Charming and personal in its “homemade-ness” — an interesting glimpse into the sacrifices required for a layperson to achieve a physique that could place in a regional bodybuilding competition. I commend the honesty involved.
Nothing groundbreaking, but a pretty fun action flick with some decent humour. I always find it a bit interesting to see an actor of Gyllenhaal’s calibre in one of these more ‘low-brow’, ‘typical Hollywood’ roles, but he does a good job of it. McGregor is definitely the weak link, but even I have to agree the casting makes sense (given the protagonist’s backstory and McGregor’s very obvious ties to UFC).
Fantastic film — equal parts bleak and charming, and always compassionate. At the time I'm reviewing this film, Vancouver is entering the eighth year of the overdose crisis, and it's disheartening to see how little things have changed since 2019. The struggles faced by OPS in East Hastings perfectly mirror the situation that has spread across Canada; I work with street-sleeping individuals in Ontario and we respond to overdoses on at least a weekly basis, sometimes daily or multiple times per day. I have seen firsthand how the closure of safe injection sites results in death and disability. We need safe consumption sites, and we need them now; perhaps even more than that, we need people to see drug users as humans, with lives and experiences just as valuable as anyone else. It has never been more important to carry Narcan/Naloxone and know how to use it.
Really nice aesthetics—and I really enjoyed the beginning—but the story ultimately falls a bit flat, particularly toward the end. I wish we could have seen a bit more of Priscilla’s “new life”, rather than the couple snippets that are shown. That said, the soundtrack is nicely-crafted and the costume designer (Stacey Battat) and set decorators certainly deserve applause for their contributions.
Worse than the first and second, but still some creepy moments, and the continuation of the lore-building is fun. The climax was kind of a letdown though, after so much build-up.
I didn’t exactly enjoy it, per se, but it was interesting and the visuals were certainly great fun. I especially liked the animated fight sequence toward the end. The score was decent.
Personally, I found it a bit hard not to roll my eyes at some of the messaging when it comes to gender—given the story, there’s necessarily a huge emphasis on reproductivity and the survival of the human race, but the gender essentialism and pro-birth stuff is still extremely heavy-handed.
Furthermore, I just thought it strange that a drug like Divinity would cause such visually-remarkable effects in men and absolutely nothing in women. Seems like a missed creative opportunity.
Interesting premise, but uneven quality. Certainly would have benefitted from more skilled actors (and screenwriters). I do enjoy anthology style films though, and I thought the editing was well-executed.
Tensest movie I’ve seen in a long time. Subtle and grounded in reality, but definitely keep me on the edge of my seat. The antagonist in the film is far more than a singular concrete foe, but rather the looming, lurking threat of gender-based violence—which is greeted with reactions ranging from dismissal, to wariness, to resignation, to anger, to outright terror. A fascinating and original concept, with a phenomenal script and stellar performances from every single cast member.
as a fuckup younger sibling myself, i thought this was a really great film with a lot of heart to it. some funny moments, some sibling rivalry, plenty of secondhand embarrassment… but so much love. it’s not so much a documentary about The National as it is an exploration of the relationship between the two brothers, who at times seem so at odds they truly could be mistaken for strangers.
…what?
i like gay stories, and i like movies with offbeat, scattered plots, but this was … particularly incoherent. it has solid dramatic moments, but flip-flops so suddenly between heartfelt displays of emotion vs. comedy that i felt i was getting whiplash.
Basically a collection of sports movie clichés — unsupportive father, working-class background, sibling envy, gruff mentor figure with a troubled past (who eventually turns soft and forms a loving bond with his mentee), underdog defying the odds, guy gets the girl, etc. The “imaginary car” special effects might have impressed me when I was ten, but I just thought they were downright silly.
Overall, this film is a reasonably entertaining time-killer. David Harbour gives a particularly great performance.
Decent movie, great score. Unfortunately, the book is so utterly incredible that no film could ever really do it justice.
I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more had I not read the source material first — Tom Holland gives a solid performance, but he's nothing like the original protagonist, and the film cut a lot of the important moments that occurred leading up to and during his military service. In comparison to the novel, his character is never properly fleshed-out.
I wouldn't call it "good", but I had a lot of fun watching this—full of unintentional laugh-out-loud moments and typical cheesy 1980s special effects. The kid who plays Charlie (Charles George Hildebrandt) is surprisingly talented compared to the rest of the cast.
I really enjoyed this film, particularly for its cinematography. The story isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s not nearly as cheesy and relentlessly heartwarming as the trailer made it seem; each character is flawed and complex in their own way, and true to the social-realist tradition of British cinema, the role of socioeconomic status remains a constant background presence.
Harris Dickinson gives an especially subtle-but-compelling performance of a wayward young man coming to terms with the unexpected responsibility of fatherhood — he’s imperfect, rough-around-the-edges, at times prone to outbursts, but ultimately loveable. The viewer is reminded that he was only a kid himself when Georgie was born, and that he, too, is grieving the death of her mother in the only way he knows how.
I was equally impressed by breakout actor Lola Campbell, who perfectly portrays a twelve year-old doing her best to get by after the sudden death of her only guardian. She conveys exactly what it’s like to be a preteen struggling to reconcile the intelligence, maturity, and self-reliance necessary to function on her own in the ‘adult world’ VS. the whimsical fantasies and impulsivity she has yet to outgrow from her childhood.
Some of the stylized interjections (i.e. the ‘interview’ segments) could have been left on the cutting room floor, in my opinion—the social workers in particular came across a bit too ‘Wes Anderson’ for my taste—but the score is well done, the story feels real, and the cast is formidable. I’d be remiss not to praise the gentle wisdom of Alin Uzun’s character.
This comment got way longer than I expected, but this film certainly gave me a lot to think about since I saw it yesterday. It may not radically change your existence, but I believe it's still worth 84 minutes of your life.
Bestiality, orgies, and shoddy acting aside, this was actually a really interesting and visually-appealing film. I was impressed by some of the cinematography, especially where the underwater shots were concerned. Great soundtrack. Laura Gemser is obviously gorgeous, but also plays a surprisingly likeable protagonist.
A beautiful, subtle film about the ache of unrequited love—the pain of holding on, the pain of letting go, and the pain of wondering what could have been. Nice score, nice script, and fantastic performances from all three leading actors.
awesome practical effects, pretty solid acting, probably way longer than it needed to be. i didn't particularly like the addition of the child clown—she didn't add anything to the story in my opinion, and easily could have been cut entirely. that said, i did like how this sequel builds off of the supernatural elements that were hinted at in the first (e.g. Art's origins and apparent immortality).
overall, a worthy sequel — gory and kinda funny, which is exactly what i was hoping for. i just wish the end had wrapped up a little smoother, instead of dragging out for so long and losing the momentum it had built up.
A brilliant, unique film, partially composed of real video footage shot in Bucchieri’s younger years. Beautiful and breathtakingly sincere.
I was lucky enough to see this one at BRIFF 2023 and to attend a Q&A with the director. I recall being taken aback by how raw the film felt, and how much of himself he channeled into it—warts and all. It has lingered on in my mind for weeks.
a strong, self-aware comeback with much more honesty than i was expecting. i liked Mulaney before, but this one really made me respect him as a storyteller. some moments were almost painfully relatable—but it was all the funnier for it. with time comes perspective, and laughing at our mistakes is a good way to ease the pain, learn from them, and ultimately move on.
this movie was funny in ways it didn’t intend to be. there are a few seriously bizarre moments where reality seems to disappear entirely, and the whole thing is so campy it’s bordering on ridiculous. i had to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
from a 2023 perspective, i think there are actually a few slightly progressive themes to be found if you look closer — Jessica’s little brother’s casual crossdressing habit, for instance, and the slight “lesbian confusion” subplot underlying the whole thing.
i really wish Rachel MacAdams got more screen time, (especially acting ‘as a man in a woman’s body’) … but maybe that’s just because i like looking at her face :)
Comments 1 - 25 of 111
Movie comment on Cui hua kuang mo
pegs404
Absolutely ridiculous, totally over-the-top. Tons of fun.Movie comment on Tell Them You Love Me
pegs404
Really interesting (and anti-Socratic) exploration of this case, in a way that blends discussions about dis/ability, race, class, and consent.Movie comment on I Want to Look Like That Guy
pegs404
Charming and personal in its “homemade-ness” — an interesting glimpse into the sacrifices required for a layperson to achieve a physique that could place in a regional bodybuilding competition. I commend the honesty involved.Movie comment on Road House
pegs404
Nothing groundbreaking, but a pretty fun action flick with some decent humour. I always find it a bit interesting to see an actor of Gyllenhaal’s calibre in one of these more ‘low-brow’, ‘typical Hollywood’ roles, but he does a good job of it. McGregor is definitely the weak link, but even I have to agree the casting makes sense (given the protagonist’s backstory and McGregor’s very obvious ties to UFC).Movie comment on Love in the Time of Fentanyl
pegs404
Fantastic film — equal parts bleak and charming, and always compassionate. At the time I'm reviewing this film, Vancouver is entering the eighth year of the overdose crisis, and it's disheartening to see how little things have changed since 2019. The struggles faced by OPS in East Hastings perfectly mirror the situation that has spread across Canada; I work with street-sleeping individuals in Ontario and we respond to overdoses on at least a weekly basis, sometimes daily or multiple times per day. I have seen firsthand how the closure of safe injection sites results in death and disability. We need safe consumption sites, and we need them now; perhaps even more than that, we need people to see drug users as humans, with lives and experiences just as valuable as anyone else. It has never been more important to carry Narcan/Naloxone and know how to use it.Movie comment on Priscilla
pegs404
Really nice aesthetics—and I really enjoyed the beginning—but the story ultimately falls a bit flat, particularly toward the end. I wish we could have seen a bit more of Priscilla’s “new life”, rather than the couple snippets that are shown. That said, the soundtrack is nicely-crafted and the costume designer (Stacey Battat) and set decorators certainly deserve applause for their contributions.Movie comment on Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire
pegs404
Worse than the first and second, but still some creepy moments, and the continuation of the lore-building is fun. The climax was kind of a letdown though, after so much build-up.Movie comment on Divinity
pegs404
I didn’t exactly enjoy it, per se, but it was interesting and the visuals were certainly great fun. I especially liked the animated fight sequence toward the end. The score was decent.Personally, I found it a bit hard not to roll my eyes at some of the messaging when it comes to gender—given the story, there’s necessarily a huge emphasis on reproductivity and the survival of the human race, but the gender essentialism and pro-birth stuff is still extremely heavy-handed.
Furthermore, I just thought it strange that a drug like Divinity would cause such visually-remarkable effects in men and absolutely nothing in women. Seems like a missed creative opportunity.
Movie comment on I will not take care of you
pegs404
Interesting premise, but uneven quality. Certainly would have benefitted from more skilled actors (and screenwriters). I do enjoy anthology style films though, and I thought the editing was well-executed.Movie comment on Suitable Flesh
pegs404
so, so much evil laughter …Movie comment on The Royal Hotel
pegs404
Tensest movie I’ve seen in a long time. Subtle and grounded in reality, but definitely keep me on the edge of my seat. The antagonist in the film is far more than a singular concrete foe, but rather the looming, lurking threat of gender-based violence—which is greeted with reactions ranging from dismissal, to wariness, to resignation, to anger, to outright terror. A fascinating and original concept, with a phenomenal script and stellar performances from every single cast member.Movie comment on Mistaken for Strangers
pegs404
as a fuckup younger sibling myself, i thought this was a really great film with a lot of heart to it. some funny moments, some sibling rivalry, plenty of secondhand embarrassment… but so much love. it’s not so much a documentary about The National as it is an exploration of the relationship between the two brothers, who at times seem so at odds they truly could be mistaken for strangers.Movie comment on Down Low
pegs404
…what?i like gay stories, and i like movies with offbeat, scattered plots, but this was … particularly incoherent. it has solid dramatic moments, but flip-flops so suddenly between heartfelt displays of emotion vs. comedy that i felt i was getting whiplash.
Movie comment on Gran Turismo
pegs404
Basically a collection of sports movie clichés — unsupportive father, working-class background, sibling envy, gruff mentor figure with a troubled past (who eventually turns soft and forms a loving bond with his mentee), underdog defying the odds, guy gets the girl, etc. The “imaginary car” special effects might have impressed me when I was ten, but I just thought they were downright silly.Overall, this film is a reasonably entertaining time-killer. David Harbour gives a particularly great performance.
Movie comment on Cherry
pegs404
Decent movie, great score. Unfortunately, the book is so utterly incredible that no film could ever really do it justice.I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more had I not read the source material first — Tom Holland gives a solid performance, but he's nothing like the original protagonist, and the film cut a lot of the important moments that occurred leading up to and during his military service. In comparison to the novel, his character is never properly fleshed-out.
Movie comment on The Deadly Spawn
pegs404
I wouldn't call it "good", but I had a lot of fun watching this—full of unintentional laugh-out-loud moments and typical cheesy 1980s special effects. The kid who plays Charlie (Charles George Hildebrandt) is surprisingly talented compared to the rest of the cast.Movie comment on Scrapper
pegs404
I really enjoyed this film, particularly for its cinematography. The story isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s not nearly as cheesy and relentlessly heartwarming as the trailer made it seem; each character is flawed and complex in their own way, and true to the social-realist tradition of British cinema, the role of socioeconomic status remains a constant background presence.Harris Dickinson gives an especially subtle-but-compelling performance of a wayward young man coming to terms with the unexpected responsibility of fatherhood — he’s imperfect, rough-around-the-edges, at times prone to outbursts, but ultimately loveable. The viewer is reminded that he was only a kid himself when Georgie was born, and that he, too, is grieving the death of her mother in the only way he knows how.
I was equally impressed by breakout actor Lola Campbell, who perfectly portrays a twelve year-old doing her best to get by after the sudden death of her only guardian. She conveys exactly what it’s like to be a preteen struggling to reconcile the intelligence, maturity, and self-reliance necessary to function on her own in the ‘adult world’ VS. the whimsical fantasies and impulsivity she has yet to outgrow from her childhood.
Some of the stylized interjections (i.e. the ‘interview’ segments) could have been left on the cutting room floor, in my opinion—the social workers in particular came across a bit too ‘Wes Anderson’ for my taste—but the score is well done, the story feels real, and the cast is formidable. I’d be remiss not to praise the gentle wisdom of Alin Uzun’s character.
This comment got way longer than I expected, but this film certainly gave me a lot to think about since I saw it yesterday. It may not radically change your existence, but I believe it's still worth 84 minutes of your life.
Movie comment on Rats - Notte di terrore
pegs404
hilariously bad, but the real on-screen animal cruelty made it hard for me to fully enjoy.Movie comment on Emanuelle in America
pegs404
Bestiality, orgies, and shoddy acting aside, this was actually a really interesting and visually-appealing film. I was impressed by some of the cinematography, especially where the underwater shots were concerned. Great soundtrack. Laura Gemser is obviously gorgeous, but also plays a surprisingly likeable protagonist.Movie comment on Past Lives
pegs404
A beautiful, subtle film about the ache of unrequited love—the pain of holding on, the pain of letting go, and the pain of wondering what could have been. Nice score, nice script, and fantastic performances from all three leading actors.Movie comment on Punk's Dead: SLC Punk 2
pegs404
so bad it had to be crowdfunded to get made. i like bad movies, but this one's downright unwatchable.Movie comment on Terrifier 2
pegs404
awesome practical effects, pretty solid acting, probably way longer than it needed to be. i didn't particularly like the addition of the child clown—she didn't add anything to the story in my opinion, and easily could have been cut entirely. that said, i did like how this sequel builds off of the supernatural elements that were hinted at in the first (e.g. Art's origins and apparent immortality).overall, a worthy sequel — gory and kinda funny, which is exactly what i was hoping for. i just wish the end had wrapped up a little smoother, instead of dragging out for so long and losing the momentum it had built up.
Movie comment on 100 årstider
pegs404
A brilliant, unique film, partially composed of real video footage shot in Bucchieri’s younger years. Beautiful and breathtakingly sincere.I was lucky enough to see this one at BRIFF 2023 and to attend a Q&A with the director. I recall being taken aback by how raw the film felt, and how much of himself he channeled into it—warts and all. It has lingered on in my mind for weeks.
Movie comment on John Mulaney: Baby J
pegs404
a strong, self-aware comeback with much more honesty than i was expecting. i liked Mulaney before, but this one really made me respect him as a storyteller. some moments were almost painfully relatable—but it was all the funnier for it. with time comes perspective, and laughing at our mistakes is a good way to ease the pain, learn from them, and ultimately move on.Movie comment on The Hot Chick
pegs404
this movie was funny in ways it didn’t intend to be. there are a few seriously bizarre moments where reality seems to disappear entirely, and the whole thing is so campy it’s bordering on ridiculous. i had to laugh at the absurdity of it all.from a 2023 perspective, i think there are actually a few slightly progressive themes to be found if you look closer — Jessica’s little brother’s casual crossdressing habit, for instance, and the slight “lesbian confusion” subplot underlying the whole thing.
i really wish Rachel MacAdams got more screen time, (especially acting ‘as a man in a woman’s body’) … but maybe that’s just because i like looking at her face :)
Showing items 1 – 25 of 111