mieriks Reviews

Suicide Squad (2016)

Action-packed, but too melodramatic

[6/10 · 10 May 2024]

This movie, about a secret government agency that recruits some of the most dangerous incarcerated super-villains to form a defensive task force, is an okay superhero movie.

It is definitely a feast for the eyes. Despite that the mostly appealing CGI has its flaws, the amount of characters and action is entertaining. However, the movie is way too melodramatic and the plot is simple. A simple plot is not necessarily a bad thing, but it gets dull without depth. I really like the first act, mostly because of the character introductions, but the third act is as cliche and simple as it can get. Speaking of the dullness, it is much because of the dialogues. It is fun to see a bunch of different characters interact with each other, but they rather just comment on unnecessary things rather than being serious. And when it first gets serious, it gets too cliche, which is unfortunate. So overall, it gets flat, honestly.

In conclusion, while this movie boasts impressive visuals and a fun first act with intriguing characters, the movie ultimately falls flat. The plot is overly simplistic, the dialogue lacks focus, and the story takes a turn for the melodramatic in the later acts. While the action sequences are entertaining, they cannot save the movie from its underdeveloped script.

The Notebook (2004)

Emotional

[8/10 · 10 May 2024]

This movie, about an elderly man who reads to a woman with dementia the story of two young lovers whose romance is threatened by the difference in their respective social classes, is a great romantic epic movie!

Very well execution of a good story with talented actors, engaging drama, a beautiful score, and much more. The character developments feel natural as well as the character interactions, and although it is easy to guess who the elderly people really are, the movie manages to catch your heart. The third act feels quite stretched, but at the same time touches your emotions with its perfect ending.

Though the third act lingers, this movie shines with its emotional core, captivating characters, and beautiful execution. A timeless love story.

Me Before You (2016)

A sweet story

[7/10 · 10 May 2024]

This movie, about a girl in a small town who forms an unlikely bond with a recently-paralyzed man she is taking care of, is a good feel-good romance movie!

Despite that I have not read the book, I could guess how the movie would turn out based on the poster. Because I was right about when it comes to characters who "unlikely" fall in love with each other and that the disabled character passes away at the end of the movie, it is important for the sake of the movie to impress with its execution of the story.

I am surprised that I do not get as much connection to the characters as I expected, and while the plot is basically predictable, the dialogues are surprisingly predictable as well. I could several times, unintentionally, guess what the characters said sometimes, and that is not a good thing, especially along with a predictable plot. However, the movie still manages to touch your feelings, especially the sad ones, like the beach scene, and although the story is predictable, it is hard to avoid caring for it, at least for one bit.

Despite predictable plot elements and a familiar trope, this movie manages to tug at the heartstrings. The beach scene evokes a strong emotional response, and the characters, though somewhat expected, are still endearing. Even if the story unfolds as anticipated, it is hard not to get invested in its outcome.

Southern Comfort (1981)

Non-stop silly fights

[5/10 · 1 May 2024]

This movie, about a team of National Guardsmen who are threatened by angry and violent locals, is a weak psychological thriller movie.

I like the plot, and the locations, costumes, and props make sure of a real survival setup. However, the execution is flawed. I like the idea that chaos leads to more chaos, and while the enemy is the original problem, the conflict within the squad makes it the real challenge. Anyway, the fights are the main problem with the movie because it overshadows most of the movie. The soldiers are apparently the dumbest soldiers in the world because it is almost impossible for them to do any sorts of cooperation. I also sometimes struggle to interpret if the movie tries to be funny or serious, and the cliche dialogues do not make it any better. All of these things happen from start until the third act, and while the third act finally gets rid of the silly fights, it lacks compactness and intensity, leaving me disappointed.

This movie suffers from silly soldier fights that overshadow the intriguing plot and survival setting. The unclear tone and cliche dialogue further weaken the movie, leaving disappointment despite a promising third act.

The Next 365 Days (2022)

Not much more than a dramatic plot

[4/10 · 29 April 2024]

This movie, about the relationship of Laura and Massimo that hangs in the balance as they try to overcome trust issues and jealousy while a tenacious Nacho works to push them apart, is a bad sequel to 365 Days: This Day (2022).

What makes this the best one of The 365 Days Trilogy (2020-2022) is that it actually has a decent plot itself where the open ending is in fact decent, plot-wise. Alongside this, the lighting, locations, and costumes are nice like the predecessors, but that does not make the movie good in any way. The movie struggles with almost every single element, both narratively and technically, making it difficult to enjoy. I personally find it hard to believe how the production, or at least the directors, can leave the movie with any sense of satisfaction.

Disappointing sequel. Decent plot (supposedly) cannot save the movie from technical and narrative flaws. Still a frustrating watch despite visuals.

365 Days: This Day (2022)

A movie or a music video?

[2/10 · 29 April 2024]

This movie, about the family of Massimo who ties and a mysterious man bidding for the heart of Laura who complicate the lives of the lovers, is a terrible sequel to 365 Days (2020).

I think the first movie is awful, but I did not expect 365 Day: This Day to be even worse. How did that happen? Well, more than the half of the movie consists of scenes that are basically "music videos" or montages with almost no dialogues. And there are not only "music videos". The movie has no directions with the story until like the last 45 minutes or so. From here, the story itself is decent, but the execution is still heavily flawed like the rest of the movie. Besides nice lighting, locations, and costumes, there is nothing to be impressed by, even the acting. It is surprising how untalented directing is. The movie is almost so bad that it gets entertaining to watch, but in the end, it is one of the worst movies I have ever seen - and it got released in 2022, which makes itself even more embarrassing considering how easy it is to at least make a decent movie nowadays...

In conclusion, despite some attractive visuals, this movie fails to impress. Excruciatingly long montages and a near-nonexistent plot until the final stretch make this sequel even worse than its critically panned predecessor. This poorly directed mess is a contender for one of the worst movies of 2022.

365 Days (2020)

Narrative crisis

[3/10 · 24 April 2024]

This movie, about Massimo who is a member of the Sicilian Mafia family and Laura who is a sales director, is an awful steamy-romance movie.

It is not much good to be said. The only elements I find appealing are the lighting, locations, and most of the sex scenes themselves. Otherwise, the movie is extremely flawed.

The narrative is its worst element because it is literally a disaster. It feels that it is not planned at all, many things may seem spontaneous and improvised, and there is no depth throughout. First, the backstory about the vision by Massimo Torricelli of Laura Biel is so rushed, and the relationship between Laura and Massimo does not make sense. I interpret their relationship as a battle of power through seduction, which is a good starting point, but the reactions of the characters are illogical based on the events. Laura gets kidnapped by Massimo overseas, Laura gets confused and afraid, but suddenly she gets confident. How does that make sense? Also, Massimo wants Laura to love him because of his vision, but how on earth is that possible when you kidnap Laura, get a blowjob by another woman in front of Laura, and have complete physical power over Laura? I do not see any point in that. Speaking of the confidence of Laura and her general personality, she is one of the most confusing characters I have ever seen - in a negative way. As said, first she gets afraid, then suddenly confident, then angry, and then, out of nowhere, she loves Massimo after their meaningless and spontaneous sex. Anna-Maria Sieklucha (as Laura Biel) and Michele Morrone (as Massimo Torricelli) are good-looking humans to most people, but that is worthless when their performances are bad. Everything just looks so silly and stupid.

In terms of technical aspects, while the lighting is very good, the rest is actually far from impressive despite being a movie from 2020. The shots are sharp and the focus is good enough, but the angles, editing, and sounds are poor. The switching between the close-ups and the wide ones is inconsistent, the scenes have weird structures, much due to the editing, and there is something with the microphone recordings that make the dialogues sound like they are dubbed. The volume is too loud compared to the environment, I think. So generally, the movie lacks technical flow and distracts the engagement, and that does not make anything better combined with the already disastrous narrative.

In conclusion, this movie is a frustrating mess. While the cinematography boasts good lighting and locations, the technical aspects fall flat with inconsistent editing and strange sound mixing. Even the steamy scenes, which could have been a saving grace, are forgettable. The true downfall, however, is the narrative. The nonsensical plot hinges on nonsensical character motivations and reactions. The personality of Laura swings wildly, and the actions of Massimo are contradictory. With shallow characters and a nonsensical story, the movie fails to deliver on even the promise of a trashy romance.

Face/Off (1997)

Fun concept and action

[7/10 · 21 April 2024]

This movie, about FBI agent Sean Archer who assumes the identity of the criminal Castor Troy who murdered his son through facial transplant surgery, is a good action movie!

It is not without its issues, mainly because of its bad structure in the scenes with no action. In those scenes, the narrative has struggles, the dialogues are poor, the editing is inconsistent, and the movie could feel out of place sometimes. But hey, I enjoyed it after-all. The concept is fun and the movie obviously focuses on the action with the crazy amount of stunts, practical effects and much more. I like the score as well, and as long it was action, I had a good time!

Wild concept, non-stop action - this movie delivers! Enjoy the stunts, effects, and score - just hold on during the talky bits.

Fifty Shades Freed (2018)

Some actually good scenes, but a mixed experience overal

[6/10 · 20 April 2024]

This movie, about Anastasia and Christian who get married, is an okay sequel to Fifty Shades Darker (2017).

While I think it is better than Fifty Shades Darker, I still think Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) is the best one because of the mysterious take on Christian Grey, but Fifty Shades Freed actually has some good scenes that its predecessors have a great lack of, like when the protagonist, Anastasia Grey, confronts her husband, Christian Grey, after seeing a message on the phone of Christian, and the closing sequence of Anastasia and Christian living as a happy family. And to add, the performance by Dakota Johnson is actually improved compared to the predecessors. Otherwise, the movie is flawed, which is unfortunate. The flaws are basically the general execution, especially narratively, where it lacks good flow and composition, which leaves me with a mixed experience.

While this move offers stronger performances and some well-done scenes, its narrative flaws and uneven execution leave a mixed impression, and it struggles to maintain a cohesive flow throughout the story.

Fifty Shades Darker (2017)

Bad structure

[5/10 · 14 April 2024]

This movie, about Anastasia who must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, is a weak sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey (2015).

The story of the relationship between the protagonist, Anastasia Steele, and her lover, Christian Grey, continues. While the first movie is about love and mystery, this movie leans more towards past and jealousy. Despite a potentially good story, the execution is heavily flawed. First of all, the structure is bad. Some of the scenes themselves are good, but they kind of pop out of nowhere. Second, the dialogues are bad, and alongside the poor performance by Dakota Johnson (as Anastasia Steele), the movie makes me cringe. Third, the reactions and feelings of the characters are unrealistic, and the movie does not give enough time to settle things down. Last, the movie contains several plot holes, making it look like a movie without enough planning. Generally, a lot could have been done better, unfortunately.

Despite an intriguing premise, this movie disappoints. A weak structure, awkward dialogue, and unconvincing characters create a rushed, uneven movie. It fails to capture any sort of spark.

The Servant (1963)

Excellent drama

[8/10 · 12 April 2024]

This movie, about upper-class Tony who hires servant Hugo Barrett, is a great psychological drama movie!

I had a wonderful time! Despite that the movie slightly drags a few times, it really has the whole package. The story is excellent, the acting is good, the cinematography is amazing, the editing is on point, and the pace is mostly appropriate. The movie also has such attention to detail and forces you to pay attention from start to finish with its discrete intensity, and while that I a few times was not sure how to interpret some scenes, they actually made my experience even better. It is genius in some aspects.

Despite pacing stumbles, this movie excels. Story, acting, visuals - all grip you. Ambiguity adds depth, making it a lasting cinematic experience.

Wish (II) (2023)

Flawed

[5/10 · 12 April 2024]

This movie, about a young girl named Asha who wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her, is a weak computer animation movie.

Well, I did not expect this from Disney. I have enjoyed most of Disney movies and maybe more than the average viewer, but this movie did disappoint. Its flaws make it feel more like a wannabe than an original and it is not what I thought Disney would go for. The story is a good idea and the inner story is valuable, but the rest is far from good. The movie is rushed, the structure is weird, the purpose of the characters are bit confusing, the (Norwegian) voice actors could have been better, and while the songs may appeal to some, the songs themselves feel random in terms of timing. It feels like the movie tries too much to be something else than to develop its own way. The animation style is new and honestly a nice try, but still, it does not work because it feels rather like cheap video game cut scenes than a work of art by Pixar. The movie has potential and I can see why some might like it, but I do not think it is a worthy Disney movie.

This movie disappoints. A good central story is overshadowed by a rushed plot, confusing characters, and forgettable songs. The unique animation, while interesting, feels like a video game cutscene, not Disney magic. While some might enjoy it, then movie misses the mark.

Dying Young (1991)

Unnecessary predictable

[5/10 · 10 April 2024]

This movie, about a caregiver who falls in love with a terminally ill man, is a weak drama movie.

It is one of the most predictable movies I have ever seen. There is nothing to be surprised by from start to finish, and that is a huge mistake. I guess the main purpose with it is to experience it as a feel-good movie, but it does not work. I like the story because it is a good one, and despite that it has many great elements and ideas, the execution is meh. From the start of each scene you almost know what is going to happen, and my guesses were right most of the time - not that I sit here and constantly think about the outcomes of the scenes, but it surprises me how "inside the box" the movie is. It is definitely a "play safe" movie and that is not worthy to me. I would rather choose something ambitious and risky that potentially can disappoint my high expectations.

In conclusion, while this movie boasts a potentially good story, its predictable execution fails to deliver a satisfying experience. It prioritizes playing it safe over taking risks, resulting in a formulaic plot that fails to surprise or engage.

Loving Vincent (2017)

Stunning

[8/10 · 8 April 2024]

This movie, about a young man who comes to the last hometown of painter Vincent van Gogh to deliver the final letter of the troubled artist and ends up investigating his final days there, is a great adult animation movie!

This was a whole new experience for me. I have seen a lot of animation movies, but nothing like this one. It is mind-blowing how good the movie looks. Hand drawing with pencils is a masterful technique, but it is hard to put down details with a painting brush. The movie absolutely nails it with its choice of beautiful colors along with its mysterious story. In terms of story, I really enjoyed it. It did not get as intense as I hoped somewhere in the second half, but other than that, very compelling. My favorite part of the movie is the atmosphere. The amazing score by composer Clint Mansell sets a perfect tone to the movie, and I love the way we see flashbacks and backstories from the characters who meet the protagonist, Armand Roulin. I am not sure how the process was made from scratch to the final paintings, but my guess is that they first shot it in live-action and then painted the frames to make it look more realistic and natural. Anyway, no matter how they did it, it is a pure joy to see such art come to life as an inspiration from Van Gogh.

This movie stuns with its hand-painted animation, a feast for the eyes. While the mystery unravels at a measured pace, the atmosphere and score of the movie are captivating. A must-see for animation and art lovers.

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Technically impressive, but not narratively

[6/10 · 8 April 2024]

This movie, about the life of literature student Anastasia Steele that changes forever when she meets handsome, yet tormented, billionaire Christian Grey, is an okay psychological drama movie.

My first impression is how pleasant the visuals are. Good color grading, sharp images, and captivating lighting are feast for the eyes and easily distract some of the downgrades I will mention. Despite the visual impression, the movie has narrative struggles. It contains less sex than I expected, considering what I have heard from others, which I do not know if it is a good thing or not. Anyway, I do not like the performance by Dakota Johnson (as Anastasia Steele). I like the idea of that the protagonist, Anastasia Steele, is supposed to be naive, inexperienced, and insecure, but the execution is weird. Speaking of naivety, she rather feels dumb. She frequently falls into the "trap" of the world of Christian Grey, and that is not a bad thing itself, but unfortunately, that leans more to feeling repetitive than developing. I watched the movie with my girlfriend and that automatically may spice up the movie experience, but if I look away from that part, my overall experience is mixed.

In conclusion, this movie offers a visually-appealing experience with strong technical aspects, but falters in its narrative. The story feels repetitive due to the constant gullibility of the protagonist. While the watch was enjoyable due to personal company, the overall experience is forgettable.

Whiteout (2009)

Poorly executed

[5/10 · 6 April 2024]

This movie, about U. S. Marshal Carrie Stetko who tracks a killer in Antarctica as the sun is about to set for six months, is a weak action movie.

It is one of the most average movies I have ever seen. It was never good, but it was never too bad, either. It has some good elements and ideas, but the execution has a constant need for improvement. It never reaches any peaks except from a couple of moments, like the twist with Dr. John Fury. The visuals are quite alright, but man, is it cliché and hollywoodish. I never care for the characters, the screenplay is poor, and I could never connect with it. The movie has some potential, but it disappoints and has a very long way to go.

This movie wastes potential with a clichéd plot, weak characters, and a poorly executed script. The visuals cannot save this forgettable experience.

The Seventh Seal (1957)

Tiresome

[5/10 · 4 April 2024]

This movie, about a knight returning to Sweden after the Crusades seeks answers about life, death, and the existence of God as he plays chess against the Grim Reaper during the Black Plague, is a weak psychological drama movie.

It is definitely a visual joy. Great cinematography with excellent lighting, and the costumes, locations, and practical effects are effective. However, the tiresome story easily overshadows the positive elements. I understand some parts of the story, but I guess I did not get the whole thing. Some of the pieces come together in the third act, but other than that, I do not get much out of it. I have nothing against elevated languages, but with an incomplete understanding alongside the slow story and pace, my experience gets pretty dull, unfortunately. Maybe a rewatch will change my mind.

Though beautiful, the slow story, complex dialogue, and cryptic elements of this movie make it a drag. A rewatch might help, but the initial effort may be a turnoff.

TMNT (2007)

Darker than other animation movies

[8/10 · 4 April 2024]

This movie, about the Ninja Turtles who must reunite and overcome their faults in order to stand against it, is a great computer animation movie!

It is not quite like other animation movies. It has its similarities to others, but what makes it somewhat unique is the dark conflict within the Ninja Turtles. I love the relationship between the Leonardo and Raphael because it feels both complex and simple at the same. That aside, I love the backstory and the inclusion of fascinating monsters terrorizing New York City. And it is not just the plot, but the style, atmosphere, and tone of the movie are amazing. The animation itself is outdated and looks like cutscenes from video games, but the good colors, cool cinematography, great choreography, accurate editing, and a great score make sure of a pretty cinematic experience.

Though the animation might feel dated, the dark themes of this movie, compelling characters, and thrilling action sequences deliver a visually striking and unforgettable experience.

Chicken Run (2000)

Nostalgic

[7/10 · 4 April 2024]

This movie, about a cockerel who apparently flies into a chicken farm, is a good animal adventure movie!

My nostalgic feelings flow through my body from start to finish after not rewatching the movie for at least 15 years. I could not remember anything until I saw the scenes with my own eyes, and it was like watching it for the first while I had the feeling of have been watching it a dozen of times, which I have. The movie itself is simple, predictable, and straightforward, but with the great animation, characters, score, humor, and lighthearted story alongside the nostalgia, it is definitely a worthwhile watch, at least for me.

Despite its simplicity, the humor of this movie, animation, and a powerful dose of nostalgia make it a delightful watch.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Heart and beauty

[8/10 · 4 April 2024]

This movie, about Hiccup who discovers that Toothless is not the only Night Fury, is a great sequel to How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)!

I think the story is slightly simpler than necessary, making it somewhat predictable and straightforward, as well as the motive of the antagonist, Grimmel, does not feel that creative. However, it is the third movie, and if you enjoy its predecessors, it is hard to not care for the characters. The movie masterfully gives time to the details that depicts heart and beauty alongside an incredible animation, cinematography, cuteness and humor, making it undoubtedly a worthwhile watch, especially with its perfect closing scene.

Despite a simple plot, this movie wins with heart. Stunning visuals, humor, and a perfect ending make it a worthwhile watch.

Damsel (2024)

Impressive technical aspects, but poor characters and storyline

[6/10 · 2 April 2024]

This movie, about a dutiful damsel who agrees to marry a handsome prince, is an okay dark fantasy movie.

It is a Netflix movie, and that automatically sets a low bar for me. Surprisingly enough, its technical aspects are quite impressive. Mostly good cinematography, good sound, a fantastic score, great visual effects, and good sets and locations combined make sure for a cinematic experience, both visually and sonically.

However, the cast, characters, and storyline detract some of the experience. I personally think Milly Bobby Brown (as Elodie) is miscast. She is not bad, but I do not think she fits the role. I have only seen her from Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), and I do not remember her performance from that one, but she struggles to convince me in Damsel. Her performance does not feel natural. Alongside the protagonist, Elodie, the characters feel a bit too stereotypical and they make the movie feel gets quite cheesy sometimes, especially because of the antagonist, Queen Isabelle. And last, the storyline has a great potential, but I do not think it chooses the right turns. There are several ways it could have gotten significantly better just with a few adjustments in the directions and choices of the storyline.

In conclusion, while this movie boasts impressive technical aspects with strong visuals, sound design, and score, its characters and story fall flat. The protagonist feels miscast, the supporting characters fall into stereotypes, and the potential of the plot is squandered. With better casting and a more engaging narrative, the movie could have been a much stronger dark fantasy movie.

Anomalisa (2015)

Amazing

[9/10 · 25 March 2024]

This movie, about a man crippled by the mundanity of his life who experiences something out of the ordinary, is a masterpiece!

I am very surprised how good this is. I did not get the whole thing, but man, how invested I was! My first impression was how amazing the screenplay is. Everything feels so perfectly executed, but that is not just the screenplay, but also the voice acting, animation, lighting, the insane attention to detail, and the sound design. I am blown away.

Despite some confusion, the exceptional script and flawless execution of this movie has you hooked. Every detail, from acting to animation, stuns, leaving you deeply impressed.

Sisters of the Gion (1936)

Funny story

[7/10 · 19 March 2024]

This movie, about two geisha sisters who lead a hard life in the Gion district of Kyoto, is a good drama movie!

I personally do not have much to say about it. The movie is not amazing or incredible for my part, but it has some funny moments where the main plot is the most compelling element. It feels slow at times, but fortunately, it is quite short to be a feature film, and it is also nicely shot and the actors do good. I am glad I took it a visit because I had a good time!

Despite not being a masterpiece, this movie is a good drama with humor and a strong plot. Solid acting and visuals make it worth a watch.

Ms .45 (1981)

Good execution

[7/10 · 18 March 2024]

This movie, about a timid and mute seamstress who goes insane after being attacked and raped twice in one day, is a good crime movie!

Although the actors are not the best and that the movie slightly lacks flow, it surely gives you surprises. The cinematography and editing are not consistently amazing, but they are mostly impressive. I think the first half of the movie is the strongest part because it confidently conveys the developing insanity of the protagonist, Thana. The second half feels a bit monotonous and does not surprise you unlike the first half, but overall, it makes itself a worthy watch.

Despite acting and pacing flaws, this movie is worth a watch for its portrayal of the breakdown of the protagonist. While the second half drags, the movie delivers overall.

Switch (1991)

Somewhat entertaining, but suffers from one huge mistake

[6/10 · 17 March 2024]

This movie, about a sexist womanizer who is killed by one of his former lovers and then reincarnated as a woman, is an okay body-swap-comedy movie.

I like the idea and it is somewhat entertaining. Ellen Barkin (as Amanda Brooks) also gives a good performance. I imagine she had a lot of fun making the movie. Anyway, it is different for a viewer. The concept is fun, but the huge mistake of the movie is that we do not get to know Steve Brooks, which ruins much of the rest of the story. We only get an introduction, which in matter of fact is not even an introduction, before he gets killed. It is important to know the protagonist, especially in this case, because we have almost nothing to relate to Steve through Amanda.

Despite a fun concept and the acting of Barkin, the movie neglects to develop Steve. Without knowing the man transformed, the journey of Amanda falls flat.