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Rustin (2023)
Sloppy editing and sound mixing
This movie wasn't necessarily bad. It has a good lead performance by Colman Domingo and an interesting, still urgent theme. Intentions were good with some good music thrown in the mix.
There's even room for some humor.
However, apart from an at times dragging script, this film has almost amateuristic editing and sound mixing. Once you've noticed it, you just can't unsee it. Scene after scene you see editing mistakes that kill continuity. Focus on the people in the background, how people hold there cigarettes/mugs/arms/head. It just jumps and skips all over the place.
Also, when someone leaves a room, you hear the door slam almost immediately, while in reality they couldn't have already left the room in that amount of time. Watch where doors are located in rooms and where people in that room are situated and then focus on how quickly someone has left that room, because the sound of the door has been mixed in. It's just off.
It really annoyed me all movie and the topic of this film deserved better work. The editor has failed this one. Sorry to say.
Therefor, in my opinion, an interesting topic, yet a mediocre movie.
True Detective (2014)
Seasson 2 showed us how good the first season was.
I just finished the second season. A total mess and utter disappointment. There was so much wrong with this season, i don't even know where to begin. The editing, the writing, the uninteresting crime at the center ... it all was off.
Although the main cast was decent, with the exception of Vince Vaughn who simply can't act, it didn't stand a chance with what the script offered. Bad dialogue, off-timing, lack of nuance and tons of clichés. It even had in some ways the same structure of season 1, which why it was to no surprise that the photographer on the movie set was the killer of Caspere, just as the lawnmower in the first season was introduced casually in the 4th or 5th episode. But, who cares who the killer was this time around, right? I certainly didn't. And that was what made this season so bad. Not the fact that the story was incredibly confusing and messy and you couldn't understand many of what was going on. But the fact that you simply didn't care. It was so uninterestingly told i couldn't believe it was True Detective. But maybe that was the purpose of season 2: simply to show us all how fine the fisrt season was.
Not sure if i will watch season 3 at this point, but i am curious about the upcoming season 4. Mainly because of Jodie Foster as the lead.
Anyway, i will focus now on forgetting season 2. As quickly as possible!
Till (2022)
Strong, powerful story, but overly melodramatic execution
This movie had me frustrated. It tells a powerful, important true story. A story that even in our current age unfortunately still needs telling. I have every respect for this movie in that sense. The main performance by Danielle Deadwyler was also good enough to cary the weight of the film and story and production value was high. It gave a proper sense of time and place.
That said, however, my frustration was with the (sorry to say it) American tendency to not trust the power of a story itself and to break open the box of tricks and glitter to make sure the drama at the core is being felt with the audience. For example, this movie was so high on violins it got to a point of utter irritation and took away all power of key scenes. Another example, the gazes of participants in the trail were simply unbelievable. It would have been good enough for a daytime soap opera, but the story at high requires more than this. Scenario was really lacking here.
Also, in my opinion too much time was spent up until the murder of Emmett. The development of Mamie deserved more screen time. But the building up to the murder fits perfectly in the melodrama tendencies the scenario displayed. This movie tells the story of Mamie, a mother fighting for her son and for civil rights. Now, the only real moment she gets in that sense is at the end, with a speech that, again, is almost crushed by the violins playing in the background. The writers either did not trust the power of the story or underestimated the empathy of the audience.
A big mistake which , for me, downplayed the movie significantly. The story itself deserves 10, but i can only give it 6 stars for this. Sorry to say.
The Estate (2022)
The cast kept it from being a complete disaster
Well, the tagline basically says it all. If not for the over qualified cast, this vehicle would have crashed within its first 20 minutes. I'm really wondering how it is even possible that this really bad movie gathered this ensemble. Oh well, perhaps it was all about money (pun intended).
I've loved Toni Collette ever since Muriel's Wedding. She always delivers and this is far, far beneath her. Same goes for Rosemarie DeWitt and Kathleen Turner. David Duchovy and Ron Livingston are decent too. But problem for all for them is: the script is horrible! They have nothing at all to work with. So it is a complete showcase for their talents that they are still more than decent. Especially Duchovny is surprisingly funny and Keyla Monterroso Mejia (the girl playing Ellen) is one we should keep an eye on. Only exception is perhaps Anna Farris. She seems to me a one-trick pony and even that one trick isn't really convincing. Being funny isn't the same as being loud. She doesn't seem to get that.
But that's just a little bleep in this wreck of a movie. Apart from the script, the editing is horrible (so many continuity mistakes as a result of sloppy editing), the music is lazy and their seems to be something off with lighting and the shaky cameras which gave this film a very strong B-movie vibe. And the issue here is: that seemed intentional. With that, director Craig mistakes himself for a Tarantino or Lynch or someone, and he really overplays his hand. This IS a B-movie, no need to be ironic about that. A B-Movie with a stellar cast, which explains the 3 stars i gave it.
Skip this one and check out all the other great work these actors have given us!
And as an endnote: the jokes about gay people, the homeless, the elderly and so on ... tasteless to say the least. I have no problem with edgy jokes and exploring boundaries. But this was generalizing and insulting. But it wasn't even surprising, you see them coming (yes, the script was actually that bad). Be warned.
The Handmaid's Tale: Fairytale (2022)
Old habits die hard
This show has a long history of repetition. Five seasons in, the creators are still not done with their old habits and this episode is another perfect example of it.
For about 3 seasons the main plot was June escaping, June getting caught, June escaping again, June getting caught etc. In between, the gaps were filled with torture and misery.
In this episode we get back at square one: June is getting caught again. But hey, there is a new detail: this time Luke is getting caught too. How imaginative.
And when you think about it, them getting caught does not make any sense. The information they were after from their source could have easily been given to the resistance people at the border and then be past on to June and Luke. But no, they are being called in the middle of the night being notified that they might get important information soon. Why?
Then, June and Luke drive all the way over there, to here the contact from Gilead was unable to come, so the information is not there... Yet! With some patience, in a day or two, the information could still arrive, but since Luke and June are now there, they might as well go into Gilead. Again: why?
Then, once in Gilead, they meet the contactperson, but ... he doesn't want to give them the information immediately. Result: they go further into Gilead. Why?
In the mean time they do some dancing, singing and even bowling ... WHY?
Then, the next day, when on their way back .... duh, they get caught.
It's a huge filler episode with a predictable anti-climax that throws the show 3 seasons back, disregarding any story developments. Five seasons in, the audience does not deserve this lazy writing.
Meanwhile, Serena's baby will be taken by the Wheelers. We get it. No surprise there. But the suspense is being built nonetheless.
The only interesting dynamic right now is the one between Lydia and Janine. But that plot detail was completely ignored.
Overall, a pretty dumb episode.
The Handmaid's Tale: Ballet (2022)
It has traded urgency for kitsch
I remember the first, let'ts say 2 seasons of The Handmaid's Tale. It had interesting urgent topics. The recent anti-abortion laws only underline that.
But somewhere along the way, that urgency has made full way for some sort of kitsch. Scenes in slow-motion, unnecessary gazes of the actors, eye-movements that (i suppose) should demonstrate emotion, yet are almost satirical, bizarre choices of music. Even the clothing and decor are 'off'. And editing the ballet scenes with Waterford's funeral, it's just too much.
It is now simply a show about 2 women that hate eachother and are looking for revenge. Yes, that can be called k-i-t-s-c-h, folks.
This was a show about human rights. But is has lost it's purpose and overstayed it's welcome. And we have almost 2 seasons still to go ...
Blessed day (translation: Good God!!)
Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)
Insult to viewer's intelligence
Well, the title basically says it all.
The film takes itself so serious, believes to be so incredibly top-notch, that it's an insult to viewer's intelligence as to thinking that we can't see the facade, hidden in the gorgeous scenery: it's a cheap teenage love-story, with all the cringeworthy dialogue, bad acting, predictable storylines and beautiful people that usually fill these movies. Oh, and there is a murder. Like anyone cares?
The scenes in the courtroom are so amazingly amateuristic it hurts the senses. It almost feels like satire. But one thing Hollywood can't do is a good satire. So, nope, this is meant as pure 100% drama. Well, a total drama it is, just not in the thematic sense.
The crawdads probably sing, to avoid having to watch this joke. Keep on singing crawdads! You have my blessing.
The Ravine (2021)
Christian propaganda
Boy, was this bad. I wished somebody would have warned me that i would be spending 2 hours of my life watching shameless Christian propaganda. Angels, heaven, God, lights, demons/darkness, churches ... Yes people, it's all on display here! And in the beginning it's perfectly disguised by an intriguing opening sequence which makes you interested in the story.
That makes the feeling of manipulation even stronger when you start to realize where things are heading and you are presented with sobbing stories about crime, remorse, God and forgiveness. A screenplay that's commited to bringing us children asking cringeworthy questions like "Mom, is there a heaven?"or even worse a line like "You have to understand , we were making minimum wage at the time" as a way of defense by a young (white) male, stealing iventory and selling it. Really??
And if that's not an insult to the viewers intelligence, the fact that the screenplay introduces lead characters in the first half of the movie and completely ignores them in the second half does not exactly help.
What could have been an interesting story about mental health issues like anxiety and depression and also an investigation into the concepts of crime, victims, perpetrators, forgiveness and remorse and especially the area where these concepts and issues collide, is being reduced to a ridiculous line at the end of the film "He fought with darkness and lost, again and again, because he stopped trusting in God". A spit in the face of all people that have been affected by the issues mentioned.
Because of 1 or 2 decent scenes with Teri Polo, one star i will grant. Other than that, trust me and skip this! Awful.
Dexter: New Blood (2021)
Getting worse by the episode
The first episode promised a reboot that in a positive way felt different from the original series. A fresh vibe, a new location. And 2 episodes in i had my hopes up that they would make up for the catastrophically bad ending of the first run.
But, 4 episodes in, that hope is scattered. The storylines are laughably thin and predictable. The presence of Deb as Dexter's conscience is nice but nowhere centered in the story which makes it feel redundant. The plot is neither thrilling nor funny. And slowly everything is turning into the same ridiculous and dull mess that characterised the final seasons of Dexter. The positive elements that freshened it up at first glance turn out to be too thin to hide the fact that this reboot is thin as ice and not worth the effort. After that excrutiatingly horrible 8th season, they make the same mistake again: they refuse to take their audience serious. We have a brain, and we are able to use it if you'd only give us smart writing! But no. First time around i was able to forgive them considering the first good seasons. But this time around, they completely lost my respect. I guess old habits actually do die hard.
UPDATE (after the series finale): I have upgraded my rating from 3 stars to 6 since the finale wasn't all that bad. However, it should have been the finale of the original run, with Deb being the now Harrison, Batista as Bishop and LaGuerta's murder could have been the motor for Deb to 'switch' (instead of killing her for her brother), what in this current finale Logan's death was for Harrison. All ingredients were there for a strong finale of the initial run, yet we had to wait years and sit through another mediocre season to finally get a finale that was worth watching and did most characters justice). The new characters, that is. There will never be justice for LaGuerta, Deb and others of the original series. But i'm fine with this nevertheless. That said: they should NEVER do another season. This franchise is over and done and should not be revisited ever again. Know when to stop. It can only do harm, to continue from this point. Leave it as it is and it is a strong bandaid for the scar that the ending of the original series left. Don't wreck that! Please.
Stillwater (2021)
Could have been great. Became below average.
I loved Spotlight. Director McCarthy's other work. And the subtlety of that film also seems to be present in the first third of Stillwater. However, as the plot progresses McCarthy and co. Completely miss the exit...
This could have been a more than fulfilling film about guilt, belonging, prejudices and ultimately redemption. All key factors were in place somewhere midway through this film. By that time we have made some less convincing huddles, but over all Damon, the engaging plot and some good observations more than make up for them.
It is at this point the movie decides to go for the obvious route: fake suspense, unnecessary clarity, unbelievable coincidences and even hilariously misplaced romance!
And it goes on like this....for about 30 to 40 minutes after missing the mentioned exit. It is a skill to know when your movie is finished. When a story is told. I honestly believed McCarthy had that skill after watching Spotlight, but obviously that turns out to not be the case.
Stillwater now leaves you feeling you've watched a mess. While it has plenty of elements that could have turned it into a homerun. But homeruns never run themselves. You have to believe and dare.
McCarthy and associates obviously lacked courage. Shame.
Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (2015)
Frustrating paradox
I will keep this review as minimalistic as possible. I'll simply say that there was a frustrating paradox throughout the entire documentary. Although i fully applaud and understand the importance of minimalism and am trying to embed it into my life, i felt cheated by the fact that here, minimalism was preached by people that in the public eye either were to be considered overly succesful or becoming it. They had already made their careers or were now in a process of selling books, doing tours, writing blogs or making a name for themselves as being 'succesful minimalist'. While promoting minimalism within this larger context, the long overdue concept of what is to be considered 'succes' in our society kept going. Minimalism is more than getting rid of some stuff. Especially, while at the same time hanging on to big bank accounts, living in large houses, putting on Ray Ban sunglasses and enjoying succesful bouk tours. It should also redefine the concept of what we consider to be succes in connection to happiness and enjoying life.
In that, this docu felt horribly short, and i felt cheated by this film. Perhaps unconciously, but it gave the impression that you can do minimalism, only after a succesful career. Which, ofcourse, is utterly nonsense and a very unwanted paradox that had me frustrated.
Voyeur (2017)
Two narcissists bonking heads.
This semi-documentary wants us to believe it will present this big, revealing story about a man who observed his motel guests for years through hidden peepholes.
Instead we get presented a story about one guy saying he is this voyeur and another guy, mister Talese, willing to believe him and choosing to disregard confirmed discrepancies in the story (the more than important dates, anyone?!) in order to write his report and book about the subject matter. Two more than irritating narcissists bonking heads and at the same time working together to get what they crave: attention.
To me, this dynamic was as vulgair and obscene as the alleged voyeurism that triggered it all in the first place. This documentary isn't worth your time, in my opinion, and i will definetely skip the book and article. The main question that lingers here is: why was this mess of a story even brought out there in the first place?
Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019)
Misleading and falling short
This documentary promises a 'view inside the mind of serial killer Bundy' by releasing tapes of conversations with him on death row. The 2 journalists involved claim to have 'roughly 100 hours of tape'.
However, I estimate that about 10 to 15 minutes of these tapes are actually being included in this series, which has a length of about 4 (!) hours total. That horribly falls short of the premise. Above that, the parts of the tapes included are merely factual remarks by Bundy telling us that he went into court, that he escaped court, that he drove a car, even several weather remarks! Utterly uninteresting. Nothing new here, just facts being summed.
Also, some of the recordings included in this series to me were oddly questionable. For instance there was a segment when Bundy says how he feels tired about what happened to him "this afternoon". That was the day he was sentenced to death in the first trail. However, the tapes referred to in the title were not recorded until 1980, when Bundy was already on death row after his second trial! So, how could that segment be part of the tapes the 2 journalists made? Very strange and dubious.
I guess, if you're not all to familiar with the case of Bundy, like I was myself, these 4 hours are a decent summing up of events that happenened. But that's it, you get nothing more. Almost no information about the victims (which to me was frustratingly disrespectful) and a somewhat half-baked recount of the investigation that included interviews with some really self-involved people that were in some way connected to it, which had me sometimes wondering if Bundy was the only narcissist portrayed.
Then, you finally arrive at the endgame of it all, the day of the execution, where you see everything wrong in American society: a serial killer is being executed, people are grieving their lost ones, and outside the prison drunken students are partying and people are selling and buying 'deathchair'-pins and Bundy T-shirts. As if it was some kind of streetfair!? There was absolutely nothing to party about. Dozens of people died. Even more people's lifes were destroyed! Disgusting. To me it felt that not only Bundy's crimes were vile and sickening ... (Although I can't blame the documentarymakers for this last bit, it was just how it went down that day, but still, the documentary and the people portrayed did not seem to have any unease with it either)
To conclude: if you are familiar with the case of Bundy and are looking for new insights, forget this misleading series. It's not worth your time.