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Black Mirror (2011)
Don't Bother
It's like the Twilight Zone . . . except not good.
Joker (2019)
Stuck in the Middle
When David Bowie asked John Lennon what he thought of his music (glam rock), Lennon replied, "Yeah, it's great, but it's just rock and roll with lipstick on." To paraphrase John, Joker is alright, but it's just Taxi Driver with make-up on.
Desearás al hombre de tu hermana (2017)
What an Ungodly Mess!
I wish I could give this film a zero-star rating. One does not simply watch Desire (Desearás al hombre de tu hermana) - no, no, no, no, no. Desire is a film that one must endure. To put it simply, this movie is among the very worst of what cinema has to offer. If that's what you've been searching for, look no further. There are 1) no redeeming qualities whatsoever and 2) nothing compelling about the film. However, every time I see a film, I learn something, so I always enjoy seeing a film regardless of whether or not the film is 'good' or 'bad'. Now, in this circumstance, I must say that if I've learned but one thing, it's that everyone involved in making this film should be ashamed of themselves, with the exception of the child actresses - and especially the parents of those children, because those kids had no say in whether they wanted to be a part of this unholy mess. And I'm sure they had no idea what they were taking part in. Not only this, but I fear that they may grow up ashamed of their roles, though I hope they do not. It isn't their fault. This film is disgusting and positively lifeless. I've seen many disturbing films - grotesque, even - but this film is repugnant, repulsive, abominable. Never before have I seen a film that, while I sat there, thought "I really would prefer if every copy of this film and every trace of it was wiped from existence." It's the only movie I've ever seen that I think one could argue is a declaration of war on cinema itself. I couldn't tell whether the film was trying to be funny and lampoon other erotic films, or whether the film was supposed to have 'that' type of humor. Being that it was the first result when I typed in "erotic" in Netflix's search menu, I incorrectly assumed it would be worth viewing. I couldn't have been more wrong. I simply wanted to explore a genre of films I don't normally watch, and this is what was waiting for me: what is, without a doubt (and without hyperbole), the worst film I have ever seen. In that way, this film reminds me of imitation sushi, always there waiting to be eaten by you . . . Even readily available to you. Yet, when you take a bite you simply confirm all your misgivings, reluctance, and reservations. In other words, don't try it.
Citizen Kane (1941)
My Own View
What hasn't been said about "Citizen Kane"? Well, not much, so this is just my take on the film. Personally, this film is one of my top ten favorites. However, I do find it to be quite overrated. Sure, I gave it a ten, but that's because it's a film I really love. At the same time, it is quite boring and lacks a transcendent statement and emotional output. I don't think any film deserves to be called the greatest, and if there was, it certainly wouldn't be "Citizen Kane." To me, this is just a film about the self-destruction of a man. There's nothing new or even that interesting about it. I agree with Ingmar Bergman that this film is indeed a total bore. So, why is it one of my favorite films? Why do I enjoy it? Mainly because of the way the film works. The way the narrative is told from the perspective of others isn't new, but was innovative for the time, and I think that's the key: it was innovative for its time. It was innovative when it was released, but it definitely fails the test of time when compared to other contemporary works like "Casablanca." You may think that I dislike "Citizen Kane" more than I enjoy it, but this isn't so. This is a beautifully shot film, there's no denying that. One of my favorite things about the film is the idea of Rosebud and what it represents. I find it moving that Kane's final word refers to his sled, and he remembers the last time he was truly happy as he dies. (I don't judge a film on what is absent, though I will say that I think the film would've been much more compelling had Welles shown the audience Kane's misery and homesickness during his time with Thatcher.) It's easy to feel sorry for Charles, but difficult to be invested in his character and care about him. I can only feel a bit of sadness for Kane. He's not a relatable character or even one you can really root for, but he is an enigmatic one. This is the sort of film where you see how someone can go from bad to worse and never get better. It's depressing, and not in a good way. It may even leave a bad taste in your mouth. But, it's enjoyable to watch, for me anyway. It's horribly overrated, but it's a film I love.
Man in Camo (2018)
The Triumph of an Artist
This film wasn't made for you, me, or even Ethan - (well, it was kind of made for him) - it's a film made for every artist - aspiring and well-known. That may sound cliché, but I find this is the sort of film that was made truly. By this, I mean Ethan Minsker had a vision and saw it through without compromise. To me, any truly great artist creates art without compromise and clearly expresses their vision through their work. Ethan achieves this in his self-portrait through the trials and tribulations he endured and continuing to make art in his own way. When watching the film, it becomes clear that he has a passion, and it's this passion, this undying passion - this passion for art - that emanates from the screen and reaches the audience. This is a celebration of art and what it means to be a true artist. To be clear and to speak plainly, this is a triumph of a true artist.