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Film reviews, Netflix

Train Dreams Review

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Based on the novel by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams is well-written masterpiece that weaves through changes due to unexpected life complications. Love and life are lost, yet there are also moments of restoration. At the same time, the inspiration to keep one’s head together keeps the momentum afloat. Directed by Clint Bentley, this is his second-best installment since Sing Sing. However, there are more real-life tracks exploring changing times in this film. The 20th century is dramatized in a cinematic dome of complexity in Train Dreams.

The film’s main characters are Robert and Gladys Grainer (Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones) who play husband and wife. Robert Grainer is the primary breadwinner of the family and works as a logger and a railroad employee. He tries to work hard to maintain his happy family, but reality hits hard when there is a fire. Gladys and their child go missing. Robert begins to lose work and must find odd jobs. During this time, finding side gigs is not easy. In Train Dreams, the impact of doing hard physical work and its connection to mental issues are highlighted.

The vibrant and humanistic personality portrayed in Edgerton’s performance is full of heart. He displays what it looks like to never give up. There are others around him who do not give up on him either. One of these supporters is Arn Peeples, played by William H. Macy. He is an old colleague who is always focused on working hard. However, he knows the hardship endured when seasons change. The changing weather conditions add extra weight to the losses at the center of Train Dreams.

The story also reveals that there are different notions regarding what is lost and what can be restored. It is abundantly clear that things can’t be fixed overnight. During an era with limited technological advancements, the level of patience required in Train Dreams prompts caring audiences to pray for the Grainer family, especially for Robert since Gladys is the one missing. The focus of the prayers is for Robert to find more work and to be reunited with his family again. While he is the one most impacted, others who work on the railroad or as loggers are suffering too. 

Many moments are woven uniquely together in Train Dreams and include shifting patterns of working, feeling lost, and being forced into a pause mode. The lighting and cinematography areout of this world. The scenes of the mountains surrounding theareas where the film is set create a sense of urgency and aspiration. Filmed in and around the beautiful rural forests of Washington state, the trees and the skies shine a light throughout Train Dreams. It is a magnificent portrait with a 20th century adaptation and takes audiences on a breathtaking journey to remember that everyone deserves a chance. Also, it is a reminder that there is still good in the world, even during times when it seems that all is lost. One of the best films of 2025. Four out of four stars for Train Dreams.

Film reviews

Ballad of a Small Player Review

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Director Edward Berger switches up the tension from religion to gambling. After the success of Conclave, his direction takes on a new anxiety-provoking approach. At the same time, the layers in this story tend to crumble in matters that do not feel successful. Ballad of a Small Player explores addiction fueled by getting byand takes place in Macau. It is adrenaline-fueled with numerous conflicts, yet the film’s writing repeatedly falls out of focus. While there are elements of dark comedy which fuel suspense, they don’t always work with the subject of poker in the film. If viewers are expecting a thriller to feel like Casino or 21, Ballad of a Small Player is several notches below.

The film’s main character is Lord Doyle, played by Colin Farrell. He narrates the beginning of the film and talks about his experiences playing poker. He has gambled his life away…no matter the cost, his brain is always wired to win. Despite the negative consequences, he still feels success awaits him. Eventually, casinos and hotels start to inform him of invoices and piling debts that must be repaid. This leads Lord Doyle to gamble more and seek out bigger competitions in hopes thestakes are higher which will allow him to pay off his debts.

Lord Doyle finds a lifeline from a mysterious individual named Dao Ming, played by Fala Chen. There may be hope for Lord Doyle to have a Plan B and put his bad karma behind him. However, it is not that simple for Lord Doyle due to a detective on his tail. The private investigator is named Cynthia Blithe and is played by Tilda Swinton. Lord Doyle’s drinking, gambling, and pursuing various solutions creates a bipolar rollercoaster ride that feels like mayhem with intermittent layers of boredom. I found the scenes of Farrell waking up hungover boring. The film relies too much on addiction scenes over ones focused on solutions.

The help of Dao offers some hope for Lord Doyle. Unfortunately, Lord Doyle’s assorted conflicts are a trainwreck. I appreciated the film’s tone, but the melancholy aspect feels like a flowing volcano due to the sheer madness of drowning in a bad state of mind. Overall, this is Berger’s film in which trying to blend substance abuse with comedy is ultimately not very successful.

The theme of gambling is where the tone of the film carries a political aspect with a purpose for Lord Doyle. Many of his debts are ones that can go on record which create interesting dilemmas and outstanding conflicts for the audience to think about. Berger’s direction lays out a vast landscape of choices leading down rabbit holes involving multiple consequences. The dynamics between Farrell and Swinton are like a comedicversion of Catch Me If You Can, but with a low B rating. Their roles are somewhat silly, but the film itself is quite clever. There are simply too many of the conflicts which get wrapped up too easily. Therefore, I give this film two out of four stars.

Film reviews

Frankenstein Review

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The mind of Guillermo del Toro finds creative connections in a powerhouse effort which includes wonders of cinematic imagination unlike any other. From the worlds of Pan’s Labyrinth, The Orphanage, and Pinocchio, he creates new meaning with Frankenstein, one where an emergence of lights evolves, but the political aspects regarding humanistic value fall in the middle.

To provide context, this is not your common Halloween-type Frankenstein film. This one has a storyline with emphasis which gives the monster meaning. There is a strong sense of purpose in del Toro’s direction. The madness in this breathtaking storyline takes viewers on a journey of suspense and amazement filled with mind-boggling grandeur. The creator and monster both have their own story. Frankenstein should be seen on a big screen over the Netflix platform, because the big-screen experience will amplify del Toro’s immersive surreal portrait.

The plot focuses on Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac). He is a scientist with a clever mind but also cruel with a massive ego. He has a history of inventions as well as trials of deceit. There are many political feuds with Victor. The setting is the 19thcentury, and the film focuses on Victor’s creation of a monster. With the help of his assistant Harlander (Christoph Waltz), some moving parts begin to go awry. The scientific aspects of the film have a backstory starting with Victor trying to run from what he has created. He ends up with sailors and begins to tell them why he is running from his creation—the film proceeds in acts from that point forward.

One captivating part of the film is the fact that it uses cinematics to lay out the events which provide context of how terror evolved. It also loops in Victor as the victim. Guillermo del Toro is accomplished at introducing enemies as the source of material for major emphasis in his projects. He is not afraid to bring out the worst of his characters and shine the light of terror with aftermath upon them. This situation comes into play for Victor in Frankenstein after creating The Creature (that is the character’s name, played by Jacob Elordi). He slowly develops humanistic attributes, but with Victor treating him like a slave, his monstrous avenues begin to expand rapidly. The Creature begins to feel love for a girl named Elizabeth (Mia Goth). With Victor, however, the life of The Creature is a living nightmare. Victor’s prison-like lifestyle fuels The Creature’s desire for ravenous vengeance.

Frankenstein is quite an enjoyable thrill ride. The story is very well-written and extremely well directed. All The Creature wants is to feel loved. His creator, Victor, wants to feel accomplished for his creation. Where do they both find happiness? Given the difference between being a real live human being and a man’s creation, del Toro creates a unique vision of life filled with many wonders in his version of Frankenstein. Suspense, love, lust, and ego all combine into cinematics which result in incredible genius. Four out of four stars for Frankenstein.