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sire021
Reviews
Gran Turismo (2023)
remarkable experience
I'll start this with introducing myself. I'm a 43 non-gamer who stopped playing video games when I was 16. Sure I've played some consoles here and there, predominantly racing games, but nothing really worth mentioning, except that I am a "Forza guy".
I am however familiar with the GT story because it transcends into racing, of which I am a huge fan of... I grew up next to a local street circuit and I also watched most F1 races since late 90s.
Why am I saying all this? Because I think it's important context for what I'm about to say - I WAS ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY BY THIS FILM! Like both clapping and crying at the theatre (which I don't normally do,I assure you... ok maybe that one time I got a bit vocal during the Top Gun reboot).
I wasn't familiar with the driver's story, but I did know GT Academy was very much a real thing with real success behind it.
Gran Turismo hit soooo many right buttons that it's too much to count. I'll just say that the FX at the start with engine visuals had me want to strap df in. Yeah, we've seen those before (in all the 26 FF movies) but the way it was done here was absolutely phenomenal. OMG the sound and the rythm were almost visceral, the transition from video game to "reality" was executed to perfection with basically no arcade feeling.
The personal side of the story was executed good through good acting although maybe it was poorly written... nevertheless the story is so special it connects on an universal level.
This movie is not only recommended if you like speed or games but may be even worth watching twice.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
perfect flick
El Camino will resonate with every perceptive atom in you if you just give it a chance to take you to, what is objectively, an epic journey to a new start.
The pacing and storyline are absolutely phenomenal. I wasn't sure if I was watching a movie, playing a video game or reading a book.
Marco Polo (2014)
great show - do yourself a favor, kick back and play
Firstly, to cancel this show after (2) seasons was an absurd decision. It's a solid 8.1 on IMDb and 93% audience score on RT. What critics were thinking when they played this show down is a complete mystery; most likely they just weren't thinking at all. The only way I can explain such low ratings by critics is if we assume they were working as amateurs and weren't being paid salary for the job. With theory in mind I wish Netflix ignored those amateurs and listened to the actual (also amateur) audience.
Secondly, the show has a strong plot, excellent character development and even better photography. Not only that but it is somewhat historically relevant, albeit not entirely accurate. For sure not every episode is a 10 but some episodes are downright epic!
I never felt the urge to re-watch a show but I will re-watch some of the Marco Polo episodes for sure. If you are a serial netflixer or just a casual viewer that likes good TV don't skip this one.
Het vonnis (2013)
just seen this screening...
based on what I've seen I have to say that I think the movie in general is a little bit banalized... it left me wondering what would of happened if there was added complexity of the retributor NOT being such a perfect/idolized citizen... would he be given the same level of justice?
having said this, I haven't seen better monologues (particularly by the defense attorney and the chief prosecutor) in a while... the opportunistic justice minister's role, however short, was also brilliantly displayed... all of which rate this movie as a more than excellent courtroom drama... last but not least, there are some VERY tangible insights in a light of a different culture/view that make me want to recommend this film to anybody who wishes to travel to a different place
I Will Be Murdered (2013)
must see for documentary fans
just seen this last night at the Chicago International Film Festival.. and a day later I am still thinking about it, needless to say I am deeply moved by this piece (digression: seldom nowadays)
the movie is very eloquently done... the pacing is perfect in my view. it held me in suspense even considering that I was familiar with the story. I'm not going to say much about the progression of the story or the narrative, but I will say that I was utterly engaged throughout the entire display. I will attribute this to extremely intelligent and diligently thought out craft of the director/writer... having said this, and not taking anything away from the movie makers, the story basically wrote itself... what a truly remarkable and deep story about a highly intelligent individual facing ultimate desperation... if you want to see a portrait of life being stranger than fiction, look no more... go see this movie if you can; look into this significant story for it will possibly open the door for you and have you expand on what you think you know about right and wrong
lastly, since I wasn't able to direct any questions towards the very available director last night, I would like to raise one issue that I have with the movie: I felt that the story was personalized to such an extent that the social aspect was muted... I've seen this movie in such a way that it had me take away qualms with the critical commentary of a problem that can be applied to much much bigger issues beyond the current matters in the small country of Guatemala (which is in my view a smart and a grand approach)... but my issue is, this was never stressed in the movie...which left me siting there alone with my thoughts that ultimately Rodrigo was a man that in his death, gave with one hand and took away with the other... it can be argued that any person of any power in all of our societies is faced with the same "dilemma" sooner or later... but in this light, the complex connection between a human and a society is too often overlooked