Reviews

When a master film-maker makes a movie, there’s no need for flashy tricks. Simplicity is the key.

Here’s a short history lesson for you before I get into this review. For around 50 years (until the mid-90s), the Magdelene Laundries were a Church-led system of orphanages, convents, and workhouses in Ireland who took in women who had fallen in the eyes of God, or unwed mothers. They were abused in every sense of the word. I had no clue, until I watched SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE. Based on a novella by Claire Keegan, this historical drama focuses on Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy), a coal man with a wife and five young daughters in 1985. Every day he works hard, comes home, and scrubs away the coal dust from his worn leathered hands before joining his family for supper. Bill’s past is shown through seamless flashbacks, further developing who he is. This is another Cillian performance that might get him another nomination. He is perfect at being super quiet, all while expressing a wide array of internal but noticeable emotions on his face. Much like Bill himself, the movie is understated, with the feeling of an internal fire raging within, like a coal oven. SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE is a small, quiet, and powerful movie that I highly recommend.

If you know me, you know how big a fan I am of movies produced by A24. They have yet another one that I’ll be obsessively trying to convince you to see, HERETIC. This is produced, written, and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who previously directed one of my worst movies of 2023 called 65, but they also wrote A QUIET PLACE. Filmed right here in Vancouver B.C in just over a month, this is a horror film where the scariest aspects of it come from what is being said, not what’s being shown. There were no jump-scares at all here, which was super refreshing for me. The story is about two young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) is a convert who is more street-smart than her counterpart Sister Paxton (Chloe East), who was born into it. They knock on the door of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), a charismatic, very intelligent man who is curious about what they have to say. With the promise of his wife being home and the smell of blueberry pie, they enter the home. This movie is very dialogue driven. Normally it would be too heavy with it, but the script is so tight and so smart and intriguing, I couldn’t get enough. This is easily my favourite performance from Hugh Grant. He still has his past rom-com charm, but with a dash of evil twisted in. During this movie, his character actually makes some great points about belief and religion that even I tended to lean towards. I personally am not a religious person, and I just recently realized I have pretty much the same viewpoint as Ricky Gervais. The ideas presented in this movie are open to interpretation, and I don’t think it’s anti-religious. It just gives the characters and us, the audience, poignant questions about religion. Fun fact: Both Sophie and Chloe are actually ex-Mormon. This is my favourite kind of horror movie, one that makes you think. The message of the movie might not be for everybody, but what movie is these days? Overall, HERETIC is a must-see movie for the overthinkers and master debaters out there. Remember, question everything.

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A new animated movie has snuck into theaters called HITPIG!. Based on a children’s book called Pete and Pickles by Berkeley Breathed, This is a story about Hitpig (Jason Sudeikis), a pig bounty hunter who returns escaped animals to their owners. Right off the bat, the title doesn’t make sense, the pig doesn’t kill anybody like a hitman. It probably should be called something like PETE THE BOUNTY HUNTER or just PETE AND PICKLES. He’s literally named Hitpig. Moving on, he meets Pickles (Lilly Singh) the elephant who escaped from deviously arrogant Leapin’ Lord of the Leotard (Rainn Wilson). They form a bond that makes Hitpig question his career and life. This movie is fine. I understand it wasn’t made with me in mind. The humour is all over the place, sometimes aimed lower for kids, sometimes aimed a smidge higher. Lotta butt jokes. The story moves a mile a minute, sometimes literally, not letting you breathe. The characters are all talking fast, I did enjoy hearing Hannah Gadsby as a sassy koala though. The movie looks low budget, and I’m actually surprised it made it to the theater. There are a couple of good enough scenes about the family you choose. HITPIG! is a fine movie I guess, but instantly forgettable and not worth spending money on, unless you have a young kid with ADHD who loves loud noises and bright colours.

Robert Zemeckis has made quite a few classics, most involving “America’s father” Tom Hanks; FORREST GUMP, CAST AWAY, THE POLAR EXPRESS (for some). His newest is called HERE, and it reunites most of the creative team that struck lightening with FORREST GUMP. Recently, Zemeckis has been experimenting with new filming techniques. In this movie, the camera is put in one spot and doesn’t move for the entire duration. It takes you on a journey through all of time, through love, loss, bliss, dinosaurs, and life. If you think this is a lot, that’s because it is. It’s absolutely crammed with special moments that flit back and forth in time so much I couldn’t invest in most of the characters. Yes, most of it has Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Paul Bettany, but the script kept bouncing through time when things were starting to feel grounded. The writing is very on-the-nose. I lost count how many times somebody said something like “Boy, time sure does fly by…”. Most of the moments depicted are depressing (I guess that’s accurate in life), but there was one story that I enjoyed involving a bohemian couple who invent something absolutely revolutionary. The actors do a good job, even through the sometimes messy de-aging process, but with the camera set in stone, some scenes felt like you’re in the back row of a play, while others felt like you’re in a full elevator. The way they changed times was kind of cool, but it got repetitive and a little “Look what I can do”. This must’ve looked like a fun concept on paper, but its execution isn’t handled the best. I thought this would be a hit, but now I’m just disappointed. There are a few great scenes, and I applaud the experimental creativity, but other than that, there’s not much HERE.

Hi,

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Dragon Ball Daima Brings Out the Kid in Me!

Femme fatale movie is art.

Behind the Smile is a poignant short film that unveils the hidden pain of living with depression. Through powerful visuals and heartfelt storytelling, it explores the gap between outward appearances and inner struggles. This impactful film encourages empathy and awareness around mental health, leaving a lasting impression on its audience.

The Story of Nurkot is a beautifully crafted documentary that takes viewers deep into the history and cultural essence of Nurkot. It illuminates the town’s origins, founded by Noor Ipu of the Monnan Clan of Gujjars, with rich visuals and thoughtful narration. This film celebrates Nurkot’s traditions and legacy, making it a captivating watch for anyone interested in Pakistan’s lesser-known histories. An engaging and enlightening experience, it’s a must-see for cultural enthusiasts and history lovers alike.

“57 Seconds” feels like a collection of short clips stitched together, lacking the cohesion you’d expect in a feature film. Could this be Morgan Freeman’s weakest performance yet? The movie’s premise—reloading life like it's a saved game—isn’t new, and its approach to sci-fi doesn’t add much novelty either. Ultimately, you realize that even 57 seconds can’t really change anything.

Reseña CON SPOILERS de "Gilda" (1946): https://www.peliplat.com/en/article/10029412/El-thriller-psicol%C3%B3gico-en-%E2%80%9CGilda%E2%80%9D-(1946).