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Film reviews

“Wuthering Heights” Review

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When there is a film directed by Emerald Fennell, there is a guaranteed dynamic which is bound to have intriguing shifts. This is certainly the case in her newest film “Wuthering Heights,” based on the novel written by Emily Bronte. This time around, Fennell utilizes her vision as a director on a romantic journey that is mind-blowing with a combination of tragedy and love. The 1800s setting in Yorkshire, England emphasizes the uniqueness of the era and differences between the higher-class and lower-class. Love is ultimately what stands in the middle of “Wuthering Heights.”

The two main characters are Cathy and Heathcliff (Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi). They have grown up together and are in love. Like the terrain in Yorkshire, the relationship tends to go up and down. Much is connected to their upbringing which stands between the connection Cathy and Heathcliff have. With Cathy navigating her own lifestyle, and Heathcliff struggling, there is a point of separation. When that occurs, there is a chance to restore what once existed, but the obstacles are risky along with destructive.

The film is compelling because of the way it is set up between the characters. Cathy is presented with the opportunity which would lead to a wealthier life where she could thrive. Heathcliff has many more hardships, so Cathy finds herself in a difficult place. She decides to marry Edgar (Shazad Latif) because she sees some future with him. However, the presence of Heathcliff pulls at her heart strings. “Wuthering Heights” creates a spellbinding drama that warms hearts with love.

Throughout the various hurdles faced by the lead characters, “Wuthering Heights” stays cinematic by keeping the relationship issues between Cathy and Heathcliff upfront. Robbie and Elordi are sensational. They make “Wuthering Heights”a dramatic ride filled with lust, power, and mixed emotions. Their performances are like a period-piece with intense dramatics and deep context. The overarching theme of soul-searching is used by Fennell to challenge audiences in “Wuthering Heights.”

Throughout my viewing experience, I found this film to be poetic. The fact that there are moments where things do not work out but still love exists was heartwarming. Through the eyes of Robbie and Elordi, the power of remaining connected is well within reach in “Wuthering Heights.” Love is lost and found in a compelling way. There is just no easy way to define why choices are made. Yet, the point of self-sacrifice is gut-wrenching in “Wuthering Heights.”

I was astonished. I was mesmerized. I was in profound thought. The realization of how much human connection can mean hit me deeply during “Wuthering Heights.” The theme of a forever-relationship taking place in the late 1800s spoke to me, especially in an era in which there were no technological advancements. Instead, only-face-to-face interactions which resulted in immersive moments of love. Fennell brings audiences on a journey that is one-of-a-kind. Not everyone may understand it at first, but the dramatics are a wild adventure that is all about love and how much it can hurt. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for “Wuthering Heights.”

Film reviews

One Battle After Another Review

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This is by far one of the most creative, prolific, yet comedic films I have seen by the well-known director Paul Thomas Anderson. So many moving parts come together at once and still manage to maintain a humor-filled vibe along with plenty of political espionage. One Battle After Another is a sensational ride of madness and fun. It is daring, and lethally action-packed. Mayhem is around every corner, and the misdirection is attention-grabbing. There are many unexpected punches to the face that keep audiences wanting for more.

The film is about ex-revolutionaries. There is a plot full of twists in One Battle After Another because the characters resurface after sixteen years. The story begins with Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his wife Perifidia (Teyana Taylor). They are a couple who are involved with all sorts of tasks completed by groups running tactics for a revolution. Some of the tasks include invading private lands and other tricky assignments. The focus of much of their work is their enemy Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn). Many years later, Bob has a daughter Charlene (Chase Infiniti), and he does not turn out to be the best father. Going forward, issues from the past resurface quickly. The ex-revolutionaries end up in a situation where mayhem evolves, and the target is Charlene.

The film is cat-and-mouse chaos from start to finish.  Political tides of frustration in this story are clever and genius. There is always an additional angle of conflict in One Battle After Another. The question, however, is, “Who will win?” The difficult part that Bob keeps coming back to is the harsh trail to save his daughter. With the help of a Sensei Sergio (Benicio Del Toro), there may be a chance for Bob to save his daughter and regain much of the power he once lost in another life. But the many moving issues related to politics and connections are all tangled together. The lines are blurred between laughter and suspense which continue to just burn up the screen. This is truly one of the best films Anderson has directed because he pusheshis original form of dynamics to the limits.

Hiding is not easy in One Battle After Another, but running is since there is always a tunnel or building to run into. As might be expected, there are also the wrong people to run into, and they seem to be the ones that keep coming around again in all the assorted conflicts. Anderson has such a unique way to stage setups to get out of suspenseful and dangerous episodes of madness. I found the film simply captivating. DiCaprio and Penn are the captains of their ships; they inhabit their roles and dominate the scenes they’re in even though the storyline means there is no easy way to win. Fortunately, there are lots of messes to clean up with added cleverness that makes the movie go from comical in one moment to serious the next. Anderson knows how to change the mood for maximum effect in One Battle After Another. Four out of four stars.

Film reviews

The Conjuring: Last Rites Review

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An astonishing third installment almost a decade after the second installment. There were layers of scarcity that were reminiscent of lingering terror. The Conjuring: Last Rites had me much more tense than the previous films. The other installments had basic scares, and this one had the booms. The kind where I wanted to go into shelter mode and protect myself from jumping out of my seat. That is how creepy this third installment is. With historic realms of exorcism and investigative narratives driving the plot, the title noting conclusion leaves a mark. Is it really the conclusion?

The couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), are back to take on one last case. Their lives as paranormal researchers have brought them success and a following but has also led them to deeper challenges. Their new focus is the family of Jack and Janet Smurl (Rebecca Calder and Elliot Cowan). In the home, there are demonic movements, and Ed and Lorraine are called to put forth their efforts to put an end to them. The dynamics around the home of Jack and Janet may make the moving parts more of a puzzle than it seems. There areplenty of scares, unexplained toys falling apart, and hurdles that will shock. Still, everyone is trying to find happiness and light in The Conjuring: Last Rites.

The cases toppling one on top of another and getting more complex takes the story rather out of focus. This could be because the franchise is striving for originality more than scarcity in The Conjuring: Last Rites. Even though some moments seem underwritten, this film creates a sense of continuity from the previous films by incorporating elements of horror which had already started. 

The success of The Conjuring: Last Rites is due to the writing and direction. The issues that were encountered in the previous films are effectively expanded upon in this installment. There is an effort to keep the light going by building happiness into the characterization through moments of empathy. The performances of Wilson and Farmiga make them heroes of the franchise. 

The Conjuring: Last Rites dives deeply and plateaus vividly. The things happening to a family living in a home with demonic disturbances blow the audience’s minds in a unique way. In the quietest way unexpected surprises occur, and at the same time, the idea of the conclusion will leave a mark. Each film leaves a trail of things lurking which might arise. The Conjuring: Last Rites rises soulfully.

The paranoia is ignored and then gradually grows. The detective skills for chasing demons from the egotistical and brilliant minds of Ed and Lorraine are what makes the Conjuring: Last Rites feel nostalgic. They are the gems of this diverse horror franchise. In this third installment, there was more meaning being built upon from the previous two films. This third installment got it right. In parts, the scares are overdone, but the characterizations are perfect with plenty of realism to support the story. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for The Conjuring: Last Rites.