Arcena, Ivan R.

FIRST VIEWING Nolan is Nolan and for every Nolan is a must watch to everyone regardless of numerous criticisms and it's usual for Nolan to explores and delves with varied brain-consuming topics. To be honest, like me, who doesn't even know the time-defying intricacies of the Tenet, the first viewing is like dredging up the soil with my own hands. In other words, I kept overthinking that things could be like these, or like that, and would end up just a puzzle with parts that can't be identified. It's no doubt true, for some, that the film is disappointing to the first level, that the story is disintegrating with each other, that the score is 'earsplitting' and that there's no character development. Even before and after the first viewing, I read reviews to calm my stomach and mind, that I don't actually know what's really happening and I just know that the film is Nolan and Nolan deserves to be just Nolan. I complain too, of course, the fact that I don't deserve to be left unsaid after the first viewing, I tried my best to explain the Tenet in one sentence, but instead, I just wrote with a sentence, "Some films require repeating viewings to fully grasp the whole and if, in the end, still not, maybe that's the way it is." Setting aside the whole plot, I take the recommendation of second viewing and maybe, I understand some parts of the film or just left me again from ___________. SECOND VIEWING It only takes a matter of time, the same day I rewatch it and this time, I am positive (not from Coronavirus, btw, let's pray all together that this pandemic would end sooner) I am positive that I can understand now even small pieces of film and the genius of Nolan and I kind of did but not the whole. Even now, my mind is still flying over time. I heard only 90% of the dialogues but it is a swift move especially that the characters are wearing masks. There is an entirely one scene that I don't understand what they're saying because of the score that overlaps within. But, the film is entirely genius and ambitious even it is Nolan. Again, the story is disintegrating in the first hour but, take note, the next hour is satisfying and gravity-defying. On my first viewing, I clearly don't focus on the details of the film; I am just digesting more on the technical aspects of the film. Whether to be redundant or not from other critics, I must say that the production is very commendable, the casts are daunting but not emotionally affecting, the visuals are amazing, the score is perfect for its genre despite it's off sometimes, the story is perfectly crafted and the direction of Nolan is Oscar-worthy. Overall, the film is worthy to (re)watch and really, I believe, it only takes a matter of time. P.S. Gonna watch this again for the third time pretty soon. Help me!

Slow but deceiving. A love that was pure art and strokes. Refreshingly feminist and rich in modern contemporary. Two women tries to burn their hearts in an isolated place but end up burning themselves. The cinematography was incredible, every scene makes you not blink for a second. A worthy and a masterpiece. The last scene was very captivating! Oh, c'mon!