skykyiv Reviews

Ricky Stanicky (2024)

Finally. A real Comedy.

[8/10 · 15 March 2024]

After all those years. Phew. I thought world would never recover back to at least some resemblance of sanity, of 'level', of being able to laugh without thinking twice (or more times).

It's been good three years (at least) since I had a real laugh at a real comedy movie. Not some chatgpt written, n-th world country 'sourced'.. "thing".. that you have to somehow put into Comedy category (because "that's what it was!" according to some 'creator' with unpronounceable nickname - because it's not in English, duh!).

I mean, what goes for comedy nowadays? The Bear? Pa-lease. It's a great show, don't get me wrong. But comedy it's not. Funny drawn out drama, that. Insecurity? Grieving? Funny? When? I've said it. Micro-basil and all.

And Ricky delivers. When I saw one of Farrelly brothers made a 'comedy' I was hesitant to believe it's going to be something something. A comeback? It was.

Slight fumbles by Efron acting wise, but otherwise everything is there. Timing. Gags. Musical numbers (you'll love them if you're NORMAL). You name it - Ricky's got it.

Amazing performance by Cena, very professional and impactful.

8/10. Final +1 was achieved in last 5 minutes of the movie.

Enjoy! A rare treat these days - Real Comedy.

Man vs. Bee (2022)

Horrendous

[1/10 · 24 June 2022]

Poor Rowan. What did I just subject myself to? Tragic waste of money, resources and time.

And that's not a bee, that is a bumblebee.

Is it South Park future already? I thought we had at least a couple of decades left until that.

Come Play (2020)

Solid entertainment

[7/10 · 23 June 2022]

Starts off a little slow, little cliche, but oh boy (pun intended) does it picks up! What comes next is an onslaught, the right kind.

Does the formula beautifully, nothing too fancy but I'm satisfied.

My (no spoilers) theory, is that ***** is a mate of Tobi (from Paranormal Activity series).

Was collecting dust for a year but delivered a thrilling watch for a genre fan.

7/10 (6+1 for not messing it up)

Dashcam (I) (2021)

It's not 9, but it's solid 6.5

[6/10 · 20 June 2022]

Great execution, scary, Annie is hilarious. Appreciated the satire and gore.

Nice addition to ff genre, nothing extraordinary but satisfactory nonetheless.

I liked one thing above all but that would be a spoiler.

6.5/10.

Ultrasound (2021)

Oh wow. Gem!

[8/10 · 19 June 2022]

Very, very good. Disregard low score and see it if you're into powerful indie scifi.

Simple enough concept, but pretentious execution is thrilling. Highly unpredictable, great gimmick, actors act their hearts out. Camerawork is precise.

See if you can work out what's happening at about 30 minutes in.

Great watch. 7/10 thruout, ending got it to 8/10.

OK, Good (2012)

You want real cinema?

[9/10 · 17 February 2022]

Well, here it is. As raw as it can get. Very pleasant experience if you can find it and watch it. Pure boldness pushed it to 8/10 but final minutes deserve at least 9/10.

Excursions (2016)

Seen it

[8/10 · 28 January 2022]

I'm not sure if I'm to mark this as non-spoiler-free because it's impossible to see by seemingly anyone. I've seen it. It's solid, it's bold, it have staying power. Characters are mesmerizing.

Was it a mandrake root though? This film is almost vapor and googling brought no answers.

8 out of 10 from admirer of bold indie.

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)

Uhm

[6/10 · 28 January 2022]

I'll get to the point. All throughout I kept imagining pitch meeting. And someone saying 'Yes! Another depressing biopic full of misery about another vague drawn out character? Yes! That is exactly what we were looking for! Cancer and suffering? Bonus! Green lit!'. What? Why? Okay

Honest 6 out of 10.

PS. Yes, Benedict can act.

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Dirty, greasy 60s

[8/10 · 18 January 2022]

Oh wow, this turned out to be a business class movie. Solid entertainment.

It includes: ould Mrs. Doyle, sneaky whiteface, nice collection of pre-modern versions of classic songs, sufficient unpredictability, two (!) Thomasines (one real and one Anya's Thomasine).

Technically strong, professional execution. A little Shyamalanesque even (fanboy here). Visual and audio stimuli galore.

Loved it. It's a 7/10 film but strong ending full of energy earned it extra point, so, 8/10 from me.

Small Engine Repair (2021)

Neither light nor darkness

[7/10 · 4 January 2022]

This film is full of mixed messages, morals, feelings. Really worth a watch for any seasoned movie aficionado.

Unpredictable, changes pace constantly, male lead (who is also the director) is intense and nuanced. Pretty good and consistent acting all around. Technically good. Fusion of genres.

6.5/10 from me. It's good. It's not bad.

Encounter (III) (2021)

Another mislabeled gem

[7/10 · 4 January 2022]

Who put it in as Scifi?? Huh?

It's hardcore psychological thriller drama. No scifi elements at all. Be warned.

Now, the review. Riz Ahmed acts his heart out, kids are great, cinematography is beautiful, score in enchanting. Plenty of locations, keeps your attention. Not exactly predictable. Some nice casting decisions.

Solid 7/10. Just don't expect any scifi, expect darkness and grief. Beautiful darkness. Deep grief.

Belfast (2021)

A pointless letdown

[5/10 · 31 December 2021]

Honestly I was expecting gritty "1917" via kid's eyes or something. Like full on stereotypical Molotovs galore and torrent of grayscale innocent blood pouring from righteous Paddy's head. With kid's parents martyrdom and orphanage included.. Anyways, getting distracted here.

Instead I got a tired b/w filter, a bit of dressing up, a fair share of funny accents and small talk, and constant vinegar face from the female lead.

In my opinion it fails to achieve any of it's hypothetical 'goals': portrayal of period life is a caricature, cinematography is passable at best, it's boring, acting is lazy.

Fair and pentagonal 5/10 from me here, aye.

tick, tick... BOOM! (2021)

Not exactly a Christmas moive... But gosh!

[7/10 · 22 December 2021]

Broadway is a funny business model. It's big, like a planet. It have such gravity - it attracts all kinds of people with very niche talents. Every time I get moved by a "Broadway production" (and let me explain myself here: this is neither theater, nor music performance art. It's a niche art in itself. Also, I won't go here into numbers of seats and number of 'off-'s etc) I'm reminded of that. This one is no exception. It does carry most aspects of "B p", even though it's a film. Lin "Magic" Miranda did an outstanding job. Again. Who doubted? No one.

But that's not what moved me this time. This time it was Amazing Actor-man - Andrew Garfield.

I don't know.. His performance is so nuanced, so poweful and staggering. I just hope he won't be left with some kind of 'actor PTSD' - because he GAVE. He gave more than himself. That is acting. Gosh.

7/10 and this time all of my 7 points go to Andrew, not the film (which is a bit boring and on a downer side).

PS. I just hope that dancer, who performed part of The Movements, did not jump into invisible river and ended up God knows where. Yup.

One Shot (III) (2021)

Really good

[8/10 · 11 December 2021]

Solid directing, photography, acting, sfx, score.

Bold attempt at long shot technique that delivers and even surprises at times.

Really enjoyable. Low scorers, I know your .. kind

8/10.

The Last Duel (2021)

Great comedy!

[7/10 · 7 December 2021]

It was so nice to see old gang back together - Ben and Matt. I've enjoyed this lighthearted movie, even considering the extended runtime. Nice evening watch, I was smiling thruout and even had some guilty giggles towards the finale. It's around 6.8/10. I liked it but was expecting some serious period drama or war movie or something. Well, never mind. Great effort!

Finch (2021)

This movie is a downer

[5/10 · 6 November 2021]

Just a fair warning for good folk. Ruined my evening.

Sorry, but I was unable to see it's beauty and art behind how pointlessly overwhelmingly sad it was.

In a hindsight I'd like to unsee it. Have a vague suspicion it's going to linger and burrow.

5/10 overall. You've been warned.

Dune (2021)

Spice

[6/10 · 19 October 2021]

Spice melange. Nothing special about this one, except hype in asia and other according regions. Just a film. CGI is laughable at times. 6.5/10 at most. What's so wonderful about this film? Nothing. Perhaps a child can get amazed.

The Card Counter (2021)

Solid watch

[7/10 · 3 October 2021]

Great performances, enchanting score. Oscar is amazingly intense. Script isn't perfect, and muffled ending deserved -1 point. But overall - good, modern movie. 7/10.

Free Guy (2021)

Nine and a half

[9/10 · 25 September 2021]

It's nine and a half. Out of ten. That's all you need to know.

9.5/10.

Old (2021)

Heavy stuff

[9/10 · 23 September 2021]

Mighty Night S delivered. Strong, vigorous, robust. 9/10.

Run (I) (2020)

Gripping

[8/10 · 1 September 2021]

Thrilling. Proper movie. Unexpected levels of anxiety. Sufficiently unpredictable. Technically proficient. Great watch. 7.5/10.

Bliss (I) (2021)

Cahill delivers

[10/10 · 28 August 2021]

Finally. Impressive. BOLD. Cahill does it. 10/10. Enjoy.

PS. Nowhere near "confusing" - talking about some millenial "critics" out there.

PPS/Addendum after reading some reviews here: If you think this is not a sci-fi movie, but purely an "addiction movie" - you are wrong. Watch again. And again if necessary. There are plenty of clues. Pure sci-fi and very good one as well.

Pig (I) (2021)

Very good

[7/10 · 27 August 2021]

Quality acting, great script, great score. Loved camera work. Business class movie with a cool gimmick. 7/10.

Come True (2020)

"It follows" it's not!

[5/10 · 18 May 2021]

Please stop comparing.

Nice attempt, but too long, too vague, ending is far from satisfying. Decent score, overly pretentious cinematography. It follows was a straight up gem, no ifs no buts. This one is not. It is iffy. 5/10.

PS. Lead is not Brit Marling and director is not Zal. That's why it didn't work.

Film Fest (2020)

Good watch

[6/10 · 18 April 2021]

Not boring, only light 'B-vibes', honest effort, somewhat lighthearted and funny yet serious.

Exactly 6/10.