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COLME AARON
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  • Movie Reviews
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Movies In RevIew

The Gentlemen - Review

1/24/2020

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Release Date: ​January 24, 202
An Absolute Blast

​​I have developed a fondness for Guy Ritchie's films. Even when the general public and critics dismiss one of his projects, I've still found them to be addictive. So picture my excitement when I learned he was doing another film and an original idea at that. I knew that even if his latest movie didn't tickle critics or audiences, I would still have a great time. But it looks like everyone wins as The Gentlemen is not only fantastic, it's the most enjoyable time I've had at the theater in months. 

When I think of a Guy Ritchie movie, I can see the editing, the humor, and the storytelling all wrapped together. The Gentlemen is somehow an outsider from the group as it maintains all of the markings while still being a standout. The grace in which it presents itself is familiar but seems to be a cut above the rest. I am happy to say that this might be Ritchie's best work, as the results are electric. All of the pieces that bring this picture together move in harmony as they meld into a euphoric crescendo. This means that everything from the acting to the editing just works. 
Since I brought up acting, the cast is a phenomenal ensemble of familiar faces that delight. Standouts include Hugh Grant—cause of course, Charlie Hunnan, and Colin Farrel. They bring life to the film as they all play their parts to a tee. Grant appropriately chews the scenery opposite Hunnam, who plays the straight man as they lead the audience through the plot while being inner cut by everyone else. It's when Farrel pops up and elevates the mood with his relaxed demeanor, a feat only aptly described as an oxymoron, when everything is working at it's best.

There isn't anything special about the cinematography or score, but they don't hinder the quality of the overall picture. There is a small story beat that ends oddly, but nothing else comes to mind when I think of egregious problems. In no way am I suggesting that The Gentlemen is without faults, but the enjoyment to be had far outweigh any slight transgressions that it may embody. 

I would consider The Gentlemen one of the best of the year. I know it's early, although I'll be surprised if I don't see it on my top 10 list at the end. It might just be a taste thing as the film doesn't seem to have universal praise; it indulges in very British vocabulary and mannerisms, which are aspects I adore. Though, it could also be that it's a Guy Ritchie movie, and his style isn't for everyone. All of these considerations aside, I cannot deny how much fun and charm this picture has.
7.5/10
I promise its incredible
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Hustlers - Review

9/13/2019

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Release Date:  September 13, 2019​​​​​​​​​
Hustling for Oscars?

Movies adapted from source material or ones based on true stories are no stranger to Hollywood. Some of the most classic films are apart of at least one of these categories. What might be surprising to learn is that many of them started as articles; Hustlers shares this connection as it was first a story in New York magazine. The confession of strippers drugging and robbing men was too interesting to leave alone. The challenge of adapting this tale for the big screen comes down to making it relatable. Hustlers is able to find a human story about friendship but loses the lead more than once. 

From the very beginning, I could tell that the focus would be the relationship between Constance Wu and Jennifer Lopez. The idea to stylize their first encounter with a trope used for romantic comedies was really fun. It speaks to the overuse of slow-motion but also highlights the emphasis on their connection throughout the entire runtime. If nothing else, Hustlers attempts to hammer home the idea of family, friends, and how to stick together. Those moments of connection are when then the film is at its best.
It's for that reason I prefer the first half to the second because there is more discovery going on in the story at that point. Having all of these characters meet and get to know each other, allows the audience to sympathize to their situation. With the backdrop being a fancy strip club with a dot matrix display for the main stage, there is a flair just not present later on. The obvious standout is Jennifer Lopez as she delivers a great performance that ties the whole movie together. It's not Oscar-worthy like some are saying, but it is the highlight of the cast.

The director, Lorene Scafaria, made some strong choices, some of which worked well and others outstayed their welcome. For instance, the idea of using piano music when depicting emotions in key scenes ended up clashing with other scenes that flanked it later on in the film. The decision to structure the plot around an interview in the same vein as I, Tonya was interesting, but wasn't necessary until the end of the movie. The overabundance of slo-mo shots of the cast making entrances got repetitive, and the little audio trick at the end lost meaning when it was reversed seconds after use. With more practice, I suspect that Scafaria will be a more seasoned filmmaker and that this was a really good start.

The final thing I can say about Hustlers is that the characters are a little ironic. Constance Wu has a line of dialogue that states, "I don't want to make it seem like all strippers are thieves. I don't want to add to that stigma." This was hilarious, not only because the story being told is about strippers committing crimes but that Cardi B has a cameo. She infamously was a stripper before she was a popular performer and actually drugged and stole from men herself. The film tries really hard to put these character's actions into context, but never succeeds in making you feel bad for how they ended up.

6/10
A little small in scope and way less crazy than you think it is
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