Film reviews

Last Breath Review

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When it comes to a film at the depths of below the water, it is a world where many revolving doors come into play. Different environments, oxygen only by tanks, and communication—Last Breath is based on those elements to the extreme. It is a true story that captures the essence of how serious a situation can get. Last Breath is not technically amazing but is a portrait of capturing what is impacted and prioritized to ensure safety and survival. Director Alex Parkinson prioritizes detrimental water conditions to claustrophobic heights to lead-on with mind-boggling suspense.

The film focuses on three diving colleagues/friends. They are Duncan Allock (played by Woody Harrelson), Dave Yuasa (played by Simu Liu), and Chris Lemons (played by Finn Cole). They are all bound to embark on a journey that is hundreds of feet into the ocean. The setting is around the Scotland, Uk region. Once they are submerged in the water, the moving part for peril comes through. It is not an easy journey.

The cause of the conflict is the conditions and storms. This is what makes the film one of the obstacles to hazardous safety. That opens the door for teamwork. The thoughts (which came to my mind) was sacrificing and times for quick-thinking—that is because one of the divers is stuck below with limited oxygen. From above the surface his diving friends must keep navigating the tracks to help him remain alive. It is many feet away from safety, and it is many feet away to bringing someone back.

The dive is the treacherous part of the film; however, it continues to fulfill its tracks (of being suspenseful) with just moments of the journey being rocky from above and below the surface. There are written words to keep the audience in tune with safety. I felt that direction gave an emphasis on how to help the audience think about the peril in front of them. The words, “Time without oxygen” is the scarcest part of Last Breath. That is because the more time lost, the less likely saving a life decreases. The waters and natural causes are the heat of the film’s core adventure for survival.

It is one of those films where teamwork and the buddy system go hand in hand. It is looped in from the top of the film (on dry land) and below the waters. Even though the pattern of the film is predictable, it captures the characterizations in a profound and appealing matter. It displays that it is what is counted on in Last Breath. As one who is not so well-versed with diving, the film makes me scared to even consider trying a diving expedition. I do not even intend to do diving classes. This is not a representation or an encouragement to not do this activity (FYI), just how I felt after the dive excursion and mission of the film. It is one where the eyes are the limit. What the main characters cannot see, the audience cannot see either—there are lurking corners of darkness that do not go unnoticed in The Last Breath. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

I’m Still Here Review

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I’m Still Here is a breathtaking portrait of a true story. It is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Best International Feature Film and Best Picture. Its representation of creating meaning during a harsh time goes a long way. Directed by Walter Salles, his direction can be placed in the class of an auteur with I’m Still Here. The theme of livelihoods and lifestyles of people being disrupted because of a dictatorship creates the atmosphere with the continued vein of remaining close to the ones we love the most.

It is a combined docudrama, period drama, political drama, and biography. The genres “period” and “political” are the two that tango in a magnificent style in I’m Still Here. The film takes its audience to Rio de Janeiro in 1971 with the story going in the direction of the life of Eunice Paiva (played by Fernando Torres). She is one with a big family and tries to live happily with her husband and their many children. Her husband is Rubens Paiva (played by Selton Mello). They try to maintain their family life and stay the course; however, the lives of the family members are changed forever when Rubens is taken from their home. His disappearance is due to a military dictatorship and many political factors that are unforeseen. This puts Eunice and her children onto a path that will alter their lives forever.

The film keeps its tone of sticking together to be fearless. The performance of Torres makes her the champion of the story’s consistent persistence to be the strong one for her children. While questions that are unanswered keep spinning her family in circles, she does not quit. The incident that set the events in motion was the kidnapping of a Swiss ambassador. Politics keep swerving, creating an inevitable pattern. I’m Still Here is a journey of courage. The writing and foundation of family fuel the film’s true narrative to a level that is breathtaking.

The era of politics hitting plateaus and impacting families delivers a presentation that hits the emotional tracks hard. I’m Still Here travels through decades with Eunice and her family as they navigate this journey and create new lives in the wake of Rubens being taken from them. This is what leads Eunice to become a lawyer and activist. The turmoil of the government presents hardship but also an opportunity for her to thrive and fight for the hard matters that impact her life and the lives of others. I’m Still Here carries that aspect of never giving up, and truly putting forth what is right for a better life ahead.

What came to my mind throughout this real-life ride was how itstangos with answers not unfolding. The idea that confidentiality serves as a liability. Common ground is practically impossible, and it is not the way for Eunice, being the warrior for her family. It is just her, and with her husband being taken away, the situation is in her hands. How long though, until there can be peace in I’m Still Here?

The fate of the film lies within many elements. They range from sacrifice to turmoil and the search for answers. They create a landscape that feels like a cinematic jolt. The pacing continues with the government and politics intertwining, and that is the struggle for Eunice. Torres is ambitious and not a quitter in her role as Eunice. It is Oscar-worthy. The whole film is “Oscar-worthy!” Four out of four stars.

Film reviews

Universal Language Review

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There is uniqueness in a setting that is seeking infrastructural change. The title of Universal Language is strong and meaningful. Countries are clashing and resources are limited in this portrait which dives into the recreational aspects of the subject matter.  In this film, bizarre moments of reality that seem to have no connection intersect. Matthew Rankin is the director, the writer and one of the lead characters in Universal Language. His role is essential to tracking the development andunderstanding of the story. 

The film’s projection is in 16 M which delivers beauty while painting an intriguing portrait that provides the foundation to this unique film. Rankin’s directing is spot-on as the film struggles in a quiet and twisted plot structure. It explores a path of politics and swerves between Winnipeg and Tehran. There is evidence and different signs involving languages in places where they do not belong. Rankin’s directing is not just layered with elements of surprise but also allows him to present his character as the one searching for answers.

In the film, Rankin is Matthew, a man who calls it quits with his job so he can visit his mother. The other reason he is leaving his job is due to his annoyance with working with the Quebec government. Another scenario in the film focuses on characters Negin and Nazgol (played by Rojina Esmaelli and Saba Vahedyousefi). They come across money frozen in winter ice, and they are tempted to fish for it. There is also a character named Massoud (played by Pirouz Nemati), a tour guide that truly is not the most enthusiastic about his clients. The settingsof Winnipeg and Tehran spark a host of deep thinking. The level of normalcy and the strange moving parts in societies which are searching for infrastructure beg for answers.

Rankin knows how to tackle essential questions in Universal Language. When politics are hidden, the audience sees what the characters care about most. In the weird era of the film’s setting, Kleenex and live turkeys are a priority. Thanks to the reference to tissues, it took me back to the COVID pandemic and the shortages of certain products. Rankin is skillful in adding what is not expected, and while also establishing an artistic portrayal of struggle. Universal Language is a fascinating puzzle with a euphoric taste. 

The film’s continuity helps drive it forward. The bizarre interactions between Winnipeg and Tehran have tangents that are surreal. It keeps audiences asking questions as the journey of the individuals proceed. Is Matthew glad he quit his job? Is Massoud happy as a tour guide? Will there be success for Negin and Nazgol with the money in the lake? A puzzle of questions flows authentically while also reminding the audience that it is not a place of normalcy. It is an auteur class project where brilliance is just underneath the surface.

Among the lands of mixed politics and quirky scenarios, the entire film has an extravagance to it. The projection moves the idea of artistry to heights filled with new curiosities. The world of Rankin is one-of-a-kind in Universal Language. It is one of the most eloquent movie experiences I have had in quite some time. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Treating cinema in many forms of art!