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christinehanley
Reviews
Malcolm X (1992)
Denzel's best?
Denzel's natural intensity is perfect fit for Malcolm X. He carries this film from start to finish (all 3 hr 20 min) and should have one the Oscar for Best Actor. The film does sometimes over-glorify Malcolm and sort of laughs off the reporters that accused him of being a black supremacist (especially in the eulogy at the end). However, overall it does a good job of tracking Malcom's various transformations and changes in viewpoint. Perhaps Malcom would have eventually become an advocate for peace like MLK. Malcolm X is a unique and important piece of movie history that shows the life of America's civil rights leader. I love everything about this movie from Denzel Washington's performance, Spike Lee's direction and the script. I have nothing bad to say about this movie because it really shows realism and emotion to the man who changed America forever.
Mother! (2017)
Insane but also great
Not sure where to start with this movie...it's a tad bonkers. Darren Aronofsky has created a well made 2 hour metaphor about God and Mother Earth that goes places that are both shocking and disturbing.
This is also carried by the performances of Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem and the unpredictably of where the story would go. However, despite how well made this movie is and how intrigued I was, I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon, if ever, because of how metaphorical it is and how you'd be completely lost, especially in the last half hour, unless you pick up on the Biblical metaphor which I initially didn't. If you're looking for a turn your brain off movie where you can just sit back and not think about what's going on in the film, you couldn't be farther from the right movie to watch. Mother is extremely heavy on the metaphors and is something to really think about and digest.
Midsommar (2019)
Good movie, slightly disturbing
Good movie, slightly disturbing. I read it politically and to me it speaks about the dangers of religious dogma, and tribalism, as well as many other problems in the US today, such as unwavering faith in "established truths" like the free market economy or the constitution, even in the face of the horrors and death that they account for. The relentless pursuit of expansion, the demand to know, and the ambitious travel industry are also in question here. Midsommar offers a glimpse into how some ppl (in this case Dani) (given her terrible experiences) can grow to accept and celebrate the terrible, such as the pagan cult, or a Trump presidency. Even more proving is the indoctrination of young children into the cult (or political party) who grow up unquestioning and uncritical. 4th time seeing this film, the directors cut added the best scenes we didn't see in the original cut and I thoroughly enjoyed this and every time I saw this film!
Scream 4 (2011)
Not the weakest in the franchise but...
A weaker entry in the scream franchise, but still a good one. The bright lighting makes it look like a cheesy summer inspirational movie. It may get pretty cartoonish at times, and the new generation of teens it introduces isn't very interesting. But the flair of Wes Craven's direction and the elevated gore makes it an entertaining movie. It had its good moments but the majority of this movie is just the repeated chase and stab until Sydney is the only person alive, I did enjoy Jill's reveal as I didn't expect that. 75% of the characters minus Dewey, Jill, Gale and Sydney are simply forgettable. Storyline was mediocre for me.
The Lighthouse (2019)
Atmospherically brilliant
Easily my favorite movie of recent memory. The Lighthouse is an atmospherically brilliant puzzle of a film - with stunning black and white cinematography, haunting visuals, and a foreboding score. Taking many cues from The Shining, it's successful as a chilling (even terrifying) exercise in semi-horror (with enough humor to balance out the darkness), even if not all of its provocative symbols and events fall into place. Pattinson and Dafoe turn in some frightening performances. It's a crazy movie and you won't get closure from it at all. It will stay with you for a long time. As the credits roll you may be left scratching your head, but you will be satisfied by what you saw. The film will stick with you after - as you try to unpack its strangeness.
Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism (2023)
Right from the jump, GODLESS sets a dark and unsettling tone.
Right from the jump, GODLESS sets a dark and unsettling tone. As the film progresses, the tension and suspense only continue to build, culminating in an unforgettable climax.
One of the standout elements of the film is Georgia Eyers' performance as Lara. She delivers a stunning and convincing performance that's both chilling and captivating. Dan Ewing (Love and Monsters) also delivers a solid performance as Ron, the husband determined to save his wife from the demonic presence that he believes has taken hold of her. While his character is not quite as fleshed out as Lara's, Ewing still manages to convey the desperation and determination of a man on a mission. His chemistry with Eyers is palpable, and their performances together add depth and complexity to their relationship.
Director Nick Kozakis does a great job of building tension and creating a sense of dread throughout the film. His use of lighting, camera angles, and sound design all contribute to the film's creepy and unsettling atmosphere. Kozakis is a talented director, and it's clear that he's one to watch in the future. Alexander Angliss-Wilson's script is also a highlight of the film. While the story may sound like a familiar one, Wilson adds enough unique elements to keep the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats. The dialogue is sharp and effective, (Though non-Australian audiences may struggle with understanding some words). In terms of its technical elements, the film's cinematography and sound design are both exceptional. The cinematography is moody and atmospheric, and it perfectly captures the dark and ominous tone of the film. The sound design is also outstanding, with eerie sounds and music that add to the horror elements of the film.
It's rare to find a horror film that is both genuinely terrifying and well-crafted, but Godless manages to achieve both. This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
Good Time (2017)
Dark, Raw and Gritty Drama
"Good Time" is a dark, raw and gritty drama that follows Connie Nikas played by Robert Pattinson as he frantically tries to free his brother from prison. The award winning performance that Robert Pattinson gives in the role is very real and authentic. The authentic look and feel of New York City aswell as the cinematography is fantastic and the direction from Benny Safdie is truly brilliant as well as his acting as Robert Pattinson's brother in the film. This movie brought a very interesting story about two brothers in an extremely horrible situation. The wonderful performance of everyone in this film helped to deepen the weight of the story even more, especially Pattinson's. It is without a doubt an amazing film.
The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
The Place Beyond the Pines is a solid film and comes Recommended!
Director Derek Cianfrance has shown great potential as he made Blue Valentine (2010), also starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams as his wife, in a portrait of a marriage in decay and now takes a shot at themes of fate and one's destiny with this film. The Place Beyond the Pines follows a renegade motorcycle riding man named Luke (Ryan Gosling) and his on-again, off-again relationship with his ex-girlfriend and newborn baby's mother Romina (Eva Mendes). She knows he is trouble and even has a new boyfriend with whom her mother, son, and her now live with, but she can't get Luke out of her life. Less than fifty minutes into the film, the storyline shifts to the policeman Avery (Bradley Cooper) who is involved in a high-profile shooting of an armed suspect. Under the pressure from other detectives and corruption on all levels of the police force he blackmail's his way up to Assistant District Attorney and we fast forward 15 years. Avery's baby who we first see in correlation to Luke's child are both born around the same time and are both now teenagers, only their lives are completely different from each others. The boys eventually meet and become friends but once Luke's son finds out who AJ's dad is things become hostile. The film is about fate, finding oneself, and making hard choices on your own and the consequences for doing so. We see how the past catches up to us and even shapes our lives and future. Are things simply preordained for us and we have to succumb to our individual fate or can we change them, change ourselves along the way? What does this mean to finding ourselves and how does it affect those around us? With solid performances from everyone involved and inspiring cinematography and a tightly-knit script. Ryan Gosling is definitely the star of the movie, until you realize that he is actually dead, i was shocked and honestly felt like the movie was over for me, because i kinda watched it because Ryan Gosling was in it, but i didnt realize that this ensemble was so big man. When Ryan's character dies the focus goes to Bradley Cooper his character and we see what the shooting did with his live. Bradley gave a good performance and added a lot to the story. What i did thought, was that the mid of this movie, was moving really slow. I liked it, but it really took its time. But then, for me, the best performance of the movie comes around the corner, Dane DeHaan. He was terrific in this movie, he felt relatable and just gave a magnificent performance. I really felt for Dane his character, i cant imagine how it is to lose your father and to feel like you dont belong in this world. The movie gives you a really powerful ending and honestly some tears went down my cheeks. I just thought the message of this movie, that family makes you do everything, from robbing banks, to killing your fathers murderer, is on the surface weird, but really works in reality. There are a lot of parallels in this movie and it really rewards a viewer that pays attention, god i love this movie.
The Place Beyond the Pines is a solid film and comes Recommended!
Evil Dead (2013)
Amazing Re-make
This is hands down one of my favourite re-imaginings. Five friends hit the old cabin in the woods hard in this one. There to help one of them detox, however after some ill advised reading from the necronomicon found in the cellar and an unfortunate assault by a coniferous tree, all hell breaks loose. This brings some serious gore and overall creepiness and dread. Jane Levy is fantastic in the lead. A gore lovers slickly wet dream. Hadn't rewatched this in a long time. Very solid sequel/remake to Sam Raimi's Classic Evil Dead film. It's a very enjoyable film with many refrences and eastereggs to the original and a unique combination plot of Evil Dead 1&2 with new characters that expanded the plot story and more power and expansion of use of the Necronomicon then the past films. The combination of the both original films gives this remake it's own stand alone film that makes it a little original. One the flaws I had with this film is the run time. The film felt rushed with all the bloody events happening all at once but it was nice for the film to go stright to the gore but at least with a little more character development and characteristics to the Necronomicon and connect the events that had happened in the past. Overall it is a solid remake/sequel to the Evil Dead Franchise with some flaws but a well entertaining film for all fans to enjoy with the rain of blood.