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Afterward (2018)
We Are All Human
Taking a few stars off because the editing and perspectives lacked. To elaborate on perspectives, it didn't feel 100% complete. I think that we got a lot of Palestinian points of view but not Israelis. I'm aware that the filmmaker herself is Israeli but I still think we would've gained a lot more with a balanced number of Israeli citizens being interviewed. She as one person doesn't represent several Israelis. Overall, though, this film achieved its main goal to say that we're all human and we all deserve peace - there must be another way. The Israeli filmmaker and the Palestinian interviewees spoke in a respectable way while also latently addressing slight tensions. It also used visuals in proper ways, showing what it needed without overstimulating, and I liked how it wasn't overly chopped in the interview bits, so we could really see the microexpressions and body language.
And Then We Danced (2019)
True to Georgia, And The First of Its Kind
And Then We Danced was a masterpiece! I love when I can empathize with a film through and through.
Levan Gelbakhiani's performance pierced through my heart more than most I've seen in my life.
I loved the choice of ending even if it wasn't the happiest, it was smart especially the metaphor at the very end, also very realistic.
Great cinematography, not outstanding but great.
Perfect acting and proper humor (just the right amount of laughs, and they're not forced).
Perfect amount of sensuality and drama (grab a tissue - for both reasons, lol.)
And it showcased the situation for LGBT people in Georgia so well, the majority was set in Tbilisi but even so the conservatism and tradition was still pervasive.
Near-perfect.
Hereditary (2018)
NOT A HORROR FILM
Most of the people reviewing this are COMPLETELY missing the mark. This is a drama about a maternal family line that deals with serious mental illness. It's filled with symbolism and you see the film through the sick perspectives of the characters. It's heart-wrenching and it will make you think. Sure, be scared, but think about the real plot too.
Mindhunter (2017)
Heartless and tedious...but self-aware
Mindhunter is one of the TV shows where you can watch only the first episode and know how every episode will be styled. The characters are people you don't like but you also don't dislike. They're all insipid. The episodes drag on a bit. Clearly, you can see I find a lot of faults in it. Why not lower than a 6/10, then? Because of the fact that it's so self-aware. It's not trying to be anything it isn't. The characters aren't designed to be sentimental, because the writer doesn't need for the story to deviate just to have a mass emotional appeal. Basically, the show is tedious, and not charming, but it's not trying to be anything else but itself. I give more credit to a bland show that remains true to itself than a horrible show that tries to shove in every cliché in the book just to be well-received.
Aquarius (2016)
Simple, Direct, Driven, and Flawlessly Executed
I am typically drawn towards pretentious art films, but this film wasn't TRYING to be over the top artsy. Yes, the film has politics, but it's more than that. It's a film about the life cycle, family, dealing with changes in society and the world that's also in close proximity to you. The film is feminist in all the right ways, too. As a woman, I'm not huge on feminist themes if they're executed too over-the-top or forcefully. Rather, we see a woman taking care of her business, her family, asserting dominance over people who are truly weaker than her. The film paints a picture of the hardships, and the beauty, of Brazil's society today. No performance will charm you more than Braga's portrayal of Clara. For any type of film-goer, I recommend this film, because its style is easy to watch, but the message is overwhelmingly powerful.
La La Land (2016)
Cinematic Masterpiece, One of the Best Films of the Modern Age
La La Land is simply one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. Coming from someone whose favorite movie of all time is Black Swan, I tend to like darker movies, but this more romantic movie blew most movies I've seen in my lifetime out of the water. At the surface, it's a simple boy-meets-girl love story, but the real magic lies in the artistic direction. I came into this movie expecting a lot due to Chazelle's previous work of art, Whiplash, and I left the theater absolutely satisfied. The way the visual effects, music, and dance play out in this movie make it the masterpiece that it truly is. Emma Stone is the perfect amount of quirky for the lead female role, while Ryan Gosling is the perfect amount of dapper for the lead male role. The two have GREAT chemistry on-screen. The transition from musical moments to serious ones to comedic ones is seamless. PLEASE go see this masterpiece. It is SO worth your money.
Parks and Recreation (2009)
A Show For Everyone To Laugh With, Learn With, and Enjoy
Parks and Recreation is comedy gold, with value. There's genuine laughs at every corner. Jokes are fired so effortlessly and quickly that they are not cheesy whatsoever. The show's humor is so ridiculous at times (in a good way), but the show also speaks truth about the world of politics. Main character Leslie Knope is a struggling female politician in her hometown of Pawnee, Indiana, who deals with issues that real politicians go through, such as unreasonable rumors, critical news anchors, and protests against her campaigns and ideas. However, the political theme of this show is presented in such a genuinely funny way that the show is not boring whatsoever. The main, and also supporting, characters, all have a real role in the cast. They each develop more and more throughout the series, and no character is left behind. References to past events from previous episodes are constantly being made, and the cast has such great chemistry that despite some of the crazy situations the cast finds themselves in, they're still very believable as people. I HIGHLY recommend watching this series, because it's rare to find a series that is truly funny, with a cast so purely likable.