I am BACK, guys! I apologize for the neglect and delay in producing this series. I relocated to a new city for my internship in March, therefore, I was tangled with many businesses. Now, when I'm at home and stuck in a social distancing situation, I'm here to deliver you the desirable series of What I watched this month, 5 combined-months edition.
Gifted (2017) (4.5/5)
I chose to watch this lovely movie on a rainy day in Ho Chi Minh City, alone in the apartment which I share with my former classmate. The movie is about Frank, a single man raising his child prodigy niece Mary, who is drawn into a custody battle with his mother, aka Mary's grandmother. This movie reminds me of the 1979 Oscar Winner, "Kramer vs. Kramer" which is also about the bond between a father and his son. The comparison is inevitable but Gifted stands on its own since it's more realistic than a Hollywood takes on a family crisis. The actors bring so much life to these characters, making you truly care about them. Evans reveals a tender side of himself that he doesn't display as a superhero, and it's eye-opening to witness him in a film with a scene-stealing kid actor as his co-star. Just love it!
Sleepers (1996) (3.5/5)
You know how much I love thrillers, that's the reason why I chose this film. The story is about the sexual torture of four boys is a dark exploration of the loss of innocence. The film, while outstanding in many ways, is ultimately depressing in a forlorn, haunting way. The movie assembled numerous A-listed actors including Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Kevin Bacon, and so on. Each of them is fascinating in shaping the bitter drama about sexual exploitation at a New York State reformatory and the revenge they seek as adults. The scenes of abuse are rough and disturbing, but Levinson (the director) doesn't go overboard. Levinson didn't focus mainly on that aspect, however, Sleepers rapidly moves on to examine the impact of the abuse on the boys, whose vitality has been depleted and their souls have been scarred for life. Levinson excels in establishing the setting and moral context, as well as making the enormous cast of characters recognizable to audiences throughout the two time periods. Sleepers may be too dense for many people so carefully consider before hitting the play button.
Miss Congeniality (2000) (3/5)
I have heard Chandler (Friends) said how much he loved this movie many many times but not until now, did I watch it when it arrived on Netflix Vietnam in March 2021. The movie is about an F.B.I. Agent must go undercover in the Miss United States beauty pageant to prevent a group from bombing the event. To be honest, I came to this movie to purely entertain. Therefore, I have no critical comments on the movie besides its fun, and Sandra Bullock is beautiful and charming as always.
Nobody (2021) (3/5)
I heard this guy shares the same universe as John Wick and It's Saul Goodman, everybody, let's dig in! The movie is about "A bystander who intervenes to help a woman being harassed by a group of men becomes the target of a vengeful drug lord." - IMDB (2021). That's the synopsis but it's much more than that. I must say it’s a little “John Wick,” a bit of “Taken,” a touch of “The Accountant,” and so on. Is it me or does the movie industry get lame with every guy who just wants peace meets someone who doesn't like him to be in that state? Then these dialogues "Who the hell are you?" - "Me? I'm nobody." I mean c'mon. After watching the movie, I thought to myself: "Maybe they save all the answers for the sequel because obviously, there will be one." Besides all the fighting, I find the movie plot weak and poorly executed. What happened to him and his wife? Any hints that I missed? Because once you put it in there, you have to solve it at least. Just throw it in there to confuse people, will ya? 3 is a generous score because I enjoyed the fighting.
Happiest season (2020) (4/5)
Well, it's a holiday romantic comedy that captures the range of emotions tied to wanting your family's acceptance, being true to yourself, and trying not to ruin Christmas (IMDB 2020). First of all, Happiest Season works admirably as a basic Christmas film, perhaps a wittier, warmer cousin to The Family Stone, it also has a level of complexity and grit that one might not expect from something so joyful and dazzling. Kristen Stewart, whom I'm not a fan of and who isn't usually comfortable in a larger studio setting, brilliantly shines here, selling her nerdy, and often hilarious, comedy moments while also providing depth to some of the final act sentiment. Her connection with Davis (her on-screen girlfriend, Harper) is effortless, as is her chemistry with Aubrey Plaza, who plays Harper's ex with a sad background and who gets to be more than simply a snarky backstabber. In conclusion, if you are looking for a holiday, family movie, or a queer one, Happiest Season should be on top of your list.
Cruella (2021) (3.5/5)
You may have heard of her, she is the main antagonist in 101 Dalmatians who have possibly ruin your childhood with nightmares. The 2021 version is a live-action prequel feature film following a young Cruella de Vil. First of all, a round of applause for a sensational duo Emma Stone and Emma Thompson. Together, they are a highly strung dysfunctional pair that we didn't know we needed. The movie is extremely entertaining but it also raises a significant question that what Cruella really wants, now or in the future, that she wants to kill Dalmatians for their skin. The film has a lavish display. The big screen is certainly the place to amaze at the film’s digital recreation of London in the mid-70s, with top-notch work from costume designer Jenny Beavan.
The equalizer (2014) (3/5)
A typical plot in an action movie. "A man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him cannot stand idly by when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters." - IMDB (2014). I fell asleep halfway through the movie but I managed to finish it without missing a single beat. I don't have anything to talk about this one, except for the flawless action scenes. The synopsis is right there, watch it or not is your decision ;)
The brave one (2007) (3.5/5)
It's Clarice Starling, everybody. The movie is about a woman who is struggling to recover emotionally from a brutal assault that killed her fiancé and left her in a coma, a radio personality begins a quest for vengeance against the perpetrators that leaves a bloody trail across New York City. Foster gives a strong performance as the conflicted Erica, quietly revealing her character's transformational journey into the heart of darkness without losing sight of her character's compassion. The Brave One's plot is, unfortunately, pedestrian and flawed which prevented it from the greatness it could thrive. I also find it convenient of the absence of eyewitnessing to most of Erica's killings. It's also a bit slow so consider before watch it.
The woman in the window (2021) (2/5)
I know the book is better but since I was impatient to finish it, I watched the movie first and boy, how wrong I was! The movie is about "an agoraphobic woman living alone in New York begins spying on her new neighbors, only to witness a disturbing act of violence." (IMDB 2021). The name of the movie reminds me of all my favorites including "Gone Girl", "The girl on the train", etc. However, The Woman in the window is a disappointment, no less. I'm aware of how hard it is to fit a 455-page novel in a 2-hour movie, but Gone Girl could do it, so how can't TWITW? Watching a bunch of a-listed overqualified actors such as Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore, et. al got tangled in a foggy, gaslighting mystery like this one, hurts me. I'm tired just to recall how the movie went so no, don't watch it!
A quiet place part II (2021) (4.5/5)
A sequel that is even better than the first one. Yes, JOHN KRASINSKI, you're THE MAN!!!! Okay, okay, tone it down. According to IMDB (2021), the second part will follow the events at home, the Abbott family now faces the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats lurking beyond the sand path. It's amazing how Krasinski employs sound, silence, and composition to create tension throughout the film. In "Part II", we see more of Abbott's kids in action, how grown they have been since the last film and since their father's death. Murphy and Blunt are, as usual, amazing in their roles. The one biggest fear any parent would have a slight of thought is how to fight the monsters with a newborn baby, Emily Blunt will teach you. And the only thing I don't like is how quickly Murphy's character changed from a cowardly person to an understanding and protective father figure after giving the Abbott family such a hard time? Maybe it's all in him. Recommended guys!
Zero dark thirty (2012) (4/5)
The queen of 9/11 movies must be Kathryn Bigelow. This movie, according to IMDB (2012), is about a chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6 in May 2011. I must admit, I do not know much about all techniques and strategies Bigelow used in her film but I do notice that Chastain's Maya didn't have a personal background. All she did was focus on accomplishing her task and avenging her country. A clear focus of the film and prevents the story to be misled. The movie is dense and focused without any irrelevant details that brought the audience on a journey of an intense and dangerous line of work. A must-watch!
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