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Reviewed a movieRevisit
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Gore Verbinski
It has some really interesting action scenes and very fun setpieces, but this one really didn't age as well as the first film. Don't get me wrong the deepening emotional and ethical quandaries of the love rhombus (a triangle involving Swann, Norrington, and Turner with Sparrow smashed in rather confusingly) is interesting, but there's not nearly enough character background with the men involved to yield a compelling payout so it functionally distracts from a lot of what's happening with Sparrow and Davy Jones. Others have noted that it has a slightly darker tone than the earlier film and that's true, but I don't know that the difference is particularly meaningful in this film or the larger narrative spread over the first three since that added darkness is pretty well restrained. This film does sport interesting character designs, a few complex action sequences, and a phenomenal performance from Bill Nighy's Davy Jones, but most of what this film seems to do is careen from one end of the ocean to the other. Your mileage with this may vary if you're someone given to thin characters and big action setpieces and/or you've taken your dramamine, but this made me a bit seasick. There's a lot of water (water!) everywhere, but not many drops to drink.
Reviewed a movie
Gladiator
Ridley Scott
It has some of the greatest production design I've ever seen and there's so much on view that is truly painterly, but it leaves a lot to be desired where character motivations are concerned. I was barely interested in anyone other than Russell Crowe's Maximus and while that's not totally surprising from a film whose title clearly implies we'll be focusing on a singular gladiator, it did limit the film's appeal for me. Other areas I thought needed improvement were around its dialogue, performances, and sound mixing, with the latter seeming like a complete afterthought. So much of what is said and done by everyone not Maximus or Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) comes off as artificial and forced and the same can really be said of most of the fighting scenes, which are almost all lazily choreographed. This is one of the more complete offerings I've seen from director Ridley Scott, which is great, I just think more of the fundamentals needed to be properly attended to. GLADIATOR as a film is definitely worth at least one rewatch but with limited analytical value it'll likely end up a very engaging backdrop for weekend cleaning and laundry.
Reviewed a movie
Hope
Na Hong-jin
One of the strangest and best things I've seen in a theater in a while. It reminded me equally of Bong Joon-ho's The Host and Alex Garland's Annihilation, both of which give audiences a lot to chew on. This is no different. The way it builds its suspense is mesmerizing and it somehow manages to be the most American western I've seen in a while, which is something considering it's set entirely in Korea. Very eager not only to possibly see it in theaters again but to see how its story gets developed and built upon.
Reviewed a movie
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Destin Daniel Cretton
I completely see the hype. It's easily among my Top 5 where Marvel movies are concerned and may be my favorite Spiderman movie. There's SO MUCH MOVIE in it. A Hulk movie AND a Jean Grey movie!?! It may truly be the crunchwrap supreme of Spiderman movies (complimentary but please hold the lettuce).
