ernesthaka Reviews

Monkey Man (2024)

Why so much violence?

[6/10 · 29 April 2024]

/I am a great fan of Dev Patel as an actor, Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi, Lion were excellent movies that made me travel alternate realities, with his kind of innocence acting for his destiny.

Monkey Man doesn't have this fantasy. It is dragging us inside two worlds (the poor and the ultra-rich) who are both gruesome in their ways. The movie is very dark, without hope, the red darkness of blood splashing on your face.

It reminds me of Joker, with Joachin Phoenix, for the revenge of the lower class, although I found the writing less subtle, more manichean, in Monkey Man.

And it reminds me of John Wick (mentioned in the movie), for the glorification of killing in a designer suit. I really hated John Wick for that...

The direction and photography are really great, sometimes just a bit too many effects, worth a 9-star rating.

But the graphic violence is unbearable and unnecessary, i was hoping for some fantasy that would elevate the script and allow me to breathe.

Corner Office (2022)

Surreal movie

[9/10 · 4 August 2023]

I need to write a better review than the 1-star so far, it's really unfair, do they have a problem to settle with the director? From the start I've been taken into that weird inhumane building with that weird guy. It reminds of Andy Kaufman scripts, when a little twist makes normal life become surreal.

The morale has probably something to do with finding your own personal space where you can thrive but the system doesn't allow that and you will be squeezed out even if you are among the best.

The writing is brillant, you are really in the guy's head and brought subtly into his strange mind.

If you like smart movies you will love this one.

The Abyss (1989)

Has the most amazing scene

[10/10 · 18 May 2021]

Without spoiling, the scene when the couple has to swim back to the rig, is the most tragic, heroic and breathtaking ever, and is worth watching the movie only for it -- but the rest is great too!

The Trip (II) (1967)

didnt age well

[6/10 · 1 March 2021]

The story is interesting, but the direction, the decors are outdated, i didnt feel taken into that trip, couldnt identify myself with the main character although i was ready for a good trip :)

Trunkfish (2021)

MIddle aged men will understand

[8/10 · 15 February 2021]

The story is a very similar to American Beauty, pace is fast, i didnt get bored with some sexy scenes. The director deserves to be followed.

A Call to Spy (2019)

Deserved a better production

[6/10 · 9 February 2021]

The story is very interesting but the script and direction are too plain, it lacks suspense and emotion.

Budapest (2018)

Subtle humour (yes!)

[8/10 · 18 February 2020]

I watched this movie in French, it's actually sometimes very subtle so it must difficult to translate in English (confirmed after seeing the english subtitles). The movie is a bit long sometimes, but always with good intentions considering how sleezy the topic could become. So i was positively suprised!

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Full of fake scenes

[4/10 · 25 February 2019]

There are many scenes (at least 8 according to Rolling Stone magazine) that simply didnt happen and were fabricated for the purpose of entertainment. The worse one is when they pretend Queen was torn apart by Freddy's solo contract, then reunited just a few weeks before Band Aid so they had to work a show out of nothing and of course did the best show ever. It's just a dramatic gimmick, shame.

Papillon (I) (2017)

Plain movie

[5/10 · 12 November 2018]

Dialogs are boring, direction is good but for an action movie, the whole thing is not subtle at all, much less interesting and captivating than the original.

Errementari (2017)

Looks like a film for television

[5/10 · 23 October 2018]

The direction is ok but not at the level of a great adventure movie. Story could be interesting but i stopped believing it when the Devil appears, grotesque and clumsy.

Sorry to Bother You (2018)

Most amazing movie in a while

[9/10 · 18 October 2018]

Every shot is full of creativity, and it also comes with a social message. It's at the same time hard to believe and sadly realistic.

Thanks Boots Riley for giving this fresh artwork in a sea of violent and/or childish cinema that comes from the US. And thanks for the reference to Michel Gondry too !

3 Idiots (2009)

Really?

[1/10 · 20 August 2018]

I watched this movie after searching for "inspiring movies". 3 Idiots was several times mentioned so i tried it. But sorry i couldnt get past the first hour (the movie is about 3 hours long):

• the humour is really low level, mostly below the belt
• the acting is ridiculously exaggerated, characters are screaming, jumping, making big eyes, ... not subtle at all, it's more miming for kids than acting.
• the scenes are very slow and not interesting