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“Parasite” (2019) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Parasite tells the story of the Kim family, who live in poverty and fold pizza boxes in order to make an income. When the son of the Kim family, Ki-Woo (Choi Woo-shik) is presented with the opportunity to tutor the Park’s daughter, he recruits his sister, Ki-jung (Park So-dam), mother, Chung-sook (Chang Hyae-jin), and father, Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho), to work for the Parks, as an art therapist, a housekeeper and a driver, respectively. Throughout the duration of the film, we watch how the relationship between the Kims and the Parks grows, and how chaos unfolds itself.
First, let’s talk about the theme of this film. This movie brings up issues of class and class struggle. There is one part of the film where this theme is extremely evident. When it is pouring rain, we see that the Kims are running home, down several flights of stairs to get to their home in the deep streets of Korea. When they get home, their whole neighbourhood, including their house, is flooded. We see the Kims sleep in a shelter, shoulder to shoulder with strangers, then waking up and picking their outfits from a pile of clothes in the middle of the shelter. In contrast, we see how the Parks enjoy the rain, as they spend it under the roof of their beautiful home, watching their son sleep under his tent outside. The Parks then wake up and enjoy the glow after the rain, while the Kims face the repercussions of the storm.
There is a huge shift in tone throughout the movie. At first, we get to see the comedic side of the film and the Kim family, as they scheme their way into the Park home. The Kims setup ways to frame the Park’s previous workers, for example, by harming the housekeeper with peaches, which she is extremely allergic to. This is just one of the hilarious and brilliant ways the Kim’s get their whole family to work for the same wealthy family. But soon enough, the tone changes tremendously. Suddenly, the Park’s old housekeeper comes back to the house while they are on a camping trip. Although she claims to have left something in the basement and was just going in to grab it, she goes down to the basement, followed down by Mrs. Kim, and it is revealed that her husband has been living down there for four years, with the housekeeper going down to feed him. When the Parks come back early from their trip, everything is normal, or so they think. The Parks plan a party in their backyard, and this is when things take a turn for the worst.
One thing that was quite impactful and seemed to have a deeper meaning was when Ki-taek stabbed the patriarch of the Park family, Dong-ik at the party. As Ki-taek was trying to save his daughter, the Parks seemed to be more concerned about getting their son, Da-song, to a hospital as he passed out after the fight in the yard broke out. When Dong-ik tries to get his keys from under the dead housekeeper's husband, Ki-taek sees him covering his nose to mask the scent that came from the man. When he sees this, we get a sense that Ki-taek’s anger has bottled up and came out as he charged towards Dong-ik and stabbed him. This scene helps us understand that Ki-taek was deeply offended by how Dong-ik reacted and spoke about his odor on multiple occasions. We can assume that Ki-taek and the housekeeper’s husband have a similar “basement” smell, due to their similar living conditions. This again brings up issues of class struggle because the smell those men carry is beyond their control.
Throughout the movie, there were small yet immensely important moments. From hitting the switch in the basement to trigger the light on the main floor of the house with messages in morse code, to the significance of the rock gifted to the Kim family in the beginning of the movie; each one of these things, among many others, were important to the storyline and significant to the plot in some way. Another aspect that is important to note was how great the structure of the Park’s family’s home worked in the movie. The layout of the house, along with the large windows and the dark and tiny semi-basement, made it the perfect setting for all of the chaos to present itself. Trust me, I could go on for days talking about just how brilliant this film is.
But who are the ‘parasites’ in the film? I think that the parasites could be anyone who is living or working in the Park’s home, including the Kim family, the former housekeeper, and her husband. Each of these characters somehow contributed to the major conflict, which ultimately destroys both families in the end. Whether it be hiding in the basement of the Park’s house, or taking advantage of their wealth, these characters acted as ‘parasites’ by infecting the Park’s and leaching into their home.
I would rate this film a 9/10. Although I have watched this film before, I enjoyed watching it more this time around. I found myself paying more attention to detail and thinking more about some plot points, for example, why Ki-taek had the sudden urge to stab Dong-ik. This is because I think it does an amazing job of portraying class struggle, and I also think that the plot is extremely interesting, especially because of the change in tone and the major plot twist. I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a movie with an unexpected plot. Overall, I thought this film was absolutely brilliant with its plot and execution, and their Oscar for Best Picture in 2020 (among winning awards in other categories) was very well deserved.
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“Rear Window” (1954) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Rear Window tells the story of L.B. 'Jeff' Jefferies (James Stewart) who is stuck in his apartment, recovering from a broken leg. Out of boredom, Jeff begins to spy on his neighbours. After noticing that a woman is missing from her apartment, he suspects that a murder has occured, and his neighbour Thorwald is the one responsible. Jeff gets help from his nurse, Stella (Thelma Ritter), and his girlfriend, Lisa (Grace Kelly), to find the proof he needs in order to convict Thorwald.
Rear Window is a mystery, thriller film, and this is largely shown through the use of music, visuals, and suspense. One thing that I really liked about this film was seeing the film through the lens of Jeff’s binoculars, or simply through his apartment window. I thought that this was an interesting change to a normal shot that we usually see, and allows us to see the entire movie from the perspective of Jeff. The set design is something that is also very important to this film. In the beginning, the camera pans around the neighbourhood and apartments, establishing the location of Jeff’s apartment in relation to his neighbours. Lastly, the lighting plays a crucial part in creating suspense throughout the film, and it represents what the characters know. For example, if the lights in Jeff’s neighbour’s apartment are on, the audience as well as Jeff, are able to see them and what they’re doing. However, when the lights are off, Jeff and the audience cannot know, and are therefore left in suspense.
In terms of acting, I thought that James Stewart portrayed his character well. Jeff comes off as a stubborn and focused man, which he would need to be because of his goal to prove Thorwald guilty. I also thought that both Stella and Lisa were important characters, each in their own way. Stella gives Jeff advice about his relationship with Lisa, and helps him recover from his injury. On the other hand, Lisa is a brave woman who does whatever she can in order to help Jeff convict Thorwald, even if this means getting trapped in Thorwald’s apartment.
One scene that I was really interested in was after Lisa goes to the apartment across from Jeff, and Thorwald sees him spying. After this happens, Thorwald comes to Jeff’s apartment. This scene is exciting and intense for the viewer because we know that Jeff is in a wheelchair and won’t be able to do much if Thorwald were to come into Jeff’s apartment, which he does. Unfortunately, this situation does not turn out well for Jeff, as he is left with two broken legs at the end of the movie. However, he is able to accomplish what he wanted, which was to get Thorwald to admit to the crime he commited.
I would rate this movie a 7/10. I enjoyed watching a film that was created by one of the most influential filmmakers, Alfred Hitchcock. Something that I was not so fond of was watching a movie that revolves around someone sitting in their apartment and spying on his neighbour, and while I understand that this is the premise of the movie, I would’ve liked to see more “action”. I would recommend this film to anyone who is looking for a change from a modern day movie, and enjoys elements of mystery, thrill and suspense. I would also recommend this movie to anyone who wants to be immersed in an older style of film and get a feel for Hitchcock's style that is extremely iconic in film history.
#rear window#alfred hitchcock#hitchcock#film#film review#auteur#grace kelly#james stewart#thelma ritter
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“Casablanca” (1942) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Casablanca is more than just your typical love story; it details the tremendous sacrifices that individuals have to make in order for good to prevail over evil. Set in the Moroccan city of the same name, we are first introduced to a very unique premise which sets the tone for the rest of the film. At the height of World War II, virtually the entirety of Europe sees America as a land of prosperity, peace, and opportunity. The only problem, however, is getting there. Casablanca acts as a stepping stone in the path to Lisbon, Portugal, where ships regularly depart to America. Right off the bat, we are given the impression that all those that land in Casablanca will do whatever it takes to get out.
The film follows the charismatic yet mysterious Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), the owner of “Rick’s Cafe Americain” in Casablanca. An exchange with a common hustler named Ugarte suddenly leaves Rick in the possession of two “letters of transit”, which allow for unrestricted travel throughout Europe. Throughout the film, we see that the travel papers serve as a physical representation of freedom. At this point, I found the dialogue and set-up for the film to be excellent, and I was quite intrigued.
The plot begins to thicken once we are introduced to Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a Czech Resistance leader who has escaped from the grasp of the German forces on numerous occasions. What is more interesting is the fact that his wife, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), is a past lover of Rick’s who we later discover is the reason for his somewhat cold nature. Rick and Ilsa’s relationship is represented by the song “As Time Goes By”, an emotional theme detailing their forgotten love over the years. Throughout the film, the theme serves as a reminder for the audience that the connection between the two characters is something that neither time nor distance can sever.
The film comes to a gut-wrenching end as we see Rick make a tremendous sacrifice by giving the travel papers to Ilsa and Laszlo so that they can escape to America and continue their work with the Resistance. Rick acted as a true hero by giving up the chance to be with his long-lost love in exchange for a strong Resistance movement and the hope for an end to the War.
In terms of the film itself, I personally found it a bit difficult to adjust to the black and white colour and the dialogue-driven nature of the movie. Truth be told, I expected a little more from the film and its climax; I thought the ending happened fairly abruptly and the movie was over before I could properly wrap my head around what happened. I did, however, appreciate the flashbacks of Rick and Ilsa’s time together in Paris, and I think it helped the audience to understand just how difficult of a decision it was for Rick to let Ilsa leave him for the second time.
I would rate Casablanca a 7.5/10. I can see why this movie is seen as great, although I would personally remove the “of all time” part. Instead, I would have loved to see a more modern, fast-paced take on it while leaving the plot intact. The characters and their history were quite detailed, but I still feel that some critical part was missing. Essentially, I was not glued to my seat, which is something that I personally enjoy when I watch a movie. I would recommend this movie to people who enjoy films with a solid plot that is backed by plenty of witty dialogue, and to those who are interested in watching classics that highlight film history in the 20th century.
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“The Dark Knight” (2008) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
In The Dark Knight, Batman (Christian Bale), along with Police Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), form an alliance to dismantle crime groups in Gotham City. However, they are threatened by a deranged mastermind, the Joker (Heath Ledger) who intends to kill Batman and bring the city of Gotham down.
The Dark Knight was a dark film in terms of tone. This was largely accomplished by the visuals throughout the movie, such as the dark sky and the city of Gotham that has been overtaken by crime. The theme of this film is also quite complex, and honestly not what I expected. Before watching, I thought this film would just be your average superhero film, with a superhero and a villain fighting against each other for the greater good. Instead, The Dark Knight brings up many different themes including justice vs. corruption, love and loss, and chaos and destruction, and I was honestly very impressed by the depth of this film.
The makeup and effects in this film added to the overall performance by really allowing the viewer to believe who the characters were. The Joker’s classic chalk-white face, and his overlined red lips add to his character’s “look”, being the psychopathic, mass murdering clown with zero empathy. Moreover, when Harvey Dent is caught in an explosion, half of his face becomes disfigured. The makeup effects, along with Aaron Eckhart’s amazing performance allow the audience to understand Harvey’s hatred and frustration on what happened to him and why he became Two-Face.
One scene that stood out to me was the interrogation scene between Batman and the Joker. During this scene, we see Heath Ledger’s full performance as the Joker, and an impressive one at that. Before this scene, we never saw the full potential of the Joker and his insanity, but this scene gave the Joker a chance to show his true colours. The Joker’s demonic laugh along with his makeup and overall tone when speaking to Batman made it a scene that was truly well done. We see Heath Ledger really take over the role of the Joker and he did it extremely well. His performance was truly outstanding, and it is incredibly sad to know that that was the last time we would be able to see Heath Ledger’s amazing job portraying the character of the Joker.
Overall, I would rate this film a 9/10. The Dark Knight contains elements of drama, romance, action, and dark humour, along with just a touch of horror (you know, from the psychopathic killer, the Joker), which make the film extremely interesting and complex. Also, knowing how dedicated Heath Ledger was to his role as the Joker, as he locked himself in a hotel room to get into character, makes the Joker’s performance even more special and impressive. Not to mention Christian Bale who is arguably the best Batman out there. I would recommend this film to anyone who is interested in superheroes or the DC comic universe, or someone who enjoys action movies, and doesn’t mind the superhero aspect of it. The running time of this movie is quite long, being a whole 2 and a half hour long feature, but honestly, watching the performances by Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, and of course, Heath Ledger, was absolutely worth it.
#dark knight#batman#the joker#harvey dent#christian bale#heath ledger#film review#film#christopher nolan#gotham city#crime#good vs evil
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“Forrest Gump” (1994) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) isn’t the smartest person you’d meet. Raised by his single mother (Sally Field), who showers him with love, encouragement, and words of wisdom such as “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”, Forrest learns to navigate through life and persevere through whatever life throws at him. We watch Forrest as he first escapes bullies in grade school, to becoming a star on his school's football team, to then becoming best friends with Bubba (Mykelti Williamson) while serving in the Vietnam War, to then becoming a ping-pong champion and opening a seafood business. Through all this, Forrest never forgot about one of the most important things in life; his love for his childhood sweetheart, Jenny (Robin Wright).
First off, I think that the way the story is told is very unique. The film is narrated by Forrest, as he sits at a bus stop and explains his life story to strangers sitting there with him. The movie goes back and forth between showing Forrest at the bus stop, and showing Forrest actually in those situations. I thought that this was unique and allows the viewer to understand Forrest and his emotions when he looks back on his life and all that he has been through.
Forrest is definitely a unique character. I thought that Tom Hanks did a great job in the role of Forrest and portrayed him perfectly, from his mannerisms, to his accent and his awkwardness. Something that I thought was very special was Forrest’s relationships with the people he meets throughout his life. We of course know how much Forrest admires and cherishes his mother and Jenny, but beyond that, Forrest becomes attached to Bubba and Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise), both of whom he met while serving in the army. By opening up a shrimping business in honour of Bubba and his dream (Bubba Gump Shrimp Company), and sticking with Lt. Dan and watching their slow-blooming friendship unfold, we admire Forrest for his loyalty and kindness, even in times when others don’t show him the same. He also remains to be a strong character, despite the hardships of losing his loved ones one-by-one, including his mother, Bubba, and sadly, Jenny.
One thing that I liked about this movie was the portrayal of Jenny. Although never explicitly shown or told, it is heavily implied that Jenny was abused by her father. To be honest, at times throughout the movie, I was quite annoyed by Jenny and her actions, as well as how she treated Forrest. However, despite this, by the end of the movie, I learned to appreciate her character, and understood that she could be acting a certain way because of her unfortunate past.
Finally, I want to talk about the end of the film, as I thought that this was very impactful. Near the end of the film, Jenny unveils to Forrest that they have a son together. They spend every day together, cherishing every second spent together as a family, until Jenny passes away. The final scene in the movie shows Forrest sending his son, Forrest Jr., off on the first day of school. In a sequence similar to that in the beginning of the film (including the same bus driver), viewers get a parallel to Forrest and his childhood. This is a heartwarming scene as we feel that Forrest is prepared to give his son the best life possible, after learning from his own personal experiences.
I would rate this film a 8.5/10. To be completely honest, I think that this film is very overrated, but I enjoyed watching it very much. There are elements of humour, sadness, and love, and action, which I appreciated in the film, and contributed to creating a well-balanced film in terms of tone and mood. I think this is a pretty well-rounded movie, and also one of those “must-watch” films just because of how much it has been talked about. I would recommend this film to anyone over the age of 16. I think in order to fully understand the story (for example, the implied message that Jenny has been abused in the past), the viewer would have to be a bit older. I also think viewers that are a bit older than a young teen, would be able to appreciate the complexity of the story and the message of the film. Overall, I thought that Forrest Gump was a great movie that many people will enjoy watching, although perhaps it may be a little too praised.
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“Lord of War” (2005) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Lord of War tells the story of Yuri Orlov (Nicholas Cage), son of Ukranian immigrants, who turns to being an arms dealer. Yuri uses his business instincts and morals, or lack thereof, to become one of world’s most important, and illegal arms suppliers. Yuri drags his younger brother, Vitaly (Jared Leto), into business with him, and the two leave their family’s restaurant to begin their career in selling arms. As the Orlov brothers become more successful in their business, they catch the attention of INTERPOL, specifically Agent Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke), who tracks their every move in order to get them arrested.
The beginning of the film essentially introduces what, and who the film is going to be about; guns, bullets, and, well, Yuri Orlov. The first shot is a close up shot of Yuri, essentially asking how everyone in the world can be equipped with a weapon. This helps the viewer begin to understand what Yuri and his business is all about. Moments after, the camera follows the process of how bullets are made, shipped and used. The fact that the shot is through the point of view of a bullet not only attracts the viewer, but again, introduces them to the premise of the film. The film ends with the same shot of Yuri shown in the beginning of the film, yet another great decision regarding camera work.
Yuri Orlov is a character who will do anything to succeed, no matter what it costs him and his family. He argues that his products kill fewer people than tobacco and alcohol, which further proves how selfish and careless he is. On the other hand, Yuri’s brother, Vitaly Orlov, is a character who is overlooked. Despite his alcoholism and drug addiction, Vitaly also recognizes that his life has value. Vitaly keeps a “Beware of dog” sign in the kitchen of his family’s restaurant, a constant reminder to “scare him” and remind him to “beware of the dog in me… to remind me to be more human.” He believes that maybe doing nothing is better than selling guns, but when convinced otherwise by Vitaly, and deciding to join him on one last business transaction, it results in chaos and death.
In the end, we see how Yuri's actions have negative repercussions on his life and his family. His parents disowned him after he was largely responsible for his brother’s death. Although he didn’t kill him directly, he forced him to join him on his business trip, even though Vitaly was ready to move on from that career and lifestyle. Quite frankly, I was upset that the only character I really liked ended up dying.
Overall, I would rate this film a 4/10. I thought that the film was missing depth, not only in the plot, but also with the characters, specifically Yuri, and although this was most likely done on purpose by the filmmakers, I was not a fan of it. I also thought that this film was too long and somewhat dragged on. Although there are some connections to history, such as the 1982 Lebanon War, it still didn’t interest me enough. I would recommend this film to anyone interested in crime movies mixed with a bit of drama, or in the underlying historical connections. Despite some things being done right, including the camera work and shot composition, too many aspects seemed to lack substance, and for that reason, I was not at all a fan of Lord of War.
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“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
The film Shawshank Redemption tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a successful banker who was wrongfully accused for the murder of his wife and her lover, and sentenced for life in Shawshank prison. While in prison, he befriends fellow prisoner, Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), who provides him with friendship, support and everything else he needs.
Symbols and other elements of film are extremely important and significant to The Shawshank Redemption. Firstly, early on in the film, Andy asks Red for a hammer, who assures him it is for his hobby of carving and sculpting stones. However, later on, we see how Andy really used the tiny hammer, which was to dig a hole through the prison walls and escape. The tiny hammer can symbolize Andy’s patience and determination. In addition to this, the camera angles in parts of the movie help the viewer understand how each character is seen. In the scene where Brooks Hatlen (James Whitmore) is leaving Shawshank prison, the camera is pointing back at the prison, which indicates his connection to the location and his reluctance to leave. However, when Red is leaving the prison, the camera points out of the prison and towards freedom, because Red is ready to move on to the rest of his life.
The tone and mood of The Shawshank Redemption is emotional and dark, but also optimistic and bright at the same time. Through parts of the movie, we see how many characters, such as Andy, are mistreated and suffer in prison. The colours used in the film further demonstrate this mood, by using dark and gloomy visuals when Andy is imprisoned. However, at other times in the film, we see how characters are freed, and even reunited with each other, which gives the viewer a sense of hope for the characters and their lives. Again, the bright and vibrant colours and visuals of the beach, for example, help to emphasize this mood.
Andy is a very intelligent and meticulous character and I think that Tim Robbins did a great job portraying a mysterious and brave man. Throughout the movie, Andy asks for a tiny hammer and a poster, and offers to help Warden Norton. While the viewer may think that this is simply Andy’s way of making the best of his situation, we later learn that it was for the purpose of something much bigger; to escape Shawshank prison. Andy’s attention to detail, his patience and his cautiousness, allows him to escape without anyone realizing until he’s long gone. Despite the hardships that Andy faced while in prison, he still managed to present himself with a certain glimpse of hope. I think that the performance by Morgan Freeman, playing Red, and by Bob Gunton, playing Warden Norton, were also extremely well done, and deserve recognition in their supporting roles.
The most important and arguably the most fascinating scene was when Warden Norton stepped into Andy’s cell and punched a hole through a poster on the wall, revealing a massive tunnel, implying that Andy escaped through there. We then see the process of how Andy was able to create a tunnel and escape through the wall, vents, and sewage of the prison. An honourable mention to a famous shot from this film, where Andy is standing in the rain with his hands in the air, happy to be free from a place he does not belong in. Andy’s plan was brilliant and his execution was incredible. The ending of the film was a heartwarming scene, showing Red joining Andy on the beach, smiling at each other and happy that they are free from the hardships they have faced. I definitely thought that this was a well thought out and satisfying ending, and the filmmakers did a fabulous job in building the story.
I would rate this film a 9.5/10. I think that this film includes many of the elements that I enjoy in a movie, from humour, to action, to an interesting and unexpected plot. I would recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in films that have an exciting plot and an unusual ending. Although this film was a little bit lengthy, with a running time of 2 hours and 22 minutes [on the verge of being too long for my attention span ;)], it was still an amazing film with an incredibly well put together plot.
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“Contagion” (2011) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Contagion tells the story of Mitch Emhoff (Matt Damon) as he faces the onset, duration, and aftermath of a deadly pandemic, much like the one we have been facing with COVID-19. At the same time, we see how government officials in countries across the world are frantically attempting to keep the disease under control, fight misinformation, and develop an effective cure in the form of a vaccine. I found this film to be a good representation of how nations worldwide, specifically the United States, were to react in the face of a deadly virus with no end in sight. The film carries a strong theme of survival in the face of uncertainty, as well as the impact that misinformation can have on the scientific community as well as the general public. While these themes may have hit a bit too close to home with the pandemic still ongoing, I still found myself thoroughly entertained by the film’s progression.
The film begins with the infection and subsequent death of Mitch’s wife, Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow), and their son. This leads to the discovery of a new, deadly virus that Mitch is apparently immune to. Soon enough, healthcare professionals, government officials and everyday people find themselves in the midst of a pandemic as members of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) work to find a cure. In addition, the death of Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet) demonstrates that healthcare professionals are at a high risk and put their lives on the line in order to help others.
One of the most hard-hitting scenes in the film occurs as Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburn) gives a talk to a variety of healthcare professionals, government workers, and military officials. We begin to hear the pandemic “buzzwords” that we are all too familiar with, such as “social distancing”, “R naught”, and “new mutation”. At the same time, we see empty streets, gyms, airports, and office spaces as an eerie piano track plays in the background. Finally, we see mass graves being dug and filled by workers in full Hazmat attire. The green-ish hue throughout some of these scenes gives an almost post-apocalyptic feel that reflects the uncertainty that the world is now feeling. This scene laid the foundation for the rest of the film, which mostly followed Mitch and his daughter attempting to survive throughout the pandemic.
Another plotline of the film that I found to be very impactful was that of Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law), a conspiracy theorist who goes to extreme lengths to persuade the public that a natural remedy, Forsythia, can in fact cure individuals of the virus. His message sparks outrage within the scientific community as the public resorts to looting and violence in order to get their hands on the so-called “magic cure”. I found that this storyline brilliantly reflected the pandemic of misinformation that we see today. While this was an extreme case, I found it quite easy to relate advocates of Forsythia to many of the anti-vax and anti-mask groups that threaten to spread misinformation and incite panic amongst the public.
The creation of a vaccine and its distribution ends the film on somewhat of a positive note. People worldwide have now come to their senses and the panic is dying down, but society must still be rebuilt as the public suffers from the consequences of their violent actions. The vaccine rollout scenes gives viewers a sense of hope and prosperity in the future that is to come, and we even see Mitch throw his daughter an at-home prom with her boyfriend. While millions worldwide have lost their loved ones, the prom scene highlights that there is still a reason to remain optimistic and enjoy life while it lasts.
Overall, I give this movie an 8.5/10. It’s hard-hitting visuals and all-too-realistic dialogue contributed tremendously towards the audience’s ability to relate the ongoing pandemic with COVID-19 to a completely fictitious one in the Contagion world. The film excels at diving deep into the struggles that both an average family and top government officials face when handling such a deadly virus. I found however, that the public reaction that quickly turned into violence may have been exaggerated for the film’s purposes, and did not accurately reflect the seemingly never-ending, monotonous lifestyle that occurs as a result of a strict quarantine. This film is essentially a Michael Bay-style COVID-19, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a realistic thriller with a hard-hitting cast.
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“Shake Hands with the Devil” (2007) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Shake Hands with the Devils tells the story of Lieutenant. General. Romeo Dallaire (Roy Dupuis) who leads a UN peacekeeping mission in Rwanda during the genocide in 1994. While in Rwanda, Dalliare witnesses the horrifying events that took place and attempts to make peace between the Hutus and the Tutsis; the two predominant tribes in Rwanda. Throughout the film, we see his struggles and feel his frustration and helplessness as he faces a shortage of weapons and manpower, all while being ignored by the UN. Despite this, we see Dalliare’s bravery and determination to help make peace in Rwanda.
One aspect of the film that was truly powerful and emotional was seeing the shots of dead people, people screaming over their dead loved ones and the overall chaos that occurred during the genocide. Seeing these things throughout the film provided authenticity of the genocide, as well as gave the viewer a deeper understanding of the tragic events that people suffered through. Some other aspects of the film that add to its authenticity include filming locations and dialogue. Shake Hands with the Devil was shot in Kigali, Rwanda, where the genocide took place. In addition, many scenes included dialogue in French, which is one of the official languages of Rwanda.
Another part of the film that was especially eye-opening was when Romeo Dalliare was having flashbacks to the things he saw and heard, such as dead bodies and people screaming. This shows the effect that being in Rwanda had on the people who were there, even after going back home.
Finally, one thing that I thought was well done was the balance between the emotional scenes and the violent action scenes. I thought that even through the action scenes, the filmmakers were able to maintain a strong emotional aspect, but it wasn't overdone in those moments either. I think that the mood in the emotional scenes was conveyed well, through the addition of somber music, and slow paced visuals of Dallaire and the environment around him.
I would rate this film an 8/10. Although this might not be as good as your typical Hollywood film, I would recommend this film to everyone because I think that it is important for people to see. It shows the trauma and struggles that people were going through, and gives people a deeper understanding of the conflict. Personally, I prefer a film with a bit more of a hollywood style, but nonetheless, I think that it is an amazing movie that captures the struggles people faced in Rwanda. I would also recommend people watch both this movie, and “Hotel Rwanda''. I think that watching both of these films allows the viewer to understand the conflicts of the genocide from different perspectives. One gives the viewer a more accurate dipiction of the genocide (Shake Hands with the Devil), and other (Hotel Rwanda), shows the conflict in Rwanda with more of a hollywood film feel.
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“Hotel Rwanda” (2004) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) is a hotel manager in Rwanda. He is a Hutu who is married to a Tutsi named Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo). When the genocide begins in 1994, and the Hutus begin to hunt and kill the Tutsis, Paul takes over the hotel he manages, Hotel Des Milles Collines in the capital city of Kigali. He takes in Tutsi refugees, as well as family and friends into the hotel and tries to keep them safe from the horrifying events beyond the walls of the hotel. Paul bravely uses negotiation, bribery, and his courage in order to keep them safe, and puts his life on the line by doing so.
This movie seems to less about the genocide and more about Paul Rusesabagina and his efforts to save hundreds of people. We get to see Paul as a family man who would do anything to protect his family and those around him. Throughout the movie, Paul seems to stay strong despite the terrible circumstances around him. However, there is one particular scene where we see Paul break down in tears after he sees dead bodies and other violent images. This helps show the viewer that although people may seem brave and fearless, the harsh reality of these events makes it hard for people to maintain that mindset.
I respected the character of Paul because of the sacrifices he made in order to protect others. This is especially evident during a scene where we see the UN forces begin to rescue refugees from the hotel. As the truck with refugees begins to move away from the hotel, Paul jumps off the back of the truck, parting from his family, but staying behind in order to protect the rest of the refugees, as well as his hotel. I also think that Paul’s wife, Tatiana, played by Sophie Okonedo deserves an honourable mention. Throughout the movie, we feel the fear she carries and we are able to get an understanding of how scared people were for their families safety .
One reason why I liked this movie was because it gave me an idea of the genocide in Rwanda, but it felt optimisitc because of the focus on freedom and survival. It also avoided using overly explicit images, as opposed to other Rwandan genocide films such as Shake Hands with the Devil, although Hotel Rwanda still included some images of dead corpses.
Something that I found inaccurate, especially after watching “Shake Hands with the Devil” was the representation of the UN. For instance, Paul makes a speech for the people living at the hotel, and tells them to start calling people they know in other countries in order for them to use their power to allow them to leave Rwanda. Later on, we see people begin to be released from the hotel as a result of getting help from those they called. In reality, I find it hard to believe that it was possible to seek help in that way during the genocide.
I rate this film a 8.5/10. While it may not have properly portrayed the events of the genocide, it was still a great “hollywood” movie. I would recommend this film to everyone because I think that it is important to get a basic understanding of the conflict in Rwanda, while still getting the feel of watching a “hollywood” movie. In addition to watching this movie, I would also recommend people watch movies such as “Shake Hands with the Devil” or even do their own research on the genocide, in order to ensure that they get a more accurate depiction of the Rwandan genocide.
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“The Island” (2005) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Set in a dystopian future, people live in an isolated compound with strict rules, and are told that the outside world has become too contaminated to live in. Residents in the compound hope to win the lottery to be taken to the Island; a paradise, and supposedly the last uncontaminated place on Earth. Early on in the film, Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor), learns the truth about what it means to go to the Island. He discovers that the “lottery” is really a selective system used to remove inhabitants from the compound. The “winner” is used for organ harvesting, surrogacy, and other important purposes for each one’s wealthy sponsor, of whom they are clones. Dr. Merrick (Sean Bean), a scientist who runs the compound, learns that Lincoln has found out the truth, which forces Lincoln to escape. When Lincoln’s friend, Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson), wins the “lottery” to go to the Island, the two of them escape the compound and find themselves in a desert, out in the real world, on a mission to expose the cloning operation.
The dystopian theme is very evident for the very start of The Island. The beginning of the film opens with a dream sequence and a voice saying "You're special. You have a very special purpose in life. You've been chosen. The Island awaits you." This already sets the tone for a dystopian future and allows the viewer to begin to understand the way the world in the film functions. In addition to this, all residents in the compound dress in full white outfits, are told what to eat, how to act, and who to interact with, which further proves how strictly controlled residents are.
Next, let’s talk about the style of this film. The Island can easily be identified as one directed by Michael Bay. Bay is known for his exaggerated explosions, destruction, and high-action scenes, often referred to as “Bayhem”, and this film definitely reflected that. Bay’s style is most evident during the highway chase scene. During this scene, intensity rises as cars are seen crashing, shots are firing, and explosions ensue. On top of all of this, men from the compound chase Lincoln and Jordan down the highway, while they hop between cars, trucks and jets. This is truly a prime example of “Bayhem”.
The acting, specifically from Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson, also deserves some recognition. Their characters, Lincoln Six Echo and Jordan Two Delta, are raised to be obedient, and well, not the brightest, and their performance definitely captured that, not to mention the chemistry they bring to the screen. The beloved Steve Buscemi also made an appearance in the film and did great in his supporting role.
The Island closes in a satisfying and happy way. Lincoln and Jordan make it back to the compound after their adventure in LA, and are able to work together in order to kill Dr. Merrick, and free the residents into the outside world. The film ends with Lincoln and Jordan sailing away to their new life; the life that they were promised the “island” would give them.
I rate this film a 7/10. It demonstrates a combination of a cool version of the future, philosophical aspects and intense action scenes. This film perfectly highlights director Bay’s film style, while still focusing on the storyline, and not taking away from that. I would recommend this film to anyone who is interested in the dystopian genre, or anyone who enjoys high-action movies. Although at times the action scenes were a little too excessive for my liking, I realize that it does a great job of encompassing what “Bayhem” really means.
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“Children of Men” (2006) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
It’s the year 2027. The world has experienced human infertility for the last 18 years. The film opens with a group of people watching a news broadcast reporting that the youngest child in the world has been stabbed to death. Theo Faron (Clive Owen) is tasked with bringing a woman named Kee to safety, and he soon discovers that she is pregnant with the first baby in 18 years.
First, we need to go over something that is extremely important in this film, which are the background shots. During many scenes, the camera pans away from the main character or shot, and shows their surroundings. This is a brilliant and powerful way of showing the state in which people are living. Majority of the film also seems to be dark, grey and gloomy, all of which add to the theme of the film. The camerawork is also an important aspect of the film. Many shots seem to be handheld and shaky, which adds to the idea that the world people are living in is dangerous and destructive. In addition to this, there isn’t much colour to the film which illustrates a dull, moody tone.
The movie also portrays many of the real world struggles we face, and shows us a version of the future that could possibly be ours one day. The refugee crisis, global warming and mass migration, are all examples of some of the issues that are illustrated in the film in one way or another. I think that although this movie has some good aspects to it, such as the camerawork and depiction of what the future could look like, I thought that the movie moved in a somewhat slow way. In addition to this, the plot was not something that I was particularly interested in.
In this movie, Theo is not the typical heroic character we normally see. Theo did not choose to be a part of the situation he was in, and was rather forced and bribed into it. Despite this, he did resemble a hero of sorts, as he still protected and helped Kee however he could. In regards to other characters such as Theo’s wife, Julian (Julianne Moore), I felt that her death was quite sudden (30 minutes into the movie) and unexpected, and I wish that viewers could have seen her in it for at least a little bit longer.
The movie closes with Kee and her baby on a boat, along with Theo who we watch die on the boat. As Theo dies, Kee tells him that she will name her daughter after Theo’s late son, Dylan. At this point, the camera is held at a still shot, showing the boat they are on, along with a ship called Tomorrow in the distance. I thought that this was a great way to end the film as it leaves the full ending up for interpretation, and viewers can imagine what they think will happen with Kee and her baby. Also a brilliant touch to the end of the film was the sound of children laughing just before the closing credits roll.
I would rate this film a 6/10. I would recommend this film to whoever enjoys dystopian films. I also think that it is a good film for anyone who enjoys watching dystopian films because it gets viewers to think about what our world would look like if human infertility ever occurs, and portrays the struggles of other real-life issues. I also think that the camerawork and shot composition adds to the overall film, but unfortunately the storyline was not for me.
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“V for Vendetta” (2005) Review
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
It’s the year 2020. The government has enforced curfews and insists that they can protect the citizens of their country. However, there is one man who stands against the government. His name is V. V (Hugo Weaving) wears a mask which is a reference to Guy Fawkes, who is known for attempting to blow up the British Parliament in 1605. V meets Evey (Natalie Portman) after saving her from a group of secret police, the Fingermen. After meeting, V forces Evey to join him in his plan to fight against authoritative figures of the government.
Now let’s talk about some of the great aspects of this film. First off, I thought that the use of colours throughout the film is very important. The film uses a lot of black and grey colours, as well as red. This helps set the mood of the film, which is dark and moody, but at the same time adds elements of violence and explosiveness. In regards to the cast, Hugo Weaving’s performance was especially impressive - using his voice and body language to convey his emotions while behind his mask for the entirety of the movie. The fact that V’s face is never seen also adds to the whole premise of the movie, by conveying the message that V’s individuality is not significant, and that he is simply an idea that represents the rest of society. Lead actress Natalie Portman also deserves an honourable mention for her strong performance as Evey and ability to show her character's growth throughout the film.
As for the plot, it was surprisingly complex, and even somewhat confusing at times. Although there are many scenes that were powerful and relevant to the plot, there are also many that I felt were not. There was not much backstory provided, and some of the storylines, for example, mentioning Valerie Page and how she was tortured just somehow did not seem important to the main plot of the movie. Also, one thing that I could not wrap my mind around was how Evey continued to follow V, and had feelings of love and loyalty towards him, despite the fact that he was the one behind her imprisonment and torturing.
Lastly, the final scene is one that particularly stood out to me. From the hundreds of people gathering around wearing masks just like V’s, to the fireworks, and the music playing for everyone to hear while the Parliament is being blown up; I believe that it is a truly well put together scene. Everything ties in perfectly to show V’s plan come to life, which was a very powerful moment and helps emphasise the theme, being that it is important to stand up for your rights and resist the oppression of the government.
Overall, I would rate “V for Vendetta” a 7/10. To anyone who is interested in the dystopian movie genre, this movie could be for you. For me personally, this is not the case, but nonetheless, I think that it is still a movie worth watching, as there are still some fantastic aspects to it.
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