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Film reviews

The Fabelmans Review

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I love movies. I have had a fascination with cinema since a young age, and I love writing reviews about the movies I watch. Steven Spielberg also started loving movies when he was young, and he has made many masterpiece films. The Fabelmans is another one of his masterpieces. It’s a film that inspires everyone to follow their heart, to persevere, and to always remain committed to a craft that you love.

The Fablemans takes place in the 1950s and 1960s. The film is based Spielberg’s life, and his passion to make films. Sammy Fabelman (played by Gabriel LaBelle) is an enthusiastic boy who becomes inspired to make art through a video camera. His parents are Mitzi and Burt Fabelman (played by Michelle Williams and Paul Dano). Mitzi wants the best for her son and she supports his desire to create movies. Burt has mixed feelings about the whole thing.

Sammy’s motivation to make films comes from experiencing a train suspense sequence in a movie. He grows up being fascinated with various filming techniques. Over time, he learns more and more about filmmaking. It becomes clear that he has a talent for the craft, and he is fully committed to it. He begins to realize that filmmaking can change his life.


The performances of LaBelle, Williams, and Dano are superb. The Fabelmans has its audience feeling Sammy’s emotion as he strives through the changes of his life while being passionate about film. Its vivid, realistic, and powerful.

I love The Fablemans and I was very touched by it. I am a fanatic for cinema nostalgia and this film has plenty of that. Sammy faces problems within his own life that are unavoidable. He is concerned with whether his father supports him and his craft. But through his directing Spielberg shows that Sammy can turn despair into hope. Sammy’s life reminds us what it means for people to follow their dreams. The film tugged at my emotions as Sammy has his moments of being unsure if he can continue his love for film.

While watching The Fablemans I found myself having many questions. Does Sammy really want to do movies for the rest of his life? Will his craft get better over the years? Will his father support how much Sammy truly loves movies? The Fabelmans is a journey showing the complexity and sometimes the harshness of Sammy’s world, mostly with his mom and dad.

As I said, I love movies and wanted to do something with my life relating to movies. I started doing film reviews when I was very young. Just as Sammy finds love in filmmaking, I found love in writing film reviews. The Fabelmans shows Sammy learning his craft, through editing, learning to direct, etc. I always like to try to think how I can improve my craft as a film reviewer. The truth is that everyone can keep gradually growing to develop their talents, as they remain committed to what they love.

In The Fabelmans Sammy’s mother tells him, “Movies are dreams that you never forget.” This saying was probably the most emotionally moving part of the film for me, because it’s something I believe. This line really connected me to The Fabelmans. I will never forget this film. Experiencing a movie about one loving film as much as I do was very special. The Fabelmans made me feel upbeat and appreciative of my film review craft, and will make others feel upbeat in many areas of their life as well. Four stars for The Fabelmans.

Film reviews

She Said Review

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People now know that Harvey Weinstein is an incredibly terrible and lecherous person. She Said is the story of how this rat was cornered, launching the #MeToo movement.

She Said focuses on two New York Times reporters, Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor (played by Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan). In 2017 they are investigating a case of sexual harassment by Weinstein that was being dismissed. They dig deep through the trail of celebrities that Weinstein worked with, many of whom said that Weinstein would punish them if they spoke up, or get them awards for complying with his sexual advances. Sadly, because they knew Weinstein was protected, many of them threw away their careers,. This motivates Twohey and Kantor to put together the pieces. Why was Weinstein allowed to keep his criminal behavior hidden? Why did his employers cover for him when they knew he was doing what was wrong? Why did no one take the chance to speak up for their own safety? The questions, accusations, and the paper trail are monstrous. But Twohey and Kantor are heroic for helping the victims find a voice.

I remember the harrowing news of the many allegations of sexual harassment cases starting in 2017. I remember friends, colleagues, and acquaintances resigning from their jobs because they or their superiors were facing charges for sexual harassment. I remember male celebrities getting scorched in the press, one by one, for their terrible behavior. She Said helps us understand why so many made the tough choice to resign or keep quiet, instead of fighting back.

The details of Twohey and Kantor’s interviews are disturbing. I could feel the stress rising in me as the graphic details were exposed. She Said digs deep into why there were so many barriers helping Weinstein avoid the inevitable. As more victims are interviewed, the heavier the true story gets. I found myself praying that the victims would speak up, and being provoked to anxiety hoping that the press would take a stand against Weinstein. With Weinstein’s schemes and dangerous activities, She Saidpaints an extreme picture of how much people suffer when they are taken advantage of.

Although we thought we knew how bad Harvey Weinstein was, She Said will change the way the world views him. Its deep investigation boils the plot. The film’s message is to not be afraid to take a stand, and that no one should receive the kind of treatment that Weinstein’s victims endure. She Said is disturbing because it’s based on a true story, it’s recent, and much of the terrible behavior that Twohey and Kantor unveil still happens today. She Said will have its audience, as I was, praying for redemption for the women who suffer from the unforgivable behavior of these men. Three and a half stars for She Said.

Film reviews

Devotion Review

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I’m a sucker for films about fighter pilots. There is always fascination with a film about combat in the skies. And the fascination with Devotion is increased because it’s based on a true story.

Devotion is set in the 1950s, during the Korean War. Jesse Brown (played by Jonathan Majors) is a Black fighter pilot. He is partnered with Tom Hudner (played by Glen Powell), and their commander is Dick Cevoli (played by Thomas Sadoski). Hudner is a top dog in the pilot ranks, and Brown initially questions his fighter pilot abilities. But Brown and Hudner become an ace team, and together they make Devotion a wild ride in the sky that should pick up some awards.

At first I thought Devotion was going to be a repeat of Top Gun: Maverick, especially because one of the leads played in both films. And some of the scenes are similar. But Devotion is a real story depicting real events, which sets it apart from Top Gun.

What also sets it apart is the politics of the time and, beyond politics, the overt racism. Both pilots question whether they can complete their missions in the sky, but Brown questions his abilities because of the color of his skin. As Hudner assures him he is strong and able, though, Brown begins to believe that he does really have what it takes.

The realism of Devotion had me feeling the emotional side of people risking their lives. But Brown being Black and Hudner being White creates much more stress. Regardless of their skin color, though, they are a team. Devotion is a faithful story about two people having each other’s back in difficult and dangerous situations.

Devotion is the best fighter pilot film I have seen in a long while. The performances of Majors and Powell is phenomenal. The sequences in the sky will make its viewers want to fasten their seat belts. It is truly a brilliant film. Four stars for Devotion.