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Film reviews

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Review

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What is more detrimental than politics and culture? Is it expectations? Is it faith? Writer and director Mohammad Rasoulof painstakingly challenges these subjects. The Seed of the Sacred Fig is an anxiety-provoking journey of morals and sacrifices. Political unrest is deep below the surface while ethics are backwards. The Seed of the Sacred Fig diminishes the impact of its main character.

The story takes place in Tehran. The focus is on Iman (played by Missagh Zareh), a judge, husband, father, and liar. Iman hides political secrets for the safety of his job and his family. His wife is Najimeh (played by Soheila Golestani), and his daughters are Rezvan (played by Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (played by Setareh Maleki). The dynamic in the house is fueled by unrest thanks to the orders from Iman. His role involves bending the rules by creating propaganda in order to provide a home for his family.

The tension between politic and two worlds colliding is extraordinary. The conflicts in the authoritarian government are what fuel the frustration and lack of faith for Iman and his family. Their unsettling reality provides an intriguing structure. Iman knows they are in danger, but his career comes first, and his family knows it. His daughter’s rebelliousness causes The Seed of the Sacred Fig to go down a suspenseful rabbit hole. Once a gun goes missing, the clock of political corruption starts ticking.

With Iman’s gun missing, his job is on the line, and so is his family. The writing and continuity of the film made my head race with thoughts. Some people keep secrets to protect the ones they love, but other secrets open doors to darker alleys. The frustration of Iman’s daughters and his wife makes him question their respect and loyalty. They see the war in the media and know their dad is part of the chaos. The concepts of betrayal and sacrifice play off each other in The Seed of the Sacred Fig.

The film’s direction displays a portrait of tension and realism given the various events occurring which shift the characterizations. The Seed of the Sacred Fig does a stellar job of tying in the political factors to create suspense. With the many choices facing Iman, his world is rolled over as his expectations rotate. Who truly suffers?

The cultural components in the film form a connective and deceitful bond. The Seed of the Sacred Fig carries elementswhich reach their limits. With the family feeling brainwashed, the fight to find their voice delivers a breathtaking force. A powerful battle for change, honesty, and loyalty ensues. Iman’s fate is presented as non-negotiable, but his family may feel there is a way around that given their suffering. The Seed of the Sacred Fig is compelling, shocking, and politically empowering. It is one of the best thrillers of the year! Four out of four stars.

Film reviews

Maria Review

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A direction by Pablo Larrain with emphasis. A performance by Angelina Jolie that is stunning and emotional. Maria is a spellbinding film about the talent of an artist with a screenplay that displays honor and courage, Maria takes the appreciation of art and opera to a level that is truly committed. It is more of a reflection piece where feelings of sadness come around more than anticipated. Jolie dazzles by displaying talent and emotions in Maria.

As an avid fan of theatricals, Maria is a film where I felt the experience was much like a stage presentation. The story has a harrowing and sad nature. The presence of melancholy had me shaking with mixed feelings during the movie. Jolie plays Maria Callas, one of the most iconic opera singers of the 1970s. The film covers the good and bad times of her life while she tries to live out her days and seek fulfillment. She has an illness that is spreading through her rapidly. A young man, Mandrax played by Kodi Smit-McPhee, is doing a story on her. Maria attempts to find moments in her life story that she believes people will remember her for. At the same time, unfortunately, her days are numbered.

The film has some harsh moments when it explores the difficulty of facing reality. Maria’s relationship with her sister, Yakinthi Callas, who is played by Valeria Golino, makes us wonder how many close friends Maria really has. However, her butler Ferrucio Mezzadri, played by Pierfrancesco Favino, seems to go out his way the most for Maria. The film is dismissive in the matter of Maria making amends. Also, the director seemed to loop the opera in for dramatics much more than necessary.

With the turmoil and challenges of Maria, this is a story of her past and present actions and thoughts. With archived black-and-white footage used in many sad increments of the film—it is an auteur force of a poetic rollercoaster ride of empathy and hope. It features the concept of burned bridges, and talent seeming to be lost. In the end, the possibility of talent living forever proves possible in Maria.

The art of perspective is invigorating the end of Maria. It has a poetic vibe that flows smoothly in the review of a life full of ups and downs. Sadly, the melancholy continues and an essence of empathy that feels somewhat burdensome. Larrain’s approach with portraying disconnects take priority in Maria.

Opera is vast in Maria. An iconic life is celebrated. Amazing visuals and acting by Jolie. It lacks the fulfillment and is filled with sadness, but the story does not lie. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Maria.

Film reviews

Moana 2 Review

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A sequel from Disney that keeps the positivity going through its musical scenes. Moana 2 is a sequel that has a lot of joyful moments and is a continuation where the grandeur of Disney stays on track. With oceanography flowing through the fantasy settings, Moana 2 still holds loving moments for families across the world. The plot of the film is just rushed more than usual.

Moana (voiced by Auli’I Cravalho) has returned. Her mission is one that requires her attention after a call to her comes from her ancestors. This means that Moana’s perilous adventures must continue. Her journey takes her to the many seas of Oceania where more restoration at hand. With Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) in his own trap of struggling to escape, it will not be long before Moana and Maui team together again for many voyages in Moana 2.

In this sequel, there are more water sequences. It does not disappoint with its captivating technological imagery. The film thrives on the ambience of love and connection with both empathy and humor in the friendship of Moana and Maui. While the movie is only above average overall, it manages to fuel joy through positivity.

For the holiday season, Moana 2 is fun to sing-along to and make an empathetic connection. I felt the same way with the first film in the franchise back in 2016. Overall, the moving parts of this sequel are skimmed over, and the presence of the central conflict tends to be clouded by the moments of fantasy and wonder. This is a Disney sequel that will make bank based on its family values more than a plot construct. In the end, there may have been no real need to place emphasis on the plot because it is all about the musical moments.

The film has waves, love, and treasures. It has happy voices of dialogue from Cravalho and Johnson.  Their voices are where Moana 2 finds its most soaring moments. It is a joyful holiday sequel that does not have to be taken seriously since the fun is simply continued from the first film. Three out of four stars for Moana 2.