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Silo (2023)
"Silo" captures characters, visuals and story masterfully
When Silo first was teased, the story idea itself would remind of a typical J. J. Abrams mystery, with a layer on layer of mysteries thrown into the cakemix, too much for something sweet.
In Silo there is a visual quality, that thrusts itself of believable characters, not just put against a bleak green screen. The sets and its aesthetic style works so well to produce something not only believable, but fresh in a state of clichés in the world of series last years.
Simple plot points, as an episode revolving around a power generator, works unexpectedly well for its simple subject. Due to characters written and cast well, and also dedicated to their character.
There are also some world-class appearances, from actors to directors in her, as f.ex the director of the Oscar winning "The Imitation Game" Morten Tyldum helming the first 3 episodes. Or the fun character given from Tim Robbins. The rest of the cast glows in every scene.
Series needs to be made like this more.
It's such a wonderful quality on all parts of filmmaking.
Troll (2022)
You might enjoy this ,if you are 10
This is (as many Norwegian produced films are) aimed at families, to draw the most crowd to the cinema.
And as earlier attempts, it could be a serious and more in depth, but it choose to attempt to be Disney.
Its visuals and effects are good, but the acting and story is thin. It becomes obvious what's going to happens, hours before you see it. We have such a rich lore in Norway, we truly could dig a bit deeper in the mountain to find more than this.
In its defense, with a budget based on the Norwegian cinema/Netflix, It's why it is as it is. But if we would allow stories to be told to a wider audience, it would at least have a chance to become a bigger world. Not everything needs to be told in bad Norwegian.
Death on the Nile (2022)
A speedboat on the Nile
Death on the Nile; moves in a speed many book readers might despise, but it is still a pleasant adventure.
While not faithfully to the book a 100% ; it uses its creative leeway, to create a tempo that is unlike what one expects of a crime film of this old style of nature. Out goes the funny Poirot, that some might want. In goes a darker and much more serious detective with a few cups too much of coffee. Some characters reveal or take actions themselves in unbelievable ways. Others are hidden well, only to be thrown into the soup they do not belong in.
For anyone not familiar with the book, it's a great story, but don't expect to be able to foresee much. The Sherlock's way of flashing back to a previous happening; often to have seen the solution in front of you, is not much present here. It's even when a major revelation comes (as in any crime film), you are left confused. Because your revelations are served much like an inexperienced waiter, that is serving your dinner too fast. The dinner comes before the entry course; and before you finished the dinner, your desert is suddenly at the table.
You are sometimes left gasping for air, as characters have little flesh or sound. Before the major ensemble is gathered, and you are sped through a presentation where nether major revelation has nether a build up, or a conclusion to breathe, before something else big is thrown over you.
There is a good thought of director Branagh, to speed up this story. But as many books to movies, this gives its larger ensemble of characters than most films have, little time to be known. And your care for any of the important characters, are so weak that you might not feel as invested as you should when the speedboat arrives at its port.
Not worth skipping, not worth making a big dinner with.
Svart krabba (2022)
An exciting Nordic production; Good tension, beautiful cinematography, with some flaws.
Sweden is known to make excellent films; at least for us in Scandinavia. While this was something I first thought was an English-speaking film; It works in its own nature, where it's about people going from A to B; delivering their "MacGuffin" (film term for object to drive the plot), its by no means boring in that basic design.
The acting is on-point, it might be hard to connect; if you are not Norwegian or Swedish of course; but these are known actors both international and in Nordic countries. They deliver their characters well. But still it moves in uneven ways; it feels like there are maybe scenes cut; to supply the momentum in a better speed. Often a trap many producers/studio heads do walk into. (it's not always in the control of the editor or director) This might even be the right decision; if the scenes cut; would not give anymore "flesh" that matters too much to a character. This is an action/thriller in its core, it needs to move quickly anyway.
Visuals; are superb in many scenes; even in obvious CGI sequences; it gives a well framed visual of the harsh winter; the post apocalyptic world, and it thankfully does not put everything into mono colored style to represent the faded world. The contrast of darkness, snow and light is often done so well; it's beautiful where it should be terrifying.
Where it really delivers; is in its creative moments; without spoiling it for anyone; there are ideas in there; visually and story wise; that really works well. There is good action; that work on "the unknown" rather than putting people into some "Hollywood gunfight". But there are unexpected; yet logical moments that really you cannot see coming; and that, no matter how you want it "explained" more; works in making it interesting. It can be said tough; some of these moments feels forced or rushed; in sense that it's scene is pushed in and then left abruptly.
It might not make sense; in its ending; where it seems to trap itself in a corner; but it's still enjoyable. You will enjoy this mostly; just be aware; not all good films; need to be English speaking.
P. S
If you love this visual adventure; be sure to check out the fantastic crafted stories of "Tales from the loop" on Amazon Prime; it brings the Scandinavian world into an American spoken sci-fi story in masterfully ways.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
It delivers what you want; with a smart act 1 and 2.
While many would assume another matrix film would be like many other sequels; a bad cash grab scenario, Matrix 4 does actually deliver what you want; with.a really smart and nostalgic first act; and a smart and fun act 2;
Visuals and choreography is top.notch; and what you would expect from Lana; she delivers steady solo directing; Sense8 fans; will have plenty of DiCaprio moments (once upon a time in Hollywood) as they watch the film.
And to be honest; this is the ending (no spoilers) you want to see; after Matrix 3; the last few minutes of the film; will have you ready for Xmas with a big smile on your face!
Love, Victor (2020)
Trying to hard...
While the series is respecting their core values of the gay community. It's mostly a checklist "To do" series, with coming out moments, pronouns, inclusion, and so on.
Its aimed at teenagers, so it lacks any depth, and continues into the repeating expecting traps. You will see what's coming a mile away, and there is little to no surprises throughout the series.
Its acted well enough, but nothing breakthrough, and its also no depth to the script.
I liked it. But Movies like Call me by your name, or "We are who we are" still plays more to the depth of love stories.
Also telling stories like this, safely. While not exploring any sexual moments, to make it into a "family friendly" rated series; it is really not ... family friendly.
Love is not like this, it's not like a soap opera. It needs depth.
Will all that negativity said, its has good momentum, but that also buries so many moments. the series is trying to cram 20 episodes of story into 10 episodes.
Ava (2020)
With a cast like this, one do want this to be good... but it is just okay.
When i noticed the cast ensemble here, I was ready for something a bit more intense and structured. And with those exceptions at hand, it plays the opposite of that.
The films hits as it was rushed, as the actors could not work long on their scenes, and the action scenes where limited by budget and time constraints.
The editing also sometimes hurts, as some of the action scenes are messy and even normal conversations are thrown off by stressed cuts.
There is so much room here for something amazing, a female jason bourne with a proper story and in-depth personality is probably some of the goals. But it plays of as one mixed the dish together a bit to fast, like someone kept telling them to hurry.
Also there is a suspected unbalance of the budget, as it is used on all of its major actors present. And then the unbalance pushes the remaining film schedule into a stressful venture.
Everyone in their leads play their scenes as good as they can, the support cast is not weak, they just lack a depth, the action scenes work sometimes but then fails on their next interconnected scene, when it just looks bad. Its like a roller coaster, fun sometimes, but way to long going upwards and then rushed into a short speedy downhill.
The Fanatic (2019)
Deserves a lot more than 3.8
I gave it a 10 to just actually make the scoring have an impact.,
Travolta delivers on a really good character, where he could had bombed it. But in stead its really good.
Its depths come to how Travolta is working on portraying this unstable personality,
The style is kept indie throughout the movie, and its not any signal of low budget, but its bears this incredible uncomfortable feeling it pushes out.
You have compassion, but it formes into something else throughout the story. Enjoy it! its good.