Reviews

Paddington in Peru (2024)

Edward_KnightFebruary 16, 2025

Continuing the series’ heartwarming tone, this installment explores themes of belonging and identity. While Paddington reconnects with his roots, he remains a cherished member of the Brown family. However, the narrative feels flat, with the adventure taking too long to gain momentum. The recasting of the mother character also detracts from the film; while the actor is competent, I feel she didn't really fit the role.

Jai Bhim (2021)

Amos_HuberFebruary 16, 2025

It’s not unusual for an Indian film’s heroine to make a late entrance, but it’s rare for the hero to appear nearly 30 minutes in. The slow setup pays off as the story intensifies, gripping viewers with its emotional weight. Based on true events, the juxtaposition of the adults’ despair and the children’s innocence is deeply moving.

His House (2020)

kenleyFebruary 16, 2025

Contains spoilers

The true horror are people, not the ghosts. I resonate with this movie as it is about an immigrant refugee couple escaping a war torn country to a new unknown land. I myself being an immigrant related to many aspects of this film with the protagonists struggling to adapt while trying to maintain their traditions and values. This movie is not only scary, eerie and terrifying but it shows the true horrors that is not the ghosts but people and their inclination to commit atrocious acts of war. One of the quotes nearing the end of the film is Bol mention how “Our ghosts of the past never truly leave us but instead follow us.” This statement could have a two-fold meaning depicting the trials and tribulations immigrants had to go through to settle and migrate to a new country. This statement illustrates what Bol and his partner Rial had to go through seeing their love ones die and Bol himself making the decision to take someone else’s child making it appear as their own as a desperate act to be allowed to board the vehicle. The crime he commits taking someone else’s child and Rial feeling guilty being the only one surviving are the heavy burdens and the “ghosts” they must live with for the rest of their lives. As an immigrant myself this movie reminds me of the past I had to leave behind away from a volatile and unsafe place to a new and uncertain land. If you are somebody who had to go through similar struggles our “ghosts of the past” truly never leave us.

Warrior (2011)

Arthur_MeyerFebruary 16, 2025

The film’s biggest weakness lies in how little the two storylines intersect. With such intricate family dynamics, meaningful interactions are essential, yet Warrior offers too few of these. The father’s relationship with each son, and the brothers’ own conflict, are central to the drama, yet there are only two key exchanges—one between the father and the older son, and another between the brothers right before their final fight. The lack of sustained engagement makes their reconciliation feel underdeveloped.

Lover for a Day (2017)

Jack_MitchellFebruary 16, 2025

This exquisitely crafted romance uses a small cast, straightforward relationships, and sharp, reflective dialogue to delve into the enigmatic world of female emotions. The black-and-white aesthetic enhances the allure of the two women, setting the film apart from similar works and fostering empathy for characters with differing values.

After Yang (2021)

SteiGsFebruary 16, 2025

The film operates within a utopian world where racial and LGBTQ+ biases have seemingly disappeared, yet it subtly critiques a new form of prejudice toward clones. The premise is simple: a family’s AI companion breaks down, and the father, when exploring its memory, discovers a life experienec that's far richer than his own. After Yang excels as a contemplative sci-fi film, using its futuristic setting to address real-world issues while maintaining an elegant, introspective tone.

Back in Action (2025)

Ayla_CortezFebruary 16, 2025

While it lacks depth and originality, the film offers an enjoyable, light-hearted experience. For those seeking escapism, it’s a popcorn-flick delight where interesting performances and playful spy antics take center stage. Watching the couple navigate both espionage and marital challenges has its charm, making it an easy, fun watch.

After Life (1998)

Avery_BullockFebruary 16, 2025

Stylistically, this film is quite different from Kore-eda’s later works in the 2000s. The opening, with its shaky handheld shots, has a distinct documentary feel. Looking into his background, I realized this was only his second feature film, following years of documentary filmmaking. The film’s structure, where multiple people recount their stories, is framed like a series of interviews, seamlessly intercut to create a narrative that feels as natural as a televised documentary.

Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

Chanel_KirkFebruary 15, 2025

A rare cult masterpiece, easily comparable to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Though it never achieved the same level of fame, this film pioneered the rock musical cult genre. Its originality and boldness are undeniable, offering a fresh and twisted take on a classic tale.

Maborosi (1995)

Chad_HarperFebruary 15, 2025

Through still, lingering shots, Kore-eda crafts an atmosphere of profound loneliness—every frame is meticulously composed. His later films may feel more heartwarming, but I remain drawn to this one. Two broken souls, forever unable to fully understand or embrace each other, move through life not with passion but with quiet determination. They have already confronted life’s harshest truths; all that remains is to keep going.

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016)

Mike_HortonFebruary 15, 2025

The excessive use of close-ups highlights every detail—red noses, bloodshot eyes, and flushed faces. However, this macroscopic realism strips away certain cinematic characteristics. While the film offers interpretative depth, the much-touted technical innovation fails to leave a lasting impression. The story itself, though reflective of inner turmoil, is overshadowed by its gimmicky presentation.

Memories of Murder (2003)

GonÇaloFebruary 15, 2025

Bong Joon-ho’s breakout masterpiece, often hailed as one of Korea’s greatest films. For audiences accustomed to fast-paced commercial thrillers, its methodical storytelling may feel sluggish. I, too, found myself restless at times. But in retrospect, its brilliance becomes apparent. Though not without flaws, the film transcends the crime thriller genre by intertwining its narrative with a deeper critique of South Korea’s 1980s military dictatorship.

The Card Counter (2021)

Kenny_HendrixFebruary 15, 2025

The director masterfully controls the film’s tempo, drawing viewers into its mesmerizing rhythm. The focus remains on the characters, with gambling serving as a secondary motif. This tale of redemption and rebellion against harsh realities delves deep into the characters’ psyches, offering a poignant exploration of their inner struggles and grim lives.

Farha (2021)

Jacob_McintoshFebruary 15, 2025

The director’s empathetic lens captures even the most intimate and unsettling moments of Farha’s confinement, from menstruation to vomiting, challenging cultural taboos in Arab cinema. The sound design heightens her terror, isolation, and desperation. The contrast between the vibrant fig orchards at the beginning and her desolate figure at the end underscores the devastating impact of war.

Three Colors: White (1994)

Alex_FlemingFebruary 15, 2025

Instead of exploring equality through social standing, economic status, or education, Kieślowski approaches it from a more primal angle—sexual potency. By examining the consequences of its absence, he delves into the deeper, hidden conflicts within human nature. This philosophical meditation on love, equality, and human desires is both thought-provoking and unsettling.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Harold_RomeroFebruary 15, 2025

The film excels in building a terrifying atmosphere. Despite its low budget, it is an absolute must-watch. The actors convey visceral fear with raw, desperate performances, capturing the breakdown, hysteria, and regret masterfully. Their authenticity left me questioning whether this was truly a work of fiction.

Purple Noon (1960)

Bonita_MorrisFebruary 14, 2025

Unlike Anthony Minghella’s 1999 adaptation, "Purple Noon" delves deeper into humanity’s inherent greed and the senselessness of evil, painting Tom Ripley as cunning and extraordinarily lucky. His fate remains ambiguous—he might face justice, but he could just as easily escape unscathed, relying on his wit and resourcefulness.

Microcosmos (1996)

Jim_ReyesFebruary 14, 2025

Using groundbreaking macro-cinematography, this film captures the hidden wonders of the insect world with unparalleled artistry. It transforms a patch of grass into a vast forest, pebbles into towering mountains, and water droplets into oceans. After 20 years of preparation, the directors anthropomorphize the insects with wit and humor, unveiling an unseen world beneath our feet.

Dressed to Kill (1980)

Timeless Tales BWFebruary 14, 2025

Brian De Palma is arguably the most adept director at channeling Hitchcock’s brand of suspense. The film spends precisely 29 minutes and 59 seconds setting up a lonely housewife’s affair—only to deliver a shocking twist right at the 30-minute mark. The sudden narrative shift tightens its grip on the audience, while the film’s distinctive close-ups, dramatic camera angles, and stylized compositions amplify its noir-infused tension.

Tropical Malady (2004)

Timeless Tales BWFebruary 14, 2025

The film’s brilliance lies in how it dismantles conventional storytelling. Though it appears to be two unrelated segments, they are thematically intertwined. Furthermore, the director deliberately weakens the connections within each part, leaving the film fragmented—like scattered poetic verses infused with mythology and religious symbolism. Many viewers likely abandon it halfway as they get lost in its elusive, dreamlike structure.