Reviews

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Director Edward Berger, who just recently was praised for his award-winning film ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, now has another that might end up being praised too. CONCLAVE is a thriller based on the 2016 novel of the same name written by Robert Harris. The Pope has passed away, leaving the seat vacant. Cardinal-Dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is appointed to gather a papal conclave to sequester together to vote on who the successor will be. Sounds kinda boring right? Well you’d be wrong. Being one of the most secretive and ancient events, I found some of the little details with the process fascinating. This movie has some more amazing aspects to it, like puzzle pieces that just fit together perfectly. First, the acting. They utilize an ensemble cast that includes Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, Lucian Msamati, and Isabella Rossellini. Each character is looked at carefully in this, by the protagonist and by the audience as well. Fiennes gives an understated yet powerful performance that might be in consideration for a nomination. Second, the technical work. The cinematography works well with the reds and whites of the costumes with the greys of antique Roman marble rooms. They weren’t allowed to film in the Vatican, but they still managed to find certain buildings in Rome. The score knows when to throw in a note for suspense, but also to have silent moments, lingering with a character or two, holding a shot for longer than you’re used to. At the danger of sounding cliché, they honestly don’t make movies like this anymore. In today's society, people have less and less of an attention span, so when a movie like this comes along, it feels refreshing. It also lets the dialogue unfold the story and I appreciated how clear and concise it was. The ending is definitely going to be divisive for some, but I loved it. Overall, CONCLAVE is much more than just Oscar-bait. It is patient, understated, claustrophobic, and it reminds us that we are all human. A movie about the protocols of choosing a new Pope has no business being this amazing.

Robert McCall, a former CIA agent who leads a quiet life. However, when a young woman is brutally attacked, McCall is forced to come out of retirement and use his skills to bring justice. The film stands out for its frenetic pace, its impeccably choreographed action sequences and Denzel Washington's magnetic performance.

Liam Neeson's performance His charisma and acting skills make Bryan Mills an unforgettable character. The fights and chases are excellently choreographed and keep the viewer on the edge of their seat, great. Here is my review.

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Director Parker Finn has now created what could be another horror franchise. SMILE released 2 years ago, featuring an ER nurse who witnesses a death, getting cursed by a supernatural entity that slowly drives her crazy. Normally, people who are cursed don’t last a week. After the movie did super well, the inevitable sequel has now come out, obviously called SMILE 2. Taking place 6 days after the original, we follow Joel (Kyle Gallner) trying to pass the curse onto somebody else before it consumes him. This opening scene is done in one shot and is so great. As things happen, we now follow pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) as she gets ready for a new tour. Still traumatized by an accident a year earlier, she ends up being the curse’s next target. I enjoyed this movie, even more than the original. It’s what all sequels should be. It has bigger stakes, deeper characters, and it slightly expands the lore. Scott delivers an awards-worthy performance, going to every mental state imaginable. I also need to give a shout out to Ray Nicholson, Jack Nicholson’s son, who has a picture-perfect creepy smile like his father. This is definitely gorier than the first movie, which I liked. Not TERRIFIER 3 level, but still. I’m surprised it’s 18A here in Canada. This movie has the same problem as the first, at least for me. Too many jump-scares! I hate them so much, but I can still appreciate them in this because they’re done so well. They play with reality throughout the movie, which was good, until it wasn’t. I had some problems with the third act, but SMILE 2 is still good and I’m curious how they could keep the franchise going. Remember, if you’re tired of being chased by a smile demon, stay hydrated and chug some Voss water. Voss water, it’s always where you are.

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A meticulously crafted time-travel movie that ties up its narrative threads neatly, creating a full-circle emphasising on "fate". Every hint and setup gets resolved by the end. While I did guess the dual timelines halfway through, I only truly understood everything when the protagonist’s father handed Anna over to people from 1952. Maybe I just haven't seen many films like this, but I found it pretty impressive while watching.

It’s grueling to sit through the whole film. For anyone who's seen the "A Nightmare on Elm Street" series, this follows the same formula. It’s barely connected to the concept of "smile", relying entirely on the lead actress' charm. The plot feels like it's simply torturing both the protagonist and the audience, with illogical twists and hollow backstories, treating viewers like idiots.

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Keep your expectations in check—it’s the third in a series, after all. The director knows what the audience craves: deranged violence. So, we get a pure gore-fest in this sequel. While there’s some story, it’s not the focus, and the blood and guts certainly don’t disappoint. However, the kills lack creativity, and repetition dulls their impact. Without the element of surprise from the second film, and with thin character development, it ends up being just another gross-out slasher.