Category Archives: Film reviews

Film reviews

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Review

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This is a film where adventures and the past are revisited. It is contemporary and extraordinary. The story involves two strangers who are trying to deal with loneliness, and they do so by revisiting various fragments of their life. Directed by Kogonda, this movie really is A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. I rate it as one of the most creative, enticing, and artistic films my eyes have seen. The story is filled full of doors on a path from the past to the present which combine into a puzzle of happiness. It explores the ups and downs of life but also delves into the question of why we are human.

The film begins with David (Colin Farell). He is on his way to a wedding when he meets Sarah (Margot Robbie). They hit it off after exchanging some initial flirtatious and loving vibes. Surprisingly, they find themselves on the same type of road trip when the GPS’s in their cars ask them if they would like to both go on, “A big bold beautiful journey!” Together, David and Sarah embark on a unique adventure. Moments in each of their lives are revisited. Their journey includes solitude, but there is also a powerful exhibit of appreciation for the life that they are both living in the present.

The film has lots of open roads and destinations which lead tosurprises. Many of the scenes are memories from ages ago that occurred in the lives of David and Sarah. With the differentfragments of specific life challenges, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey has an innovative pattern of weaving experiences from their past lives with the current journey of David and Sarah together. The chemistry in the performances of Farell and Robbie is outstanding. This fantasy film almost feels like a theatre production utilizing elements of light and illuminating angles to create superb humanistic and artistic value.

What I loved most about the film were the scenes when the characters revisited moments they lived through in prior parts of their lives. There is a moment in which David says, “Sometimes we have to perform to see the truth!” I could relate to that sentiment and many others during A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. The darkness of the past is what causes the film to have an unsettling vibe. There is another quote by David, where he says, “Life is better when you are open!” The lives of David and Sarah are revealed in a very open manner as they open up to each other and relive the errors they’ve made in their lives. It is an intriguing ride while these characters learn more about the inevitable aspects and human benefits of love.

The themes of appreciation, acceptance, and self-discovery are highlighted in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. This is a gem of a movie that fuels lots of emotions and channels deep feelings which result in a grandeur of happiness. I believe this is one of the most thought-provoking films of 2025. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

One Battle After Another Review

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This is by far one of the most creative, prolific, yet comedic films I have seen by the well-known director Paul Thomas Anderson. So many moving parts come together at once and still manage to maintain a humor-filled vibe along with plenty of political espionage. One Battle After Another is a sensational ride of madness and fun. It is daring, and lethally action-packed. Mayhem is around every corner, and the misdirection is attention-grabbing. There are many unexpected punches to the face that keep audiences wanting for more.

The film is about ex-revolutionaries. There is a plot full of twists in One Battle After Another because the characters resurface after sixteen years. The story begins with Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his wife Perifidia (Teyana Taylor). They are a couple who are involved with all sorts of tasks completed by groups running tactics for a revolution. Some of the tasks include invading private lands and other tricky assignments. The focus of much of their work is their enemy Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn). Many years later, Bob has a daughter Charlene (Chase Infiniti), and he does not turn out to be the best father. Going forward, issues from the past resurface quickly. The ex-revolutionaries end up in a situation where mayhem evolves, and the target is Charlene.

The film is cat-and-mouse chaos from start to finish.  Political tides of frustration in this story are clever and genius. There is always an additional angle of conflict in One Battle After Another. The question, however, is, “Who will win?” The difficult part that Bob keeps coming back to is the harsh trail to save his daughter. With the help of a Sensei Sergio (Benicio Del Toro), there may be a chance for Bob to save his daughter and regain much of the power he once lost in another life. But the many moving issues related to politics and connections are all tangled together. The lines are blurred between laughter and suspense which continue to just burn up the screen. This is truly one of the best films Anderson has directed because he pusheshis original form of dynamics to the limits.

Hiding is not easy in One Battle After Another, but running is since there is always a tunnel or building to run into. As might be expected, there are also the wrong people to run into, and they seem to be the ones that keep coming around again in all the assorted conflicts. Anderson has such a unique way to stage setups to get out of suspenseful and dangerous episodes of madness. I found the film simply captivating. DiCaprio and Penn are the captains of their ships; they inhabit their roles and dominate the scenes they’re in even though the storyline means there is no easy way to win. Fortunately, there are lots of messes to clean up with added cleverness that makes the movie go from comical in one moment to serious the next. Anderson knows how to change the mood for maximum effect in One Battle After Another. Four out of four stars.

Concert Movies, Film reviews, Live Events

Whiplash in Concert Review: A Sensational Gem

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The Auditorium Theatre getting ready for the performance of Whiplash in concert

As an avid fan of Damien Chazelle’s 2014 masterpiece Whiplash. I had the opportunity to see this work-of-art live at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. With dazzling lights and jazzy tunes, an extra layer was added to this wonderful film that made it feel much more sensational. As someone who admires Whiplash, I felt the inspiration was taken to a whole new level. This classic film had colorful dynamics and enhanced power with the live musicians playing behind it.

What made the event extra special was that the composer Justin Hurwitz conducted the orchestra. He moved around the stage with intensity and determination, which was in tune with the dazzling ambience of the drummer. The musical numbers were filled with memorable moments that highlighted the best scenes in Whiplash. It all just dazzled me as well as the hundreds of others in this historic venue with me. The evening was a musical sensation with lights, drums, and smooth transitions where there was an incredible energy of positivity and courage that was surreal.

Because the film is well known for its unique dynamics, the audience already knew what they were getting into. As the lights faded to red, this meant darkness. As the lights shined brighter, this meant classical jazz moments. When lights went into strobe mode, this meant a rainbow of powerful music highlighting competition and tension. Hurwitz moved around the stage with such dramatic effect that it gave each portion of the concert added layers of meaning.

The realism in this live musical edition was due to two talented sources Again, Hurwitz’s talent as a director was a major factor which was complimented by the Chicago Philharmonic. The theme of Whiplash is about turning feelings of rejection into encouragement. Seeing the score performed live topped the charts in my book. While I’m not a musician, my artistic heart was pumping wildly during Whiplash in Concert. The acoustics of The Auditorium are outstanding. The sounds elevated theartistry throughout this historic building.

The way in which this film was presented with a live orchestra playing at The Auditorium Theatre resulted in a deeper feeling of connection with the characters in the movie. For example, in the moments when Andrew (played by Miles Teller) was isolating himself to learn his drums and becoming more self-absorbed, I felt there was energy throughout the building that made audiences gasp in awe. In addition, there were electric ripples when Fletcher (played by JK Simmons) displayed anger and wrath as he belittled his mentees.

The enticing element of tension while the battle for success progressed felt like a never-ending rollercoaster ride with Whiplash in Concert. This event was a one-of-a-kind musical adventure where cinematics is taken to a championship level. I kept hoping for additional rounds because the experience was so engrossing. Seeing one of my favorite films in concert blew my mind because of the mesmerizing way it was presented. This was definitely a four out of four-star theatrical adventure for me.