Reviews

Aside from Pierre Niney’s performance, which wasn’t really my cup of tea, director François Ozon captures emotions incredibly well. The lead actress delivers a restrained yet nuanced performance that, even without intimate scenes, deeply immerses the audience in the sorrowful narrative. It seems only an Ozon film can grab my heart like this.

The film, adapted from the novel of the same name, is a true Cthulhu-style horror movie. As the title suggests, the movie boldly employs vibrant colors that create a dazzling visual experience—it's truly stunning. However, its slow pace might test your patience. Like the characters in the movie, you'll gradually be enveloped by its haunting atmosphere. Rather than relying on sudden jump scares, it builds tension through a series of unsettling scenes that send shivers down your spine. In particular, the sequence featuring a fusion of mother and son stands out as one of the most chilling and cult-like horror moments in recent years. Even now, the sound of the desperate wailing still gives me goosebumps.

The movie starts off slowly with a lot of buildup, but once it ramps up the body horror, it really pulls you in. It has a fantastic B-movie horror vibe, and the use of color creates a truly immersive experience. Nicolas Cage delivers his signature manic performance, making me feel like he’d be perfect for a role in The Shining.

This film follows two parallel storylines featuring four men and two well-known figures from the adult film industry. The narrative is shallow, unfolding like a by-the-numbers retelling of a news event. Surprisingly, it manages to reveal a touch of genuine emotion amid the often ruthless industry.

After watching this film, I kind of understand why Garrett Clayton isn’t a fan. The movie never digs into the real impact and significance behind the case or really explores Sean Paul Lockhart’s feelings about the incident. It feels like the director was either trying too hard to impress or simply didn’t have the chops.

After watching this movie, I can't be the only one with this question: if the team has all that money, why would they make two players share a room? Surely, everyone has imagined what might go down between two athletes in the same room. I have to admit, this thought crossed my mind—I even ended up writing a 200,000-word erotic novel about it!

The two leads delivered exceptional performances, managing to portray a decade of their characters’ lives in just three scenes. While the script fell short of expectations, the actors carried the film with their talent. The ending left me with a profound sense of melancholy: life is a delicate balance of choices and chance. If he hadn’t scored that pivotal goal, his life might have been different. Still, given the choice, I think I’d want to experience being a renowned athlete, even if only for a moment.

Seriously, it's been ages since I've seen such a flawless biographical film. The writing feels almost too perfectly calibrated for our times—like an algorithm analyzed every motivational trope and spat out this gem. Hats off to it for earning a spot on '100 Must-See Life-Changing Films' lists.

The real-life story behind the film moved me far more than the movie itself. What stood out were the details: even if the first attempt to cross the ocean ended in failure and Olympic gold slipped away, the spirit of perseverance continues to inspire a new generation of young girls. Though it may seem like just one person swimming, she carries the hopes of countless women. The swimming scenes are beautifully shot, I especially loved the serene shot of Trudy taking a quiet break on the water. Every female character shines—whether it’s the mother defying fate with clever resolve, the sister bound by destiny yet steadfast in her support, or the strict but nurturing coach who values talent. They don’t need to undermine each other or conform to societal norms to impress; their authenticity alone is deeply moving.

John Woo’s first Hollywood film feels stripped of his signature style. It’s a standard action-thriller, but his trademark aesthetics of violence is nowhere to be found. The film’s premise and execution feel like a compromise for the Hollywood feel, which leaves little room for Woo’s strengths to shine.

Rohmer’s films always have an intriguing rhythm. The first five minutes unfold without dialogue—a quiet, almost monotonous introduction that nonetheless captures the unease of a newcomer, subtly conveying his restlessness and sense of displacement. Rather than sharp satire, Rohmer offers a gentle critique of modern moral ambiguity, narrating these everyday dilemmas with the intimacy of a close friend.

I have to admit, I genuinely enjoyed this film. It seamlessly integrates music and storytelling, using song-and-dance numbers as windows into the characters’ inner thoughts. The elegant cinematography showcases the charm of a bygone era, while the narration by the young girl, Djuna, adds a playful and whimsical touch to the storytelling.

Compared to the tragic depth of Victor Hugo’s novel, this adaptation is essentially a fairy tale. Yet, as a children’s film, it succeeds remarkably well. Beyond depicting the novel’s themes of cruelty, it also emphasizes kindness and morality. Many of the book’s key moments are faithfully retained and even enhanced, particularly in the development of Quasimodo’s inner world such as his yearning and growth, which were less explored in the original. Despite the significant liberties taken, the adaptation remains compelling, and the music is outstanding.

Aki Kaurismäki’s films always center on people on the fringes of society—individuals struggling to survive yet never losing hope. His characters endure setbacks and failures, only for hope to appear in the most unexpected ways, making these moments all the more poignant. As always, his use of music is impeccable, and the final shot of the couple gazing at the sky is nothing short of uplifting.

Compared to Claire Denis’ other works, this film has a thinner screenplay, prioritizing mood and emotion over narrative structure. The scenes depicting the teenage boy’s desire for the older woman are particularly well executed. The film’s frequent use of close-ups and tight framing forces the audience to focus on every flicker of expression, every patch of skin, every muscle movement that conveys emotion. The score is another standout, with dissonant harmonies surfacing at just the right moments.

One of Milos Forman’s late-career highlights and a Golden Bear winner, this politically charged biopic delves into the legal battles surrounding the First Amendment’s protections of free speech and press. While the film does paint a rather favorable portrait of Larry Flynt, it remains a finely crafted work. Spanning 35 years (1952–1987), the film maintains a tight pace. The editing and transitions are particularly striking, with well-executed match cuts and contrast montages.

A classic rom-com about an attractive but shallow woman and a smart yet insecure one swapping identities. The film is full of hilarious mix-ups, and the humor still holds up. It was one of my first romantic comedies growing up, and even now, it leaves a lasting impression. If there’s one takeaway, it’s that true love isn’t about appearances, it’s about what’s inside.

Kevin Smith deliberately subverts genre conventions while deepening the film’s themes through intense character conflicts. The maturity with which he handles this subject matter is a far cry from his earlier works. The tension in the sequence that shifts from the hockey game to the explosive parking lot confrontation is exceptionally well-executed—scenes like these are rare in this type of film.

The film lacks a clear focus, and its biggest misstep is changing the ending—allowing the protagonist to keep his wealth rather than lose it again. This alteration completely strips the story of its core message. The heroine’s inner turmoil is also poorly conveyed—she comes across as inconsistently written rather than genuinely conflicted. Meanwhile, the crucial themes of class struggle and personal growth are brushed aside.

The film starts off strong, but the pacing drags in the second half. Frankly, anyone who makes it through is probably just a die-hard John Cusack fan. The female lead is forgettable—neither her performance nor her screen presence stands out. The ending lacks any real surprise, though the characters are well-written and the soundtrack is packed with classics.