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tamaraqonitam
Reviews
Theater Camp (2023)
It's a Funny Mockumentary
Very funny mockumentary. Fortunately, my watching experience was also great because the theater was full of laughter. Seems like a lot of people like it too. Really don't understand why people don't find this movie funny.
I will say tho, there's no super deep, poetical, metaphorical story behind it. So just don't expect coming out of it with a new revelation or question about life. Just take it at face value. It's a funny movie. Set at a theater camp. With talented kids. And talented teachers and stage men. Some really great music pieces. With normal level of daily drama sprinkled through out. And lots of laughs and weird antics.
It's enjoyable and heartwarming. Which i think is just how mockumentary usually feels. And that's enough as a perfect summer movie! And i honestly don't think this is fully targeted for adults.
I'm not opposed if they adopt this as a tv series. I think that will be really enjoyable to stream.
Sound of Freedom (2023)
Too Serious for An Action Movie, Too Shallow for a Docu-Drama
This movie told a very important story and would work as a book, a story, or a news. But i think it wasn't a good movie. Everyone's acting was good in it (especially the kids) except Jim Caviezel who played the "main character". I'm not sure if it was his acting or if it was the editing, but the scenes, perspectives, and transitions were not natural at all.
My other problem with it is that it turns a very important topic to basically a Mission Impossible (ish) movie? Basically feels like a franchise action movie with child trafficker villains.
It didn't really go deeper into the characters of any of the children. Barely scraped the surface of how it will affect the children in the aftermath. Barely told the story of the parents who lost their children. Just, important topic but without the important bits.
Basically the movie was stuck on this weird place between an action movie that takes itself too seriously and a very shallow docu-drama movie.
The Orville (2017)
More Social Commentary than Sci-Fi
I think it started as a Star Trek parody, but somehow ended up being a social commentary comedy set up on a sci-fi setting. I can see how this will upsets people that go in and hoping a full sci-fi and adventures series. Some might argue it's too political.
But personally, i love it! There are many thought-provoking episodes that made me root for the characters, both the "good" or the "bad". Contemporary issues, such as lgbtq, democracy, AI ethic, humanity, slavery, gender role, among other things were incorporated into the series and actually become the main storyline for some episodes, and not just being a set-aside background events. And they tried to capture the nuances of the issues, not just simplifying it into who's right and who's wrong.
I love how some episodes did not end in the traditional happy ending either. The "Twice in a Lifetime" episode is such a bitter episode that made me feel squirmish, up there with Squid Game Episode 6 for me.
I mean yeah, there are cool effects and technology, but i think those are made just to support the storyline, and not the actual main points of the series anymore.
Silo (2023)
Like everyone said: Had potential but turns into nothing
The premise is really intriguing. Another dystopian series, but this time it's about a community living underground without any recollection about why they're there, who made the structure, and how was life before the "Silo".
The first two episodes were really interesting. But then they decided to slow down the pace to crawling torture pace. And it's less about what's out there and more about politics and drama within the Silo.
Main positive point: The set is convincing, the world building is exceptional. The silo structure is believable, and I'm invested in the hierarchical level of living in the silo and the institutions that run it.
Negative points: Plot holes everywhere. They're being really inconsistent about what can and can't happen. And the main character is so self centric who never listens and has no regards of other people's lives.
I'll still be tuning in because I'm curious how they will end it, but watching each episode is borderline torture because the character is just so unlikable.
Close (2022)
Just Masterful Camerawork, Acting, and Storytelling
I don't even know where to start with this review. The movie was just so heartbreakingly beautiful. This was very tasteful camerawork wow. Every shots were taken to perfectly capture the actors, feelings, and situation. The sound work was also very effective. It never shied away from the awkward moments and awkward silences. Being so painstakingly patient during the most heartbreaking scenes.
And both Eden Dambrine and Gustaav de Waele delivered such outstanding performances. Actually, everyone did so amazingly in the movie. No explosive emotions, but you can still understand and feel what the characters are feeling all the same just from their eyes, gestures, smiles.. Just masterclass acting and story telling.
All the characters are deeply compelling. I can understand and empathize with all of them. Even though it was focusing on two boys, I think the emotions are relatable for everybody of any age.
Definitely one of the movies that leaves a very strong impression on me.
Knock at the Cabin (2023)
I don't buy the story and the characters
I just really don't know what I'm getting (or should've gotten) from the movie... I didn't read the book so I watched it without any expectations and knowledge about the story (beyond what I saw in the trailer). Left still not knowing what I just watched.
Maybe I'm missing some kind of symbolism, but even if I did, the whole movie still feels flat without any suspense. Till the end, I just didn't buy the background stories and motives of all characters, so when they died, it was just meh. Kinda expected a big plot twist but nothing happened unfortunately.
It still has some interesting moments and thrills, so it's still watchable. Hence the 5/10 stars.
The Boys (2019)
Too Gross and Explicit for Me
I know that it is literally what the show promises to be. And I tried so hard to like it, but I just can't. I like the underlying stories and commentaries. Superheroes gone rogue or the perspective of good and bad I think are very interesting themes to explore. But for me, the gross visuals are really over the top and take a way the joy of watching it. I have no problem feeling uncomfortable about myself if the story challenges my ideas and values of life. But this is more like I physically literally cannot stomach it. So i decide to stop watching. Kudos to anyone that still continue with the series and actually are excited about what the next season will bring.
The White Lotus (2021)
Hyped up for S2 but Apparently S1 is better
What made me love S1 so much was the fact that each character has both positive and negative sides. So even when they annoyed you, you still kind of relate to them in some aspects and even root for them. If I didn't like a character, I still thought "oh, but I understand where they're coming from, it's just difference in life principles and experiences ". S1 was a good mix of humor and drama and social criticism and this bag of complicated feelings about the characters.
Sadly i think in S2, the characters are not as well written. Some of them are just down right horrible and I just can't find a way to relate or justify what they did. The setting is better tho because there are more views outside of the resorts and Sicily is beautiful... But the storyline itself... I'm really not sure where it's going. Disappointingly less emphasis on the resort staffs themselves when I thought that was the premise of the show. And I feel like there are just so many characters that we're trying to keep up with. Ngl i was excited for the first couple episodes but the development of the characters and stories are definitely don't live up to the expectations.
Strange World (2022)
It's okay but too simple for adults
I know this movie is supposed to be for kids but still, the very one dimensional conflict resolution is too simple and left me bothered. It is not horrible but I just think there could be more story wise.
Like:
- The father-son dynamic and the character development for both the son(s) and father(s)
- The animation itself. It's disney.
- The end message: what we see as useful might be harmful for others. The need to see the whole picture and to keep the balance of the ecosystem
Dislike:
- The 'explorer' point of view is very colonial-like. The new world is either 'strange', or 'scary', or 'unique', and 'fascinating'. The fascination on the cute creatures but at the same time fear and killing of the unknown 'monsters'.
- Only one person seems to think that the balance of the ecosystem is important. But he didn't show or say it until the last 15 minutes of the movie. No signs of this message earlier even when he watched his father and grandfather blow torching + electrocuting these 'monsters' (in cute and harmless animation style of course). I think they should've explored this more instead of dumping this moral story at the last bit of the movie
- The resolution on how they decided to just save this newly-discovered giant creature and killed the plant that has been powering a whole town for the last 25 years. I'm all about saving the environment, but the resolution just feels too simple. Imagine trying to explain what happened to unknowing citizens while trying to find a whole new way to support civilization.