GERARD LOBO

Watching HERE was like enduring a painfully slow stage play, stretched over 2.5 hours that I desperately wish I could get back. The movie tries to be profound, but instead delivers an incoherent mess filled with awkward performances, bad AI filters, and a loosely thrown-together script that struggles to evoke any genuine emotion. The premise had potential, and with names like Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, I expected an artistic masterpiece. Instead, the constant, jarring jumps through time—without rhyme or reason—made the storyline intolerable. The characters felt underdeveloped, and the transitions were so irritating that we almost walked out midway. It might have been salvageable if it had followed a clearer, sequential narrative, but as it stands, it’s a disjointed jumble. Robin Wright’s character seemed to hate everything about her circumstances—her house, her memories, and her life—yet stayed for “love,” only to end up gaslit back into the same trapped existence. Tom Hanks, usually a bright spot, was shockingly underwhelming, failing to bring his usual charm to this muddled plot. Even if you’re drawn in by the intriguing concept or star-studded cast, save your money and time. Wait for a discount viewing, or better yet, skip it entirely. This was a painful watch, and I can’t recommend it to anyone.

"Oppenheimer," a highly anticipated film with an all-star cast, offers a deep dive into the intricate life and work of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man behind the atomic bomb. Directed by a visionary filmmaker known for his grandeur, it's no surprise that "Oppenheimer" was shot using Imax cameras to capture its sweeping narrative. However, as I watched the film, it became evident that this decision didn't always serve the story well. One glaring issue was the choice of locations and settings. Many pivotal scenes in "Oppenheimer" were confined to small rooms or tight spaces. While this approach might have been an intentional choice to convey the tension and secrecy of the project, it did little justice to the expansive capabilities of Imax cameras. In these close quarters, the Imax format felt somewhat wasted, leaving the audience craving the breathtaking visuals it's known for. Imax cameras are renowned for their ability to capture vast landscapes and epic vistas with unparalleled clarity. Unfortunately, "Oppenheimer" missed several opportunities to make use of this potential. Scenes that could have benefited from the Imax treatment, such as outdoor research facilities or expansive desert landscapes, were notably absent or underutilized. In conclusion, "Oppenheimer" is undoubtedly a noteworthy cinematic experience, but the choice to use Imax cameras in settings that didn't fully leverage their capabilities is a curious one. While the storytelling and performances are exceptional, one can't help but wonder if a more conventional cinematographic approach might have served the film's intimate and often confined settings better.