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Film reviews

Nosferatu Review

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One of the most frightening and compelling films directed by Robert Eggers which has more terror than what audiences might expect. Nosferatu is a dazzling sensation where horror meets its maker. During the Christmas holiday season, Nosferatu is a folk-tale portrait that will be remembered for ages. With Gothic moments of grandeur found in an environment with purpose—Nosferatu weaves its elements of darkness vividly. There are frequent moments which go awry which lead to one harsh awakening in Nosferatu.

The film takes place in the late 1800s and was filmed around Romania, the Czech Republic, and Canada. Many of the castle scenes are from the region surrounding Romania and the scenery and cinematography are the perfect environment for scares. The film is centered around a young woman who has the elements of a vampire soaked inside of her. The victim is Ellen Hutter (played by Lily-Rose Depp), and her husband is Thomas Hutter (played by Nicholas Hoult). The cause of the disease is perilous and monstrous. Their friends, Friedrich Harding (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Anna Harding (played by Emma Corrin) try to be of help, but it is not of much use. The horrid and detrimental factors only worsen which calls for a doctor who is an expert to find ways to tackle the disease. His name is Dr. Wilhelm Sievers (played by Willem Dafoe). The vampire effects may continue to strengthen, but how long will it take to fight them off before they become deadly?

The direction combining a story of both fantasy and horror delivers in Nosferatu. The tones of evil and respect centered around a plague remove typical boundaries leaving not just Ellen at risk. While political factors play a role, there is layer of frustration where the volume of suspense increases. Eggers develops a characterization of loyalty that may have deadly consequences.

Nosferatu continues to be inspired by its tragedies that help define its greatness. The exploration of the impact of a disease in a time of limited resources, but plenty of politics and connections. Depp, Hoult, and Dafoe turn in dynamic performances. Their characters being deal with life or death which creates tensions to tango with. Time is of the essence in Nosferatu.

As the scary moments multiply, Nosferatu may be one of the most perilous and historic films of the year.  The cinematography contains layers of lighting, eerie colors, and the many technological factors which blend well together for a memorable effect. Nosferatu is treacherous in nature. It is not a pleasant experience, but it is engrossing. It is a brutal and chilling ride causing fear to run through the audience’s bones.

In comparison, the older version (from 1922) came to my mindbecause it was also viewed as very creepy back then. Eggers takes the creepiness factor up a notch. He brings in all the important evidence to consider in Nosferatu. He utilizes his skills and class to make Nosferatu enthralling. The alternating layers of terror in Nosferatu thrive. The terrors of Christmas among the scenery of Romanian castles is the ultimate holiday ride of a vampire waiting to rise. The monster hiding is one cinematic champion. Four out of four stars for Nosferatu.

Film reviews

A Complete Unknown Review

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The song, The Times They Are A-Changin’ is one of brilliance through the voice of Timothee Chalamet in his role as Bob Dylan. Director James Mangold brings us the story of the 1960s era revolutionized by Dylan himself. A Complete Unknown is prolific in its approach of having Dylan as the focus. A well-written story with the many political factors bringing hope, A Complete Unknown is one of the most cinematic and breathless performances from Chalamet—he is the right choice to portray Dylan.

The appreciation I have for A Complete Unknown is how it is presented in the context of an unknown coming from nothing and then unexpectedly having a fan base. Around all that, are the choices and errors in the process of fame. It is not only stunning in the musical sense, but it is also stunning in the fact that persistence is key to the film’s story. Going back to the era of Dylan’s days on the streets, the purpose of having a craft and love for music comes together poetically in A Complete Unknown. It starts from scratch and finds emotional and cinematic building blocks along the way.

With Chalamet as Dylan, the film takes opens with where it all began. It starts when Dylan meets Pete Seeger (played by Edward Norton). From there, the steps of the musical dreams unfold in Dylan’s eyes. With Dylan meeting his hero Woody Guthrie (played by Scoot McNairy), the inspiration growsswiftly in A Complete Unknown. Dylan’s relationship with Sylvie Russo (played by Elle Fanning) is one that is a more hit or miss notion in the film. Dylan’s relationship with Joan Baez (played by Monica Barbaro) is also presented in that form as well. However, Dylan’s troubles with relationships are not the focus, but it leaves room for the growth of the more revolutionary moments of the film.

Mangold’s approach has a tone of positivity and a following to fuel the film’s fire of fame. The dynamic side of Dylan’s relationship is lacking; however, this brings the audience even closer into the story of Dylan’s rising life. The elements of that “rising life” are connected to the genre of folk going down the path of electric. The place of worship for that is the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. That festival is the road to the top of the mountains in A Complete Unknown.

To touch on the understanding of performance, there is the feeling that Dylan is irritated with many he is close with. This includes his relationships with Russo and Baez. The musical scenes though, are the moments where he tries to find a sense of reconnection where a lot of the attention falls on Baez (since they tour together). Ultimately, though, writing becomes acompetition for fame and, overall, the good-hearted side of heartbreak flows in a poetic way. It just does not find the context of love as he moves on to bigger fame.

With the setup of the uniqueness of the era of the film, the delivery of Chalamet’s performance feels like hearing something new for the first time. There is a moment of a question which goes, “Are you God Bob?” The answer to that question is Chalamet, in his performance as Dylan, on many fronts—his creativity, his voice, his vision, performance— is all spellbinding in its musical force of appreciation. A Complete Unknown will inspire to never lose hope.

A Complete Unknown may not gear on its relationship dynamics well, but its performances are a revelation. Chalamet and Norton shine the brightest here. Their portrayal of musical icons solidifies in a fascinating gem that will be remembered for ages. A Complete Unknown does not hold back in its faithfulness tothe portrayal of the history or the songs. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Nightbitch Review

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The title Nightbitch initially came across as harsh. I thought the meaning might mean point to  women showing their worst behavior after dark. Surprisingly, evening hours take on a whole new meaning in Nightbitch. Written and directed by Marielle Heller, an auteur force who has an eye for capturing bizarre conflicts with class. She did so with The Diary of a Teenage Girl, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and What the Constitution Means to Me. My respect for Heller comes from her persistence in taking tolerance to a breaking point. Nightbitch has classical moments that fall apart drastically and are incredibly enticing.

Amy Adams is Mother in Nightbitch. Mother is her character’s name, and she appears to experience bipolar feelings. During moments of rage, the film has narrations using Adam’s voice on her point-of-view. Adams plays an introverted mother that hates the label of stay-at-home mom. Nightbitch is a unique approach of showcasing hidden frustrations waiting to be unleashed. The perception of a boring life goes through silly and clever changes. Despite the many thoughts in the mind of Mother, she has one massive concern, i.e. she has signs of turning into a dog. Is Mother losing her mind due to weird hormones clouding her thinking process? If anything, transforming into a dog may mean there are many messes in her future. Nightbitch has plenty of unexpected clean-ups. Heller’s writing is effective in illustrating how irritations can be overcome by fictional and humanistic factors.

The one who tries to be there for Mother is Husband. Husband is his character’s name, and he is played by Scoot McNairy. He is the bread winner who struggles to understand his spouse. The bipolar episodes occur sporadically as Adams plays a witch of an unprecedented and surreal nature in Nightbitch! She even says, “I am Nightbitch!” and later, Husband tells her, “Happiness is a choice.” The many ups and downs in Nightbitch keep viewers focused on Adams and her performance is worthy of careful attention.

This is one of the most messy and unusual roles I have seen Adams in. She has the ability display a presence where she can be happy, but internally she is a ferocious dog wanting to come out of her doghouse. Her performance is a new and artistic look at a mid-life crisis scenario.  The added and unique component is the risk that it is likely she is turning into a dog. It is like female hormones raging but with dog fur added leading to a twisted werewolf theme in Nightbitch. It is compelling with unexpected scenes, various outbursts, and all kinds of weirdness. Somehow it manages to flow and be intriguing. However, it resorts back to over-dramatizations a bit too frequently. Does the dog transformation completely happen? Nightbitch goes through a transition to seriousness that is close to brilliant and the fulfillment of the plot centering around the transformation leads to significant gratification. While it is unexpected and just a bit off-track, overall, two-and-a-half out of four stars for Nightbitch.