agraciotti Reviews

Lady Bird (2017)

Disappointingly empty

[4/10 · 8 January 2018]

I'm officially starting a petition to ask for a TED with Mia Hansen-Løve and Richard Linklater, both to talk about how to make great coming-of-age films, and I want Greta Gerwig to sit on the front row so maybe she could learn something from them instead of Noah Baumbach, from whom she seemed to get all the wrong things about the subject: a completely naive understanding of generations gap; characters are written as goofy caricatures (are you all serious that none of you got bothered with that "uglier-fatter-loser-best friend" trope? At least in Super Bad Jonah Hill got Emma Stone), a script that struggles to deliver lines that feel truthful; and it constantly confuses honesty with superficiality. Nothing really resonate, nothing really cuts deep. It ends up feeling generic and the same old cute-indie-vibe wannabe we've seen so many times before (and got so annoying these days).

Saoirse Ronan is definitely destined to greatness. I don't think it's the case for Greta Gerwig behind the cameras.

The hypes of award season are such a strange thing.

The Double (2013)

what a great piece of filmmaking

[10 August 2014]

I was surprised to see the bad reviews on IMDb. This is actually the most creative, enigmatic, philosophical and visually stunning film I've seen in a long time (and MUCH better than the disappointing Villeneuve's "Enemy"). Every scene is made in an unusual and unexpected way...enhancing the awkwardness of the characters and the story as a whole. From the very first 10 minutes I knew I was watching something really special.

"Submarine" was cute, but this is the film that definitely makes Ayoade one of the most promising directors nowadays. Can't wait to see what he's gonna do next.

Monsters (2010)

totally surprised by how great this is

[8/10 · 10 September 2013]

yeah, the title may be misleading, but don't go expecting explosions and blockbuster action sequences. This is a profound, slow, romantic and beautiful film. One of the best I have ever seen in the genre.

I read about it before watching and I was aware about its tone....so I was already expecting something more "artsy" than an action film, but even so, I could never see that coming. I was completely blown away. The cinematography, the pace, the acting, the music, the editing....everything is so beautifully done it hurts.

the few "action" sequences have its portion of well-built tension (and somehow they reminded me of Jurassic Park - since one happens inside a car, and the other one with the character hiding behind the shelves of a store), but even when it happens and the monsters show up, it is always followed by a melancholic and peaceful atmosphere.

Moreover, it is not only pleasant to the eyes, but it also contains some political and sociological metaphor about US frontiers and its political towards immigrants (I know what you're thinking, but trust me: it works better and more subtle here than on District 9).

A film that definitely should not be missed.

I was so glad to have stumbled upon this film and to discover such talented and promising filmmaker as Gareth Edwards. I'm actually curious now to see his version of Godzilla.