Dev Patel. © 2024 Universal Pictures, Monkeypaw Productions, Bron Studios, Thunder Road Films, Minor Realm, S'YA Concept, WME Independent, and Creative Wealth Media.
Directed by Dev Patel.
Press Screening
Watched it in ICON-X @ Showplace ICON One Small Ember Can Burn Down Everything This ain't your average John Wick esk film. Dev Patel's directorial debut in the action genre with his film Monkey Man is a heart-pounding bloody film with a deep cultural story that makes it stand out. I was expecting pure bloody action sequences but there is care to its narrative and protagonist that makes this film feel fresh and unique. Beyond the action sequences, there is something that connected with me that can be universal and with Patel's direction, writing, and acting, he brought something special to the action genre table. Let's visit India and follow the legend, Monkey Man in his revenge tale. Story: A young man ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he's beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash. After years of suppressed rage, he discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city's sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him. Revenge stories are always intriguing but some of them don't hit the right marks with their emotional beats or brutal moments that keep up the suspense. However, with Monkey Man, Patel delivers those beats while adding the Indian culture to its environments and the protagonist's story arc. The way it is structured is simple but there is surprisingly more character and even backstory development that makes the final act impactful and his altercation with the main antagonist meaningful. Dev Patel's character Kid, faces many challenges like classism, love, and trauma. There is a lot of trauma and PTSD with his character and it is used effectively and luckily, not overdone which tends to be a bit of a problem when relying too much on flashbacks. One of the reasons I said that Kid faces classism is because the story's environment is focused on classism in India and the lives of the poor and the rich. In the film, Kid's younger life was bright and happy because of his mother and they were living in a well respectable community. However, everything falls when Rana (Sikandar Kher) kills his mother and destroys his home. These scenes' environments told a lot about his struggles and with Patel's visual direction, it carried the tone and visual landscape while adding depth to the protagonist's backstory. Overall, it was effective and it is an interesting aspect that Patel tackled. Adding onto that aspect, beyond the bloody revenge story, there is also some political commentary and representation on-screen. It felt natural within the story and it added a level of realism which enriches the themes and visual elements. As for the actual revenge story, it is deeply about trauma and love. Patel mixes flashbacks and present time effectively through editing which strengthens the emotional beats and Kid's PTSD. His relationship with his mother which became the key that made him become the hero was constructive and with Kid's enemies like Rana and Baba, it powers his rage which makes his character so compelling and fearless, and also makes the action feel more raw and powerful. His character arc went from climbing up to a better life, getting beaten down by his own trauma, re-facing and evaluating that trauma, and ultimately fighting and defeating that trauma. With Dev Patel's direction, that character arc was executed very well and I was so compelled by how he keeps facing his trauma but also learning his struggles and using those struggles as strengths to become the monkey man. Altogether, his character is compelling with depth and with the socio-political commentary tied into the environment of the story, it makes a sturdy and raw story that makes the total bloody action feel right in its own way. As for the other characters in the story, I thought they served a purpose in Kid's journey. Most of them had limited screen time but they brought out each important element that triggers Kid's feelings, or a subtle action. Rana and Sita (Sobhita Dhulipala) were the main triggers to Kid's trauma and their roles in the film were well-developed with limited dialogue between Kid. The visual direction that Petal executed in displaying Kid's trauma is very strong and it doesn't shy away it's realistic, meaningful, and sometimes uncomfortable scenes. He focused a lot on visuals and it worked right with these characters specifically. I also cannot deny that Alphonso (Pitobash) was a funny character and he brought the action charm to the film. As for Alpha (Vipin Sharma), Alpha became a cornerstone character for Kid's journey and Alpha's mentorship role strengthened the struggles of Kid's trauma as a way to overcome his own trauma. I would say this is the standout side character in the film and his role overall brought depth to the environment of the story and most importantly, the culture. Lastly, it is also nice seeing Sharlto Copley back on the silver screen. His role was energetic and added a level of craziness to the wild nights in India. These characters altogether had an impact on the protagonist's arc, trauma, or the environment of the story. As I mentioned before, the film's culture serves as an important background in the film and through its revenge story.
The culture in Monkey Man is diverse and rich in each setting in almost every scene. The environments play a key part in building the protagonist's backstory and current struggles. With the great and grounded production design, it makes each environment very distinct and unique. What also makes it unique is that some environments represent the protagonist's journey including his emotions. Especially inside the luxury hotel on each floor, the wide variety of neon colors support the cinematography and add a layer to the character's emotion through production design. Back to the overall culture presented in the film, there is authenticity and social commentary from Patel's direction. From the cultural myths and arts to the film's music, there is a rich variety of Indian culture and luckily in the film, we get to see a huge variety of locations that diversify the whole culture. I really enjoyed Patel's direction with his personal injection of the Indian culture. All of these elements lead to the biggest element that makes his film brutal and the story gritty and grounded.
Dev Patel's action direction is raw, brutal, bloody, heart-pounding, and fun! This is the real juice that keeps the momentum and suspense of the film, including its important character development scenes which lead to the bloody final act. Patel's action style is right in front of our noses when shit goes down. A lot of interesting Dutch angles, close-ups, and shaky camera movements that feel just so right for this film alone. It is total pack-a-punch in each action scene and there is some breather between the action. Yet, when the action is about to commence, the intensity already shines into the emotions of the characters and it explodes once the first punch hits. I knew that this film was going to be bloody but it was a blood-fest and there is more hand-to-hand combat rather than gunfight which is a nice change in this modern era of action films. Patel keeps telling in many interviews that he broke his arm, his fingers, and other bones. By that news, I am not that surprised and there is a lot of creativity within the sequences in terms of physicality. Patel kicked ass hard in these sequences and the action alone is worth the ticket to see all of the brutality on the big screen. As for the technical aspects, it is a well-produced film with a lot of creativity within its restrictions based on interviews from Patel. The technical production is excellent and while there were restrictions due to a limited budget, there is a lot of creativity that couldn't been possible without those restrictions. The cinematography is very slick with a lot of beautiful colors and smart lighting choices. The Dutch angles as I mentioned earlier were a key aspect to the cinematography and it worked well due to the visceral and raw nature of the violence present. Especially with the shaky cam technique, it worked in creating that grounded action. The editing is also well done and I cannot find a way to complain about the fast editing here because it was necessary to visualize some of the trauma of the protagonist and the flashbacks. As for the production design, as I explained earlier in the review, I thought it was very great due to the culture of the country and the emotional connection with the protagonist. It also supported well with the overall visuals which is also nice to see. The film's score is also good with a lot of recognizable songs which did not bother me for the most part. Based on the many interviews about the production itself made me appreciate the technical aspects and it is insane how they pulled it off. A fantastic round of applause to the production team. While I love the creativity of this film narratively and its technical elements, there are still some flaws that I ran into. One of those flaws is the supposed main villain Baba (Makarand Deshpande). His scenes were cool and served a purpose, but I found his character quite lacking until his last scene with the protagonist. Even though his presence felt strong, his character overall didn't seem interesting until his last scene. It felt like the main villain for half of the film is Rana and while that balance worked out, I was still itching for more of Baba's backstory. I was a bit underwhelmed with Sita on her relationship with the protagonist. Besides those flaws aside from minimal pacing issues, I was hooked with the film until the final frame. As for the ending, some will have mixed feelings on it but it worked for me. Ultimately, Monkey Man is another achievement in the action genre and a fantastic directorial debut from Dev Patel. It is bloody, raw, gut-punching, vivid, and brutal from start to finish. Lots of creativity within the cinematography, production design, and action sequences. More importantly, there is a lot of great depth in the protagonist's journey and the culture being represented. A ballpark of a film and I am happy that Universal picked it up for theatrical distribution because this is a must-see action-packed film. Let Patel cook more within directing.
Now Playing in Theaters, including in Dolby Cinema!
Vizeit Score: "A"
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Copyright © 2024 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. Editor In-Chief/Owner of Vizeit Reviews | (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
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Josh Hutcherson. © 2023 Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, and Scott Cawthon Productions. Directed by Emma Tammi.
Watched it at AMC Theaters
Can You Survive The Five Nights? After waiting for almost a decade, it's finally here. Bouncing from different studios and directors, was it worth the wait? As a fan of the video game franchise, this was worth the wait. As a casual viewer who doesn't know the lore and even the general idea of this franchise, proceed with caution. Yet, you will find some enjoyability with the adorable killing animatronics. This is another win for the continued success of video game adaptations and this is another stepping stone for more future projects to come. Join me at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza and let's see the animatronics up close in person. Well, not that up-close or you will get bitten. Story: The film follows Mike, a young man who is troubled to find a job after a work incident. While Mike is taking care of her little sister Abby, Mike finds a night guard shift that will help pay his bills while still taking care of Abby. However, during this night shift, he witnesses unusual events that may connect to some murders in the past. With the help of Vanessa, a local police officer, they uncover clues that may be connected to Mike directly. This video franchise will always have a special place in my heart. Seeing the iconic animatronics come to life in live-action is fantastic. The detail of these animatronics is astonishing. Freddy, Chica, Bonnie, and Foxy are all amazing and sometimes, deadly adorable. The production design done by Marc Fisichella alongside his art crew really captured the design of the pizzeria with many details and easter eggs that fans will catch on to. From the little posters to a huge animatronic, they really made sure that the world of FNAF really captured the essence and atmosphere from the games to film. Plus, since the game is very lore-heavy, they eased on the lore easter eggs so new fans can join the mystery. But what mystery? Well, the mystery being unfolded in this film is interesting because not only does it take story elements from the game, but it mixes them with new and easy FNAF lore elements that make the plot easier to follow. In the original game, it's just a click-and-point game but there was hidden lore when you started to get through the five nights. However, the game progressed into a lore-driven game, and taking those elements into cinematic elements was going to be difficult. Seeing this story now come to life on the big screen was worth the risk as a fan of the game. The story was unique in terms of branching Mike's story which makes his personality and character more deeper. We not only get to see him working at the pizzeria surviving the night during his night shift, but we get to see his personal life with his young sister. Plus, the big thing that really made me care about his character is the custody battle between him and his aunt. That small story really comes into full play with the main story of the film and it adds character to Mike's personal struggles. Plus, Mike's trauma which we explore through flashback sequences helps connect the lore and the main plot throughout the film. The film takes unique routes within its screenplay and it's done mostly well to help new audiences explore this unique story and lore. Besides Mike's story, the supporting characters are solid. I really liked Vanessa's storyline which intertwines the whole story. Abby's storyline was good but it really focused on her relationship with Mike. There is one side character that I want to mention but for the sake of spoilers, he's important throughout the arc of the story. Overall, the story lands on its own by providing its spin on the lore and the plot doesn't get sidetracked which is a major positive since many video game adaptations feel off from that.
Speaking of video game adaptations, this is another win for this type of adaptation. As an OG fan of the game, this is a great translation from game to film. From the set design, animatronics, characters, and lore, it successfully builds off what the game established. What more video game movies are doing recently is taking the source of the game and completely translating it while adding a spin to it. The Super Mario Bros successfully does that and now with FNAF, filmmakers are actually respecting the source material. In addition to that, they are building more story and deep personalities to the characters or adding more world-building. Before studios started to take notes on this, filmmakers created their own stories and it pissed off many fans from the games they are adapting. However, if the story is entertaining and engaging, it works like Sonic The Hedgehog. With FNAF in particular, it adds on new material from the established material from the game. Plus, the biggest factor to include is that the original game creator, Scott Cawthon, is part of the entire production process. He's credited as a writer and producer. This is huge for an indie game developer to oversee the project, yet, give the creative freedom to Emma Tammi on the project. Overall, it creates a great relationship between the filmmaker, the creator, and most importantly, the fans. In the end, it worked and it brought many great easter eggs, twists, and changes from the lore onto the silver screen, and added story elements to make the characters have more depth. It's a huge win for this type of adaptation.
At the beginning of the review, I praised the film's production design but the other technical elements in the film that I didn't mention are also solid. I really liked the cinematography in this film. It's interesting they went for a 1:85:1 aspect ratio. The music is also excellent and I liked the opening theme of the film. What I'm surprised by is that they edited this film in under six months because the film wrapped in April. Kudos to the editors behind this film. It's a solid Blumhouse technical film and with the budget being under 20 million dollars, it looks very good. I hope the film gets a budget bump. Even with all of this praise, I still have some critiques that many will agree on. One of the biggest things that disappointed me as a fan of the game is the horror aspects of this adaptation. In the first game, the atmosphere, sound design, and even the coloring of the game felt very haunting and real. In this adaptation, the horror wasn't sparking. I didn't feel scared at all. I just felt excited. While having that excitement is positive, I didn't feel any huge tension with the animatronics on screen. The final act saved that heavily which sucks because I wanted to experience and feel that horror in the first two acts, not the final act. Some of the side characters were a bit underwhelming, especially with the aunt character. While that wasn't the most important storyline in the film, I feel like they could've improved it well with its writing. Even some of the character's arcs could've been sharper. Also yes, there are plot holes that could be answered in the sequel. But the biggest thing that I wish they could've tweaked is the story structure of certain characters. Especially with the main villain and I feel like the build-up was good, but it didn't feel impactful. Even as a fan of the game who knows the villain of the franchise, I felt like his entrance wasn't that impactful. Plus, the story was predictable and easy to figure out. Yet, I was still engaged and enjoying seeing these characters interact with one another. I still found enjoyment with these flaws and I hope they take them seriously for the next entry in this new franchise. Beyond the terrifying adorable animatronics, this is a great addition to the video game film adaptation collection. It successfully adapts what worked in the game and translates it into film. The characters are solid. The technical elements, especially the production design are great. The directing is very solid and overall, they made this film fun and engaging for new audiences and fans of the franchise. This is another win for Blumhouse and I cannot wait to spend more nights with these killer creatures. I hope Springtrap isn't at the next location.
Now Playing Only in Theaters and on Peacock!
Vizeit Score: "B"
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Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. Editor In-Chief/Owner of Vizeit Reviews | (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
WINNER - BEST MOTION PICTURE (3RD ANNUAL VIZEIT FILM AWARDS)
Cillian Murphy. © 2023 Universal Pictures, Syncopy Inc., and Atlas Entertainment. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Vizeit Reviews is in solidarity with the WGA & SAG, however, SAG will allow film critics to continue their normal movie critiques as usual but with certain restrictions.
Watched it in 70mm Film & in IMAX @ Cinemark
The World Forever Changes World War II was such a critical event in human history. The conflict was so grand that it defied expectations of violence, politics, and the future of the world. All because of one man, J. Robert Oppenheimer. The man who rumbled the earth and the face of Barbenheimer. No pink in the film which sucks but it didn't stop Christopher Nolan from bringing this story come to life in the biggest format possible. Experiencing this film on IMAX and for the second time in an actual 70mm film theater was fantastic. Both formats really brought the story to a grander scale that no biopic film has ever done in years. This is the film that I have been waiting for in 2023 and I'm happy to say that, like in World War II, it destroyed my expectations. Let's go back to 1940s New Mexico, to the vast empty lands and witness together the first nuclear test in history. Story: During World War II, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. appointed physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer and a team of scientists spent years developing and designing the atomic bomb. Their work came to fruition on July 16, 1945, as they witnessed the world's first nuclear explosion, forever changing the course of history. Before the first ever footage was released alongside NOPE, I was already hyped to see how Christopher Nolan would tackle a real-life scientist about his work on the atomic bomb. I think the film could've been epic, big, and realistic. Well, after watching the film twice now, I was right. However, this film didn't have a lot of action, but it did have intense dialogue and direction that made the dialogue scenes feel like action scenes. Now that's incredible. Some audience members will be lost during the dialogue sequences but Nolan tries to elevate that with magnificent visuals to keep the audience engaged. However, even if Nolan didn't direct this film, Nolan's screenplay of the film is fantastically written. Since the screenplay book came out, it points out that the film is half objective and subjective. The book also indicates that the color sequences are all in first-person point of view from the perspective of Oppenheimer. All of that together combines an intense screenplay that Nolan or maybe even Oppenheimer would've imagined how these events and moments would be viewed before the bomb. The screenplay takes a deeper look into the relationships between Oppenheimer, his friends and colleagues, and the intricacies of their work as they toiled to create the bomb. The film then follows the trial that happened after the end of the war. One little detail that made Oppenheimer's POV distinctive is the inclusion of Oppenheimer's wife's point of view since she's the only personal attachment to Oppenheimer. Even a tiny bit from Oppenheimer's ex-girlfriend before he met his real wife. Even though the film is heavily on Oppenheimer's view, it changes to the objective point of view through the eyes of Lewis Strauss. However, it's not just his POV, but the real-life facts of Oppenheimer's trial, including how some of the public viewed him during the crucial events. The black & white sequences really brought Oppenheimer into a different view that may change the audience's perspective while watching the film. It's a smart and interesting move that will make the dialogue more action than tension and it opens the life of Lewis Strauss into a lighter or darker side depending on how people view the film. Strauss's scenes felt very villainous and seeing the hardcore facts about the trail felt like a documentary. With the intense dialogue from Strauss and how the scenes were filmed like a documentary, it felt like two movies at once. I really loved that Nolan tried something new from his previous film, especially when he started to change his story structure from Interstellar. Both the color and black & white sequences served to flesh out the differing perspectives that exist within the story. The time-jumps were not confusing to me because of the in-depth research I did around the film, and by the third act, I had started grasping the storytelling technique Nolan was using (you might be aware of his directing style that involves non-linear and anachronistic stories like Memento for example). I started to think that the formats were a tool to distinguish facts from public opinion. It's brilliant in many ways and the way it ends in color with its final scene really impacted the whole message of the entire film. All of this wouldn't happen without Nolan himself. Christopher Nolan elevated the biopic sub-genre into something more epic. A simple biographical story turned into a cinematic action film had never been done in that style before in Hollywood. Especially for this kind of story which includes WWII but does not take place on the frontlines of the bloody war. Nolan directs this film like it's a typical Nolan film but he changes up his style with the two different color formats and also presents this film as a mix of documentary and fiction. Nolan wants to make every scene feel impactful. The way he directs dialogue gives you the impression that you are immersed in an action sequence. That pacing is emphasized by the work of fantastic editor Jennifer Lame (Black Panther, Marriage Story, Tenet). Nolan takes every opportunity to try something new with this film and it keeps working in terms of directing actors. For example, Nolan keeps his supporting actors like background characters for a bit until something critical comes up to them. Plus, he focuses only on tow points of view: Oppenheimer and Lewis Strauss. These two differing views created a connective tissue that made the story easier to follow. Nolan worked not to spread himself too thin. The way Nolan directs his lead actor Cillian Murphy really elevates the character but gives Murphy the chance to try new things and lead the cast. Cillian and Nolan are the real leaders of this film and Nolan takes this opportunity to make a simple story with a packed cast into a cinematic epic that will live on for decades. Besides directing his actors, Nolan changed his visual directing to a whole new level. Sometimes, Nolan operates the camera and goes crazy in his visual direction. More than any Nolan film, there are a lot of close-ups and wide shots and there's a reason why. Since this is about Oppenheimer, the film leans into the psychological side and Nolan captures tight close-ups of Oppenheimer to capture his feelings. Not only that, Nolan mixes in practical effect shots of the nuke, radiation, and other scientific elements to show what Oppenheimer is really thinking and make certain scenes more intense without any action elements. Nolan also utilized epicness in the most critical scene of the entire film which was the Trinity test. That scene alone really elevated the scope of the film after the test sequence and set the biopic sub-genre to its peak. The scope itself brought the film to new territories that no filmmaker had ever encountered before. It's quite a challenge for Nolan but he managed to bring a huge action-level scope into a grounded biopic film by making smaller scenes feel personal, bigger dialogue scenes shot like an action film, and emotional scenes feel like documentary yet cinematic. It's all the flavors into one and Nolan balanced it out very well to make this film stand out from just a normal war story into a once-in-a-lifetime event film that has to be seen in the biggest theater possible. I'm happy that Nolan took this story into an epic but he cannot do it without the special use of his good old IMAX cameras and his collaborator since Interstellar.
Nolan really loves to use his IMAX 70mm film cameras and it was expected that he will use those cameras again for this film. However, since it was a biopic, it would be an interesting challenge for Nolan to take on. However, Nolan's frequent DP, Hoyte van Hoytema, really took Oppenheimer's visuals to a whole new level and made it feel as authentic as possible. Hoytema used the IMAX format in new territory that IMAX had never explored. The biggest one being the use of B&W film in IMAX 70mm film. Kodak collaborated with IMAX to create it for this film and it looks absolutely fantastic, especially on IMAX 70mm film or on standard 70mm B&W film. Since there were no action scenes with the exception of the nuclear test sequence, the IMAX scenes were used constantly during wider shots and important dialogue sequences. The shallow depth of field really supported the huge scale of the film and the gritty look of Oppenheimer tailed what Nolan envisioned for the visual storytelling. Not only that, but the audio in IMAX is also very explosive and great. I'll go a bit in-depth with the general audio later on but in the IMAX format, it was definitely very loud. Especially during the nuclear test sequence which is the main selling point of the IMAX experience. Overall, the IMAX image looks unreal, however, after seeing the film in both standard IMAX and 70mm film, I would say 70mm is the way to go. The 70mm film image looks clear and crisp with unique colors different from standard digital. While it's not a bigger image, I was still sucked into the story with the beautiful raw cinematography and feeling that it was taken back in the 1940s. Watching a film in a real 70mm film feels very different from IMAX and I'm glad I saw both. Hoytema really stepped up his game with this film and I cannot wait to see what he will innovate next with IMAX and the future of film.
Funny that I haven't even got to the performance because that's where the heat of the film is really located. From the moment that Cillian Murphy was announced as the lead, I was immediately hooked on what type of cast Nolan would take on. Every month until the release of the film, a lot of big talented, and recognizable rising stars took onto the film, and in the end, it became one of the biggest ensemble casts of all time. This huge ensemble cast is fantastic on every level. Everyone in this cast did an amazing job or gave their best performance in their careers. Nolan really pushed everyone to their limits through their respective characters and it shows that through their chemistry with Oppenheimer or other characters around. Before we get to Cillian's performance and character, the supporting cast really brought the background to life and made Cillian's performance more impactful than ever. One of the standouts would be Josh Hartnett's performance as Ernest Lawrence. His performance really shined and his friendship with Oppenheimer was the strongest. Easily Hartnett's best career performance and that includes many other actors in the film. Tom Conti as Albert Einstein was surprisingly very good and he had quite some screentime than I expected. I enjoyed Gary Oldman's quick cameo as President Truman since he is a frequent collaborator with Nolan in The Dark Knight trilogy. I loved Benny Safdie's performance including the other scientists in the room with Oppenheimer like Jack Quaid, Josh Peck, David Krumholtz, and many others. The government personnel as well including standout performances from Dane DeHaan, Jason Clarke, and obviously Matt Damon. There are so many recognizable actors in the film that it felt like a genuine real old cameo. Emily Blunt as Oppenheimer's wife was also fantastic and I can easily see her snagging an Oscar nomination soon. Florence Pugh's chemistry with Cillian Murphy's character was also solid but I wish we could've got more of her on-screen. Yet, for the time she was given, it was great! Matt Damon really brought his A-game into the film and I was surprised the given screen-time he had. He did a terrific job of bringing this character into a likable view with Oppenheimer and his friendship with Oppenheimer was also very great. The main antagonist Lewis Strauss, played by Robert Downey Jr., was absolutely amazing and it's Downey's best performance in his career and probably since Tropic Thunder. His character attempts to crush Oppenheimer but with the counter results in the final act, the way he takes it was so satisfying which elevated Downey's performance and what future will his real-life character will take into. Overall, the supporting cast is fantastic but we cannot forget the main lead which is Cillian Murphy himself as Oppenheimer. Murphy really delivered a career performance with his complex representation of a real-life person that shaped not just the war but the future itself. He is in almost every scene in the film and it's surrounding him. He is at the forefront of the creation of the bomb. It feels like this is the true Oppenheimer on-screen and Murphy made sure that his character stays true to its core. It's phenomenal and easily the best performance of the decade so far. So much work to bring this character to life, however, Murphy took it very seriously and in the end, he was born to play this role. I'm so happy that he finally got his chance to shine as the main role in this epic Nolan film. Even though the actors and the director are at the forefront of this epic film, the whole production team really put all of their effort into creating a beautiful production that looks straight out of the 1940s. Bringing these events to life isn't easy for the big screen but the fantastic film crew really made it as authentic and epic as possible. The production design is fantastic with the recreation of Los Alamos and bringing the nuclear test site to life. Everything is almost practical and the costume design here is flawless. I really liked Oppenheimer's different clothing he wore during his time and seeing each period changing through sets, clothing, and props. I'm glad that Nolan relocated the budget to the sets to make the film as authentic as possible. The make-up is also very well done, especially during the final act of the film. As I mentioned earlier, the editing is great for this type of film and it kept the pacing strong throughout the film. The music is absolutely jaw-dropping. Ludwig Göransson's music really elevates certain moments in the film to fill that epicness bubble and to create a feeling that this is an event that will change the future. His rhythmic style is still present to create this intense feeling and by the end of the film, you would immediately play the entire soundtrack and recognize which music was composed for a certain scene. Lastly, the practical effects and VFX here are amazing and I'm happy that the bomb recreation was all practical with some VFX to bring up the energy on screen. Overall, the production is fantastic and I'm happy to see Nolan utilizing every penny on screen to make this film as authentic and epic as possible on a $100 million dollar budget. Now that's dedication. I cannot forget the sound design which is a controversial thing now in Nolan films. This time, however, it was much better than Tenet, and seeing this film in IMAX was definitely a huge improvement. Even though I really love this film, I still have some issues which is typical. The third act really started to take it slow with its story but it didn't ruin the overall pacing of the film. There are some moments that could've been shortened or cut out completely but I was still invested in them. I can't think of another flaw but overall, this film was epic from beginning to end. Christopher Nolan delivers another bombastic epic film with fantastic career performances, beautiful IMAX cinematography, and fantastic production design to bring Oppenheimer's story come to life! This was an absolute ride from start to finish and I was floored by every aspect of this film. The scope is bigger since Interstellar and this is Nolan's best film since The Dark Knight. One of the best cinematic experiences in a theater and on top of that, doing the Barbeheimer double feature was very special. I cannot wait to see what Christopher Nolan will cook next for the future of cinema. Now Playing Only in Theaters and in IMAX 70mm! (selected cinemas around the world) Vizeit Score: "A+"
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Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. Editor In-Chief/Owner of Vizeit Reviews | (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
Vin Diesel. © 2023 Universal Pictures, Original Film, One Race Films, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films, and Perfect Storm Entertainment. Directed by Louis Leterrier.
Watched it in IMAX @ AMC Theaters
The End of the Road Begins It's 2023. Cinema is thriving, I graduated from my community college and transferred to a private college to finish my film degree, the Cannes Film Festival is happening, life is normal, and there's Fast X. Another Fast & the Furious film, couldn't get much better than this. This time, it's finally coming to an end...but there are two more movies left. However, this film definitely hits the mark in the franchise where the steam is almost over and I can't deny saying this but it was dumb action fun. Why now? Well, join me with the car crew and travel across the world while trying not to get killed by Aquaman himself. Story: Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they must confront the most lethal opponent they've ever faced. Fueled by revenge, a terrifying threat emerges from the shadows of the past to shatter Dom's world and destroy everything -- and everyone -- he loves. This franchise never stops doing their good old dumb action fun and I love that this film goes insane. However, it's not about all the action, it's about family. The cast ensemble is pretty good and there are more characters in this film than any other movie in the franchise. However, that's a good thing because it balances the characters and their acres well by not being too convoluted and sticking each character with one main centric goal throughout the film. Vin Diesel leading the crew as Dominic Toretto was solid but his character progression throughout the film is so uncanny. His presence seems relaxed yet awaiting something dangerous. He's the leader of the wolf pack for sure and his personality shines, but he does become a cartoon character sometimes. The other side characters are also good alongside the newcomers in the franchise. It's nice to see Brie Larson in another big franchise alongside rising new stars Daniela Melchior and Alan Ritchson in this blowing franchise. This time, the team is separated into different areas of the world and it makes the stakes more higher and entertaining. The biggest standout character in the film is Dante Reyes played by Jason Momoa. He is the big bad and he definitely is the big bad wolf of the franchise. He doesn't care if someone dies or does ruthless things to people. He's straight-up a villain with a motivation behind it. His performance is so wacky yet fun and great. His character personality really shines and whenever he pops on screen, I'm going to get a good scene of cinema. Besides the cast, the story is very simple to follow but there are interesting plot points that make this story much better than the last entry.
The plot isn't short but there are plot points that make the story more intense and the final act really made it more clear that this plot is going bigger. It's a messy plot for sure but I was following it along like it's a piece of cake. The action sequences are plain fun. I really like the Rome action sequence with the mix of practical and visual effects in play. The other action sequences are pretty entertaining and the laws of gravity and physics are out of the window at this point. It's very hilarious that even the fighting scenes are now unrealistic. Can't lie that I enjoyed the hell out of it. The production is pretty solid and I liked the placement of licensed songs in each scene. Overall, it's a trip of a film but there are problems that I found within the trip.
One of the main issues I encounter is the editing itself. Holy shit, it's so bad and over the top. There are a lot of continuity errors during the action scenes including during the dialogue scenes with the characters just talking. That is hilarious. I got so pissed off immediately that my friend who watched this film with me noticed the bad editing in the first half. I know it's a blockbuster studio film but please, it's too much for my eyes. The cinematography is pretty lacking in some scenes which is unfortunate. The plot is simple but there are too many plot holes within the script that makes the dialogue seem empty at some points. It's a soap opera with cars at this point. There are moments in the film where it shocked me but it made me question extensively why did it happen or what will happen next. Plus, there were unnecessary scenes including the fight scene within the lab that made no sense to the plot and it dragged out the runtime. However, I give props to the film by not making me bored and kept me entertained. It didn't feel long which is a good thing. However, it did add unnecessary time to make the drama more intense. The ending is questionable in a good and bad way. Without spoilers, the ending made me excited for the next entry but also made me worry about how plain this script is and the drama behind the scenes. The script could've used more work but was I entertained? Hell yeah. Would I watch it again? Maybe not. Still, I had a good time even with these problems. The heat of this franchise is about to close but this was still a good entry in the long-running franchise. As the 10th film in a series, it's not that bad but the problems are still lurking in the shadows and it's catching up very fast. However, the characters and action kept me entertained throughout the film and when the film wrapped, I wanted more. It's a fun dumb ride and it took me back to the good moments of Fast Five and I hope we actually get to finish this franchise for good. Plus, more Jason Momoa, please! Now Playing Only in Theaters in IMAX and Digital. Vizeit Score: "B-" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for continuing supporting my indie film website.) Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage. © 2023 Universal Pictures, Skybound Entertainment, and Giant Wildcat. Directed by Chris McKay.
Watched it at AMC Theaters
Dracula Sometimes Needs A Helper... Quick Review: Vampire films seem to be nonexistent now in modern cinema but it's good to have one in a while. Especially if it's a Nicolas Cage feature because that would slap. Well, we have one and it indeed slaps but with some issues along the way. This film is pretty campy and I feel like the tone really fits with this film. The campy vibes alongside the horror aspects and action were pretty entertaining. I really like the action set-pieces and it felt refreshing seeing good old bloody action scenes that are just plain fun. However, it can be overedited a lot and sometimes way too much. Still, I enjoyed it. The characters are solid. I liked Nicholas Hoult's performance as Renfield and his character is quite interesting. Throughout his character arc, we see him balance between good and bad but more on the good side. The character tropes were very present in the film, especially some of those tropes interacting with the story by making it feel cliché. Renfield as a character is still good and his soft personality really stands him out throughout the film. Nicolas Cage as Dracula is so funny and very good. I loved his campy performance and his character was well done. I loved how his character didn't give a crap about anything and just wanted world domination like any other villain. The side characters are good. Seeing Ben Schwartz as a gangster is not what I imagined and his performance was hilarious. Awkwafina was cool in her supporting role but her character was weak because it felt we have seen this type of character a lot in comedy films. Plus, the way it was set up was totally weak. It could've been much more strongly written and that's where I find my main issue. The film was pretty weak in its character set-up besides Renfield and Dracula. I couldn't find my footing until the second act. However, the performances still kept me entertained till the end. Overall, it's a solid vampire film with good performances and fun bloody action sequences. The set-up was weak with cliché tropes and a story that felt familiar yet not. Still, I had a good time watching Nicolas Cage go berserk. Now Playing in Theaters and on VOD. Vizeit Score: "B-" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for continuing supporting my indie film website.) Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC]) |
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