deadbunny28's Reviews

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

10/10

Naive Wonders Bloom Into Dark Understanding

15 January 2024

Warning: Spoilers

I didn't view many films from 2023, but of the few I did see, I'm glad that "Oppenheimer" was one of them. With a three- hour run-time, "Oppenheimer" boasts the slow build (or slow death, whichever is pithier) of a dying star, with all the implosion of such a gravitational collapse.

The First and Second Act

The first act of "Oppenheimer" uses it's long run-time in order to give us time to get familiar with the titular character and the many interconnected characters that make several appearances throughout his grandiose life. This can be overwrought in some films, but it is necessary in this film due to the great entanglement of the characters and pivotal changes in alignment and associations between each other throughout their lives. In the second act, the film revolves around the force of history that is the atomic bomb. The main character Oppie, shifts from a wide-eyed young scientist envisioning the wonders of what science can accumulate into, to life-worn man with a pure focus on doing whatever it takes to get the job done; his job of course being to develop a weapon that forever altered the world as it was known into something unimaginable.

The Final Act

The third and final act is where our bright-eyed scientist develops into the soldier returning home from war. Although he didn't see the battlefield of the world wars as an actual soldier, the gravity of his weapon now weighs on him in the fully hellish nature of war. Oppie is setup to have to endure a kangaroo court, that ends up being nothing more than a witch trial. Like a witch, Oppie must bear the cross of not only his own sins, but also society's as they lay the burden of their own sins onto him as well. This darkly beautiful form of martyrdom allows us to see a very human side of the "father of the atom bomb." In the finale we also get an imagining of the collision of the two great minds of Oppenheimer and Einstein and what their final conversation may have been like. Just like the beauty of a dying star, we see two gifted minds who accomplished some of the greatest heights of man, and get a glimpse to the burden they must have felt in holding the brilliance to truly see the darkest abyss of what man is capable of.

The Silver Lining in the Conclusion

Out of the flaws and triumphs of Oppenheimer, we get a film that paints the messiness of humanity and the mixed capability of good and bad in all of us. Out of the same power that sought to end all wars came the power that may be the perpetual war to humanity's demise. As Oppenheimer and Einstein walk away from their last conversation speechless, seemingly staring into our despair over the loss of our humanity to powers greater than us, we can also see the wonder that lead to great minds such as these in their tenacity to dare to wonder for the very creations that had conquered such demise before. So will we learn from the dark truths in the historic lessons that the atomic and hydrogen bombs or fall into the dark end that Oppenheimer and Einstein saw at the end? Only time will tell...

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Boyhood (I) (2014)

10/10

Possibly Linklater's best

19 August 2014

Director Richard Linklater worked on "Boyhood" over the course of 12 years, shooting intermittently bit by bit each year the same boy until he grew into adulthood. It is a work of tremendous patience, labour and love. The film is shot in a very direct manner, in which you are basically a voyeur of this young boy's perspective as he gradually learns life and his confused thoughts on what that all means. Linklater manages to be detailed without being overly ponderous and accurate without being drawn out. The pacing is so well done that even though the film is a little shy of three hours you won't even notice the time passing. Take the story as it is and let it unfold to you and you will be rewarded greatly by a story that contains both heart and substance. "Boyhood" is a peak into the human soul, littered with life lessons and universal truisms that apply to all humans without ever being preachy or dogmatic. It offers a lens to self-reflect on your own childhood and thoughts on life as well as others in this shared and interdependent world. Go into this movie with an empathetic heart and an open mind and I guarantee that you will experience something as magical as a giant mammals that lives deep under the ocean with massive hearts the size of cars you can swim through. Unfortunately, the one drawback is that there are technically no elves in this film (You'll understand after you watch it). This was perhaps the most honest film I've seen so far this year; and I will probably need some more time to soak all of it in, but this might be Linklater's magnum opus.

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The Heat (I) (2013)

2/10

Buddy Cop Capsule or Women Comdey Crusade?

13 August 2013

I can't recall the last time I saw a film that was so see-through from the opening minutes. "Hey look, I am the traditional buddy cop film you have seen hundreds of times...But with females!" The movie screamed this at me relentlessly. All of the jokes consist of genre staples with a female twist or shock factor for pseudo edgy people who will get a kick out of how foul-mouthed and raunchy the character played by McCarthy is.

The movie also to make matters worse, is so obviously targeted for lowest common denominator. It has no utility, no motivation to give a compelling story, and nothing required by sentient beings. I enjoy a dumb comedy from time to time as much as the next guy, but there is a threshold of how stupid you can allow a movie to be before it is just insulting your intelligence in addition to being absolutely inane. Perhaps with 'Bridesmaids' director Paul Feig caught many critics sleeping, because everyone was thirsty for a pro-women movie. Making generic work and then slapping a sticker on it that reads "I like women" is not feminism, nor does it help the cause. It is intellectually lazy and demeaning. After watching this movie I felt compelled to intervene, women deserve better than this.

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Picnic (1955)

9/10

If this was made during their time on their show, Siskel and Ebert would have had a war...

11 October 2012

Corny, old-fashioned, silly, heavy-handed moral messages, obviousyet it's still masterful. It is one of those pieces that is somehow separate from the sum of its parts. Does it even make sense that something this dated is still this great? Actually, it does. Despite a few very glaring flaws, the film is able to triumph over these setbacks and be great. Let us start with the cinematography, it is only second to perfection. Each scene has just the right amount of touch, just the right amount of editing, and just immaculate framing of shots. It is not some pretend to be great cinematography with amazing exotic landscapes or special effects or anything like that. It is technical diligence where whichever shot is required, be it wide shot, medium shot, two-shot or whatever, it is delivered. Each and every time. This is a film somehow directed to perfection (san the river bank scene, haha). I could continue on about the movie, how things are not preach, but thorough and purposeful, or how it doesn't have to try hard to be stylish, but succeeds in drawing you to its own world,or through all its unlikeliness offers very effective storytelling but I'd like to keep this review in the same light as the movieTrite, but true. So, if you are looking for an underrated and overlooked classic, skip "Night of the Hunter" and watch this. 9/10

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Hugo (2011)

10/10

My night with Hugo

12 December 2011

I viewed Martin Scorsese's latest film in 3D at a light night showing on a mildly precipitating night. On the surface this movie seems to be about a boy longing for the memory of his late father. However, deeper in we see that it is about the power and magic of movies, which we come to see to move us. Furthermore this movie has a soul, and that soul shows us a yearning for life, and all of its thrill, bewilderment, and wonder.

This was marketed as a family movie, but at 126 minutes and with each scene set so grandly and intricately, it may be a bit too grand for very young audiences. For anyone in the double digits though there is much joy to be found here. Every scene is layered with detail and you can tell that Scorsese put great effort into caring for each and every detail that you experience. From the "splendiferous" grand scale of detail to the "splendorous" visuals this movie delivers on an awe-inspiring family adventure.

"Hugo" stars two precocious young children, Asa Butterfield and Chloe Moretz, whom both deliver some of the finest work from child actors. Ben Kingsley delivers as per usual and Sacha Baron Cohen has a breakout performance as a serious actor here as the Station Inspector. This movie also offers some positive messages that are seemingly being lost these days, acknowledging to children the joy of reading and dreams and how movies can be an enrichment of that. Another great thing about this movie is it shows us a story, which seems to only be able to be told best in a movie.

In a movie market that is being inundated with special effects and 3D, it feels very noble for Scorsese to pay homage to the very man who is known as the creator of special effects, Georges Melies , in this movie. While the movie can seem almost too much like a homage sometimes, it still maintains its focus for the most part and delivers a thrilling, inspired, and positive adventure. Also I know 3D is a big deal right, but while I am glad I witnessed this in 3D I don't think I would want to revisit it that way in the future. When I purchase this on Blu-Ray I definitely will be watching it on a standard television and not 3D. Mentioning this I must state even still, this was my best experience with 3D yet. If one of the greatest directors alive can't convince me it is a necessity I doubt I will be ever truly a fan of it. By the end of the movie the glasses made my eyes hurt a bit. Despite those couple of flaws they were nothing on the amazement and enjoyment I got from this movie and it made my rainy night quite romantic. All I know is that after watching this movie, all the way to walking to my doorstep and wiping my shoes off on my doormat from the muddy puddles just after the night's noon, life felt magical and worth enjoying. 9.6/10

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Another Happy Day (2011)

4/10

Doesn't Quite Pull it Off

9 December 2011

"Another Happy Day" is another story about how even the upper middle class well-off are still generally unhappy. It tries to give an honest portrayal of modern family life and in some places it succeeds and in other areas it fails.

One of the positives for this film is that debut Sam Levinson seems competent enough and the shots within certain scenes work to deliver the story. The problem itself however is in the writing, which is somewhat sporadic. At moments it is decent and other times it may have you rolling your eyes and there are a few superfluous scenes. One example of the issues with the dialogue is that one scene the eldest son Elliot (Ezra Miller) seems like your average philistine and then the next scene he is giving philosophical insight into himself talking about "the intermittent stages of your life" and the detrimental breakdown of his sister and himself who is "turning into Glen Beck." Why is this young seemingly self-absorbed kid suddenly taking such an interest in politics that he is comparing himself to Glen Beck?

The big fault in this movie is that sometimes the characters are speaking to themselves and other times, director-writer Sam Levinson is speaking at us. Perhaps if the director left the writing to a more developed writer who can deliver a well-written story that doesn't involve cheesy cat fights and writing that isn't as sporadic as the eldest son. 4/10

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The Future (2011)

9/10

Hidden gem you need to experience

6 December 2011

"The Future" is so great, because there are so many intriguing elements to it. There is not a moment in this film where breakthrough indie director, Miranda July does not try to peak your interest. There is a solo dance sequence during one of the main character's mental breakdowns, the mediocrity and the tenderness of love, and how can you forget the fairtytale-esque talking cat, among all other things.

This film is market as a drama, but in actuality it is a dark comedy fantasy. Miranda July delivers a true work of art where you can experience what a gifted and imaginative talent she has for film. Strong, skilled women directors seem to be far and few between, so I highly recommend viewing this to support this innovative budding star.

One of the many endearing qualities in this movie is you are able to see the heart and effort she put into every artistic and technical detail. With such imagination one would only expect that she make something awe-inspiring and brilliant. I can't wait to see future works from this artist, no pun intended. She has created a great film here; I can only see her going up in the future to create a masterpiece. "The Future" is a completely unique experience and it is money and time well spent to enjoy this hidden gem. 8.8/10

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The Help (2011)

3/10

Faux-History

6 December 2011

The question that kept irking at me while watching this in the year 2011? This reminds me of one of those old blaxploitation films gone "chick" flick, or maybe a second rate version of "Steel Magnolias" with a Jim Crow law plot thrown in. The main problem I have with "The Help" is that it lacks the courage it needs to tackle these race relation issues.

The movie actually starts off well and sets to be a tragic telling with some historical value. However in trying to appeal to everyone it randomly ends up just falling into 30 minutes of comedic jesting out of nowhere and then manipulative "tear-jerking" scenes just for the sake of them. In all this desperation to try to appeal to anyone the story ends up being useless drivel and all the characters fall into stereotypical categories. The movie's one saving grace is that each of the actors in this show exemplary ability. Too bad it was all just to turn into Hollywood nonsense.

"The Help" is based off a book, which was written by a White lady, through the point-of-view of a Black maid. Ignore all of the novel writer Kathryn Stockett's, high school creative classroom flaws, just admire the nostalgia of the days of the segregated South. If the writing didn't have you rolling your eyes from all of these ridiculously naive concepts and glibness, just know that racial problems can always be solved with fried chicken "The Help" may actually seem decent to some of the popcorn flick goers who are easily manipulated. Don't be fooled, by the making light of a serious historical dilemma and trying to instead romanticize the time. Don't accept the malarkey marketing trying to pass this off as uplifting. What we need is a real movie thought over and that offers women empowerment, all this movie is sadly, is a crock. 3/10

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The Tree of Life (2011)

10/10

Love it or Hate it, You Should See it...

5 December 2011

Reflecting on Tree of Life somewhat reminded me of something I read about how Ingmar Bergman's wife at the time had stated that his film Winter Light, which Bergman considered to be some of his best work, was a masterpiece, but a dreary masterpiece. However I find "dreary masterpieces," of course only when in the hands of such masterful directors as Terrence Malick, to be amazing, although usually not their magnum opus. For example, while Winter Light was amazing I still did not like it as much as Wild Strawberries or Cries and Whispers, or even Through a Glass Darkly. The Tree of Life is "almost perfect." This movie offers some of the most visually stimulating and technically sound work that cinema has to offer. It takes on the task of tackling some eternal questions such as the power of nature versus grace. Terrence Malick brings out great ability from all of his actors, impressively even the young up and comers. He demonstrates extreme competence to evoke human emotion while also forcing the audience to take in this grandiose movie from an absolute subjective perception.

So while The Tree of Life may come off as dreary for some, it is a good kind of dreary; one not of boredom or dullness, but of epicness. And yes, this movie may not be for everyone, but I still would recommend it to everyone. It is an opportunity to see a masterful director at the top of his craft and also a chance to feel an "experience." This is just thatA grand experience that you owe to yourself a chance to experience, whether you walk away scratching your head hating the movie, or go and reflect loving it until the day you inevitably re-watch it. 9.3/10

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Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

9/10

NOT a Generic Romantic-Comedy

5 December 2011

Once I read a review where Roger Ebert mentioned how for the entire movie he sat there with a stupid grin on his face. That is similar to how I felt about Crazy, Stupid, Love. Only this had moments of outbursts of laughter, a few tears at the end, followed by an ear to ear smile.

This movie is magical in the sense it is a true over achiever, a warrior in the time of 'sloth-ness' in the world of film. It seems as though the directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa were given a script that could have been your generic Hollywood romantic-comedy and through great understanding of love and pain as well as adept skill they transformed it into something far more grandeur.

All of the performances were outstandingSteve Carell and Ryan Gosling were knockouts. Steve Carell is able to shift between his usual comedic prowess to earnest empathetic drama. Meanwhile Ryan Gosling continues to prove himself as one of the most talented actors of the neoteric age. All of the side performances were great as well. I was quite impressed with young Jonah Bobo, Emma Stone shines through with her charismatic charm that I am growing fond of, and Marisa Tomei is absolutely hilarious in this.

I went into this movie expecting another generic cliché love story, but there is so much care put into the characters here, and the concepts are fleshed out so skillfully that it is so much more than that. This movie is a contender for best movie of the year and might just be a new personal favorite of mine. Unless your heart is literally made of stone, this is a must see movie. 10/10

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X: First Class (2011)

7/10

Best X-Men Movie Yet?

4 December 2011

X-Men: First Class serves as a prequel to the X-Men series that has spawned in the past decade. While not a groundbreaking comic book movie it still managed to be a much more laborious effort than the previous installments. The movie does a better job of bringing out enjoyment for both comic book enthusiasts and film lovers.

One of the good things that stood out to me was the excellent chemistry between Professor X and Magneto. It also manages to incorporate some of the historical story of X-men into the movie entertainingly. While the villains feel a bit underdeveloped it provides a sufficient start and fleshes out the important people who they clearly demonstrate who will be the villains in the inevitable sequel. In light of First Class' predecessor movies, First Class provides a few entertaining cameos. It also provides a fairly solid soundtrack. The action scenes are decent, but at times the powers of the X-men could have been more atmospheric to offer a more convincing environment.

Some of the major glaring issues were that the movie seemed to be in a big rush and I am not referring to fast action sequence. The plot seems to get overlooked in certain areas and some key plot points seem to be missing rather lazily, but it still manages to hold up for a decent action movie. Also in the rush character development was executed a bit poorly. The characters seem to jump sides or change their minds almost at whim sometimes. It is a good thing however that the steps forward are greater than the steps back in this latest installment of X-men.

Overall X-Men: First Class is an enjoyable movie, that I believe will appease its' fans. First Class is a step up from previous X-Men movies, but there is still room to improve. Here Vaughn has made a really good X-Men movie. Hopefully the next installment will be a great one. 7.3/10

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Avatar (2009)

9/10

Changed a Heretic into a Believer

1 December 2011

Truly a work that deserves admiration. Many people were doubting if this film is justifiable to its enormous budget, many were doubting if it would "live up to the hype." Well all of those things are silly trivial matters, what really matters is if the film is good, and it is great. James Cameron has far surpassed his achievements of his last also great endeavor Titanic. There will be many things the naysayers of this film will tell you, but I was one of those naysayers, those doubters. I have converted, I am no longer a naysayer. This movie has proved to me that James Cameron really is a phenomenal director; this is his greatest work to date.

This movie shows a master at the top of his craft. Avatar is not technically sound, because of the massive budget special effects, but by the way these effects are shown to you. There is a plethora of detail in each and every shot and an epic immersive world. There may be heretics who tell you that the avatars look silly, but what is silly in a dream world? The visuals are so vivid, so realized that when our main hero Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) dives into the world of Pandora we are immediately submerged with him. The graphics of the movie play into the whole theme of nature that this episode partakes in. It is like a Garden of Eden type haven and the world is called Pandora, ironically it is the humans opening up the box.

The next stifle heretics may give is that the story is too basic or derivative. While some parts are can be a little cheesy you don't mind, because as a whole the story actually holds up nicely. The dialogue is not basic, but rather simple, simply good. And even though there was some plot points that I was able to predict, heck I even predicted how it was going to end, it was still a glorious ride that you won't regret taking part of. There are also subtle truths within the screenplay if you pay attention for them. Beneath the easy for "Average Dumb Viewer" type simple story, there are powerful aphorisms sprinkled in giving an overall powerful tone such as, "This is how it really is" when Jake Sully brings forth the realization of how wars really start and the façade of how history paints an enemy. Another is the movies trademark saying, "I see you," heightening the purpose of a need for deeper understanding. There are also a few in there reiterating the poignancy of the whole nature vs. man and greed vs. preservation ideals.

When we go watch a new movie we always have that tingling feeling in the back of our mind asking us merely, what's next? Avatar was the what's next of 2009. It may not be on the groundbreaking level of 2001, but it still offers us a strong visceral take on what is to come from films with the advancement of technology. I did not even see this in 3D, after my outings with Saw 3D and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides I have not been sold on this whole new 3D rave that is going on right now. However on Blu-Ray this movie radiates with each graphically stunning detail. 8.8/10

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Cyber Bully (2011 TV Movie)

6/10

Soapy teenage drama maybe worth checking out

27 October 2011

I will admit that this movie would not be among my top recommendations for people, heck probably not even of 2011. However, the movie did have a purpose and attempted to deliver a positive message about the realities of teen bullying, focusing mainly on the aspect of "cyberbullying" obviously. Sometimes the writing can be a bit sketchy and some of the scenes feel like superfluous melodrama, but underneath these grating flaws there is still some raw emotion and powerful message. There are also some scenes that are supposed to be serious,but end up being kind of laughable, due to the poor writing. What alters however this movie from being laughably bad to something of enjoyment are the tidbits throughout that actually WERE supposed to be funny. This is not a great movie, but if you want something a bit uplifting on a rainy night I don't think this is the worst movie to spend your time on.

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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)

5/10

Over-hyped...but see this if you like stunning cinematography

30 September 2011

This is a smack dead average movie...but you should see it. It has a lot right, but it also has a lot wrong. Now I would usually reserve my right to write reviews on IMDb, but I just couldn't stand the critics lying here. That's correct they are out right lying to the public on this one. Maybe it is, because it is a truly artistic film and they want to feel more intellectual by relishing it, or it is because it was just that time to over-hype a foreign film again to make them seem oh so worldly.

Listen, I am one of the biggest advocators of art, especially great art, but great art does not always equivocate to a great film. Film isn't like a painting or a picture where art is simply what it is. Movies are like one part Art, one part Entertainment, one part Technical, and one part Love. This is a stunningly beautiful movie, and some of the best cinematography of it's year, but the script is simple and stagnant.

The Critics would have you believe this movie is far more profound than it is. Things were said such as, "Sometimes the most complex things are best when they are the simplest." Although that is true in some cases, it does not apply here. Even when the seasons change you feel like you are just stuck in a town with whimsical weather. The acting is sub-par and you are constantly hit over the head with cookie-cutter mantras. I recommend seeing this mediocre movie however, not because of some intense artistic deeper meaning, but because it is still beautiful, visually stunning art.

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