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Film reviews

The Messenger of Joy Review

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Artists have moments in their life that inspire their art and create unique languages. The inspiration often comes from important life events and cherished memories. The Messenger of Joy delivers cinematic wonders in the form of a documentary. Written by Mohammad Saeidian and directed by Alexander Kwanje, The Messenger of Joy takes a breathtaking look at the life and legacy of the Persian Painter Nasser Ovissi who impressed the world with his many works of art. The documentary weaves together elements of the different eras of his life. 

The prime focus of the film is the depictions of women and horses in his paintings. Throughout the deep journey, there are interviews with people he has worked with and some of his children. They all provide context around why his paintings borers semblances. Nasser’s art takes audiences to new places and is described by the words of those who worked closely with him. 

During The Messenger of Joy, art’s landscape is depicted with realistic essence. Nasser elaborates on how art was not that supportive in his life. He frequently discusses inspirations from his own youth which encouraged him to grow as a stronger painter. The documentary highlights Nasser’s creative worldwhile also including some dark moments from the past. The film peeks into the devoted mind of an artist who works his fingers to the bone to create beautiful pieces depicting civilization, history, and life events. There is a vivid portrait and meaningful message in The Messenger of Joy.

The fascinating results of the artist’s efforts come across as poetic. There is a layer of empathy in each moment of The Messenger of Joy. Various scenes are deep, like one in which he attends a college lecture which is shown from the eyes of an artist. His movements and strokes are what creates the imagery that is instilled throughout The Messenger of Joy.

There is the compelling quote from the film, “Invent a new landscape.” That sets the tone which makes this film, which is just over an hour long so moving. Abstraction is also a vivid element in the story, because every piece of art is developed from a specific context. Throughout the reflections shared, The Messenger of Joy is like taking a ride in the mind of a seasoned artist. I felt like I was floating in the mind of Nasser Ovissi and joining him in a time machine revisiting his eras of trial and error. The documentary dives into sensitive topics ranging from interpersonal dynamics to personal identity. At the same time, both good and bad experiences remind audiences that great things can be achieved through stellar ambition. 

The scenes in which Nasser speaks are sensitive. Because he is now elderly, capturing his thoughts on sacrifice and struggles is touching. It causes the audience to appreciate and honor a man who devotes himself so completely to a craft he loves even while dealing with hard aspects of his life. There is so much beauty and so much joy in this authentic project from director Alexander Kwanje. Four out of four stars for The Messenger of Joy.

Film reviews

Pressure Review

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There is a certain type of filmmaking that keeps one’s mind invigorated. The type that makes audiences curious about facts and choices as well prompts thinking about various questions asa movie progresses. Pressure is a film with a series of thought-provoking elements. Written and directed by Anthony Maras and co-written by David Haig, Pressure aims to cover the historical true story of D-Day. 

Brendan Fraser does an astonishing job playing Dwight ‘Ike’ Eisenhower. This role as a captain follows his impressivecinematic comebacks and monumental performances in The Whale and Rental Family. Andrew Scott plays James Stagg, the Lead Meteorologist. He also displays a compelling level of seriousness that will captivate audiences. Chris Messina plays Irving Krick, another meteorologist assistant. The plot of the film takes place just seventy-two hours until D-Day arrives.Eisenhower finds himself in a blur making choices based upon the weather and the coast. Because the critical choices all matter, Eisenhower displays a level of hierarchy that makes it appear that errors do not matter. Krick is in sync with this way of thinking and displays loyalty to Eisenhower. 

Stagg believes that identifying the correct facts and information must be taken seriously. However, he also believes that previewing the range of options before deciding is vital. Given that the complexities of politics and war abound, his choices are viewed differently. The tension as they consider the options under time pressure makes Pressure spellbinding. Audiences will wonder if is going to rain. Is weather going to have an impact? Who has the appropriate facts? The historic side of the film is painted vividly and portrays reality during this anxiety-filled time.

The dynamics involving Stagg provide this film with humanistic value. Kerry Condon, who plays lieutenant Kay Summersby enhances this value. She handles the moving parts for Eisenhower, and many of the clerical tasks. The frustrations around making D-Day decisions and navigating the associated politics consume much of her time. The stress of these matters also falls upon Stagg, and the seriousness of his position gives him doubts. Without Stagg, the historic value of the film would be severely diminished in Pressure.

The film feels like a free-for-all wrestling match.  Audiences know that the performance of Fraser is bound by authority. They also know that the performances of Scott, Messina, and Condon are about characters who are below him in hierarchy. When there are moments in which tough choices cannot be made, and science does not seem to speak, Pressure revisits the science by examining the sky and incoming currents. Much of the film reminded me of a meteorology class I once took, but the seriousness of Pressure may well make audiences stop and think that global warming should be taken seriously. This film about an actual event highlights the importance of accuracy when making difficult decisions. Pressure is spellbinding and one of the best films based on true events of 2026. It is an emotional ride where the facts being considered keep matters enthralling. Four out of four stars for Pressure.

Film reviews

Backrooms Review

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This is one of those films where I felt my mind going from a mild headache to being incredibly disgusted and disturbed. The question in my head was how messed up is Backrooms? Honestly, pretty messed up, with walls that continue to fade along with puppets thrown in to feel like A Blair Witch Projectblur. The camera does not hold steady as it portrays everything through a rocky motion. A promising premise that is ruined by the horrid tones. I was not pleased with Backrooms. This is hard for me to say, but I truly was not sold at all.

The plot revolves around a therapist and a patient. The “therapist” is Mary, played by Renate Reinsve, and the “patient” is Clark, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Clark’s stressor is the fact that his furniture shop is in hysterics with debts and strange technical maladies. A lot of it continues with lights dimming on and off and his financial crisis being quite bad, so he finds himself sleeping in the business’s building. However, there is a haunting that aspect that lingers in Backrooms. The walls have hidden aisles that are unexplained. With the beginning of the film feeling like The Blair Witch Project, it has that haunting approach. The execution though, fails in its overlap of events—primarily because the introductions make no sense.

Clark finds himself repeatedly walking through the hurdles of his walls. He thinks he is hallucinating. Mary believes that Clark is just emotionally depressed because of his stressful  situation. Everything from then on continues to fall downhill. The key to the haunting aspects of Clark’s business has weird elements written all over it.  It is portrayed through a shaky camera, a maze of walls, and questionable mental health written into the center of it all. The film made me feel like it was a psychological headache.

There is a moment where Clark is trying to find the many walls of his own nightmare. He does this by walking through the walls of his store. He is attempting to find the key that can solve his problems. In reality, he is living in his own worst nightmare. I felt a bit like his adventure was my own worst nightmare as I continued to watch. The true terrors are not defined well at all and lack purpose in Backrooms.

The focus is one that shifts so much. It tries to keep feeling creative and bizarre and I can appreciate that approach, but it is like it was all thrown into a pool and just placed in no real order. That is the problem with Backrooms, the terror is not solidified because its foundation is weak. Promising terrors, but not providing the delivery they deserve. Who is the one in the most danger? Is it Mary or Clark? Is Clark truly insane? He might be, however the approaches to terror and anxiety fall flat. There are shocking moments that have revolutionary feelings, however the contexts in which they are presented are mediocre. Backrooms isa maze that looks  confusing rather than being entertaining. I was more sold on the wonderful performance of Reinsve than the film itself. The acting is here is quite good, but the rest is a mess. I truly had a  hard time defining my experience with this one. Two out of four stars.