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Reviews
Us (2019)
What are the critics talking about?
This movie does not deserve over five stars. For starters, the acting is terrible. Next aspect, the story doesn't make sense. I mean, there is no reason, explanation, or physical basis for the plot. Serious film viewers, you will agree with me that this film has more in common with The Room than with The Shining.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
A little more CGI, please.
I don't mean to disrespect Rowling fans, but one must look at it objectively and realize that, although the CGI in the movie could be viewed as convincing, it was sometimes purposeless.
Nevertheless, my score isn't meant to reflect the demographic this movie hoped to reach, but rather a view that spans into the totality of films.
Does it deserve 7 stars? No. Just look at the scene where the black prison guard speaks in a completely stereotypical manner, almost forced, whereas it seemed that the magic society had transcended ethnic differences which would cause these cultural aspects to develop in the muggle world.
After all, isn't the witch and wizard society born from the Salem witch trials (as explained by Hermione in HP2 or 3)? And not only that, but how little dimension do the characters having shown so little from their past?
In conclusion, and although I haven't read the book, I don't think this movie adapted fully to it, or if it did, the book fell short of the level of detail the HP series offered. Moreover, there was simply too much CGI.
Cosmos (2019)
It was great, then it was ok, then it was meh.
What we have here is a good attempt at making a decent film.
The images and sounds were well done and the dialogue (for the most part) was well written and properly acted, making it a believable story. The characters appeared knowledgeable of what they were supposed to know (at least from the non-expert opinion), giving them depth. The emotional development is initially effective and well grounded.
The same aspects that were its strength became its weakness as the story developed. When the director tried to inspire the viewer in motivational dialogues, with the music to match, it was then that the artifice failed, and the belief in the reality of its characters dissolved. Besides this, a couple of questionable instances of comic relief, as well as overemphasis for effects (ie a trembling dashboard to show speed) appeared unnecessary. Finally, the names were probably overstated (think The Room).
In conclusion, the movie is watchable and the story is interesting, but be mindful that the pace may require additional patience and attention. Those who choose to watch it might appreciate an acceptably developed story and dialogue, with good visual and audio support. If you want a shocking or truly memorable film, this may not be your cup of tea.
Ghost in the Graveyard (2019)
Watch, but definitely not worth 7.9 stars. (Contains some spoilers)
Let's begin with the acting. The dad gave the impression of being that friend the director has who asks the director to please give him a spot in the movie. The role was not successful because the dad seemed younger or the same age as the children and in the introduction of the family, it gives the impression that the supposed daughter is in a relationship with one of them.
The dialogue was poor. At times, it reminded me of the kind of dialogue you get in The Room.
The story didn't have the cohesion to really suck you in and make you believe in what was happening. Random occurrences like there being a box under the bed with information that shouldn't be under the bed really didn't make sense, because that information would be best kept in other places. On the other hand, what actually happens is cheaply and overtly explained, as if they didn't trust the viewers to deduct it by themselves. The depiction of witches inconsistent.
Finally, one positive aspect of the film had to do with the special effects. They were used in a measured way and did produce a credible feeling in what they were trying to accomplish.
Observe however, the inconsistency in one scene, where nails cut into arms and lots of blood spills out, only to omit the blood in the scene that follows. A truer aspect would have been to keep the same amount of blood, but this would have forcibly changed the direction of the film.