Phoenix Productions
New Release - A Quiet Place4/12/2018 I was incredibly worried about A Quiet Place at the time of its announcement. It is a horror film produced by Platinum Dunes (Michael Bay's production studio), which has, to my knowledge, never produced a truly good horror film. Not to mention, Michael Bay is credited as a producer. I definitely had my doubts. Then SXSW happened, and the film's ratings exploded. Critics called it the next Get Out. I was mystified. It was around this time that I also learned that John Krazinski directed this film, as his big-budget directorial debut of sorts. At this point, I had no clue what to expect. After seeing the film, I realize that I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Actually, my surprise shifted to the fact that we have received not one, but two Legendary-grade films in a single month, with a potential third (Avengers: Infinity War) on the horizon.
A Quiet Place takes its name seriously, as the film relies heavily on silence to produce its oppressive atmosphere. The motif works almost flawlessly for the film, creating such an atmosphere that even the slightest sound will make you jump. The score for the film, whenever it does pop in, is incredible, further escalating the heavy tension in the air. The acting, both by the children actors and by the adults (John Krazinski and Emily Blunt), is so good and convincing, and the character development is so deep, that you end up caring deeply for these characters without ever learning their names on-screen. The cinematography is impressive to say the least, capturing a post-apocalyptic landscape with Last of Us esque detail. The world building here gives Ready Player One a run for its money, setting up a desolate and dangerous environment, while implying so much more. The clever twists and turns of the film are not thrust suddenly upon the viewers, but rather slowly eased into the plot as the film goes on. The emotion is all there, and it even made us tear up a bit. Safe to say that The Strangers has officially moved aside in terms of my favorite horror film of all time. A Quiet Place is the new standard to which I will hold all horror films from here on out. A Legendary and Top-10 Favorite Film in every category. FINAL SCORE: LEGENDARY
0 Comments
New Release - Ready Player One4/12/2018 I gave myself a significant amount of time to gather my thoughts on this one, as well as enough time for two screenings. My opinion did not change...in fact, my opinion actually improved upon second screening. Ready Player One is a master-class film for what it is. The whimsical and magical nature of the story portrayed is captured in some of the most beautiful visuals and effects ever put on screen, beaten only by Blade Runner 2049 and Blade Runner. The comedy of Ready Player One is akin to that of a Marvel film, which works incredibly well in this setting. The character development and the world building are spot-on, and really bring the Oasis to life. Acting and sound design are great as well. The film is nowhere near perfect, but it is a beautiful example of how the magic of the inner child can be channeled into something truly special. I am avoiding spoilers here specifically because I want everyone to go see this film. Now, the main complaint I see about this film is that it relies on nostalgia heavily. This isn't the case. It has many references and a lot of nostalgia, but it is used in the world building and most always has some sort of purpose. The nostalgia also adds to the charm of the Oasis in a way that generic replacements just can't do. The film is expertly crafted, essentially becoming "Willy Wonka, but with video games." And as simple a premise as that is, it captivated me from beginning to end. I originally doubted this film's potential, expecting around a 6 or 7 when first going to see it. I had no expectation of giving this film a Legendary rating, yet it has earned that, along with a spot on my Top 10 Favorite Films of All Time.
This one must be seen to be believed. Truly one of the biggest dark horse films I've ever come across, and among the best films I've seen in the last 5 years, at the very least. FINAL SCORE: LEGENDARY Author
Archives
May 2018
Categories |