Five Films for Your Lockdown!! (Pt. 2)

Here is the second part (obviously).  And like before, there should be enough variety to have a fair amount of picks as I continue to post! 

1. Star Trek: Beyond

         Probably what I consider to the best of this particular trilogy. The first two felt like they lost a lot of the meat of the Star Trek series. While this one does have the blockbusters tendencies of the previous films, this one felt much more authentic and spirited. Director Justin Lin (The Fast and the Furious) and writers Simon Pegg and Doug Jung, seem to understand the elements of what makes a good Star Trek experience while still incorporating the high-octane approach of the previous films. All the characters feel much, much, much more fleshed out and involved than in the last ones, and their interactions feel as they should from the series. The film also focuses on similar themes of the original series and explores the character of Kirk in ways they should have a long time ago, such as acknowledging that this is an alternate version of the original Kirk from when the timeline was changed, and how he's struggling to create his own path.



The special effects also feel much more utilized creatively and the actions scenes have much more weight, giving a sense of urgency throughout its plot to keep you engaged. The villain himself, while not perfect, has an interesting motivation, even if it's just another vengeful plan to destroy the Federation.....a third time in a row. But regardless, I've enjoyed this film thoroughly ever since I saw it in the theater and it was a incredibly refreshing entry into this very flawed trilogy. In many ways I wished this was the film they started their trilogy with and that would've helped immensely. A definite recommendation for fans and non-fans of the series.

2. Isle of Dogs

    Director Wes Anderson never fails to impress, with Isle of Dogs being his second animated film right behind Fantastic Mr. Fox. Much like his other films, his symmetric stationary shot composition is continuously perfected with every single film he's made. The animation itself, like Mr. Fox is a fantastic visually stop-motion treat full of endless, thorough attention to detail. The story itself is very well told and the characters are all as quirky and likable as you'd expect from a Wes Anderson film. The voice acting from Bryan Cranston, Scarlet Johansson, Edward Norton, Greta Gerwig, Leiv Screiber, Bill Murray, Jeff Goblum, Bob Balaban, and Bill Murray is outstanding and really brings these animated characters to life. There isn't too much to say about it without spoiling anything but this is a much-watch.

3. 12 Angry Men

       Let's go all the way back to 1957 shall we? 12 Angry Men is the go-to for any aspiring screenwriters for learning how to write spicy, sizzling, razor-sharp dialogue.  The entire film is dialogue-driven and throughout its 90-minute runtime, the film takes place in one single room with twelve jury members deciding the fate of a young boy who is accused of killing his father.  Whether you like older films or not, this film will suck you in right from the start and never take you out of it. All the characters are distinctive and pronounced, and the story continuously unfolds and evolves as the conflict escalates. This is a film I've yet to get tired of and is an absolute blast to watch. Whether you've heard of it or not, it's a bucket list-worthy watch that you won't regret.

4.Secret Sunshine

       Now I've already talked my head off about this movie so I'll keep it brief. Directed by Lee Chang-Dong (Burning), Secret Sunshine is one of the most compelling films of recent memory. Being beautiful, dark, and very sad, it's an emotion-high experience that needs to be seen. Lead actress Jeon Do-yeon won the award for Best Lead Actress at Cannes Film Festival in 2007, and it was more than well deserved. Her performance is so good that it's truly the strongest standout element of the film, showing such level of grief after a tragically defining moment of her character's life. The film explores grief and belief in the spiritual in ways that don't feel preachy or pandering. If you want more information of my thoughts on the film you can look on my blog. But if you haven't seen this film, DON'T READ THE BLOG. I highly encourage everyone to check this film out completely blind.

5. Once Upon a Time.....In Hollywood

            Quentin Tarantino's most controversial film he's done so far. This is undoubtedly his most patient and mature film to date. It's a film that acknowledges a bygone era of film-making, similar to how film is changing today. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, who won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, have excellent chemistry and their relationship is truly the heart of the film. Margo Robbie, with the minor screen-time she had was a sheer beauty to watch in every scene she was in. Most people heavily dislike this film, while the others are the opposite. It's not going to be everyone's cup due to it's unconventional pacing, but it displays a true example of a filmmaker who's growing and maturing and sharing an honest vision while still sticking to his roots.  Aside from stellar writing, the film has a great soundtrack and has some incredible shots, cinematography, and camerawork. The film truly captures the feel and look of the late 1960's and is consistently immersive throughout. If you haven't seen the film already and looks good to you, then give it the checkout.

Leave a comment on your thoughts on any of the films you've seen! Stay tuned for Part 3 also!

Five Films For Your Lockdown!! (Pt. 1)

These will be a new series of posts of films I've seen so far that I highly recommend for anyone looking for something new to watch. I'll try to keep the list as diverse as possible and frequently post since I've seen quite a lot of movies. Hopefully you'll pinpoint something you'll like and if not, like  I said, these are in parts.

 1. The Man From Earth

             Written by one of the Star Trek writers, Jerome Bixby in the 1960s and completed on his deathbed on April 1998, The Man From Earth is a film that production-wise, may not look like much on the surface, but it's still a truly great film. It's a film that rides almost entirely on its screenplay. The story is profoundly interesting, comprised of a cast of likable characters, all involved in a highly intellectual discussion pertaining the main character's identity.


The film is engaging, thought provoking, and exciting in a sense, watching how the story slowly reveals itself, leading to a very satisfying twist near the end. This is what I personally consider great science fiction. The film raises ideas and focuses on them, rather than going for special effects. Definitely worth of watch for sci-fi or film lovers in general.

2. Loveless 

Directed by the always-great Andrey Zvyaginstev (Leviathan, The Return), Loveless is a contender for my favorite film of his thus far. I'm still digging into his filmography but his latest film has stayed with me the most. It's a mesmerizing, beautiful, and depressing experience about a hate-filled divorced couple that lose their only son and look extensively for him. Zvyaginstev has always had a knack for incredible shots of environments, almost making it a character itself. The performances are outstanding and the story is incredibly well executed, reflecting on societal issues that are subtly addressed about modern Russia. It's also incredibly well scored that really sets the tone. This is a film that when you watch it, you feel it, from its atmospheric presentation to its emotional resonance. Highly, highly, highly, recommend.

3. The Invisible Life

              This my first Karim Ainouz film, but it won't definitely be my last. The Invisible Life is a touching story of two sisters pulled apart, and forced to go through their own personal hardships without each other. The story went in places that caught me completely off-guard followed by a very emotionally satisfying ending. It's a beautiful piece of work that is absorbing and immersive as Brazil has never looked more beautiful. Also, the music and sound design really elevate the experience. This is a film I can't wait to watch again and would 100% suggest to give a checkout for anyone interested or likes Brazillian cinema.

                                                       4. Under The Silver Lake

     Probably the most polarizing and divisive film on this list as it had a very short theatrical showing and straight to Amazon Prime. Under The Silver Lake at first impression may be off-putting, but the film has much more to say than what is presented.  The movie is bizarre and surreal, but still a blast to watch. Director David Robert Mitchell has proved with films like The Myth of an American Sleepover and It Follows that he has a unique vision all his own and this is no exception. It's too much fun to watch once you allow the film to take you on its crazy and unforgettable trip that will stay with you long after. Andrew Garfield gives what I believe to be his best performance and Mitchell's direction is very vibrant and full of personality. The score is also is one of the best I've heard in any film bar none.



   I plan on doing a blog about this film alone, as after watching it three times, it's revealed itself to me more and more every time. I would say to watch this film with no information before going in because it makes the experience all the more memorable and worth it.

5. The Good, The Bad, and The Weird

      Kim Jee-woon (I Saw the Devil, The Last Stand), has always been one of my favorite directors due to his sheer creativity of his film making. Already clear from the title, this is a Korean take of the original western The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. And while it doesn't fully reach the heights of that film, it still manages to have a personality all its own that makes it stand apart regardless. The film has a great cast including the three leads that breathe so much life into their characters. My favorite aspect of the film is its camerawork. It makes the action scenes pop stylistically particularly the climactic desert chase. This is one of the funnest films out there and one that I would recommend if you're a fan of the original film, Korean films, or Westerns.

Have you seen any of these films? Did you like them? If so, leave a comment of which one was your favorite! Stay tuned for Part 2!!

Looper's Plot Does and Doesn't Make Sense

Looper is a film I've enjoyed ever since I first saw it. Directed by Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Brick, and Knives Out), he brought us a pretty interesting and hugely entertaining time-travel action thriller that was mind-blowing for its time.

But like most time-travel films, Looper leaves open more gaping holes and logic than one could imagine. This wasn't even noticeable when I first saw the film, but as my brain developed and I've seen more films in the intellectual field, Looper can only been seen now as a ride if you don't think about how many rules it breaks: which is A LOT. Taking a deep breath:

So in the year 2074, crime mobs will utilize time-travel by sending their targets back in the year 2044 to be killed by Loopers since time travel is illegal 30 years from then.  Loopers are special assassins that kill targets that are brought back from the future to be killed. Loopers' jobs are officially done when they close their loops, which are their older selves. Now if you think about it, this entire system is completely circular, as this happens again and again and again.

Joseph Gordon Levitt plays Joe, a young Looper that eventually has to close his own loop when his older self is brought back in time for him to kill. When he kills his older self and closes his loop, he enjoys the next 30 years of his life in China. 30 years later when he grows old, 2074 marks the ruling of the Rainmaker, who is closing every single existing loop. Older Joe's love of his life is killed by accident by a mobster, and he's sent to a time machine. When there, he retaliates and plans his vengeance by escaping captivity and going back in time to kill the Rainmaker and prevent him from ever rising.

Now this is when the plot raises countless questions but I'm going to pinpoint the essentials:

1. Why didn't Joe originally plan this before he got killed? What exactly changed from that exact SAME moment when he went back in time to his younger self? This is never explained because we don't know what happened in 2074 to the Joe that was killed. This would imply the Rainmaker doesn't exist in this timeline.

2.  We learn that Older Joe is responsible for creating the Rainmaker but how can he both the creator and victim of the Rainmaker? He was in freaking China for 30 years. This is also a huge question when he describes the Rainmaker and we see he was responsible for those very descriptions.

3. When both Joe's meet at their favorite diner, Older Joe mentions that his memories are possible outcomes that balance on being more apparent than not. This eludes to other possible time streams. But these possibilities are swept under the rug to the point of being forgotten when

he says he remembers what Younger Joe does in the moment he does it. But how is this possible? How can he remember what his younger self does if he was in FREAKING CHINA for 30 years? He would have a completely different set of memories. Once again this could lead to this 2044 being a different timeline but he was the one that manipulated this timeline, which ends up being the only timeline where the Rainmaker can exist because he did exist for Joe to go back and create him unintentionally.

So as you can see, the plot and rules they establish make NO sense at all. But the beauty of this is that they keep these ridiculous paradoxes contained to where you don't fully
think about it and if you do, you're still engrossed in the craziness of it's story and plot.

It's a film about doing everything you can to prevent fate. It's about being a better person when you see the worst of yourself. It's about taking responsibility for what you've created or begun, accidental or not. Looper is a highly enjoyable time-travel film that seems self aware enough to know it's breaking rules, but at the expense of trying new things. Typical Rian Johnson, but that's what makes him a unique, yet still flawed filmmaker.

Did you like Looper? Did you notice anything inconsistent about the plot? Hit me with comments below!

Vertigo: Trapped in the Cycle

WARNING:  Spoilers Ahead!!

       Vertigo has been considered by many as one of the greatest and most important films ever made. In many ways I consider it to be Alfred Hitchcock's most complex, and layered film as it explores the darkest part of the human condition by exploring how obsession can trap someone into a mental cycle that has to be broken to overcome out personal struggles. The film explores this with symbolism, color composition, and a haunting, memorable score.

We follow John Ferguson (played by the always-great Jimmy Stewart) aka "Scottie" a detective who has a traumatizing event when he witnesses a cop attempting to save him during a rooftop pursuit of a criminal. The cop fails and Scottie witnesses the him fall to his death. Scottie is struck with serious vertigo, which is the fear of unbalance during great heights. He is hired by an old friend of his named Galvin Elster (Tom Helmore) to follow his wife, Judy Barton (played by Kim Novak) believing some sort of spirit from the past has possessed her. 

Throughout the film as he follows Judy, their relationship begins to deepen in a disturbing way, as Judy convinces Scottie of the severity of the possessed spirit. This leads to the pivotal part of the film when Judy jumps off a bell tower and supposedly kills herself. This brutally hinder's Scottie's mind to the point of him checking into an institution due to his heavy regret for not saving her due to his vertigo.

The second half of the film finds Scottie encountering someone that looks like Judy, and long story short, she was never Judy. We learn Galvin used her as a decoy to take advantage of Scottie's vertigo so he could get away with murdering his wife. The film at this point does something incredibly clever and surreal:

We watch Scottie and Judy's strange relationship unfold leading to the midpoint of "Judy" killing herself. The film then retreads the same story but from a different angle. Scottie's obsessive control over who he believes to be Judy caused him to be trapped in the exact same cycle as when he first met her. His traumatic experience leads him to recreate the woman he obsessively fell for even after death. Judy herself, who's not Judy, wants to desperately escape this same event but is wrapped back into it, replaying her sick role of false identity she was trying to get away from.

By the third act of the film, the plot circles itself back around to where the end of the first half took place: the bell tower. Scottie begins putting the pieces together of both their parts in Galvin's plan. "Not Judy" falls off the bell tower and dies. The ending is both haunting and emotionally satisfying, but it shows how great a measure was needed to break the cycle Scottie and even "Not Judy" herself were trapped in. And in a way, there would be no other way to end this mental and emotional imprisonment. The cycle needed to end, and even if it resulted in death. This was also the only way for Scottie to overcome his Vertigo, or he'd be stuck in this fear-like state for the rest of his life, unable to move forward in his life.

I'd also like to add that his relationship with Judy when she was  "possessed by a dead woman", mirrors in the second act when in a sense she played the role of a spirit of a dead women once again, and Scottie recreating her from the dead.

Hitchcock has created what he considers his"most personal film" yet. It's also his most psychological film that improves with every viewing.

What did you think of the film or it's themes? Leave a comment below!