Tag Archives: Movie Reviews

Crime, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

THE WHITE TIGER (2020): The Things I Liked…

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The White Tiger (2021), Priyanka Chopra, Netflix
The White Tiger (2021), Priyanka Chopra, Netflix

The White Tiger, though not perfect, it’s a good movie with flawless performances.

Starring Priyanka Chopra, Rajkummar Rao and Adarsh Gourav; director Ramin Bahrani’s crime/drama tells the story of a poor Indian driver named Balram. Particularly his use of wit and cunning to break free from servitude to his rich masters.

I found several things to enjoy about The White Tiger. From the generally well-paced, compelling story, to its commentary on India’s socio-economic ills, and the broken systems that maintain them. It was interesting to see the different paths the characters of The White Tiger took to survive. And where possible, drastically change their fate within said system. No wonder then, that none of the people in the story are angels.

Another thing to appreciate is how none of the main female characters in The White Tiger are stereotypically ‘helpless.’

After seeing the trailer several weeks earlier, I’d been looking forward to a story of epic proportions. I can now say that epic is not too far from the truth. However, there are things I wish were different about director Bahrani’s movie. For example, the way the story seemed to slow down at approximately three-quarters of the way. Secondly, the ending felt a tad abrupt and not as thoroughly satisfying. I was therefore left wanting, and reminded that the start of the movie was also awkward.

I’ve never read Aravind Adiga’s  bestselling book that inspired this movie. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that everyone who has read the book loves it more than the film.

Watch The White Tiger because it is a good story overall.

Happy Film Loving

G

Adventure, Animation, Family, No Spoiler Reviews

SOUL (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Soul, the story of Joe Gardner, a musician who ends up transported out of his body, and has to find his way back is both what I expected it to be and not, simultaneously.

Starring Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey and Daveed Diggs; what stood out most about Soul is how visually well-imagined it is. The look and feel had me fully engaged. Whether it was the barber’s fantastic beard, or what the surroundings and occupants of ‘the place in between alive and dead,’ looks and feels like.

Generally, all of Soul is good. However, I enjoyed it most during the scenes when Joe was in the ‘in-between place.’ It’s the conversations and the general cleverness of the details of those moments that impressed me most. I liked these scenes so much that I found I missed the setting when the story was elsewhere.

My main issue with Soul is how unclear the messaging seemed to be at a point or two towards the end. I don’t mean the messaging at the heart of the film; the one about Joe’s evolution/emotional journey. I’m referring to some moments of dialogue that weren’t as clear or easily understood as I’d come to expect from a Disney Pixar film.

Watch Soul for the highly intriguing concept. I wouldn’t say that I found it quite as clever, satisfying or comforting as Inside Out (2015). But it is worth watching. It also helps a little if you like Jazz.

Lastly, there’s beautiful piano music that happens after Joe’s all-important gig that you probably don’t want to miss.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, TV

DEATH TO 2020 (2020): The Thing I Liked…

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Death To 2020 (2020), Cristin Milioti, Netflix

My favourite thing about Netflix’s Death to 2020, a comedic retrospective of the year that was 2020 is the phrase ‘Prime Ministerial scarecrow, Boris Johnson.’ I laugh every time I re-read it, because it’s true.

There’s certainly a handful of more amusing moments within the show, whether it’s courtesy of Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Grant, Lisa Kudrow, Leslie Jones, Cristin Milioti or several others. Nevertheless, one of my key issues with Death to 2020 relates to how disjointed it feels; even with the narration used to bring everything together.

Furthermore, the show felt a lot like a less amusing version of Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show; even though I’ve only ever experienced The Daily Show via the best clips on their Youtube Channel.

Unfortunately, Death to 2020 also had me nodding off to sleep a few times. A reality I can blame on the above reasons, and the fact that my favourite comics already helped me laugh at 2020, a little closer to when much of the madness was happening.

I say give Death to 2020 a chance if you’re curious. You may not be as avid a consumer of current comedy as myself.

Happy Film Loving and a fantastic 2021!

G

Action, Adventure, No Spoiler Reviews, Sci-Fi

MAN OF STEEL (2013): The Things I Liked…

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Man of Steel (2012), Henry Cavill, Warner Bros. Pictures
Man of Steel (2012), Henry Cavill, Warner Bros. Pictures

Three things I realised while watching director Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013): 

  1. Henry Cavill is a great Superman.
  2. Christopher Nolan, a.k.a ‘Inception (2010) and Tenet (2020) director Christopher Nolan’ wrote the script. Had I known this beforehand, I’d have watched the movie much sooner. Nolan’s involvement may also be why the musical score was so noticeably good. You know, as per most if not all Nolan films.
  3. This third point is a tad random buy here we go: To my (I want to say ‘expert’) eyes, Diane Lane and Paula Pattern (not in the movie) look as though they could be related. Do you see it?

I enjoyed most of what happens in Man of Steel, from the music, performances, very engaging story to the special effects and action. Yet I can’t deny that I did start to lose interest after the two-hour mark when there was still another twenty-three minutes remainig. 

Other things that stood out less positively include the fight sequence between Superman and General Zod (Michael Shannon) towards the end. It just wasn’t quite the exciting well-choreographed face-off I expected. Also, there’s a strange moment in the film when a military officer references Superman’s ‘hotness’/attractiveness. Instead of being funny, the dialogue felt more out of place.

I know it’s been seven years since this movie was released, which means you’ve probably seen it already, if not more than once. Nevertheless, I say Man of Steel is worth watching. Particularly because of Cavill and all the other positive points mentioned above. 

Happy Film Loving

G

Adventure, Comedy, Family, No Spoiler Reviews

THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES 2 (2020): The Things I Liked…

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The Christmas Chronicles (2020), Kurt Russell, Netflix

Thoughts that entered my mind while watching The Christmas Chronicles 2:

‘Yeah! Kurt Russell delivers another fun musical performance, a key highlight.’


‘My, my; that Santa coat is still as beautiful as the first time I laid eyes on it.’


‘I’m so glad this movie is better than the first one. Thanks to the story and a good performance by young Darby Camp.’

‘I’d love that star as my own personal light. Also looks like a perfect ornament.’

Considering the year that 2020 has been, The Christmas Chronicles 2, along with a few other good seasonal movies this year are precisely what my festive season mise en scène-obsessed self have been needing.

It’s a fun adventure for Christmas fans of all ages. Especially, thanks to how positive it is and the way it fully embraces the Christmas spirit. From the engaging adventure story about saving Christmas to the stunning decorations and fun special effects.

Watch The Christmas Chronicles 2. Particularly if, like me, you’re into how beautiful the festive season makes everything look, and all else I’ve mentioned.

The only things I liked a little less than would have been ideal are the performances by the big brother character and the naughty elf. Both were okay. However, just not as fully believable at times as young Camp and the others.

Happy Film Loving,

G