pierceborchardt Reviews

Society of the Snow (2023)

Haunting and not in a good way

[3/10 · 29 February 2024]

I went into this movie with a pretty open mind. But there is something truly wrong with a film that not only plainly and openly portrays cannibalism but also attempts to justify and defend it.

It's a horrific story. The events are extremely sobering.

But what does a movie like this have to offer?

Moral? Nope.

Escapism? Heck no.

Catharsis? Nope.

Entertainment? Not really.

It is well shot, well acted, well edited. Beautifully crafted. But this is just not a story that I wanted to be told. No amount of skill as a director would be able to change that.

I hate to sound overly dramatic but, I wish I could take back the hours I spent watching and thinking about this movie lol there were genuinely some deeply unpleasant scenes here that I never want to revisit.

Past Lives (2023)

An informative viewpoint.

[8/10 · 24 February 2024]

I appreciate a film like this that makes it very easy for me to pick up what they are trying to say without me having to watch an hour long video essay. These two men representing America/the immigrant Dream and Korea/home. It was a touching tableau of the emotional turmoil experienced by first generation immigrants which is an experience with which I have little familiarity.

My experience relates much more to that of Arthur who expresses gratitude toward Nora that she makes him better.

And we are absolutely made better by the diversity that finds its way into our rapidly evolving culture.

I would say this movie left me a little empty as there was no real call to action, just encouragement to cultivate a passive acceptance. But I can't knock the movie for that.

Fallen Leaves (2023)

A revival of romance

[8/10 · 21 January 2024]

What a great film.

Do yourself a favor, get a free trial to Mubi and watch Fallen Leaves.

Kaurismäki delivers an utterly touching and genuinely funny portrait of simple romance. Two individuals, down on their luck and facing complete disparity, find each other and seem to gain comfort in the fact that they are drawn to each other. They are enough for each other. They are not desperate. They are not ignorant. They are just drawn to each other and that's as complex as their heart wrenching romance needed to be.

There are many things that make this a special film.

This romance is shown to us beautifully. The colors absolutely pop on the screen.

The editing is brilliant, the way it lingers on vignettes after the characters leave frame reminds us that the characters we follow aren't the world.

The lighting, composition, and blocking at times reminded me of a stage play but in the best possible way. Harsh directional lighting, symmetry, and attention to the audience.

But, most of all Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen are delightful. They are so natural and grounded. They went to the Before Sunrise school of romantic glances lol

My only problem with the film was that the ending felt just a tab rushed and thin. But at a 1h21m runtime it is to be expected. (And I'm not complaining after killers of a flower moon....)

Self Reliance (2023)

New depth from a so called "TV actor"

[8/10 · 17 January 2024]

Jake Johnson's directorial debut is, in short, really great. I feel like his breakout role as Nick Miller in New Girl has kind of haunted him for lack of a better word. Yet, in a film where he has been given the reigns he absolutely shines! That's not to say he has made an enormous departure from the comedic charm that led many fans to fall for him in the first place. The leading character Tommy feels familiar, which in turn likely made Johnson more comfortable to make dramatic leaps in character choice. Tommy feels, all-at-once, confident and confused, contented and desperate, lovable and uncomfortable. Often times I feel that writer/director/stars can feel so self referential and safe. Which is why it is so refreshing to see someone use that comfort to take risks in their own film.

It's not just Johnson that rocks the screen though. Biff Wiff is magnetic and Anna Kendrick is an undeniably attractive character.

I would've liked to see even a little more wackiness and danger in this film. However, overall, I throughly enjoyed this film and can't wait to see what Johnson does next.

The Other Side of the Wind (2018)

Not your father's Orson Welles movie

[9/10 · 13 November 2018]

This is not a movie for everyone. Orson Welles knows exactly who will enjoy this movie. Those who will enjoy this movie are exactly who Orson Welles wants to connect with, people like him, those who truly love Cinema. The art of this movie is evident. It is wholly original in its progression and cinematography. It captures the essience and mind of surrealist directors especially in the 1970s beautifully. It's a virtual time capsule of a movie. It is unintentionally a period piece, love letter to an era now long dead. Yet, this movie is very intentionally trying to put off a chaotic, disorderly, and untidy attitude. It does so very pleasingly. I love this movie. It is pure cinema.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

All show, no heart.

[4/10 · 5 November 2018]

This movie was not bad by any means; however, this movie had the potential to be much greater. The movie did a good job show the grandness of her majesty, but it never got connected emotionally. Overall, by the end of you still feel as detached from the legends as before. I imagine the way some one wrote this script was by trying to find a way to make a movie about their favorite band. When you value the subject of the story over the story, you end up with a lame movie. In summary, if you took all the queen music out of this movie it would be a bad movie.

Okja (2017)

Okja... more like choke-ja!

[3/10 · 16 October 2018]

This movie was poorly written. The performances were very good (except for Paul Dano who is usually phenomenal). The special effects were good enough. The cinematography The sound The music All good. But the story and writing was just god awful. By the end of the movie I was convinced of the meat eaters' position. It in no way made me feel like what Tilda Swinton's character was doin was wrong. I thought Paul Dano's character was the bad guy in all honesty. It was so unsatisfying. So boring. So lackluster. The whole time I was watching this movie I was thinking: "Why is Jake Gyllenhaal in this movie? What a mistake on his part." And "is it over yet?" And "Why am I still watching this?"

Don't waste your time?

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

Best action movie since Fury Road

[10/10 · 27 July 2018]

I don't say this lightly, Mission impossible is the best action movie since Mad Max: Fury Road. I loved this movie and for good reason. It is extremely skillfully made. Beautifully shot, well written, well acted. And on top of it being well made, it is so incredibly entertaining. I walked into the theatre hoping for a cool little blockbuster nothing more. But from the first minute I was absolutely sucked in. I haven't been this enthralled and involved in a movie in years. This movie put me into the world I felt like I was right there with Ethan and his crew holding on to every breath till the credits rolled. All the action scenes had a real sense of stakes and intensity which made me literally out of breath by the end. I love this movie. You will too. Watch it!

Jurassic Park (1993)

A perfect movie

[10/10 · 6 June 2018]

This movie has no flaws (At least not in the ways that count) The story is told in a very epic and gripping way. You are invested in it the whole time. The action is exciting. The dialogue is interesting. The progression and pacing is perfect. The characters are relatable and compelling. The music is phenomenal. The special effects still hold up 25 years later. It also does something that not many movies of the same genre or type can and that is feel. It has everything you want in a movie plus plus. My personal favorite movie and my only 10/10

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

They earned my $12

[7/10 · 27 April 2018]

Very well done movie Tense Gripping Fun Clear Exciting

My only real critique is that there were moments that were meant to be very emotional that kinda fell flat. But that wasn't enough to make it a bad movie.

If you like Marvel at all, watch this movie. You won't regret it.