Film reviews

Wuthering Heights Review

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When there is a film directed by Emerald Fennell, there is a guaranteed dynamic which is bound to have intriguing shifts. This is certainly the case in her newest film Wuthering Heights, based on the novel written by Emily Bronte. This time around, Fennell utilizes her vision as a director on a romantic journey that is mind-blowing with a combination of tragedy and love. The 1800s setting in Yorkshire, England emphasizes the uniqueness of the era and differences between the higher-class and lower-class. Love is ultimately what stands in the middle of Wuthering Heights.

The two main characters are Cathy and Heathcliff (Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi). They have grown up together and are in love. Like the terrain in Yorkshire, the relationship tends to go up and down. Much is connected to their upbringing which stands between the connection Cathy and Heathcliff have. With Cathy navigating her own lifestyle, and Heathcliff struggling, there is a point of separation. When that occurs, there is a chance to restore what once existed, but the obstacles are risky along with destructive.

The film is compelling because of the way it is set up between the characters. Cathy is presented with the opportunity which would lead to a wealthier life where she could thrive. Heathcliff has many more hardships, so Cathy finds herself in a difficult place. She decides to marry Edgar (Shazad Latif) because she sees some future with him. However, the presence of Heathcliff pulls at her heart strings. Wuthering Heights creates a spellbinding drama that warms hearts with love.

Throughout the various hurdles faced by the lead characters, Wuthering Heights stays cinematic by keeping the relationship issues between Cathy and Heathcliff upfront. Robbie and Elordi are sensational. They make Wuthering Heights a dramatic ride filled with lust, power, and mixed emotions. Their performances are like a period-piece with intense dramatics and deep context. The overarching theme of soul-searching is used by Fennell to challenge audiences in Wuthering Heights.

Throughout my viewing experience, I found this film to be poetic. The fact that there are moments where things do not work out but still love exists was heartwarming. Through the eyes of Robbie and Elordi, the power of remaining connected is well within reach in Wuthering Heights. Love is lost and found in a compelling way. There is just no easy way to define why choices are made. Yet, the point of self-sacrifice is gut-wrenching in Wuthering Heights.

I was astonished. I was mesmerized. I was in profound thought. The realization of how much human connection can mean hit me deeply during Wuthering Heights. The theme of a forever-relationship taking place in the late 1800s spoke to me, especially in an era in which there were no technological advancements. Instead, only-face-to-face interactions which resulted in immersive moments of love. Fennell brings audiences on a journey that is one-of-a-kind. Not everyone may understand it at first, but the dramatics are a wild adventure that is all about love and how much it can hurt. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Wuthering Heights.

Film reviews

Dracula Review

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I experienced boredom despite several interesting moments. My eyes were dry, my thoughts were wandering, and this movie kept failing to captivate me. Written and directed by Luc Besson, this is Dracula, a film where revival is such a strong focus. The layout felt promising, but then sadly relied too much on terror to suffice for the rest of the film. Dracula is a dry adventure that left me feeling blurred because of the way science and reality were co-mingled in the picture. Overall, I just was not sold.

The setting is 15th century Romania. The main character is Prince Vladimir/Dracula, played by Caleb Landry Jones, who is a king of power with lust for his young wife. He also fights for his glory with the swordsmanship, so much so that his characterization appears unstoppable. But then a tragedy takes his wife, Princess Elisabeta/Mina, away from him. She is played by Zoe Bleu. It all comes down to believing in God, and that is where Priest comes in. Priest is played by Christoph Waltz. Mina is his experiment. The study of vampires goes way back, but then Vladimir/Dracula comes back from the dead to redeem what is lost. In the end, the power of faith combats everything.

The film just felt like it was pushing too many boundaries. The context was out of place. However, I give much credit to the performance of Waltz. His character is detail-oriented with keenknowledge which allows him to take many risks in the face of uncertainty. When it comes to vampires, the battle just does not work. Dracula relies upon its historical context to explore evil, greed, and lust, but the execution is severely lacking and fails to make the current film exhilarating. 

I went to the movie anticipating much excitement due to the exorcism, but overall, it just never delivered. The crumbling of a dynasty seems to have become the sole focus. So much of the action surrounding the characterizations of Prince Vladimir/Dracula and Elisabeta/Mina just never really clicked. With Elizabeta/Mina being studied by the Priest, that storylinesimply did not add much value. Again, there appeared to be a strong start, but then transitioned to evil spirits lingering which went off in directions that did not speak to me at all. This is one of Besson’s most lacking projects which is unfortunate.

With all the theories and the fantasy vibes, this film is a beauty of a mess. Dracula is presented like the writing was still going on during the process of making the movie. I felt like there werepage-breaks between the scenes. Some were monstrous and medieval, and then scientific later. Then there would inexplicably be a hypothesis or a blank slate.

Despite my frustration, Dracula may have value for some fans, especially those who go deep into backstories of monsters during this era. Overall, the story appears to be presented to make those who believe in hierarchy worship evil. It could havebeen done so much better, instead of being rushed. Two out of four stars for Dracula.

 

Film reviews

The Moment Review

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This is one of the most dazzling mockumentary films I have seen–one with purpose, realism, and politics. Directed by Aidan Zamiri, this is The Moment. A film that works to capture every moment in the life of Charli XCX. It is a legit story around the real Charli, portraying the artist in the center of encountering pressures prior to her new arena tour. The film starts off wonky and feels a bit surreal, but it does captures the essence of pressure.

Charli is on the road navigating new directions and trying to figure out how to manage marketing and her public presence. Rachel Sennott is one of her assistants and stars as herself. Charli finds herself in a complicated scenario with taking on her new stage tour, especially with the direction of a new stage director named Johannes, played by Alexander Skarsgard. On top of that, there is the media constantly surrounding her. Another one of her assistants, Tammy, is played by Rosanna Arquette. The film is a rollercoaster of stage and fame pressure that takes the audience on a ride that captures the essence of its reality.

The focus on the stress of the tour, is where The Moment speaks for its title. Charli consistently talks about how she feels pressured, used, or pushed. It all comes down to her winning an audience and a following, but also maintaining relationships with clients and co-workers. There is no easy way to define the tension presented in The Moment. From my point-of-view though, I found it spellbinding. The tour is back-and-forth, the narrative is superb, and the film is funny in its character moments of trial and error.

With the performance of Charli, audiences really get a sense of the mindset that is driven to be famous. The film captures her stress continuously. There is no easy way to explain the levels of it, however I can say that the outcomes are mind-blowing. The film presents footage to look archived or old-school adding layers that make one feel part of the film itself. The world is not easy in The Moment. 

The Moment creates a pattern where much of the pressure is felt through the performances Charli XCX and Alexander Skarsgardbecause it is dynamic, like a boxing match. Charli finds herself  looking like a mixed bag based on how Johannes puts together the stage and she’s not happy about it. She feels the symbols and logos do not match her attitude or meaning. On the other hand, Johannes is a drill sergeant about that and feels like his vision is the only way to success, but should that be his choice alone? Ultimately, it is about how Charli wants to move forward, and how she wants to shine.

This film is not necessarily mesmerizing, but it achieves its goal. The captivating tale of a life on tour holds true on a fair level. The Moment stays authentic in its writing and narrative track. The pacing just tends to be a little glitchy, but the pressures of fame are all thoroughly conveyed. Three out of four stars for The Moment.

 

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