Reviews

There are times where we really deserve a good thrill from a good movie. If you're looking for one, then "Parasite" is one hell of a cinematic ride to take.

Bong Joon-ho's direction calls back to the brilliant direction a master like Hitchcock would provide, which would be full of unique visuals and stellar composition. And, since I'm on the topic of masters, I am convinced that Director Bong Joon-ho will go down as not just a master of the directing craft, but also of the screenwriting craft. The screenplay, which he co-wrote with Han Jin-won, is full of not just so many twists and turns, but filled with so much genre-bending twists that there's never a moment where you feel the trope is overused. Both Bong and Han clearly know how to write a screenplay that is just as effective as say a screenplay like the one for "Chinatown."

Then comes the performances of the cast. This film is a prime example of casting done right. Song Kang-ho plays Kim Ki-taek, the father of the poor Kim family desperate to break the boundaries set by classism and infiltrate the luxurious home of the Park family, with Lee Sun-kyun and Cho Yeo-jeong playing the father and mother, respectfully. Every single actor in this films shines like cinematic gold in their respectful roles.

So, if you like films that are original, imaginative, thrilling, and oh-so brilliant acted, written, and directed, then please. Give Parasite a go. I promise, you will be in for a surprised. A really big one.

For a Disney film like "Cruella," this life-action origin story about one of the most notorious villains in Disney history is actually pretty good, even with it's minor flaws.

When you put two Emmas in a film, magic clearly happens. Emma Stone gives off badass vibes with her performance as the young Estella Miller/Cruella de Vil and Emma Thompson gives off antagonizing vibes as Baroness Von Hellman. While I wouldn't say the performances are worthy of Oscar praise, I would say they are worthy of huge amounts of respect from people who view this film.

Then comes the screenplay and direction. The screenplay, written by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara, along with a few others, is not perfect. In fact, at times when the film feels so thinly-written, it's times like those while viewing the film that you hope the performances are enough to hold up the clumsiness that clearly shows in the writing. As for Craig Gillespie, the director, I think it's possible that Disney gave Gillespie the creative freedom card so that the "I, Tonya" director could let his own directorial style run loose, which is at times a rarity in big-budget studio films, the type of films that are mostly products of the studio execs' vision. So, for that, I'll give Disney my blessing.

Let's not forget this film's eclectic soundtrack. The soundtrack is full of catchy songs that can easily have you bobbing your head to the beat of the songs. The song selections alone are perfect and often fit the badass vibe of the movie.

Otherwise, while this film might have its downs, it still as plenty of ups and is worth the go, especially if you love a good Disney flick.

"Human Nature" is just one example of what happens when you combine a script written by Charlie Kaufman, the directorial talents of Michel Gondry, and a stellar cast featuring Tim Robbins, Patricia Arquette, and Rhys Ifans.

The movie may not be up to par with Kaufman's other works such as "Being John Malkovich" and "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind," but it does great at utilizing the usual elements that make a great Kaufman script: Eccentricity, great dialogue, and sometimes dark humor.

This film also happens to be director Michel Gondry's first directorial effort. While the film does lack some of the trademarks that Gondry would use in the other films of his career, (specifically his manipulation of the mise en scene) this film is, after all, his first directorial effort. Sometimes directors don't immediately find out what their main style is on their debut films.

Then you have the performances of the cast. Tim Robbins and Patricia Arquette shine in their respectful places as the male and female leads, but I believe Rhys Ifans deserves a bit more love. His performance as Puff is one that I feel is wildly underrated.

Overall, "Human Nature" is worth a go, especially if you like anything with Charlie Kaufman or Tim Robbins or Patricia Arquette written on it.

Big Hero 6 is not Disney's best film to be quite honest. The message of continuing what one started is a heartfelt message that many of us (especially those who have lost a loved one) can relate to.

However, when it comes down to things such as the jokes and writing, many things could've been improved. The jokes are not that funny and the writing is stale at times.

Otherwise, there is something to be said for the voice performances of Scott Adsit and Ryan Potter, as well as T. J. Miller, Alan Tudyk, and Maya Rudolph's voice performances.

So, if you'd like to give Big Hero 6 a go, be my guest. Just be prepared for some things you may find flawed about the film.

With "I, Tonya", your views on former figure skater Tonya Harding and the scandal surrounding her and the Nancy Kerrigan attack could change entirely when you see this outstanding darkly comedic biopic.

The story, like I've stated before, surrounds the life of Tonya Harding, a former figure skater, and the scandal surrounding her and the attack on competitor Nancy Kerrigan that inevitably ended Harding's once promising career for good.

Margot Robbie plays the title character. Her performance is one that will have you in utter star-strucken amazement. That, and the performances of Allison Janney of "West Wing" and "Mom" fame, who plays Harding's abusive mother, as well Sebastian Stan of "Captain America" fame, who plays Jeff Gillooly, Harding's ex-husband.

Then comes director Craig Gillespie. It's hard to put in to words how brilliant Gillespie's direction is in the movie. He is truly an unsung voice that deserves a little more credit. What he does with this film is carefully-knitted art. He and writer Steven Rogers are able to poke fun at the character's obvious lies and stupidity while being respectful about Harding's circumstances.

Overall, "I, Tonya" is one to see for those who love scandalous stories, skating, and the truth.

Knives Out, written and directed by Rian Johnson, is a prime example of what happens when you combine a stellar ensemble cast, a smartly-penned script, and brilliantly-constructed suspense provided by a good director who has proved his talents with his previous (except one) films.

For the performances, Ana De Armas shines like gold. While the actress has already had some leading roles in the past, I think this film cements her status as an outstanding leading lady. The rest, including Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield...Oh, what the hell? Everyone in this phenomenal ensemble of a cast is awesome in their own ways.

For writer-director Rian Johnson, while Star Wars: The Last Jedi was kind of a slip-up for the usually acclaimed helmer, he made a comeback with a film that brilliantly combines the tropes of Hitchcock with the traditional whodunnit narrative. While the comedic elements seem to be a little too much at times, possibly a little distracting for audiences, at least it's not overdone to the extent where you feel like you need your money back.

Overall, this fun mystery of a film some on the edge of you seat and at times laughing, and is guaranteed not to disappoint those who enjoy a good whodunnit.

Director John Carpenter is a true master of horror, and he's got this 1978 slasher film to prove it. As the film that truly put him and leading lady Jamie Lee Curtis on the cinematic map, "Halloween" is bound to make your heart race and bring you on the edge of your seat.

The film made great use of the POV shot, as mostly used by classic director Alfred Hitchcock, but made use of a horror film technique that even though is a cliche now, it wasn't then: The jump-scare. The technique is never overused and in some scenes, it doesn't usually rely on a simple sudden loud musical cue. The score, however, when not being used as an easy way to scare you, is brilliantly made, as Carpenter himself composed and performed it.

As for John Carpenter, who contributed to the film as a co-writer as well as a directer and composer, this film proved to audiences that he is the master of horror and one of the most underrated directorial talents, even when he makes a crappy film like his future efforts such as "Ghosts Of Mars" or "The Ward."

Considering that this was Jamie Lee Curtis' first major film role, it's safe to say that she speaks the language of acting brilliantly, especially since she most likely gets her acting genes from her talented mother and father, acting veterans Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.

Overall, when October 31st rolls around, make sure to give "Halloween" a go, with the doors in your house locked of course.

A nostalgic, joyful, and oh-so realistic portrayal of chasing your dreams and living in the "la la land" that is Los Angeles, "La La Land" is a different kind of masterpiece, as it pays tribute to the musical films of the 40s and 50s, the Astaire and Rogers, MGM kind of musicals, while also bringing something new to the genre, specifically the modern and original elements.

Damien Chazelle was already a promising newcomer when he made 2014's "Whiplash", also an Oscar-winning film. "La La Land", however, sets the record straight that this young writer-director is a true talent and possibly one of the greatest of our time. One of the most important elements within Chazelle's script and directing is, in one word, passion. Pure passion for cinema is what it takes to make a great film, and Chazelle sure does know that.

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone sparkle as the film's leading stars on screen, like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall and Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn once did in the golden age. In the film, Stone and Gosling's characters share the same goal: to make their dreams in both acting and jazz, respectively, come true. What comes out when you put these two acting talents together in a film is pure enjoyment and an onscreen chemistry that seems impossible to break.

Overall, "La La Land" is one hell of a film to watch, as it may go down in cinematic history as one of the finest films made.