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kristijanmodrusan
Reviews
Yellowjackets (2021)
An interesting mix...
If we remove the supernatural and mystic, it's interesting how the show deals with themes like guilt, trauma, blocked memory, supressed feelings, PTSD,... and, in general, with its characters who just refuse to deal with their past that is constantly haunting them.
It's an interesting mix of "It" by Stephen King and "Lord of the flies" by William Golding. In a way, it's says a story about "what did happen to those kids, who were stranded in the middle of nowhere, after they grew up and had to deal with their nightmares?"
If anything, for all its bad sides, it explores the dephts of human heart and mind, trying to explore how far are we ready to go for our own survival, and what will we do to justify/rationalize our decisions. And for me, if we look inside all the added crap (cult, Yellow-king-like mystery (True detective), call of the wilderness,...), the gem that's most valuable to obtain is the human psyche. Which nothing can really beat, it's enough to write a psychological thriller/drama in this case, exploring the dark and twisted dephts of our very souls, where humans can reach in the times of despair...
Happy Death Day (2017)
Just about that goof...
Not to review really (but it's a great movie!), just to comment on that "Goofs" section:
"After Tree and Danielle are accidentally run over by a bus, Tree removes her from the suspect list. Since the bus driver was clearly not the murderer, it did not prove that Danielle is not the murderer."
But it did!
Because, the premise of the movie is: Tree has to wake up in the same day until the murderer is found, otherwise she'll repeat it over and over.
Thus, if she and Danielle died, it means Danielle really isn't the murderer.
Cuz, from there, the movie plot would have only 2 possible solutions:
1) Tree dies together with Danielle, and she's gone for good (as a possible plot hole - if Tree and her other-days killer Danielle die in the same time, does Tree die indefinitely, too? Not sure...).
2) On the other hand, Tree would wake up in the non-loop day, so she'll know that Danielle WAS the killer - THE END :v
So, in both scenarios, Tree would be dead (possibly) or awaken in the "normal" timeline knowing that it wad Danielle all along.
Rewrite that Goof, please, movie executives :v.
Ms. Marvel (2022)
There we go again, now with a different cliffhanger 🙄
The show is actually worth more stars, let's say 8.
It has a different, Asian-multicultural background than most of the American superhero movies/series.
It has a likable protagonist who's (almost) the same age as the actual teenagers and behaves believable.
It explores a history of Indian/Pakistani culture in non Allah-equals-Muslims-equals-terrorist way. The importance of family is well developed from the fresh, non-American perspective.
The show is perhaps a bit too cheesy, but that's understandable. The main downside - why I gave it 6 stars - is the (in my eyes) the show's wasted opportunity: it's actually refreshing to see a slow-burning pace, where the future hero needs A LOT of time to discover his/her abilities and powers, as it would happen in real life.
But done in this way it leaves a bitter aftertaste.
Instead of developing the character through the seasons, the studio executives chose to cut the season to 6 short episodes, making a Coming-soon cliffhanger for the MOVIE (The Marvels). It perhaps makes sense to create that kind of cliffhanger for the season 2, but this just seems as hasted, money-making decision.
If the movie flops (it won't, the MCU machinery is too big), they ruined the potential of "Ms Marvel", making her just a generic Phase 4 (or 5) hero a la' Doctor Strange.
Again, I understand (now, after watching the last episode) that the whole plot is just a pre-movie teaser, but in this way the series becomes completely insignificant, with the people (possibly) asking themselves: why the heck did they even create this show in the first place? And why the heck did I even watch it?
Love Actually (2003)
I never really liked it, I now I discovered why
For almost twenty years, I mostly avoided to watch the full movie, perhaps just a few bits here or there. Could force myself to watch it because of the over-cheesiness.
Finally watched it, twice. And found out what's so disturbing in the movie (to me, at least) - if we don't count the "love actually" to all the characters, most of them are in fact assholes or just plain horrible human beings.
Or that's just a subtle subtext of the movie - when scratched under the surface, most of the men in the movie are in the superior (wannabe) relationship to their employers (the writer to his maid, married CEO to his secretary and prime minister to his assistant, American president to... well, any attractive woman in his way), And the other one ends up with his best friend's wife.
The only light in the movie is the kid, although they couldn't create a more heart-warming love interest for a 11 year old, but it has the be "the most beautiful girl in the school".
It's almost 20 years after and (possibly?) a lot has changed, so I guess the role models and gender roles are more equal and grounded in reality. However, I still find confusing why is this movie considered "one of the best Christmas movies ever". Because of love, actually?
Sound and Fury (2000)
A hard of hearing person's review (kinda)
Not quite sure if I watched this movie or some other(s) with similar topic, but as a person who's partly deaf and partly hard of hearing - if your kid is HAVING an opportunity to hear (somewhat) normally, the Deaf way of life shouldn't be a burden. Because ears, together with fingers and mouth, are there for a reason - to speak, communicate, hear various sounds (music, birds, talking), socialize with people around, etc. No one should be deprived of hearing, no matter what's the case. Because, being deaf has its uniqueness, but not at the expense of your child's future, due to being Deaf, thinking that will disrupt the Deaf community, way of life or whatnot. End of discussion.
The Flash: Central City Strong (2021)
It's the never-ending loop
When the show started, it had so much potential. Unfortunately, it diminished with each new episode and each new season.
The characters are very dull and poorly written. Or, to say it better, very non-believable. The way they talk and act, the general soap opera tone of the show...
If the producers' and scene writers' attempt is to make the show for pre-pubescent teens and teenagers, I kinda understand. But it's so-90's-show and very boring.
After a while, you stop taking care for the main characters and plots. They don't really develop much through time. Scenarios repeat themselves. Their mood and reactions are unnecessarily soft, like the depression of sort is always lurking behind Barry, Iris, her father and the rest of the crew. Villains who reappear season after season...
Several flashes of ingenuity here and there across the episodes/seasons isn't enough to keep the viewers CARE. At best, it makes you excited and hopeful after an intriguing /suspenseful episode, suddenly crashing all the well built previously - oscillating the quality frequently during the show.
As much as I liked the first season, please, turn it down and stop the torture. Or, at least, create the rest of the season (hopefully lfinal one) creative and. Interesting.
No need to beat the dead cow.
Let the actors leave with dignity, for Christ's sake!
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
Terminator franchise is stuck in the loop
The main problem with the ongoing Terminator movies is the continuous premise that happen every time: an advanced/villainous Terminator is sent from the future to destroy the Connors' family or whoever is involved with them; another Terminator/soldier appears to save the day/world; a car/truck chase occurs during the run, where the "evil" Terminator track and find them each time, etc. etc.
It becomes very boring and predictable, knowing the pattern that never changes. If the filmmakers are about to create a new part in the saga (Terminator: Damnation?), they should refresh the plot, adding something new. Maybe even distancing away from "the chase plot". Because the movies are already out of fresh ideas, throwing all the Terminator's (1984/1991) credibility and viewers' patience out of the window.
You: Love, Actually (2019)
"You" ending scene (mild spoilers)
It would be great when, actually, there would be no season 3, but it all ends here.
Because, the end scene is just perfect - although he finally manages to be with the one his obsession craves (not heart, apparently), it's obvious that he'll never stop searching for the "perfect one".
And we, as the watchers, are aware of the fact - if he ever continues the "hunt" in the next season, it can only end up in the loop. And, possibly, completely ruin the series.