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Par kluseba le 11 Mars 2024 à 17:39
I have never been a fan of Marvel's cinematic universe since the vast majority of its films are boring, predictable and shallow. If you wonder why I even bothered watching Madame Web, then I would like to let you know that I had to attend this film because of my job. The reviews for this film were particularly negative and even adamant fans of the Marvel franchise were harshly critical of this movie. For the very first time regarding a cinematic release of the Marvel franchise, I must honestly admit that this movie isn't as bad as most people claim. I'm not going to tell you that it's a great or even a good movie because it isn't but it ultimately qualifies as average flick.
The story revolves around antisocial paramedic Cassandra Webb who experiences signs of clairvoyance. She thus saves the lives of three teenagers who are targeted by a mysterious enemy. Cassandra Webb soon learns that the brutal antagonist is also related to her own past. The paramedic thus supports the three teenagers in defeating their powerful enemy.
On the positive side, this movie manages to entertain through most of its running time and features only a few unnecessary scenes. The settings of the jungles of Peru in the seventies and a busy New York City in the early years of the millennium complement each other particularly well. The film's special effects have been created with care and especially the final fighting scene at a firework factory should be enjoyed on the big screen.
On the negative side, the actresses and actors lack emotions, empathy and energy to appeal to the audience. Lead actress Dakota Johnson is particularly pale and incarnates one of the least sympathetic protagonists I have come across in quite some time. The story is insultingly predictable to appeal to a wide audience and particularly to young teenagers and children. The ridiculous references to the Marvel universe in the film's conclusion feel pulled out of thin air.
At the end of the day, Madame Web is a decent movie for anyone who is looking for an entertaining fantasy film with beautiful locations, thorough pace and impressive special effects. Anyone who is hoping for great acting skills, a clever story or any elements breaking new ground can skip this film entirely. Madame Web isn't as bad as some harsh critics claim but it remains an average movie that will only appeal to adamant fans of Marvel Comics. Here's hope that at least some viewers will finally understand how shallow these superhero movies are, stop promoting them by watching them and thus inspire brave, creative and fresh change in cinema.
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Par kluseba le 21 Juin 2023 à 22:33
A whopping thirteen years after the release of the first movie, the Avatar franchise continues with its bombastic sequel Avatar: The Way of Water. If people expected this film to bomb at the box office because it was released much later than initially expected, then naysayers have got it all wrong because this movie brought masses of viewers back to the cinemas in times when most movie theatres are actually closing shop because most people simply enjoy new movies in the comfort of their homes. Personally, I appreciated the first movie but don't consider myself a massive fan of the franchise. I have only recently been watching this film at the cinema of my favourite shopping mall where one could enjoy it for just six bucks. Certainly, Avatar: The Way of Water has exceeded my expectations and offered visually stunning entertainment of the grandest type.
On the positive side, the special effects of this film are truly impressive. The fantastic world of Pandora is even more impressive in this sequel than it was in the original movie. Whether viewers discover lush forests, floating rocks or colourful bays, every single environment looks absolutely inspiring.
The characters in this movie are also intriguing because it's easy to empathize with them. The story essentially revolves around a small family bound by courage, love and loyalty. Their new hosts are initially cold and distant but go through wonderful changes to become grateful and reliable. The antagonist with his obsessive behaviour certainly also strikes a chord. One has to point out the numerous imaginary creatures that are introduced throughout the movie and especially the sea animals are particularly fascinating.
This movie also has several positive messages that work in the context of our real world. Support your family in difficult times and everyone will emerge victoriously. Speak and stand up against those who are committing crimes and guided by prejudices. Respect the wilderness and protect the environment. This film certainly finds the right balance between fantasy and reality.
This film however certainly isn't without a few flaws. Its length of three hours and twelve minutes is excessive in my humble opinion. This movie could easily have been cut by about forty-five minutes to make for a more captivating, dynamic and fluid ride. The story of this film is easily predictable and one could even call it overtly simple. Other reviewers have pointed out the simplistic dialogues but I figure that this element was intentional in order to appeal to a particularly wide audience by lowering the film's intellectual side and increasing its emotional depth.
Avatar: The Way of Water certainly isn't the greatest movie of all time. However, it's a profoundly humane fantasy film with stunning visual effects. It should appeal to fans of the franchise and anyone looking for an inspired spectacle that invites viewers to dream themselves far away.
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Par kluseba le 21 Juin 2023 à 22:30
I'm not familiar with the Dungeons & Dragons franchise at all but I was feeling like watching an action-packed fantasy spectacle at the local cinema of my favourite shopping mall where relatively recent movies are shown for a fair price of six bucks. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves exceeded my expectations and offered light-hearted popcorn cinema at its very best.
First and foremost, the numerous different characters were diversified, entertaining and intriguing enough to carry the entire movie. The acting performances matched the delightful characters indeed. Chris Pine excelled as dynamic lead character and Michelle Rodriguez turned out to be surprisingly sympathetic as well.
The world in which this movie takes place is truly intriguing. It certainly borrows from numerous fantasy novels but the environment was crafted with much care. The landscaped were breathtaking, the buildings looked authentic and the movie made the viewers feel as if they were stranded somewhere in medieval Europe.
The special effects in this film were also above average. This movie evoked magic and witchcraft in colourful, flashing and thunderous manners that kept the viewers'e eyes glued to the screen from start to finish. The action sequences were equally breathtaking and went by very swiftly. Despite its length of two hours and fourteen minutes, this film felt much shorter and has some decent replay value.
To keep it short, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is worth your attention if you are either a fan of the franchise or simply craving an action-fantasy spectacle that invites to dream yourself far away.
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Par kluseba le 2 Mai 2022 à 17:03
Monster Hunter is an international fantasy film based upon a video game of the same title. I haven't played said video game but watched a few trailers and playthroughs and realized that it might not be my cup of tea. The movie however offers intense entertainment that should appeal to a wide audience.
The story of the film is rather simple and frankly stated not very important. A group of soldiers is looking for a unit that has disappeared without a trace. They get caught in a devastating sandstorm and are transported to a parallel universe. Here, the soldiers discover the remnants of the unit they have been looking for. The members of the lost unit seem to have died gruesome deaths. The new group of soldiers, led by headstrong, resilient and tough U. S. Army Ranger Captain Natalie Artemis start to investigate and soon discover different types of gigantic monsters that destroy everything on their way. Their rescue mission has now become a challenging quest for survival.
This movie convinces on numerous levels. First of all, the film's special effects are truly captivating and best enjoyed on the big screen. The landscapes look dystopian, the monsters appear to be menacing and the numerous fight scenes with different types of strategies and weapons should keep viewers on the edges of their seats.
Up next, the acting performances are surprisingly great even though few words are spoken. Milla Jovovich is still the most talented action movie actress to be around and oozes with charisma, credibility and strength. Tony Jaa shines as mysterious Hunter who has trouble communicating with the protagonist but slowly uncovers a touching background story. Veteran actor Ron Perlman only appears in the opening scene of the film and in the final third but he portrays his commanding, gritty and rough character The Admiral with much conviction.
The movie has a perfect length of one hour and forty-three minutes and entertains from start to finish. There are no boring, repetitive or slow moments. The film might lack depth regarding the plot but excels in the action and fantasy departments.
Monster Hunter is a perfect movie if you feel like switching your brain off and enjoying a fast-paced ride through a dystopian universe. This film convinces with its compact length, convincing performances by the cast and breathtaking special effects. Both fans of the video game and those who had never heard of it beforehand like myself can easily enjoy this dynamic movie.
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Par kluseba le 26 Avril 2022 à 17:04
L'Arracheuse de temps is a tale written by Canadian musician and storyteller Fred Pellerin that was adapted as a movie featuring numerous well-known actresses and actors from the Province of Quebec. The story takes place in the year 1988 and revolves around eleven-year old Fred who is growing up in rural municipality Saint-Élie-de-Caxton. He spends much time with his grandmother Bernadette whose medical condition is getting worse. In order to reassure her grand-son that nothing bad will happen to her, she tells him how she witnessed the death of Death itself as a teenager in her little town all the way back in 1927.
The movie transitions back and forth between these two timelines but strongly focuses on the past events. Teenage girl Bernadette observes how the apple tree in front of the church is hit by lightning in the middle of the night. She sees a strange creature roaming around the tree and soon comes to the conclusion that it must be Death. The next day, people in town discover that the apples from the tree have all turned black and discuss what should be done with the tree and its apples. One of Madame Gélinas' children eats several of these apples and gets very sick. Bernadette visits a mysterious woman known as La Stroop who is living on an isolated farm to ask her for help. The mysterious lady gives her some sort of medication to save the sick child but Bernadette arrives a few minutes too late and witnesses Death in the somber corridors of the Gélinas house. Bernadette realizes that her best friend Lurette also ate an apple and tries to save her as well as several other people in town. However, she quickly realizes that she has to set a trap for Death and murder it with the help of La Stroop to save her community.
This movie convinces on several levels. First of all, the location of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton wonderfully represents what the Province of Quebec looked like in its rural settlements throughout the first half of the twentieth century. The different characters in this film are also particularly charming such as the drunk barber who learns that he will die in three days, the young priest who has gotten a terribly ridiculous haircut but still tries to transmit his gloomy messages with conviction or the local merchant who is trying to make money by selling people only one boot or offering one sad bottle of beer as reward for a tournament in his establishment for the entire community. The film also oozes with atmosphere as one discovers the magic potions and tricks of the intriguing La Stroop or the hiding spot of Death on the local graveyard.
The movie however isn't without its flaws. The story is overall rather weak, predictable and not gripping enough to carry the film throughout almost two hours. Several parts of the movie have significant lengths and barely develop the characters. The movie also fails to find a balance between humorous parts and sinister sections and offers an odd mixture of comedy, fantasy and horror elements with much folklore.
At the end of the day, L'Arracheuse de temps is interesting for those interested in Quebec's culture, history and literature. It's the kind of movie drama class, history class and French class teachers might find intriguing while half of the students might be happy to get to watch such a movie while the other half will fall asleep halfway through the film. The film's saving grace is that it's out of the box by combining old-fashioned storytelling with contemporary production values.
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