Film reviews

Saw X Review

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A franchise that continues. However, this is a franchise thatinvolves some misdirection for its audience. Ultimately, the phrase, “Let the game begin,” means the many games of Saw are not over yet. Saw X is the one film in the franchise that is more in-depth and has more meaningful creepy games. I was sold on Saw, Saw II, and Saw III. The later ones became more mediocre. In Saw X, the terror is reborn. It is a wild ride where deceit and deception are bound to have consequences. The brilliance in Saw X is the backstory. The violence still has consequences, but the storyline shows how the killer John Kramer aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell) became a man who finds bad people and puts them in traps to test their chances of survival.

The film begins with Kramer being delivered the news that he is terminally ill with cancer and close to the point of death. He goes to Mexico to receive treatment in hopes that his cancer can be cured. However, he realizes that the surgeons did not do the treatment on him, but instead lied to him. This is what invigorates John to punish the victims who lied to him. For all who keep wondering where Jigsaw’s motive was in all the other Saw films over the years, Saw X has the answer to that question.

John’s victims are the ones who lied about their procedures and cost others their lives. The reasons behind John’s horrific games of survival are because then it does not label the deaths like he killed them. He calls it, “A real awakening,” and audiences better fasten their seatbelts because it is relentless and dangerous.

For fans who love the Saw franchise, Saw X steps up the game. It finally tells the story that was not told to audiencesfrom the beginning. Throughout the Saw films, many would start out as death traps and a fight for survival but included very little backstory. This time audiences learn much more and that is why I find it to be the most captivating film in the franchise.

I will not elaborate on the types of torture, because they are quite gruesome (as the audience expects). I will say, however,prepare to be wowed by seeing the real John Kramer aka Jigsaw come to life again in Saw X.

There is no turning back on the terror that comes from every corner of this film. Redemption has consequences. Lies do not go unpunished. It is a rollercoaster ride of puzzles and survival. It is a franchise that always finds compelling ways to write about and display various terror tactics. There are moments where Saw X may seem repetitive with the other films, but in the end, audiences are there for a thrill ride.

There is a unique aspect to the film’s unexpected scares and traps, i.e., the fact that Kramer is smart. He is skilled at using theory senses to know what outcomes will occur if steps are right or wrong. Despite him being a killer, his revenge makes more sense in Saw X. His actions are still wrong morally butplayed out with gut-wrenching direction. There is no hiding in Saw X. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

Fair Play Review

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The world of wealthy companies and favoritism is put to the test in Fair Play. Written and directed by Chloe Domont, this psychological drama is chilling. The tension and personality clashes make Fair Play sharp and edgy, yet also gut wrenching. Fair Play is one of the most daring films because of the harsh outcomes. The film makes viewers think about workplace boundaries. The most suspenseful aspect of Fair Play is the tension between a couple who are also colleagues.

The film takes place in New York. The couple who are also colleagues are named Emily and Luke (played by Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehreneich). They work at a hedge fund company that is cutthroat. They are madly in love with each other and have a good life outside of work. Their boss is Campbell (played by Eddie Marsen). Campbell is focused on being successful and making profits. Both Emily and Luke work hard at their jobs and try to keep their relationship a secret. However, once Emily receives a promotion, the tension begins to rise with Luke. Emily is in a position where she has power over Luke and their relationship begins to experience turmoil. With Emily always being on top of her game to please Campbell, Luke’s attitude begins to worsen. His envy of Emily’s success creates the boiling point in Fair Play.

The shifting attitudes between Emily and Luke is where the film takes off on a deadly ride of cat and mouse between the two. Their relationship is in a detrimental place. Luke keeps getting more jealous of the opportunities that come around for Emily. Luke is smart but keeps getting the raw end of the deal from Campbell. Fair Play kept me wondering how much more damaging the dynamics could become as the game gets increasingly harder for the hedge fund company. Emily always seems to have the upper hand which makes Luke feel like he is under-employed. Therefore, Luke begins to start making Emily feel like garbage. The close relationship they had outside their office becomes unhealthy and unstable. Attitudes shift when certain events lead to blindsiding. More opportunities for Emily equal less growth for Luke. The better things go for Emily, the more jealous and hateful Luke becomes.

The egotistical behaviors that are displayed between Emily and Luke is where Fair Playtakes off and becomes an unexpectedly brilliant ride. The conflicts feel real, which makes the film quite haunting. I was worried that Fair Play was going to run into detrimental errors, but fortunately it worked out to be an unexpected masterpiece. The film holds no bars at the hatred caused by the clashes between Emily and Luke.

The fierce competition is the key to the film’s brilliance. Fair Play is a film where fuel is added to the fire in the cut-throat world of a hedge fund company. The cinematography and lighting play into the dark moments between Emily and Luke. Emily is at the center of the story because she is Luke’s boss. She begins to pull back on her support for Luke due to his immaturity which keeps deteriorating. Who will be the success in the hedge fund company? Emily or Luke? Can they still find a way to be in a happy relationship as well as colleagues? Or do they need to cut ties or find an alternative? Find out in Fair Play. Three and a half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Cassandro Review

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Cassandro is the true story of a wrestler with a difficult background, including having to hide his sexuality. Directed by Roger Ross Williams, Cassandro is witty and surprisingly positive. Gael Garcia Bernal Is the star of the film and he delivers one of the most monumental performances of his career. Cassandro is simply irresistible, and it may very well be one of the best foreign language films of 2023.

Saul Armendariz (played by Bernal) is the central character. Cassandro is his stage name when he is wrestling. Saul lives a quiet life with his mother, Yocasta (played by Perla De La Rosa). He works wrestling gigs and hopes to make it his career. He trains with Sabrina (played by Roberta Colindrez). She believes that Saul has the ability and ambition to make it to a high level in the wrestling ranks. But Saul has a secret that causes some hesitancy in his life. He is gay. Saul finds the courage to come out of the closet and he finds that his life is mostly full of love and support, but he does experience some hatred. He fights on, though, and he doesn’t let what others think stop him from pursuing his dream.

When Saul is in his wrestling character as “Cassandro the exotic” his sexuality is his trademark in the ring, and that is where he finds his fame. One of the things that makes the film invigorating is that it’s about someone finding where they belong and what they are passionate about. Saul very much wants to be a wrestler, and he also wants to make his mom happy. As his career and life take off life he sees his income grow, and he has new adventures and meets new people. There is some risqué behavior and, to an extent, Saul sees growth in some aspects of his life and turmoil in other aspects. The turmoil involves issues with being gay and getting into a secret relationship with another man, Gerardo (played by Raul Castillo).

The big wrestling event that Saul is working with Sabrina to get to is called the Lucha Libre. They keep climbing the ladder together, but can Saul make it to the big event? Saul has some challenges and important choices to make before getting there.

Cassandro is simply a triumph. It is a story of despair turned into hope. The writing and cinematography are superb, the cultural vibes are there, and audiences will find themselves pulling for Saul and hoping he is able to keep going in a positive direction. Gael Garcia Bernal has always been very talented and versatile, but this may his best film yet. He is definitely the key to the film’s brilliance. Thanks to Bernal, Cassandro takes the cake. Four out of four stars for Cassandro.

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