Apu Sista

Spoiler Alert: Please see the movie before reading. Alien - Romulus is without a doubt, one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It is a disgrace to the franchise. I guess you have to see it once, so even if you walk out, (which is very likely) they've made a buck... but Ridley Scott lending his name to this boring story, is a mystery to me. Money? I honestly thought one couldn't go too far wrong with an Alien movie but this one has managed to do just that, by virtue of having the most unimaginative story ever written. It is almost boring. ?? How does a script like this get approved? Hollywood works in mysterious ways I guess. Bottom line, even the worst review wouldn't have stopped me from seeing it so maybe the answer lies there. The cast is excellent and they definitely deserve a star! Cailee Spaeny is very charming and she definitely steals the show though the others aren't far behind, they just have smaller roles. David Jonsson carries off an absolutely ridiculous Droid character, so hats off to him too. They're ALL very good. If there is a problem there, it's ZERO character build-up which again is the fault of the story, if you can even call it that. The references to earlier Alien films, the attempts to make corny connections, are dismal. Ash looks great (this is no longer a great feat) but he's out of place. His presence over Michael Fassbender's David, has got to be something to do with the budget. It is clearly a one watch movie, in the theatres or OTT. The other star is for the Filmmaking and the Photography. Despite what seems to be a low budget and despite the constraints inevitably imposed on them, the Direction and Photography are good and could have been very immersive but for the sad fact that there is no sense of what's where. That is strange as an Alien movie is a big thing. The Aliens are boring and scarce and you end up with a predictable but completely beyond gross monster who has the face of the Creators (our Ancestors) but is just all wrong... to the point where he isn't nearly scary enough. He's merely grotesque. So despite all the film had going for it, made today with today's movie making tools, it was doomed from the moment that story / script was approved. It is atrocious, really bad. No amount of all the above plus special and visual effects could carry it off. This one's held together by the Cast. Having said all this, I don't doubt that like me, you just have to see the film... After Alien, Aliens and Prometheus, Covenant was a bit of a let down but even that's magnificent compared to this one. Enjoy! _

I _just_ watched this amazing film that delves into the compelling narrative of the true story of the Andes survivors at the end of 1972. Recommending it to the faint-hearted isn't easy, due to its intense nature, yet it tells the tale in the most beautiful manner. It is one of the most exceptional films I've ever witnessed... an exemplar in filmmaking. 4.7 stars is spot on. Remarkably, it achieves the difficult task of telling the tale without any gore or explicit scenes, instead, meticulously highlighting every positive trait of the surviving disaster victims and the oft-overlooked narratives within this incredible survival story. Despite the emotional weight, the film portrays the challenging choices these unique young survivors made, for ultimate survival in the absolutely unforgiving, harsh, punishing Andes winter terrain. It's showing right now, January 2024, in India, on Netflix, in 4K, with Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos, showcasing it's impeccable direction, cinematography, and editing. The attention to detail in the production design and wardrobe is immaculate. This one truly embodies _perfect_ filmmaking, focusing on an almost impossibly positive view of the courage and beauty of these young people, trapped in this terrible situation. It is a story of the human spirit, pure and without any villainy. It is factual, as recounted by *them*. This is a MUST-WATCH. There is so much more to the actual story that we mostly tended to overlook, the focus was mostly on the controversial, desperate measures. This is pretty much as good as a movie gets. Beautiful. _I watched it in Spanish with English Subtitles_ _

THIS IS NOT A SPOILER, MERELY A WARNING THAT YOU MAY FALL ASLEEP... "Your Son" is... Very well shot, definitely! Well acted I guess. Well directed too, I guess... Very weak story / script, for sure. This movie really redefines dragging! It is agonizingly slow, bizarre editing... almost like there wasn't enough footage. Yet gripping, as you are kept waiting for something radical to happen... and it does but it's a total let down after such a long wait. I would suggest most Spanish movies but certainly not this one! Rotten Tomatoes gives it 100% ?? That's insane. I would give it 60/100 tops... I have. It's a good movie by anything but Spanish standards. Nice. Different. Nothing more. Anti-climactic, vague ending instead of something fabulous... ? Watch something else if you have a choice or go ahead and watch this slow madness. It's good. I guess.

I rather liked it, though it is definitely reminiscent of the old James Bond (to put it mildly!) who I thought, had been done away with... ? After Casino Royale and Skyfall, which are as real as Bond gets till date, this one is definitely surprising and in being more like the old Bond, very disappointing. And totally unexpected. Despite Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes, it is a step backwards. You need to know what to expect before you watch it, I did, so, I enjoyed it thoroughly! Old James Bond, but fabulous cast, (mostly) slick, artistic, full of action. Great fun! While I'm at it, let me poke some more holes in it. Even after accepting all of the above, the story / script falls short. The weakest link in the movie is the casting of Christoph Waltz as Blofeld. Or should I say, as himself! Someone far more sinister was called for. Then there were just too many of those impossible old Bond things happening right through which added to the script being a step backwards. Yet, it is very well made and fully worth watching! Now for some more good (and bad) things. The opening sequence is great... Vintage far fetched Bond action! Formula stuff. Then the encounter with Monica Bellucci, which is a charming and stylish, welcome interlude. The introduction to Blofeld is built up beautifully but sadly it ends with Waltz's cute face looking up! Then we have Dave Bautista as a modern day, seemingly impossible to kill, 'Jaws' style security / hitman. The cars and car chase are very good. I also like that the last, grand, set was not the last set... It ends at the ruins of MI6 which is a very nice touch despite the corny stuff that awaits within. Then there's the helicopter again but considering how well guarded Blofeld is, the chopper is too easily downed by a well aimed shot from Bond's pistol! And then there's Lea Seydoux, who is truly fabulous... charming and endearing. Loveable she certainly is, a very different Bond girl which makes Bond falling in love, very plausible. The production is excellent and it is beautifully styled and shot very well. The cast are absolutely super. And Sam Mendes manages to make something beautiful out of the frankly, absurd script. It really is out of character... inexplicable. A very expensive way to find out whether Bond fans prefer the new, visceral Bond to this... Well, the figures and reviews speak for themselves, Bond fans preferred Skyfall. And it is lavish. I have no idea what the budget was but it must have been huge! From dazzling sets to exotic locations, this is grand! BIG! This is a vintage Bond film but stylishly made and it does firmly tie up the 4 sequential films. It is a rollicking ride and great fun! A must watch. _

Rotten tomatoes gives this movie 19% ?? That is waaay off, this is an engrossing film (2003) and it verges on a thriller... It is a good movie... It has a good plot, a great cast, (a fabulous performance from Laura Linney) and it is gripping from the beginning to it's very satisfying end. I personally am against the death penalty (unless it's a serial killer or something truly evil) for more than one reason but it seems about half of Americans are for it. As such, the movie should be of interest to both schools of thought. Okay, so the story is "far fetched", so ... what? What more do you want from a movie? Were you not entertained? I certainly was gripped from start to finish till the end, which is really moving. And there is a lovely twist at the end. A must watch... for sure! _

By Fincher standards this is ** tops but it is well shot etc. If anyone else had directed it I'd maybe have given it *** but it IS a David Fincher film. Yet not. Given the title 'The Killer', even 'I' could have written 5 better scripts, if not 10! What a colossal disappointment this is... the story. If you even call it that, lack of a story more like. Let me try and say some nice things about it. It is decent filmmaking but not great by any standards. It is not boring, though you wait for something Fincheresque / anything to happen but nothing does. It is very well shot if not by Darius Khondji, 'Panic Room' standards. Michael Fassbender is utterly convincing but after playing Steve Jobs, this must have been a breeze for him. The costumes and production design are good too and that's pretty much it. Fincher is just a year younger than me so age is not the reason for this inexplicably ordinary movie from the great man. I just hope that this is a "momentary lapse..." and that his next one will be fantastic as this should be. I have not been this disappointed by any film in a very long time. _

It isn't often that I am so deeply disturbed yet so moved by a film. This is about as gripping as it gets. It is definitely not for the faint hearted as it is grizzly but worse because it all seems so real... and so utterly plausible. There is so much substance to this beautifully made movie that I don't know where to start. Let me first say, that is a MUST SEE. Don't read on if that is enough. It is set in Russia in the 50's, a terrible time indeed but this movie does not villify all Russians, it villifies the system. It shows in fact, that there are "Angels and Demons" there too, like anywhere else. The 'system' there is shown as it was... and it was definitely horrible. Within this terrible setting, we find our story and characters, all beautifully and flawlessly woven in. There is horror, a serial killer of children, KGB torture, killing, fear and betrayal but there is also a lot of positive emotion... love, courage and determination. While this may sound like an eclectic blend, it works beautifully and everything happens in perfect synchronisation, the pieces fitting together seamlessly. The filmmaking is flawless, as good as any... it is excellent. Tom Hardy is riveting, magnificent, and so are Noomi Rapace and the rest of the stellar cast. This film holds you mesmerized and shakes you up but leaves you with mixed feelings... all considered, it has a great ending... Satisfying. Please watch it. The so called 'knowledgeable' critics above, have done it a grave injustice. Their rating is nonsense, especially Rotten Tomatoes. This is an extraordinary movie! Exceptional... _

A young Madeleine is visited by a gunman who for some reason doesn't want to reveal his identity to her and her mother. He shoots the mother and the vindictive young Madeleine shoots him several times. To be safe, she then drags his body out of of the house. Turns out he knew the little one would shoot him as he is wearing bullet proof armour and is very much alive. Little Madeleine runs onto thin ice with him in pursuit. The ice gives under her tiny weight but the adult gunman is okay, it holds for him. He rescues her, revealing his soft spot for children. A relationship is born as he has broken the ice. Cut to present day, which is actually 5 years earlier than present day. Bond and Madeleine arrive at an unknown destination, clearly in love. However she's jealous as he has not yet put Vesper's death behind him. So Bond suddenly appears at Vesper's tombstone, conveniently close by, where he purges himself but finds a visiting card from Spectre and a bomb. Great anticipation. Bond unhurt, heads back only to be attacked again, this time by a speeding car in a narrow embankment where there is a convenient stone for him to dive under. Battered though not bruised, he gets back and blames Madeleine for the attack and decides to banish her. Pretty poor judgement for a supposedly smart guy. He heads for the station with her to ensure she does leave, stopping on the way to get shot at again and when enough bullets have hit the car windows to sufficiently terrify poor Madeleine, he finally shoots back with his rotating car. They then reach the station where Bond dumps her on a train to nowhere, saying she'll never see him again. What an absolute idiot. She holds her stomach but of course he misses it and the train leaves. Five years of fishing later, Bond as sharp as ever, goes to a nearby nightclub where he meets a beautiful black woman who enters his bedroom but takes off only her wig. Sadly, he doesn't score as she turns out to be an MI6 agent, worse, named 007 of all numbers, presumably by an insensitive M. They both then take off separately to arrive together at another location where Bond meets yet another attractive woman. This one promisingly pulls him into a closet and starts undoing his shirt but again no sex for poor Bond. In another bout of poor judgement, he has mistaken her intentions to be lust, when she only wanted to change him. Bond not only doesn't say "Goo", he takes the unbuttoning well. There is then a sudden skirmish with more bad guys and the revelation of a deadly gas which kills everyone in the room except Bond and his two very capable fighting beauties. There is then a cosy family gathering in London, in insensitive M's office where the whole team cuddle up and discuss the poisonous gas and decide that poor Blofeld, who's been locked up in a steel and glass tube for at least five years, will have answers for them. Somewhere around there, Madeleine meets the soulful eyed, evilly pock marked Safin who explains why she owes him, bringing tears to her eyes. He asks her to kill poor Blofeld. Madeleine loves the idea and meets Bond and Co at Blofeld's super high security prison. Knowing Bond will go for Blofeld's throat, she touches his right hand and leaves hurriedly, saying she's going 'home'. Blofeld says "Cuckoo", Bond the interrogater tries to choke him and poor Blofeld dies instantly from the poison on Bond's unsuspecting hand. Madeleine is actually the assassin but has used the trusting Bond as a pawn to do her wet work. Despite all this, it is Daniel Craigs last, in the series, terribly directed but VERY entertaining... with a terrific ending, so it is a MUST watch!

Another Spoiler: I absolutely loved it! I don't get why critics are complaining so much. Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver provide excellent performances, that silly Snoke has been replaced by the original Star Wars villain, the Emperor... what choice did they have really?! The light sabre duels are excellent but could have been even better, okay. Jedi powers are well heightened. Kylo Ren becomes Ben again while Rey christens herself Skywalker. The translucent Luke was beautifully done, as were all the SFX... dazzling! The 'sea', for example, wow! The skeletal remains of the old Death Star etc. Ok, the script could have been even better but not one of these critics could write a better one. They just criticize. All in all it was a great one time watch and a good finish, all told. Not easy to write Episode IX of such a huge franchise! A lot was packed into 3 hours, which just flew by. To compare these 3 films to earlier Star Wars films is just not fair, or sensible... the creative force that is George Lucas, cannot be matched... ever. So 7, 8 and 9 were different, in many ways, technically much better and I feel they delivered. I could go into far more detailed praise but it isn't necessary. The new characters are charming if not as great. It is a MUST WATCH! Once is enough though IF you paid close attention! PS: Daisy Ridley is the next big star... she's superb!!