Decision To Leave Movie Analysis: Atmospheric but Complex

Has a atmospheric beauty to admire, but the complex character of female lead including unconvincing 3rd act ruins the film.

Directed by: Park Chan-wook

Imdb link -> Decision To Leave (2022) - IMDb

"The moment you said you loved me, your love is over. 

The moment your love ends, my love begins.”

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot: A Korean Mystery Thriller Where Cop Falls in Love with a Case Suspect

A man is found dead at a mountain peak in Busan, South Korea. Detective Jang Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) arrives at the crime scene and begins investigating whether it was a suicide or a murder. Jang immediately suspects the dead man's wife, Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei), of being involved. The more he investigates, the more he is drawn to Song, feeling an irresistible desire building.

The fact that Jang Hae-joon suffers from insomnia and frequently travels between his workplace and Ipo, where his wife Mee-jee (Jung Yi-seo) lives, adds depth to his character. He becomes active whenever a new case arises (a cliché), and his sleep deprivation means his mind isn't fresh, which is why he becomes obsessed with Song Seo-rae, even when it seems clear she is the murderer.

3rd Act of Decision To Leave Doesn’t Impress

Song Seo-rae is an interesting character who always seems suspicious. Her behavior, unusual laugh, and mysterious aura keep the audience guessing, as we are never given direct answers. This is why I couldn't fully enjoy the third act; I wanted valid reasons for her actions and her disastrous end. Her motivations for killing aren't justified, even if she is clever enough not to get caught.

Complex Narrative and Innovative Filming by Park Chan-wook

The film shows Song Seo-rae as Chinese and Jang Hae-joon as Korean, adding to the confusion as they often use a translator app, which I felt didn't fully translate the words. A song related to 'foggy night' and a scene where Jang's wife questions why Song would live in Ipo with her new husband just to enjoy the fog, while most people avoid it, adds to the mystery. The 'fog' likely symbolizes Song's character and the film's overall atmosphere, making direct conclusions elusive.

The narrative style further adds to the mystery, with innovative filming techniques showing conversations as if characters are face-to-face, creating a false (or perhaps true) sense of closeness. Comical moments mostly come early through Jang's colleague/friend, while the narrative focuses on a romantic tension that builds toward an erotic moment, which the director shies away from every time.

Verdict on Decision To Leave

Overall, Decision to Leave is a Korean film I liked for its atmospheric beauty. If only Song Seo-rae's character wasn't as complex and some questions weren't left unanswered.

Rating: 6/10

Also, Check Out Movie Analysis of The Son

Close Movie Analysis: Broken friendship story with flaws

Starts off on a great note before it becomes way too emotionally manipulative.

Directed by: Lukas Dhont

Imdb link -> Close (2022) - IMDb

"We are close because we are best friends."

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot Summary: About broken friendship and more

Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele), two thirteen-year-old boys, are very close friends who are hard to separate - eating together, playing games together, and having sleepovers. They even manage to be in the same class in their first year of school. However, their closeness leads to questions from other boys and girls, eventually causing Leo to doubt himself and begin distancing himself from Remi. This leads to an unfortunate incident, leaving Leo and others to grieve and attempt to heal.

This movie almost feels identical to The Banshees of Inisherin because the first act is so enjoyable, as are the starting portions of the second act. The initial friendship is well established, and there are subtle hints that this may be more than just 'close friends'. I like how the growing distance is shown with Leo developing new tastes, including ice-skating, and making new friends. The themes of male toxicity and homophobia are handled in a subtle manner, highlighting the challenges of teen friendship and coming-of-age.

Disappointing Second Half of Close

What brings the movie down for me is the sudden change (again like Banshees) with the suicide moment, after which the plot revolves around grief and healing, making it very mediocre. There's way too much time spent on the ice-hockey scenes, and it's a long wait for the confrontation scene when Leo lets his guilt out to Remi's mother.

A better narrative could have involved a full second act revolving around how much further distant Leo grows from Remi and then using the final act to show some kind of major reaction, which needn't be a suicide. The scenes involving Remi's mother since the loss of her son didn't invoke the emotions I expected.

If you think about it, that one talk from the girls to Leo and Remi changed everything. Those girls may not even realize that more than Leo, they are the ones responsible for Remi's death. It is really tough to pinpoint a person responsible, to be honest. One could argue that Remi was too emotional and, for his age, just couldn't take the betrayal of his closest friend at all. The movie deeply explores mental health issues and the impact of emotional drama on young minds.

Excellent Performances by Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele

Eden Dambrine is brilliant, playing a coming-of-age character struggling with new learnings and a huge loss at his age, along with the guilt that he may unknowingly be the reason why Remi did what he did. Gustav De Waele is equally good, even with lesser screen time. It was heartbreaking to see how Remi has a fistfight with Leo at school, which was more of an emotional outburst that had been building for a while.

Verdict on Close

Overall, Close promises a lot in the first half of the movie and then falters, becoming manipulatively emotional. A different execution would have resulted in a much better movie.

Rating: 6.5/10

Also, Check out Movie Analysis of Living

Argentina, 1985 Movie Analysis: Good but a Tough Watch

Political Biographies are never my favorite genre. It’s a good watch but a tough one. The courtroom drama could have been more intense.

Directed by: Santiago Mitre

Imdb link -> Argentina, 1985 (2022) - IMDb

“Never Again.”

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot: Political Biography About Events of Argentina in 1984

Inspired by the true events of Argentina in 1984, when the military fascist dictatorship rule finally ended. Over the past many years, there were kidnappings of innocents, people disappearing, torture without reason, rapes, and deaths. It has now been 7 months, and no trial from the military court has occurred regarding the injustices committed by the previous people in command. Therefore, the civilian court gets the chance to hear the case, with the prosecution led by lawyer Julio César Strassera (Ricardo Darin), who later gets assistance from Luis Moreno Ocampo (Peter Lanzani).

Biographies are already a tough watch because the chronological order of narrating the story often isn’t compelling. When it becomes a political biography, it’s worse because, firstly, I hate political figures, and secondly, with all the pressure from powerful people, the chances of a true depiction and not just seeing one side of the story diminish greatly.

Since I know nothing about Argentina or this story, I viewed the movie as a courtroom drama. There’s humor involved whenever Julio’s family scenes are shown—whether it’s about how he makes his son spy on his daughter to ensure she isn’t dating someone who could be a danger to him and his family or the frustrated expressions he makes while watching an interview with a political figure on TV. Interestingly, Julio even takes his son’s help for the final statement in court.

The scenes involving tortured people narrating how and what happened to them are the toughest to watch, especially knowing this happened in real life. The pregnant lady being tortured is heart-breaking and deeply disturbing, even without visuals.

Issues in Argentina, 1985

The two major issues I felt were, firstly, the whole trial period where they had to gather evidence is done too quickly through a montage. They could have shown more struggle before eventually getting 800+ witnesses and loads of evidence files. The other problem was the courtroom drama felt less intense, mainly because the tussle between prosecution and defense happened rarely. Surely, there was room for building a lot more tension, knowing this wasn’t just any case but a political one involving past commanders of the country. Also, I didn’t understand why there was no defense statement at the end—do courts in Argentina not do that?

Ricardo Darin and Peter Lanzani Deliver Enjoyable Performances

The Julio-Luis pairing was fun, initially for the inability to get his name right every time. The only big argument they have, when Luis blames Julio for not doing anything during the dictatorship period, gets very intense.

Ricardo Darin is excellent, portraying a character who is constantly worried about his family but also wants to give justice to all those people mistreated by the military dictatorship. He’s also humorous, like how he orders his secretary to do something and quickly changes his tone to a request when told he can’t fire her. I liked his final moving statement that ends with the words, "Never Again."

Peter Lanzani does well in a supporting role. The moment when Luis is being followed from the lift, I almost felt he might die, and how that makes him feel in the next courtroom scene where he keeps fearing there’s an actual bomb in there.

Verdict on Argentina, 1985

Overall, "Argentina, 1985" is a good watch. It might resonate more with locals or those who know the history better. As a courtroom drama, I felt it lacked in some departments, yet it tells the tale of people who suffered, and you can’t help but wonder how such dictatorship rule has ruined lives in any country where it’s applied, directly or indirectly.

Rating: 6/10

Also, Check out Movie Analysis of The Fabelmans

Quick Views - Oscar 2022 Films Part2

Spoilers ahead... 

Parallel Mothers

Directed by : Pedro Almodovar

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12618926/

You have overcomplicated things.

Two mothers, Janis (Penelope Cruz) and Ana (Milena Smit) meet at a hospital where they share the room and about to give birth. Both are single, Janis is happy about it while Ana isn't. The background story of Janis wanting to excavate the mass grave related to her great-grandfather in the early years of Civil war is something I rather would had liked the main story on. Instead we get only starting and ending of film on it, while rest is how 2 parallel mothers cope with their newborns while the father and basically any other family help is absent. The coming closer to a relationship together angle specially didn't feel natural to me despite Penelope and Milena delivering very good performances. The screenplay and writing just doesn't keep you hooked to it. Decent one time watch.

My Rating : 5/10

King Richard

Directed by : Reinaldo Marcus Green

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9620288/

The most strongest, the most powerful, the most dangerous creature on this whole earth is a woman who knows how to think. Ain't nothing she can't do. 

A biopic on Richard Williams (Will Smith), father of young Serena Williams (Demi Singleton) and Venus Williams (Saniyya Sidney). The story is based on the William sisters preteen journey to the 14 year old Venus playing her 1st Pro tournament as their father Richard coaches them with all the support always from their mother Oracene Brandy Williams (Aunjanue Ellis). 

What makes this a very good watch is how the focus is always on Richard and his plans, which he feels he got before the birth of Serena-Venus knowing they will scale the stardom and get the legends tag one day. He is not a easy character to like at many places, very stubborn to the extent he gets called by one coach as someone more stubborn than John McEnroe. And thats a reason why I enjoy those outbursts scenes of Oracene, one where she isn't happy that Richard takes decisions about their daughters without involving her, and other when she lets Richard realize he is going overboard being a protective father and not letting Venus decide things. That Cindrella movie scene was hilarious and so was the way Richard interrupts McEnroe-Sampras match just so he could show how good his daughters can hit tennis balls and deserve a coach to go to the next level. The tennis scenes are well shot, and the drama is created nicely through the cuts to the crowd, Richard or others. 

I also learnt that the toilet break misuse happened then too, the way Vicario took away the momentum from a match Venus was winning. Will Smith delivers a smashing (not referring to his Oscars slap) performance, even if too stubborn or not likeable at some moments, you just could feel he is a father trying to get the best for his daughters knowing its not easy for their gender, color and how cruel the world can be. Totally enjoy his mannerisms, the walks, habit of not looking at live match but just using sound of balls to know who won the point (God that is so me or many other tennis fans who do it unable to bear the tension of watching someone you love lose). Also, love his scene with Serena telling it was part of his plan to keep her in the shadow of Venus. And Aunjanue Ellis is also excellent in her support act, love her reply to the neighbour who tries to interfere un-necessarily with Williams family, or how she helps Serena get the ball toss right. Even the casting of William Sisters or the other players, coaches felt very good to me. Its good to see they used all the real names and not funny madeup ones, something our biopics need to look at (I am pointing finger at Saina biopic here).  

In the end, King Richard is a very good movie with great performances, and I say that for someone who isn't a fan of William Sisters (specially Serena) at all. And I love the end, didn't try to show Venus with a win.. rather a loss and learn how she still gained fans for the way she played. You can ofcourse use the text lines telling how many achievements they both had, for the people who don't follow tennis.

My Rating : 7.5/10

House of Gucci 

Directed by : Ridley Scott

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11214590/

Can you keep a secret ?

Father, Son and House of Gucci.

Inspired from true events, a crime-drama about the Italian fashion Gucci family. Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) who is an outsider falls in love with Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) leading to Maurizio's father Rodolfo Gucci (Jeremy Irons) to disown him citing Patrizia is after their money. However, Maurizio's uncle, Aldo Gucci (Al Pacino) brings him back into the family business as the story follows what happens next.

The first thing you would notice when you start watching (if not seen the trailer) the movie would be the accent, takes a while to adjust to it. As much as I loved Lady Gaga's performance who is a delight to watch in this role, her accent on many occasions was distracting, maybe a reason why she didn't get an Oscar nomination. The film tries to show too much in limited time, leading to many rushed plots including an ending on the murder that just happens and movie ends. Maybe a 8-9 episode series would had served the story better purpose along with ofcourse actors without an accent bothering all the time.

Its quite clear to me that Patrizia had her eyes on the money, tough to make out if she also loved Maurizio at same time or not, did seem the money drived her lot more. Adam Driver in restrained performance is good as always, Al Pacino is wonderful whose accent looked spot on, so is Jeremy Irons whose only scene with son of Aldo, Paolo Gucci (Jared Leto) is hilarious. Unfortunately, an unrecognisable Jared Leto with his makeup doesn't transform into a great performance, rather felt he was over-exaggerating the character making it little boring. In the end, House of Gucci is watchable, but it misses its mark for all the mentioned reasons. 

My Rating : 5/10

The Lost Daughter

Directed by : Maggie Gyllenhaal

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9100054/

I am an unnatural mother. 

Leda (Olivia Colman) who is a middle-aged English professor arrives at a beach resort in Greece for a holiday all alone. She very soon gets obsessed with a family involving a young mother Nina (Dakota Johnson), her husband Toni (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and their daughter. The reason is that Leda is taken to a memory lane of her unsettling past when she herself was a young mother and how unusual she used to act then. Leda has no idea how this holiday will turn out to be very haunting one for her. 

The key for a film that involves a character's current timeline and flashback timeline running together is to make you like both of them almost equally which is where Lost Daughter faulters for me. I got so engaged and interested in the young Leda (Jessie Buckley) version while whenever Olivia's version would come, I would only be wanting those scenes to end quickly. Jessie Buckley is fantastic in portraying a character that's tough to imagine, a mom who wants her own life even at expense of not being what you would expectedly call 'A Responsible Mom'. Its a very thin line, some might still complain and say she had no right to be wanting those desires because being a mother makes you have your children as first priority. I like how that concept and many more is explored but when it came to Olivia Colman who is another brilliant performer, I felt she got stuck with the thoughts of past and there's too much of her walking through beach or observing others scenes or her obsession with Nina daughter's doll that kept on dragging rather than serving any purpose. In short, I wasn't able to connect both Leda which should had happened here. Its just the Jessie Buckley's act that worked for me and a good supporting act by Dakota Johnson in otherwise a very underwhelming movie. 

My Rating : 6/10 

The Tragedy of Macbeth 

Directed by : Joel Coen

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10095582/

Stars, hide your fires. Let not light see my black and deep desires. 

Story is known to everyone. The only Macbeth adaptation I have seen before is 'Maqbool'. The Tragedy of Macbeth has Denzel Washington (as Macbeth) and Frances McDormand (as Lady Macbeth) comprising the main roles, both delivering lovely performances. My favourite however was the Kathryn Hunter (as the Witches). The movie gives a festival oriented feels to me, all the treatment with the camera, cinematography, or the black and white setting. The Shakespearean language used directly is another reason why the movie fails to work for me. Just a personal taste, the same story told in different way with same actors would appeal better for me. 

My Rating : 3/10

Nightmare Alley

Directed by : Guillermo del Toro

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7740496/

When a man believes his own lies, starts believing that he has the power, he's got shuteye. 

A mysterious burning down of house opens out the film as Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) comes across a travelling carnival where he accepts a job of carny offered to him. He slowly learns and examines various acts and gets attracted towards one of the performer Molly Cahill (Rooney Mara). Stanton offers her a proposal of 2 act show away from the carnival for a better future. 

One of those films where the supporting cast outdo the leads by a long way. Willem Dafoe (as Clem Hoatley) is wonderful as a guy who exploits needy guys in places like nightmare alleys to become a future geek (alive human but acting like a beast sort). The whole story where Clem tells Stanton how he lures them into it makes you wonder if at all Stanton would have this fate too one day, the answer you get in the final epic scene. There's the brilliant Toni Collette (as Zeena) who warns Stanton with her tarot cards about the wrong dangerous road he is taking which he doesn't listen to. Cate Blanchett (as Dr. Lilith Ritter) provides that mysterious element not knowing what her intentions are, and ofcourse seductive as always in her ways. Richard Jenkins (as Ezra Grindle) despite having a small cameo and a role of somewhat bad person still infuses so much emotions into it. David Strathairn (As Pete), the alcoholic husband of Zeena delivers the best performance of the movie again a character having small screen time, and the one whose act Stanton is most keen to learn or steal. Rooney Mara and Bradley Cooper are the ones that disappoint, most of 2nd and final act involve them, specially Bradley felt like going through the motions in a character that I felt required more emotions than be little too quiet to my liking, the greed and angle of playing almost a God didn't come through. He does get the final scene pretty right but not enough to save from the rest of the performance. Also, I can't forget that gross scene involving a geek eating an alive chicken. Aneways, Nightmare Alley works in patches, mostly due to very good supporting acts. 

My Rating : 5.5/10 

Belfast 

Directed by : Kenneth Branagh

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12789558/

Be good. And if you can't be good, Be careful!

Set in Belfast of late 1960s, a working class family consists of a 9 year old Buddy (Jude Hill) living with his elder brother Will (Lewis McAskie), father Pa (Jamie Dornan) and mother Ma (Caitriona Balfe). The backdrop is of the rising tension between Catholics and Protestants leading to the dilemna of how long can Buddy and his family stay in this environment. The violence is limited to the opening riots scene and the climax one. Told through the pov of Buddy, we rather get to see his adventures and desires while living in a place with military around and curfew imposed. Jude Hill will keep a smile on your face all the time, whether its his attempts to impress Catherine (Olive Tennant), the girl from school he wanna marry one day, or the things he steals when forced to rob at stores by his cousin, or the conversations he has with Granny (Judi Dench) and Grandpa (Ciaran Hinds). Both Judi Dench (that fantastic final heartbreaking scene) and Ciaran Hinds (love the maths cheating suggestion he gives along with many other advices) are a delight to watch. The soundtrack is another good highlight of the movie. Caitriona Balfe does get some scenes to shine through too specially where she insists not to change home having all attachments in here. I am happy they keep the arguements of Jamie and Caitriona to a limit, its the part of story that I didn't enjoy much. If you are looking for a hardhitting movie then probably this won't work, I actually prefer this treatment, that gives you an overview of history but rather keeps the proceedings light. 

My Rating : 7.5/10

Dune

Directed by : Denis Villeneuve

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1160419/

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings obliteration. I will face my fear and I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past... I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

Based on Frank Herbert's famous sci-fi novel of 1965, the story is about planet Arrakis (a place for spice growth) whose control has been given to House Atreides by the Emperor while their powerful rival House Harkonnen has been asked to leave to their home planet. Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) arrives on Arrakis along with his wife Lady Jessica Atreides (Rebecca Ferguson), son Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) and his army. The things aren't as simple as it looks, with a betrayal on cards and Paul still struggling to come to terms with all the dreams he has and him being considered as 'The One'.

To be honest I was expecting this to be a very boring movie, firstly because of the trailer that worked only for the visuals and secondly because I totally felt bored in Denis last movie too 'Blade Runner 2049'. So it comes off as a major surprise that I liked the movie and even loved it at some places. Everything together from the cast to the Hans Zimmer music (not among his best though), gorgeous visuals contribute to it, specially the narration I felt was very engaging and didn't really felt slow. Having not read the book or seen previous films on this also helped with no expectations.  

Rebecca with another strong performance and Timothee for most parts doing well, just his physique for action sequences felt little odd to me which may come more in 2nd part. I love the scene where he is being tested if he really should be 'The One', or the plane scene where he tries to use his powers for first time knowing he hasn't mastered them yet but its a chance required to be taken. Enjoyed the way Arrakis planet is shown and the dangerous sandworms that requires you to walk in a certain dance manner (felt comical watching it) so they don't detect you. I actually liked Jason Momoa (playing Duncan Idaho) more in this movie than I did in Aquaman (Sorry to his fans). Josh Brolin (playing Gurney Halleck) I think will get more to do in next part if I am correct he is alive, can't recall his death scene shown. 

Dune works as a adventurous film mostly for me, those helicopters shapes or the sandstorms that may bring sandworms along and also how slowly Paul is learning his role in all this and ofcourse the brilliant visuals. The mystery angle of Chani (Zendaya) is also nicely mixed around the narration, again she will have lot more to do in next part. Stellan Skarsgard (playing Baron Vladimir Harkonnen) gives a haunting effect in the fewer scenes he is in, specially the scene where he is almost floating to other side or the one where he is recovering from the attack he suffered. Definately little low when it comes to emotions, which is kind of expected given how much material movie is trying to show-off, yet I felt satisfied for large portions of the movie. The end scene does remind you of Baahubali a lot (couldn't help myself using the reference).  In the end, Dune will work only if while watching you feel being part of this adventure, otherwise you may struggle finishing the movie.

My Rating : 7/10 

Recap 2020 : Best Hollywood Films/Series, Disappointing and Worst

Just like the Hindi Movies, saw only 12 English/World movies in theatre.. and then 37 movies on the laptop (the count will keep growing here it seems). Also saw 10 series out of which 'Dark' was without any doubt the best I have seen ever, the final season lived upto the expectations to make it the best series till date. 

The Haunting of Bly Manor was a good follow-up to 'The Haunting of Hill House', this one however was more on love and loss concept in a horror surrounding. 'Sex Education' 2nd season was a fun watch minus the ending that was lets just say no one wanted it. 'Upload' was a nice surprise short series that I just out of curiosity watched and happy to have given it a go. 'Narcos Mexico' Season2 worked for me due to Felix and how he reaches his downfall, does require to sit through almost half or more of the season that is at a very snail pace, still a good watch. 

Talking of the top movies, the quality was lot higher in 2020, I loved almost every film listed and also the ones that didn't make the cut. The Trial of Chicago 7 works for the lovely courtroom drama that is mix of serious and comic moments. Soul is another great Pixar animation movie talking of the life on earth and relating to life after death in fun way plus the message of living every moment. 

Judas and the Black Messiah is hard-hitting with a spectacular performance from Daniel Kaluuya, and a brutal ending. Deservingly won an Oscar! While 'Promising Young Woman' is a very enjoyable take on revenge involving Carey Mulligan's lovely act 

Special mention to 'Another Round', a unique concept of using alcohol in right quantity to enhance the lifestyle and make body more active. There's no chance I would ever forget that final dance by Mads Mikkelsen on 'What a Life'.  Also, 'The Platform' very much like Parasite shows up the divide between upper class and lower class in a very creative manner. 

'The Half of It' was a surprise addition, a lighthearted rom-com that worked in all ways, mainly for the friendship angle between leads. While 'First Cow' also deals with friendship, as long as you can sit through the very very very slowish first 20-25 mins, the ending is very heartbreaking here. 

So, Here's my complete list ... 

Best Hollywood/World Movies of 2020 : 

1. The Trial of Chicago 7

2. Soul

3. Judas and the Black Messiah

4. Another Round

5. Promising Young Woman

6. Sound of Metal

7. The Platform

8. The Half of It

9. First Cow

10. The Father

Minari, Collectiv, Palm Springs, Onward and Better Days miss out.

Best Series around the World in 2020 : 

1. Dark S3

2. The Haunting of Bly Manor

3. Sex Education S2

4. Upload 

5. Narcos Mexico S2

The Sinner S3 misses out, while Money Heist S4 and 13 Reasons Why S4 were very average at best. 

Worst Hollywood/World Movies of 2020 : 

1. She Dies Tomorrow

2. Eurovision Song Contest : The Story of Fire Saga

3. Da 5 Bloods

'She Dies Tomorrow' suffered from a terrible execution of what was a good premise to build story on. Eurovision Song Contest didn't work for me because of the male lead otherwise in parts I did find it watchable. While Da5 Bloods felt a big bore even the cameo of Chadwick Boseman couldn't help.

Disappointing Hollywood/World Movies of 2020 : 

1. Wonder Woman 1984

2. Tenet

3. Mank

One of rare occasion in Hollywood when all biggies failed incredibly. Wonder Woman 1984 couldn't come anywhere close to the magic of 1st one, the idea of greed became tedious after a while. Tenet has a typical Nolan's confusing screenplay playing with time but this one lacked the feels and emotions completely. And Mank was well, just not my kind film specially when I couldn't like the classic Citizen Kane on whom it is based. 

Mini Review : The Platform (Netflix) and Asur : Welcome to Your Dark Side (Voot)

The Platform
Directed by : Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8228288/

On those high levels you can eat anything you want, but you don't have anything to wait for. Your mind runs wild. 

Spoilers ahead... 

Goreng (Ivan Massague) joins a vertical prison on his own choice for 6 months, wanting to quit smoking. The prison has one cell per level, and every cell contains 2 people. Daily a platform of food passes by each level, with roughly 2 mins per day they get to eat. At end of every month, surviving people of every cell gets shifted to a new level. Its a surviving test specially with the ratio of food getting reduced if you get a 100 or plus level. Movie starts off on interesting note as the adminstrator is checking all the great looking dishes if they have been cooked perfectly. And then we are cut to Goreng waking up on the Level 48 as like him we get to hear the shock of the place this is. Slowly by slowly we learn as does Goreng, that you can't be stubborn and despite knowing the food is leftovers from above 47 level people, you just gotta eat to survive or you can just end your life with suicide as some others do by jumping down the hole. The conversation between Goreng and Trimagasi (Zorion Eguileor) is hilarious that includes 'obvio' for more than 20 times.

There's some gore that's hard to watch where survivors in higher levels have to eat human flesh. Basic message of movie is clearly how humans don't know to adapt and get greedy, when they could have just eaten properly and let food stay eatable and available for the rest levels like the lady that Goreng gets as new partner in cell tries to but struggles. You can view the movie more like a system vs common man or upper class vs lower class, just like Trimagasi says earlier 'Don't speak to the people below because they are down below, and the above people won't answer you'. While Miharu (Alexandra Masangkay) who goes down the hole once every month to feed her little girl can be seen as a person who tries to exploit the system successfully but eventually dies. Similarly, Goreng and his partner at Level 6, Baharat (Emilio Buale) fail when they think stopping people upto Level 50 is the way to get the food till last Level. As far as I can gather, the message wasn't the pannacotta or even the girl, rather it was just eat what you told was your favorite food when you were interviewed before been admitted into the hole. The girl clearly had 'pannacotta' as her favourite food which is why the cell doesn't get too hot or too cold when the food is kept even after the platform goes down. The ending is open, hard to say what happens when the girl reached Level0, maybe nothing, thats how humans are, they never learn and thereby the chaos may continue. Quite a thoughtful and interesting movie, and love that background theme, except for the gore sequences its a movie that I totally enjoyed.

My Rating : 8/10



Asur : Welcome to Your Dark Side
Creator : Gaurav Shukla
Directed by : Oni Sen (8 episodes, 2020)

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11912196/

Kya tumhe abhi bhi lagta hai ki duniya mein achaayi hai? 

A psychopath Shubh Joshi (Vishesh Bansal) believes in Hindu Mythology while he kills randomly, cuts one hands index finger and leaves no clues about his pattern. Dhananjay Rajput (Arshad Warsi) and Nikhil Nair (Barun Sobti), are working as CBI officers on the case, eager to find the common link if any among all the killings and stop the next death from happening. I think first 15-20 mins of 1st episode was the only time I felt not interested in this series, after that its damn good watching the tussle while the real Shubh Joshi aint revealed. Twists are pretty convincing and so are the first scene of every episode that sets the mood up. Love the use of pure shuddh hindi by the antagonist.

I personally felt Rasool Shaikh (Amey Wagh) was Shubh Joshi which the director clearly wants us to believe too with the final ending scene, but digging up some online comments by other people, their theory seems more likely to be true that we actually haven't seen real Shubh yet and all we saw were 3 male and 1 female followers of Shubh. Amey actually reminded me of Riteish Deshmukh a lot, looks and dialogue delivery wise both. Arshad Warsi is superb, while Barun Sobti dialogues at some places were hard to understand, else he was good too. Liked Riddhi Dogra too, and keen to see if at all there's any surprise in store with her character. Anupriya Goenka who plays wife of Nikhil, was quite irritating character until she starts to help out Dhananjay. Sharib Hashmi great as always, kinda of making his name in these kind of roles now and its a pity that they had to kill him off. The tone does remind of Joker from The Dark Knight, especially that Dhananjay and one of Shubh follower scene where he has to know the location to save people, and even the philosophies of Shubh match to certain extent, a person who just wants to watch the world burn. Would love more of Shubh past shown in 2nd season as Vishesh Bansal (he is too good as young Shubh) and ofcourse reveal him out by the end of season. Except for some very minor issues, I thoroughly enjoyed the 1st season, and totally adore that background theme, very catchy and maybe inspired from Baahubali. Hoping 2nd season lives upto the expectations.

My Rating : 8/10 

Bicycle Thieves [Views]

Directed by Vittorio De Sica
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040522/

You live and you suffer .. 

What amazed me the most is, how a small thin plot of trying to catch a theif who stole your bicycle was turned into a complete 90 mins movie. And its highly moving and engaging film..

Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) gets a new job for himself, but for that he needs to buy a bicycle. His wife sells bedsheets, and lets him get the bicycle. But as the destiny is, the bicycle gets stolen while Antonio is busy working during his job. Now, Antonio along with his son Bruno (Enzo Staiola) starts the search to find the theif, with the police offering no help whatsoever.

The screenplay is very good, not a single dull moment. Special mention to the two long sequences in the film, one where Antonio along with his friends and son Bruno, goes to a place where market of cycle parts is put up. How one by one each of them tries to see if any part is from the stolen bicycle. And other sequence, where Antonio completely dejected thinks of stealing a bicycle, I completely love the way his expressions are captured there, and how much delayed his action is done with lots of cut shots.

The first 20 mins of the film very easily bring you into the life of Antonio, telling how important that job as well as bicycle is for him. There's lot of humour in the film, especially through the performance of Enzo, who as a small kid for most time of the theif search journey gives a expression of 'why I am forced into finding him along with you dad'. All his mannerisms, and expressions are so epic, like the one where Antonio slaps him and notice how angry he gets by maintaining a distance with his father walking thereby. The swimming sequence after that was a very good thought by the script writer. Also, the conversation between Antonio and Bruno at restaurant. And, the role a predictor lady plays too..

The father-son chemistry is amazing to see, with Maria (Lianella) limited to small supporting role only.

The ending is different, though I wonder if FINE is their way to write (THE END like we did in those times), or it was to do with the film's situation.

Overall, I really liked this Italian film (saw with subtitles). I am still thinking over those cute expressions Bruno makes in the entire film. If ever you get a chance, you should definately see this film.. would like it certainly.

Masz na imie Justine [Views]

I have seen very few world movies. Dont remember, this could be the 1st one for me. I saw this one around a month ago, but still its there in my thoughts. Re-watched it some days back again.. The story is about a girl who wants to be happy, and feels the guy she loves will always keep her happy. But she is in for a surprise, a surprise that would to a extent end her desire to be happy ever again in life.

Its a story of Mariola who faces some hard circumstances, how the situation gets hold of her and she gives in. The pain, and the willingness to get away always in her eyes. She wants to live as Mariola, but she is forced to live the life of Justine.

The performance by Anna Cieslak who plays Mariola/Justine is outstanding. The sets and cinematography is very good too. The atmosphere or sourroundings set up perfectly brings up that mood where you feel for the character going through so much. There are some very tough scenes that are hard to see, the ones where Mariola for the 1st time goes through the painful life that has been gifted to her.

There are some very good dialogues too, especially the ones where Justine talks with her Grandma in her thoughts telling what she has gone through and what more is yet to come.

My fav one comes right at end of film "How much strength one needs to have? What for? Where is love? Where are dreams ? Where is this bloody justice" . In one single dialogue, the entire suffering of Justine is showcased.

Also, the sequence where Mariola in red dress stands outside a window only to realize that she doesnt have courage to commit suicide either, that entire scene is brilliantly shooted. Its also the poster of the film actually.

Mariola just wanted to be happy, and that's the only thing she was left desiring ever after.

A very good film!