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Reviews
Sunshine (2007)
Great premise and an insane cast
With a great premise and an insane cast, Sunshine had everything going for it. The film starts strong with establishing characters and motivations. I was hooked within minutes and cared about what happened to the crew of the Icarus II. The setting was good, but it could have been stronger. I would have liked a clearer walkthrough of the ship. This deeper understanding of the workspace, payload, etc. Would have helped during the finale. I've read a lot of hate about the tonal shift and twist in the third act. But I don't get why it had to turn into a horror movie? There were two major flaws that I was thinking about during the entire movie. 1) Why couldn't they just release the payload from the sun at a very long distance and then remote fly it into the sun on its own trajectory? Why did they have to be almost inside the sun before releasing the payload? 2) Throughout the entire movie they made a huge deal about the shield protecting them from the heat/light of the sun which is perfectly realistic. But then how could anyone be alive at the end to set off the bomb? Was it all a dream? If it is a dream then why the need for the final scene?
Wonder Woman (2017)
Cringe
I'm a sort of casual fan of superhero films - I'm not really the target audience I suppose and I don't enjoy them all but this was neither the worse, nor the best one I'd seen. I liked some aspects of it and not so much others (I suppose like most films). At first I was really quite keen, as I liked how the young Diana was portrayed growing up, as someone keen to start (warrior) training, to become involved in battles and ultimately helping the outside world to conquer the Germans (its set in WWI). Surprisingly (or not), there were some reasonably poignant pieces of dialogue present - that impressed me, although perhaps the most memorable examples are in the very last scene. The titular character is of course portrayed as a, at heart, decent woman, wanting to help those who struggle to help themselves, which is, of course, laudable and yet I still feel there's an inherint tackiness to the over sexualised appearance of Wonder Woman. I suppose that inevitable to a certain extent but I felt that one or two such inevitable aspects cheapened or certainly lessened the potential impact of the good things. I'm sure most fans of such superhero films will enjoy this and I can't say its a bad film, it has some good themes and is somewhat thought provoking, plus the action/fight scenes are well filmed and the special effects are, of course, decent, as would be expected. For me, personally, overall I can't quite go so far as to give this a solid 4 star (good) rating but I'd say its a reasonable, ok watch if this is your kind of thing, certainly. If your not sure about it then don't. Oh and also, if you cringe at over the top/stereotyped Scottish characters then, suffice to say, you won't like the one who appears in this film - get ready to cringe!.
Avalon (2001)
This is an incredible piece of cinema
This is an incredible piece of cinema, with a great visual, a good story, a expectacular ambiance. An important piece of the scii-fi culture. A more cerebral version of The Matrix. Mamoru Oshii's Avalon is not a film for every one. Its very slow paced, filled to the brim with the discussions about the nature of reality and did I mentioned, slow paced? However, for fans of more thought provoking SciFi will enjoy this film. Personally, I think that it is Mamoru Oshii's own reaction to The Matrix, which itself was inspired by his masterpiece, Ghost in the Shell. I have to agree with James Cameron's opinion that this is one of the most artistic, stylish sci-fi movie to date. Although made like a low budget film and a super slow pace which can be a sore boredom, it is very surreal not just in a high form of art but it leaves a lot of food for thought. Whether reality is what it seems or what is the real setting behind this movie? What is actually going on behind Ash's real character? The more you think about it the more this movie offers many versions of interpretation. This is one of those films where you will get a different conclusion every time you re-watch it. Brilliant.
The Rover (2014)
Raw and visceral
Raw and visceral. The music gives a sense of foreboding and disquiet and It makes the movie feel more alive.
If The Rover did not have every ingredient of a film I enjoyed when I saw it, I would have not liked this one at all. As it is, it's got a very well developed post apocalyptic setting, great acting, and a simple but good plot. The disappointment settles in when one realizes that the film makes almost no moves to enhance what it has going for it.
Don't get me wrong, I found this to be very enjoyable and fun to watch in certain scenes, but there is a lot that feels like filler. Guy Pierces searing performance paired up with Robert Pattinsons committed effort as well is what makes this one just watchable for me.
Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism (2023)
Haunting psychological horror
"GODLESS - The Eastfield Exorcism" is a hauntingly horrific depiction of a real life exorcism. It's a bleak and brutal endurance test for audiences; but for those wiling to persevere, it will prove to be a powerful viewing experience.
A debut for director Nick Kozakis who is impressively adapt at world-building and tension. It's a grim, gritty and gripping story, a niche Australian filmmakers seam to relish in (Rover, The Boys and almost everything Justin Kurzel has made)
Solid ensemble performances with a standout display by Georgia Eyers as the central character "Lara"
I thought I was walking into a typical horror movie but the film quickly establishes itself more as a psychological drama; building a tone that something is boiling under the surface.
The film finds it's stride by the end of the first act and progressively applies the accelerator. We know where the films going, but it doesn't make the ending any less harrowing.
Låt den rätte komma in (2008)
Original approach with striking imagery
Memorably though vaguely, the American remake matched generically without losing somewhat of the original's effectiveness while blending into the shadowy trend that wasn't much significant couple years prior before the immediate, certain growth. This originality still disturbs over grisly approaches and vampiric instincts, it nicely took a step back rather appropriately under a similar classical form that mostly radiates through results as part of the film's striking imagery and agreeable modernization of the vampire film without any cheesy facade. Soulfully at the center, there's genuine chemistry finely pulled off by the young main pair with recognizably felt gravitas, which arguably rank them as one of the best cinematic couples as they elevate the film outside the violence and irrational disturbances therefore representing the basis purity.
The Stranger (2022)
Haunting slow burn.. but so worth it
I can still hear the haunting sounds, remember the feel of the long pauses, and experiencing the slow burning escapism, that this well directed and excellent acted film delivers. Edgerton and Harris really make it a pleasure to slowly wonder what each character must be thinking of each other. Highly recommend and hope Australian cinema can keep delivering excellent films like this. Couple of comments: this is the second feature from Australian actor-turned-director Thomas Wright. Almost from the get-go I found something very David Lynch-like about this movie. Yes, nominally it's about a long ago disappearance, likely murder, of a young man. But it's the journey along the way that really matters in this film. I had the hardest time figuring out what was really going on for a long time. BEWARE: it is imperative that you turn on the English subtitles to fully grasp what is happening. I made the mistake of starting without the subtitles and within 10 minutes realized I was missing half the dialogue, if not more. I restarted the movie with subtitles and that turned out to be a life saver. The movie is mysterious all the way up to the end, and I absolutely loved it. The only "star" that I recognized was Joel Edgerton (as Mark), and he was superb. I fully recognize that this movie is not for everyone, as there is not a lot of "action". Instead it's a mystery that reveals itself, layer upon psychological layer. "The Stranger" premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim. Still it bypassed US theaters altogether, and it started streaming on Netflix a few months ago. Netflix suggested it to me based on my viewing habits. Good move Netflix. If you are in the mood for a dark psychological crime drama from Down Under, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.
Janghwa, Hongryeon (2003)
Brutal and amazing
When it comes to horror movies we, as Westerners, have pretty much seen it all, so it's only natural for us to look overseas to our Asian cronies to come up with something a little more authentic than another Michael Myers or Jason Voohries. Hollywood has been eyeing nations like Japan and Korea for years now, borrowing their tales of fear and reinventing them for domestic audiences. In fact, one of the latest remakes was this year's The Uninvited, a story told six years prior in South Korea's most successful horror feature to date, A Tale of Two Sisters. Directed and scripted by Kim Ji-woon, Two Sisters is not original fiction either, itself based on Joseon Dynasty's folktale "Janghwa Hongreyon-jon," which roughly translates to "Rose Flower, Red Lotus." It tells of Su-mi (played by Im Soo Jung), a young woman haunted by the deaths of her mother and younger sister Su-yeon (Moon Guen Young), which triggers a psychological downward spiral that summits with an abrupt twist that'll catch anyone offguard. One scene in particular, a two-minute dream sequence set in Su-mi's daylit bedroom, must be amongst the creepiest and most disturbingly beguiling displays in the history of horror movies, evocative of Japan's Ju-on: The Grudge. It sets a nightmarish atmosphere, despite being cast in the light of day, perfectly stirring up long-forgotten fears that have been dormant since they've become immune to the tactics of American cinema. These unnerving scenes are few and far between, but are well-worth sitting through the two hours of subtitled ingenuity, using thought-provoking terror to entice viewers rather than blood-shedding butchery. I won't give away the ending of Two Sisters, or even the character development for that matter, so that you can go into this foreign excursion incognito, expecting nothing but a riveting tale of love lost, blanketed by uneasy oppression. Its Korean-language format may be a distraction at first, but you'll settle in just fine, that is until you find yourself stricken with the jitters from that aforementioned dream episode.
A Most Violent Year (2014)
Nuanced gangster drama
While the movie is superficially about a man who is trying to avoid being a gangster in a business that is mostly run by gangsters. However, the illogic of his entire life is antithetical to this goal. He marries the daughter of a gangster, purchases the business from a gangster, has a mob lawyer, deals in large amounts of cash, etc. Ten he is surprised that his wife is stealing from the business, that the lawyer new, and the cops are ultimately looking for some juice in the end. I just don't but it. However, the acting is superb and carries the movie along its meandering way. It's too bad that this film failed to strike up much of an audience at the box office. It really is a hidden gem. The cast does some excellent work here, especially Isaac and Chastain. The story may be slow for some but I was engaged the whole time. The nature of running a business and gaining momentum while dealing with competitors who will do anything to take you down is a legitimate threat. Not to mention the circumstances that Adel had to deal with the entire time. The final scene of the movie also showcases what kind of character he was. It made the entire film better.
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Powerful and sobering experience
I first saw this film in 1995 and thought it was powerful and very well acted. I bought it and watched it again on itunes today. This movie is a must see. It is a painful depiction of alcoholism and its effects of domestic violence. But if you are willing, there is value in witnssing what happens. What I love about this movie is the incredible acting of the cylces of marital and alcoholic-influenced violence. Alcholism and violence has affected every culture. All beings from all countries have been victims throughout history struggle to grieve and rediscover their power after horrors. As a woman and feminist, I deeply value this film, what happened to Grace and Beth's ultimate choice. As a humanist, I grieve for all people victimized in all ways. And I greatly appreciated the Maori heritage portrayed in this movie. I recognize many of the actors who played in here also were cast in Whale Rider, another great great movie about Maori culture and the integration of women's consciousness. Please watch both movies.
Animal Kingdom (2010)
Damn fine Aussie crime drama
Michôd's Australian crime drama is upheld by elite acting across the entire cast, while deeply studying the manipulation of power and family with wonderful tension and action. A film that gets the job done of creating emotionally enriched characters and a compelling themes, amplified by its acting and natural script.
It's a strong full-feature directorial debut for David Michôd, who also wrote the script. The cast is extremely strong and bolted down by the matriarch of a crime family, Jacki Weaver. There are quality performances all around from a diverse cast. Michôd's precise attention to focusing on only the integral scenes to move the story forward are a welcome directional choice in Animal Kingdom's seemingly overly-long yet tensely-wrote narrative.