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Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
This new documentary which has been in cinemas and last night was shown on the centenary of the end of the war, takes never-before-seen footage from World War I and brings it to the screen in an emotional way to commemorate the centennial of the end of the war.
They Shall Not Grow Old starts with the old footage from the 1910’s in a small screen format that slowly gets bigger on the screen, the footage is raw, untouched, and shows a time that has long since passed. What makes this documentary so distinctive is that the commentary, throughout the film, is from the veterans from World War I, taken from the many archives to give us an emotional connection to those that survived the horrors of the war.
They Shall Not Grow Old starts with the old footage from the 1910’s in a small screen format that slowly gets bigger on the screen, the footage is raw, untouched, and shows a time that has long since passed. What makes this documentary so distinctive is that the commentary, throughout the film, is from the veterans from World War I, taken from the many archives to give us an emotional connection to those that survived the horrors of the war.
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated The Whale (2022) in Movies
Mar 5, 2023
Raw and Honest
Give Brendan Fraser the Oscar already.
Hollywood loves a comeback story and the return of Fraser to the Hollywood "A" list is complete with his heart-wrenching, honest turn in Darren Aronofsky's THE WHALE. It is the type of comeback that is deserving of all the accolades and awards that has come his way.
Directed, with restraint not normally associated with Aronofsky, THE WHALE tells the tale of a College Professor who drowns his feelings in food. The film, based on the play (and screenplay) by Samuel D. Hunter follows this Professor, Charlie (Brendan Fraser of THE MUMMY fame) as he seeks to make amends with his estranged daughter as his obesity starts to take it's toll.
Since this is based on a stage play, most of the film takes place inside Charlie's apartment and the number of characters in this film are limited - and all of them hit their mark very well, thanks to the Best Direction that Aronofsky has ever achieved. He limits his usual histrionics, letting the camera focus on the faces and emotions of his characters, keeping movement to a minimum and engrossing the audience in the punch that these emotions provide. It is a shame that he was not Nominated for an Oscar for his work here, it is masterful.
Because of this - and the powerful script by Hunter - the cast of this film shines brightly. From Samantha Morton (MINORITY REPORT) to Ty Simpkins (JURASSIC WORLD) to Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield in Netflix' STRANGER THINGS), Aronofsky draws strong, raw and HONEST performances that elevate as each interact with each other.
Hong Chau (giving her 2nd straight strong performance following her work in the under-rated and under-appreciated THE MENU) is also Oscar Nominated (for Supporting Actress) for her work as Charlie's caregiver. It is a subtle, loving, emotional performance that touches the heart and her Oscar nomination is well deserved.
But, make no mistake about it, this film is Fraser's and he commands it from start to finish. Sure, the "fat suit" he is wearing that gives him the appearance of a 400 lb (+) obese man is jarring, but it is the raw emotions - rage, fear, sadness, hate, self-loathing and love - that Fraser is able to eminate through that wall of prosthetics that is truly astonishing. It is the performance of a career and one that will win him the Oscar.
Welcome back, Brendan Fraser, the movies missed you.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Hollywood loves a comeback story and the return of Fraser to the Hollywood "A" list is complete with his heart-wrenching, honest turn in Darren Aronofsky's THE WHALE. It is the type of comeback that is deserving of all the accolades and awards that has come his way.
Directed, with restraint not normally associated with Aronofsky, THE WHALE tells the tale of a College Professor who drowns his feelings in food. The film, based on the play (and screenplay) by Samuel D. Hunter follows this Professor, Charlie (Brendan Fraser of THE MUMMY fame) as he seeks to make amends with his estranged daughter as his obesity starts to take it's toll.
Since this is based on a stage play, most of the film takes place inside Charlie's apartment and the number of characters in this film are limited - and all of them hit their mark very well, thanks to the Best Direction that Aronofsky has ever achieved. He limits his usual histrionics, letting the camera focus on the faces and emotions of his characters, keeping movement to a minimum and engrossing the audience in the punch that these emotions provide. It is a shame that he was not Nominated for an Oscar for his work here, it is masterful.
Because of this - and the powerful script by Hunter - the cast of this film shines brightly. From Samantha Morton (MINORITY REPORT) to Ty Simpkins (JURASSIC WORLD) to Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield in Netflix' STRANGER THINGS), Aronofsky draws strong, raw and HONEST performances that elevate as each interact with each other.
Hong Chau (giving her 2nd straight strong performance following her work in the under-rated and under-appreciated THE MENU) is also Oscar Nominated (for Supporting Actress) for her work as Charlie's caregiver. It is a subtle, loving, emotional performance that touches the heart and her Oscar nomination is well deserved.
But, make no mistake about it, this film is Fraser's and he commands it from start to finish. Sure, the "fat suit" he is wearing that gives him the appearance of a 400 lb (+) obese man is jarring, but it is the raw emotions - rage, fear, sadness, hate, self-loathing and love - that Fraser is able to eminate through that wall of prosthetics that is truly astonishing. It is the performance of a career and one that will win him the Oscar.
Welcome back, Brendan Fraser, the movies missed you.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
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Book Divas (227 KP) rated The November Girl in Books
Dec 11, 2017
A Well Written Story with Stunning Characters
The November Girl is beautiful and yet a dark and eerily haunting story. I felt both a warm and cold embrace as I found myself falling into this tale that kept me second guessing myself not only with Hector but also with Anda as well. I would often stop reading so I could close my eyes and envision what Anda would look like and many times I scared myself because I could see her raw power as she was a force to be reckoned with. Hector brought out the motherly side of me and I just wanted to put my arms around him and reassure him that he was safe.
This was a well-written story with absolutely stunning characters and this tale will haunt me for a very long time.
This was a well-written story with absolutely stunning characters and this tale will haunt me for a very long time.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Iron Man 3 (2013) in Movies
Mar 22, 2019 (Updated Sep 28, 2020)
Somewhat atypical Marvel movie solves the problem of how to keep things fresh and interesting by recruiting Shane Black as director, who brings his usual blend of hardboiled thriller and screwball comedy to the genre. When a series of terror attacks by the mysterious Mandarin strikes close to home, Tony Stark vows to take him on - but not all is as it seems...
Hardly an essential movie in terms of the mighty Marvel meta-plot, but still a hugely clever, fun, well-constructed movie. Unfairly gets a raw deal from some comic fans for its radical interpretation of a classic Iron Man villain, but the sparklingly witty script and great performances from the principal cast more than make up for it. Black handles the big-scale action sequences as adroitly as the comic scenes. One of the more underrated movies in the MCU.
Hardly an essential movie in terms of the mighty Marvel meta-plot, but still a hugely clever, fun, well-constructed movie. Unfairly gets a raw deal from some comic fans for its radical interpretation of a classic Iron Man villain, but the sparklingly witty script and great performances from the principal cast more than make up for it. Black handles the big-scale action sequences as adroitly as the comic scenes. One of the more underrated movies in the MCU.
The story follows Paisley Parker in her journey through the lifestyle and blackmail. Paisley was down to earth and raw. She gave zero clucks about what anyone thought of her. She loved women and men.
Calvin was ok he didn’t do anything for me. Don’t get me wrong he was very attractive but he lacked that dominance I love in male characters.
This book wasn’t to my liking but it was a ok read. I learned somethings about myself. I don’t mind reading lifestyle stories because let’s face it w/w is hot. But I could never be in that type of relationship.
Both characters turned out really well and I am glad I had the chance to read this story. The author captured their personalities really well. I look forward to her next book. Because this one was well written and interesting.
Calvin was ok he didn’t do anything for me. Don’t get me wrong he was very attractive but he lacked that dominance I love in male characters.
This book wasn’t to my liking but it was a ok read. I learned somethings about myself. I don’t mind reading lifestyle stories because let’s face it w/w is hot. But I could never be in that type of relationship.
Both characters turned out really well and I am glad I had the chance to read this story. The author captured their personalities really well. I look forward to her next book. Because this one was well written and interesting.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Hostel Part II (2007) in Movies
Jun 29, 2018
There are a lot of mixed reviews for this. Some saying it is better than the first, a slight majority disagreeing. It is still very bloody, gory and has a bit of torture in it but to a lesser extent of the first. In that respect it is similar to the first but this time with three girls. I'm glad this does follow on from the first and is the same Hostel. At first I thought this might be set in a totally different place to the first. The only real problem is after the first it's all a bit predictable, especially who will be killed etc. It doesn't quite have that raw edge of the first that made it a bit more believable. Overall if you liked the first this pretty much more of the same if not as gritty.