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Reviews
The Zone of Interest (2023)
Too Subtle for People Who Need to Understand this Film
I respect Jonathan Glazer's idea for this movie and the themes of the banality of evil, but I feel there is a problem with the final product. People who need to see this movie, especially in today's climate, either won't, or if they do, they may not pick up on anything. Yes, it's obvious it takes place outside of Auschwitz, but anything more than that is very subtle. I don't think it would have hurt to actually make the Nazis seem bad at least once just to hammer the point home.
There are a couple of powerful scenes such as when you can hear the guards find a prisoner who stole an apple, but those scenes are rare. The different filming choices were interesting, but I found that they took away from the movie rather than add. It seems like I'm in the minority for how I feel about this movie and that's ok. I think the ideas this movie presents are strong, but only for people that might already understand those ideas and that's the problem. There are other Holocaust movies that show the true horrors much better and I think that's more important at the end of the day.
Matilda: The Musical (2022)
Why aren't more people talking about this?
I haven't written a review on IMDB in a long time, but I felt like I just had to for this movie. First and foremost, the musical numbers are fantastic. The songs are engaging, the production design is beautiful, and even the singing is good. This is often a problem with movie versions of Broadway plays, but everyone does such a good job here. I have seen the Broadway version a long time ago and had completely forgot about it, but just in the opening number I was flooded with memories of seeing this live and I was filled with joy.
Alisha Weir absolutely shines as Matilda, a misunderstood girl who doesn't receive any love or support from her parents. Stephen Graham and Andre Riseborough are hilarious as her parents. Stephen Graham in particular I thought did an excellent job here. I thought Lashana Lynch did an excellent job of conveying the nervous energy of Miss Honey, but the real standout is Emma Thompson. I remember reading Matilda and being so angry at Miss Trunchbull for all the cruelty she shows the children. Emma Thompson conveys this so well. She is scary, intimidating, and sometimes hilarious and she disappears into the role so well.
Other than the acting, the story is so beautiful and I couldn't help but smile for the majority of the runtime. Sometimes it really does feel like the world is against you and this movie will help put things in perspective and also show you you're not alone. The finishing number with Bruce, played by Charlie Hodson, taking the lead made me feel so happy I almost cried. That hasn't happened to me since I watched The Parent Trap (1998).
I thought this movie could've even been a little longer to capture more of the book, but other than that I don't have that many problems with this movie at all. Don't let the fact that it's adapted from a book and then a stage musical stop you from watching it!
Overall, if you like musicals and you like Roald Dahl, definitely give this one a chance. Even if you don't, I'd say you never know until you try.