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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. 

4k releases, Film reviews, Warner Bros

Warner Bros 4k Releases: Lethal Weapon (1987)

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Lethal Weapon, a Look Back:

From Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, Lethal Weapon is available now on 4K UHD. One of the many classics that has built a following for decades. With the dynamic between both detectives Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, it is a gem that thrives in its nostalgic treasure. Mel Gibson (Braveheart,The Patriot) plays  loose cannon detective Martin Riggs, and Danny Glover (Sorry to Bother You, The Old Man & the Gun) portrays a “by the book” family man nearing retirement in Roger Murtaugh. The dynamic duo of different personalities are forced to find a cohesive partnership  to catch drug smugglers threatening the streets of Los Angeles.

4K Features:

The 4K edition has both the theatrical and the director’s cuts of the film. It also offers limited, but meaningful bonus features. The bonus features contain just enough to maintain the essential importance of Lethal Weapon. The special features include a delightful retrospective on the undeniable chemistry shared between stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as well as a special look back at director Richard Donner. Finally the 4K provides a delightful analysis of the alchemy behind the film’s most famous quotable moment. The importance of what was taken into account in developing Lethal Weapon thrives vividly in its 4K UHD release.

Purchase or Pass?

For those who are truly lifelong fans of Lethal Weapon this package is worth the purchase. That also depends on how much of a “die-hard” fan one is.  Any fan of 80’s action films will feel that the packaging of this release will add nicely to their collection. However, the limited amount of features provided may leave fringe fans thinking otherwise.