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Reviews
Dangerous Beauty (1998)
Like a warm mug of hot chocolate
I came across this film quite randomly . I wasn't searching for it but i stumbled across it on Netflix and went in blind . To my good fate - I highly highly enjoyed it.
The movie has a very distinctive 90s romantic feel to it - warm tinted cameras , playful flirting of the leads , cute comedic moments that don't try too hard and that is a big part of the appeal - no high definition cameras, no realistic violence . It truly feels like a movie , like it's an escape and not just a highly accurate recreation of a certain event ( which modern movies do ) thst takes away the movie charm
The leads are excellent here and have great chemistry . Catherine McCormack seriously gives off a strong Joan Fontaine vibe in this - the innocennce , mischievousness and romantic earnestness are all on point for her . It's a shame neither of these leads couldn't make it big in the industry because these are two exceptional performances
The movie at times feels rushed and at times doesn't follow logic but I'll allow that because movies are an escape not reality.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Visual spectacle
I had heard a lot about this going in and I dunno if it's the best film of the year but it's certainly a visual spectacle.to say the least
The multiversal aspects of this film are certainly not new to the genre and after seeing Dr Strange 2 , the Marvel What IF season and The Flash - the core themes are the same albeit executed in different creative ways
What sets this apart is how accessible it is to a wider audience and how it keeps you guessing as to what is to happen next
I'm sure there are many fan theories of what the next film might entail and truth be told the ending raises more questions than answers but until then we would have to wait to see where things go in this.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Like witnessing classical music from the greats !
Now I don't mean to say that the Marvel movies or the Flash/Mission Impossible/ Indiana Jones aren't any good -despite their criticisms they serve their purpose as entertainment . But every once in a while there comes a film like Oppenheimer and you see exactly what Scorsese meant when he referred to these films like amusement parks . They're fun but largely forgettable
Oppenheimer is the complete opposite - miles and miles ahead of anything that these films could hope to achieve . Every now and then during the movie a part of my mind as an avid movie goer kept saying that this witnessing film history in the making . I was reminded of Scorseses quote that despite a lifetime of watching film we've just seen what cinema could do
In its 3 hour run time there isn't a single frame wasted or.a single character that feels wasted. The acting roster feels like you're seeing the Classic XI coming out to play . The right combination of popularity and acting prowess
I was very happy to see Jason Clarke , Matthew Modine and even Gary Oldman in this .
Robert Downey Jr. Once again proves why he's a living legend and shows us fully the man beyond Iron Man
And as for the man himself - I have no doubts that Cillian Murphy is going to walk away with dozens of nominations and is the first serious contender for this years Best Actor Oscar . A lot of us film nerds have been rooting for him for a long time and were happy to see the man's stellar turn as the iconic Thomas Shelby and now with his portrayal of Oppie he takes that bar of excellence even further. I was reminded of the intensity of classic golden age Hollywood actors time and time again
Very few directors have made me feel strongly about cinema- Stanley Kubrick , Martin Scorsese , Paul Thomas Anderson and Nolan
Watching this film is like witnessing a live rendition of a classic musical piece by Mozart ir Beethoven.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Blast from the Past (literally) !!
I was very glad to have watched this . I grew.up in the 90s and watched almost all of the Indy films growing up as a kid . Every decade has its own movie themes and I'm glad to see that James Mangold didn't change the classic Indy formula
Mads Mikkelsen fits his role like a glove and is one of modern cinemas greatest teasures -a blast from the past
Phoebe Waller Bridge has the Midas touch in whatever she's in
The only bad aspect of the movie is Boyd Holbrook who feels completely unnecessary and out of place
End the series here and let it rest on a high note as it so deserves
Rating :8/10.
Black Mirror: Loch Henry (2023)
A return to form for the series
I was really disappointed with Season 5 but I'm glad Booker and team took some time off to work on the new season
With respect to this episode I honestly don't get the " it's not Black Mirror " reviews . This episode indeed leverages tech but not in the futuristic way most expect .
1. It comments on streaming networks particularly Netflix's obsession and people's obsession with true crime and projects one outcome of it
2. The VCR was key to unraveling the truth not to mention that how "tapes " are very cleverly used as metaphors for who humans can be on the surface and who they really are
3. It has brilliant pacing - building up suspense and slowly revealing the truth.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Simple and beloved like a classic hamburger
I was on the fence when it came to watching this movie in the theater and I believe I caught one of the very last shows but I'm glad I did
Simply put this is the kind of film that reminds you why you go to the cinema in the first place - to have a damn good time and that I did along with my family who aren't really Marvel or superhero movie fans
Just grab your popcorn and some tissues and enjoy for what is one of the best superhero movies made after a long long while
The world building and design details are no pun intended - out of this world and you can see the passion through which this film was made
Also James Gunn is a maestro at balancing comedy and drama.
What's Love Got to Do with It? (2022)
Entertaining Rom Com - with a few messages along the way
I'm not really the kind of guy to watch rom cons and only went cause of my missus and it was our anniversary so
Nevertheless I found myself highly entertained throughout this film . As a Pakistani man who had an "assisted " marriage myself I could relate to the main character and the cultural nuances depicted and thought it was well depicted .
I have had an issue with how Pakistanis have historically been portrayed in film but thankfully movies such as this and "The Big Sick" capture the dynamics right - and it is frankly refreshing to see a Pakistani lead with a semblance of personality rather than him/her being relegated to terrorist villain or supporting character for the normally white lead
It is entertaining film that does raise important questions about relationships and marriage not just in an Eastern Pakistani context but also as viewed through more of a Western lens ( as is seen by Lily Janes story arc ) .
The two leads - Shahzad Latif and Lily James have refreshingly good chemistry and the powerhouse that she is Emma Thompson brings good hearted humor to the screen
I see a lot of the reviews by Pakistanis bombing this film citing this film as "discrediting Pakistanis " or "against Pakistanis " just cause there were a few depictions of Pakistanis drinking . Come off it honestly ! This depiction is tame to what a lot of Pakistanis in the home country and abroad do and we need to stop this obsession of "being squeaky clean " . Please - were just as human as everyone else and this film shows a good depiction of that.
Awakenings (1990)
A true awakening
This is the kind of film that reminds me of the power of cinema ... of the inspiration that comes from watching a great work of art and how you can reflect on it
Anyone who has ever had a close relative or friend suffering from a life altering disease will know how powerfully raw the emotions here are
The first time De Niro greets his mother at the hospital.... the first time the entire group "awakens" you can't help but burst into tears
The time when De Niro longingly gazed at the object of his affection walking away and cries silently is an image I will never forget
Life is very unfair for a lot of people and you truly only realise your blessings way too late.
The King of Staten Island (2020)
An underrated gem
I started watching this because I wanted to watch something light and I wasn't expecting this film to be so good
I'll be honest my impression of Davidson was largely that of a likeable goofball but after this I see him as a highly intelligent thoughtful man and his take on dealing with grief and loss has to be one of the realest ones I've seen in film
In some ways he reminds me of a younger Bob Odenkirk with his ability to handle complex dramadies
Steve Buscemi is also present and I'm just suprised at how old he's gotten but still has that charismatic flair which is why we love him
Judd Apatow has made quite the film !!
Nightmare Alley (2021)
Visual Spectacle but Plot feels dated
Straight off the bat - this is one of the most beautiful films ever made . Nothing less than 1080p should be the standard for films like these because it is truly glorious .
The second biggest draw for this film is the powerhouse performances by Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett. The sexual tension between their characters could burn entire villages and is one of the best on screen pairings
Other Hollywood greats - Ron Perlman , David Straithurn , Richard Jenkins , William Dafoe bring their own talents
Unfortunately the film's run time is its own enemy - it runs longer for its own good and the plot feels dated considering todays standards
An enjoyable watch and one that stands out from the crop but also one that just stops it's own self from greatness.
Black Adam (2022)
Between a Rock and nowhere
I went to the cinema to watch this cause I was bored and nothing else of interest was playing
While the movie starts off well enough and seems promising - it slowly delves into what can only be classed as Dwayne Johnson's take on the superhero genre
I don't know how influential he was in this or maybe this movie was made with someone like him in mind but this is perhaps one of the weakest superhero movies I've ever seen
The plot is so generic , the CGI looks like it's from 2003 and Dwayne like his nickname is absolutely rock like in his performance
If you're looking for a dumb action film with over the top sequences then this is for you but if you enjoy the superhero genre in general - watch it at home only
Not worth the ticket price at all !!
Moon Knight (2022)
Exceptional entertainment... a must watch
When I first heard that Marvel was adapting Moon Knight ... I was stunned
Having read the 2010 comic book series this seemed like Marvels wildest bet due to the nature of the protagonist and the lore surrounding Moon Knight
To be honest the series does take some liberties with the source material and has a more comic touch to it at the start before delving deeper into the more meaty aspects
The final two episodes are some of the most profoundly touching and entertaining content that Marvel has made so far - the last episode being amongst the most bonkers superhero entertainment I've seen in years
Both Ethan Hawke and Oscar Isaac are exceptional here and play off each other really well
If you're tired of mainstream Marvel come here and enjoy some of the best content they've put out.
The Batman (2022)
A worthy adaptation
It's pretty hard to match or beat the standard set by the Nolan series for Batman but Matt Reeves version in some ways matches and in some ways surpasses the Nolan vision
This film is clearly inspired from the grittier arcs of the Batman comics like Year One and the likes and the cinematography makes it seem like you're seeing comic panels come to life
Pattinson turns in a convincing role as Bruce Wayne / Batman and while it takes time to get used to - over the course of the film his take grows on you.
Don't Look Up (2021)
The modern day Dr Strangelove
A very timely and accurate satire on the state of the world . It is sure to piss off hard line right wingers but McKays political stance is clear as day here.
DiCaprio chose this film for a reason.