Tag Archives: Film reviews

Film reviews

Mickey 17 Review

Leave a comment

Bong Joon Ho has navigated territories that are hard to overcome as a filmmaker. He is from South Korea and has directed films that have blown audiences out of the water, especially with Parasite winning many awards in 2020. It was one of the first international films to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards that year. From that aspect, the success of his work is how he ties themes together to create a purpose. Mickey 17 has that direction and approaches being monumental. The surfaces though, have tangents. It is a film based on the novel Mickey 7, written by Edward Ashton. Ho wrote the screenplay of this film and for those who know the foundations of his previous films, they will see the fantasy world through his eyes with Mickey 17.

Ho’s directing trait is that of having diversity among genres. Mickey 17 blends that aspect with the use of space and fantasy settings mixed with dark comedy layers. The film’s main character is Mickey Barnes, played by Robert Pattinson. The year is 2054 on an isolated planet orbiting in space. Pattinson’s voice is the narration of Mickey 17. It feels two-sided because his character is in the pattern of living and dying multiple times. Going forward, Mickey is used as a tool for high-risk endeavorswhere his many odd deaths come into play, simply because he is reusable. Under a strange and egotistical commander named Kenneth Marshall (played by Mark Ruffalo) and his wife Yifa(played by Toni Collette), Mickey must try to reassess his memories before his usage is thrown in the wrong direction, as itfrequently is. With the help of a friend, Timo (played by Steven Yeun), Mickey has does have some hope of accomplishing this. The mission though, is one that is bound to have many repeats.

The direction of Ho is bound to find its humorous aspect the purest form in Mickey 17. It is not as mesmerizing, but it is a film that feels like a video game or a sitcom on acid. This is especially true in modes where Pattinson is repeatedly talking to another version of himself, as it makes audiences curious as to which version is the brighter one. The various levels of seeming “brighter” go down a rabbit hole of catastrophic adventures with the planet and the orbit being at risk. Pattinson’s voice fuels the film with the narration providing continuous dialogue. For Ho, it is clear that he wants the full-on characterization on Pattinson.  The shifting of gears with conflicts and the world around Mickey 17 is a foundation that is complex and not always easy to follow. However, it is still a stellar film with great entertainmentvalue based upon its moving parts and qualities that endure throughout.

With Ruffalo and Collette in the roles of superiors, and Pattinson as the protagonist, it is a world that navigates its tracks by hovering over the surface. Their performances are not serious, but they build a well-crafted foundation for expectancy of a joyful ride off course. Ho is known to create disasters for cinematic effect, but I felt this time he did not accomplish much of that on the levels of his previous films. Still, Mickey 17 is well done and rapidly paced. Pattinson as one who is repeatedly disposed of and revived is where the volume of humor and contempt hit the fan here.  Mickey 17 is a universal voyage with many joyful turns that are unforgettable. Three out of four stars for Mickey 17.

Film reviews

Last Breath Review

Leave a comment

When it comes to a film at the depths of below the water, it is a world where many revolving doors come into play. Different environments, oxygen only by tanks, and communication—Last Breath is based on those elements to the extreme. It is a true story that captures the essence of how serious a situation can get. Last Breath is not technically amazing but is a portrait of capturing what is impacted and prioritized to ensure safety and survival. Director Alex Parkinson prioritizes detrimental water conditions to claustrophobic heights to lead-on with mind-boggling suspense.

The film focuses on three diving colleagues/friends. They are Duncan Allock (played by Woody Harrelson), Dave Yuasa (played by Simu Liu), and Chris Lemons (played by Finn Cole). They are all bound to embark on a journey that is hundreds of feet into the ocean. The setting is around the Scotland, Uk region. Once they are submerged in the water, the moving part for peril comes through. It is not an easy journey.

The cause of the conflict is the conditions and storms. This is what makes the film one of the obstacles to hazardous safety. That opens the door for teamwork. The thoughts (which came to my mind) was sacrificing and times for quick-thinking—that is because one of the divers is stuck below with limited oxygen. From above the surface his diving friends must keep navigating the tracks to help him remain alive. It is many feet away from safety, and it is many feet away to bringing someone back.

The dive is the treacherous part of the film; however, it continues to fulfill its tracks (of being suspenseful) with just moments of the journey being rocky from above and below the surface. There are written words to keep the audience in tune with safety. I felt that direction gave an emphasis on how to help the audience think about the peril in front of them. The words, “Time without oxygen” is the scarcest part of Last Breath. That is because the more time lost, the less likely saving a life decreases. The waters and natural causes are the heat of the film’s core adventure for survival.

It is one of those films where teamwork and the buddy system go hand in hand. It is looped in from the top of the film (on dry land) and below the waters. Even though the pattern of the film is predictable, it captures the characterizations in a profound and appealing matter. It displays that it is what is counted on in Last Breath. As one who is not so well-versed with diving, the film makes me scared to even consider trying a diving expedition. I do not even intend to do diving classes. This is not a representation or an encouragement to not do this activity (FYI), just how I felt after the dive excursion and mission of the film. It is one where the eyes are the limit. What the main characters cannot see, the audience cannot see either—there are lurking corners of darkness that do not go unnoticed in The Last Breath. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

I’m Still Here Review

Leave a comment

I’m Still Here is a breathtaking portrait of a true story. It is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Best International Feature Film and Best Picture. Its representation of creating meaning during a harsh time goes a long way. Directed by Walter Salles, his direction can be placed in the class of an auteur with I’m Still Here. The theme of livelihoods and lifestyles of people being disrupted because of a dictatorship creates the atmosphere with the continued vein of remaining close to the ones we love the most.

It is a combined docudrama, period drama, political drama, and biography. The genres “period” and “political” are the two that tango in a magnificent style in I’m Still Here. The film takes its audience to Rio de Janeiro in 1971 with the story going in the direction of the life of Eunice Paiva (played by Fernando Torres). She is one with a big family and tries to live happily with her husband and their many children. Her husband is Rubens Paiva (played by Selton Mello). They try to maintain their family life and stay the course; however, the lives of the family members are changed forever when Rubens is taken from their home. His disappearance is due to a military dictatorship and many political factors that are unforeseen. This puts Eunice and her children onto a path that will alter their lives forever.

The film keeps its tone of sticking together to be fearless. The performance of Torres makes her the champion of the story’s consistent persistence to be the strong one for her children. While questions that are unanswered keep spinning her family in circles, she does not quit. The incident that set the events in motion was the kidnapping of a Swiss ambassador. Politics keep swerving, creating an inevitable pattern. I’m Still Here is a journey of courage. The writing and foundation of family fuel the film’s true narrative to a level that is breathtaking.

The era of politics hitting plateaus and impacting families delivers a presentation that hits the emotional tracks hard. I’m Still Here travels through decades with Eunice and her family as they navigate this journey and create new lives in the wake of Rubens being taken from them. This is what leads Eunice to become a lawyer and activist. The turmoil of the government presents hardship but also an opportunity for her to thrive and fight for the hard matters that impact her life and the lives of others. I’m Still Here carries that aspect of never giving up, and truly putting forth what is right for a better life ahead.

What came to my mind throughout this real-life ride was how itstangos with answers not unfolding. The idea that confidentiality serves as a liability. Common ground is practically impossible, and it is not the way for Eunice, being the warrior for her family. It is just her, and with her husband being taken away, the situation is in her hands. How long though, until there can be peace in I’m Still Here?

The fate of the film lies within many elements. They range from sacrifice to turmoil and the search for answers. They create a landscape that feels like a cinematic jolt. The pacing continues with the government and politics intertwining, and that is the struggle for Eunice. Torres is ambitious and not a quitter in her role as Eunice. It is Oscar-worthy. The whole film is “Oscar-worthy!” Four out of four stars.