Paul Feig (director & producer) certainly knows who his audience is. Box office figures ( if valid) show that the movie has already returned several times its budget. Just shows that an exploitative, badly written movie can still make a motza these days. The only redeeming aspect for me was in Amanda Seyfried's demonstration of her acting versatility.
Lanthimos has a dismal view of humanity and the mess we're making of the planet. His solution that some 'cosmic powers' should simply annihilate us is even bleaker. However, I liked Emma Stone's performance - she is one of the most fearless actors working in mainstream movies these days. I found the movie entertaining and confronting.
Provocative political drama (not a thriller) with obvious parallels with contemporary authoritarian trends ( in the USA and elsewhere). The second half became more like Gilead in an episode of The Handmaid's Tale - the plot elements needed much more solid explanation and development.. A 6 for the great cast and some excellent ensemble acting.
Indie family drama based in small US Appalachian town. It's an uncompromising account of the degradation and despair of families caught in the opioid drug crisis. Capable lead actors in a movie made with some heart - but not for light entertainment.
Other than the title it has almost no relationship to the 1992 version. Initial slow pace but better in second half. The two female leads (and the elder daughter) are pretty good - the rest of the cast are Meh! More of a time passer for me.
Very well crafted 'adventure' movie based on the true life 1930s 'Galapagos Affair' Many previous newspaper accounts, books, and a 2014 documentary (well worth following up) It's packed with acting talent (notably Law and Sweeney) and solidly directed Ron Howard's account of the mysteries are contentious - but for me, made a quite engaging movie
Avoided this movie initially (weak 'thriller' story, poor dialog and some basic acting) But it has seriously good image and sound quality - even though shot with a standard iphone (Model ??) Some really amazing wide angle street shots, action scenes & moving vehicle shots, interior settings etc Shows how far the technology has come - but also that a compelling story is still crucial.
Polished production, lead actors are good (Ms Kruger has 3 roles!) Initially intriguing story, then the movie declines into a weird, convoluted mess. Surely Cronenberg has done much better than this?
Entertaining remake of the 1940's Noir (novel and movie adaptation) Robert Mitchum is a convincing, though different style of Phillip Marlowe Strong visuals, sharp dialogue and tight direction make it one of the better Neo-Noir remakes
It's a mini-series released in April 2025. There's only S01. The historical fiction story is pretty good and well acted but really spoilt by: 1. Excessive colour degrading and many scenes with minimal lighting 2. Some very poor sound recording and really intrusive background music
I found it a 'good watch' but not an 'easy watch' - it has some really brutal scenes Very well crafted movie, with clever use of non-linear story telling Overall good cast - highlighted by Dakota Fanning and some child actors Thanks WSM for the re-upload
A nine person jury of professionals awarded this movie the Palme d'Or 2024 All I can say is that their heads are completely up their 'professional' asses What's happened to objective, insightful movie criticism these days?
Smile One: Well made, coherent psychological horror story, great character performance by Sosie Bacon Smile Two: Pop-culture vibe, smile motif on steroids, fabulous Naomi Scott Both are very inventive movie making - Two is great fun, but I lean to One as the overall better movie.
Saoirse Ronan has a mixed filmography - some very good, some average, and occasionally mediocre movies. For me this was very average - formulaic story, terrible editing and mostly shot with hand held camera. It largely relies on the atmospherics of the location. For me it's a long way from Ms Ronan's best.
Many previous newspaper accounts, books, and a 2014 documentary (well worth following up)
It's packed with acting talent (notably Law and Sweeney) and solidly directed
Ron Howard's account of the mysteries are contentious - but for me, made a quite engaging movie
But it has seriously good image and sound quality - even though shot with a standard iphone (Model ??)
Some really amazing wide angle street shots, action scenes & moving vehicle shots, interior settings etc
Shows how far the technology has come - but also that a compelling story is still crucial.
Initially intriguing story, then the movie declines into a weird, convoluted mess.
Surely Cronenberg has done much better than this?
Robert Mitchum is a convincing, though different style of Phillip Marlowe
Strong visuals, sharp dialogue and tight direction make it one of the better Neo-Noir remakes
The historical fiction story is pretty good and well acted but really spoilt by:
1. Excessive colour degrading and many scenes with minimal lighting
2. Some very poor sound recording and really intrusive background music
Very well crafted movie, with clever use of non-linear story telling
Overall good cast - highlighted by Dakota Fanning and some child actors
Thanks WSM for the re-upload
All I can say is that their heads are completely up their 'professional' asses
What's happened to objective, insightful movie criticism these days?
Smile Two: Pop-culture vibe, smile motif on steroids, fabulous Naomi Scott
Both are very inventive movie making - Two is great fun, but I lean to One as the overall better movie.
For me this was very average - formulaic story, terrible editing and mostly shot with hand held camera.
It largely relies on the atmospherics of the location. For me it's a long way from Ms Ronan's best.