zarcos-01818

To Leslie is one of those simple, enjoyable films, in a sea of special effects, unnecessarily complicated plots and overdramatised stories. None of that is seen here.

To Leslie focuses on a woman's life as a homeless person after having squandered all the money she won on the lottery. Her close ones tried to support here as much as they could, but it would seem that she went on living off their charity and keeping on getting drunk. Until, one day, one event in her life sees for her the start of a new road.

And so the movie runs through these events in a smooth and regular manner, as daily life would, between Leslie's personal life and town life as it happens. No over the top emotions, nothing fancy, and yet the movie touches the heart.

Andrea Riseborough, who plays the lead, gives a fantastic performance, specially as an English actress speaking with a Texan accent.

And she is supported by no less worthy talents, who all together, make of this film a very enjoyable watch.

I would have given this movie a 5.5 to be fairer, but I can't, as a 6 would have been more than what I'd give it, and 5 is a bit lower.

Nothing wrong with the story, could have had a bit of retouches, but fine for such a movie.

The problem is partly in the performances, not enough of convincing acting, partly in the dialogue, and mostly in the timing. The comedy just gets lost on the way with wrong timing and rhythm. And for that, the movie feels boring and dull most of the time, with a few good enough jokes here and there.

I was counting on Alan Ford to lift things up, but even him fails in many scenes. Perhaps it's the directing, perhaps something else.

Anyway, almost good enough for a one time watch.

Could have been better but that's what the audience got.

I was zapping on tv one night and I saw on one channel that this movie, The Hollars, was about to begin. Went to IMDb to check what it's about and who's in it. Sharlto Copley first got my attention. So I settled down and watched.

While not being exactly prepared for the film, me starting to watch casually, it managed to grab my focus five minutes in. The mood and rhythm of the film was set from the start and it pretty much kept going in a similar way, sometimes slowing down more than necessary, but ok.

I'd like to think that there is more down to earth reason than beautiful emotions in the story, and I like that. And this down to earth reason is beautifully portrayed by the wittiness we get from time to time, and the more than decent performance by every one. Even though Sharlto's character might not be realistic, it works in this instance.

It is then a story about life, how to deal with it, how to see it, what to expect from it, if expectations there need to be. It is the nature of life unrolling in a short time of a film.

Recommended.

Unravels this new adventure of Aquaman and the other aqua creatures that accompany him.

Aquaman has a triple duty this time round, that of protecting his family, the sea, as well as the land.

And to do that he needs all the help he can get. Thus also comes the dimension of solving family feuds.

All of this unwraps to our senses successfully enough as movie making goes. The development and action are well presented, the special effects may not always work, but they do most of the time. The acting is sometimes cheesy, but this doesn't deter the movie from being an entertaining and fun one to watch. No real bad notes to mention.

A decent effort, but if there's to be another sequel, it better be improved.

This movie gets a notice that it is based on a true story, so I prepared myself for a "down to earth" exorcism. The first scene starts with what turns out to be a carnival of an exorcism, and ends with probably having some good meat for dinner.

With one of the main themes of the movie being a question on the actual existence of evil and demons or not, unravels to us the main story of a boy who has moved with his family to an old building in Spain, that turns out to be the location of an old paranormal event. The boy gets possessed, and it is the task of our main character, father Gabriele Amorth, played by Crowe, to chase this demon out, in a world where the belief in demons has become mythical, making his work that much harder.

This summing up the main story, I first have to say that I'm not agreeing with those individualistic tendencies we see in movies. In this one, it is made known to us that a demon was behind the Inquisition that had caused misery for Muslims and Jews in the Iberian peninsula. The demon at hand was waiting for the arrival of the priest so that it would possess him and make its way into the Vatican to wreak havoc once more. And what does the priest do? He risks being possessed by the demon in order to save the individuals present with him. Not a smart move. But hey, it's the movies and the demon is finally chased away as expected.

Now to the imagery. As I said first, I was expecting a down to earth exorcism, this story being based on true events and all. But with all the physical contorsions, facial transformations, flying and other special effects, that "true" flair is just lost.

Finally, Russell Crowe makes a commendable effort to portray an Italian exorcist. His presence on the screen is always agreeable and convincing, so nothing but good to say there.

The main female character had also played in Doctor Sleep, and I also saw that she has acted in other works where the metaphysical is present. Maybe she likes that theme. She makes a good effort here as well. Her character's kids are just ok.

The actor who plays the second priest supports Crowe well.

Other than that, the movie is well constructed, the setting works, and me not having watched much exorcism movies to have gotten bored by the genre, for that I give it a passable 6.

Kay and Arnold have reached that time and place in life where routine has deeply set in, and the fire isn't there anymore. But Kay wants to change it. She must change it, and forces Arnold in.

That's pretty much the story. Nothing quite original, nothing outstanding about it.

Some witty comedy from time to time.

But the movie is lifted up by the performances of Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep.

I was expecting more involvement from Steve Carell, but he doesn't do much.

It's a movie that makes one think about life in general, the real need or unnecessity for "spice" in a couple's life now and then, specially when they've reached a certain age.

I'm really glad that Kay's desires have toned things down, not making the events fall off to complete sexual degeneracy. In the end, sex has its use for procreation. Other than that, an older couple would just need a certain intimacy to keep going between them as Kay wanted it. Because it turned up Arnold was all in with his fantasies.

A sweet, light movie to enjoy.

When they get in your way.

It is to be a long and tumultuous night in LA where the story is set and centred around our characters, and apart of them, no one seems to be noticing what's going on, unless their life is threatened or there's a possibility for selfish gain.

Each one of those characters is out to get what they want, in any way possible.

Vincent, a hired assassin, feints a certain level of ethics when speaking to Max, his cab driver, and shows him sympathy in order to keep using him to reach his goal.

Max knows very well that he's collateral, but keeps doing what he's doing, being a cab driver, because he's not courageous enough to do otherwise. He tells his mother what she wants to hear, lies to himself, until he's had enough, and changes the course of things.

Fanning, a good cop who looks things through, pays the price for his integrity.

In contradiction to recent tastes, this a man's movie. The only woman in the film, Annie, only reacts to the events around her. But like Fanning, she has integrity, staying late at work to prepare her case, and gets to live another day to make changes of her own.

The movie is well paced, flows well, which makes it a joy to watch. Top notch performances by all.

I'm not sure wether this film was meant to be unsettling and make the viewer uncomfortable.

If that was the objective, it sure delivers.

And I guess one should be feeling perturbed, due to the subject on hand, and the desert environment the story is set in.

Denis Villeneuve has made a master stroke here by rendering the desert life on screen, without the need to see much blazing sun, sweat and pain on the faces of characters.

But I do have to say that there were some missed marks here: when I saw Christopher Walken as the Emperor, I prayed to whoever that he wouldn't talk much, and I mean not more than three consecutive words. We've know him as the twisted baddy, the street smart wise guy.

He has no business playing an emperor! He can't talk like an emperor. He can only talk like a wise guy and it shows! Not a good choice here.

Javier Bardem was good in the first movie, but his acting wasn't believable in this second one. We've known him as a leader, and all of a sudden he's turned into a bigot from the 'south'. Somehow something missing in the play.

Overall, a good effort.

The story is about extraterrestrial beings invading earth and setting their control on local governments, walling city districts and separating them.

The presence of the aliens is treated in the manner of a war and spy movie, where a foreign force will invade a country and control it, and then there'll be collaborators and underground resistance groups.

The film focuses on those two parties, and takes us with sleek camera work and gloomy colours into the mood of gestapo style chase of those undesirables who perturb the order in place, the aliens remaining mostly in the background.

And here I ask myself wether this state of matters makes sense when we're concerned with aliens. Wouldn't they just destroy all human life and take complete control upon earth? Why would they need humans? Perhaps there aren't enough of them. But there seems to be enough to control smaller portions of separated cities. This doesn't quite make sense.

Also with the level of control placed, where a tracking device is planted on everybody, and drones flying around, seeing and hearing everything, it gets hard to understand how resistance groups can move around unnoticed, despite the methods they come up with to disappear from the grid. And speaking of tracking devices, who put those on each and every individual, aliens or collaborating humans? The latter makes more sense as the former would get us to that first assumption that the aliens are high in number and they don't really need us.

But that placed aside, I go back to my original description of the movie, as it successfully puts the viewer in a permanent feeling of tension, where danger is around every corner, and being discovered brings the possibility of betrayal. But humans always fight back. This time an enemy from outside the earth.

I've watched the original movie and this one a day apart, just for the fun of comparing.

But of course, I can't give this movie justice by comparing it to another.

I'll just say this and go on: They screech and point at human beings in this one, which makes them a whole lot more effective at ratting out those who haven't changed.

A funny thing to say since the main character, played by Donald Sutherland, works as a health inspector, and his job is to detect those food and beverage establishments that don't meet hygiene standards.

He ends up being watched and hunted himself, just like a rat caught in a kitchen.

And as a hunt goes, the victim is initially unsuspicious of the predator watching close by. It may hear a subtle sound, but its senses haven't been quite awakened yet. Like Sutherland's character hearing about people who don't recognise their close ones. But of course nothing so outlandish as people being replaced would cross his mind, until he sees the reality with his own eyes. And here, as if reality has been skewed, starts an intricate work of camera. Forced angles, swirls, everything to make one feel uncomfortable among those seemingly placide, and yet dangerous and persistent creatures, out to get their prey.

When it comes to the concept of the story, those creatures are the cure to humanity's sickness, violence and selfishness they say. But we fail to see that in the movie. Love is outlawed, but what's the alternative? Jack Bellicec's unselfish and courageous act of attracting the aliens to following him is answered by, nothing. A void.

This is where I fail to see a sense or meaning in the story. And that's a very weak point.

Or perhaps that is exactly the point. Perhaps it is those creatures and their behaviour that mirrors what humanity has gotten to today.

In any case, it is a subject open for interpretation, but the movie succeeds in setting the pace, and mood. The music could have been better worked at times. But the performances by the cast are solid and that counts for a lot in a film.

So first thing. If some retired stranger in the USA didn't have his bank account hacked, this story wouldn't have been. Ok, I'll take that.

The movie starts with Robert, or Roberto as he calls himself later, having done some killing in a winery in Sicily, gets shot by a kid, is then picked up and finds a temporary peace in a quaint town, until the Arab terrori....no, the mafia shows up and ruins his day. And now he's got to deal with that.

And here I thought that Robert was going to take the entire organisation head on.

But no, he had help and he just took care of the locals, mafia style. Stabbing and choking and all sorts of torture methods.

Speaking of which, I couldn't help but feel that the blatant references to the godfather movies were out of place, even if the events happen in Sicily.

I mean as I mentioned, the stabbing and choking with a wire, the alternation between a death and a celebration scene, the traditional pasta meal, down to what looks like the beheaded horse in the bed scene!

Too much really.

But, in the end, it was a fairly entertaining movie, well executed I might say, for what it is. Good camera work, beautiful scenery and decent performances.

I watched this movie last night. Seeing that it starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt, I thought it should be a good show as Joseph chooses his movies sensibly. And I wasn't wrong.

True, the plane hijacking theme has been done many times before, but this film starts in a very detailed way with a good deal of flight terminology used. It doesn't add anything to the plot, but it does make the viewers immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the plane, given the somewhat claustrophobic nature of the setting. The acting is top notch by all those involved, and Joseph surpasses himself in my opinion.

The plot is very simple. Boring I might even say, but it does bring a story where courage, extremism, understanding, sacrifice and survival intertwine to bring us to an abrupt ending, and makes us think about all what occurred during the film.

One of those solid films that I'd watch again, expecting a different perspective with another viewing. And that would be a compensation for the feeling of wanting more and that there was something missing as the movie ended.

I've watched this film several times, and I thought now of reviewing it after having recently viewed it again.

David is a man with extraordinary physical powers. He doesn't get sick, doesn't get injured, but he has a broken family.

An accident in his childhood revealed in him a weakness, another one in his youth made him decide to suppress his powers, and a third one started a chain of events that would see him become the man he is supposed to be, and to be a better man for his family and the people around him.

Among those events enters Elijah, a character who is fascinated by the history of superheroes and supervillains, and by the original truths that may lie hidden behind the comic industry.

And thus he recognises in David a man with extraordinary abilities, after having seen him to be the sole survivor of a terrible train wreck, as he was completely unharmed.

He follows him and guides him every step of the way, along the steady pace of the movie and its touchingly atmospheric musical score.

The film even begins by introducing Elijah to us, whose weakness is his body, at the complete opposite of David.

Little by little, David rediscovers his powers and starts to reconnect with his wife and son.

And finally, when he transforms completely into his own, he finds out the terrible truth...

While reading reviews on IMDb, I learned that this movie is based on a novel written by a European. And this is how this American adaptation felt: like a summary of an idea that felt needed more development, and that idea somewhat feeling out of place in an American setting.

First of all Tom Hanks' grumpiness felt more like just that: grumpiness. I got the perception that he played the part as a caricature. I didn't see any depth in his character at first hand.

It is only later, when the people around him try to connect with him, that his wounded character started showing.

Marisol is a ray of light from start to end. Apparently the only one in the neighbourhood who isn't an idiot. That is the best compliment one is to get from Otto.

But like I said first, the story needed development. It's like Marisol was the key that unlocked Otto and made him start accepting people around him, down to the cat. And those events happened too quickly for a man who tried to commit suicide on three occasions. It needed more time. Then again more time might have made the work too long.

But apart from that, it's an enjoyable movie to watch, not too emotional as some have stated as we barely have time to connect with the characters, either in the present or the past.

Still a good lesson that opening and listening to the other is always the key to salvation.

Rogue Agent loosely tells the true story of conman Robert Freegard, who doesn't stop targeting women, introducing himself to them sooner or later as a government agent, manipulating them, taking them on a rollercoaster ride in order to find ways to extort money from them or take advantage of them.

The movie focuses on Robert's move towards Alice, a lawyer, who, finally convinced of his deceit, goes on a hunt to find him and bring him to justice, while Freegard had already made his move on a young girl, and later a woman.

The movie generally succeeds in bringing the spectator into the atmosphere of mystery, uncertainty and deception. The two main actors play a big part in that. I wouldn't be surprised if James Norton is chosen as the next James Bond. The part he plays here could be the closest thing to a real secret agent. Gemma Arterton is also passionate, although her character's naivety is somewhat pushed, as Robert's ability in convincing his victims don't really show.

His magnetism and way of playing with his victims' mind are more apparent though.

Shows that often time, immediate reactions can overcome logic.

Overall, it is a good movie to watch. Not a forgettable one at all.

As this is the first 1/10 rate that I give to a movie.

I don't know what was going on in the head of the writers and all the people behind that 'work'.

Is it a spoof? Even a spoof should be enjoying to watch. This was so annoying, and two Ezra Millers added to the mix. Nothing inspiring, nothing attaching in this movie. A total mess of CGI, a pain for the brain and the eyes. The short scenes that are supposed to be touching and sensitive just pass as empty space without making the spectator feel anything. Sasha Calle is barely there as a character. Only Michael Keaton makes a semblance of effort, but one actor playing a super hero can do so much with a total wreck of a show.

I have seen an enjoyed enough other movies showcasing the Justice League, but I just wish I could take back the time I spent watching this.

Perhaps The Flash can help?

Trevor Reznik lives alone, works in a factory, suffers of insomnia and is very thin, but he claims that he's fine. His days pass by from the cold loneliness in his flat, to the warmth of a certain waitress with whom he forms a friendship with her son.

Little by little, Trevor's life gets perturbed by certain events. A crippled stranger in the factory that no one has seen, an accident that makes a colleague lose his arm.

Trevor seems to gradually descend into a madness for reasons we know nothing about.

His boss and colleagues want to push him away.

He even has doubts over a hooker who is supposed to be a trustful friend.

After some time we get the impression that the only persons and things holding Trevor to certainty are this hooker and paper notes he sticks on his fridge...

Mr. Holland's Opus isn't worthy of that title because there's really nothing rewarding about that opus.

Holland spends a good part of the film being frustrated for not being able to work on his piece. And finally when I did hear that piece, (and not like I was waiting for it), I was like, ok. I wish John Williams had taken the project. He would have composed something worthwhile.

As for the events in the movie, I don't see that the political and social backdrop add any particular value to the movie. Only to a certain extent the disinterest for music and arts that came in later in school curriculums, as well giving the impression of years passing by.

Finally, I believe the movie shines in the act of teaching. Teaching as a vocation and not only as a job. The love of teaching, and in this case the love for music as well.

I have to say I'm really happy that John Wick has finally found peace, because frankly the movies have gotten long in the tooth. Everything is slick and well done, but I'm just not feeling the same intensity in the action scenes as in the first two movies. At times we see too much of the same stuff. The new elements work, but then what after the dogs, the horses and the cars?

And who is the tracker supposed to be, Sofia's brother from Parabellum with his dog?

Also maybe I need a second viewing, because how come John ends up duelling Caine instead of the marquis?

And finally I was happy seeing Scott Adkins throwing a few moves, even though I thought he would be just acting with the character he had taken.

Time travel movies never made sense. This one introduces some new ideas I haven't seen before. It tries to be more believable by explaining some plot shortcomings made in other time travel movies. Does ok. Well actually it wishes those plot holes away.

But leaving time travel alone, I'd say the cast hits above the weight of the show itself. The kid who plays 12 year old Adam gets Ryan's character so well, because Ryan is being his usual self as big Adam. Witty and edgy.

Those CG characters still annoy me, as does the choice for songs.

Being a time travel movie, we get a hint of BTTF at some point, even a whiff of Return of the Jedi at another.

The emotional scenes between the different characters generally work but are often flawed by the rhythm of the movie and the events.

And with many people time travelling at one time, the atmosphere gets somewhat confused and muddled. The already mentioned songs contribute to that.

All in all, it's a good, but generally forgettable entertainment flick.

I was looking forward for this second Knives Out story, given the favourable reviews I read.

After a viewing, I was sadly disappointed. It just wasn't as balanced as the first movie. It doesn't really engage you. The characters aren't as well formed. The Greek setting is beautiful but soon forgotten as most of the movie happens indoors or within the establishment.

Yes there are good surprises and plot twists here and there but the whole thing just doesn't work well enough. And I don't see why the story has been set during the pandemic and lockdowns. Maybe for the few extra jokes? And Noah Segan is just...there. Ok.

If there's a third film to be made with the Benoît Blanc character, I hope it'll be a better effort.

That line may work here, as the movie turns out to present a hero and a vilain, both coming from similar backgrounds, and both having to carry the same curse. The former assumes responsibility, and the latter uses it to exact revenge.

The movie is generally well constructed, although it feels somewhat rushed. We don't feel a strong connection between the characters. Neither with the love relationship nor with friendship. Maybe it's the choice of the cast, maybe it's something else.

The special effects work well enough and they translate well the newly acquired powers.

All in all, it's an entertaining movie for a night watch, but falls short on character interaction and development.

As I went into the theatre, I was expecting a hell of a visual treat. I wasn't disappointed, and in IMAX. No one would be I imagine.

As for the story and rhythm of the film, there are many elements from the first film that have been reused, just in another setting, and have been added to what's new in The Way of Water, which made me feel that this sequel isn't as balanced as the first film and gave me the impression that it dragged longer than it should have.

Apart from all that, we know that the main themes of Avatar revolve around the ideas of invasion, colonisation, resistance, protecting what's ours and the interactions that will ultimately occur between the invader and the invaded.

The Way of Water develops on those concepts, if only they were better presented here.

...nothing at all. A film that debuts in the fifties with some weird, seemingly prophetic girl. Then we switch to present day and the past resurfaces in the shape of an enigmatic paper which secrets are unlocked by a scientist, delivering to him the dates, number of deaths and locations of past and upcoming disasters. Thus starts a race to stop those last events to come, but to no avail. Along the way we get a glimpse of strange individuals and a black pebble. One last event turns out to be the end of the world. And the strange characters turn out to be aliens.

And so unravels to our sight a mishmash of a movie that started with a scientist talking science stuff in his class and ends with an Adam and Eve thing, and yes even the tree is there, but with a bunch of aliens instead of a god.

The movie was going interestingly enough for a while, up until that the sad truth about it all has been known. Music is mostly over the top, too much noise, but that's that. An average movie at best.

There was nothing else to watch on that evening, so I settled for The Lost City, although I had a hunch that it would be idiotic, not being dissimilar as a genre from another recent release. And it was. I don't know what it is. Is it me not getting the "humour" of the second decade of the 21st century, or are things really falling apart? Gags and jokes are ridiculous most of the time. It's a random mess of dialogue and events really. And speaking of Sandra, she should stop taking up roles that aren't in line with her age. She doesn't look right anymore with all that plastic surgery and whatever they do to make actors and actresses look younger on screen.