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Film reviews

The Zone of Interest Review

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In The Zone of Interest, director Jonathan Glazer brings his audience on a journey of the despair and psychological frustration of the wartime era of the 1940s. The film is mind-boggling with tensions that will boil deep to its audience’s core. It is a portrait of a daring society during a tumultuous time where there are unexpected consequences.

The Zone of Interest is based on the novel of the same name written by Martim Amis, who died in May of 2023. The film focuses on a picturesque mansion near Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, where Auschwitz camp commandant Rudolf Höss (played by Christian Friedel) lives with his wife Hedwig Höss (played by Sandra Huller) and their children. Their home setting is lovely and elaborate, but very nearby some of the worst atrocities in history are taking place. Rudolf finds his work rewarding, if not quite fulfilling. While many at the camp and around the world are suffering, the Höss family is living an idyllic life in their massive home.

The Zone of Interest builds its enthralling story and continuity by its fascinating cinematography and its realistic writing, both of which emphasize the shocking psychological direction the film takes place. The stressful direction of this film blew my mind and had me wondering how Rudolf could make the choices he made. The ball was in Rudolf’s court about how things will go forward, and history will judge his decisions harshly. The Zone of Interest is simply one of the best tension-filled films that I have seen in a long time.

The Zone of Interest made me realize how impactful having a powerful role in a tumultuous era can be. The life of the Höss family is one of both guilt and luxury—but do they belong in that setting? Rudolf’s frustration is felt throughout the film, and it is seen through Hedwig as well. But will they ever have a life where the harsh era is behind them? The Zone of Interest is absolutely gut-wrenching, and I was hooked on this one-of-a-kind experience.

The direction and plot of this film will lead audiences to assume that it will be all about war and political violence, but there is virtually none of that at all in the film. That era of war certainly had many political factors to it, though, and many of which play into the complicated questions that Rudolf must address. So what happens if Rudolf makes a wrong choice in his position of power? Will there ever be peace for their family or their country? Is Hedwig’s frustration temporary, or will she be frustrated all the time? The tensions in The Zone of Interest rise rapidly, and its hard answers can be found in its daring presentation. Four out of four stars for The Zone of Interest.

Film reviews

Society of the Snow Review

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Director J.A. Bayona delivers a film in which surviving peril is critical. Society of the Snow is a breathtaking experience filled with heightened suspense. The cinematography highlights the film’s emotions, and the scenery is truly amazing. The writing is a narrative on the importance of staying put. Society of the Snow reminds viewers that some moments in life require sacrifice and patience, two key factors in this film about friends who are as close as brothers in a detrimental situation. Everyone is hoping for one thing…to make it home alive. Will they make it?

Society of the Snow is a true story. It takes place in 1972 and focuses on a plane crash where a rugby team finds themselves stuck in the Andes mountains with the plane for shelter for over two months. The main characters are the team’s deeply connected rugby players, Fernando ‘Nando’ Parrado (played by Agustin Pardella), Adolfo ‘Fito’ Strauch (played by Esteban Kukuriczka), and Daniel Fernandez Strauch (played by Franciso Romero). While they expected to be on a vacation, they instead survive a plane crash but must learn to navigate uncharted territory. With weather getting colder, food and water supplies running low, and no connection for help, time is running out. Fortunately, they have each other.

The turbulence of the peril they’re in is brutal. The film’s narrative explains each detail of the mountainous environment and how it feels to suffer. The story also dives into what keeps everyone afloat and delivers the message that time is of the essence because as the narrator says, “The only thing that doesn’t belong is us.” Everyone is suffering because they are in a harsh environment where their bodies cannot handle the changing conditions. Cold is the evil which contributes to the horrific crash and terrible aftermath of the passengers on the Uruguayan flight featured in Society of the Snow.

The film emphasizes how the rugby team holds out for chances and holds on until help comes for them. The desire to live is the most enduring element in Society of The Snow. The plane’s passengers think back to their lives and what could have been different back in the past and the present. They wonder if things would have been different if they had not boarded the plane. 

During the movie, I was reminded of a college weather course which touched on global warming and other issues related to changing weather conditions. Since the brutal cold and harsh environment play such a vital role in this film, I couldn’t help but reflect upon the importance weather plays in our world.

Society of the Snow is an experience filled with hope. Although the film has moments in which the audience can feel hopelessness beginning to set in, the stranded rugby players retain a sense of faith. This true story is about a challenging fight for a chance to live in a perilous situation where resilience and hope never end. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Society of the Snow.

Film reviews

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Review

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It’s been five years since the first Aquaman film. The first one was rather slow and dragged at times. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom also drags a bit, but only briefly. Director James Wan brings this new chapter of Aquaman more surprises and more fascinating moving parts. As a result, it is at least several notches above the original film.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom takes place with Arthur Curry/Aquaman (played by Jason Momoa) as the king of Atlantis and a member of the Justice League. He took over the throne after defeating his brother King Orm/Ocean Master (played by Patrick Wilson) in the first film. Arthur Curry/Aquaman also has a child with his wife Mira (played by Amber Heard). When an enemy with vengeance, David Kane/Manta (played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), comes around aiming to regain power by building his evil empire, Aquaman and Ocean Master must come together to fight off the threat.

I watched Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 3D and I strongly recommend that viewers do the same. It adds to the enjoyment and makes you feel much more in tune with the film. The correct use of 3D in a superhero movie is where there are many objects flying at the viewer’s face, and there is lots of that in this film. The writing in the film seems at times to throw pieces together a little too quickly, but it doesn’t detract much from the exhilaration. And Mamoa’s performance keeps that classy vibe intact while also adding a few giggles into the action. I was enthralled by Mamoa’s humor. The film also dives into superhero encouragement while keeping the positive tune flowing. There is some revisiting of dark moments from the previous film, but that doesn’t stop this sequel from being entertaining.

The relationship between Arthur Curry/Aquaman and his brother King Orm/Ocean Master has that love/hate chemistry that flows through their adventures. They come across dangers above ground and underwater—including encounters with talking bugs, talking squids, and other bizarre creatures. The main weapon of destruction is the Trident (as always). In my eyes the trident should be called the “Trident of Triumph”.

One of the issues with this and other sequels is that tackiness can sneak in. In addition, in the DC universe the films often lack proper development of the storyline or characters. But Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom manages to dodge both of those issues. It has a solid foundation with more to offer in the future.

Overall, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a technologically cinematic and encouraging film that has some short moments of boredom. It is a sequel where the storyline creates steppingstones that will continue to build the story. But what will fate hold for Arthur Curry/Aquaman—heroism or failure? Go watch the film in 3D and find out for yourself. Three out of four stars for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.