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Film reviews

Bookworm Review-Fantastic Fest 2024

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Directed by Ant Timpson comes a tale in which a father and daughter find common ground in a majestic narrative. Elijah Wood returns to the territory where he played Frodo Baggins because Bookworm takes place in New Zealand. While the movie is not related to the Lord of the Rings franchise, it brings Wood back into inspirational and magical elements in Bookworm. The journey takes place in chapters and the many steps of Bookworm reveal a grandeur of astonishment.

The film focuses on Mildred (played by Nell Fisher). She is an eleven-year-old with a fascination for nature, animals, and nerdyfacts. Her mother has fallen ill and is unable to take her on a camping trip. Her estranged father, Strawn Wise (played byWood) volunteers to fill in and spend time with his long-lost daughter. Strawn is an illusionist who has had many rough days. However, his witty and joyful attitude gives Mildred hope that her faith will be restored in their camping trip around the mountains of New Zealand. She is on a mission to find the canterbury panther, a jungle animal that she is truly sold on. 

The canterbury panther is the symbol of the film’s fantasy. It is also the center of the ice breaking experience between Strawn and Mildred. Wood demonstrates a pure sense of comical and eccentric excellence. Fisher’s character has doubts but keeps her adventurous mission in her tactful eye. This film highlights the mixed personalities and finds interesting correlations amongst its moving parts. The fantasy and adventure are absolutely wonderful in this movie and hold the keys to the wonders throughout Bookworm.

The story is also particularly joyful due to its mindful surprises. They are what make Bookworm one of the best titles in Fantastic Fest since they are really “FANTASTIC!” Mildred is an expert on wildlife, animals, and sciences, while Strawn has amind for illusions and magic tricks.  Together, they bring the best of both worlds to the mountains of New Zealand. Bookworm offers a heartfelt motive—to find the love of connection through a fanciful endeavor. It is about life and acceptance while searching that creates an unforgettable dynamic. See Wood as a magical dad in the mountains of New Zealand and join the fun of the father and daughter extravaganza in Bookworm. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

The Substance Review

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Demi Moore in The Substance

The question this film raises is one of how desperate is one to look fascinating to others. The eagerness of beauty, fame, and derailment hit deep in The Substance. Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, the reality of a dream finding its path to a nightmare is daring. With Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley as the two lead women, their personalities dwell on concept of addiction to popularity. Surrounding the film are the tons of efforts made to live the Hollywood life, attempting to thrive, and not be forgotten. This is accomplished through the use of a drug. When the procedure is done inaccurately though, many moving parts of unforgettable and treacherous forces come down. It is a volcano of cinematic madness that does not stop erupting.

The film focuses on Elizabeth Sparkle (Moore). Elizabeth is an actress that feels her fame is decreasing. She is famous for her fitness videos, but senses the lack of emerging opportunities. Her manager is Harvey (played by Dennis Quaid). Harvey is a self-centered corporate blow hard who just belittles and pressures her. Everything around Elizabeth brings feelings of nothingness. She decides to take steps to make a change—onesthat will haunt viewers to extreme heights. She investigates a black-listed drug that replicates cells. Once she starts injecting it, it creates another version of herself creating another individual. The new creation is Sue (played by Margaret Qualley). Once this happens, the double-life of Elizabeth Sparkle and Sue finds the best of both worlds. However, theuniverse of the drug comes with consequences.

The film finds its twist in the plot as Elizabeth and Sue abuse the drug. It must be taken accurately, otherwise deterioration is bound to occur manifesting in revolting, anxiety-provoking, and spellbinding reactions. Once audiences are in the world surrounding The Substance, it is a journey where the eyes of fame and fortune cannot be dismissed. How badly does Elizabeth want Sue to bring her fame days back? How can Elizabeth and Sue handle the harsh drug? Where is the stoppingpoint? The Substance revitalizes an aging star with an eagerness to feel her younger glory days again. 

The women encounter new opportunities, reckoning side effects, and a whole lot of offers that cannot be turned away when it comes to fame. Moore and Qualley deliver the most destructive and unforgettable performances of 2024 in The Substance. It is a new nightmare not to be forgotten and will haunt some. Shivers will run to the core of its audience.

The Substance is a masterpiece. There is nothing like this on screen in terms of creation and creativity. The cinematography is universally compelling as are the nightmares of anxiousness.The key to the film is the monsters unleashed when the drugs are not used correctly. Moore rocks as the fading celebrity desperately seeking attention. Qualley rolls with the flow like the dazzling young replica she plays (under Moore). The beauty sides may not have all the right outcomes, and this results in aneruption of irreparable consequences. Four out of four stars for The Substance.

Film reviews

The Killer’s Game Review

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It is a thriller with a cat-and-mouse dynamic. There is a sense that the film will be funny which is fueled by unexpected combativeness. The Killer’s Game is like a mediocre version of a Bourne movie. The combination of sad elements with the finale of a mission do not mix cohesively. It is a film that focuses on the personalities of its characters. The direction sets vast expectations with spy operations, but don’t expect to grasp the plot if you decide to see The Killer’s Game.

The main character is Joe Flood (played by Dave Bautista). Joebelieves he is fighting a life-threatening illness. Due to this serious health concern, he requests someone to detonate him. However, Joe is then informed that his disease is the wrong diagnosis. This means he must stop the operation that he has planted for himself. With the help of a friend named Maize (played by Sofia Boutella), time is of the essence as Joe needs torun or fight his enemies.  Joe’s boss Zvi (played by Ben Kingsley) also comes into the mix. Joe needs all the help he can get given that he authorized his own assassination request.

It is a thriller with a steady build-up. It brings lots of fun, gadgets, and international intrigue to the table. The Killer’sGame unfortunately does not know how to find enoughinvigorating aspects. Instead, it is a blur of action and mayhem which sadly does not sell.

There are a vast number of interesting characters though. The questionable ones range from Lovedahl (played by Terry Crews)to Radovan (played by Daniel Bernhardt) to Goyang (played by Lee Hoon). While they are interesting, they don’t add much quality or purpose because of their obviousness. For example, Crews’ absurd character name is too much. The movie is a retro-spy adventure where even the humorous lines fail to find their points of connection.

The international vibe of the film tends to be all over the place as well. The criminal operations and Joe’s missions jumpy as are most of the conflicts in the film which frequently seem to spiral out-of-control. I wish the rushed mayhem had more layers of value. Bautista is too light hearted to effectively play such a sad role. Luckily, his big heart does help play into the charming factor of The Killer’s Game.

Of course, this film is much too predictable. The writing seems overly anxious for to induce moments of pleasure. Sadly, the pleasure does not fit the spy format very well at all. The story ultimately comes down to the error and attempt at redemption. I wish the mission could have proven to be more enthralling.

What will Joe do? Will he find a different outcome? Why are there so many people in the mix? What international triumph is possible in The Killer’s Game? Barely any! Nevertheless, the film still has a few captivating moments featuring Joe and his desire for one last chance. Two out of four stars for The Killer’s Game.