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COLME AARON
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  • Movie Reviews
  • Yearly Top 10
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Movies In RevIew

Parasite - Review

10/25/2019

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Release Date:  October 11, 2019​​​​​​​​​
The Best of the Year?

​It seems that every film this year is steeped in controversy; from online to public perception, none can escape. Bong Joon Ho's latest picture, Parasite, is not part of this group. It seems to be in a category all its own as it's showered in praise. With critical perception saying it strikes the perfect balance of its message and how its depicted. For the most part, there are no blemishes on this movie as its one of the best of 2019, but it's by no means a perfect film.

Parasite is an easy movie to recommend due to its engaging plot. It doesn't feel arthouse enough to deter regular moviegoers, who probably don't know of the film's existence anyways. It's a very straightforward experience that doesn't distract from the story. By keeping the viewer captivated the whole time, it's able to overcome some of the typical problems of Ho's other work. From start to finish, this is by far one of the tightest pieces he's ever written. It feels like something out of the 80s but with an apparent foreign flair.
 
​The picture wouldn't work without the great performances by the cast, though. Kang-ho Song delivers a bewitching performance along with the necessary demeanor to convey the family's mentality. He's not quite peerless as So-dam Park does a fantastic job bringing levity to the film. As the daughter, she is afforded ample screentime to make a strong impression and steals every scene she's in. Everyone else does an adequate job maintaining the tone and keeping the movie believable, but it's those two actors that stand out. 

Every aspect of the film didn't receive the same amount of attention⁠—the score and cinematography weren't always operating on the same level as everything else. There were moments where these elements got to shine, but for the majority of the runtime, they were underutilized. It's not a huge knock against the movie, but it is something that I noticed. 

As you can tell, I don't have too much negative to say. There is no denying that Parasite is a very well made film. The production design is probably one of the greatest achievements that it can boast; with great locations and set decorations, it helps to bring the whole thing come to life. As many people have pointed out, this is probably a shoo-in for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars, so why not see it before 2020 comes?
9/10
You should see this movie but I doubt its playing near you
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Zombieland: Double Tap - Review

10/18/2019

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Release Date:  October 10, 2019​​​​​​​​​
Too Late For A Comeback?

​The first Zombieland came out in a different time, before it's actors were Oscar-nominated and when its 90-minute runtime was appreciated. Now, a decade later, can the sequel recapture the magic that made the first one such a fun film. It always seems like sequels stumble and rely heavily on previous gags, so I'm looking for a companion piece that can stand on its own. My fear going into the sequel was that it would be impossible to have the same style of film today. The results surprised me; I was shocked to find out that Zombieland: Double Tap was funny and overcame a lot of its shortcomings.

​When going to see this movie, do not expect an action-packed thrill ride with blood squirting from every orifice. These movies have always been comedies with a sprinkling of zombies. It actually really works since each zombie encounter seems to be tied directly to the story rather than just for another action sequence. Comedy is front and center with some bits that delivered throughout the movie. One of the best things about this entry in the series is the expanded cast.
At first, I thought adding more people to the isolated incidents of the original would quickly make the story feel too crowded. Thankfully, the trailers are more extreme in this department, and the new additions don't drag the movie down. If anything, Zoey Deutch was the perfect thing to add, keeping everything fresh; she has some really great lines and interactions with the rest of the cast. The outcome of her performance overcame a lot for me, though, I could never shake the feeling that she was putting on an act. I could tell this was not her real personality. It threw me off at the start, but the material was so good that I just accepted it.

​The rest of the cast does a good job too. No one seems to have missed a beat during the ten year hiatus. This is mostly a shout out to the screenwriters, as writing characters that were defined by 2009 could have been tricky to continue in 2019. The temptation to sanitize a role that screams balls and dicks all the time would have been powerful. I could have done without the slow-mo intro, the same trick they used for Deadpool, but it wasn't egregious. 

Overall, Zombieland: Double Tap spiritually feels like the first, and that's good enough for me. It definitely lacks the tight storytelling and has pacing issues, but makes up for it with its charm. It gets you laughing and has quite a few scenarios to do so, making it very entertaining. The worst part is the ending, as it doesn't play to the movie's strengths, but as a whole, it delivered. This result was probably the best I could have asked for.

5/10
Might be fully tapped now
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Joker - Review

10/4/2019

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Release Date:  October 4, 2019​​​​​​​​​
It Left A Smile on My Face

The DCEU, or whatever Warner Bros. wanted to call it, has been officially dead for some time now. With Marvel dominating at the box office, the allure of a cinematic universe is still everpresent. The temptation to make a ton of money won out, as the universe is being rebooted with The Batman (2021). So how does the most famous foil have their origin movie before the hero? Joker proves that as long as there is something to say, it doesn't matter.

When finishing the film, it took me a while to compile my thoughts. I knew right away that it was not to be taken lightly, that it wasn't for the faint of heart. Joker asks its viewers to take a look at the world it presents and wonder if they notice any similarities to their own. It slowly builds, pushing the character and you closer to the edge of realization: even though the movie takes place in 1981—it's about right now.

There are a plethora of films that tackle topical subjects or timeless themes. With varying degrees of success, they can either say a lot or be too general. Joker makes
a distinction about 2019, how we got here, and what's in store for our future. It focuses hard on a character, taking us through their day to day life and asks if it's acceptable. There is no fantasy to bail you out and no over the top elements to distort the message. The bleak reality of the situation is handled with care and pristinely presented.

It's a one-man show, Joaquin Pheonix is front and center for every single second. There is never an instance where you get a different point of view, Matt Damon in The Martian has nothing on this. His portrayal of a man, contorted by society and always being put down, is hypnotic as evolution happens right in front of you. No big event happens that causes the change, it's a slow burn that boils over. 

This is a character study, something that is said a lot about this film. That choice can be attributed to Todd Philips, co-writer and director of this depiction. He said he wanted to make a small and important film, but blow up its attention by putting it in a big property. It's this approach that takes Joker from just being a comic book movie to being a straight-up drama. It crosses over to traditional film in ways only a few have. It grounds itself in such reality that Nolan's trilogy looks light.

Sadly, with so much to say, most are not listening. People are declaring that there is too much violence portrayed, that it creates a sympathetic murderer. These complaints are like being angry about a documentary showing off murders and their lives. Joker aims to depict and the blatant reality of the situation scares people. Aiming only to inform does not create the acts more dangerous, you see way more violence in a Deadpool or Marvel movies than you will see here. 

Joker is not a perfect film, there were quite a few leaps in logic toward the end. It does, however, get a pass from me since there is so much more it is trying to say. There are sequences in this movie that honestly had me glued to the screen. The attention to detail in color, framing, and excellent use of music pushed this over the top. It's the best thing I've seen this year, which isn't saying much but still holds quite a bit of weight.
8/10
​"I wonder how sheltered the people must be, who don't understand what this movie is trying to say"
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