Tag Archives: Film reviews

Film reviews

Babylon Review

1 Comment

Director Damien Chazelle’s films create worlds like no other. Babylon is about the movie industry and it has lots of fictionalized characters who are fueled by drugs and glamor. Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie play the leads, and they are two who will definitely tango. Babylon will make viewers’ heads spin, but it may also challenge their gut with its repulsiveness.

Babylon is set in the 1920s golden days of Hollywood, when sound was just being introduced to cinema. Jack Conrad, played by Pitt, is a cinema tycoon, and he is one crazy party animal. Nellie LaRoy, played by Robbie, is the next big female actress talent, but she has drug problems. Manny Torres, played by Diego Calva, is an assistant for the projects involving Conrad and LaRoy. We first meet Manny when an elephant is being delivered to a party being thrown by Conrad, and it only gets crazier from there. Another quirky character is James McKay, played by Tobey Maguire. He’s in a supporting role, but one with some secrets that the audience will find surprising.

Babylon actually has many surprises, including a scenario where someone is fighting a snake in front of a party. Expect lots of drugged up mayhem, nudity, and all kinds of bizarre situations from the mind of Chazelle. But it becomes repetitive, and sometimes just plain silly. There are some amazing performances, but the frequent parties tends to be boring, especially in a film that’s just over three hours long.

Despite the moments of boredom, Babylon manages to weave some joy between the accomplishments and mayhem of its characters. But this is mostly just Hollywood movie people going insane with danger and fierce competitions for success. Conrad is Hollywood royalty with fame and money. LaRoy has the looks and the talent to rise through the star ranks, but will she be able conquer her drug addictions? It seems that everyone is out of control in Babylon.

Babylon is a film with some cinematic energy but, overall, I would call it just all right. It’s a film that is certainly not perfect, and I have some serious issues with it. I felt at times like Chazelle was almost trying to make Babylon seem like a Martin Scorsese film, and I think that its writing is over-the-top in places. It isn’t for everyone, and I personally found it rather overwhelming. Two and a half stars for Babylon.

Film reviews

Spoiler Alert Review

Leave a comment

It’s hard to see Jim Parsons in a role without thinking of him as Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory. Parsons is quiet with a nerdy sense of humor. His personality and characterizations always have positivity. In Spoiler Alert, he is a caring character in this one-of-a-kind dark comedy. Spoiler Alert is a film where Parsons’ character comes out of his shell for someone he loves.

In Spoiler Alert, Parsons plays Michael. He is a man of a few words, an introvert. He finds himself in a relationship with Kit, played by Ben Aldridge. They have a special connection. They have their moments of frustrations and disagreements, moments where they feel their relationship is in trouble. But all of that is set aside when Kit is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Kit’s parents, Marilyn and Bob, (played by Sally Field and Bob Irwin), are empathetic and love Kit as much as Michael loves him.

Spoiler Alert is narrated in fragments by Parsons. It’s a film that displays love and acceptance in the good and bad times. Despite the sadness and questions that spiral through the film, the chemistry between Michael and Kit is strong and devoted. Spoiler Alert’s title speaks for itself, as the premise enters uncharted discoveries with Kit. The deep empathy of Spoiler Alert, the connection and acceptance, is what drew me in.

The sadness of Kit’s parents and Michael brings a deep melancholy to Spoiler Alert. But the melancholy keeps reminding its audience that Kit and Michael are in love. Michael is Kit’s top fan and his devoted partner. The cancer though, hits both Michael and Kit hard. It challenges their emotions and the past and the present moments of their relationship. Can Michael help Kit fight the cancer? Is Kit stronger than he sees himself? Spoiler Alert is engrossing and its empathetic moments will enthrall its audiences.

Spoiler Alert may seem at first glance to be a depressing film, but Parsons is revolutionary and Aldridge is brilliant as well. Both actors deliver charming and deep performances. Field is also amazing in her role. And regardless of the sadness, Spoiler Alert is mesmerizing, touching, and endearing. One of those feel-good holiday films to remind people to stay connected. Three stars.

Film reviews

Emancipation Review

Leave a comment

Director Antoine Fuqua delivers a historic and realistic adventure that moves quickly. Emancipation is a film that consists of power, freedom, liberty, and perseverance. Will Smith is a machine for survival and Ben Foster is a monster of cruelty. Emancipation tests the limits of fate to the fullest. It has been a while since there has been a thriller set in the Civil War era. Fuqua portrays the power of authority among slaves and commanders in Emancipation.

My fascination with Emancipation is its surreal perspective. The film begins with many slavery settings and scenarios. There are also conversations between slaves regarding escaping, the politics of escaping, and where the slaves stand. Emancipation lays out the foundation in a realistic setting. The film creates a thorough understanding of how cruel slave owners are and why slaves want to escape. I am a fan of Abraham Lincoln, and Lincoln’s destinations are where the slaves try to escape to. In the film it is stated, “Lincoln freed the slaves.” If the slaves can make it to freedom, they have a chance to live new lives.

In Emancipation, the main slave is Peter (Smith), a man who has been a slave for most of his life and is anxious to find freedom. He wants to make it back to his wife Dodienne (played by Charmaine Bingwa). Peter takes the chance of surviving an attempted escape that is treacherous due to many dangerous factors. Despite the severities of the danger, there are benefits for him. As he escapes through the swamps of Louisiana, there are alligators, snakes, and all kinds of creatures. On top of that, the commander, Jim Fassel (played by Ben Foster) is onto him. The running goes on for days, and Peter must reach Lincoln’s territory. Emancipation is one epic and gruesome trail to where freedom awaits.

As the fate of survival is tested in this movie, I realized that Emancipation depicts nature’s uncharted territory. A swamp always has dangers. As Peter progresses through risking his life for freedom, there is always a chance of injury, death, or capture. Fuqua’s directing includes cinematography in black and white in many scenes and alternatively color in moments of action. The black and white is use when covering moments in time and color comes along in moments when there is an event.

I found these contrasts helpful because when the cinematography would light up in color, my mind would be alerted to a new event. When the film was in black and white, my mind would be alerted that this was a normal time frame. Fuqua is faithful in his artistic direction mixed with history, violence, and slavery. He is an auteur at adding layers of heightening factors in his films. Emancipation goes off the charts with vivid layers of suspenseful cinematography.

Emancipation is just pure adrenaline. The limits of survival are tested as is political power. Fuqua incorporates the harsh mindsets of those who are slave owners in the film. He also incorporates the fierceness of Peter. Smith’s performance is astonishing as viewers know he will not give up. A journey spent fighting the violent territory and terrors of a swamp is what makes Emancipation a dramatic yet invigorating ride.

I love Civil War history and especially love a film set in Lincoln’s era. Above all, I loved this film because it portrays slaves fighting for liberty during Lincoln’s presidency. Emancipation is empowering, surreal, and deep. Smith and Foster deliver thought-provoking performances. Fuqua’s directing goes to a whole different level of excitement with Emancipation. Three and a half stars.