Film reviews

The Voice of Hind Rajab Review

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I have not felt this tense about a realistic matter in a film for ages. My feelings were intensified by the real-life recordings which led to a traumatic, yet surreal ride. The Voice of Hind Rajab is a film that captures the reality of Gaza, a place where politics and war interfere with those who need immediate assistance. Throughout the film, the perilous journey of those trying to save someone is documented. So many deep and complex thoughts kept my head spinning with overwhelm. The movie makes audiences feel what is necessary, i.e., heartbreak due to a serious matter.

The film is a true story about Hind Rajab, a very young girl that people are trying to save via telecommunications. Her voice is shared through archived recordings which makes the story more compelling. Audiences will feel they are in danger along withyoung Hind. Written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, it is a film that sparks political debates regarding what is happening in foreign countries and what sort of conditions citizens are encountering. There are many factors to consider, including what the other side is experiencing. The Voice of Hind Rajab is a portrait of danger and highlights the lengths people will go to save someone on the other side.

There is no easy way to define the experience, but it is breathtaking in its realism. The main characters are Omar (Motaz Malhees), Rana (Saja Kilani), Nisreen (Clara Khoury), and Mahdi (Amer Hlehel). They are a team of Red Crescent Volunteers. Omar answers the call from Hind when she tells him that she is stuck in a car. Outside the car, there is an ongoing war, and she is scared for her life. Omar is doing everything he can but also finds himself to be extremely angry. The tension is heightened because they are blocked from sending someone to save Hind. Omar gets into disputes with Mahd, the superior.  They keep finding themselves in a holding pattern because of the corruption in the political systems. It takes navigating many different moving parts before ensuring safety in The Voice of Hind Rajab.

Most of the film is full of tears and terror. The difficulties the characters experience trying to figure out uncharted territory made my heart race. The thought of war, and a small girl in grave danger was just devastating. However, the invigorating tone is fueled by the mental fight to save her. The writing in this story about the battle to save a child is spellbinding in The Voice of Hind Rajab. The film is a powerhouse which highlights extreme scenarios that come together in spite of the horrific conditions occurring day in and day out.

Because I firmly believe in being there for other people, The Voice of Hind Rajab made me feel a heavy sense of empathy. The performances and dynamics between Malhees, Kilani, Khoury, and Hlehel are vast and enticing. With their Middle Eastern heritage, they expose the reality of dire circumstances in such an enticing way. No one will want to take their eyes off The Voice of Hind Rajab. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Teacher’s Pet Review

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When it comes to movies surrounding a classroom, there is always the sense of envious or evil deeds to bring out the best in students. This can be from the side of a student or the side of a teacher. Teacher’s Pet tangos with many complicated aspects. Within the writing of the film is a twisted plot where a teacher will do anything to feel he has power. Directed by Noam Kroll, this is Teacher’s Pet, an indie film of psychological suspense surrounding a battle between a student and a teacher—the level of risks is high.

Teacher’s Pet focuses on a senior named Clara (Michelle Torian). She is growing up in a home that has a blend of domestic and physical abuse, but she is smart and a devoted student. Her new teacher is Mr. Heller (Luke Barnett).  He takes the role of an English teacher and begins to bring out all kinds of strange writing assignments—many of which have weird grading scales and a lot of long and extended pages of composition.  Clara becomes a favorite of his. With that, he tells her that if she works as his assistant, it will help her out with grading and chances for a scholarship. The overpromises and the shady behavior carry layers of moving parts to create a mischievous  scenario.

As Clara begins to go down the road of pushing herself, Mr. Heller becomes more aggressive. He begins trying to get her to bring out her hate in her writing. He also has some hidden secrets that are disturbing. When lines are crossed, the cat-and-mouse game only gets tighter. Mr. Heller begins to punish Clara academically when he does not get what he wants. The film possesses a psychological dynamic that makes the audience wish for some retribution for the teacher.  I will say that I found the film to be eye-opening with much of the disturbing backstory of Mr. Heller. There are more than just strange behaviors in his role as a teacher however, as his dark side outside of the job comes into his working world as well.

Teacher’s Pet is quite stellar. The level of misdirection in the performances of Torian and Barnett is irresistible. The horror and anxiety track feels real. The film does not have hidden gems, as it brings out the horrid truth with overt bangs of terrorthat will surprise audiences. Of course, though the plot may be silly, the execution is well-written. It is a weird formula for success that is smothered with abusive tactics. Then there is a student that draws the line, and from there, she finds even more strangeness. The confrontations go forward from there. Once that happens, the free-for-all between the lines and lies topple like crazy. Teacher’s Pet holds no barriers. It is astounding. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Shelter Review

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I appreciate the many action flicks with Jason Statham in the lead, especially because he possesses an attitude of no empathy and unleashes all kinds of chaos. With his new film Shelter though, it was by far one of the dryest of thrillers. My mind was bored. I felt like I was watching paint dry in increments. It is not horrible, but the pacing is off. Shelter carries the fundamentals of an espionage flick with secrets, however, putting together the parts to execute a cohesive film keeps failing. There is a form of confusion that runs through Shelter. Where is the meaning behind all of the danger? There is little detail about why and how the events unfold.

The film’s main character is Michael Mason, played by Jason Statham. He lives in a lighthouse with peace and solitude. This all changes when a girl falls into his life and becomes his responsibility. Her name is Jessie, played by Bodhi Rae Breathnach. She ends up with Michael because he saves her from drowning. He tries to maintain a low-profile in her presence, because his history is one where there are many people after him.  This is where the pacing is in shambles.

Shelter maintains a strong suit of suspense. Especially in the dynamics of the performances from Statham and Breathnach. It was steady in moments, but overall, the film jumps to conclusions quickly. To elaborate, they go from a lighthouse setting to those who are part of operations of a spy organization hunt them—the solitude of Statham’s performance does not fit. The film opens with a man pursuing vengeance and works to make itself feel like some form of a James Bond movie. In the end though, it is just Statham playing his usual self.

Shelter jumps from authorities being tackled over to traps beingset in place, and continues on a rollercoaster of disaster action. Again, not horrible, but the pacing of trying to be mesmerizing or spectacular is not there whatsoever. The shambles of poor writing are above and beyond with Shelter. I was not sold. With that, my rating falls at two out of four stars.

 

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