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.

Film reviews

Moana 2 Review

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A sequel from Disney that keeps the positivity going through its musical scenes. Moana 2 is a sequel that has a lot of joyful moments and is a continuation where the grandeur of Disney stays on track. With oceanography flowing through the fantasy settings, Moana 2 still holds loving moments for families across the world. The plot of the film is just rushed more than usual.

Moana (voiced by Auli’I Cravalho) has returned. Her mission is one that requires her attention after a call to her comes from her ancestors. This means that Moana’s perilous adventures must continue. Her journey takes her to the many seas of Oceania where more restoration at hand. With Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) in his own trap of struggling to escape, it will not be long before Moana and Maui team together again for many voyages in Moana 2.

In this sequel, there are more water sequences. It does not disappoint with its captivating technological imagery. The film thrives on the ambience of love and connection with both empathy and humor in the friendship of Moana and Maui. While the movie is only above average overall, it manages to fuel joy through positivity.

For the holiday season, Moana 2 is fun to sing-along to and make an empathetic connection. I felt the same way with the first film in the franchise back in 2016. Overall, the moving parts of this sequel are skimmed over, and the presence of the central conflict tends to be clouded by the moments of fantasy and wonder. This is a Disney sequel that will make bank based on its family values more than a plot construct. In the end, there may have been no real need to place emphasis on the plot because it is all about the musical moments.

The film has waves, love, and treasures. It has happy voices of dialogue from Cravalho and Johnson.  Their voices are where Moana 2 finds its most soaring moments. It is a joyful holiday sequel that does not have to be taken seriously since the fun is simply continued from the first film. Three out of four stars for Moana 2.

Film reviews

Gladiator II

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This is a sequel that still leaves moments to conquer. Through the eyes of director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II carries the weight of the Colosseum at its peak but finds itself ready to topple over. It is a continuation of events from the first film in the franchise. It has a settled approach that keeps a historic vibe of emperors and kingdoms at large. The conflict, however, is that it’s mostly about the warfare and violence than the plot. With an all-star cast, the heightened games go full throttle in Gladiator II.

The new opponent who steps foot in the Colosseum is Lucius (played by Paul Mescal). He comes from Rome and is makinghis footsteps towards redemption. Lucille (played by Connie Nielsen) is back after the devastating events of Maximus (played by Russell Crowe) in the first film. Lucius may be the one who stands under what Maximus has achieved before. Is Lucius destined for the games? In an era where tyranny is in the depths of Rome, the battles in Gladiator II have an eerie awakening. As expected, Scott knows how to label characters and establish their authority.

The Master of the Gladiators is Macrinus (played by Denzel Washington). Washington’s performance as one ruthless emperor with a pontificating nature aids the film’s consistencyin keeping the battles coming. The king out for positive glory on behalf of the greater people is Marcus Acacius (played by Pedro Pascal). Between these two hierarchies, the battles are what makes sense in finding who stands tallest in Gladiator II. With all the civilization and prophecy themes, Gladiator II cares more about the suspense in the Colosseum than finding a sophisticated the plot.  Therefore, the historical aspect in this film is lacking.

With Mescal playing the hero out for glory, he is a positive addition to this sequel. His character has a heartfelt and consistent attitude as well as kind-hearted spirit dedicated to a better purpose. Even though the context lacks during most of the movie, he still manages to provide some enjoyable parts. WithWashington promoting the ruthless matches, the characterizations of heroism for both the good and the bad tumble ferociously in Gladiator II.

Most of the characters outside of Mescal and Washington do not fit in this film. The two emperors who play brothers, Emperor Greta (played by Joseph Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (played by Fred Hechinger), cause the film to suffer. They are the most overrated emperors in a film by Scott. Their characters kill the film’s chances of being taken seriously. Gladiator II seems to care more about creating Hollywood buzz than creating a historic vibe. This is disappointing for a film by Scott, especially a sequel. He does well in the beginning, but then the pattern shifts and the writing before and after the matches hits frequent roadblocks. The battles are the best part of the movie, but not enough to make up for the other parts. Two out of four stars for Gladiator II.

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