I watch movies every week and then write down my thoughts. Read my previous reviews!
My rating is simple, Watch It, It Depends, Skip it.
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| Scarface - Tony Montana wanted it all, and he got it all. |
Read my review - Scarface (1983)
Read my The Big Short review
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| Dope - A typical teen movie modernized by making it retro. |
Watch Dope
Written by: Rick Famuyiwa
Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa
Starring: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons
Rated: R
Plot:
High school senior Malcolm, a self professed '90s geek living in a rough neighborhood, navigates drug dealers, girls, and college interviews with his best friends.
Verdict:
The 90's influence on this movie creates a strange tone in contrast with the violence. It started as an outcast living a tough life and pivoted to a madcap romp reminiscent of '80s teen movies.The clever story stays one step ahead, but it's not what I expected based on the introduction. The characters and tone set this apart. While the story is well done, the concept of a teen adventure movie isn't unique.
It depends.
Review:
This feels like a 90s period piece since the main characters are obsessed with that time period, though it's set in current day. For Malcolm, getting beaten up isn't a bad day, when people are shot by stray gunfire in his neighborhood. You could be killed while buying a burger.
These kids are made fun of for liking the white culture of the 90s. Malcom gets his shoes stolen in school. but if it's happened before, why would he wear fancy shoes again?
He writes a college essay about Ice Cube's Today was a Good Day, but is rebuked by his teacher who wants him to write a cliche essay about how he lives in a crime filled area, is raised by a single mother, and just wants to better himself.
The 90s obsession makes this movie stand out, but it's also makes it weird. This strange tone and style is at odds with the violence and danger of the neighborhood.
Malcolm chases after a girl, and this is where the movie changes from a lighter Boyz N the Hood take to a John Hugh's wild teen romp.
The story twists and intersects with itself, and Malcolm develops a relatively safe and modern way to sell the drugs that accidentally came into his possession. Based on the first quarter of the movie, I didn't see it going this way. The story devolves into a crazy youtube parody. The commentary on young man that doesn't conform to those around him is dropped altogether.
The movie wraps up exploring perception versus reality. Fake designer bags look real if you carry it like it's real. Malcolm pens a college essay about the opposing forces in his life and concludes alluding to system racism. Ending with that monologue would have been strong, but the movie continues for a while longer.
The Killing Fields (1984)
Watch The Killing Fields
Written by: Bruce Robinson
Directed by: Roland Joffé
Starring: Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, John Malkovich, Craig T. Nelson
Rated: R
Plot:
Based on a true story, reporter Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) reports on the atrocities in Cambodia during the reign of Pol Pot, guided by local reporter Dith Pran.
Verdict:
Reporters go great lengths and the consequences are very real. Dith Pran continued to report despite what could happen and became enslaved by the Pol Pot regime. The images are staggering, with destruction and death permeating every scene. It maintains an intensity as danger is constant.
The movie is split into halves with reporters covering a dangerous civil war and the second half depicting the enslavement of the locals. The action and performances feel authentic, especially Ngor in his first role.
It depends.
Review:
The film opens with reporter Schanberg and photographer Rockoff having breakfast at an outdoor Cambodian cafe with Rockoff complaining. When a bomb explodes just yards away, Rockoff springs to action taking photos of the destruction while Schanberg is shocked at the devastation.
The images of a war torn country seen throughout the film are striking and intense.
Schanberg's relationship with the military and local embassy is tense as they would rather keep him out, for his safety more than anything.
Pran evacuates his family but stays behind to continue reporting. While all of the reporters are in danger, Pran doesn't have a valid passport. While they scramble to forge one, it doesn't work.
Schanberg evacuates to the states, trying to track Pran. He feels responsible.
Pran is in a labor camp, providing a voice over talking to Schanberg. I didn't know if the voice over was Pran recounting the events later or just his thoughts. If they are his thoughts, why address Schanberg directly?
Pran finally manages to escape and stumbles upon the killing fields where Pol Pot disposed of bodies. It's estimated that Pol Pot's regime murdered more than two million people.
This is contrasted with Schanberg who wins an award for his work in Cambodia. While he credits half of the award to Pran, their levels of sacrifice are vastly different. Rockoff accuses Schanberg of keeping Pran in Cambodia just to win the award. Schanberg does eventually locate Pran, reuniting him with his family.
The soundtrack doesn't always sound good, but it does usually add to the desired mood.
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