Change Your Image
NikolaiiStewart
Reviews
Babylon (2022)
A lesson in fame and legacy.
After a 3 hour flick, its sometimes hard to begin the process of collecting thoughts for discussion. With this there is no such problems.
The negative reception around the film is understandable- orgies, torture, murder, rampant use of profanity. What I felt, however, was nothing but a series of important lessons. The glory of fame is something many dream of but few actually attain, bringing envy to the everyday viewer on the sideline. It's something we're taught to look at critically but never actually do. Dreamining of being the Conrads, Mannys, Nellies, or Sidneys of the world, after seeing this film, will finally make us do just that.
The crave for legacy is something none who ever dreamed of it will abandon after seeing this, but now I just as easily wouldn't mind being a cockroach.
The tragedy of the film, the reality and the scenery, are all reaons alone to see the film. But for me, however, the legacy of this film is what would make me say "If you're ever going to watch a movie, watch this one.".
As a sidenote, as someone who's never seen the early process of making sound movies, I didn't even bat an eyelid on the final take. RIP Billy. Would've been a great take.
KSI: In Real Life (2023)
Growth and Vulnerability
As with just about 90% of the UK who watched YouTube in their younger years, KSI was a prominent part of my daily life. We grew alongside him, and became men and women of the world as he did. It's so refreshing to see someone who I thought must think the world is in the palm of his hand going through life, going through struggles and going through pain, really hit home.
There was a lot the documentary touched on, his relentless ambition, his ways of navigating love, his motivation to keep going. I think it achieved all those aspects, with more depth placed and what I imagine he wanted for the documentary of those three. At the end of the day, despite not seeing the sidemen as much in that, maybe that is more a testament to how that relationship is rather than some ego-driven decision.
Sure many people want to reach out and hug the guy. I sure did. With fame comes changes that you can't ever hope to reverse, but adapting in the way he showed in the documentary is what I'd hope for him. The persona and the reality, this gave a good insight into what it is to be in the limelight. Wish him the best.
The Menu (2022)
A Culinary Masterpiece
The Menu initially takes you in a journey to a beautiful island to enjoy exquisite cuisine, cooked by a world renowned chef. The beauty of the film is the way it discusses class and identity. The typical entourage you'd expect to attend a meal-of-a-lifetime experience gather in groups of two. Throughout the film, it's evident that this group is an accurate depiction of who attends high class restaurants, for better or for worse. The theme of the menu becomes more evident as the film progresses, and the identity of each guest and staff is explored in graphic detail, making for an interesting insight into the industry. All round, a very enjoyable viewing experience, with a few twists and turns to keep you on your toes.
Knives Out (2019)
An amusing spin on a classic idea.
What is so satisfying about bags out knives out is that it gives you all the classic elements of a who dunnit, the mystery, the disputes, true underlying tension, but knives out gives you an extra ingredient which for me gives reason to its acclaim: finding out a transparent view of the events early on. Normally, everyone is a liar and the study reveal by the detective at the end reveals everyone's dirty laundry. But with knives out, the narrative keeps you hooked, as the murderer is revealed almost instantly. It's flips the script on the classic piorots and sherlock holmes, and provides something fresh and exciting.