Chomzzy Cute

I used to be very scared at the thought of people who did monstrous things walking free and among us. But I think it is even scarier to have an innocent person suffer for a crime they didn't commit. This was such a compelling look at the nature of justice and its complexities. It had my mind racing with thoughts and grey areas I hadn't considered before. We have Justin Kemp who is arguably a decent person, who was guilty of a crime, but I wondered if it can be called justice sending him to prison? Given the nature of the crime and how it occurred? And then you have James on the other hand who has a history of criminal activities, abusive too, but isn't guilty of the crime he was convicted for. And yet I feel a great injustice was carried out. I must say that this only works in this specific context and its unique circumstance, in any other context, I don't think it would be as compelling. It raised questions about ethical and moral responsibilities. I wondered what I would have done if I was Justin or the lawyer. What would be the right thing to do in this situation? It's pretty clear what needs to be done, but then you think about it for two minutes.... Are we better than our worst mistakes? And can people truly change? Good people can do evil things and bad people can still be innocent. Crazy. It also highlights how sometimes the justice system can be more focused on having someone to pay for a crime, a head on the chopping board, than making sure it is the RIGHT head that is being chopped off. I liked that this took a '12 angry men' turn at some point. It was the best part actually. A better version. It was perfect given the context. Delicious. Excellent performances. Brilliant score. This was very compelling. And I enjoyed it and I highly recommend.

Despite the pace feeling a bit dragged out. The Piano lesson's strengths lie in its compelling narrative and the combative nature of the dialogues. As more is learned and revealed, we get to see how the past impacts the present and how it has shaped each individual and their perspective on things. We also learn the importance of preserving history, and the origin of myths and legends. The atmosphere and setting had a stage play feel to it that I really loved. But the best part of this were the performances and cast assemble. Everyone brought their A-game. Hats off to Danielle Deadwyler.

"Every cardinal has that desire. Every cardinal deep down has already chosen the name by which he would like his Papacy to be known." This was better than I expected. Immersive and thrilling sequence of events. All the games, politics and secrets that goes into the filling of one of the most powerful seats in the world. The papacy. Tension abounds with uncertainty about what the outcome might be. The pace and dialogues effectively hold your attention as you're eager to find out what is next. Just thrilling. The cinematography was impressive. The wide shot visuals of the vatican building and the Cardinals as they cast their votes was a feast for the eyes. The camera work is remarkable. There was a particular shot that I thought was breathtaking. With a music composition that sets the tone, that fits perfectly with the tension in the air and the weight of the occasion. Ralph Fiennes compelling performance was not surprising but oh my, he was incredible. He accurately depicted the subtlety and intensity of his character who is burdened with managing the conclave , struggling with his faith, and possibly his innate mortal lust for power too. A subdued and yet powerful performance. Carlos Diehz was remarkable too. Really the perfect choice for that character. Same goes for the rest of the supporting cast. Everything was in harmony. The ending couldn't have been better. I didn't see that coming. I was wheezing in excitement. This has all the makings of an excellent thriller.

This one is special. A visceral and realistic representation of what it feels like to have to get used to a new way of living and navigating life than what you're used to. The denial and the desperate wishing to go back to the life you once knew. The reaching for some sort of normalcy again. And Ruben being a drummer whose life revolved around sound, I can't even imagine. It takes incredible courage to accept the truth. And the truth is often scary and unpleasant. They really handled the subject matter with such kindness, rawness and truthfulness that even as the viewer, you're scared of that truth. As Ruben was. The little details like the sound simulation of what our protagonist was hearing, and the fact that the sign language was not translated for us until he learned the language too. It added to the feeling of navigating this novel way of living, together with him. Being clueless, afraid and desperately wanting to hear sound again. I am thankful for technology, innovation and most importantly for support groups who dedicate their lives to helping people who are often othered by the rest of the world, to find community and support to live a normal functional life. Riz Ahmed floored me with his performance. It was brutal. His ability to convey the emotions his character was feeling. Vulnerability, desperation, frustration, fear, hurt (like when Lou had to travel and I could feel his heart breaking as he almost held it), acceptance. I'm in awe. And the complete silence that engulfed us all once he took off the device, finally embracing the stillness Joe spoke to him about. And then the song that played once the credits rolled in, with a quiet repetition of the words; I can't hear anything. Sublime. A part of this (particularly the conversation between Joe and Ruben, where Joe told him that his condition is not something to fix.) reminded me alot of a dialogue in 'Bliss' (1997) where Joseph told Baltazar about his dislike for his body. And Baltazar told him that he can always do something about it (ie make modifications), or he can learn to love it. In the end it all comes down to what a person wants and what they believe would grant them a comfortable and fulfilling life. I'm not sure what I would do. I probably would do the same as Ruben. This was an excellent film. And my god; What a stellar title.

“What is my life worth even if I remain alive? Whom to return to in my old home town of Warsaw? For what and for whom do I carry on this whole pursuit of life, enduring, holding out – for what?!” This moved me in ways that I did not anticipate. I was in tears by the time the credits rolled in. A powerful exposé on the caste system, segregation, systemic racism, the nature of evil and the different ways they manifest and all the systems that uphold them. The many ways these violence intersect with one another even while manifesting in different ways. There were powerful moments that moved me to my very core. Especially the swimming pool scene. It was elucidating and educative for me. I learnt new things I didn't know before. It made me ask the big questions. It is a reminder of the importance of the fight for freedom against prejudice and subjugation of a group of people. I don't care what people think, but stories like this must be told and must continue to be told. Because this violence, this dehumanization of a race or class of people continue to thrive in the contemporary world. It's in every facet of very institution. This world is too evil. It feels nice to imagine a better one sometimes but then you read about some of the evil shit that has gone on in this world, and you just shudder at the realization that real actual human beings went through this cruelty, inflicted upon them by other human beings. Hell really is other people. But I guess it is why we must do our best to do better than those who came before us. To contribute to the dream of a better world. We may not have created these oppressive systems, but it is our duty and responsibility to dismantle and put an end to them. However way we can.

I think in my history of cinematic enlightenment, this is the most beautiful I've ever seen color look. I had an epiphany watching this. I didn't know color could look so painfully beautiful. Why can't we have this anymore?? You know when Andrei Tarkovsky said he uses color sparingly in his films, and he only applies them to scenarios that communicate exquisite beauty? Because the real world and reality is so ugly and cannot even compare to the beauty of color? I believe I understood what he meant after watching this film. The colors were dancing. Just beautiful. Anyway, I really love the way lovers kiss in old movies. The way the male character wraps their arms around the woman, like an embrace while they kiss. Holding each so longingly. It's so peculiar to old films. I find it alluring.

"..Was she? Did she? Didn't she?" I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. A thrilling story that leaves you wondering, examining and re-examining clues long after the credits roll to make your own conclusions. My own conclusion is that Rachel was innocent. A caring, unselfish and kind lady, who became a victim of insensitive, sexist and controlling men. Thing is, you wouldn't know this even as the story unfolds. Only towards the end when you take a closer look at the details that lay in plain sight, will you begin to realize that she was the victim in all this, and it made me really sad. That being said, I too would give Rachel Weisz everything I own. I would not stand a single chance at resisting her.

I completely hated every second I spent watching this film. I hated it so much. I hate everything about this film. One thing I took away from it though, and which reaffirmed my own beliefs; is that some people deserve to die, or locked away forever where they cannot hurt anyone else. And that unconditional or a never ending sentiments of forgiveness, grace and understanding of certain actions of people is very very harmful to them, and to society at large. I've always maintained that there are certain behaviors and dispositions that must be shunned for all eternity. There should never be room to even discuss them. There are actions one should never attempt to understand or excuse, or forgive. Some people deserve to be burned, like the people of Dogville. I have always been very vocal about how dangerous the movement of abolishing prisons is. It's such an arrogant stance, and one that sets a very dangerous precedent. Accountability and Punishment are indispensable aspects of a sane society. I don't want to exist in a world where none of these exists, unless it's some ideal world where crime has ceased to exist. Grace's boundless ability to try and understand and forgive her abusers, made them bolder in their cruelty and they never stopped. There was an episode of the Sopranos where the other therapist told Dr Melfi that a study showed that therapy actually made sociopaths more creative and confident in their devious ways, and hardly made any positive impact on them. Anyway, I still hated this. And if I knew the mental torture and just the general meanness of it all that I was going to be subjected to, I would not have watched it. But at least I got the only possible ending I would have been okay with.

There is something I find beautifully unhinged and painfully poetic and tragic about the fact that Alma has to poison him a little each time for a chance to care for him and nurse him back to life.