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Film reviews

Eddington Review

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Creative and domineering. This film is a masterclass from a director who can tango with true events and attach them to a fictional story. From the mind of Beau is Afraid, Ari Aster brings his audiences Eddington. A story based on a setup of the COVID-19 pandemic mixed with political class and surprises that test limits fuel a wicked grandeur of fun and limitless sensations. Aster  puts all his moments in one bowl which transpires into an array of different flavors. Some moments are funny, others serious, and certain ones blurry, which leaves the door open for unanticipated events.

Before going into detail about the plot and other spellbinding moments, I do want to mention that the film loops in the political issues faced in the world because of COVID-19. It also ties in the Black Lives Matter scenarios and covers the political fiasco of masking and other safety precautions. So, scenes in Eddington are insensitive. However, those scenes add fuel to the fire and help cross-examine anarchy in an interesting way. Thanks to Aster’s mind, there is no blind for joy in Eddington.

Eddington is the desert town where the film is set. The two characters of focus are a sheriff and a mayor. The sheriff is Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) and the mayor is Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). Phoenix returns to working with Aster after Beau is Afraid and plays an anti-vaxxer in this role. Pascal as the mayor displays safety concerns which range from masking to social distancing to eliminating anything that might spread the virus. Many patterns and habits that were common during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic are refreshed in the audiences’ minds in Eddington. I found this look back at history fascinating. Even though the pandemic was a hard time for everyone, Aster’s vision gives it a creative side with a suspenseful aspect to look back at. 

Joe, the sheriff who is very set in his ways, decides to take on the task of trying to run for mayor. Eddington is a world of political war in a small town. Aster utilizes the tension of real-life COVID events which makes this dark comedy irresistible and exhilarating. A lot of the film falls back on the performance of Phoenix—his personality is the success factor. Pascal’s performance is revolutionary as well. They are both the kings of their political views, and it makes Eddington shine with hysterical vengeance.

My respect for Aster has grown to new heights. Eddington reminded me of my nightmares and turned them into poetic portraits. COVID-19 made my mind boil and seeing it portrayed in a fictional setting felt like a form of revenge. “TAKE THAT COVID!” Aster takes realistic political scenarios and makes his audience feel the heat of the hard times while reminding them to be present in Eddington.

Eddington has characterizations that seem like they’re in comic-book form. Two other characters that add to the film’s intensity are Louise Cross (Emma Stone) and Vernon (Austin Butler). Louise is the wife of Joe, and she is back and forth in bipolar mode and unaware of her husband’s practices. Vernon is a podcaster trying to build a following based on his wild, yet ridiculous beliefs. The setup of Eddington is slightly satirical, but it leads to the best outcomes even when events fall apart. This film is a sensational adventure that has politics interweaving over obstacles. It is a rollercoaster that is lethally stunning. Eddington is one of the best films of 2025. Aster’s world of COVID is accurately portrayed and is bound to boggle minds and invigorate his audiences. Four out of four stars for Eddington.

 

Film reviews

Joker: Folie a Deux Review

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Five years later, Joaquin Phoenix is back as Arthur Fleck/Jokerand Todd Phillips is back as the director. I found this much-anticipated continuation lacking. Not in a completely negative way, but more because it is totally opposite from what many might expect. It is like the evil and terror from the first Jokeralmost never happened. Joker: Folie a Deux feels like a circus…in a prison cell and legal suits.

In this film, Arthur is amid legal proceedings for his violent crimes from the previous film. This time, however, he has made his prison environment feel like home. Nothing has really changed in his characterizations of an absurd mental illness. Despite all his troubles, he has become quite famous due to his criminal behaviors. His attorney is Maryanne Stewart (played by Catherine Keener). She tries to convince Arthur that he should not present himself as the Joker which is difficult for him because he believes he is so special. This does not help his case nor does taunting a police guard, Jackie Sullivan (played by Brendan Gleeson).  He despises Arthur’s presence with passion. With all the hatred, fame, and bizarre attention that Arthur loves, there is one special person who has a bad influence that comes into the picture. That lady is Lee Quinzel, and her stage name is Harley Quinn (played by Lady Gaga).

The criminalities abound for Arthur, and he cannot dismiss his Joker persona. He finds happiness when he falls in love with Lee Quinzel (when she uses her stage name Harley Quinn). Together, they create a world of boiling evil and catastrophe. Their vengeance is daring, but the presentation is flat. Too many moments they share on screen transition to them singing so don’t expect a lot of action or suspenseful violence in Joker: Folie a Deux.  

With performances from Phoenix and Gaga, I was expecting some real eye-openers during the movie.  Although the writing is not too bad, there seems to be misdirection which causes thestory to not vibe all that well in Joker: Folie a Deux. With Arthur’s new love and his various trial dates, the film does not have a clear path to balance out its stressors.  Instead, Phoenix’s character creates a circus of wonders, but is unsuccessful in finding meaning or presenting the big picture. The halting point is that Arthur/Joker is in prison. Therefore, the story relies too much on the fascination of the ridiculous love between Arthur and Lee/Joker and Harley Quinn. Their bizarre tangos fueled by their unique brands of crazy make for a weird ride.

In the end, this sequel relies too much on Arthur finding ways to feel powerful. While he has some success, the film is a sub-par continuation in a theatrical setting. Joker: Folie a Deux does manage to hit the bar of mediocrity. It isn’t terrible but is simply lacking in far too many areas and is not nearly as compelling as the first one. Two out of four stars. 

Film reviews

Napoleon Review

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After 23 years director Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix are reunited in Napoleon. Phoenix starred as Commodus in Scott’s Gladiator in 2000. Twenty-three years later Phoenix rises as Napoleon Bonaparte, a role where he simmers with that quiet tone of anger and power. The seriousness of Phoenix’s performance led Scott to rewrite the script. But even with the rewrites, Napoleon is one of the most historically and chronologically accurate biopic adventures audiences will experience. With outstanding cinematography and faithful writing, Napoleon soars with wonder.

The plot of Napoleon gears of course on French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, a daring character who refused to lose and always got what he wanted. Napoleon embarks on a journey of power and conquering. He initiates a military campaign that is unparalleled in human history.

In addition to his military activities, the film also focuses on Napoleon’s relationship with his wife, the Empress Josephine (played by Vanessa Kirby). Even Josephine cannot bear the reputation he is gaining as he creates a landscape of despair that serves to benefit Napoleon, but not those around him and certainly not the people he conquers. That doesn’t matter to Napoleon though, as his self-absorption burns up the screen through the eyes of Joaquin Phoenix’s performance, with the film’s audience knowing that there is going to be more and more war, and more tension between Napoleon and Josephine.

Napoleon is enthralling to an almost overwhelming extent, but it is a film that is hard to look away from. Napoleon proves that he is a person with incredible power and authority. But to gain all that he is involved in corruption of politics that causes the film to become a rollercoaster, especially around the historic moments the film visits. The events range from the invasion of Russia to the Battle of Waterloo. Violence is of course the tactic that Napoleon uses and Scott’s directing speaks volumes in Napoleon.

Although there are many battle sequences in Napoleon, they are not repetitive like some may anticipate, especially if they have seen Scott’s other films ranging from Kingdom of Heaven (2005), The Last Duel (2021), and more. Here there are realistic fight scenes that only Scott could produce. The weaponry in Napoleon has an impact, but so does the weather. The lighting is often surreal, especially where there is a war on a winter front. In one scene there is a stampede of war over a frozen river blended with a treacherous snowstorm that is stunning. There is gun powder, cannons, and ultimate destruction to the masses. Napoleon’s lust to conquer serves him well for his evil purpose of as his power continues to rise.

As I mentioned, the film is two-sided, showing his warring powers contrasting with his relationship struggles with the Empress Josephine. As she gives him what he desires but also questions what he is doing on the battle front, she proves that it is impossible to fulfill Napoleon’s satisfaction. Being a ruler is the only thing that really matters to Napoleon. Not Empress Josephine’s happiness, but his lust for power.

Napoleon is simply a triumphant adventure of history and a mind-blowing experience. The film soars with wonder, and it starts with Joaquin Phoenix’s amazing performance. It is simply unforgettable. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.