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kasserlannister
Reviews
Vanskabte land (2022)
Another tragic tale set in a sleepy, picturesque village-and I am all for it.
Another tragic tale set in a sleepy, picturesque village-and I am all for it. Some will find its pace too slow and quiet but I drifted with it, frame by frame, one stir at a time. Let the contexts on colonialism do the clamor through Elliott Crosset Hove's performance.
And Maira von Hausswolff - The Academy may have snubbed you but not me. Your work, especially in Godland, blew me away and right off the hills of Iceland. The framing and the beauty in every still shot and panning. You put the godland in Godland. Just beautiful. **END**
Another tragic tale set in a sleepy, picturesque village-and I am all for it. Some will find its pace too slow and quiet but I drifted with it, frame by frame, one stir at a time. Let the contexts on colonialism do the clamor through Elliott Crosset Hove's performance.
And Maira von Hausswolff - The Academy may have snubbed you but not me. Your work, especially in Godland, blew me away and right off the hills of Iceland. The framing and the beauty in every still shot and panning. You put the godland in Godland. Just beautiful.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Still sadly relevant after 30+ years
Now everyone should do the right thing and watch this even for once in their lives. Still sadly relevant after 30+ years. "And that's the quintessential truth, Ruth." It was great to see familiar faces who are still thriving in the industry until today, and to find out that Spike Lee the director was also acting.
Everything started and went on like a routine. Until the third act. Nobody will prepare you for the third act. It was a disconcerting watch being astoundingly familiar and true-to-life. And the Korean man trying his best to say they feel for Radio Raheem as a person of color? As an Asian, that moved me.
This is my first Spike Lee and won't be the last. FIGHT THE POWER.
Huling palabas (2023)
First Romblomanon feature film!!
First of all, seeing my home province in a full-length film is a dream. Hearing our language is another. I would like to applaud the actors for doing their best to learn Onhan and our distinct intonation, especially Bon Andrew Lentejas who played Pido.
Huling Palabas, after all, turned out to be a coming-of-age story, leaving the mysterious depiction of its, um, synopsis (iykyk), eventually rooting out the unfocused direction of the writing from the second act on. It wouldn't have mattered but it felt like it had its main plot and subplots interchanged, resulting into underdeveloped characters and abandoned arcs.
Ryan Machado's vision, wit (mind you, there was a lot of comedic lines that flawlessly landed), and heart beat so loud in his first feature film, with local folklore on the side (FYI "Caratong City" in the film is all CGI) that could have been its strength. Theo Lozada captured the true warmth and homeyness of the town of Looc, giving us new perspectives to familiar sights. Juan was a natural act, nailing the balikbayan character, while Gomez, Bon Lentejas, and Magiliw were so into their characters you would mistake them for Loocnons in real life.
Huling Palabas was but a personal experience of Romblomanon pride and wishful thinking of what could have been.
Oppenheimer (2023)
This Ken still needs subtitles
I had to rewatch. First time I saw it, I thought it was convoluted with Ludwig Göransson and the sound design as its saving grace. Still felt the same on my rewatch even on IMAX, although with a better understanding of its dense, jargon-heavy storyline, better worship of the sound design, and Göransson ultimately cemented his Oscar nod and his name in my core memory.
This is more of a me problem; Oppenheimer in itself is a great filmmaking achievement with an ensemble so sublime from minor to lead roles and two scenes that made me want to scream, "I love cinema!"
This Ken, after all, still needs subtitles.
Barbie (2023)
Gerwig must have wielded a pen that ignites
Barbie wasn't supposed to be that deep but it was. Greta Gerwig must have wielded a pen that ignites to write this story down with so much boldness, creativity, and awareness that no one could ever imagine for an already perfect plastic to deserve.
It wasn't a surprise Margot Robbie could kill this role and make us all believe she was born for this because she was. She is my favorite actress after all. She led the film as perfectly as her Barbie but it was Ryan Gosling that took me by surprise with how much he embodied kenergy that came so explosive like some atomic bomb designed by some civilian scientist (pun intended). Then there's America Ferrera (watch out for the scenes that earned her the "heart of the film" ribbon) and the scene Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For" was made for. (If I were to predict with all confidence who's bagging an Oscar nomination? It's Billie for Original Song.)
Barbie indeed subverted expectations and stereotypes. And I hate that it worked, that's why I loved it.
De uskyldige (2021)
This is how you do a mutant origin story
Now this is how you do a mutant origin story. Yes, I am talking to whoever is currently owning the X-Men IP. "The Innocents" didn't need Sony/Marvel levels of expensive visual effects to showcase superpowers but a grounded story and stellar performances to carry it out. Elements of horror were also sprinkled here and there. It was slow burn but it's all worth it in the end because, for me, the third act made me come to the decision to rate this film this high. (Duplicating my review for the 600-character requirement: Now this is how you do a mutant origin story. Yes, I am talking to whoever is currently owning the X-Men IP. "The Innocents" didn't need Sony/Marvel levels of expensive visual effects to showcase superpowers but a grounded story and stellar performances to carry it out. Elements of horror were also sprinkled here and there. It was slow burn but it's all worth it in the end because, for me, the third act made me come to the decision to rate this film this high.)
Janghwa, Hongryeon (2003)
Childhood trauma revisited
I was still in grade school when I first saw this, and boy was I traumatized. I used to be a huge fan of Asian horror and "A Tale of Two Sisters", for me, was one of the few films that brought me to bed scared, traumatized, and sleepless. Come my late twenties and I took the chance to rewatch it conveniently on Netflix. I could still remember the best parts as well as the reason why I still couldn't give it a higher rating--third act was too long and exhaustingly puzzling, overlapping between actual backstories and delusions. Besides the jumpscare scenes and the psychological twists that I had always loved, I could now appreciate the camera works, cinematography, and everyone's performance. So horrifyingly good.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
My #1 film of the year
Talking about taking off to the top of my 2022 films. What an emotional ride!!-on a fighter jet. Top Gun: Maverick is a jet in itself, soaring high and fearless with flares and haze behind. I think i can't watch another film for the next 12 hours. (Duplicating my review to reach the 600 characters requirement: Talking about taking off to the top of my 2022 films. What an emotional ride!!-on a fighter jet. Top Gun: Maverick is a jet in itself, soaring high and fearless with flares and haze behind. I think i can't watch another film for the next 12 hours. Talking about taking off to the top of my 2022 films. What an emotional ride!!-on a fighter jet. Top Gun: Maverick is a jet in itself, soaring high and fearless with flares and haze behind. I think i can't watch another film for the next 12 hours.)
Girl in the Picture (2022)
A true crime docu with a happy ending?!
Wow, i never thought i could love a true happy ending for stories like this. The reveal at the end was like a light at the end of the tunnel. I also think this was mistitled. I thought this told a better story about her real identity rather than just the girl in that picture.
RRR (Rise Roar Revolt) (2022)
Total visual tRRReat: Bollywood spices overload
If not for the impressive, expensive visuals, this over-the-top Bollywood triteness wouldn't work for me, considering the lengthy runtime. The last battle best attests to that. This film was like an Indian dish with every spice sprinkled all over--colorful, tasteful.
Kimi (2022)
Kimi, you turned the lights on too soon.
Started with so much potential but it went downhill through the third act with mediocrities in acting, especially the antagonists, and screenplay. Kravitz was good, though, and some cinematography shots.
The Batman (2022)
A lot of reasons to love
This film has a lot of things to love-from the things you hear to the thing you see. I may give it a hard time pulling its way up into my all-time favorites but, man, "The Batman" easily gave birth to my favorite film adaptations of Penguin, Catwoman, Bruce Wayne, and Batman.
Get Out (2017)
Getting out of the ordinary
Oh wow. A horror/thriller that's established around racial discrimination. The intent was sensed and it was truly extraordinary but I think there must be a better way of execution.
The VVitch: A New-England Folktale (2015)
The film that pulled me further back to the genre
I remember when I have grown tired of demonic possession films. That was when I stepped out of the genre. But to see this take of the phenomenon in a non-flamboyant manner without vocal transmogrification, gusts of wind, flight, and telekinesis, my estranged love for the genre was summoned back. Being a slow burn film and having enough amount of jump scare were also bonuses for I am a sucker for those things. Score that stings your ears was also well-utilized--loved the music. Finally, well-acted and well-shot.
Dune (2021)
Total sensory experience
A total sensory experience. Hans Zimmer's score, Greig Fraser's cinematography, the ensemble cast's performance (esp Ferguson's!!!), and the visual effects. It started with me getting nervous for having a Star Wars resemblance (I am not a fan of any space movies). I finished the film yearning for more.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
My bet for Best in Cinematography at the Oscars so far
Cumberbatch, Dunst, and Smit-McPhee are a powerhouse, but it's Ari Wegner's visual mastery that shouldn't be a question to bag awards. My bet for Best in Cinematography at the Oscars so far.
King Richard (2021)
Smith will ace an Oscar nom
Great to see an unconventional sports film with a heavier serve (and an ace at that) on acting performance, esp Smith's. The sport being my only favorite sport is nothing but a bonus.
Pig (2021)
A misunderstood story about loss and grief
Fell head over heels with the cinematography right off the bat until its last frames, positioning itself next to another 2021 production, The Green Knight with Andrew Droz Palermo. Next came Cage's raw, impaling, Oscar-worthy performance. He didn't have the most dialogue but it didn't make him the least bright among the stars. Lastly, the dark, metaphorical narrative on loss and grief. I guess it's the last one the viewers tend to miss, that's why they find the film aimless and boring, when in fact it's the beat of the film's heart.
Free Guy (2021)
I didn't have a good time; I had a GREAT time!
Wow, I wasn't expecting to like the film this much! My grade should be 8.5 but I cannot put it at 9 either. Visuals were all great as well as the ensemble's performance (except for Taika, I'm sorry)! I am not a huge fan of happy endings but this one had one that really felt deserving and worth celebrating because that sweet twist in the end is one of the greatest, heartwarming, most touching, and most freeing that I've ever witnessed.
Doctor Sleep (2019)
You could really feel it was an adaptation with its fans satisfied.
You could really feel it was an adaptation with its fans satisfied. If I'm wrong then I, as a former fan of the genre, gave me nostalgic fun.
Till Death (2021)
A genuine thriller in character
I wasn't expecting to love this film, maybe I was a bit unsure about Fox, but Till Death didn't fall short of being in character as a faithful thriller. It's not the best there is in the genre but it's good enough.
Clickbait (2021)
Clickbait indeed
It should have ended with Matt as the culprit. I loved all the plot twists but the final one wasn't it.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Full-blown, Full-bodied, Full-hearted
This got me internally processing for half a day being a full-blown, full-bodied, full-hearted film. Harley Quinn alone had hyped me for this but I stood up from my couch loving Ratcatcher 2 and Bloodsport more, respectively. True to its signature line, you should never get attached to any of the squad - the plot twists are your own bombs injected to the back of your skulls. Another surprise was Cena's performance as Peacemaker. TSS was a wild ride and I was impressed how Gunn made ALL characters shine. Favorite parts were the gore, the screenplay, everyone's equally great performance, the music, the third act, the visual jokes, and Robbie's Harley humor.
Cruella (2021)
It's the humor for me
I was expecting Harley Quinn and/or Joaquin Phoenix Joker likeness, as generally assumed from its first trailer. To my surprise there was, thankfully, none. There's so much to love about this film; for me, it's the humor.
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Just Let It Go
I could watch this all day if and only if it was all Sub-Zero "Letting It Go".