kjproulx
Joined May 2010
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From Ex Machina to Annihilation, Civil War to Men, Alex Garland has proven time and again that he's one of the most captivating and unconventional storytellers working in film today. I've never disliked any of his films, which made Warfare an absolute must-watch. Garland's signature style and unsettling visuals makes his projects consistently worthwhile, and Warfare is no exception. His directorial partnership with Ray Mendoza was a nice addition as well. He is a war veteran who now works in the film industry, so influence defintiely came right from the director himself. It continues his streak of great cinema, delivering a tight war drama that grabs you from the opening moments and doesn't let go.
Set in Iraq in 2006, Warfare follows a team of Navy SEALs on a surveillance mission that quickly spirals into chaos. The story unfolds in near real-time, capturing a desperate attempt to evacuate wounded soldiers under mounting pressure. Garland effectively compresses the narrative into just a couple of hours of in-world time, intensifying the sense of urgency and immersion. The film doesn't waste a moment, drawing viewers into the chaos with a gritty realism.
The cinematography pulls you into the heart of the conflict with handheld intensity, while the sound design deserves special mention. It's visceral, haunting, and one of the film's most powerful elements. The performances across the board are outstanding, grounding the story in raw, emotional authenticity. Every scream, silence, and explosion feels intentional, creating an experience that is technically impressive.
In comparing Warfare to Garland's earlier Civil War, I find this film even more affecting. While both explore the horrors of conflict, Warfare strips down the narrative to its bare essentials and lets the performances and visuals speak volumes. It's a simple film that says so much more in its execution. Whether you're a longtime fan of Garland or new to his work, I recommend Warfare. It's quite the experience.
Set in Iraq in 2006, Warfare follows a team of Navy SEALs on a surveillance mission that quickly spirals into chaos. The story unfolds in near real-time, capturing a desperate attempt to evacuate wounded soldiers under mounting pressure. Garland effectively compresses the narrative into just a couple of hours of in-world time, intensifying the sense of urgency and immersion. The film doesn't waste a moment, drawing viewers into the chaos with a gritty realism.
The cinematography pulls you into the heart of the conflict with handheld intensity, while the sound design deserves special mention. It's visceral, haunting, and one of the film's most powerful elements. The performances across the board are outstanding, grounding the story in raw, emotional authenticity. Every scream, silence, and explosion feels intentional, creating an experience that is technically impressive.
In comparing Warfare to Garland's earlier Civil War, I find this film even more affecting. While both explore the horrors of conflict, Warfare strips down the narrative to its bare essentials and lets the performances and visuals speak volumes. It's a simple film that says so much more in its execution. Whether you're a longtime fan of Garland or new to his work, I recommend Warfare. It's quite the experience.
I've been invested in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Iron Man launched it back in 2008. For me, the franchise peaked with Avengers: Endgame in 2019, but there have been a few standout entries since, despite some clear missteps. Now over 30 films in, Thunderbolts* is the latest addition to the saga, and I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns as Valentina, assembling a team of outcasts and former villains from previous MCU films. But the twist comes when the group realizes she's the real threat, prompting them to turn against her in a clever, character-driven plot.
The team dynamic is a major highlight. With Florence Pugh as Yelena, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Sebastian Stan reprising Bucky, and Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, the film creates a dysfunctional but endearing ensemble. Their chemistry is laced with sharp banter and emotional beats, making their alliance feel refreshingly genuine. The film feels more grounded and self-contained than many recent Marvel entries, almost like an indie drama wrapped in a big-budget action movie, which gives it a unique identity within the franchise.
One of the biggest surprises was the character of Bob, played by Louis Pullman. He adds an unexpected emotional weight to the story, especially as his arc takes a darker turn in the final act. Pullman's performance is subtle yet commanding, and Bob quickly became one of my favourite new characters in the MCU. The visuals in the third act, particularly the use of shadow and light, were striking, thanks to cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo's distinctive eye. The imagery in these scenes added a haunting texture that elevated the story's tone.
Another standout element is the score by Son Lux. It's atmospheric, with moments that genuinely gave me chills. After a few rocky years for the MCU, Thunderbolts* feels like a promising course correction, more intimate, emotionally resonant, and stylistically fresh. It doesn't try to outdo the biggest Marvel spectacles, and that restraint works in its favor. I'll definitely be watching it again. It's a deeper, more thoughtful Marvel film and that's something I truly commend. Highly recommended.
The team dynamic is a major highlight. With Florence Pugh as Yelena, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Sebastian Stan reprising Bucky, and Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, the film creates a dysfunctional but endearing ensemble. Their chemistry is laced with sharp banter and emotional beats, making their alliance feel refreshingly genuine. The film feels more grounded and self-contained than many recent Marvel entries, almost like an indie drama wrapped in a big-budget action movie, which gives it a unique identity within the franchise.
One of the biggest surprises was the character of Bob, played by Louis Pullman. He adds an unexpected emotional weight to the story, especially as his arc takes a darker turn in the final act. Pullman's performance is subtle yet commanding, and Bob quickly became one of my favourite new characters in the MCU. The visuals in the third act, particularly the use of shadow and light, were striking, thanks to cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo's distinctive eye. The imagery in these scenes added a haunting texture that elevated the story's tone.
Another standout element is the score by Son Lux. It's atmospheric, with moments that genuinely gave me chills. After a few rocky years for the MCU, Thunderbolts* feels like a promising course correction, more intimate, emotionally resonant, and stylistically fresh. It doesn't try to outdo the biggest Marvel spectacles, and that restraint works in its favor. I'll definitely be watching it again. It's a deeper, more thoughtful Marvel film and that's something I truly commend. Highly recommended.
Ryan Coogler has long been one of my favorite filmmakers in recent years, and with Sinners, he once again proves why. From the powerful realism of Fruitvale Station to the cultural impact of Black Panther, Coogler's work consistently resonates with emotional depth and cinematic ambition. Sinners, now in theaters, continues that legacy. It's a film that had me captivated from beginning to end. It opens as a slow-burning emotional drama and gradually transforms into something crazy, in the best way.
One of the standout elements of Sinners is Michael B. Jordan's phenomenal performance as twin brothers. He fully disappears into both roles, capturing the complexity and tension between the two characters with nuance and emotional weight. The film's allegorical layers give it a richness that rewards thoughtful viewing, making it clear that Coogler isn't just telling a story, but he's making a statement. The visual storytelling is equally impressive, with cinematography that is both intimate and grand, bringing every scene to life with purpose.
What truly took me by surprise was the score, it's not just background music, it's a character of its own. The composition heightened every emotion, and there were moments where it genuinely moved me to tears. The use of sound is fantastic and the film's dialogue strikes a rare balance between being witty, dramatic, and intellectually engaging. Coogler also manages to blend two distinct tonal directions, personal emotion and epic metaphors, in a seamless whole that could have easily fallen apart in lesser hands.
Hailee Steinfeld deserves praise for her performance, as does Delroy Lindo. They completely dive into these characters, adding even more depth/levity to the film's core story. Sinners is a film that demands a second viewing, not because it's confusing, but because it's so layered and affecting that you'll want to soak it all in again. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it. See it in theaters, if you can. It's more than worth your time, it's an experience.
One of the standout elements of Sinners is Michael B. Jordan's phenomenal performance as twin brothers. He fully disappears into both roles, capturing the complexity and tension between the two characters with nuance and emotional weight. The film's allegorical layers give it a richness that rewards thoughtful viewing, making it clear that Coogler isn't just telling a story, but he's making a statement. The visual storytelling is equally impressive, with cinematography that is both intimate and grand, bringing every scene to life with purpose.
What truly took me by surprise was the score, it's not just background music, it's a character of its own. The composition heightened every emotion, and there were moments where it genuinely moved me to tears. The use of sound is fantastic and the film's dialogue strikes a rare balance between being witty, dramatic, and intellectually engaging. Coogler also manages to blend two distinct tonal directions, personal emotion and epic metaphors, in a seamless whole that could have easily fallen apart in lesser hands.
Hailee Steinfeld deserves praise for her performance, as does Delroy Lindo. They completely dive into these characters, adding even more depth/levity to the film's core story. Sinners is a film that demands a second viewing, not because it's confusing, but because it's so layered and affecting that you'll want to soak it all in again. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it. See it in theaters, if you can. It's more than worth your time, it's an experience.