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Reviews
The Sea Beast (2022)
Fun, Warm-Hearted, Cheerful
Chris Williams has created a world rich in texture and evocative of all things middle ages, Kingdom, and British of old. I hear the comparisons to other stories but it stands on its own as being delightfully written with the seamlessness of storytellers whose lives were committed to the craft beyond the 10,000 hours. Although some of the dialogue may not have had the best selection of words, the heart in the work and the detail-rich telling spoke to me in quite a similar way to the experience of watching "The Iron Giant".
It merits a viewing or two. It doesn't have radical twists but some of the tempered writing, the gritty voice acting, and full detail made this an enjoyable experience which had me reeled in from the beginning to the end.
The Last Five Years (2014)
Jeremy Jordan's Singing/Acting Was Great
Was nice to hear the full range of Jeremy's ability as a singer even in a studio tracked production. Besides that the only song I remember is "I'm Still Hurting". Everything was unfortunately a bit too contrived for me. Didn't feel natural or genuine.
Crestone (2020)
Worthy of at Least One Watch
Crestone (2020) Documentary Review - Contains Spoilers
A ragtag group of millennials run away from their families to the deserts of Colorado to grow weed and rap.
They live off the land but also play with a VR Headset and survey the area for intruders using a drone.
Drifting between the high of the heat, the land, the friendships and the bud, we see human behavior in its most explicit search for spirituality.
As the "Lord of the Flies"-type group of friends travel, they steal necessary supplies from homes abandoned due to the oncoming wildfire which gets the group moving.
While trippy and possibly eccentric, it is a unique view on the plight of the millennial whose carnality yearns for substance and seeks it as a priest wafting incense through weed which opens a portal to the other side where god remains.
Raises thoughtful points on the meaning of inspiration, purpose and the significance of society within and outside of the technological structure held together by systems innumerable.
A fascinating sociological experiment whose ongoing search encapsulates the soul of modern day America: restless, confused, hungry, but searching for more.
Exceptional cinematography both original and worthy of scrutiny.
3/5.
Da hong denglong gaogao gua (1991)
A Masterpiece Worthy of Time
Subtle. Tacit. No point is left unexplored. We are provided a premise, a setting. That setting is discovered and we are never shamed by being spoonfed. We are given the chance to explore visually with editing that allows us to take slight pause to recuperate from shocks.
The unspoken elements of this masterful work fill each scene with meat because we know what they're thinking and though they don't say it they allude and we can read their thoughts though they're speaking in a Chinese tongue.
A searing rebuke to toxic masculine ideologies without being overdone. Cinematography worthy of the centuries. It is the only point of the movie that was nominated for an Oscar though others may have been worthy as well.
A spectacle in human behavior that transcends its form.
In my mind a delight and a horror to watch much like its American counterpart, The Silence of the Lambs and every bit just as enjoyable.
The Banker (2020)
"The Hidden Figures" of the World of Banking
This line was uttered by Samuel L. Jackson at one of the premieres for this film and it lives up to the name.
Subtle, comedic, severe, riddled with racial tension acted with such fervor that the audience can't breathe in certain scene for the thickness of the tension.
Beautiful scenery and subtly, calculated acting by Mackie which fits in line with the portrayal of the character.
Even though the banking terminology was way over my head and probably over most people's heads I'm glad it was included to demonstrate the sheer fervor of Bernard's genius. A must see for every African-American family.
Will hopefully come out on DVD as I would purchase a copy for my personal library. Fantastic.