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Daniel Johnson (11 KP) rated Brick (2006) in Movies
Sep 5, 2017
Mystery (2 more)
plot
character
Excellent
Rian Johnson is a genius.
With his directorial debut he crafts an excellent story, that features some of the best young adult actors in recent history. It becomes even more impressive when you realise how few adults feature in the film.
With a mystery that puts you on the edge of your seat, a murder, a drug den and adult themes that most would refrain from showing in this context, this neo-noir is a reminder of what is great about the noir genre.
Expertly filmed, edited and scored, with some beautiful shots that leave you breathless, this film will not disappoint.
With his directorial debut he crafts an excellent story, that features some of the best young adult actors in recent history. It becomes even more impressive when you realise how few adults feature in the film.
With a mystery that puts you on the edge of your seat, a murder, a drug den and adult themes that most would refrain from showing in this context, this neo-noir is a reminder of what is great about the noir genre.
Expertly filmed, edited and scored, with some beautiful shots that leave you breathless, this film will not disappoint.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Knives Out (2019) in Movies
Jan 2, 2020
I was very leery of this film, after The Last Jedi, I don't trust anything Rian Johnson touches. But, I can't resist a locked-house-esque mystery.
The whole 'murder' is fairly straightforward, and it's 'explained' early on. Though, it's baffling to me, because in the end, the final act was indeed what it was first perceived as.
The cast was pretty good, but the political discussions could have been cut out. It would have been a stronger movie without all of that.
Was it easy to figure out? Relatively, if you follow your gut, you're right about who was the 'culprit'.
Entertaining, but I never need to see it again.
The whole 'murder' is fairly straightforward, and it's 'explained' early on. Though, it's baffling to me, because in the end, the final act was indeed what it was first perceived as.
The cast was pretty good, but the political discussions could have been cut out. It would have been a stronger movie without all of that.
Was it easy to figure out? Relatively, if you follow your gut, you're right about who was the 'culprit'.
Entertaining, but I never need to see it again.
David McK (3185 KP) rated Knives Out (2019) in Movies
Dec 27, 2022
It seems all bit impossible to talk about a Rian Johnson film without mentioning *that* other, incredibly divisive, movie in a certain Space-based franchise.
I'm one of those who that movie pretty much soured me on seeing any others by the same director.
However, this recently popped up on Netflix and so I decided that, as enough time had passed, I would give it a shot.
What I saw was pretty much a standard whodunnit, not as funny or as clever as the reviews made it out to be, and with some twists and turns I saw coming but others which I didn't.
I will agree, however, that Ana de Armas is the standout in the entire film. (And the least said about Craig's atrocious accent the better)
I'm one of those who that movie pretty much soured me on seeing any others by the same director.
However, this recently popped up on Netflix and so I decided that, as enough time had passed, I would give it a shot.
What I saw was pretty much a standard whodunnit, not as funny or as clever as the reviews made it out to be, and with some twists and turns I saw coming but others which I didn't.
I will agree, however, that Ana de Armas is the standout in the entire film. (And the least said about Craig's atrocious accent the better)
Awix (3310 KP) rated Knives Out (2019) in Movies
Nov 28, 2019
Bravura Agatha Christie pastiche from Rian Johnson. A successful writer turns up dead in suspicious circumstances, and a renowned private detective finds himself retained to investigate the situation. There are various unpleasant and scheming relatives and an implausibly convoluted plot unfolds before the denouement: the film is almost self-consciously modern in many ways, but hits all the right beats for a whodunnit in the classic style.
It mainly manages this thanks to Johnson's mastery of tone - this is a sly, playful movie, full of big performances as comically grotesque characters. Daniel Craig is clearly having rather too much fun as the Poirot-proxy and I can imagine him wanting to play this fellow again once he's finished with that other well-known role of his. An impressive performance from Ana de Armas as well. Pure entertainment, superbly done: lots and lots of fun.
It mainly manages this thanks to Johnson's mastery of tone - this is a sly, playful movie, full of big performances as comically grotesque characters. Daniel Craig is clearly having rather too much fun as the Poirot-proxy and I can imagine him wanting to play this fellow again once he's finished with that other well-known role of his. An impressive performance from Ana de Armas as well. Pure entertainment, superbly done: lots and lots of fun.
The Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Book
Written and directed by Rian Johnson (Looper, The Brothers Bloom, Brick) and production designed by...
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
The Galaxy like you've never seen it before
Crafting sequels is never easy, but creating a fitting sequel to 2015’s biggest movie and one of the world’s biggest franchises is no easy feat. Not only do you have to make a film that moves the game on from The Force Awakens, but one that also meets the incredibly high expectations of fans across the globe.
Who took on this ridiculous job I hear you cry? Well Looper’s Rian Johnson takes over directorial duties from J.J. Abrams and the result is The Last Jedi. But is this a fitting sequel or a lacklustre affair?
Following on from the events of 2015’s The Force Awakens, Rey (Daisy Ridley) develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) prepares to do battle with not only the First Order, but Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) too.
The Last Jedi opens with a beautifully choreographed battle between good and evil as Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac), assisted by the adorable BB-8, tries to take on the evil First Order. This stunningly directed sequence sets up The Last Jedi perfectly – this is one hell of a good-looking film.
Practical effects are the order of the day here, something some other franchises seem to have forgotten about, and the movie is all the better for having them there. From large scale model ships to the more intricate fauna, The Last Jedi seeps with attention to detail – no stone has been left unturned in creating a living, breathing world. So, it’s all the more disappointing to be sucked out of the spectacle with some occasionally very shoddy CGI.
Apart from a couple of lapses that are geared more towards the film’s finale, The Last Jedi is probably the best-looking Star Wars film out there. From the blood-red lair of Supreme Leader Snoke to the salt-encrusted planet of the film’s gorgeous finale, every frame gives you something to look at. Rian Johnson carefully focusses the cameras on our main characters, using intense close-ups to bleed every single drop of emotion from them. Speaking of which, the entire cast is absolutely mesmerising.
Daisy Ridley deserves recognition for being utterly brilliant in this instalment. I had my reservations about her ability to cope with the toll this franchise would take on the actress but she has proved me wrong, and then some. John Boyega is excellent and Laura Dern’s addition to the galaxy is wonderful. The problem is the cast is just so huge, it’s impossible to mention everyone. Oh, Adam Driver’s performance really has to be seen to be believed and Kylo Ren is definitely moving up the ranks of the Star Wars villain hierarchy. His take on the character in The Last Jedi is exceptional.
If The Force Awakens was J.J. Abrams love letter to the franchise, then The Last Jedi is the break-up song
Special mention must go however, to Carrie Fisher. Rian Johnson has stated that none of Fisher’s scenes were changed or moved after the actresses’ untimely death last year, but her time on screen really does take on new, and emotional, meaning here. Princess Leia is as much a Star Wars staple as Chewie, Luke or Han and the galaxy certainly won’t shine brighter without her presence. Nevertheless, this was a fitting tribute to the actress and a wonderful body of work to have her name attached to.
The script is like nothing Star Wars has ever seen before. Riddled with more twists and turns than spaghetti junction, it’s almost entirely unpredictable and that’s something you really don’t see come around very often. In any other franchise it would be exhausting, but here it’s exhilarating and incredibly well written.
At 152 minutes, The Last Jedi is a long film, the longest in the franchise in fact and there’s no getting away from that. The middle act in which some of our heroes traverse a vast casino planet are a little off pace and it does have a whiff of George Lucas’ less than stellar prequels about it, but the rest of the film moves at breakneck speed.
Overall, Rian Johnson has taken risks here and the majority of them pay off with fantastic results; Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a worthy sequel to an ever-growing brand and one that outdoes its predecessor by some margin. If The Force Awakens was J.J. Abrams love letter to the franchise, then The Last Jedi is the break-up song because while still feeling like a Star Wars movie in many ways, it’s so different it’ll have you picking your jaw up off the floor more than once. My only question is: why isn’t Rian Johnson directing Episode IX?
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/12/14/star-wars-the-last-jedi-review-the-galaxy-like-youve-never-seen-it-before/
Who took on this ridiculous job I hear you cry? Well Looper’s Rian Johnson takes over directorial duties from J.J. Abrams and the result is The Last Jedi. But is this a fitting sequel or a lacklustre affair?
Following on from the events of 2015’s The Force Awakens, Rey (Daisy Ridley) develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) prepares to do battle with not only the First Order, but Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) too.
The Last Jedi opens with a beautifully choreographed battle between good and evil as Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac), assisted by the adorable BB-8, tries to take on the evil First Order. This stunningly directed sequence sets up The Last Jedi perfectly – this is one hell of a good-looking film.
Practical effects are the order of the day here, something some other franchises seem to have forgotten about, and the movie is all the better for having them there. From large scale model ships to the more intricate fauna, The Last Jedi seeps with attention to detail – no stone has been left unturned in creating a living, breathing world. So, it’s all the more disappointing to be sucked out of the spectacle with some occasionally very shoddy CGI.
Apart from a couple of lapses that are geared more towards the film’s finale, The Last Jedi is probably the best-looking Star Wars film out there. From the blood-red lair of Supreme Leader Snoke to the salt-encrusted planet of the film’s gorgeous finale, every frame gives you something to look at. Rian Johnson carefully focusses the cameras on our main characters, using intense close-ups to bleed every single drop of emotion from them. Speaking of which, the entire cast is absolutely mesmerising.
Daisy Ridley deserves recognition for being utterly brilliant in this instalment. I had my reservations about her ability to cope with the toll this franchise would take on the actress but she has proved me wrong, and then some. John Boyega is excellent and Laura Dern’s addition to the galaxy is wonderful. The problem is the cast is just so huge, it’s impossible to mention everyone. Oh, Adam Driver’s performance really has to be seen to be believed and Kylo Ren is definitely moving up the ranks of the Star Wars villain hierarchy. His take on the character in The Last Jedi is exceptional.
If The Force Awakens was J.J. Abrams love letter to the franchise, then The Last Jedi is the break-up song
Special mention must go however, to Carrie Fisher. Rian Johnson has stated that none of Fisher’s scenes were changed or moved after the actresses’ untimely death last year, but her time on screen really does take on new, and emotional, meaning here. Princess Leia is as much a Star Wars staple as Chewie, Luke or Han and the galaxy certainly won’t shine brighter without her presence. Nevertheless, this was a fitting tribute to the actress and a wonderful body of work to have her name attached to.
The script is like nothing Star Wars has ever seen before. Riddled with more twists and turns than spaghetti junction, it’s almost entirely unpredictable and that’s something you really don’t see come around very often. In any other franchise it would be exhausting, but here it’s exhilarating and incredibly well written.
At 152 minutes, The Last Jedi is a long film, the longest in the franchise in fact and there’s no getting away from that. The middle act in which some of our heroes traverse a vast casino planet are a little off pace and it does have a whiff of George Lucas’ less than stellar prequels about it, but the rest of the film moves at breakneck speed.
Overall, Rian Johnson has taken risks here and the majority of them pay off with fantastic results; Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a worthy sequel to an ever-growing brand and one that outdoes its predecessor by some margin. If The Force Awakens was J.J. Abrams love letter to the franchise, then The Last Jedi is the break-up song because while still feeling like a Star Wars movie in many ways, it’s so different it’ll have you picking your jaw up off the floor more than once. My only question is: why isn’t Rian Johnson directing Episode IX?
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/12/14/star-wars-the-last-jedi-review-the-galaxy-like-youve-never-seen-it-before/
David McK (3185 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) in Movies
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Mar 29, 2020)
BB-8 (2 more)
Harrison Ford
Return to practical effects instead of an over excess of cgi
It's no coincidence that one of the earliest lines in the film is 'this will make everything right'.
The first Post-Disney acquisition film in the Star Wars saga, this one had a lot of expectation on its shoulders: it had to appease those who felt 'sold out' by the prequels (i.e. largely those who grew up with the originals) while also had to appeal to a whole new generation. In other words, it had quite a tightrope to walk.
A tightrope which, by and large, it does so successfully.
It's not perfect: JJ Abrams sets up a lot of questions which Rian Johnson would later deem irrelevant (in The Last Jedi), while elements of the plot are, shall we say, more than a little familiar, but by and large...
The first Post-Disney acquisition film in the Star Wars saga, this one had a lot of expectation on its shoulders: it had to appease those who felt 'sold out' by the prequels (i.e. largely those who grew up with the originals) while also had to appeal to a whole new generation. In other words, it had quite a tightrope to walk.
A tightrope which, by and large, it does so successfully.
It's not perfect: JJ Abrams sets up a lot of questions which Rian Johnson would later deem irrelevant (in The Last Jedi), while elements of the plot are, shall we say, more than a little familiar, but by and large...
Erika (17788 KP) rated Resistance Reborn (Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) in Books
Nov 20, 2019
UGH, I so wanted this novel to be good. This book basically attempted to fix what the Last Jedi messed up.
For one, I'm not completely sold on the author. I hadn't ever read anything she'd written before, and this book didn't exactly want me to pick up anything else by her. Having her write this novel was a mistake, someone more established and proven should have been the one to write this novel.
The novel picks up right after the Last Jedi. There's a semi-emo Poe, trying to get over the clusterf-ck of what Rian Johnson did to his character. The return of Wedge was highly anti-climactic, and I don't really understand why it was done. I'm assuming he ends up with a larger role in Rise of Skywalker? Who knows?
Also, Leia was on Ryloth and Hera WASN'T in the book? Fail, and a mistake.
Overall, the characters were wooden, and it was a highly predictable book. Maybe it was essential reading? We'll see in a month.
For one, I'm not completely sold on the author. I hadn't ever read anything she'd written before, and this book didn't exactly want me to pick up anything else by her. Having her write this novel was a mistake, someone more established and proven should have been the one to write this novel.
The novel picks up right after the Last Jedi. There's a semi-emo Poe, trying to get over the clusterf-ck of what Rian Johnson did to his character. The return of Wedge was highly anti-climactic, and I don't really understand why it was done. I'm assuming he ends up with a larger role in Rise of Skywalker? Who knows?
Also, Leia was on Ryloth and Hera WASN'T in the book? Fail, and a mistake.
Overall, the characters were wooden, and it was a highly predictable book. Maybe it was essential reading? We'll see in a month.
Edgar Wright recommended Knives Out (2019) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3185 KP) rated Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in Books
May 22, 2020
Novelisation of the final entry in 'The Skywalker Saga', that seeks to add context and rationale behind some of the decisions made in that movie.
And, for the most part, it works.
It's just a pity that the film needed this added to it …
It's here we learn that Palpatine (in the movie) is a failing clone body inhabited by the spirit of the 'original' Palpatine, and that Lando's daughter was kidnapped and raised by The First Order (giving greater context to his decision at the end of the movie to go off with Jannah). We also get a bit more insight into Rey (and her 'Dark Rey' vision) although, bafflingly, there's still no explanation of how she can be so powerful in the Force.
The biggest problem, to me, with the sequel trilogy is that it is clear there was no guiding hand, making The Rise of Skywalker feel like a massive retcon after Rian Johnson through out all of the good work in The Force Awakens with his The Last Jedi - even a hint that Palpatine had been pulling the strings the entire time in either of those two earlier movies would have helped somewhat! It's here that Rae Carson attempts to tie the narrative into a coherent whole, with mixed results.
And, for the most part, it works.
It's just a pity that the film needed this added to it …
It's here we learn that Palpatine (in the movie) is a failing clone body inhabited by the spirit of the 'original' Palpatine, and that Lando's daughter was kidnapped and raised by The First Order (giving greater context to his decision at the end of the movie to go off with Jannah). We also get a bit more insight into Rey (and her 'Dark Rey' vision) although, bafflingly, there's still no explanation of how she can be so powerful in the Force.
The biggest problem, to me, with the sequel trilogy is that it is clear there was no guiding hand, making The Rise of Skywalker feel like a massive retcon after Rian Johnson through out all of the good work in The Force Awakens with his The Last Jedi - even a hint that Palpatine had been pulling the strings the entire time in either of those two earlier movies would have helped somewhat! It's here that Rae Carson attempts to tie the narrative into a coherent whole, with mixed results.