, after watching the film (In parts, couldn't give it a straight viewing) I was left with a harsh blowout.

I'm game for the fantasy genre. I have been introduced to it in recent years, and ever since then I have invested my time in watching different films, shows, games and even books, most of which are pretty good. In this case, I find that Damsel is a derivative, boring facade of a film. Having little to nothing to show for it other than a castle and a dragon.

Most performances here I found to be either over dramatic or choppy and robotic. Nothing really felt authentic. Millie Bobby Brown stars as the lead, and she's fine in regards to the rest of the cast but still isn't good enough to salvage this film. I like Millie and I think she has wonderful performances in other projects. A lot of scenes here had me feeling like I was heading into a side quest in an open world RPG game, that's the vibe if you catch my drift.

Visually, for a Netflix production this film looked good. Some of the wide shots with the castle were stunning to look at as well as shots with the mountain. The dragons CGI could have used a little bit of touching and sharpening but overall was solid.

Damsel to me was missing the magic that fantasy projects so dearly need in order to draw attention. I want to be invested in the plot and to be taken on a journey. I want my curiosity to sparkle and here it just didn't. I did not enjoy watching this film and would recommend you spend your time and energy elsewhere.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Bittersweet end to an awesome trilogy, leaving me wanting more.

[8/10 · 27 April 2024]

Rewatched it after seeing it last in the theater and it doesn't disappoint. We meet the guardians following the events of Endgame. A broken Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still refusing to accept Gamora's fate, must rally his team once more for a mission that will determine the fate of the galaxy. This time light is brought upon another beloved character's origin story, and while some character arcs are coming to an end, others are just getting started.

This film to me is the embodiment of bittersweet. While still having the humoristic attributes that the Guardians films master, this one is grimmer, darker and grayer. I loved seeing these characters have their serious moments, their own way of grieving and their way of dealing with loss. Unlike the first two films, where each character had his own thing and stuck to it, here everyone has a diverse variety of moods and emotions that blend wonderfully and feel refreshing.

James Gunn absolutely crushed it. From the very first film he nurtured these characters that we now cherish with love and passion. The wide range of music revealed in this film allows the audience to groove and set out on an adventure with the characters, leaving us wanting more, and as soon as possible.

Here lies my love for Marvel, for this genre. A film that allows me to connect with my inner child, and also be able to enjoy watching as an adult. I hope to see more of these films. Because when done correctly, little to nothing can overcome the viewing experience.

Poor Things (2023)

Um... What?

[7/10 · 19 April 2024]

Um... what? ''Poor Things'' directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and stars Emma Stone along with an ensemble of cast mates, tells the tale of Bella Baxter. Bella is an outcome of an experiment orchestrated by Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) or as he is constantly referred to as ''God". After committing suicide in her previous life, with zero recollection of the events, Bella sets off to explore the world and all of its wonders.

I honestly found this film just bizarre. For the majority of the first half of the film, I was scratching my head in confusion of what I'm seeing. Baffled by the random turn of events occurring in the film, and feeling like I've missed something. Going forward with the plot, it starts to be more intriguing as Bella becomes more intelligent and aware of her surroundings. Weirdness is ok in a film and can even be great. To make that work it has to make sense to the viewer, otherwise you are left with a mess. I am not necessarily talking about the design and cinematography of the film, that I actually liked. I am talking about scenes feeling off. Maybe because of the way they were written, maybe because some of the performances.

I did like Bella Baxter as a character. Her purity and ignorance lets her discover the world in the most honest way possible. Occurrence after occurrence she develops more traits that ultimately configures her character and transforms her to this flamboyant, bright young woman. Another character I loved was Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo). He was hilarious and each time he was on screen he cracked me up.

Coming back to the design of the film. It was certainly unique. I thought the vibrant colors and almost animated wide shots were beautiful giving us a look into how Bella might see the world, as she was technically born just a few months prior, and has little to no recollection of what the outer world looks like.

This film is far from perfect. I enjoyed parts of it and others felt to me controversial and misused. I wouldn't watch this a second time, but for a first viewing is can serve some elements of decent cinema. The film runs and just under two and a half hours.

Unbroken (I) (2014)

Hold on to your seats folks, this is a good one.

[8/10 · 6 April 2024]

This film tells the true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who served in the American Air Force during the second World War. After a malfunction with their plane, causing them to crash in the middle of the ocean, Louis and his crewmates are stranded on an emergency raft for 47 days before being captured by the Japanese and sent to a work-camp meant for war prisoners.

I have always been fascinated by this war. The endless heroic stories are truly inspiring. Some stories are filled with heroic sacrifices and acts of courage, others are just due to bad luck. This story is filled with unfortunate events, and the triumph of Louis overcoming them, thus leading to the title ''Unbroken''.

The performances in this film are outstanding. Jack O'Connell plays Louis Zamperini with such delicacy and complexity, giving us a raw and emotional ride. That's another thing I loved about this film, all of the intense moments are subtle and realistic. Every punch feels real, and every excruciating torture is painful to watch, both physical and mental.

The film is visually beautiful, having the stunning Japanese scenery mixed with the rubble of the war. Every piece of scenery adds another color to this film that by the end of it, it's almost as if a puzzle has been connected to create us the full picture that is Louis's story.

Pacing in this film was a bit of an issue for me, with the beginning dragging out for a good while versus the rest of the film having a much faster turn of events. At first it threw me off, but the later acts of the film made the viewing worth it. It runs at under two and a half hours and to me it could've been shorter and still hit the mark.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Best Spiderman film in years!

[10/10 · 4 April 2024]

One of the best animated films I've seen and possibly one of the best superhero films that came out in recent years. This is a direct sequel to "Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse" where we follow Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), now as a more experienced Spiderman. Missing his fellow spider friends and dealing with the coexistence of Miles and Spiderman, Miles is met with a new villain named 'The Spot' (Jason Schwartzman). A seemingly harmless villain of the week type. Over the course of the film, it's revealed he is much more than that. Miles then with Gwen Stacy/ Spider-Woman (Hailee Steinfeld) is sucked into the multiverse to reveal a spider community, and the conspiracy being held there.

I feel as the film's uniqueness firstly comes from the animation. It's unlike anything I've seen as a child growing up and now as an adult. I love how all these huge characters are able to be depicted so different than we are used to. Even in subtle differences. The score in the film also has the effect where you are swept off your feet as a viewer and are invested in the ongoing events unfolding.

Like the first film, I loved every single voice performance. Each character is voiced with passion and care. Miguel O'hara/ Spiderman 2099 (Oscar Isaac), especially stood out to me. His character is carried with pain and sorrow, and the voice acting followed by a wicked design is uncanny. Another plus is the comedic timing. This film doesn't shy from a a few good laughs, and they work splendidly.

I am eager for the next film to come out and to watch this trilogy conclude. This film has plot twists, raw emotion, heartfelt moments, badass action sequences, is funny as hell and overall a wonderful watch. Much better than any live-action superhero film we've seen in recent years, by far. The runtime is under two and a half hours and honestly, I could sit for another two and a half hours straight after to absorb the full story.

No Hard Feelings (2023)

Standard comedy

[6/10 · 1 April 2024]

A standard comedy with mostly raunchy humor. We meet Maddie Baker (Jennifer Lawrence) an Uber driver and bartender who's struggling to make ends meet. After getting her car towed, Maddie is brought with an interesting offer in which she gets a secondary vehicle. That is if she is able to get a rich couple's son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), out of his shell before he goes off to college.

What I did like in this film was the dynamic between Maddie and Percy. They bounce off of each other creating this weird yet sweet relationship. A few jokes landed and others less. There are a few themes here that I enjoyed too. The development of a friendship and the growth one can achieve. In addition, the plot was simple to follow and didn't really try to be anything other than what it was.

That being said, having a simple plot can either be a hit of miss, depending on the depth and time given to make the viewer care about the characters. For me, it just wasn't enough. Maddie's character has a rough past behind her, they do mention it in the film, but that doesn't mean her character has depth. It just felt to me a bit misplaced, with all of the other crazy scenarios that took place in the film.

Overall, this is an okay comedy. It's not the best but still got a few laughs out of me and had a warming conclusion. With a runtime of just under two hours, I think you will be able to enjoy this film.

The Pope's Exorcist (2023)

Surprisingly funny

[7/10 · 25 March 2024]

Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe) is the Vatican's leading exorcist. After trialed for a previous exorcism he performed, ruling out that there is any real evil left in the world, he is sent by the pope to Spain for a case of a possessed boy. What he will learn and uncover there will shake the Christian world and spiral the Vatican out of balance.

Something that took me by surprise was how funny this film was. Really, the jokes here landed hard. Russell Crowe plays the Italian Father wonderfully. Mixing I think at least three different languages for the dialogue of the film, his performance is diverse and unique. The rest of the cast is also good with Peter DeSouza-Feighoney who plays 'Henry' the possessed boy, standing out.

I would say the second act is where all of the crazy horror aspects come to life. Having some decent jump scares and exorcism play out. I always loved demonic horror films. Something about it gives me the creeps in all of the best ways and sets a tone that otherwise is missing in modern horror.

Towards the final act is where I kind of got the point and it became a bit over the top. You know when you're watching a horror film and your body is tense up to the last second? Here, it was over for me after the second act. Something about the ending was a miss for me.

Still, the mood is set with the gorgeous gothic mansion surrounded by the woods. The performances carry you through the plot and for me the touch of comedy was unpredictable and surprising. The runtime is under two hours giving you a good movie for a spooky evening.

The Black Phone (2021)

Other than great performances, There isn't really anything going here

[5/10 · 25 March 2024]

I have mixed feeling regarding this film after watching it. Some parts really got me, others lack tension and just don't really make sense. We follow a boy named Finney, who lives in a small suburban neighbourhood with his little sister and beating father. Kids in this neighbourhood mysteriously go missing until Finney goes missing as well, revealing the foul play at hand. Completely disconnected from the rest of the world, he must find a way to outsmart the killer and escape his capture.

I would very much prefer this film to stay a slasher thriller, rather than turn it into something supernatural. A main factor in this film is the black phone, and yet you learn little to nothing about it throughout the plot. Only that it is disconnected and randomly rings ever so often. Later, when Finney is abducted, he receives calls from the killer's previous victims. Another supernatural element here is his little sister having these dreams depicting future events and is somehow linked to the victims. I wouldn't mind having these additions to the plot if they were further explored or explained in the end. Ultimately, the film just leaves it as it is, leaving me as a viewer confused and kind of go "Meh".

Another detail that bugged me were the detectives working the case. I'll just summarize it for the sake of the rest of the review. I haven't seen a depiction of NPC cops like I saw here in a very long time. Zero contribution for the plot, relying on a little girl to solve the case for them. Yikes.

Now for some things that I did enjoy. I think the kids did a terrific job with their parts. Both Finney (Mason Thames) and Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) carry this film on their shoulders. There are two scenes in the beginning of the film with the siblings and their father that just broke my heart. The acting there was something else. I also enjoyed Ethan Hawke's performance as 'The Grabber', seeing him in a more psychotic and disturbed role unlike some of his other work is refreshing.

Look for a horror/thriller film it lacks for me the elements of what makes a film like this thrilling or scary. Like I said, I don't mind it turning supernatural if it makes sense. I also felt underwhelmed by the ending. Not really my cup of tea but still the performances were great which kind of saved this film from it totally sucking.

Don't Worry Darling (I) (2022)

Thrillingly thrilled

[8/10 · 9 March 2024]

Honestly, this film to me was a refreshing thriller with some cool ideas and a cast that is able to create the correct atmosphere for this type of genre. This film centers on Alice (Florence Pugh) as her world slowly swirls around her, wreaking havoc and despair. Supposedly set in the 50s, you are immersed with a world of color and excitement, at least that's what it seems like.

Along with Florence Pugh, the ensemble includes Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde (who also directed the film), Chris Pine, Nick Kroll and more, who fit like puzzle pieces to the plot. Chris Pine's performance in particular caught my attention, portraying a cult leader so to speak.

I'm not sure original is the word I would use to describe this film. I feel like we've heard or seen this concept before. And yet it does touch some ground on our coexistence with technology and where it is headed, bringing this film to the sci-fi genre as well.

I would give this a shot. For thriller goers like me, you'll undoubtedly have a blast watching this film. The performances and suspense carry the plot on their shoulders, with a run time of a little over two hours, this is a fun experience.

Gladiator (2000)

Made me want to visit Rome

[8/10 · 7 March 2024]

Gladiator has become an icon of the 21st century of cinema. The film tells the story of Maximus (Russell Crowe), a former Romanian general turned slave and then gladiator, sets on a journey to avenge the death of his wife and son. Betrayed by the conspiring emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), Maximus must endure the brutal nature of the Colosseum and will stop at nothing until he's received his revenge.

You can judge this film by so many different aspects. Just by the year this was made and the set pieces they were aiming to bring to life, I think they did a good job. The battle sequence in the beginning of the film is filled with extras and little use of CGI which to me is incredible. To orchestrate a set piece like this has got to be very difficult and yet they were able to achieve an exhilarating scene that really shows you the capabilities of the Roman Empire.

Something about this sequence that bothered me and unfortunately continues throughout other fighting scenes is the shaking camera. It happens more in closeups as a means to give more realism to the scene. What it ultimately does, at least for me, is turn the scene all blurry, not being able to comprehend what's going on and miss out on what otherwise is a gut wrenching duel.

I don't think I need to expand on the acting. There is a reason Russell Crowe won an oscar for his performance and Jouaquin Phoenix was nominated. The rest of the cast brings out some of their best performances as well.

As for the score and direction, Hans Zimmer brings to life the empire that was Rome. With a thrilling score that keeps your heart beating fast and shifts the emotion of the different plot points. I think this is one of Ridley Scott's best films. I saw a good chunk of his films and other than "The Martian" and "The Last Duel" (both terrific) Gladiator is honestly a work of art.

This film has gore, grittiness, drama, suspense and action. It serves as a time piece of the Roman Empire, investing time and care to thoroughly map out every single detail there is. The runtime is just over two and a half hours.

This film has gore, grittiness, drama, suspense and action. It serves as a time piece of the Roman Empire, investing time and care to thoroughly map out every single detail there is. The runtime is just over two and a half hours.

This film has gore, grittiness, drama, suspense and action. It serves as a time piece of the Roman Empire, investing time and care to thoroughly map out every single detail there is. The runtime is just over two and a half hours.

Enemy of the State (1998)

The actors carry the film.

[7/10 · 3 March 2024]

This 1998 thriller starring Will Smith, Gene Hackman and Jon Voight tells the story of a lawyer, Robert, who is pursued by a corrupt politician after being slipped evidence of a crime. Using the current technology to monitor Robert's every move, it will be very difficult for him to clear his name and bring to light the conspiracy ahead.

I think one of the most important traits to a good film is the cast. The characters are well acted and have great chemistry. Will and Gene's characters bounce off of each other giving us some humorous scenes. I would also point out Jon Voight's character, depicting the corrupt politician.

This film brings to mind a subject that is scary to think of, especially in today's world. The government's capability to basically spy on anyone, anywhere and anytime. Of course the film exaggerates this for the means of the plot but with that being said, with the current technology who knows to what extent do governments monitor on their civilians. Just a creepy thought.

The pacing of the film was a bit rough for me. I don't mind having a slow start to a film, if the filmmaker uses the time wisely. It takes a good while for anything interesting to occur on screen, leaving the viewer wondering if the film were any shorter, would the plot change?

This is overall a decent action thriller film. It has its moments and talks about some interesting subjects. I find these lesser known films to be a great find for thriller lovers because if you are like me, you think you've watched them all. With a run of two hours and twelve minutes, I would definitely recommend this.

Dune: Part Two (2024)

Cinema in its glory.

[10/10 · 28 February 2024]

Dune Part Two is the sequel to the very successful Dune adaptation. The story picks up right where we left off in the first film. Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) unite with the Fremen in their quest to avenge their betrayed family. Paul must prove himself as the so called messiah, the "Lisan al Gaib", to unite the different Fremen colonies and overthrow the emperor out of power. He alongside Chani (Zendaya), a fierce warrior and ambitious love interest, will be tested by the brutality of the desert and even more brutal Harkonnens.

I'll start by saying this surpasses the first film. The depth and weight of the events that are carried out in this sequel are even more intriguing than the first. The first act mainly gives time for Paul and Chani's relationship development. It follows Paul's trials to becoming Fremen (with a particular scene in mind that I won't spoil for you but it involves a sand worm and is one if not my favorite sequence of the entire film). You are also introduced to new characters like the Emperor played by the legendary Christopher Walken and Princess Irulan played by Florence Pugh, who both are excellent in the film. This is only the first act.

The Dune films are brought to life by an ensemble of actors who truly give it their all and portray their characters beautifully. Two performances that stood out for me were Javier Bardem and Austin Butler's "Stilgar" and "Feyd-Rautha". Props to Javier for including here some awesome comedic timing. His subtle nuances give out these wonderful moments for a good laugh, and it works for me so well because it is unexpected. On the other hand, Austin gives this demonic portrayal which gave me a whole new prospective on his cepabilities as an actor, terrifying but amazing.

Each character is further explored and given time to shine. If the first film was more about acknowledging the lore of the Dune universe to the viewers, this film is more about our character's development and arcs.

The score of this film somehow got even better than the first one. So much emotion and love was given here. Furthermore, I recently found out the cinematographer who worked on both Dune films is the same one who worked on films which I love like "The Batman" and "The Creator". Greig Fraser's capture of shots in Dune Part Two will blow your mind. Oscar worthy. The shots that stand out for me are the wide shots. They are glorious. With the mixture of a superb soundtrack by the brilliant Hans Zimmer, the angelic beauty of Greig Fraser's shots and of course the direction of Denis Villeneuve, you are left with a masterpiece.

This film is truly a triumph of cinema. In all honesty, I would love for them to make a third film and conclude this into a trilogy but I am also good with them leaving it the way it is. I am fulfilled by the ending and entertained to my core. What an experience, wow.

Dune (2021)

An epic Sci-Fi triumph!

[9/10 · 27 February 2024]

Dune or now "Dune: Part One" is based off the classic novel by the same name. Set in the distant future, we are met with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the son of Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), the Duke of House Atreides. After the noble house is commissioned in the inhospitable desert island "Arrakis", as a means to extract a very rare and valuable "spice", they are attacked and forced on a war with a rival noble house and former feifholder, the Harkonnens.

My love for cinema comes from these type of films. When the viewer is able to completely disconnect from reality and is thrown into a whole new world. This film does that beautifully. The time for character development here, and the ability to explore each opponent's narrative for the choices they make, while leaving room for suspense and curiosity.

This film does not shy away from expanding on the lore of this universe. Different species like the natives of Arrakis, the "Fremen" Or the "Bene Gesserit", a sisterhood with psychic abilities are explained and explored throughout. I remember first watching this film in theaters and not being able to process all of the details brought forth to the viewers. Rewatching it now gave me a new perspective.

My favorite part of the film has to be the score. Hans Zimmer is probably my favorite composer for cinema and in general. He is able to capture here the danger of the desert, the brutal nature of these characters and just elevate this epic world to a whole new level. Another triumph for me is the cinematography. Obviously, for a film of this scale, the visuals need to reach a certain standard. It does way more than that. The CGI of the 'sand worms' in on a whole other level and the grandiose shots of the desert really make this viewing special.

One small issue I had with this film was the pacing of the first act. It takes a while for something important to happen and feels a tad dragged out. For me personally, it isn't a big problem because it lets me sink in this world, but for viewers who may be a little less patient, I'd hate for them to miss out on the ride. It runs at just over two and a half hours which is relatively long for a film, but when done right it gives the right amount of consumption for the viewer.

This film is a beautiful and refreshing sci-fi film. It brings a whole new generation of people like me who weren't familiar with the Dune universe prior to this adaptation. It's thrilling, exhilarating and will leave you eager to watch the sequel.

Anyone But You (2023)

Really enjoyed this

[8/10 · 26 February 2024]

Went in not expecting much, turned out to have a pretty good time. Sydney Sweeney (Bea) and Glen Powell (Ben) star in this film. After a terrific first date, Bea and Ben's relationship turn stone cold after a misunderstanding. They are reunited at a wedding in Australia and are forced to pretend to be a couple in order to serve each's needs.

Sydney and Glen's chemistry is just off the charts here. Both are charming and charismatic. They portray their characters beautifully along with the rest of the cast. There are some really funny scenes here, but don't shy away from being more serious at times. They do a good job in setting you in the story by giving room for most of the characters to have their moments.

Australia is captured beautifully. The mix of nature, the sea and the city Sydney is great. Another pro for me is their choice of song, you know what song I am talking about. "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield sets the mood of the film perfectly here. In all honesty, it's just a refreshing watch. I think I enjoyed it more because I wasn't expecting anything special.

This film runs at 1 hour and 43 minutes and it overall captures the essence of what a good romcom needs to have. The balance between comedy and drama, the rooting for the characters and most importantly, the chemistry. This film has all of it.

65 (2023)

Don't waste your time

[2/10 · 26 February 2024]

I was debating last night whether to watch 'Dune: Part One' again or give this film a view. After watching 65, I can say with confidence that this was a waste of my time.

This film tells the story of a pilot who crashes in a prehistoric earth after his space shuttle is damaged from an asteroid. Adam Driver plays our protagonist "Mills", the space shuttle pilot. He is accompanied by a fellow survivor of the crash, Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), a girl who was a passenger on the shuttle. Together, they must reach the last functioning escape pod that crashed kilometers away from them, before the same asteroid that left him stranded, collides with earth.

The plot is simple enough to follow and in theory it sounds like a good idea, but ultimately you are left with a boring story that doesn't really lead anywhere. The character development here is low, like very low. You learn a little bit about Mills's family, but there weren't enough ground and exploration of their relationship that really made me care. Koa's arc too isn't explored at all. She is from a different culture and barely speaks any English so she and Mills can't communicate at all, until the plot needs them to so they magically can. At least there were dinosaurs.

CGI is fine here, nothing special. The dinosaurs look good, but that's where the CGI stood. The space shuttle looked fake and some scenes just looked like green screen. To be honest the film just looked bland in its entirety. Nothing caught my eye.

One of the worst films I have seen this year. I don't blame the actors, I think they did a decent job with what they were given. It's poorly written, poorly filmed and just tiring. Save your time.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

Its a good sequal

[7/10 · 22 February 2024]

This is the second installment of the hit movie 'Home Alone'. We meet again Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) with his family preparing for their annual trip. While in the airport, Kevin looses his family and ends up on a flight to the wrong destination, New York. There he goes on his own adventure, and reunites with some old "friends".

Personally, I grew up with this film, and as funny as I have found it as a kid, rewatching it now hit me just the same. Like the first film, Kevin is taught a lesson about life. Being thankful of what you have, be modest and be careful what you wish for. With this first and foremost being a kids movie, I think the writers achieved sending a message to the children watching, while still having a good time.

The film captures the beauty of New York in its prime. Lit up with Christmas lights and covered in snow, you really wish you were there. The score remains like the first film which gives this reassuring nostalgic feeling. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stren reclaim their roles as the ''Wet Bandits'' Harry and Marv, and they are just terrific. Perfectly casted. It is refreshing to see Joe Pesci play a funny character for a change, being used to see him as a gangster in a Scorsese film. Also, you have these big names guest star here, which is fun to watch.

Overall, this film does what it needs to do. It is a fun watch with the family, very funny at parts and is wholesome and heartwarming. The film is two hours long having the perfect runtime for an evening watch.

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

Best out of the three, hands down.

[10/10 · 19 February 2024]

Possibly my favorite out of the three this film is the epic conclusion to this masterful trilogy. After the events of 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes', humans and apes are at war. Caesar, with his family and pack, seek refuge deep in the Redwood forest while a militia is sent from the northern part of the country to hunt the remaining apes down. After a tragedy occurs, Caesar is dedicated to tracking and hunt down the vicious Colonel. He is met with dilemmas that shape the leader he is and triumphs unbearable challanges.

In every apes film, the human characters change. That is the case in my opinion as a way to forecast the slow decay of humankind. Their attitude and sanity change throughout each film as well. I loved that the filmmakers stuck with the transition seen in each of their films. The Colonel, played by Woody Harrelson, is a complex character with gut wrenching philosophy. He has been through so much pain and suffering that it changed his whole belief system on the purity of life. Woody Harrelson is fantastic when played crazed characters, and here he gives it his all.

This film has a grittier feel to it. Loss is experienced here in a much more personal way, and the revenge quest raw and real. Caesar's character development is so thoroughly done throughout the three films as he begins his reign as a young ape to a fully grown leader. It is showcased by the way he is designed and the amount of dialogue he is given. In this film, he can fully speak which gave more depth and emotion. Their use of speech here is also used as a way to draw a point in important scenes, as for the magority of the film, the apes use sign language to communicate.

I love a movie that isn't afraid of taking shots. This is a perfect example of when you give the creator freedom to bring his vision to life, without the interruption of the studio, you are ultimately given something great, or at least true to his vision. Blockbusters are sometimes tainted by corporations and sponsorships that can kill the authenticity of the film. This doesn't have that. Matt Reeves directed this with passion for the project, giving time for viewers to soak in all of the emotion and ending this trilogy with a huge bang.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

excellent sequel, better than the first film

[9/10 · 18 February 2024]

This is the sequel to 'Rise of the Plant of the Apes' and is set a few years after the events of the first film. Humankind is almost entirely wiped out by a virus now called The Simian Flu, and Caesar with his fellow apes have built a thriving community in the Redwood forest. As human survivors stumble on Caesar and his pack, in the hopes of retrieving electricity to their community, the two species will have to find a way to coexist or clash on a spiraling journey to war.

The plot expands on the outcome of the virus. Where did it lead the humans? Who reacted to the virus and who didn't? Are there any other humans outside the San Fransico boarder? This film does wonders in answering our questions from the first film. The tone is grittier and dystopian. As nature is slowly swallowing any human remainder, both material and physical.

Visually, they've upped their game too. The apes are more realistic, almost like there is barely use of CGI. San Fransico looks shattered and dead. The balance here with colors is perfect. Brick and metal are synced with greenery while the sky seems to be the only thing untouched.

Caesar has matured here, now being a father too. He is burdened with the responsibility of leading the ape pack, while sympathizing with humans as well. He is met here with betrayal, loss and friendship. Andy Serkis yet again gives an outstanding performance with a no less talented cast like Toby Kebbell as 'Koba', the mutineer ape. Jason Clarke (Malcolm) and Gary Oldman (Dreyfus) are also in this film and both are wonderful. Dreyfus is a charismatic leader of the human colony who is only purpose is to ensure their safety and well being, and he will stop at nothing to do so. Malcom seeks the well being of his colony too, and like Caesar, he wants to coexist and live in peace with the ape packs.

I think this is a fantastic sequel. Matt Reeves directed this film and knew exactly what it needed to be. You have emotion here, empathy for both humans and apes, fantastic action sequences and most importantly, this film feels like it was made with love.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

a well balanced action and drama blockbuster!

[8/10 · 16 February 2024]

I rewatched this film after many years and is better than I remembered. This film set in San Fransisco, tells the beginning of the ape uprising after a serum that is meant to cure alzheimer increases the apes intelligence thus making them self conscious. We are introduced to the first intelligent born ape Caesar, played by the fantastic Andy Serkis.

The film focuses on the relationships between humans and animals in captivity. You are showcased both sides of the human nature. Some are more sympathetic and loving, others are more vicious and sadistic. That affects the viewers experience more when the apes start to develop self consciousness . I loved Caesar's character development. From a baby ape who is solely depended on his human caretaker to the leader he was born to be.

Caesar has this beautiful relationship with his human caretaker Will (James Franco) who is sort of a father figure to him. Will is one of the main scientists in the lab that developed the alzheimer serum. He is battling his own problems at home having his father also battling the illness. His only real comfort and relief is Caesar, he is like a son to him. Later in the film, will creates an uptaded serum to boost the effects on patients but ultimately creates a virus that is incurable.

I can't help but point out the effects in this film. Relative to its release date, they are outstanding. Much more realistic than today's blockbusters. Their use here of the performance capture technic works wonderfuly here.

I would have wanted to see more character development for other apes as well. You have so many interesting ways to explore this world. Apes that were treated differently in captivity and their feeling towards humans because of that. I would also enjoy seeing how the apes built their community instead of waiting for the next film.

This is a solid action drama film. It is serious, heart warming and very entertaining. I don't know if the film had any intention of bringing animal cruelty to light, but I sure as hell was shaken by the reality of these places and people that treat animals that way. If you haven't watched this yet, you should.