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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Nomadland (2020) in Movies

May 2, 2021

Nomadland (2020)

2020 | Drama

8.0

(5 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Nomadland is a perfect example of cinema about people. The very real people that surround Frances McDormand's Fern are the very heart of this story, as it explores grief, and what it means to leave everything behind, and live out in the wilds, as a nomad. Its narrative feels very human, authentic, and is suitably heartwarming whilst being drenched in melancholy.
McDormand is fantastic as she tends to be. Her performance here is one that comes from someone who has perfected their craft.
The cinematography on display is quite simply stunning. Nomadland is overflowing with beautiful shots and vistas. Chloé Zhao has given us a visual feast to go along with everything else, and it's complimented by a gorgeous music score.

I honestly can't think of a single bad thing to say about Nomadland. I can understand why it might not be for everyone, but I found it to be a wonderful experience. A story that deserves to be told and one that made me question what I'm doing with my own life. Fully deserves all the praise it's getting.

Kudos

Awix (3310 KP) rated Rambo: Last Blood (2019) in Movies

Sep 19, 2019 (Updated Sep 19, 2019)

Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

2019 | Action, Adventure, Drama

6.4

(41 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Savagely, sadistically, but (oddly enough) not entirely gratuitously violent exploitation movie. Hulking war veteran John Rambo has retired to a quiet life in Arizona and all is well, until his innocent young niece is kidnapped by Mexican gangsters, hooked on drugs, and installed in a brothel. Suffice to say Rambo does not respond well to this.

Sounds like a recipe for a bone-headed train-wreck of an action movie, and there are a lot of things about it which are deeply problematic: the depiction of Mexico and Mexicans is highly provocative, it's inherently misogynistic, and some of the violence arguably goes too far. But parts of it have a depth and soulfulness to them that is rather surprising - Rambo himself is a highly ambiguous figure, and the story is competently told with a real sincerity to it. The climax is disappointingly mechanical, but the story holds together and it's always a bit cleverer and more surprising than you're anticipating. A horrible movie, yes, but not a wholly bad one.

Kudos

Ross (3284 KP) rated Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun in Books

Aug 19, 2019

Thrilling and eerie film adaptation

*I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
It has been a number of years since I watched Pan's Labyrinth, but remember it as being a dark, twisted fairy tale set during the second world war. The book keeps that feel, we are introduced to Ofelia, a quiet bookish young girl who is moving with her mother to live with her stepfather, as he tries to break a group of Spanish rebels, ahead of the birth of her half-brother.
Ofelia sees some unusual statues and artefacts in the woods and soon meets the Faun, who sets her a mission to return to take her place as the princess of the Underground Kingdom.
There follows a brilliant mix of Ofelia's real life, the despicable exploits of Franco's army, and the fairy tale world she steps into.
This is a very short, immersive fairy tale with lots of nice side-stories that all weave into the book in some form.