Film reviews

Leave the World Behind Review

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Netflix is starting to make end-of-the-world films with a clever premise and where the world finds itself in chaos. Leave the World Behind is in that category. With how much I loved Don’t Look Up back in 2021, I thought that Leave the World Behind was going to be my type of film, and it didn’t disappoint. In addition to the clever premise, it also has a stellar cast, including Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Myha’la Herrold, and Kevin Bacon.

Leave the World Behind is set at a remote rental beach cabin on Long Island in New York. The film first introduces us to Amanda and Clay Sanford (Roberts and Hawke). To escape the stressors of their life they decide to take a family getaway with their kids, Rose (played by Farrah Mackenzie) and Archie (played by Charlie Evans). Amanda works in advertising and Clay is a professor, and they need some time to refresh. But this vacation is far from refreshing. Instead it becomes what Clay called a “vacation from hell!” First a freighter runs aground on the beach in front of their place, the place where they’re staying loses its internet and cable, and then the owner of the cabin, G.H. Scott (Ali), shows up at the door unexpectedly with his daughter Ruth (Herrold), and he gives Amanda and Clay a strange explanation for why they left the city to come there. From that point the film only gets stranger and more inviting.

The central conflict of Leave the World Behind is that a cyberattack is causing total disruption of the world’s operations. There are warning crawlers on television, airplanes are crashing, and many more strange events come at the characters in the film. The only one who seems prepared for the calamity is a stranger named Danny (Bacon) who shows up at the cabin. Although Danny decides to go solo, so he’s not in the film very much.

The political angles and description of the conflict that such a massive technological failure causes sold me on Leave the World Behind. Its characters are placed in a global disaster, totally unprepared, and slowly the disaster hits turmoil. The personalities of the various characters results in some moments of laughter. But the film manages to keep its seriousness while also adding in a humorous side. Hawke’s portrayal of the father heightens the suspense, and Roberts plays a mother who is infuriated by the situation—and her anger only gets worse.

I was totally hooked on Leave the World Behind. There is no hiding from the reality of the uncharted territory the characters find themselves in. The film is presented in stages that develop at just the right pace and point its audience toward excitement with suspense. A family vacation could not get any more treacherous than Leave the World Behind. But will they make it out alive? Catch Leave the World Behind and find out. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Godzilla Minus One Review

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This is by far one of the most surreal movie experiences I have had in ages. Godzilla Minus One is an achievement in its own making. This film’s storyline has a structure, and Godzilla’s presence has a purpose. In fact, he is the center of the film’s war zone. The storyline dives deep into the meaning of the beast itself, and the chaos is calculated in the right way. War time means people screaming, “GODZILLA!” This film is a rollercoaster ride that the world has longed for.

Godzilla Minus One is faithful to its filmmakers and its setting. Despite not being under a U.S. studio, the realism of this project is inspiring. The experience of Godzilla Minus One will make true Godzilla fans feel nostalgic. The new film relates back to the beginning in Godzilla (1954). The technological factors and the (fictional) political factors are strongly written in Godzilla Minus One like they were in the 1954 version. There is an urgency related to safety and concerns that the monster does not only impact the people in the locations it is invading, but also how it corrupts the resources trying to take it down. The beast is unbeatable in Godzilla Minus One.

The film is set in the 1940s in a Post War era. The setting is Japan during a tormented time. While there is hope that there will be rest from the chaos, the mayhem begins again when Godzilla arises from the deep and is sporadically destroying cities and regions around Japan. It is up to one fighter pilot to bring the beast down and protect his country. That individual is Koichi Shikishima.

The approach to the fascination of Godzilla Minus One is annealing and the extent of the effort to take down Godzilla is drenching. In fact, the more damage Godzilla does, the harder the attacks. The foundation is created for war. The film’s writing maintains significant value before Godzilla enters the as the center of conflict. Old military weaponry used against the beast makes for one unforgettable Godzilla experience! Godzilla Minus one soars with adrenaline.

Through its main character, Koichi, the film follows the pattern of a memoir instead of simply mass destruction and chaos. The mayhem comes at night at unexpected moments. The flames and wrath of Godzilla light up…like Christmas lights! There are also game plans in this era in which Godzilla is the threat to society. There are moments where mathematics, physics, science and logistics are taken into consideration to study the weaknesses of Godzilla. Whatever the beast may not be able to handle, the better chance of halting his havoc. The strategic use of resources serves a chance of achieving redemption in Godzilla Minus One. 

Koichi is the hero who will do what it takes to defeat Godzilla. A failed moment in his life fuels his fire. Also, many people on Koichi’s side are helping him. The allies, the era, and the risks all come together for one dazzling movie and the most unforgettable Godzilla experience I have had in my lifetime. Four out of four stars for Godzilla Minus One.

Film reviews

Rose Review

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This is a film that focuses on the reality of an individual that battles with her challenging life situation. Director and writer Niels Arden Oplev brings his audience to a world that is inspired by his own family. Rose is a film of deep emotions that displays why acceptance and tolerance is essential…especially when dealing with those who cannot process information in a certain way. The film exposes the life of a woman with schizophrenia, whose patterns begin to shift as she is exposed to more of society. The experience is both overwhelming and exhilarating.

Oplev deserves credit for creating a project based on a sensitive and thought-provoking scenario of life, while also reminding his audience to have a heart that listens. Oplev’s faithfulness in Rose is sincere and prominent. It is an experience where limitations lead to a search for self-care and importance in the world. Oplev’s direction is monumental and exhilarating in Rose.

The film takes place in Denmark in the 1990s. Its main character is Inger, played by Sofia Grabol. Inger lives in a home for the disabled as she suffers from schizophrenia. Her mind is compromised. In the opening scene, Inger is lying on her bed with her thoughts racing. She envisions a happy time in her childhood. Inger’s sister is Ellen, played by Lena Maria Christensen. Ellen’s husband is Vagn, played by Anders W. Berthelsen. She and her husband decide to take Inger on a vacation to Paris. In the beginning, Inger is against this, and she tries to make things difficult by stating to everyone on their coach bus, “My name is Inger, and I’m mentally ill.” Inger’s illness takes toll on her daily existence in the home, but soon this trip changes her life through an enriching revelation.

The film is pervasive and honest in portraying the pain of Inger’s schizophrenia. She is constantly desperate for valium, and dwells on the patterns that float in her mind. Inger has outbursts where she shuns everyone around her. Ellen and Vagn are Inger’s biggest help on this getaway to Paris as they know how to help Inger to get her spirits up. The empathy and support of Ellen and Vagn is the heartfelt element that thrives in Rose. It evokes hope and empathy to see her seeing finding inspiration to carry on from those that are her biggest fans.

The routines of Inger speak with a raw truth. Inger’s mind is set in its patterns and change becomes a high ladder for her to climb. She does however learn how to climb. Her complex journey on the Paris trip is a reminder that even those with severe disabilities need a form of connection…one that ensures them that they still matter. Despite her limitations, she findsplaces of happiness where she is able to emphasize her good intentions and live her fullest life. Through Inger and Ellen, the film’s tight writing and Oplev’s direction form inseparable connection that dives deep into the strongest forms of empathy and compassion.

A turning point for Inger is when she visits a museum and finds great joy in the atmosphere and artifacts and their ability to enrich her existence. Having a disability can make life feel detrimental, but it can also display brilliance in life. Rose makes the viewer feel how important it can be to keep chin up…even in times where acceptance and tolerance is not inevitable. There is a moment where Inger asks the question “Maybe you could make the biggest dream come true?” This question proves deeply that Inger has an empathetic heart, and that despite her hardship with her mental state, she is still a person who cares about those around her. The realization of Inger seeing the greatness in inspiring those around her is the knockout form in the form of a surreal and unforgettable story.

The title Rose may make the audience wonder about its meaning. There is a point where Inger asks, “Am I still your rose?” The essence of Rose embodies the love and support that Inger has around her. It is a journey of finding meaning to lifeand embracing hope and shining the light of who we are despite limitations. The rose opens up and blossoms to show its ultimate beauty. All Inger wants is to feel loved. Will she find a way to feel that again? Rose answers that question in a most thought-provoking and beautifully written and directed way. Four out of four stars for Rose.

Treating cinema in many forms of art!