MAXIMUS_747 Reviews

Hammarskjöld (2023)

Beautiful, abstract and important

[9/10 · 26 December 2023]

This was a really amazing, suspenseful, and uncut movie. A worthy cinematic retelling of the life of Dag Hammarskjöld. Persbrandt is at the pinnacle of his career, and it is very mesmerizing to watch the contrast between his apparent stern and concentrated exterior and his tender and loving interior.

The stage design is excellent. So many breathtaking vistas. Everything from the huge opulent New York to the impoverished villages of the Congo and our lovely Österlen here in Sweden. Amazing contrasts that elevate the movie and give it a wider viewpoint.

The movie wasn't that exciting. Not too much was going on. However, there was depth, curiosity, passion, empathy, and feeling. Everything that is required. Too much focus on action had shifted the focus on a deep & poignant diplomatic conflict to a more James Bond looked like show.

The music in the film is made by Raymond Enoksen. He truly figures out how to depict a feeling of renunciation and strategic halts with his tones. The music really elevates the film, and he does a really great job.

This is a phenomenal depiction of Dag Hammarskjöld and I truly suggest allowing the film an opportunity. You won't be let down.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

Hard to shake off the darkness in this historical film!

[8/10 · 28 August 2023]

Introduction: This is the story of the American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb. I would describe this as a visual masterpiece, with brilliant acting and a protracted storytelling. The movie is directed by Christopher Nolan, who I think can call himself a living legend at this point.

Acting: If we start with the acting. The Nolans have a unique ability to choose the right actors and get the best out of them. All I can say is that the cast of "Oppenheimer" is impressive. The role of J. Robert Oppenheimer is portrayed by the Irish actor Cillian Murphy. Murphy exceeds all expectations, his intense gaze and a slightly manic and nervous movement pattern results in us as viewers gaining a greater understanding of Oppenheimer's character. Downey, Jr, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt all give an outstanding acting effort that makes us as viewers engulfed in a world of science and politics.

Visual effect: Now for the visuals. Nolan has a unique flair for visually exciting imagery, this film is no exception. The idea of showing the film in color when it is from Oppenheimer's point of view and in black and white when it is from the perspective of his antagonist, the head of the AEC (Robert Downey Jr), is absolutely phenomenal.

"No matter how sophisticated your CGI is, if it's been created from non-physical elements and you haven't shot with the camera, it will feel animated."

• Christopher Nolan

Nolan's resistance to using CGI creates new possibilities and makes us viewers feel emotions never felt before. The movie feels more genuine and raw.

Music: It is the Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson who composed the music in the film. Nolan's only requirement was to base the music on the violin, from there Göransson had the power to compost his interpretation of Oppenheimer and what a success it was! The violins shift between a beautiful and romantic tone to a frenetic and manic sound in a millisecond. The violin as an instrument manages to describe Oppenheimer's character in a unique way, as he can switch between the two emotions in the space of a second. And one side driven by his creation and striving to create, but on the other side, the anxiety of what he actually managed to accomplish and the consequences of that.

"Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."

• J. Robert Oppenheimer

Running time: The film is three hours long, a seemingly long running time. But Christopher Nolan's ability to constantly deliver quick clips results in his viewers never get bored as time flies. I argue that Nolan uses the running time carefully and proves once again that he has earned his reputation for always managing to tie up the ending in an incredibly neat way.

Conclusion: Christopher Nolan knows how to raise the temperature in a scene, indeed in an entire movie. But he does not use the simplest tricks, he drills into Oppenheimer's psyche and morals and also tells the story of how Robert Oppenheimer is elevated and then displaced in a post-war USA. Oppenheimer is a movie with brilliant acting, amazing visual effects and outstanding soundtrack. A lot of the negative reviews concern the truthfulness of the film. Many argue that the film is not 100 procent accurate to what really happened. Perhaps there is some truth in this. Perhaps Nolan took a few too many artistic liberties. But I think it is important to remember that it is not a factual report, but a film that touches on a real event, a big difference. Of course, creative licence had to be taken at points, to make a watchable film that we should all be able to appreciate at cinemas. This does not mean that the film is trash, on the contrary, I claim that it is an art to combine real history with hip scenography and artistic freedom.

Jaws (1975)

Horror at its best!

[8/10 · 21 August 2023]

Steven Spielberg has a long history of successfully adapting books to the big screen, whether it's the Jurassic Park dinosaur adventure by Michael Crichton or the Schindler's List holocaust drama by Thomas Keneally. Jaws is no exception. The movie is based on a suspense novel by Peter Benchley. In essence, this is just a cheesy tale about a killer shark stalking tourists at the beach resort of Amity Island on the American East Coast, but Spielberg manages to make the story into something much bigger! He managed to produce cinema's first big summer blockbuster! He created a film that would make parents tremble when their children were around water. Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss make up a unique and lovely trio that adds a lot to the film. Spielberg's creativity and filmmaking is very skillful, but he would never have managed to build up the mystery and horror feeling without the brillant composing of John Williams. He plays on our fear of the unknown and that and it feels property the screen. John Williams succeeds with this score to create one of the most iconic and recognizable film score ever made. I mean, everything from the oldest lady to the youngest child has heard "Jaws Main Theme". Ifound the story interesting and the plot was good, but the really beauty in this movies is the impact it had on the reality and the absolutely stunning soundtrack provided by sir Williams! Watch the movie and remember, You're gonna need a bigger boat...

The Father (I) (2020)

The Alzheimer world's answer to Christopher Nolans Tenet!

[8/10 · 14 August 2023]

This is a hard movie to watch, according to me in a good way! The father has the same twisted time and space plane like Christofer Nolands Tenet! The same game of hide and seek with the viewer's senses, the big difference is that this is actually reality for many people. Anthony Hopkins do an excellent job playing a confused older man and I think Hopkins' portrayal of the demented Anthony results in the story really being brought to life. Olivia Colman also makes a very emotional contribution to the film! Having said that, the film also has its flaws. I feel like the movie is constantly building but never really gets to emotinal crescendo. Once the movie was over I left with the feeling that it wasn't finished, something was missing. It is an art to be able to create minimalist movies with few props and that is really what "The Father" does, but it is sad that the film does not get the emotinal crescendo that the film so well deserved.

In summary, "The Father" is a psychological trip into a mental darkness that many around us are actually wandering in. The film is not flawless but has a lot to offer.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

O Captain, my Captain!

[10/10 · 13 August 2023]

Where do I even begin. At first I was going to describe this film as a very bittersweat masterpiece. But then I rember John Keatings words, "Avoid using the word "very" because its lazy". Only one of many iconic lines in this movie delivered by Robin Williams. I feel that this movie has had a very big impact on a lot of people, in a deep and raw way. I've been thinking about what could be causing it, is it the wonderful casting in the movie? Is it the scenografi that Peter Weir and his team have created from scratch? Or is it the outstanding storytelling that characterizes the film throughout? My answer to these questions is that it is all combined. It is these puzzle pieces that together form a whole and brings the film to life. Robin William, rest in peace, portrays his character (Mr. Keating) so well. William have the power to always interact with his audience and bring all of his charters to life, this is no exception. In addition to Williams' outstanding performance, there are also several child actors who do a brilliant job! Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles and Gale Hansen makes excellent efforts. If you take the brilliant casting and combins it with a story that is deep, heavy, thoughtful but most of all scially crogical, you have Dead Poets Society. A must see for all movie lovers out there!

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Amazing movie about a important topic!

[9/10 · 5 July 2023]

Amazing movie about a very serius topic! One of the things that makes Saving Private Ryan so special for me is its realism. Spielberg's has a veary special attention to historical details. Tom Hanks delivers as always and brings his characters to life, I think that results in a beautiful connection to the character and you really feel with him. The conection to the caracter and the raw storytelling will probability leave you breathless.

The movie showing the reality of war in all its messiness, following young men unsure of their decisions and mostly just full of fear! The movie is really worth watching and I think it is a 9/10!