Change Your Image
kovacevicmatija
Reviews
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow (2023)
Great episode with all the classic ethical dillemas
I'm generally not a fan of time-travel stories. It's kind of a worn-out territory and I get fatigued by the silly ways 'forks' and creating/destroying timelines are taken for granted, as if it's a hard science.
But as far is it goes, this episode hits all the right places in treating the topic, as it deals with all the classic ethical dilemmas - I won't spoil it for you but it's the kind of questions the best of Trek poses. Yeah, instead of clear answers, you get more questions and ethical conundrums - but that's what good Trek is all about; not just brainless action but engaging your brain so you can think further when the episode finishes.
Not to mention that La'an got great depth with this episode and and Chong's performance was very convincing, even touching (yup, got a little tear-eyed at the end). Good stuff.
Star Trek: Picard: Võx (2023)
When Homage and Fresh Story Ties in Perfectly - I Hope Disney is Watching and Taking Notes for future Star Wars Projects
Fan service is often a dirty term but this episode proves beyond doubt that it does not have to be. This is how you combine going back to the roots with going forward with a fresh, engaging and poignant story. You bet it services the fans - my wife and I literally cried and stood up in applause (hadn't experienced this with a TV show since Mandalorian S2E8) - but it does so without any deleterious effects for the originality. Star Trek creatives are aware that they messed up with Discovery and are now returning to what makes Star Trek so good. It started with Strange New Worlds but Picard S3 is really a tour de force in that effort. I'd love for the similar to happen to Star Wars instead of attempts to rehabilitate sequels. Way to go Terry Matalas and the crew, you've truly restored Star Trek's awesomeness for the next generation!
WarGames (1983)
Exceeded All My Expectactions: Definitely Underrated & Even More Relevant in 2023
What else to say about this classic except that it's as relevant as ever. In an age of Midjourney challenging the profession of artists, OpenAI questioning the validity of testing students through research papers,f or autonomous cars causing accidents; in an age where a nuclear war between Russia & US has again become a serious topic and where cybersecurity is one of the most important aspects of international relations and warfare, the issues this film tackles feel incredibly up-to-date.
The anti-war message this movie presents is so intertwined with the issues of machine learning and excessive reliance on computers for decision making that it gets through effortlessly and elegantly. You'll understand what I mean especially when you see who and in which moment says that brilliant tagline many have put in their review headlines: "The only winning move is not to play the game."
Yes, the overall feeling with the teen characters in the center is cheesy but in the best possible way - such which made us love Stranger Things. Not to mention that Broderick's character is an archetype Steve taps into - an attractive boy that is a lover of all things geek, after all (and their fathers basically look and behave the same).
The plot and the way things complicate and resolve are very intelligent and well thought-through, offering an incredibly fun and satisfying watch. Overall, it's a movie that somehow succeeds at being simultaneously light-hearted and high-stakes; entertaining in the truest sense of the world and still thought-provoking. A must-watch.
Elvis (2022)
Enjoyable but Misses a Crucial Aspect of Elvis' Life - His Faith
I don't want to reiterate what others have said, nor do I want to get into historical inaccuracies. I don't expect a precise account from Baz, and that's completely fine - it's a character piece. But as such, it misses a very important aspect of Elvis' life that made him different from a lot of other stars, especially his contemporaries in the 60s, like the Beatles - he was a convinced Christian throughout his life. He found comfort in God, despite not always living up to standards of Christian living (or possibly just because, finding grace and forgiveness in Christ). His mom babbling about his brother Jesse from above doesn't capture at all Elvis' own religious experience. Neither does his shaking as a boy at a Pentecostal worship service. The closest the film got to his faith was when he stated that gospel was the kind of music he enjoyed most. The film reduced both experiences to representations of musical influences alone, while failing to account for his faith.
And he had a lot of it. According to his stepbrother Billy Stanley, who spent 17 years with him, Elvis prayed before going on stage, read the Bible regularly, and taught Billy and other younger brothers stories from the Bible, even acting out the characters. The way he would unwind after a concert, according to Stanley, was singing gospel songs till the sunrise. His way of dealing with difficulties was praying to Jesus.
I waited and waited if any of this would be shown in the film... Time after time, scenes of crisis and disappointment went by, perfectly suited to see and hear Elvis singing "Crying in the Chapel", a gospel classic that he made famous - it would have been powerful - but that moment never came. Failing to account for Elvis' faith a serious omission that will always make this movie an artistic stormy fanfic rather than a biopic striving to stay true to Elvis' person.
Moonfall (2022)
Seriously?
A conspiracy theorists-affirming film with B-rated acting where everyone's m.o. Is either being annoyed/pissed or being utterly stupid. Don't get me started on ridiculous dialogue. What a mess...
Star Trek: Discovery: Kobayashi Maru (2021)
Still silly and immature
I don't know if I watched a more underwhelming season opening. The show is still silly and immature, just like its captain. Oh, and stealing droid designs from Star Wars, as well as ideas and even verbatim sentences from 40 years ago (hint: asteroid field in TESB)... Can it get more embarrassing for ST than that?
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020)
Fun but also annoying
Yeah, the show is fun to watch, lots of great and weird ideas and encounters which made us love Star Trek. But I also agree with reviewers who thought there were too many annoying characters (Freeman and Mariner, will you stop your yelling and freaking out already?) Oh, and Mariner denigrating and bossing Boimler around and then pretending like it's totally ok and best-friendy thing to do got old quickly and is kind of toxic. Is that woke, or more like, misoandry? Also, the worse doc ever that foul-mouthed vulgar cat. It's like all the good manners of Starfleet of the 24th century went out the airlock. I mean, go and rewatch Orville - that's how you do a comedic take on Star Trek.
A Star Is Born (2018)
Didn't cry like that at a movie in a long time
Didn't expect much nor did I really care for Lady Gaga and her voice. But they had such sincere chemistry as the movie developed, it just got to me at the end. Man, can't believe I cried like that. I just wanted to get inside the screen and hug them and help them and cry with them. I guess that says they did something right with this movie.
The Man from Earth (2007)
A fun movie - if only the arguments were more sound
Didn't have a clue what it was going to be about, and it ended up being a fun movie to watch with a brilliant hypothesis. However, as a New Testament scholar, I had to laugh at a lot of ignorant and outdated arguments. Same as Peter Joseph's Zeitgeist, this was a rehearsal of the 18th & 19th century theologians' ideas that hardly any serious NT scholar, atheist or theist, has retained in the second half of the 20th century. Better research could have made this movie much more convincing. As it stands now, it feels as a cute film school project.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Before you bash it, step back and think if you really understood the magnitude of its message
Yes, the movie isn't perfectly executed. But here's what I think: so many undeservingly harsh reviews are due to a different reason - we expect that a good superhero movie is all about relentless action scenes, destroying and humiliating villains, being bad-ass and keeping one's mouth shut about morals (unless relativizing it). And this movie is not about any of that - it's about the uncompromising message of truth and character. It has so many different layers and applications when you begin thinking about it. The Lasso of Truth went beyond being a funny prop. We now see that it is only a physical manifestation of the philosophy of truth that drives Wonder Woman to be the honest, redeeming, loving and lovable character that she is. Yes, it does feel cheesy. But I wonder if some of that feel is due to us getting used to the darkness and moral murkiness of the times we live in. If the world was a better place, maybe it would not feel that cheesy or preachy. What I surely know is that if people would take the message of this movie seriously, the world would be a far better place. Today, it's normal for us to operate by Crowleyan motto "Do what thou wilt" - it's important more than anything else. But where has it gotten us?
This movie, from its first scene consistently to its end, is a wake-up call to be willing to face the truth about ourselves and realise that character and honesty is more important than winning and getting what we want. That any amount of power is worthless and dangerous if gained for selfish reasons. That success and greatness is bankrupt if built on lies. And the sheer genius of the movie's message is that this does not happen only to some super-villains out there in high places. No, the movie isn't about finding a high-profile scapegoat to bash while we feel self-righteous about ourselves. Instead, it makes it clear that, just as it happens to the super-powerful people, it happens (maybe on a smaller scale) to each of us. The solution is not simply in removing some evil politician or me taking power. I - the underdog, the common type, the insecure - can be equally morally corrupt. And equally dangerous when I get power. And yeah, that's not comfortable to hear. But it's so liberating and transforming when I accept that truth.
Frankly, with so many other movies preaching exactly the opposite, the message of this movie is unbelievably counter-cultural. Maybe that explains some of the backlash too. But before you jump that band-waggon, rethink what the movie really is about and how its message can affect even your everyday life. Truth and character matter more than getting what we want. Yes, that message of WW84, despite its artistic flaws, is precisely what we needed to hear. Straightforward, and rightly so. Our post-truth era needed that whip of the Lasso of Truth. Maybe it will lead some of us to realize that (to quote a line from the movie) truth is beautiful. Just like Gal Gadot. ;)
Kenobi: A Star Wars Fan Film (2019)
Good old Star Wars atmosphere and a fan film that feels like it's far more than that
The plot is engaging and managed to raise the stakes in a short time, the act is brilliant, fighting very realistic, cinematography and Tatooine scenery absolutely beautiful, costumes and props entirely believable, and the soundtrack (recorded by Budapest Scoring Orchestra) astonishing! Also, captain Leegus has a nice Krennic edge to him (played by James A. Taylor - the voice of Obi-Wan in TCW!). My only objection is the sound of an approaching Imperial vehicle seen through macrobinoculars, which should have been much quieter and distant-sounding. Otherwise, everything was executed nearly perfectly.
Satterlund's Kenobi has set a seriously high bar for any future fan film, as this looks, sounds and feels like far more. Most importantly, this is how Star Wars is done. Hopefully, we'll see more of it.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Awesome series, but not for kids by any stretch - our 6 yo son was deeply shaken
Disclaimer: This is more a parents guide review than a standard one.
Our son watched two dozen 'best of' episodes with us, growing very uneasy after the Clone ihibition chip story arc. Trying to fall asleep, his heart rate was raised quite a bit, and he said he's afraid that he is going to die, as he saw, I quote, 'so much killing' in this cartoon. Also, he couldn't get why Clone Troopers were attacking each other (Krell arc, chip arc) or why Ahsoka was accused and persecuted by the Jedi and the Republic. I explained Palpatine's deception, but he was emotionally shattered after Ahsoka left the Order and had to part ways with Anakin. My point: these themes, while deep and executed brilliantly (I personally love the show and am a huge Star Wars fan) are scary, intense and too much for a kid to bear and/or understand. Even I am driven to the point of tears at some of these scenes.
Also, there are some scenes of drinking, drunken behaviour and being drugged, and while sexual acts are not present, there are quite a few sexual images (half-naked sexy women moving in seductive and suggestive ways, Twi'leks dancing in what appears to be a streptease bar, even sexy droids with open mouths and absent eyes, as some have noticed; especially naughty is Asajj killing a Clone Trooper and kissing him while he's dying). These were all completely unnecessary, and I fault the producers for it. What's the purpose? Almost seems like an intentional attempt to desensitize children to sex and not in a good way. Australia and New Zealand were completely right in their decision to give an M rating. It's an awesome show for an adult, especially Star Wars fan, to enjoy (way better than the sequel trilogy), or a teenager - with whom I would watch and discuss it - but not for kids by any stretch (except a few early episodes).
Signs (2002)
I cried unstoppably at the end
There's not much to say after so many other reviews, so I'll say only this:
There are 2 types of people watching this movie:
1) People who don't get what the movie is really talking about and don't feel much for the movie.
2) People who get it and are deeply moved because they have experienced it in their own lives (not the aliens, but the real topic of the movie) - and for them, this movie is one of the most brilliant movies ever.
That said, whatever group you belong in, there aren't many movies with such moving acting chemistry, believable dialogue and emotional buildup.
And in the end, even if you don't get it, I'd recommend you keep the idea of the movie in the back of your mind. There may come a time when it will become relevant to you.
10/10
New Amsterdam (2018)
Refreshingly non-cynical, uplifting and subversive in a loving way
While film critics accuse New Amsterdam of being too familiar (and once more prove, just like with The Last Jedi, that they too often live in their isolated ivory towers), I think quite the opposite. What would be too familiar is another show focusing on increasingly dark aspects of humanity, ethical ambiguity and the impossibility of moral choices. The hyperproduction of such 'transgressive' and 'mature' shows is making them so repetitive that they lost the element of avantgarde they claim to be. Contrary to that, New Amsterdam succeeds in being subversive without pretentious in-your-face attitude. It challenges all that is wrong with our system with such spontaneity, warmth and amity that it is winsome. In fact, it subverts the very method of challenging wrongs, overcoming negativity and cynism that seems to prevail in such attempts and in today's culture in general. The cast is doing such a fine job in portraying a team of well-defined individual characters which, with all their human frailties, rise above the interest-based operation and genuinely seek to do good. All of them are doing great job, though performances of Eggold and Jane Montgomery (esp. till the end of the season) stand out for me.
Lastly, right-wingers and some religious people lament that the show is pushing a Leftist agenda. You know what, I'm a Christian (Adventist), and it is true that I personally don't agree with promoting LGBT lifestyle (one likable character is in a gay marriage) - and I don't have to agree with it to like this show. That's because the larger ethos of the show is Christian to the core. First, there actually wasn't one cheating kiss, let alone sex, in the whole season - marriage and faithfulness to one's spouse is promoted, which in itself is pretty refreshing and counter-cultural at this point. Second, guess what Jesus spent most time doing while on Earth? Healing without interest and without regards to race, religion or class (so yup, I actually agree with the 'Leftist' agenda of showing compassion to needy immigrants). In addition, Jesus challenged the oppressive system without outbursts of hatred toward those who were part of it, instead winning many of them by love. To fans of New Amsterdam, that sounds pretty familiar, as that's precisely what the main character of this series is doing and teaching others to do, in a spontaneous and winsome way. And that is how doctors should act anyway. If this series moves one doctor (or any other human being for that matter) to transit from an interest-based behaviour to an attitude that goes through life genuinely asking 'How can I help?', then this show has done service to humanity.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Adventist opinion: Masterpiece that makes you tremble from both horror and wonder, as it inspires hope in a cynical world
As a Seventh-day Adventist, I was extra-hyped about this movie from the very moment I heard Gibson working on it. Yet it exceeded all my expectations. We faith-people got used to our heroes being presented in minimized, exaggerated or convenient ways, while God they believed in is being put aside (sadly, Gifted Hands falls into this category with its ridiculous 'it's all in here/in your brain' catchphrase). This is not the case with Hacksaw Ridge. It takes the man Desmond Doss with all he was and lets him speak for himself. True, some of the family details were modified (e.g. Doss' real father was not that abusive and that incident with the gun happened with his brother instead of his wife; or, Doss didn't meet Dorothy in the hospital but in the church – perhaps their shared Adventist identity could've been exploited for an even more convincing narration), but the bulk of the movie is seeping with integrity towards Doss' story and character. Desmond Jr. himself told Mel Gibson he was amazed by how similar to his dad Garfield's impersonation was.
Artistically speaking, Hacksaw Ridge is hauntingly beautiful, starting with the opening scene, together with its catchy musical theme (that actually sounds very similar to a hymn of blessing we used to sing at the end of service in my church). Sound editing overall is, quite appropriately, ethereal and brutally real at the same time (one of the highlights for me was an artillery strike from the fleet). Narration proceeds brilliantly, with subtle messages an incautious viewer may not notice at first – but when noticed, they beautifully ingrain the movie's points. My three favorites among them: [**possible spoilers**] (1) Quickly seeing a wedding ring on Doss' finger before he goes to bed with Dorothy – emphasizing his integrity in every area of his faith. (2) At the beginning of the battle, a fellow medic tells Doss to just administer morphine to the soldier with blown legs and let him die; Doss considers this and decides not to listen – thus we see that he will work to save all lives, even those that everyone else had written off. (3) The most brilliant one: Doss shares his memories with Smitty about his dad beating him and his brother just because the sun had risen, implying it had no cause nor made any sense. Next scene, the sun rises over the battlefield; a few moments later, Japanese attack like crazy and a bloody battle ensues, implying war is just as senseless. A to-the-core anti-war moment. [**end of possible spoilers**].
Once the battle begins, the level of unexpected immersion into its horror is amazing. You have the feeling you are actually there with those guys. My heart was literally pounding and I was in trembling shock that this is actually happening, wanting to crawl a little deeper into my mental foxhole. I acquired a whole new appreciation and sympathy for the PTSD-stricken veterans. At the same time, it stripped the war of all redemptive-violence optimism and showed it like it really is – gruesome, inimical to the human dignity – something that leaves no real winners. I'm all with Gibson on the necessity of this realistically brutal depiction for the sake of making Doss' anomalous presence real and appreciable. As an Adventist, I don't believe in a place called Hell, but if there ever was one – it was on the battlefields like this. And into this hell comes one unshakable heavenly man whose one goal is to save "one more", no matter the cost to himself. Now, doesn't that sound familiar? There is hardly any more beautiful metaphor for what Christ did than this.
The transcending nature of Doss' character is nowhere shown better than [**spoiler**] in the scene where he treats the Japanese soldier without a bit of hesitation or contempt – that was such a cathartic moment after all that bloodshed between the brothers of the same human family [**end of spoiler**]. Such moments also make you tremble, but this time from wonder and gratitude that in the midst of that chaotic horror, a person could hold onto and share divine peace and love with everyone.
In the end, the film leaves you with a wonderful but dangerous feeling – a feeling that you have watched something so meaningful, real and unfeigned that it can provoke a change in your own life. The true and unfeigned nature of the movie and, frankly, of its crew and cast (Gibson, producers, screenwriters, Garfield, Palmer
everyone just seem to really resonate with the story), also tends to make a lot of other movies feel suddenly shallow. In many ways, the film is a game changer. The crew was extra careful to tell the story like it was, sensitive to the input of Doss' family, friends and church. You can see an unprecedented level of accountability and humility. Yet this didn't prevent the film to end up a masterpiece. It is a Doss among the movies – being different in a good way and giving hope that it's possible to stand for what you believe. Perhaps the best conclusion I could give here are Garfield's own words: "It's a very hard thing to stay true to oneself and one's convictions in the culture we're in right now. Yet it's those people who shape the change that a culture needs, by standing strong in the midst of terrible storms." If this movie helps one person to stand strong for what is right in a terrible storm, it has accomplished wonders.
Matija Kovacevic