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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Don't Worry Darling (2022) in Movies
Oct 1, 2022
Plays it Too Safe
The previews for the new thriller/mystery DON’T WORRY DARLING shows a housewife in a seemingly idyllic 1950’s paradise community - but something about this seemingly perfect paradise is off - an intriguing premise for a film and one that I am a sucker for. Clearly, it will have some sort of twist that explains the weird situation our heroine is in. Most of the time, I can glean what that twist is going to be, but I gotta give DON’T WORRY DARLING credit, I couldn’t guess this one.
Starring Florence Pugh (BLACK WIDOW) and Harry Styles (of ONE DIMENSION fame), and Directed by Olvia Wilde (who also has a supporting role in this film), DON’T WORRY DARLING is a passable mystery/thriller with a plot twist that “plays fair” with the incongruities early in the film.
This is a safe film - and one that is safely paced - and that is the very definition of “damning with faint praise”. It doesn’t “lean into” the weirdness of the situation or the resultant take on the Male Dominated society of the 1950’s that marginalizes women into subordinate helpers.
Writer Katie Silberman (BOOKSMART) and Director Wilde just are too tame and cautious in their approach to this material and the film drags, slightly, in the first part of the film - a part of the film that could have used more injection of life into it by showing stronger instances of incongruity caused by “the twist” later on or stronger resistance by the Pugh character to break out of the background role her character is bound to, but they shy away from it.
Saving this film is the central performance of Pugh as housewife Alice who is slowly beginning to realize that something is wrong with this piece of heaven. Chris Pine is enigmatically mysterious as Frank, the boss of this experimental community while Wilde, Gemma Chan (THE ETERNALS) and Nick Kroll (WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS) all provide solid - if unspectacular - supporting work.
Styles, on the other hand, works hard at his character and to hold his own in his scenes with Pugh, but he just isn’t on the same level of acting ability as Pugh, so his character falls short and seems thin in comparison to hers.
A film that could have been better if the Director and Writer had the courage of their commitments and pushed the envelope further AND if they could have found a counterpart performer to Pugh…but at least it does come up with an original and unique twist.
But, as it is, DON’T WORRY DARLING, falls squarely into “it’s fine, a good way to spend a few hours” category.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Starring Florence Pugh (BLACK WIDOW) and Harry Styles (of ONE DIMENSION fame), and Directed by Olvia Wilde (who also has a supporting role in this film), DON’T WORRY DARLING is a passable mystery/thriller with a plot twist that “plays fair” with the incongruities early in the film.
This is a safe film - and one that is safely paced - and that is the very definition of “damning with faint praise”. It doesn’t “lean into” the weirdness of the situation or the resultant take on the Male Dominated society of the 1950’s that marginalizes women into subordinate helpers.
Writer Katie Silberman (BOOKSMART) and Director Wilde just are too tame and cautious in their approach to this material and the film drags, slightly, in the first part of the film - a part of the film that could have used more injection of life into it by showing stronger instances of incongruity caused by “the twist” later on or stronger resistance by the Pugh character to break out of the background role her character is bound to, but they shy away from it.
Saving this film is the central performance of Pugh as housewife Alice who is slowly beginning to realize that something is wrong with this piece of heaven. Chris Pine is enigmatically mysterious as Frank, the boss of this experimental community while Wilde, Gemma Chan (THE ETERNALS) and Nick Kroll (WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS) all provide solid - if unspectacular - supporting work.
Styles, on the other hand, works hard at his character and to hold his own in his scenes with Pugh, but he just isn’t on the same level of acting ability as Pugh, so his character falls short and seems thin in comparison to hers.
A film that could have been better if the Director and Writer had the courage of their commitments and pushed the envelope further AND if they could have found a counterpart performer to Pugh…but at least it does come up with an original and unique twist.
But, as it is, DON’T WORRY DARLING, falls squarely into “it’s fine, a good way to spend a few hours” category.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated The Day After Tomorrow (2004) in Movies
Jan 2, 2018
Too cold to go out
A disaster movie that takes on fu ride. We have seen volcano's hurricanes, tornado's,Tsunami's and even the earth's core stop. Now we have to deal with the oceans currents stopping and causing a new ice age. With any disaster movie there is death,suspense and a hero or two. This provides all three but with a twist. we don't stop the disaster. One reason why I like this movie. How they survive that's for you to see
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Into the Water in Books
Jul 26, 2017
Unusual, not as good as first but intriguing twist
Very unusual story, with Paula Hawkins using a similar back and forth narrative with several narrators as in Girl On A Train. The difference being there are more than one primary characters and the neurotic protagonist is played down far more than in her previous novel. And there are numerous subplots which actually confused the entire story and does not seem to thread together very well. It would have been better with less complications.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1) in Books
Jul 27, 2017
A long episode of X-Files
For those who are Sci-fi fans, this is a bit of a dream. It's intelligent, compiled completely through a series of 'classified' interviews with a mysterious authoritative person with no name. While the concept is a bit unoriginal and slightly lame, it's written in a militaristic tone giving a sense of realism. There is a big twist at the end that sets up the premise for the next book. Interesting - but not much else.
Jenn (4 KP) rated American Gods in Books
Jul 9, 2017
If you're a Mythology fan, this is an excellent book
When you enter the world through Shadow's eyes, you go from something simple like being recently released from prison to something much more explosive (discovering the world is much more complicated than you thought. All in all, it is a great fiction for someone that likes drabs of mythology, intricate character development, and throw backs of history.
Sam (228 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Mar 3, 2019
Beautiful Imagery (2 more)
Gorgeous Storyline
Adorable Characters
A Different Kind of Love Story
Just like Pan's Labrynth this is a gorgeous fairytale with a whole new twist. I enjoyed the magical layers and depth that went into this film. Although I know many found it slow in comparison to Pan's Labrynth, however this film was not meant to be an extension of his previous masterpiece, rather it's meant to be a masterpiece all on its own. Personally, I believe it's accomplished just this.
Not quite the story I was expecting - the book actually feels like bits of different stories have been randomly pieces together, often meaning things get a bit confusing.
As the story flows along, I also found myself liking the two main characters less and less, to the point of indifference, which makes the twist ending fall a bit flat.
There are some gripping moments along the way and the book is easy to read, but I can’t help feeling a little disappointed overall.
As the story flows along, I also found myself liking the two main characters less and less, to the point of indifference, which makes the twist ending fall a bit flat.
There are some gripping moments along the way and the book is easy to read, but I can’t help feeling a little disappointed overall.
Auburn (57 KP) rated Kiss & Make Up in Books
Apr 10, 2019
<strong>It gets better</strong>
This is an high school romance with a twist. Emerson can read minds when she kisses or gets kissed. She uses this so called gift to do better in school by kissing all of the smartest boys. Until she finds out she is crushing on one.
While I loved the premise the execution made it seem more obsessive than it needed to be. If I enjoyed lip gloss I'm sure I would have liked it more.
This is an high school romance with a twist. Emerson can read minds when she kisses or gets kissed. She uses this so called gift to do better in school by kissing all of the smartest boys. Until she finds out she is crushing on one.
While I loved the premise the execution made it seem more obsessive than it needed to be. If I enjoyed lip gloss I'm sure I would have liked it more.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Black Mirror - Season 2 in TV
Apr 17, 2019
A real hit or miss show for me.
Don't get me wrong I enjoy Black Mirror but the show can be a real hit or miss for me because when it's good it's freaking AMAZING! But when it drags I lose all interest. For me personally White Bear was my favorite episode if Season 2 and I really loved the twist they came up with but then you have a dumpster fire like the Waldo episode which I really hated.
Colin Campbell (25 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
Apr 28, 2019
Special effects (1 more)
Extending the mythos
Builds the foundation
Contains spoilers, click to show
Set after the first film. Newt is back in the UK and the Mom is adamant that the whole episode in the US was at the bidding of Dumbledore.
Credence is alive and is searching for his family which is revealed in a twist at the end of the film. The scene is set similar to Deathly Hallows pt 1 with FB3 and 4 looking to blow away the viewer.
Credence is alive and is searching for his family which is revealed in a twist at the end of the film. The scene is set similar to Deathly Hallows pt 1 with FB3 and 4 looking to blow away the viewer.