Denis Villneuves Dune: Part 2 continues Paul Atreides’ journey as he leads the Fremen against House Harkonnen on Arrakis. Embracing his role as the prophesied messiah, Paul faces political intrigue and personal challenges. A film that needs to be seen on a big screen.
“Dune: Part Two” an astonishing sequel to an unadaptable novel – A Review Read More »
Denis Villneuves Dune: Part 2 continues Paul Atreides’ journey as he leads the Fremen against House Harkonnen on Arrakis. Embracing his role as the prophesied messiah, Paul faces political intrigue and personal challenges. A film that needs to be seen on a big screen.
“Dune: Part Two” an astonishing sequel to an unadaptable novel – A Review Read More »
The 74th Berlin International Film Festival illuminated Berlin with a symphony of cinematic experiences and red carpet glamour. Against a backdrop of political controversies and impassioned debates, stars from around the world converged to celebrate the magic of storytelling. Guided by a distinguished jury led by Lupita Nyong’o, the festival showcased a diverse lineup of films, from stirring documentaries to captivating dramas. A week after the festival we wanted to catch you up to what you might have missed or wanted to know about this years edition of the Berlinale.
From Glamour on red carpets to turbulences in news Outlets: A 2024 Berlinale Recap Read More »
The 90s. Owen (Justice Smith) doesn’t have many friends but once he meets Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine) at school he gets drawn into the world of the Pink Opaque, a melodramatic fantasy show that Maddy is obsessed with. The two friends start to meet up more regularly to watch the Pink Opaque together. Over the years they become more anymore obsessed with it until the line between reality and fiction slowly starts to fade.
In desperate need of a Pink Opaque adaptation – Review: I Saw the TV Glow Read More »
The Outrun“ delves deep into the beauty of the Orkney Islands. Untamed landscapes, sculpted by the dance of earth and sea, serving as a refuge and place of recovery for Rona (Saoirse Ronan).
“Is this how your kind treats feelings of loneliness?” “It’s one way I suppose.” Stuck out in space all by yourself on an important mission. Your wife is not returning any of your calls, and a malfunctioning toilet deprives you of a restful night’s sleep. Suddenly, a mysterious spider-like creature pays you a visit to talk about your life’s most profound turning point. Spaceman, the latest Netflix Sci-Fi Drama by director Johan Renck (Chernobyl), takes audiences on a journey of isolation, introspection, and loneliness in the vastness of space. It is an adaptation by screenwriter Colby Day of the absurdist Czech novel “Spaceman of Bohemia.” Premiering at the Berlin Film Festival as part of the Berlinale Special Gala section, the film introduces us to Czech Astronaut Jakub (Adam Sandler), grappling with loneliness during a lone space mission to investigate purple clouds of glowing particles. The isolation and solitude in space, as well as the radio silence from his pregnant wife Lenka (Carey Mulligan), takes a toll on him and pushes him to the brink of insanity. Peter (Kunal Nayyar), responsible for Jakub’s wellbeing, tries to reason with him to keep the mission under control. As Jakub teeters on the edge of madness, he meets Hanus (voiced by Paul Dano), the spider-like alien who teaches him about the universe’s origins and makes him look at the reality of his troubled marriage. What follows is a narrative that unfolds with a thought-provoking, Kafkaesque touch, presenting a captivating premise that is somewhat predictable – it’s a story about metamorphosis, forgiveness, and discovery of what truly matters to you. Sprinkled in are a few bits of Comedy and satire, jokes that land nicely, but aren’t as consistent as they could’ve been. Adam Sandler, well-known for his comedic expertise, navigates the dramatic landscape with moments of brilliance – especially the passive, quiet scenes were acted out in a very profound way. Carey Mulligan, skilled at delivering powerful performances in tragic female roles, leaves a lasting mark, despite the criminally limited screen time. However, the film sadly doesn’t escape the outdated trope of using women as plot-device for the development of male protagonists. The standout element of the film is Paul Dano’s Hanus, who becomes an unexpected and intriguing companion for Jakub. The initial discomfort induced by the creature’s arachnid appearance quickly transforms into a wholesome presence as it begins empathizing with Jakub and, in human fashion, turns to snacks to soothe the pain. A shared love for Hazelnut spread and the desire to discover more about one another forms a friendship between the two, a highlight of the film. While Spaceman may have its moments of predictability, the film does succeed in creating a thought-provoking exploration of human emotions in the isolating expanse of space. Considering that there wasn’t a whole lot of depth to the narrative and that the most enjoyable moments were those that elicited genuine laughter, I can’t shake the feeling that this would have excelled more as a straightforward comedy film. Spaceman releases on 23 February in limited US and UK cinemas and will be streaming internationally on Netflix by March 1st. Featured Photo Credit: Courtesy of Netflix © 2023.
Navigating Loneliness in Space: “Spaceman” Review Read More »
David Tennant Shines as Host This year’s BAFTA Awards were hosted by the charismatic David Tennant last night. Dressed in a kilt, his charm and wit provided for an entertaining night, making him a delightful host for the event, something that felt very refreshing after Jo Key rightfully received backlash for his misogynistic jokes at the Golden Globes. Thankfully there were no mishaps and only beaming praise for David Tennant’s hosting skills. Worth noting: Tennant and his wife are also strong advocates for trans rights. The Big Winner: Oppenheimer The night belonged to Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” It swept the BAFTA stage, claiming seven awards. The film, depicting the life of Robert Oppenheimer, secured the Best Film award, with Nolan himself honored as Best Director. Cillian Murphy, who portrayed Oppenheimer, received the Best Actor award, his third BAFTA nomination and first win. Robert Downey Jr. also earned recognition, winning Best Supporting Actor. “Oppenheimer,” with its massive box office success and numerous awards this season, solidified its status as an Oscars favorite. The film previously won big at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, indicating a potential sweep at the upcoming Academy Awards. Voting for those begins this Thursday. Yorgos Lanthimos‘ “Poor Things” emerged as the second big winner of the night, securing five awards, including Costume Design, Makeup & Hair, Production Design and Special Effects. Actress Emma Stone, recognized for her role as Bella Baxter, took home the Leading Actress award. Da’Vine Joy Randolph secured the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “The Holdovers.” The BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay went to the widely acclaimed film “Anatomy of a Fall,” starring German actress Sandra Hüller. Her second film “The Zone of Interest” also received multiple awards, including Outstanding British Film, Best Non-English Language Film, and Best Sound. Highlights The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is an organization that praises itself to be a force that champions talent, storytelling, and strives to make the creative industries more accessible and sustainable. With a global membership of 11,500 creative minds across film, games, and TV, BAFTA plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the screen arts. – Mel
BAFTAs: Oppenheimer Takes Center Stage, Sweeping Through the 2024 Award Season Read More »
David Tennant Shines as Host This year’s BAFTA Awards were hosted by the charismatic David Tennant last night. Dressed in a kilt, his charm and wit provided for an entertaining night, making him a delightful host for the event, something that felt very refreshing after Jo Key rightfully received backlash for his misogynistic jokes at the Golden Globes. Thankfully there were no mishaps and only beaming praise for David Tennant’s hosting skills. Worth noting: Tennant and his wife are also strong advocates for trans rights. The Big Winner: Oppenheimer The night belonged to Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” It swept the BAFTA stage, claiming seven awards. The film, depicting the life of Robert Oppenheimer, secured the Best Film award, with Nolan himself honored as Best Director. Cillian Murphy, who portrayed Oppenheimer, received the Best Actor award, his third BAFTA nomination and first win. Robert Downey Jr. also earned recognition, winning Best Supporting Actor. “Oppenheimer,” with its massive box office success and numerous awards this season, solidified its status as an Oscars favorite. The film previously won big at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, indicating a potential sweep at the upcoming Academy Awards. Voting for those begins this Thursday. Yorgos Lanthimos‘ “Poor Things” emerged as the second big winner of the night, securing five awards, including Costume Design, Makeup & Hair, Production Design and Special Effects. Actress Emma Stone, recognized for her role as Bella Baxter, took home the Leading Actress award. Da’Vine Joy Randolph secured the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “The Holdovers.” The BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay went to the widely acclaimed film “Anatomy of a Fall,” starring German actress Sandra Hüller. Her second film “The Zone of Interest” also received multiple awards, including Outstanding British Film, Best Non-English Language Film, and Best Sound. Highlights The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is an organization that praises itself to be a force that champions talent, storytelling, and strives to make the creative industries more accessible and sustainable. With a global membership of 11,500 creative minds across film, games, and TV, BAFTA plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the screen arts. – Mel
BAFTAs: Oppenheimer Takes Center Stage, Sweeping Through the 2024 Award Season Read More »
The things we’d do for love. Separate the egg yolk from the white. Clean after her. Make sure she feels good and loved. Scrub off your brother in law’s blood from the walls. Cover up a murder for her? After making its debut at Sundance Film Festival, ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ made an additional appearance at the Berlinale. Rose Glass is no stranger to the Berlinale. Seven years ago, she participated in the Berlinale Talents summit as a writer and director. This time her new film is part of the Panorama section at the film festival. The film unfolds the story of Jackie (Katy O’Brian), an aspiring bodybuilder en route to a Las Vegas competition. Before she can compete, she stumbles upon a small town in New Mexico and falls in love with Lou (Kristen Stewart), the manager of a local gym. What sounds like the beginning of a love story quickly turns into a violent tale of passion, crime, and unforeseen consequences. The film thrives in its unpredictable narrative: From gory scenes in living rooms to Kristen Stewart dragging a body down her apartment’s porch in broad daylight. The film hits you with one element after the other without it getting too much to handle.There was not one moment of boredom in Rose Glass’ beautifully queer noir thriller. In its center is a story of love. The aspect of gore and the crimes themselves seem incredibly secondary. The audience is so hooked on the couple ever since they laid eyes on one another. “Love Lies Bleeding” offers a mesmerizing Sound Design by Paul Davies. It’s being used as a motif to direct the narrative seamlessly throughout the entire movie. Loud Gunshots, the cracking of bones or the eerie spurts of muscle growth serve as transitions to pull the audience right from one scene into the other. In the age of streaming, it’s easy to wait for the VOD to be released, but this film’s sound was created for an intense and breathtaking theatrical experience, so unless you’re particularly jumpy, we recommend watching this one on the big screen to get the full effect. The chemistry between Kristen Stewart’s Lou and Katy O’Brien’s Jacky ignites the screen with palpable intensity, particularly during the film’s steamy romantic encounters. The sex scenes are sizzling. Their love blossoms amongst chaos. Stewart has effortless charisma and coolness. Demonstrating her expansive rage in acting while O’Brien seems radiating every time she is seen on screen. Making these two characters fully their own. ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ is a nostalgic, thrilling ride from start to finish, offering an intoxicating mix of dark humor, revenge-fantasies and desire, packed into a rich, pulpy story filled with countless unexpected twists and surreal-esque elements. Love Lies Bleeding is set to hit US theaters on March 8 and UK theaters on April 19 (courtesy of Lionsgate). Image credits: Anna Kooris & A24
Rose Glass presents a beautifully queer noir thriller in ‘Love Lies Bleeding’: A Review Read More »
In “Cuckoo,” Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) embarks on a journey to the German Alps with her father and stepmother, seeking a tranquil retreat. However, her idyllic vacation takes a dark turn when she stumbles upon ominous secrets in the holiday resort. Strange noises echo through the Alpine landscape, and Gretchen is haunted by unsettling visions featuring a mysterious woman. As she delves deeper, she becomes entangled in a conspiracy linked to the bizarre experiments of the resort owner, stretching back through generations. Tilman Singers film premise is promising: set against the backdrop of the scenic German Alps, with Hunter Schafer taking on the lead role. However, as the narrative unfolds, “Cuckoo” struggles to execute its story effectively, getting stuck in its own maze of twists and plot holes that make it challenging and frustrating for the audience to keep up. The first half of the movie proved to be way more compelling than the latter, which seemed to drag on unnecessarily and resulted in a predictable and unsatisfying ending. One saving grace was Hunter Schafer’s splendid performance, she managed to add a lot of depth and emotion into her character, providing a much needed lifeline for the film. She seamlessly fits into the horror genre, bringing an unexpected yet captivating dimension to her performance in “Cuckoo.” Proving that she’s not only very skilled in drama, but also a natural fit for horror films, and I hope we see her lean into the genre more in the future. The cinematography was beautiful and really enhanced the visual experience. The music and sound design also contributed to the eerie atmosphere. In conclusion, “Cuckoo” displayed creative potential but sadly fell short in its realization and disappoints in its execution. -Mel
Berlinale 2024: Hunter Schafer delivers splendid performance in ‘Cuckoo’ Read More »
