jamkafka Reviews

The Iron Claw (2023)

Heartbreaking and gut-wrenching

[9/10 · 25 February 2024]

The song called Live That Way Forever started playing as soon as the credits started rolling which makes this film even sadder once you realize that these Von Erich brothers didn't even live the life they wanted to live because of the toxic masculinity that resonated on their father. The dread, the trauma, and the baggages they had to endure and bring along with them throughout the course of their lives makes this even more heartbreaking.

The performances were excellent with a cast that is just stunning and a delight to watch on-screen. That bittersweet ending broke me so much but also made me smile. Kevin may have lost the battle, but in the end he had won the war. He finally decided for himself and live his life with his kids (and grandchildren) as well as with his wife in their own ranch.

Mean Girls (2024)

A new generation's Mean Girls

[7/10 · 25 February 2024]

As someone who's grown up with the original film and someone who actually loves musicals, this one is not the best, but still quite enjoyable and entertaining. I have the original script memorized in my head so it was refreshing to see this one adapted a little differently and constructed to feel more modern. The delivery of the lines sometimes felt uncomfortable to watch that irks me (a little), perhaps a bit forced too just to fit the Gen-Z culture.

What's lacking is the character development that most of it felt rushed even though the film felt so long to watch. Most of the musicals I have watched (Hairspray, for example) had always given character developments where the audience can further analyze on each character with the way they personality shifts in every act. This Mean Girls film did not represent that very well. I didn't see much bond from Regina and Cady so when Regina finally cut off that photo of theirs, it felt unnatural.

Loved Auli'i Cravalho and Reneé Rapp's performances- I thought they were the best especially through their singing. Bebe Wood is an immediate favorite; her presence on-screen was natural.

Markova: Comfort Gay (2000)

Irrevocably moving and heartbreaking

[8/10 · 23 February 2024]

Birdcage vibes that is based on the horrors and the true story of Markova's life during the World War II.

After Markova's tormented past; with an abusive brother who can't accept his homosexuality and being victimized by the Japanese soldiers, he still struggles to find comfort of his true self in a world who doesn't make him feel like he belongs. Feeling isolated during his old age, he makes a decision to tell his story to a journalist who doesn't give him the validation he's always needed.

I truly loved the story-telling and how we've seen Markova throughout the ages-how his torment affected him. The comedic dialogues blend well in a very melancholic ambience of Markova's painful story. It captures the past as well as the aftermath of his life and the people close to him.

Eileen (2023)

Lovely film but still lacking at most

[7/10 · 23 February 2024]

As someone who's read the book, I am actually not disappointed with the ending. The pacing is just right and not prolonged, and the masturbations were toned down a notch, and the wlw relationship between Rebecca and Eileen is still existent. While I wanted to see some moments from the book on screen, it was still refreshing to see especially since both Thomasin Mckenzie and Anne Hathaway delivered their performances well!

Perhaps, we needed to see more from Eileen's character as some aspects of her really brought more depth into her from the book-but I think that would have been more mature and would have needed a warning.

Still, it's a lovely film and the cinematography is just marvelous!

Cat Person (I) (2023)

A film that is more of a character study

[6/10 · 23 February 2024]

Cat Person treats its female protagonist recklessly that lets the audience feel repulsed with the way she acts or the way she overly picks the wrong and concerning choices. A character full of flaws, perhaps with no development too with the way the film ended that makes you guess whether she egotistically do the bad choice all over again or not.

Perhaps, the film is more of a character-driven story where you try to understand its characters more. Margot, being the one who reacts on impulse; Robert, the fully reserved filmbro man who just wants love; Taylor, the protective and more sensitive friend who's concerned and the one you'll agree with most of the time.

What I like about this film is how raw it is full of things that could happen in real life. Its intent is to make you understand and become aware of your surroundings, not to be naive, and don't pressure yourself into doing things you feel you're not yet ready for. While Margot's character is more facade and a bit "delusional" at times, she comes across as someone who just wants to experience things that leads to her being reckless as most people are. Sometimes, people tend to act on impulse and that's what Margot's character represents. Robert, on the other hand, is this laid-back film bro who just shoot his shot to get the girl of his dreams, became a little too obsessed from a girl out of his league. The film treats him as someone you'd forgive because he didn't come with any malicious intent until he acted out after rejection. Taylor was and always had been there for Margot. Always looking out for her, giving her advice on this new relationship while Margot dismissed her advices which I think she should've listened to. Until the end, even after they got in a fight, Taylor still stuck through and looked out after Margot after sensing something bad.

The performances were great in this and the story is quite fresh, some laughable moments here and there that makes up for some of the scenes.

Monster (2023)

An instant favorite watch from this year.

[9/10 · 23 February 2024]

Monster is really well-deserving of its title for Best Original Screenplay because of its ambitious driven story, but also of its narrative and the way everything plays out in this viciously beautiful tale.

What I love about this film is that you never know what to expect, all while the story unfolds. The execution was great and subtly weird in some ways that you may think the decision-making of some characters were gnarly or "too gruesome" but the story was so much more.

The transition of character perspectives was marvelous that makes you question every time: "Who is the monster?" "Was he the monster? Was it the mother? The child? The principal? The father of the classmate? Or aren't we all?" - The choices we make, creates character in all of us which builds up for who we are.

Monster is a coming-of-age story of self-discovery, a story of love and friendship, and a story of accepting one's self for who we truly are and who we become.

I don't want to specifically say anything that would spoil the film for anyone but it is a film that deserves to be watched with a score that is hauntingly beautiful and abstract that is quite fitting, and a tale of abstract love.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

The best of his career -- Scorsese is a master of his craft.

[9/10 · 23 February 2024]

A film that is worth seeing. While Killers of the Flower Moon takes its time to tell its story, it doesn't drag much. It succeeds to arouse its viewers with its scenic roots of the Osage people, letting you become aware of how they're blatantly mistreated and maliciously invaded by the white supremacists that is still known today. Perhaps, it is an ongoing cancer as to how racism & poverty still exists and how power and greed is used for a white man's gain.

Needless to say, Killers of the Flower Moon is empowering. Scorsese tells the story with justice, and with ease, still with the same themes of an abusive power, all for money.

This one is still sinking into my brain and one I would never forget. Lily Gladstone was delivered, a performance that would always be memorable.

The Mist (2007)

Brutally horrifying

[8/10 · 23 February 2024]

The Mist has that same kind of feeling as Don't Look Now (1973) dir. By Nicolas Roeg and Hereditary (2018) dir. By Ari Aster as well as the LRT episode from Shake, Rattle and Roll 8 (2006) dir. By Michael Tuviera.

While it necessarily focuses on creatures that came from the mist, it centers around how mankind would act, and how selfish and cruel and radicalized some may be. Some may be on your side, some may act coward that may cause chaos to your survival.

The Mist has its standards that makes it impeccable to watch. The story is fascinating, even with a disturbing ending that stuns. The cinematography and camera tricks seems fitting so as to conduct the suspense and the bite-inducing scenes that play out naturally. The characters are all unique and the performances are worth the watch.

Miracle (1982)

Wonderful script, direction, performances-Himala is amazing!

[9/10 · 24 January 2024]

I feel like Himala influenced a lot of films that made cinema what it is today.

So many things to take from this film that forever altered my brain. While this film's setting is set during the dark times of Philippine history, I believe, (because of the series of events that has happened), it centers mostly on belief and miracles until everything becomes brutal and eerie.

The film follows our protagonist, Elsa, played by the lovely Nora Aunor, and the people around her in the small town she lives. Each important character has been plagued with different issues of their own- from belief, religion, political views, prostitution, miracle, rape, and murder.

Some of its themes can be a lot to handle because of the tragic scenes.

Even so, it is such an important piece of Philippine cinema that is understandably mesmerizing with its original storyline that is convincing, beguiling, and worth all the watch.

Perhaps I have not written a review it so deserves, but I guess you will just have to see the film for yourself.

Self Reliance (2023)

A very compelling directorial debut from Jake Johnsom

[8/10 · 24 January 2024]

For a directorial debut, Jake Johnson's Self Reliance is pretty amazing. A film that has a lot to deliver but does not need too much of an analysis. In terms of a comedic approach, there were a few laughs with great performances and characters that are developed throughout the whole film. The script is amazing, the plot is unique, the camera works and cinematography were pretty great too.

Some people have already analyzed the film in different approaches- one where the game is all in Tommy's head, signs of alienation and the way he doesn't handle his emotions too well, especially after his ex-girlfriend of 23 years broke up with him had led him into a spiral of a bad mental state with an erratic episode.

I think the film is a mixture of The Truman Show in a modern setting, or a futuristic one even, that plays with the astral projection theory and questions what is real and what is not. Perhaps, it is also why Tommy's character questions his dad, "Is this a dream? Is this real?" to also let the viewers in, to make the audience a part of the film that lets you question the film.

Dream Scenario (2023)

Nic Cage's best performance- Dream Scenario is otherworldly beautiful

[9/10 · 24 January 2024]

One of the best films this year and perhaps, a new favorite from A24. Dream Scenario has it all from comedy to horror with a concept that is never before seen. The story progression is never dull, and gives you a glimpse of a sudden curiosity that ponders the question: "what actually is going on?", which begins to tell the tale of a middle aged professor named Paul with a phD, who suddenly becomes famous for being in people's dreams. It's weird, it's intriguing, it's hilariously funny. I admire not only its unique plot, but also its beautiful cinematography with camera works that feels surreal that you're never too sure what weird things could happen. The editing that cuts and tricks you (at times) that makes you second-guess. There was a scene right in the beginning when he met an old colleague for brunch at a restaurant, where it jump cuts to Paul inside his car listening to the conversation they had that he recorded, then jumps back again to the brunch with the audio that is the same as where he's inside his car- which I think had never been done before.

The pacing is really engaging that I really liked. Nic Cage was phenomenal in this film. Everything just worked out perfectly. It's like Everything Everywhere All At Once with its weirdness and blankness with a hint of pure comedy that's also dark. Cinema is back!

Leave the World Behind (2023)

Loved it!

[8/10 · 8 December 2023]

"Leave The World Behind" is an entertaining one that keeps you fully immersed with its grappling thriller that is the apocalypse, while never becoming too overbearing/dull because of how it's masterfully edited. While most films want you to focus on one character, the editing quickly plays out scenes in a way where you try to figure out what each character is looking at as different scenarios are happening in one sequence which I think was such a great boiling point to keep the suspense flowing. The characters were also introduced well, each with their unique personalities that you can analyze. Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali's dynamic is one I loved seeing on-screen. Every scene between them just felt natural.

The film is thrilling, fun, and nonsensical at times. Perhaps, the lesson that came out of "Leave The World Behind" is that nothing matters so you just ought to do something you'd want to enjoy for your last day on Earth, and that consuming pop culture is important for that matter.

The Seven Year Itch (1955)

A poorly written male protagonist leads to a snooze. Marilyn's presence was a charm.

[4/10 · 7 December 2023]

While this film is very memorable because of the iconic subway scene, it's not entirely a good one; not something I would defend or praise because of how it was poorly written out of misogynistic qualities, however, it's an entertaining one mostly because of Marilyn's presence. She always manages to be a delight to see on-screen with her charming personality. Billy Wilder's The Seven Year Itch is a troubling one for sure that is simply made for males' sexual fantasies and advances to be represented that is not hilarious, concerning, and unhealthy.

We see our protagonist, Richard Sherman become troubled with some dilemma from the very beginning as he sees a beautiful woman when he ships his wife and son off for vacation, then again when he becomes terrorized by a gorgeous blonde woman who moves into the apartment upstairs, where we see him spiral into his delusions because he suggests the audience (and his wife) that women throw themselves at him (untrue) as if he's the handsomest of men, until Marilyn's character proves him wrong. The film continues to drag on while he has monologues about him having all these fantasies about Marilyn, while Marilyn pays no mind-- having no clue about his advances and still thinks of him as a shy, nervous, innocent man when he's the latter.

He is, actually, a nervous man because of the guilt he feels, as he says he has never cheated on his wife of seven years, and that this kind of dilemma has never happened to him. What we see as an audience, is a build-up of a character who is flawed, and that women should always build a wall within themselves, a shield to protect themselves from men like Richard Sherman, who pays no accountability for his actions and continues to leave traces of misconduct, by having no moral for his eagerness to be a man.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)

Hilarious, lovely, and fun.

[10/10 · 24 November 2023]

The best thing to ever exist. As a fan of the film and Mr. Edgar Wright himself, this adaptation is just perfect and without flaws in my opinion. It fuels entertainment not only for anime fans but for cinephiles as well. Not only will you love all these characters a little bit more because of their newly-produced qualities, but this adaptation sinks in a whole other level that is written quite differently but still with the same "feel" when it comes to the delivery of dialogues, emotional business (see what I did there? *wink*), easter eggs from Edgar Wright himself (...or Edgar Wrong?), references, and with lots of new excitements that comes from this vision of story-telling; stylized in an animated fantasy that lures every kind of audience. You just can't get enough of it as you consume every episode. The credits songs as well as the theme songs are just marvelous.

Fingernails (2023)

A satirically teeth-gripping story about romance

[8/10 · 12 November 2023]

The most interesting film I've watched this year, that's for sure. "Fingernails" is nothing you'd expect -- it's got this test on love (quite literally) that will make you bite your nails, and your fingers, and close your eyes in the moment. With an A24-coded story concept that is weirdly satirical, it's one that has a satisfying tale of romance, an exploration of uncertain feelings, and what it means to crave that feeling. Both Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed have the perfect dynamic on-screen that I just cannot get enough of. These two are some of the very few actors I utterly admire and respect and so seeing them together in this film was something I really enjoyed. Everything was beautiful and entertaining in a way that would lure you into its world; with a production design that is just mesmerizing, and a soundtrack that perfectly fits with the characters' emotions. A perfect grasp of the desire for what "love" really depicts, and a perfect character study on a flawed character who is unsure of her feelings, while putting all her fate on a love test.

Perfect Blue (1997)

Brilliant concept with cerebral detail and a genre of its own.

[9/10 · 25 October 2023]

"Perfect Blue" is masterfully done and is ahead of its time. With a lot to grasp from its story, while putting the female rage in great lengths-- the film perfectly tackles not only a revenge story but with lots of twist that will make you absorb its whole plot, will make you feel confused, then will make you further understand that everything that happened was the point all along. The film pulls you into the story that makes its audience feel like you are a part of Mima's journey, her madness into her destructive self, and her whole persona unraveling piece by piece as she creates these characters that makes importance into the abyss of violence within the self-portrait of the abuse of her experience in the film industry.

Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake (2023)

Both kids and adults are in for a treat!

[9/10 · 23 September 2023]

Having been a huge fan of Adventure Time since I was 12, this one is pretty nostalgic to me. I remember watching an episode of Adventure Time back then on our family television (I think it was "Trouble In Lumpy Space") that lured me and the whole family into the series. It's got everything a child could ever dream of: adventure, princesses, and all things mathematical!

Other than that, Adventure Time had always been so great at telling their stories, with character arcs that just make sense and are so raw that gives the antagonists of the story their own character development which makes you love them more. Each and every character are unique in their own little way.

Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake tells the story of the two titular characters who gets stuck in the multiverse that is told so perfectly and alters infinite realities massively. The creators are never afraid to test our their abilities to further expand the stories and how literally anything could happen. So far, "The Winter King" and "The Star" are my favorite episodes of the season -- and I am craving for more. I already love Gary and Marshall Lee's storyline, as well as Simon and Fionna's dynamic.

Don't Look Now (1973)

"Don't Look Now" and the study of Grief

[4/10 · 16 September 2023]

While it grips so much on the gut-stricken grief that creeps into one's mind, "Don't Look Now" does not hold much and loses the creative outlet that wants to adapt. It relies much on the study of grief and the importance of symbolism, making sense as to why this is renowned as one of the most bewildering hidden classics out there. Although it is not for my taste, its intention is to culminate the a psychological effect in losing a child.

I can see how director Ari Aster got inspired from this film in making "Hereditary", which both revolves around grief, how death becomes apparent to people (and how each reacts to the emotion), and both also connecting to psychics that tries to endure or treats the sadness by reconnecting to the dead in the strangest ways.

Audition (1999)

Not my cup of tea, but a great character study.

[4/10 · 4 September 2023]

"Only pain and suffering will make you realize who you are."

Every Japanese film is an uneasy watch- even when it's not in the horror genre. It carves a feeling of numbness, creating an impending sense of intangible doom. Perhaps, it has to do with Japan's culture or their religious beliefs (they even have their own 'suicide forest') where suicides can happen any time of the day.

Audition was something. Although it's not for my taste, it still has some good qualities like the production design, colour palette that blend well or foreshadowing Asami's character, a great character study with a feministic approach.

We've all come to know how there is literally a 'sex industry' in Japan from this movie alone, where women use their bodies as part of their job.

What Asami's character is trying to do is let men know how they feel; not only for the abuse she's experienced, but also for how men treat women in general. How they make women feel rejected (from the audition alone), how they continue to lie (Shigeharu saying 'I love you' to Asami even when he also loves his son and his dead wife).

There is a dialogue in the film that goes something like "Men need women to support them, or they'll exhaust themselves", which I found very interesting. As men, are usually dependent on women, for they know how to support themselves, know how to take care of others, while all women ask for return is to be loved. Yet men, have the audacity to cheat on their partners, to lie to their partners' faces. Women only wants to be loved, to be accepted for who they are, to be treated nicely, to feel supported, to be nurtured, and they're content.

The Nightingale (I) (2018)

The kind of horror that clenches onto you.

[9/10 · 3 September 2023]

A disturbing watch that is quite the thrill with a 'female rage' premise as its main aspect of the story as Clare (played by Aisling Franciosi) hunts down each men who had traumatically abused their power against her will. A watch that is haunting and one that I would not recommend to anyone unless with a warning since this film is emotionally damaging but includes a great performance from the lead character, beautiful cinematography that looks natural, and a great dynamic between Billy and Clare, whose races are far different from each other in a setting when slavery was still a thing and women are being paid off as properties of Lieutenants.

The Nightingale is an empowering film where everything is just uneasy to watch but harmonizes the beauty of friendship between two unsuspecting characters especially from how they first interacted. Broken families and broken plans, will they be able to make it until then?

It's an alluring story with so much to gather- I want to watch it again for the sake of its mere beauty of a story but also refuse to because of the tense emotional damage it gives. A film with no music used except background ambient noises and acapella ballads from characters which is quite fitting to the theme of the story. I think the film's goal was to make you clutch onto the storyline, of Clare's revenge and trauma, of the racism that Billy and his people experience every day, of the terrible fantasies the men with high authority have of women, the rape and murder of the innocents, the destruction of families, the colonization of one's country, the extrajudicial killings, and the desolation of loneliness. The Nightingale is masterful all on its own in making you experience all the heavy material it produces. What I appreciate about this film is how it still manages to balance both the disturbing emotions it brings to a happy one through Billy's character and a bittersweet ending.

Sam Claflin was a nightmare to watch.

Portret (1977)

Absurdly beautiful

[7/10 · 1 September 2023]

Portrait is a study on motion and angles. Every scene cuts and transitions to the same event or the same subject that reflects on the passing of time and the pinnacle of its absurd ambiance. Perhaps there is a feeling of void while watching this short but at the same time, it also has its discreetness that gives the audience amusement all on its own while ambiguity takes over with its disturbing aura, even if that's not what is meant to produce.

Lenartowicz is absolutely out of his mind that he can natually create a substance that is as mind-boggling as Portrait. It's an empowering film study that is yet to be understood with symbolisms in every angle that mirrors the time passing by and how every movement can produce different feelings one can absorb.

Past Lives (2023)

A beautifully moving directorial debut from Celine Song

[9/10 · 24 August 2023]

Past Lives is beautifully understated and emotionally moving film that makes you feel things you've never once felt before. It is immediately a masterpiece that masterfully does its job-- to make its audience entertained with such a beautiful script and a direction that feels all natural. It is haunting while everything feels harmonious. It extracts emotions in the most careful display from the characters' eye contact, body language, and dialogue delivery. Celine Song has an eye for telling the story; even with the simplest dialogue, it can bring out a whirlwind of emotions, while giving a space for the audience to breathe.

Memories of Murder (2003)

Disturbing and gut-wrenching.

[8/10 · 20 August 2023]

A great crime drama that blends well into its comedic dialogues and delivery that tones down the sad parts of this film. Loosely based on true events, Memories of Murder is an amazing detective story that is beyond words can express. Bong Joon-Ho is great at putting everything into detail that makes his films even worth the watch. This film is perfect in so many ways; intriguing, soul-crushing, and powerful.

The way it's all put together is just satisfying...especially that ending. It leaves it to the audience, that makes it even more interesting.

Upon finishing Memories of Murder, it gives the audience a moment to take it all in. To think for a moment and remember that this is inspired by true events. What happened...happened. And that is what's horrifying in all this.

I have come to know, that the story this was based on, the "Hwaseong serial murders", the case was only closed and solved after 33 years. The real serial killer, Lee Choon-jae, not only killed all these women, but also his sister-in-law.

With all these murders, what's also disturbing is how the police treated their suspects, especially those deemed innocent. It took 20 years for an innocent man to be released in prison for a crime he didn't commit, while being tortured by the police.

So, perhaps, Bong Joon-Ho's goal was not only for the audience to be aware of the crimes committed by the serial killer, but also for the crimes that the police had done. And Bong Joon-Ho did it in a way to horrify you, make your skin crawl, while also making sure to make his sceneries seem haunting, and also making sure everything looks and feels authentic. The Korean culture is still existent. He knows how to put everything into detail, and is really careful about it. It's an absurd story but somehow Bong Joon-Ho really knows how to make a film look so captivating. Especially that last shot.

Source Code (2011)

Source Code is a fun sci-fi/thriller that keeps you invested!

[8/10 · 20 August 2023]

Isn't it obvious that as soon as I saw its preview on Tubi, I immediately dived right into the film because of an actor I liked? No hesitations and instantly knowing I won't be disappointed because of Jake Gyllenhaal. It seems that I have never seen a bad movie from him and if I did, I would still sit through the whole thing because Jake is an amazing actor that I cannot resist because he's one of the few that I would never get bored of watching over and over again.

Now to tell my opinions about the movie. Source Code is really an interesting one, one like no other that builds tension and has these plot twists while having a plot of "trying to solve who is the bomber of a passenger train". It has an interesting premise, almost like a Twilight Zone/Groundhog Day scenario. It's a film that I can re-watch a second time, and it would still be entertaining. The ending was also good. It expands the quantum theory much deeper and more complicated in some ways, to an extent that these soldiers have created something much bigger.

Insomnia (2002)

A character study that is so brilliantly written

[8/10 · 19 August 2023]

Insomnia works so well that perfectly encapsulates the story of a detective, who once believed in the words: "A good cop can't sleep because he's missing a piece of the puzzle. And a bad cop can't sleep because his conscience won't let him," not because of the guilt he carries, but mostly because he suffers in a great deal of insomnia trying to figure out all the missing pieces of himself. Al Pacino, portrays Will Dormer with such delicacy. His trying-to-stay-awake is so natural that convinced me to blink as much as I do on a regular basis. Perhaps, Insomnia isn't like any other crime-thriller movies. The film not only revolves around the crime that the detectives are trying to solve, but it is also a character analysis on our protagonist, Will Dormer, that makes you feel like you want to punish him or forgive him; there is no in-between. A character that is relatable, as everyone's built to be imperfect, we're built to make mistakes, and that accidents happen. In the end, we feel remorse for his character, because a good cop does not "lose their way".

Robin Williams on the other hand, is great here too. He always has such a tender kind face that you just feel like forgiving his character. While Walter Finch's acts are seen as malicious, you can't help but feel sad for his death. That's the effect Robin Williams' eyes has.

Insomnia is a perfect representation on the good cops/bad cops, especially on how corrupt some cops are in reality.