Film reviews

Dune: Part Two Review

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“A longstanding dream of mine is to adapt Dune, but it’s a long process to get the rights, and I don’t think I will succeed.”

-Denis Villeneuve.

An exhilarating and unforgettable experience continued. Dune: Part Two defines the craft of cinematic filmmaking from writer and director Denis Villeneuve. Not only is the writing invigorating, but the film is a fantastic continuation filled with fascinating moving parts. I remember reading a condensed version of the novel back in middle school. Dune: Part Two focuses like a book with components that make the film feel like an exploration of literary devices. The direction of protagonists and antagonists is a visionary tale that creates an atmosphere that is surreal for its audience. Villeneuve has accomplished his dream and is a director of expert craftsmanship which resulted in an unparalleled and vibrant sci-fi adventure. The setting and futuristic feel is enticing and breathtaking in IMAX. My experience of Dune: Part Two blew me out of the water. Villeneuve’s technical direction of shooting the entire film for IMAX immerses its audience deeply within the story. Further, a rotation of aspect ratios shows what going to the movies is all about.

The first Dune (2021) ended with victory and the expectation that there was more to fulfill. The range of characters in these films creates a story with many levels of dynamics. Timothee Chalamet is Paul Atreides, Zendaya is Chani, Rebecca Ferguson is Jessica, Josh Brolin is Gurney Halleck, Austin Butler is Feyd-Rautha, Florence Pugh is Princess Irulan, Javier Bardem is Stilgar, Dave Bautista is Beast Rabban, Chrisopher Walken is Emperor, Lea Seydoux is Lady Margot Fenning, Souheila Yacoub is Shishakli, Stellar Skarsgard is Baron Harkonen, and Charlotte Rampling is Reverend Mother Mohiam. The ensemble of this cast of characters is of great importance to the film’s foundation which involve new dangers from previous events in the first Dune. However, Dune: Part Two has a whole new level of authority and factors that collide for an adventure that is one of the best experiences yet from Villeneuve.

I recall from the book that the timeline would go back to the 19thcentury. The fascination behind the continuing saga in Dune: Part Two is the result of Villeneuve’s vision and creative mindwhich brings his audience even further into the world of Dune. Villeneuve is faithful to making the fictional setting and the various moving parts sync up with the novel.

The plot of this sci-fi thriller that defines mesmerizing wondersis worth diving into. The film begins with Paul, Jessica, and Chani. They are with the Fremen. With Paul’s victory and powers of evolvement, he seeks revenge. Paul still has the power to see visions into the future. The turmoil he sees motivates him to become a conqueror and stop events from happening. Stilgar trains Paul to fight with their people. Since Paul comes from a high-ranking powerful family, the struggle involves his acceptance of equality. He must learn to do what is right for him given he was the victor in the first film.

Baron Haronken and his nephew Feyd-Rautha are the conquerors and the ones that Paul seeks vengeance with. Paul’s love for Chani is questioned. The fate of the future that Paul envisions is inevitable. He is willing and bound to take risks. While wanting to avenge the death of the ones he loved, he must understand the reality of his choices. Dune: Part Two is a literal and visual experience for the masses. Paul’s dreams still have a mental impact on him. Learning to handle the new ropes heightens the excitement in this film’s uncharted territory. As Paul screams, “SILENCE,” the wrath of his past makes Dune: Part Two an amazing and unforgettable experience. Rage, power, corruption, and politics are at the boiling point in this sensational film. Dune: Part Two is a journey of wonders that is pure adrenaline. Four stars!

Documentaries, Film reviews

To Kill a Tiger Review

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This film is based on a true story with an honesty and thoroughness that will shake its audience to their core. The film’s disturbing subject matter had me thinking about how the world is not safe in many places. It is an experience that does not leave one with a feel-good vibe. To Kill a Tiger is a documentary that speaks to the heart and the truth of its actual events. A film where society in another country is not as structured as other countries or regions.

To Kill a Tiger focuses on a man named Ranjit, a father living in India who works as a farmer. His daughter, Kira has been sexually assaulted by three men. In a country where norms are blurred, Ranjit decides to take a stand. The documentary centers on his fight for justice for his daughter and at its heart involves the individuals, the descriptions, the political factors, and the outcomes. For Ranjit, this case does not get taken as seriously as it should. The rules are different in India, and the criminal laws do not go to the extent that they should to punish the crimes. That is why Ranjit fights for his daughter. He cannot let go of knowing that his daughter must live her whole life feeling traumatized after being assaulted.

To Kill a Tiger portrays the frustrations of dealing with the different foundations of the legal systems in India and heightens the anxiety and exasperation that play into the emotions the audience will feel with the film. When talking with activists, attorneys, and government officials (all who are real-life individuals) they all have been trained within the context of how the legal system works in India. The fact that high punishments are not delivered for such an unforgivable crime is commonplace and an affront to Ranjit and his daughter.

The truth of poverty is displayed throughout To Kill a Tiger. Ranjit details on how making ends meet to provide for his family takes a halt, as he needs to have the money to help his daughter. His daughter’s mental health and ability to have a future is extremely important to him. The importance of family and safety and willingness to do what needs to be done no matter what it takes is at the core of this film. There are so many obstacles that must be overcome for resolution in this case.

The faithfulness of a society is an approach that is hard to accept in this film. It is relentless—there are frequent excuses to try to cover the tracks of the perpetrators who were part of the assault.Ranjit is the only one taking the stand. He is the only one making the sacrifice. To Kill a Tiger boils with a father’s anger and sadness—his daughter is his life. He will not stop until he knows the ones who assaulted his daughter are going to pay for what they did.

I will say that this is one of the most harrowing and spellbinding documentaries I have seen. Realism and perception do not get any clearer than in To Kill a Tiger. There are hidden truths to the puzzle. The life of poverty and poor politics is a life that Ranjit has endured but does not want the norms of this society to prevent his daughter from have justice served. He goes deep by finding attorneys, learning the moving parts of the legal system, and what aspects of the courts that might side with his daughter.There is no clear direction as to why the laws are so misconstrued, but the frustration portrayed through the eyes of Ranjit and the case itself puts the exposes many aspects of a corrupt legal system.

This is an experience where I felt the reality of the circumstances as Ranjit awakens to all that he must battle against to find justice. With the film being a true story, I felt the pain he goes through for his daughter. To Kill a Tiger is a journey that is gut-wrenching and makes viewers pray for the truth to unfold. There is no clear way to define if this movie was a good or bad experience. It is simply an awakening to some hard truths. It made me think of how far people go to fight for those that matter to them as Ranjit fights for his daughter. The paths of justice find their way to be served. It just is in a setting of uncharted territory where it is hard to cross the lines. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

Miller’s Girl Review

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What is appropriate when it comes to teachers and students? What behaviors cross a line? How awkward or uncomfortable can situations get? In Miller’s Girl boundaries are crossed when there is an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and student. When things take a turn for the worst in the story, things become misconstrued as the characterizations and dynamics are an utter mess. Overall, the film’s presentation falls flat. While Miller’s Girl is rich in context and dialogue, the continuity is lacking. There is limited background to explain why the scenarios end up being so dreadful and miscalculated. As someone who respects boundaries, Miller’s Girl was a-disappointment.

The film takes place in a rural Tennessee. Jonathan Miller (played by Martin Freeman) is an English teacher. He is lucky to have his job because the school he works at has difficulties with funding. His friend Boris (played by Bashir Salahuddin) is a science teacher and they both end up in a strange dynamic with two female students. Cairo Sweet (played by Jenny Ortega) and Winnie Black (played by Gideon Aldeon) both have uniquepersonalities with Cairo being stranger. Jonathan assigns Cairo to write a paper about an author that speaks to her. The author she chooses is Henry Miller which is a red flag. This choice is questioned by Jonathan because of the context of the novels written by Miller. There is a level of closeness that Cairo learns about from Winnie. Both girls figure out ways to be seductive for their own benefit. Cairo’s goal is to have her piece grasp a lot of attention to help her have a bright future. This is where the real trouble in the film sets in. The seductive relationship between Jonathan and Cairo crosses boundaries. From this point on, Miller’s Crossing turns into an unbearable mess with poor writing and limited continuity.

The film is poorly displayed, and the connections happen too quickly. The seductive scenes are just thrown in. Even the teachers have poor judgment. The story includes one poor choice after another. Miller’s Girl just keeps repeating the same bad mistakes. To add to the mess, weird personalities overtake the film’s writing. The sole purpose seems to be to expose the stupidity among its characters, including the sexualized brains of the students.

There is a scene where Cairo adapts her essay about Henry Miller and correlates it to the seductive (and inappropriate) experience she had with Jonathan. This is an example of how this movie displays mediocrity at its finest. Comparing a famous author and linking it to a teacher with poor morals seems wrong. Although the basic idea behind this movie had promise, it is the approach it took to become enticing or haunting that failed. Miller’s Girl is not only poorly written but also poorly executed.

The film finds no resolution to any of the foolish conflicts. Although there is some seductive chemistry, it seems rushed. When boundaries are crossed, there are irreparable consequences. The story goes around in circles. In the end, this film was a poor experience because it was disgusting and confused. One out of four stars for Miller’s Girl.

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