Somewhat slow and not very surprising. The story of MLKs infidelities is well known, and the racism of Hoover and the FBI is too. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting documentary that gets better as it goes. I would have liked to have seen someone hold up officially released FBI documents and describe how they changed the story of MLK and the FBI, instead we get another MLK biopic with more focus on Hoover’s campaign against him.
A patchwork of grainy historic footage, degraded 70s and 80s commercials, hokey stock footage, hand drawn clips, and interviews with modern people. Stories of immigrants coming to new lives are so important and yet this film seems to have nothing to say of value beyond “America is a better life than life under the Khmer Rouge”.
The film has no specific narrative, just little vignettes with characters that are related to the eponymous Donut King. It is repetitive, slow, loops back on itself multiple times, uninteresting and barely about donuts. Its glaring lack of political point is like the hole in the middle of the donut. It’s sweet, American, capitalistic and empty.
As powerful as one of Muhammad Ali’s punches with the timeless urgency of Sam Cooke’s music, One Night in Miami is a fantastic imagining of four African-American champions at their peak. The dialogue is crisp, the staging is energetic and the message is so powerful it’s hard to resist. All four actors could see nominations, and the film is a strong contender for Best Picture. Wow. I loved this film. Regina King knocked it out of the park — and then some.
Sort of an buddy flick adventure story, sort of an allegory for reconstruction of both individuals and a country, News of the World has gorgeous photography and a decent script, a strong performance from Hanks, but it’s ultimately just a little slow and predictable. I liked it, and I would recommend it, but I didn’t love it. Definitely well made though.
You could view this as a more personal version of the documentary “13th”. The story doesn’t quite always make sense, but that’s hardly the point. What’s real is that family connection, commitment, love and struggle. All of these emotions are real, clear and present. It’s not a particularly coherent film at times (or its unorthodox style intends confusion as a pressure like the passage of time on the audience), but it’s hugely respectable and a very important topic. A bit of a palate cleanser film, despite its important issues.
A lovely film that shows at once a personal and universal story. Funny, warm, heartbreaking, and an interesting way of showing the pressure of the American Dream — and more importantly — its relationship to the male ego.
Lovely animation, great performance by Jamie Foxx, wonderful music, and important emotional connections. It’s largely great, but it misses the mark on explaining more about purpose and spark. It’s got soul, but does it have a point?
Beautiful, lyrical and allegorical for acceptance of outsider differences, civil war, corruption of power, family, and many more things. The way the animation fuses hand drawn with CG and uses the multi frame approach is brilliant. Highly recommended.
Chadwick Boseman proves he was a force to be reckoned with in this film. Viola Davis is as good, but the material doesn't do much to let her shine (though the movie set's lights do).
This adaptation of Wilson's play shows the themes of that work are just as important as they were 25 years ago when the stage show premiered. It's the story of America: Post-Slavery African Americans vs. White Capitalism. Is recording the music of black recording artists by capitalists just another way to make money off their labour? The film doesn't answer that question directly, but it's nonetheless important to ask. The story is that of America: Sex, art, philosophy, science, violence, racism, it's all there. It's life. The themes are just as sharp and relevant today.
Unfortunately, the film doesn't quite knock it out of the park. The recordings are well done, the costumes and sets are super, but something about how the direction pushes the thematic elements, is found to be lacking. It does give Chadwick Boseman a great opportunity for a final performance. He will undoubtedly get a posthmous Oscar nomination, possibly the win. He will be missed.
It excels at all three, but, ultimately, it’s a movie that will keep messing with my brain hours after it’s gone, and that’s an impressive feat. In a practical view, the logistics of the script supervision must have been insane. Dramatically, the action is wonderful fun, though narratively it doesn’t always make sense, but it moves at such a breakneck speed, it’s hard to care. Technically, Nolan proves he is still at the top of his game. Should I talk about it dramatically? Technically? Practically?
A strong, important story, is let down by a movie-of-the-week level of scriptwriting and a middling performance by Michael B. Jordan. Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson outshine Jordan in every scene, but much of the problem is the script ironically not injecting any real human mannerisms into the dialogue. Every sentence is very matter of fact: “I think this. We should do this.”
That said, the finale is a very emotional one that had me choked up and there are definitely some speeches that could be classics.
With some refinement, this could be an excellent movie, but, for me, it was just good.
America’s democracy has been systematically broken by design. This is undeniably because of racism. This documentary has all the proof you need.
Stacey Abrams anchors this film brilliantly, but the historical perspective is given equal billing from Reconstruction to Selma. As the documentary lays out, the implications of the 2013 ruling on the Voting Rights Act are monstrous. The SCOTUS should be ashamed of itself.
A visual and emotional symphony celebrating an individual and life in general. Part sad, but mostly hilarious. I will say it felt a bit heavy on the religious elements, but that might be personal preference.
Some really great behind the scenes storytelling that feels extremely honest, and a film with no pre-requisite Beastie experience - still, fans might get more out of it.
A remarkable film for its two leading women and the power they portray in the face of the tyranny of men, and those who seek to control their lives through lies and manipulation.
It struck me that nothing in the film is exaggerated as it seeks to show just how exaggerated reality is.
Never boring and frequently jaw dropping, this is a film that should be recognized as a modern day classic.
Much more story driven than the original, but to its detriment, ultimately. The plot’s pathos is a bit of an albatross for what most viewers will expect from this film.
Borat 2 has one or two shocking moments, but its ultimate point may in fact be to point out how not shocking certain elements are. The conspiracy theories of the fringe right make for an easy target, but it SHOULD be shocking just how insane they are. Sadly, for anyone following the news about these groups, they probably know the lies they believe. Cohen does a great job of getting these people to reveal the depths of their depravities, but it’s not particularly surprising.
I can’t say I enjoyed Borat 2, but when the film’s power comes from the shock value, what was there the film could do?
Sorkin spellbinds again with this human look at a tumultuous time, and does a throwback to his early days of "A Few Good Men" with this courtroom drama. An absolutely amazing cast, with great performances, and Sorkin's writing keeps you glued to the film. Perfect pacing, wonderful messages that, yes, are just (it not more) as relevant today.
An important historical record and voice for those usually left voiceless, but it’s a film that’s a bit overlong and doesn’t work quite connect the premise of the title to the real ultimate drama of the film.
It's so damn watchable even though as soon as the movie ends, and its spell dissipates, it's so obvious what you just watched made zero sense, had a ton of plot holes, was incredibly hokey, cheesy and a mess.
But what a ride. I don't know how such a brainless movie can keep me so curious as to what's going to happen next.
It's society versus a super-computer with an algorithm that wants to reinforce our basest instincts. We don't have a chance. The Social Dilemma should be required viewing before anyone even uses these platforms.
Comments 51 - 75 of 576
Movie comment on MLK/FBI
frankqb
Somewhat slow and not very surprising. The story of MLKs infidelities is well known, and the racism of Hoover and the FBI is too. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting documentary that gets better as it goes. I would have liked to have seen someone hold up officially released FBI documents and describe how they changed the story of MLK and the FBI, instead we get another MLK biopic with more focus on Hoover’s campaign against him.3.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on The Donut King
frankqb
A patchwork of grainy historic footage, degraded 70s and 80s commercials, hokey stock footage, hand drawn clips, and interviews with modern people. Stories of immigrants coming to new lives are so important and yet this film seems to have nothing to say of value beyond “America is a better life than life under the Khmer Rouge”.The film has no specific narrative, just little vignettes with characters that are related to the eponymous Donut King. It is repetitive, slow, loops back on itself multiple times, uninteresting and barely about donuts. Its glaring lack of political point is like the hole in the middle of the donut. It’s sweet, American, capitalistic and empty.
2 stars out of 5
Movie comment on One Night in Miami...
frankqb
As powerful as one of Muhammad Ali’s punches with the timeless urgency of Sam Cooke’s music, One Night in Miami is a fantastic imagining of four African-American champions at their peak. The dialogue is crisp, the staging is energetic and the message is so powerful it’s hard to resist. All four actors could see nominations, and the film is a strong contender for Best Picture. Wow. I loved this film. Regina King knocked it out of the park — and then some.5 stars
Movie comment on News of the World
frankqb
Sort of an buddy flick adventure story, sort of an allegory for reconstruction of both individuals and a country, News of the World has gorgeous photography and a decent script, a strong performance from Hanks, but it’s ultimately just a little slow and predictable. I liked it, and I would recommend it, but I didn’t love it. Definitely well made though.4 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Time
frankqb
You could view this as a more personal version of the documentary “13th”. The story doesn’t quite always make sense, but that’s hardly the point. What’s real is that family connection, commitment, love and struggle. All of these emotions are real, clear and present. It’s not a particularly coherent film at times (or its unorthodox style intends confusion as a pressure like the passage of time on the audience), but it’s hugely respectable and a very important topic. A bit of a palate cleanser film, despite its important issues.4.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Minari
frankqb
A lovely film that shows at once a personal and universal story. Funny, warm, heartbreaking, and an interesting way of showing the pressure of the American Dream — and more importantly — its relationship to the male ego.5 stars
Movie comment on Promising Young Woman
frankqb
A somewhat humourous evisceration of macho/rape culture with a spine-tingling performance by Carey Mulligan. Definitely worth a watch!5 stars
Movie comment on Soul
frankqb
Lovely animation, great performance by Jamie Foxx, wonderful music, and important emotional connections. It’s largely great, but it misses the mark on explaining more about purpose and spark. It’s got soul, but does it have a point?3 stars out of 4
Movie comment on WolfWalkers
frankqb
Beautiful, lyrical and allegorical for acceptance of outsider differences, civil war, corruption of power, family, and many more things. The way the animation fuses hand drawn with CG and uses the multi frame approach is brilliant. Highly recommended.5 stars
Movie comment on Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
frankqb
Chadwick Boseman proves he was a force to be reckoned with in this film. Viola Davis is as good, but the material doesn't do much to let her shine (though the movie set's lights do).This adaptation of Wilson's play shows the themes of that work are just as important as they were 25 years ago when the stage show premiered. It's the story of America: Post-Slavery African Americans vs. White Capitalism. Is recording the music of black recording artists by capitalists just another way to make money off their labour? The film doesn't answer that question directly, but it's nonetheless important to ask. The story is that of America: Sex, art, philosophy, science, violence, racism, it's all there. It's life. The themes are just as sharp and relevant today.
Unfortunately, the film doesn't quite knock it out of the park. The recordings are well done, the costumes and sets are super, but something about how the direction pushes the thematic elements, is found to be lacking. It does give Chadwick Boseman a great opportunity for a final performance. He will undoubtedly get a posthmous Oscar nomination, possibly the win. He will be missed.
4 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Capital in the Twenty-First Century
frankqb
A brilliant documentary that makes Piketty's book more digestible, but also more vital perhaps. This film really does explain the world.4.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on The Prom
frankqb
Good fun, great cast and message. Definitely entertaining!3.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Tenet
frankqb
4 stars out of 5It excels at all three, but, ultimately, it’s a movie that will keep messing with my brain hours after it’s gone, and that’s an impressive feat. In a practical view, the logistics of the script supervision must have been insane. Dramatically, the action is wonderful fun, though narratively it doesn’t always make sense, but it moves at such a breakneck speed, it’s hard to care. Technically, Nolan proves he is still at the top of his game. Should I talk about it dramatically? Technically? Practically?
How can I describe Tenet?
Movie comment on Elysium
frankqb
You’re better off watching a documentary about income inequality.2.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Just Mercy
frankqb
A strong, important story, is let down by a movie-of-the-week level of scriptwriting and a middling performance by Michael B. Jordan. Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson outshine Jordan in every scene, but much of the problem is the script ironically not injecting any real human mannerisms into the dialogue. Every sentence is very matter of fact: “I think this. We should do this.”That said, the finale is a very emotional one that had me choked up and there are definitely some speeches that could be classics.
With some refinement, this could be an excellent movie, but, for me, it was just good.
3 stars out of 4
Movie comment on All In: The Fight for Democracy
frankqb
America’s democracy has been systematically broken by design. This is undeniably because of racism. This documentary has all the proof you need.Stacey Abrams anchors this film brilliantly, but the historical perspective is given equal billing from Reconstruction to Selma. As the documentary lays out, the implications of the 2013 ruling on the Voting Rights Act are monstrous. The SCOTUS should be ashamed of itself.
Watch it. Get active. Fix it. We will overcome.
5 stars
Movie comment on Dick Johnson Is Dead
frankqb
A visual and emotional symphony celebrating an individual and life in general. Part sad, but mostly hilarious. I will say it felt a bit heavy on the religious elements, but that might be personal preference.4 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Beastie Boys Story
frankqb
Some really great behind the scenes storytelling that feels extremely honest, and a film with no pre-requisite Beastie experience - still, fans might get more out of it.4 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Never Rarely Sometimes Always
frankqb
A remarkable film for its two leading women and the power they portray in the face of the tyranny of men, and those who seek to control their lives through lies and manipulation.It struck me that nothing in the film is exaggerated as it seeks to show just how exaggerated reality is.
Never boring and frequently jaw dropping, this is a film that should be recognized as a modern day classic.
5 stars
Movie comment on Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
frankqb
Much more story driven than the original, but to its detriment, ultimately. The plot’s pathos is a bit of an albatross for what most viewers will expect from this film.Borat 2 has one or two shocking moments, but its ultimate point may in fact be to point out how not shocking certain elements are. The conspiracy theories of the fringe right make for an easy target, but it SHOULD be shocking just how insane they are. Sadly, for anyone following the news about these groups, they probably know the lies they believe. Cohen does a great job of getting these people to reveal the depths of their depravities, but it’s not particularly surprising.
I can’t say I enjoyed Borat 2, but when the film’s power comes from the shock value, what was there the film could do?
2.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on The Trial of the Chicago 7
frankqb
Sorkin spellbinds again with this human look at a tumultuous time, and does a throwback to his early days of "A Few Good Men" with this courtroom drama. An absolutely amazing cast, with great performances, and Sorkin's writing keeps you glued to the film. Perfect pacing, wonderful messages that, yes, are just (it not more) as relevant today.5 stars
Movie comment on Crip Camp
frankqb
An important historical record and voice for those usually left voiceless, but it’s a film that’s a bit overlong and doesn’t work quite connect the premise of the title to the real ultimate drama of the film.3.5 stars out of 5
Movie comment on Palm Springs
frankqb
What a surprising delight.Movie comment on Bill & Ted Face the Music
frankqb
It's so damn watchable even though as soon as the movie ends, and its spell dissipates, it's so obvious what you just watched made zero sense, had a ton of plot holes, was incredibly hokey, cheesy and a mess.But what a ride. I don't know how such a brainless movie can keep me so curious as to what's going to happen next.
3 stars out of 5
Movie comment on The Social Dilemma
frankqb
It's society versus a super-computer with an algorithm that wants to reinforce our basest instincts. We don't have a chance. The Social Dilemma should be required viewing before anyone even uses these platforms.4 stars out of 5
Showing items 51 – 75 of 576