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pellettim
Reviews
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Ok, but ultimately disappointing.
There are changes from the book, which is fine, but it results in plot holes. The changes to the characters of Stilgar and Chani, both portrayed by great actors, left them with less depth. Stilgar is shown as more of a true believer than a lieutenant, and the complexity of the character in the book is that he is both. Likewise Chani loses depth by becoming more of a 'girlfriend' and less the visionary future mother of a god-emperor. Villeneuve overused made up languages, whose limited use I enjoyed in Part One, but found distracting here. The black-and-white color palette of Giedi Prime lost an opportunity to depict the industrial world in richer but unhealthy hues, perhaps stressing reds and purples as well as white and black, and avoiding greens, blues, and browns. Mere black and white made it seem less real than the brutal planet ruled by psychopaths depicted in the books. Great looking worms, desert landscapes, and special effects, moving music. I missed the role of the sister, the navigators, and the mentats, all central to the plot.
Elvis (2022)
Good, but something missing
The film is captivating and Elvis is a key figure in the development of pop music and music stardom. If you know people who love him, mostly in their 70s now, you understand that Elvis touched people. The film captures all that well and will lead a younger generation to appreciate Elvis's achievement. The problematic narrator perspective is fine, though Hanks' Dutch accent is slightly distracting. The missing element is Elvis's psychology. What would induce a white kid who grew up in a poor black neighborhood to wear make-up and have an otherworldly look? Why the predilection for Rhinestones and fancy outfits? Bring in the psychology, and a good film would have become a great one. The death of a twin and his father's imprisonment probably has something to do with it, but what is very unclear.
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
Brilliant Political Allegory
The Lady Vanishes is prescient and brilliant political allegory. The unnamed country everyone is leaving is Czechoslovakia, sold out by France and Germany after the filming, before the release. The young woman is the ignored voice in the wilderness, i.e., Churchill, but considerably more beautiful; the crate that bops her on the head is perhaps Gallipoli. The barrister is the spirit of appeasement, i.e., Chamberlain, who thinks he can reason with the Germans and discovers too late his mistake. The cricket fans are the typical British citizens, more concerned about trivial issues than world affairs, but when push comes to shove, they do the right thing, and they have their talents. The young man who helps is the youth of England (Hitchcock is only 39 at the time), who are beginning to heed the call of Churchill. The old lady is England itself, misled for a time, kidnapped even, but she breaks free with help, including from those on the other side who recognize how evil their doings have become. And the doctor is the evil technocratic regime (the foreshadowing of Mengele is uncanny), which the free world has to face. Fantastic!
Just Mercy (2019)
Near Miss
It is a great story, and an important one. It appears to be reasonably faithful to historical accuracy. However, the acting is a bit off at times, though Foxx and especially Nelson are perfect. Moreover, the director told again a story like To Kill a Mockingbird, when there is a more intriguing story lurking beneath the surface. Tommy Chapman's actions transcend the all too common racism and injustice; his change is the real story. So, they passed aside the man bites dog story, and retold a dog bites man story.
The Lighthouse (2019)
Thought-provoking
The Lighthouse is thought-provoking, in like, whatever was the filmmaker thinking? Why the nearly square screen? Oh, so all shots are close-ups. Why black and white? Oh, gothic shadows, yes very impressive. The symbolism is equally subtle: lighthouse equals fire, except the Thomas Howard character is not very Promethean, but to be fair Thomas Wake is reasonably Poseidon-like. This film tries to be intellectual, but some things, like butter on bread, are better when you don't spread it on two-inches thick.
My Lonely Me (2015)
Low budget Beautiful Mind musical
My Lonely Me is a bit confusing at times, as it is told mainly from the perspective of the fractured consciousness of the main character, Reiga. The music is gorgeous, and aside from a few plot incongruities, her story of rediscovering her past is compelling. I enjoyed it, but my viewing partner did not. If you are looking for something different, and unique, it could fit the bill.
Sleepless (2017)
A passable action flick
Bad plot, poor screenwriting, at times bad sound, but good acting and well-paced.
The Circle (2017)
An important, but misunderstood film
I think this is a film that some viewers are not getting. Character development? There is some, but the public nature of all our acts changes who we are as social beings. Therefore, the former rules of story-telling are modified in consequence of that. This is not Mae's coming of age story as she rebels against Evil Corp--if that is your expectation, you will be disappointed. The story, as I take it, is about Mae's coming to terms, fully coming to terms, with a world where we are all transparent; and it is about the viewer also needing to come to terms with that. The bosses of the Circle are not villains, and even their hypocrisy is understandable. There is no hiding; all of us have to learn to bear scrutiny. Those 'off the grid' are destroyed, and even the gung-ho supporters of the company, aside from Ty and Mae, don't see the consequences of what The Circle is about. The viewer should note that tremendous good is also done by the company. The very disconcerting message is that we are headed toward a world of complete transparency: we can't turn back, but should we even want to? The world leaders as well will have to accept being transparent. The ethics will need to be worked out, but yesterday's moral principles will not serve us well. It may not be in the guise of a god, but social omnipresence is coming.