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MovieMan312
Reviews
Gisaengchung (2019)
Solid Film Craftsmanship, Trash Story
I'm genuinely baffled this film won not only best foreign film, best directing and best screenwriting, but also Best Picture (historically reserved for American films only). Of all the films to break the barrier and be the first, they chose THIS? When will all this self loathing end? I guess never because as long as humans are alive there will always be hordes of abysmally depressed people who think the more they hate humanity and the ways of the world they more self righteous they'll feel about "calling it out". What a joke. While the film is extremely well made its story is soulless and not as intelligent of a critique of capitalism, egalitarianism, and meritocracy as the snobs make it seem. At this point it's the ultimate cliche. It play more like a weak melodrama/soft noir movie. It's just a weird film that meanders and is only occasionally entertaining. Some good humor and interesting situations that hold you in brief suspense. Other than that the only interesting parts are seeing Korean culture in cinema. I'd love to visit some time. But this movie is trash. The overall message of the movie is life sucks, so why even try? It amazes me that the director can even reconcile the conflict within himself. I'm sure he tried VERY hard to make this a great movie, as he does with all his films. He tried so hard he even won 3 Oscar's with this one. He worked very hard for decades to gain the knowledge and skills to be able to pull this off and I know for a fact it's made him rich. Does he hate his own success? Should he have not ever tried and just remained a dreamer? Should he never have strove to be a great director? If he really feels this way about success and achievement he never should have accepted that Oscar. He should donate all his money to charity and live a destitute life because hey, life sucks for so many people, so why even try? Give me a break. The entire premise of the movie is JOKE. How immature and sad one must be to love this movie. 2 hours of life just wasted.
Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)
Mediocre Directing & Plot, Saved by VFX & Sound
"Zathura" is a film that nearly hits the mark but ultimately falls short. The film's visual/special effects are commendable, yet John Favreau's direction doesn't quite measure up, and some casting decisions detract from the overall performances, with notable exceptions being the well-cast young brothers. The plot suffers from implausibility and muddled logic, particularly in the handling of the astronaut's relationship with the boys, leading to an unsatisfying and odd conclusion. Despite these narrative and directorial shortcomings, the film's impressive special effects, score, and sound design save it from being a total miss. These elements underscore the potential of "Zathura" to be more than it is. It hints at an underlying great story that, with further development, better casting, and stronger direction, could have been an all-time classic, especially for fans of the original "Jumanji."
Knock at the Cabin (2023)
Masterclass in Tension and Craftsmanship
Some reviews seem to miss the mark entirely. "Knock at the Cabin" is a testament to fun, meticulously crafted cinema, courtesy of a filmmaker of undeniable skill-and I say this without being an M. Night Shyamalan fanatic (I do like his films a lot, he's just not my favorite of all time). My appreciation lies in the craftsmanship. The plot is both unique and captivating, though not the greatest story ever told, it certainly holds its own. This film serves as a reminder of the luxury we have in filmmakers who possess a clear vision and the ability to consistently deliver solid work. Hence, my rating is a solid 8. While it might not be my usual choice of film, the quality is unmistakable, warranting a strong score. Any score below this likely stems from discomfort with the film's themes, which is valid. However, discomfort does not a poor film make.
Double Dragon (1994)
Nostalgia Galore, Endlessly Quotable
What on earth is wrong with people? This movie is meant to be ridiculous. It certainly doesn't deserve a 3.9. It's at least a 6. It's over the top and silly as hell but it's entertaining, funny, and 90's nostalgia. It brings back so many memories and has a special place in me corazon. If you're looking for something Oscar worthy or Transformers/Marvel-esq then you're simply barking up the wrong tree. This is a film based on a simply arcade game made in the 90's starring Mark Ducascus who isn't known for being a Daniel Day Lewis type actor. Its a very fun B movie that deserves a little more love.