asayed-63121 Reviews

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Timeless Classic

[10/10 · 17 September 2023]

To say that movie is 'timeless' would be a massive understatement. It's a story that would be relatable to anyone who has experienced 'forbidden love'.

Jake Gyllenhall and Heath Ledger are so great in their roles. You can feel their love, their anger, their hatred towards themselves, all without telling directly to the audience. You are engrossed in their journey, because they make you engross in it.

The themes of the movie go beyond basic homophobia and entails how genderized society has enmity with so mony things. Homophobia not only ruins the lives of queer folk, but can also ruin marriage, relationships etc.

While the performances of Jake Gyllenhal and Heath Ledger were commendable, praise has to be extended to the supporting ladies, Anne Hathway and Michelle Williams. They could have been a hateful antagonist, but with their talents, you can actually empathize with their pains.

eXistenZ (1999)

David Cronenberg Fails to Deliver

[4/10 · 12 September 2023]

Having been amazed by David Cronenberg's 'The Fly', I was excited to see how he would incorporate science fiction and horror with the themes of video games in the mix.

I found the props to creative. The use of special effects to craft 'Bio-Ports' and 'Game Pods', has aged well. It was disgusting in all the right way. The design would make you squirm, which is the desired effect.

However, I was let down by other aspects in the film. The film drags on without anything of substance happening and little development taking place for a long drawn out period of times. Making me lose interest in the events that happened on the screen.

I also found the performances to be jarring. Most of the performances of the secondary cast, barring Willem Dafoe, felt flat and completely devoid of any life.

Run (I) (2020)

Well Made Thriller

[7/10 · 7 September 2023]

A disabled-child finding out that not everything is glossy in her relationship with her mother as it seems. While the premise is simple as it gets, it makes up for it with genuine thrills and dreadful scenes.

The scenes have been edited so wonderfully, that you feel genuinelly scared for what is next for our protagonist, what add to the scares are the wonderful performances of Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen.

Even though I said the ploting of the movie is lacking in some aspects, the ending has to be one of the most horrifying and disturbing ending that can be found in thriller flick.

The film also does an amazing job by using sounds to scare the audience. This lends a horror aspect to the film, that makes it stand out from other thrillers.

Women Talking (2022)

Philosophical Exchange for the Ages

[8/10 · 1 September 2023]

A group of people talking throughout the runtime of 1hr 40mins and making it appealing at the same time is quite a task, and almost impossible to capture. However, Sarah Polley is up to the task, and quite capable of not making this narrative a chore to watch.

Through sharp and thought-provoking dialogues and exchanges, one can't help but be interested in the narrative that unfolds. It'd amazing how conversations set in a secluded religious community is not much different from the discourse happening in urban and educated settings. Shows that no matter the differences, some problems faced by women are universal.

All the actors did a marvellous job of bringing their characters to life. You can feel the grief, anger, saddness and at the same time laugh with time during their brief moments of joy.

This movie has a lot of things to say, and it does a good job of putting the feelings of women in words.

The Seventh Seal (1957)

Existentialism Personified

[9/10 · 31 August 2023]

I am not quite sure whether I grasped the true meaning of this Swedish film, but I am going to try my best to lay down my experience with the film. This movie might be a bore to some, and I can see why. It is tedious and a chore to watch. But with film, Ingmar Bergman tries to deal with existential angst of the human populace.

Throughout the movie, it seems as if the main protagonist, Block, is coming to terms with death and how meaningless life is in a world without god. Later, he finds meaning in a simple bowl of strawberries. Even though the character deals with existential angst, Block envies the life of Jof and Mia, who live relatively happy life. Does this movie argue for 'Ignorance is Bliss' attitude is one of the questions I am not sure about. As Mia and Jof seem to be relatively happy without having to deal with angst.

Squire Jons is probably a reflection of a man, who has realized there is no meaning to life and instead of creating his own meaning, and dives to hedonism.

This is what I could grasp from the overall movie, I would love to hear other interpretations as well.

Legally Blonde (2001)

Witty Movie filled with social commentary

[8/10 · 30 August 2023]

A movie which can be characterized as 'way ahead of its time'. Elle, who isn't taken seriously by anyone, because of her 'superficial' interests, decides to go to Harvard after getting dumped by her boyfriend. Hiding beneath all the glitters and sparkles is a sharp social commentary on societal judgments on first impressions of the people.

I really liked the characterizarion of Elle, because within moments, she is established as someone who is smarter than what one might perceive of her. Even though, the character doesn't realize it, you know that she is capable of so much more, which makes you root for her to succeed in her endeavours. However, the movie is basically a one-woman show, as most of the other characters are just passer-bys in her journey and are one-note.

I really loved the performance of Reese Witherspoon in this film. She makes you happy and empathize with her. I really felt sorry for her when she doesn't get accepted by her peers, which is a testament of Reese's skills. She will make you laugh and have a good time.

The script of the film was also done beautifully. Filled with jokes and one-liners, the movie had me smiling throughout the runtime.

There is also one thing I noticed in the costumes of the film, is that even when Elle was trying to fit in, there was a still a little bit of 'Elle' in those costumes. As if she was fighting with herself and not embracing who she trully is. In turn, neglecting herself in pursuit of her crush.

Lastly, I want to talk about the social commentary. The movie has a lot to say about preconceived notions. The protagonist is criticized, mocked and judged frequently for her appearance. Even though, no one knows what she is capable of. She is dismissed as just another 'dumb blonde'. This says a lot about how masculine interests are automatically classifed as 'serious' and 'high art', while the feminine is usually 'dumb' and 'low-brow.'

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Timeless Classic

[8/10 · 29 August 2023]

While viewing through a modern lens didn't lend me enough scares and I could see how the narrative would play out from a mile away. I can still see how this film has been a treasured classic.

The violence present in the film was way ahead of its time. And the make-up still holds up to this day. There's a thing with practical effects, and it ages well as compared to CGI.

As I alreadty mentioned that I could see how the film would play out beforehand and was predictable. But for a movie released in 1968, that was probably not the case. Most probably, these movie gave birth to some of the tropes that are still present in the horror genre.

I also found the acting to be good. All the cast members do a fine job of potraying their characters. Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman were all game for the movie.

The Fountain (2006)

Fails to hit the right emotional notes

[6/10 · 28 August 2023]

Having watched Pi, The Whale and Black Swan, I was curious and intrigued to watch Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain. A movie set in three different centuries centering around a tree of life, was probably a premise that could have only been handled by Aronofsky. But I have to say that I was let down.

While the premise is fascinating, the script lacks any kind of emotional depth. Even though the performances are up to the par, one couldn't feel emotinally connected to the characters. I feel that 1hr36min runtime was an injustice to the film, as a premise like this needs time to be developed.

However I did the production design and visual effects to be marvellous. The set pieces during Tomas' scenes were excellently crafted, that transported you to the medieval era. Also, the sky coloured in golden-hues was breathtaking to say the least.

The film further gets complimented by excellent score, which fits the tone of the film . There is a grand and regal feeling to it, which was perfect for a film like this.

Minnal Murali (2021)

Clever-Superhero flick

[8/10 · 26 August 2023]

If you are sick of CGI-infused superhero movies filled with big set pieces that feel soulless and generic at best, I would recommend you to watch this Indian flick set within a small town.

The cinematography in the film is top notch. The movie is filled with amazing visuals and some camera shots actually resemblw comic book panels, which was a great detail by the film directors and it also showcased the love the makers have for this genre.

I was thouroghly impressed by the performance of Guru Somasundaram. He plays the antagonist and he is extremely great at potraying the maniacal villain. He grabs your attention in every scene.

The script is also filled with great dialoguea and wit. It is cleverer than most big-budgeted films. Although, I felt that the final act was too melodramatic for my taste, the film was still overall.

Even though the movie is 2hr 45min longs, its pace doesn't make it seem that long in any way and no scenes are wasted on fillers.

What If (I) (2013)

Wholesome Dynamic, Flat Execution

[4/10 · 25 August 2023]

What If (2013)

A romantic movie starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan, both of whom struggle to come to terms with their original feelings.

The dynamic shared between the two characters is extremely wholesome. One could go on and on about listening to them talk about random quips. I really enjoyed the dialogues that they shared between them.

However, beyond the undeniable chemistry of the lead performers, the movie has little to offer. Moments where the characters go through emotional turmoil, for some reason fails to hit the mark.

I also didn't like the ending of the film, as it felt sudden and rushed. It didn't end with me feeling satisfied in any way possible. It felt more like an epilogue that the makers felt like shoehorning rather than a thought-out third act.

Easy A (2010)

Fun and Filled with Social Commentary

[8/10 · 24 August 2023]

A gossip going out of hand and bringing untold reuptation in the life of the titular protagonist is the basic premise of the film. However, when Olive, played brilliantly by Emma Stone, has to live up to the said reputation, is when the movie finds its charms and moments.

In this film, we can Emma Stone, bring her A-Game. She makes the character of Olive likeable. All the supporting cast also do a great job of complimenting her. The script also does an amazing thing, where all the characters are strongly charecterized, which makes them memorable to say the least.

One wouldn't be bored while watching the film, cause it has genuine moments of wit and laughter. I found myself chuckling throughout the film, as the character tried to live up to her new found image. But at the same time, the movie has a strong social commentary on the cons of peer pressure, and where it can lead us in the long run. You see Olive enjoying her new found fame, only for it to come crashing down. The movie is also a play on the novel 'Scarlett Letter', so even the literature nerds will have something to jump into.

I really enjoyed the selection of songs in the film, and also the various pop-culture references that have been sprinkled throught the runtime.

The Fly (1986)

Body Horror Masterpiece

[7/10 · 22 August 2023]

The fly has a tendency to make you disgust and would not be recommebed to watch while having a meal. David Cronenberg creates a visual narrative that has a tendency to disgust you to the core.

The practical effects employed to bring the titular Fly to life has aged like a fine wine. The prosthetics really look convincing even after almost four decades. It is a body horror masterpiece, that speaks volumes of the capabilites of practical effects. You will find yourself squeaming as the movie progresses

There was also a natural chemistry between the two characters Veronica and Brundle. There is a natural warmth between the two, that makes you want the protagonist to get out of his predicament. You would find yourself relating to Veronica and what she is going through.

However I did not like John Getz's character arc in the film. He starts in the movie as a misogynostic pig and the movie later tries to redeem him, which doesn't work in any way. The character fails to garner sympathy of any note.

Persepolis (2007)

Gorgeously Animated Biography

[8/10 · 21 August 2023]

Having read the book, I was wondering if this film adaptaion would live up to the standards that have been set by the book. But having its author, Marjane Satrapi in the chair proved to a good decision, as the movie felt like it had her personal touch.

The animation of the movie was gorgeous and deserves its plaudits. The film felt as if someone has breathed life into the graphic novel of the same name. The artstyle and the character designs have been completely picked from the book.

I really loved the exchanges between the characters of the film. It presented the history of Iran, and the various turmoils everyone goes through in the country. You will find yourselves empathyzing with the character, as the dialogues present in the film does a splendid job of putting you in her shoes.

Reincarnation (2005)

Fails to Deliver, Flat Execution

[5/10 · 9 August 2023]

A Japanese horror movie from the director of Ju-On:The Grudge, naturally would come with big expectations. However, it seems Shimizu missed the mark with his 2005-flick Reincarnation.

The premise of the movie is based on Re-incarnation as the title suggests, but mythos is barely explored beyond the general understanding of the phenomenon.

As the movie progresses, there is a feeling of dread present, but it never manifests, as the movie is completly devoid of any kind of scares. Leading to lacklustre viewing experience.

However, the movie does boast of great set-piece and the prop department should be commended for creating th chilling doll, which has been wasted in a movie like this.

I felt that the movie was tightly paced, but its short runtime leads to a movie which barely explored anything beyond the genre tropes.

One Cut of the Dead (2017)

Comedy-Gold

[8/10 · 8 August 2023]

A movie with a premise as absurd as the events that unfold before your very eyes. This probably is one of the rare movies which will get better on second viewing, as the final act makes you want to tune in one more time, to spot what you might have missed.

As I was watching it in public, I struggled to control my laughter as the hilarious shenanigans was happening. It was a beautiful- intentional mess, that also represents how the backstage works in the showbiz.

All the actors had impecable comic timing, and made the movie even funnier. Takayuki was hilarious as the 'Director', and had me chuckling everytime he said 'Action'. Harumi Shuhama as the method actress was also brilliant. Kazuaki Nagaya and Yuzuki Akiyama also bring their a-game, turning scenes into laughter-riot.

Completely made on a low-budget, the crew made good use of creatig a film with linited resources. Proving once again, that big budgets doesn't necessarily equate to better production.

The Third Man (1949)

German Expressionist- Mystery

[7/10 · 7 August 2023]

The Third Man is regarded as one of the best mystery movies, So I decided to give it a go. And I found out that the hype was well-deserved.

The script and screenplay of the film is very-engaging to say the least. I was hooked on to the event unfolding before my screen. It also has a lot of memorable quotes.

The acting performances were memorable, and all actors brought their A-game. You would find yourselves sympathizing with Anna, played beautifully by Alida Valli.

The movie has a feeling of 'German Expressionism' with all its lighting and mystery. The dark lights, the reveal of faces, the cemetary.

I had a bone to pick with the score of the film. I dont know wheter it is my gen-z mind. But the background score sounded something I would find in a sitcom or a comedy, instead of a mystery.

Juno (2007)

Brilliantly Subverts Expectations

[7/10 · 5 August 2023]

A heartwarming movie about a teenage pregnancy and the life that follows of the titular protagonist.

Ellen Page gives a great performance as Juno. She is witty, hilarious and filled to the brim with charm. She manages to make the character likeable, which could have become obnoxious in less-than-capable hands. The supporting cast members also bring their A-Game to the film, as each performance is sight to behold.

The screenplay of the movie is clever and subverts our expectations. The tropes that come with the premise such as this are all thrown out of the window. Leaving a genuine heartwarming story, that I didn't see coming.

The movie also goes by a breeze. With a short runtime of 1hr and 36 mins, the movie is perfectly paced. There are no waste scenes or subplots that drag the movie, creating an ideal viewing experience.

Turning Red (2022)

Heartfelt Film with an Important Message

[8/10 · 30 July 2023]

Through the absurd premise of the animated film, Turning Red turns out to be another pixar flick with all its heart in the right places.

The thematic elements of the movie touches everything from puberty, menstrual cycles to societal taboos. It is a refreshing tale about sexual changes and acceptance. As an Indian, even though I am a guy, I resonated with the thematic elements as menstrual cycles are still treated as a 'taboo' in my society.

I really loved the animation of the film, each character had its own distinct style and characterization. Even after single viewing, you will still remember the names of every character.

The climax of the flick leaves you with a resounding message, that is important for all the girls, and at the same time manages to be a fun family entertainer.

Mission Majnu (2023)

FAILS TO GENERATE ANY EMOTION

[4/10 · 29 July 2023]

The premise of the film is inspired by a real life spy who infiltrated Pakistan for conducting a nuclear test. Whether the movie does justice the real life spy, is to be debated.

As much as I had issues with sudden action sequences in the film, I can't deny that the fight scenes are well choreographed. Siddharth Malhotra brings his usual grittiness that has been present in his prior films.

I also loved how some of the high ranking officials are not portrayed in a stereotypical manner. The officials are shown speaking in a professional manner, rather than using random Urdu words.

But the movie falters in many ways, mainly when it comes to the chemistry between Siddhart Malhotra and Rashmika Mandanna. Their romance and love life never seems genuine enough, leading to many emotional moments completely falling flat. Siddharth Malhotra fails to bring his a-game in all moments except action sequences.

There is also tonal inconsistencies when it comes to the film. In the first half you have a game of brains, but suddenly you get a mass-masala film, as if the studio executives read the script and decided to budge in because they thought that film isn't massy enough. There is a sequence when Siddharth goes on a monologue, but it fails to hit the right beats.

The script also fails at humour, most of the joke fails to earn even a chuckle. I praised the film for breaking stereotypes of Pakistani portrayal in Bollywood, but at the same time most of the low-ranking officials are straight up shown as buffoons, who have little to no sense.

Secret Invasion (2023)

MCU IS LOSING ITS WAY

[4/10 · 26 July 2023]

After somewhat restoring the goodwill with Guardians of Galaxy Vol.3, Marvel had an opportunity to continue its newfound momentum. But it seems as if they are failing in everyway when it comes to world building and introducing new plotlines and characters. Most of the exceptional movies from MCU are coming from the established characters, and not the new breed.

Secret Invasion's biggest fault lies in it not justifying itself being a TV show. The series feels like it could have been easily compressed into a 2 hour film, and the result would have probably been better. By adapting the narrative into a TV format, the show becomes a chore to follow.

Olivia Colman as Sonya Falsworth is one of the few redeeming qualities of the film. She is easily one of the most entertaining characters in the ensemble. While I was excited to see Emilia Clarke in the MCU, her character failed to generate any sort of interest due to lack of depth. This lack of depth is also present in many characters, which leads to many emotional moments just falling flat, and not elicit any sort of reaction. The villain of the show, Gravik, also changes his tune halfway throughout the show. Where at the start, he is a gray figure, quickly turns into a full fledged baddy, making you think why would the makers try to justify his cause in the first place.

There is a general rule in film of 'Show, Not Tell', that rule is basically thrown out of the window in this show. We get constantly reminded by characters that Nick Fury has lost his mojo, which could have been done in a much more nuanced way. At one point, Nick Fury losing his mojo becomes more of a running gag than a plot point.

The final moments is the biggest disaster in the show. It just falls into the old MCU habit of using big CGI set-pieces, where the use of green screen is plainly evident, and the VFX also looks unfinished, which is likely due to VFX artists being overworked. Characters also act illogically, just so the makers could hit us with a 'gotcha' moment. And the final battle is plain and generic as well.

With the upcoming Marvels not generating any sort of excitement, and movies like Barbie and Oppenheimer generating more interest than anything MCU has to offer. One must think and wonder whether the era of franchises is over or this is just a momentary speed bump for MCU.

Barbie (I) (2023)

Exceeds Expectations

[9/10 · 23 July 2023]

If you told me a few years ago that one of the best movies in 2023, and arguably the highest-grossing one is going to be Barbie, I would have laughed and called you crazy. But here we are, and the atmosphere in the theatre felt like a cultural revolution, which can become "You just had to be there" moment for the Gen-Zs.

Through the medium of this film, Greta Gerwig expresses the frustrations of all women, and at the same time presents a satirical take on patriarchy. The movie praises Barbie for being a feminist icon, but at the same acknowledges it's regressiveness. Ken is basically every man who embodies patriarchal ideals just for being rejected, as he feels accepted in the real world but gets ignored in the Barbieland, which was a stark reflection on how women feel in the real world. At the end, it has a beautiful message for all women.

The script is genuinely funny with bucket-load of hilarious moments and lines. Ryan Gosling brings his A-game as Ken, saying that his expressions are hilarious would be an understatement. Ryan has basically understood the assignment. Margot Robbie was basically born to play the role of Barbie, as she fits into the role to a T. You can feel her as she is going through an existential crisis.

The set-design and costumes were praiseworthy and clearly deserves an Oscar nod. The costumes of each Barbies and Kens have been designed so beautifully and intricately, that it bears a mention. The buildings in Barbieland have also been created with love and passion for the universe. The architecture of the movie is a visual treat for the audience.

The cinematography of the film does a good job of presenting the Barbie with glitz and glitter. It is pink and completely unapologetic about it.

The soundtrack is an icing on the cake. 'I am just Ken' is still stuck on my mind, as I am penning down this review. However, I do feel that the supporting cast was wasted, as thsy had very little to do.

In conclusion, the movie is a popcorn-muncher but at the same time delivers a heartfelt message which is very important for the world.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

Another Feather in Christopher Nolan's Hat

[9/10 · 23 July 2023]

Oppenheimer is a movie which is not interested in showing any combat sequences of World War II, but instead focuses on the politics and the invention of the bomb that was supposed to end all wars. It is also an exploration of guilt of Oppenheimer as well as the petty politics behind the scene.

Cillian Murphy completely steals the show and guarantees himself an Academy nod. He perfectly captures the guilt of the scientist. There are dialogues which gave me genuine chills. Robert Downey is also brilliant in his performance. He completely sheds his Iron Man persona to the point where he is almost unrecognizable. He steps into the shoes of Levi Strauss. In a certain way, this might be his magnum opus. Other actors like Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh also contribute to the movie in their own brilliant ways.

I was a big fan of the cinematography of the film. Even though I couldn't watch it in IMAX, the visuals of the movie still managed to mesmerize me. The camera beautifully captures the scenic view of Los Alamos. The sound design also complements the film, as the sound of explosion has a tendency to horrify you.

The dialogues in the film are a treat to anyone who enjoys a film for the conversation rather than big set pieces. The opining line itself would be mentioned in the zeitgeist for years to come. The dialogues also helps to bring the nuances of each character and also refuses to insult the intelligence of its audience, trusting the viewer to know about the intricacies and doesn't dumb it down for them.

Lastly I want to praise the horrifying visuals in certain sequences, which brilliantly captures the horrors of war, and does justice to the victims of World War 2. Even though it doesn't have any combat sequences, the visuals still can terrify you, and could basically be the source of envy for many horror directors.

However, the runtime is too exhausting, making it unsuitable for repeated viewings. After the dropping of the bombs, the courtroom drama takes too much of the runtime, instead of tying everything up in a neat bow.

The Chinese (1967)

A Brilliant Satire about Political Rebels

[8/10 · 20 July 2023]

There will be two kinds of people after watching the film, one who don't know what to make of this and other who will apprecaite it for its experimental nature.

The barely understandable plot does offer a sharp criticism of revolution for the sake of revolution with its absurd and witty premise. Throughout the film, you will see protagonists engaging in sharp political exchanges, even though you can see them making sense sometimes, most of it is plain ridiculous.

I really loved the aesthetics of the film, if one couldn't decipher the plot, the aesthetics of the film would stick with you. The colourful set designs and the costumes really create a beautiful image.

I also loved the dialogues in the film. They really kept me interested throughout the narrative. Jean Luc Goddard really has a style that makes him stand out from others.

In the Mouth of Madness (1994)

Intriguing Premise Wasted on a Poor Script

[3/10 · 17 July 2023]

While the plot of the movie sounds enticing, it fails to do anything worthwile with it. The narrative revolves around a disappeared author, whose recent book is causing mass schizophrenia.

What starts with an intriguing premise, soon delves into a mess. The horror visuals just flash through the film, without any explanation or rules set into them. The jumpscares also fails to elicy any scares, which leads to a boring movie experience. The movie is also devoid of any kind of gore.

The epilogue of the film just continues to go on,instead of just wrapping the movie up with a tidy bow. You just want the movie to end, but it just goes on. I also found the performance of thw cast members to be distracting, but it isn't the fault of the actors, as they are given very little to work with.

The only positive thing that I can say is that the practical effects employed to bringing the creatures back to life has aged well.

Ready or Not (I) (2019)

Samara Weaving creates a memorable character

[8/10 · 15 July 2023]

Ready or Not features a newly-wed bride who has to take part in a sick initation ceremony, where her rich in-laws start hunting her, literally.

The movie does a great job of creating a visual potrait of Samara Weaving. The character can be cosplayed for generations to come. The tattered wedding dress, the blood oozing from her face, create a marvelous visual. Performance of Samara Weaving just adds to it, as she is extremely likeable and you will yourself rooting for her.

The movie also has its own morbid sense of humour. I found it hilarious when the character >!sucker punched a child!< as I didn't expect it to happen. There are also gags at the behaviour of the rich, as sometimes they are so inept at hunting her down.

I loved the selection of songs in the film, but the soundtrack is still is a few scratch away from being zany like Kill Bill or even Babysitter.

Even the set pieces were great, as the crew members did a good job of crafting up the manor of the family.

The climax of the movie was kinda unsatisfying to my opinion, because it felt as if the character doesn't have a role to play in the happening of the third act. It kinda robs us of a much more satisying ending.