sergelamarche Reviews

The Undoing (2020)

Who done it and thriller

[8/10 · 2 December 2023]

It's a bit surprising to see these actors in a miniserie. This was a good idea. It is very beautiful, edgy, and unexpected. It is going into the mind of the psychopathic and we even wonder if there are not more than a few of them in there. This keeps us guessing.

Perfomances are fine. We get sucked into the story. Kidman is a producer and wanted this done. It is also a take on marital problems that can derail into murder.

As a who done it, the clues come at slow pace but suddenly. Still, the clues may fool us. We need to take psychology into account. Another reviewer complains about the last episode but I find it appropriate to end in a thriller of the sort. This actually happens in real life, only with less rapid intervention.

The Equalizer (2014)

Home hardware aware

[7/10 · 3 November 2023]

Denzel does a great job being the hero with a conscience. A deadly hero with some OCD and good knowledge of weapons and home hardware. He is some sort of Jack Ryan operative in retirement that can't resist action.

Yes, this type of film is done over and over. This one seems less prearranged and even awkward at the beginning. The flow is consistent and accelerates with some pauses that makes sense. All the characters are human except some vilains, obviously psychopathic.

I was expecting the regular shoot them up. So I was pleasantly surprised by the level of acting and the story of it all. Good work!

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Seeping horror

[9/10 · 29 October 2023]

This story is amazing. I was expecting another story of massacre to get their territory but this one is about the rich natives being dispossessed more slowly. This is very fitting for Halloween. Like a real life slasher where one of your friend is the serial killer. Here, several are and the poor natives don't know who to trust. The enemy blends with the friends and even with the lovers.

This being said, the rendering of the story is also mastered of course. The period and the sets, the costumes are perfect. The acting is top. Leonardo plays the chump under the thumb of his oncle very well. To the point that he is horrified himself.

This story also extends very well as a tale of murderous bashing that still happens all over the world. Probably every homogenous group in the world is guitly of it at some point in their history.

Up to His Ears (1965)

Outdoor adventures a bit mad

[6/10 · 21 October 2023]

This film was intended to be a bigger sequel that Man from Rio was lesser. The story is less logical and the adventure less subtle. The sequences are lost in grandeur and it is played in the absurd, almost like Monty Python. Several very good stunts nonetheless.

It's not boring and we find Ursula Andress, charming and intelligent. She is also part of the adventure.

Almost shot entirely on location, we can see a time capsule of very exotic places for us.

I liked certain adventurous moments and certain funny moments more than others. The weakest part of the film is the story which lacks credibility and which is played too much as a joke, I think.

That Man from Rio (1964)

Great adventure with incredible stunts

[9/10 · 21 October 2023]

This film was inspired by the adventures of Tintin but with a hero interested in women. In particular one woman that he runs after to save during the film. A bit of Jules Vernes also since the director loved his stories as well.

This film has a story that holds well and the bouncing is well done. Many hilarious moments with the running gag of our hero running so fast and well always catch up with the bandits.

Amusing anecdote, The wife of the president of the time ran over the other movie to get JFK to come watch this hilarious film in a New-York theatre.

The stunts are incredible and Belmondo is gifted athletically and to stunts. Several stunts are really impressive of realism. This film was a great success and it was deserved. It was an inspiration for Indiana Jones which might explain why that film was described as Tintinesque. And consequently. Spielberg did a Tintin film.

Lost Girls and Love Hotels (2020)

Slow burn

[5/10 · 15 September 2023]

The film is a bit too soft and quiet for the story. It looks like it's going to turn into a fall and going down into being homeless, hopefully showing somehow how this happens in real life. But it is not like that. It is not Looking for mr Goodbar either. Alexandra is not looking excited to do what she does. She looks more like an airhead that doesn't really know where she's going. This is supposed to be a toned down version of the film to please a larger audience. That might explain why the end is strangely plain. There was no going down into hell much. It was more like humourously experimenting the low depths until she got fed out with it.

Planetarium (2016)

A fall from grace

[6/10 · 13 September 2023]

This film recreates the epoch rather credibly. The fact that it is reproducing a real story except for the main subject is something of a side way to bring it up. The true story seems to me to have made a much better film. Maybe the true story is too much of a depressive story to even think of putting it there for people to see. So, in lieu of it, they made this film. Nathalie is certainly the woman to play terrible downfalls. The film is somewhat rendering lightly serious events and this is a bit like real life. The seriousness of the situations often reveals itself after the consequences. And in fact, taking things seriously as they come, is a sure way to get paralysed by everything.

Moonfall (2022)

Fable in space

[7/10 · 7 September 2023]

This film is really a film about a disaster and a fable at the same time. We have to just see this as a fable that magic is replaced by technology.

The effects are really good and the big disaster looks real except that the laws of physics are abided only when possible and to make the story. Still, in spite of all the impossibilities, it is very much less impossible than anything super-heros, star trek, mummies, dr who, zombies, etc. So, I actually enjoyed a lot of it.

As a fable, it works well and I am sure kids would like it. The kid in me did. The adult in me just found the film funny and I enjoyed tagging all the impossible stuff and the possible stuff. I give this filma thumbs up!

Suicide Squad (2016)

Crazy!

[6/10 · 6 September 2023]

This film had a déjà vu feel that was hard to shake. The same story was made in WW setting, or maybe as a western. Bad guys recruited from jail to fight badder guys? Been done. Even the way they go in the bar and look less bad suddenly felt déjà vu.

It is a bit crazy that these films always have the world at stake. Sometimes the whole universe is at stake.

In any case, I found the characters not very interesting. Only Margot Robbie/ Harley Quinn was fabulously bad and insane in hilarious ways.

Well, with this I had my dose of psychopathy for a while.

The special effects and the efforts made by the actors to play the villains saved the film.

Personal Shopper (2016)

Haunting

[7/10 · 26 August 2023]

The story follows a woman that has lost a friend and is haunted by him litterally and figuratively. There is a subplot that kind of complicates a little the story. There might be some ghost whisperer super power in our hero woman. So, we're not sure about what are the manifestations from the other side. There is something about our well-known actress that makes her attractive and we want to follow her. We're worried when she drive the motorcycle. We're worried when she travels by train. In the end, we know what haunts her and she's happy about it. But I'm not sure she knows, although she always wanted it. Well done film.

Incredibles 2 (2018)

Over the top action and good hilarity

[7/10 · 10 July 2023]

This family is well rounded but has some prejudice even in the prejudice-fighting modalities. But it is all in good fun though. Some of the plots are things I have seen in other movies, so this gives to the film a feeling of déjà vu a few times in. I was watching the french version and the voices are excellent there as well. I also saw many texts in french in the film, which are a very nice move from Disney and Pixar. I noticed this in other of their films. They could do it completely bilingual easily since this is all animated. One point that I found too much over the top is Jack-Jack having much too much super powers. There is super-power fatigue. Okay, if it moves the story and gives more laughs but it does cause eyes rolling as well.

The Endless (I) (2017)

Well made crazy thing

[8/10 · 23 June 2023]

This film is not looking low budget. The actors are not well known and it is actually a plus because anything can happen then.

Acting is good and the story intriguing. It explains slowly like it doesn't want us to leave... You'll understand when you'll see the film.

I guess this is the test of buddhism of the lives needed to make it out again.

Special effects were perfectly fine and made the story advance forward very nicely. I really liked the pace and the mystery that gets you guessing. Then, once you get something, you can still wonder what you would do in this situation. What is the suffering of life and what is to do with it with the time left are questions that arises.

Stoker (2013)

Quiet psychopathy

[7/10 · 22 June 2023]

The story starts slowly and it is hard to figure out where this is going. A man recently disapeared and his brother appeared in the house, welcomed by the widow and the daughter. He seems educated, strong, with a great car, great dark glasses, plays piano like the daughter and inspire confidence and arouses their senses. So far so good, until things takes a strange turn. The widow and daughter have violent self-defense tendancies. And I am not giving spoilers... As a film, this kid of works. But as real life, plenty of things are fitting too well and I would not believe in so much pieces falling just right so often. A good and original thriller/horror though.

Love in the Afternoon (1957)

Rom com of old

[7/10 · 12 June 2023]

I was surprised to hear common sayings of today in this old film. A black and white film with believable silliness and an obvious light comedy. Some things didn't age well but if we see it as a relic of the time, it is quite acceptable.

The jokes still worked well mostly. I agree with another reviewer that it was getting a big long but it regained pace to reach a satisfying ending.

I liked the idea of setting it in Paris, with Gary Cooper throwing very well pronunciated bits of french. He appeared to have been perfectly bilingual.

Audrey was a big romantic star and it is a bit surprising that every time, we could believe in her love.

Mississippi Mermaid (1969)

Old strange romance

[7/10 · 21 May 2023]

With these two actors, it is surprising that they play a bit naive and losers.

The story is about a scammed loser that falls for the scammer, after he discovers that the scammer was herself scammed. They become enamored with each other but keep falling into worse and worse conditions because of their own faults. It degenerates as much as it can possibly be but they keep hanging to each other. Even the ending is a bit of a shocker and plays counter-intuitively.

We keep guessing how this story would develop. Truffaut manage to have us believe this is possible and that two losers could actually love each other no matter how they connected and how bad their behaviors can be.

The Salesman (2016)

Every day thriller

[8/10 · 30 April 2023]

Based on the Death of a salesman, the director stages the play in Iran with his characters, a play within the film. The film parallels the story of the theatre play a little, but not too much. It becomes a thriller, a complex thriller about the honor and the shame and the will to revenge. We see the characters could explode at any time but we don't really know how it will unfold. Everyone seems very intelligently thinking and thinking about how close the edge is. Even a low budget film in a strange language can hook us in. Plus, it is rather smart to pick a very well known play to anker the viewers in something familiar.

I, Tonya (2017)

Fabulous, tough and hilarious

[8/10 · 28 April 2023]

A true story that certainly deserved a film. They mention the film was dramatized and we sure hope so. But the reality must have been just as dramatic if not more. I always love figure skating and was watching at the time. Tonya did strike me as way above. I'm not even sure if I recall seeing Nancy skating. The bits at the end with the real Tonya, I recall being very impressed. I'm still impressed seeing this old footage. Who knew her life was so bad at home? I think this film is great also as a lesson for the youth of the world. As for the film acting an special effects: perfect. It is played as a documentary with a lot of reenactments. Fabulous!

The Two Faces of January (2014)

Psychopathy desperados

[7/10 · 23 April 2023]

Desperados story. It is almost a cliché to follow people going desperate and trying to escape witb loads of money. Fortunately, this film is more about how things seemingly fine gradually go worse and worse. The question is: what could possibly go wrong? And it keeps going. Good to have old places that stayed the same since past millenium to camp a story in 1962.

Good acting and good players, good effects. All credible that way. The spiral downward accelerate to the point of a free fall. Well, this is the life of the psychopaths that are busted. But in the end, the hero could find the truth to share.

Nightmare Alley (2021)

Sombre in sombre shades

[8/10 · 22 April 2023]

With the top artists involved in the film, the result is quite something. Not a minute is wasted and the film lasts long. Still, I am unsatisfied by the end. Clearly, the fil had to end one way and this was the quickest way. But had the movie more time, there was so much more to tap into with this.

The period is very well rendered and credible. The story flows well and it seems to make sense psychologically. It is quite a ride to follow. Del Toro is dark and remains dark to somewhat contradict an earlier film he did.

I would think the lesson here is, don't fool yourself thinking the others don't want to fool you. And think about the usual: «what could possibly go wrong»... haha!

The Water Man (I) (2020)

Kid TV movie

[6/10 · 21 April 2023]

This is more a TV movie for kids on saturday morning than anything else. The problem is the story a bit too on the fable side for the age of the kids. However, there are quite a few original good bits in it. There are quite a few serious issues treated in it. Ayewolo says it in the dvd extras, it is a film that would lead to discussion within family with the kids. I would not discount a film of the sort because it is not super entertaining. By the way, there are no real super powers in it other than the power of imagination. So, it is normal it will feel a bit flat to the crowd so used to the magic.

The Mauritanian (2021)

True and long

[8/10 · 21 April 2023]

The story being true, we must accept what happened. We can't say that the scenario could be improved with more heroes and more super powers, hahaha!

Guantanamo bay may not be even closed yet. The United-States love to play offended by human abuses in other countries maybe because it gives them a bit more of a good conscience to do some, or similar.

Good production with great acting. The story is still rather simple. It is more about the emotions. How the trust levels would change. How the legal fight would play over. And how each character added to the adventurous and dangerous life in Cuba's english bit.

Practical Magic (1998)

Some good points

[6/10 · 20 April 2023]

The film has flaws. The story has issues with continuity and logic but it has very good points also. Some things truly look magical and unexpected. But some of the stories or adventures miss continuity. Of course with magic, the spells look made up and far fetched, because they are. However, there are hilarious moments and dramatic moments that redeem the film often.

The beginning is a bit hard and annoying. It starts to gear in later.

The acting is very good of course with these people. The effects are well done.

The story has a lot of females, women and girls, which must have been something in 98. It had a different stance on couples that allowed a bad girl, good girl comparison. Similarly, we find a good boy, bad boy to match.

Jungle Cruise (2021)

Passable

[6/10 · 31 March 2023]

Indiana Jones style movies are getting numerous. Here's another with a girl with pants and guys a bit poofy. Super CGI effects keep the impossible possible and the magic going. The whole thing is wrapped up nicely with a few strange villains getting what they deserve. Well, this would be better if it was in a magical world like Peter Pan, but in our world, it was a bit over the top incongruous. A few things were predictable. I gave it a 6 because I did not feel like sleeping during the film, but I was getting tired of the magic at the end. It was a bit long. With Jumanji, we can go along better because it's all in a computer.

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

Modern version

[7/10 · 31 March 2023]

This version is modern and shows the queens and squables through a modern light. Race diversity may not have been common in the not UK compared to France. Costumes, settings and actions seems to match the period though. I was not bored a minute. The adventures and misadventures were thrilling enough. Maybe it was missing a je ne sais quoi, to link the events in a better flow. We were often surprised at the turn of events and were forced to imagine how they could think in such way and do such things. We had to guess the background. It's a different take that motivate to see other versions of the story and check the history books or documentaries. Plus, Saoirse is a delight to watch.

Psycho (1960)

Brilliant

[8/10 · 29 March 2023]

I just visioned the 2012 cut DVD version. Janet Leigh blink is cut out of this one and the version seems superior and more full overall. The extras showed the shower scene with and without the music. The music makes it very irky and dramatic but without works very well also in showing the loneliness of the victim, which is the reality of being a victim.

The acting is superb all over and this gives the film a lot of poise and ground in reality. We can only be grabbed. The storyline is also complex and the murder mystery takes over after the stolen crime mystery. This film marked cinema for good reasons.