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Film reviews

Nickel Boys Review

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Directed by RaMell Ross, this is one of the most spellbinding literary adaptations that will be remembered for ages. Nickel Boys is based on the Pulitzer winning novel written by Colson Whitehead. Nickel Boys is a revelation in the eyes of an authenticity—it weaves its audience into the journey of its main characters. Revolving around rough times in the 1960s, it is in an in-depth exploration that is remarkable. Ross wrote the screenplay with producer and writer Joslyn Barnes—together, they loop in cultural tides fighting to find the light in a troubled world.

The view point of Nickel Boys has its camera set up in a one-point perspective. It is seen through the eyes of its main characters as if the audience is in the role of a first-person shooting video game. Instead of playing as the “first-person” they are watching them. The two main characters are Elwood (played by Ethan Herisse) and Turner (played by Brandon Wilson). They are two friends who are as close as brothers. Elwood is wrongly accused of a crime and he is sent to the Nickel Academy where the boys meet. The friendship of both Elwood and Turner grows in the reform school they are attending. As they correlate and connect, the film’s approach to taking a stand is real—two African American men fighting for their rights is the dynamic of the friendship in Nickel Boys. 

Through rules and barriers looking to be broken, I found Nickel Boys to be one that finds a strong voice for fairness and equality. The frustration of racism and segregation goes full throttle for Elwood and Turner to stand tall. The notion of unfair treatment due to false accusations thrives with an award-winning achievement from the mind of Ross—the presence of suffrage and friendship are the bond which makes Nickel Boys Oscar-worthy. Barriers are meant to be broken, and once they are, thedoor is open to a point of no return. This creates a humanistic form of filmmaking that I have never seen before—it is elegant, focused, and heroic.

The rebellious nature of the film keeps the evolvement of purpose flowing rapidly. My appreciation for Nickel Boys is the hope and resilience that it brings through its entirety. I was dazzled by the film’s compelling form of writing, directing, and acting, as all three of those elements work to keep the film’s purpose intact. Set in a time when opportunity for education waslittle to none, the pattern of persistence and hope pervades here. Nickel Boys spirals with despair that turns vigorously into ambition.

Not only is Nickel Boys one of the best films of 2024, but it may also be the project of Moss’s career. A cinematic phenomenon that reminds its audience to not lose faith and reminding them of this era that was one of consistent trial and error through which one had to keep fighting. The reform school may be presented as a halting place of terror for two friends, but it is also the placewhere they can make a difference for themselves. Four out of four stars for Nickel Boys.

Film reviews

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Review

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What is more detrimental than politics and culture? Is it expectations? Is it faith? Writer and director Mohammad Rasoulof painstakingly challenges these subjects. The Seed of the Sacred Fig is an anxiety-provoking journey of morals and sacrifices. Political unrest is deep below the surface while ethics are backwards. The Seed of the Sacred Fig diminishes the impact of its main character.

The story takes place in Tehran. The focus is on Iman (played by Missagh Zareh), a judge, husband, father, and liar. Iman hides political secrets for the safety of his job and his family. His wife is Najimeh (played by Soheila Golestani), and his daughters are Rezvan (played by Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (played by Setareh Maleki). The dynamic in the house is fueled by unrest thanks to the orders from Iman. His role involves bending the rules by creating propaganda in order to provide a home for his family.

The tension between politic and two worlds colliding is extraordinary. The conflicts in the authoritarian government are what fuel the frustration and lack of faith for Iman and his family. Their unsettling reality provides an intriguing structure. Iman knows they are in danger, but his career comes first, and his family knows it. His daughter’s rebelliousness causes The Seed of the Sacred Fig to go down a suspenseful rabbit hole. Once a gun goes missing, the clock of political corruption starts ticking.

With Iman’s gun missing, his job is on the line, and so is his family. The writing and continuity of the film made my head race with thoughts. Some people keep secrets to protect the ones they love, but other secrets open doors to darker alleys. The frustration of Iman’s daughters and his wife makes him question their respect and loyalty. They see the war in the media and know their dad is part of the chaos. The concepts of betrayal and sacrifice play off each other in The Seed of the Sacred Fig.

The film’s direction displays a portrait of tension and realism given the various events occurring which shift the characterizations. The Seed of the Sacred Fig does a stellar job of tying in the political factors to create suspense. With the many choices facing Iman, his world is rolled over as his expectations rotate. Who truly suffers?

The cultural components in the film form a connective and deceitful bond. The Seed of the Sacred Fig carries elementswhich reach their limits. With the family feeling brainwashed, the fight to find their voice delivers a breathtaking force. A powerful battle for change, honesty, and loyalty ensues. Iman’s fate is presented as non-negotiable, but his family may feel there is a way around that given their suffering. The Seed of the Sacred Fig is compelling, shocking, and politically empowering. It is one of the best thrillers of the year! Four out of four stars.

Film reviews

Maria Review

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A direction by Pablo Larrain with emphasis. A performance by Angelina Jolie that is stunning and emotional. Maria is a spellbinding film about the talent of an artist with a screenplay that displays honor and courage, Maria takes the appreciation of art and opera to a level that is truly committed. It is more of a reflection piece where feelings of sadness come around more than anticipated. Jolie dazzles by displaying talent and emotions in Maria.

As an avid fan of theatricals, Maria is a film where I felt the experience was much like a stage presentation. The story has a harrowing and sad nature. The presence of melancholy had me shaking with mixed feelings during the movie. Jolie plays Maria Callas, one of the most iconic opera singers of the 1970s. The film covers the good and bad times of her life while she tries to live out her days and seek fulfillment. She has an illness that is spreading through her rapidly. A young man, Mandrax played by Kodi Smit-McPhee, is doing a story on her. Maria attempts to find moments in her life story that she believes people will remember her for. At the same time, unfortunately, her days are numbered.

The film has some harsh moments when it explores the difficulty of facing reality. Maria’s relationship with her sister, Yakinthi Callas, who is played by Valeria Golino, makes us wonder how many close friends Maria really has. However, her butler Ferrucio Mezzadri, played by Pierfrancesco Favino, seems to go out his way the most for Maria. The film is dismissive in the matter of Maria making amends. Also, the director seemed to loop the opera in for dramatics much more than necessary.

With the turmoil and challenges of Maria, this is a story of her past and present actions and thoughts. With archived black-and-white footage used in many sad increments of the film—it is an auteur force of a poetic rollercoaster ride of empathy and hope. It features the concept of burned bridges, and talent seeming to be lost. In the end, the possibility of talent living forever proves possible in Maria.

The art of perspective is invigorating the end of Maria. It has a poetic vibe that flows smoothly in the review of a life full of ups and downs. Sadly, the melancholy continues and an essence of empathy that feels somewhat burdensome. Larrain’s approach with portraying disconnects take priority in Maria.

Opera is vast in Maria. An iconic life is celebrated. Amazing visuals and acting by Jolie. It lacks the fulfillment and is filled with sadness, but the story does not lie. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Maria.