Tag Archives: Film reviews

Film reviews

Talk to Me Review

1 Comment

There is a vibe of disturbance that has the taste of a haunting rampage displayed with vengeance and obscure power. It is a film that is deep with sorrow and guilt in which terror seeps into wonders unimaginable. The directors, Danny and Michael Phillippou, drive the eerie feelings for their audiences. This film of existential and creative terror is Talk to Me and is by far one of the best horror films of 2023.  The momentum which builds in the tragedies involve consequences. Above all, Talk to Me is a terror experience that will make its viewers think. There is no hiding from the surprises in this film and it had me jumping in my seat due to the shocking discoveries. In fact, I found it hard to stop thinking about how many more frights I was going to have.

The film takes place in Australia and is about a group of friends who are always together despite some harsh terms. Those friends are Mia (played by Sophie Wilde), Riley (played by Joe Bird), Jade (played by Alexandra Jensen), and Daniel (played by Otis Dhanji). There are more names, but Mia, Riley, Jade, and Daniel are the important ones in this film’s haunting experience. The friends find a game where they realize they can conjure up spirits. The way they do this is by using an embalmed hand. Once they grab the hand, they have to say three words…TALK TO ME! Each of them has fun with the game for a bit by testing the boundaries of it.  The game is like a drug that feels fun to mess around with, but sadly, turns dangerous. One of the friends receives horrific injuries after the embalmed hand explodes with supernatural forces. This terrible encounter means lives are on the line because the conjuring force has unleashed. The many problems of Mia, Riley, Jade, and Daniel go into karma mode as the spirit makes them wonder who the most dangerous person is.

The terror in Talk to Me dives deep into missed connections. Mia is grieving after the death of her mother. She has struggled with drugs in the past. The embalmed hand is presented like a new escape in place of drugs. Instead, the embalmed hand opens a world of accepting the evils of reality, and the evils of past behaviors. Can Mia live with it? Can anyone conquer the supernatural forces of the hand? The writing reminds the audience that even in darkness there can be light. The light, however, does not come without sacrifice or admittance of guilt. It is like a Jumanji film, but in truth or dare mode where there are imagined supernatural spirits at their finest.

The diversity of horror is spellbinding. The search for answers involves dark allies filled with meaning. There is a puzzle to all the surreal and terrorizing outcomes in Talk to Me and a mystery to every emotion and event. The film tests the waters of the past, is filled with scary moments, and causes emotions to spiral in unexpected places that result in a triumphant terror flick.

Is the embalmed hand that dangerous? Do the spirits lurk throughout the film? Is there a way to battle the evils of conjured spirits? Find out in Talk to Me…a surreal realm of horror that surpasses other scary films of 2023. Four stars.

Film reviews

Barbie Review

1 Comment

“I haven’t been in a box in ages.” Those words are from Margot Robbie, who plays Barbie in the new movie of the same name. And it’s Barbie outside the box that makes Barbie full of color and grandeur.

Directed and written by Greta Gerwig and co-written by Noah Baumbach (Gerwig’s husband), Barbie is a unique experience in a world of pure happiness and perfection. But when a sign of turmoil comes around the corner, the positive world is challenged by some darkness. It never becomes that dark, though, because the directing and writing of Gerwig brings joy throughout this wonderful and unusual film.

Barbie is set in Barbie Land, a place where real life ceases to exist. It is a wonder world with many people named Barbie and Ken. The main Barbie and Ken are Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, two actors perfectly cast for these eccentric and uplifting characters. Helen Mirren is the narrator, and her narration starts the film off as if there is never sadness in Barbie Land. It is just happy, happy, happy all the time, and negativity is never mentioned. That is, until Barbie asks, “Do you guys ever think about dying?” From there, all bets are off. The turmoil of her curiosity takes Barbie Land into strange places, and to explore her true emotions Barbie must travel outside Barbie Land to the real world. Ken goes with her, and they enter a world that they know absolutely nothing about.

The interesting part of Barbie and Ken’s trip into the real world is their realization that there are now real-life consequences. And this realization is the source of many silly moments, unexpected situations, and fun topics that enliven the film. Barbie meets Gloria, played by America Ferrera, in the real world, and she turns out to be a trustworthy human who helps her realize what must be done to find truth in herself. The race is on as a crazy Mattel CEO (played by Will Ferrell) makes it his goal to get Barbie back as a marketing tool—by putting her in a box again. We also meet Allan, played by Michael Cera, a shy, introverted, and socially awkward guy. He’s one of many characters that will make for quirky times for audiences around the world. The colors of joy thrive in the film, and they help make Barbie a magic sensation.

Helen Mirren’s narration is also one of the features of Barbie that will really draw audiences in. Her humor comes through in unexpected moments, and the film finds its wonderful vibes in her twisted and poetic narration.

There’s no question that the many artistic moments in Barbie are because of Greta Gerwig’s direction. She also directed Lady Bird, and she knows how to bring characters together. I felt like some of the fragments dragged just a little, but overall Barbie is smart, fun, and definitely a wild ride. Three stars for Barbie.

Film reviews

Stephen Curry: Underrated Review

Leave a comment

Stephen Curry: Underrated is a slam dunk! The world of Steph is mind-boggling, invigorating, and his story is one-of-a-kind. As an avid basketball fan, I fell in love with this documentary. Stephen Curry: Underrated displays championship moments at their finest with honest and real elements during his career. With Steph having won NBA championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, the film is the backstory to the champion he is today. There is no doubt that his story is one that generations will remember forever.

The film focuses on the beginning era of Steph’s career including the early days of growing his love for basketball during his childhood.  Steph has a special skill set. He can shoot well and get consistent three-point shots which contribute to his ability and agility as a basketball player. The only real aspect that makes him different is his size. He is not a very tall player, but Steph has the moves to play a competitive game. This film includes many highlights from championship games which illustrate the way Steph plays.

The film also has interviews with his teammates ranging from Jason Richards to Brandon Payne to Kevin Durant. They all talk about their experiences on the team and the road as players dating back to Davidson College. The film focuses heavily on their college games. This leads to the steps into the NBA for Steph. However, the one who adds the most emphasis to the film’s positive themes is coach Bob McKillop. The words of McKillop add empathy that is powerful in exploring the ups and downs of the journey he had with Steph and the rest of the team.  Steph helped turn Davidson College into a school with a following. That is because the community, the college, and the students worshipped him as a pro college player.

Even though Steph was on the road a lot, he still made school a priority. The film emphasizes moments when he wants to get his degree, but basketball is always a bigger priority for him. In the eyes of Steph, he wants to serve as a role model for his family, his friends, and his fans around the world and send a message about never giving up. Stephen Curry: Underrated does not give veer off message but retains a sincerity in this true story. The film effectively communicates the importance of considering all the competing factors when pursuing a pro sport you’re passionate about.

What is invigorating about this documentary is its display of how Steph’s story is not only about basketball, but also about not giving up. There are rough roads for Steph and the team at Davidson. The film shares the moments of turmoil and frustration. Losing, however, only inspired Steph and his team to keep finding ways to make their game matter on the court. It is all about teamwork and thinking about the ones who are vital to success in Stephen Curry: Underrated. Victory is the center of triumph, and it is a monumental story which will leave viewers with great respect for the life of Steph Curry. Four stars.