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Film reviews

Tetris Review

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The backstory and the faithfulness to the world of video gaming and licensing is the epitome of an espionage tale that is a true story. Tetris is directed by Jon S. Baird. The conflicts that arise in this industry stir the plot of suspense in Tetris and make it thought-provoking and daring. Taron Egerton who we know from playing Elton John in Rocketman (2019) is Henk Rogers. Egerton takes on the role of the Businessman to bring the game of Tetris around the world which results in an inevitable ride.

Tetris is a biographical film full of suspense. The business side of making Tetris a bigger success had some dangerous and political loopholes. With the help of Tetris’ inventor Alexey Pajitnov (played by Nikita Efremov), Rogers takes chances to make Tetris a global phenomenon. The problems arise due to media proprietor Robert Maxwell (played by Roger Allam) and his son Kevin Maxwell (played by Anthony Boyle). While Rogers is supposedly on their side, they are not faithful to the deals and contracts they have signed which is why the rights to Tetris keep hitting plateaus which backtrack to Rogers. When he is in Russia trying to get copyrights signed over to help Tetris get more attention around the world, he finds himself in danger. With the political tensions and different Russia laws, Rogers is already at risk, but cannot afford to lose what he could accomplish. With one of the loyal creators Robert Stein (played by Toby Jones), it becomes clear that the dangerous misunderstandings link to the errors of Robert and his son Kevin. However, that does not mean that Tetris can’t still be a success.

The entrepreneurial mindsets are classy. There are times when the Maxwells have egotistical moments and are dismissive of the problems they have created for Rogers. That does not impact Rogers because knowing there are errors pushes him to succeed with getting the legit copyrights for Tetris. The vibe is for its hero to take what he can get in Tetris. Rogers and Pajitnov do what they can to prove what went wrong with the copyrights, but also how they can make it right.

The history of gaming makes the true story of Tetris an espionage experience. The movie features a number of discussions on the early days of computers, consoles, and even the mention of Gameboys. Tetris will blow your mind with all the innovations and steps involved in turning a profit in gaming. The political affiliations are where the film really strikes a realistic chord.

The political complications create enemies among the partnerships in Tetris. Rogers shows up in Russia, and a lot is misconstrued. There are also limited resources to help him with the language barriers and restricted access to ELORG (the company he must speak to in terms of contracts). The obstacles that surround Tetris are overwhelming. At times, the audience starts to resent the Maxwell family, because it becomes obvious that the lack of communication is because of them only caring about their own success. Clearly, they do not want to share their profits with others, but rather keep what they have to themselves. Rogers is a brainiac and knows that he is dealing with shady players. Tetris proves that taking risks is sometimes necessary to make a situation go smoothly, especially when it involves global profits with many marginal benefits.

Tetris will make viewers feel a bit hysterical because of the licensing conflicts being so messed up. The writing of the film is in-depth and includes very stressful frustrations that surround Rogers and Pajitnov. Rogers remains the bigger target since he is not a native. He lies and says he is a tourist, which is against the law. Pajitnov lives in Russia, but always wants Rogers’ presence to be limited. Tetris puts everyone on the line, both the good and the bad. How far will Rogers have to go to truly make ends meet for an amazing innovation?

What makes Tetris an experience of instigation is due to its continuity. The film is displayed in a motion of events with graphics, so its viewers feel as if they are playing a video game like ones from an Atari or an SNES Classic console. I felt the leveling up of Tetris was in video game mode due to the patterns of frustration for Rogers. In the film it is said Tetris is, “The perfect game.” I did not expect so much espionage and betrayal in the story. Although the presentation might not have been perfect, it was astounding, vibrant, and bonkers. Three and a half stars for Tetris.

Film reviews

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

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When I learned of the film Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, I first thought about fairytale storytelling. I reflected upon fantasy and how a video game, a TV series, or a movie is written. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is like a setup of the HBO series Game Thrones (which ran from 2011 to 2019). While the writing and continuity are along the same lines as Game Thrones there is a difference in that this movie gears on a medieval fairytale with comical storytelling. Upon reflection, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves could be described as Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) on acid. The ride is different, but also invigorating due to clever filmmaking.

In Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the film focuses on a thief, Edgin, (played by Chris Pine). Edgin is a nice guy who is on a mission to retrieve a lost relic. The journey is anadventurous and joyful ride. However, Edgin is not alone, but has a group of others to join him on his adventure. There is Holga (played by Michelle Rodriguez), Xenk (played by Rege-Jean Page), Simon (played by Justice Smith), and Doric (played by Sophia Lillis). The antagonist would be Forge (played by Hugh Grant.) A fairytale journey involving a wild and smart bunch of adventurers, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves stays on-point while also being humorous and not a bore.

The main reason why Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is close to a masterpiece is because its creativity is “euphoric.” It contains magical moments which are mixed withfanciful scenes galore. There are spells, there are twists, and there is misdirection. When there is a fairytale film with Pine, Grant, and Rodriguez, it is sure to be a joyride where the humor will drive the film’s awesomeness. The success is due to having a great cast in a film that is different from what we are used to seeing them in.

Humor and magic are quite enticing, but the key factor in this film is how each adventurer has their own backstory. That is the element that really pulls together the joyful magic throughout Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Each character having their own story gives the audience insights into how some of the missions or twists could turn out for everyone. I love how the movie is set up to feel so interactive. The hints regarding who has trials and errors helps to enhance the fairytale jam of the film.

The film also seems scientific because of how its magical realizations are portrayed. It is like an “algorithm”—mission, journey, magical backstories, new realizations, and more to explore. Moving through these algorithms is enthralling in Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. There is a new gem hidden in many different corners of the film.

The magical moments are numerous within the film’s dynamic, its gems, and its backstories. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is different and enchanting. I was rather entertained by this adventure of a film since there truly is creativity in this medieval fairytale. Three and a half stars.

Film reviews

John Wick: Chapter 4 Review

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John Wick: Chapter 4 is almost three hours long, but it doesn’t feel like that because it’s one of the most action-packed and lethal flicks in this franchise. In this latest, possibly the last, John Wick film, all the events and conflicts from the previous films come together. There are simply no limits to the violence in John Wick: Chapter 4. It left me breathless and dazzled.

Keanu Reeves continues as John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4, but this time he’s on his biggest mission yet—taking on the High Table, the world’s most powerful crime organization. All that Wick has worked for has come to this point. The way for Wick to earn his freedom is to win the battle against the High Table. Wick still works for Winston (played by Ian McShane), and he’s come a long way towards meeting Winston’s expectations, and the expectations of Bowery King (played by Laurence Fishburne). But before Wick makes his way to the High Table, there are some harsh situations and enemies he must get by, including no less than an entire army. With another crime boss, Marquis (played by Bill Skarsgard), and a deadly assassin, Caine (played by Donnie Yen), who happens to be blind, coming into the fray, John Wick: Chapter 4 sizzles with deceit, twists, and the most danger yet for Wick.

From the previous films in this franchise, I had a feeling this would be the longest ride of destruction yet in a John Wick movie. And besides the destruction, the ride was also invigorated by its dialogue. When Wick is told, “Kill as many as you can,” the clock starts for massive damage to begin. I was astounded by the film’s vast array of destruction. It was like attending a prize fight because the punches were loud, and it seemed like you’d be able to hear them from miles away.

Reeves is a man of a few words, in real life and in most of his movie roles, and his quietness helps him role with the punches in John Wick: Chapter 4. In one scene the phrase, “a genuine conundrum,” is used, and Wick indeed finds himself in all kinds of conundrums in this film. Most of the time Wick succeeds in finding his way out of the situation, and he usually does the most damage. The unstoppable force of John Wick will make the audience feel his wrath in Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4.

The fighting, the adventures, the twists—every moment creates an important foundation in John Wick: Chapter 4. There is no stopping Wick from reaching the top to regain his freedom—or is there? Can Wick make it out alive? John Wick: Chapter 4 will keep its viewers wondering what’s to come.

This is definitely one of the best films in the franchise. John Wick: Chapter 4 brings the stressors of the previous films to a gun blazing pinnacle. A wild ride of Keanu Reeves action and unparalleled craziness. An unforgettable experience. Four stars for John Wick: Chapter 4.