remedialreviews

[remedialreviews]

Extraordinary sets, a surprisingly charming Matthew Broderick, and a cute romantic fable make this a really fun watch! It was made in the 80s, sure - that's obvious in the silly armour and bizarre blasts of pop music - but how does that detract? The scenery is gorgeous, the actors are serving (the bishop's first scene is incredible), and the film easily entertains.

#ladyhawke #film review #screen review #matthew broderick

[remedialreviews]

The storytelling and character work is really poor, especially when you consider (it's impossible not to) what it's all supposed to draw from. Yet the Gaang exceeds what they were given, their earnestness and joy infectious despite the showrunners' best efforts to make the show "epic" and "adult." Ian Ousley's capable and empathetic Sokka, though nothing at all like the source character, is a surprising highlight. Overall, however, really disappointing - especially considering the promise and charm of the leads.

#avatar: the last airbender #avatar #ian ousley #tv review #screen review

[remedialreviews]

The cast is terrific, capturing every layer of the screenplay: its humour, of course, buoyed by whimsical direction, but its nuance as well, the central trio often finding meaningful moments of pathos and power in and around the foxy-assed cussing.

#wicked little letters #film review #screen review #olivia colman #jessie buckley #anjana basan

[remedialreviews]

Frustratingly near the mark without ever committing to its pursuit. Somehow, the term "capitalism" never actually occurs in the text - because, I suppose, that would be too political for this careful centrist, who writes half a chapter on the profound success of UBI before quickly conceding to the ignorant "Yeah, but it's so expensive" fallacy. Perhaps it's just the genre, but the anecdotes were too long and far too many: tiresome, and too often fatphobic for no reason. As a whole, it's just so close. At least the author concedes his privilege at the end, I guess?

#lost connections #johann hari #book review #nonfiction review

[remedialreviews]

It's not nearly as good as the first season, but it still has its moments - every hip hop needle drop slaps - and the foundation remains mighty. And let's be honest, if this season existed only as a platform for "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born," it would be more than worth it.

#mashle #マッシュル- #tv review #screen review #anime review

[remedialreviews]

Hero Dev Patel really said that trans folx deserve to exert bloody violence against their oppressors. The first half is a little too long and a lot too shaky, but everything after the filthy river beats to a pulp those little gripes. I don't know if I blinked during the climax, as breathless tears dripped down. Exhilarating, inspiring, beautiful.

#monkey man #dev patel #film review #screen review

[remedialreviews]

Look, I knew Sony has a terrible track record, but the early reviews were all "Anti-white" and "Woke" and "Pro-feminist," so I'm sure I'll be forgiven for thinking this might actually have some merit. Alas, it has none, aside from how it has infuriated fragile men. I'm trying hard to find another quality, I swear, but there's just nothing! So, for completely different reasons than those above, and because those reviews were cruelly false, I must also call this bad. :(

#madame web #film review #screen review

[remedialreviews]

It's actually very funny. Every time Conor McGregor was on screen he was all but belting out 🎵Now I've had the time of my liiife🎵 - and damned if I wasn't singing along. It's very silly and, though the sound effects occasionally don't line up, impressively brutal, too. Light laughs and heavy hits; mindless fun!

#road house #roadhouse #conor mcgregor #film review #screen review

[remedialreviews]

At first, the tilts and pans feel contrived, until the writing and terrific performances draw you in; then, they become tools that enhance empathy and effect, along with the evocative moments of superreality that end the first few episodes. Very compelling. Sienna Miller is incredible.

#anatomy of a scandal #sienna miller #tv review #screen review

[remedialreviews]

Because it's the third in a series, it doesn't have the unprecedented awe factor of the first novel (so it won't supplant the first as my favourite) - but it does have fascinating politics and character-work and more on-page action than the series has had up to this point. Intricate and fascinating, with twists and turns everywhere.

#children of dune #dune #frank herbert #book review

[remedialreviews]

Really charming, with a fun cast of characters and some genuine bangers from the band. The asides in different animation media are a surprising treat every time. Cute!

#bocchi the rock! #bocchi #tv review #screen review #anime review #ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！

[remedialreviews]

The comedy, which remains exquisite, takes a turn towards adorably pure as the characters grow to know themselves - and then the whole show takes a sudden turn into drama for a surprising episode of emotional depth. Everything contributes to an addictive and delightful programme.

#kaguya sama: love is war #kaguya sama #tv review #screen review #anime review

[remedialreviews]

The craft - particularly the cinematography - is terrific, but monotonous performance that initially unsettles ultimately distracts and lengthens, making this feel much longer than its two hours. Still, mostly effective and adroitly made, with affecting twists and turns.

#screen review #film review #the killing of a sacred deer

[remedialreviews]

Once again, the spectacle is everything: awe-inspiring vistas and staggering design pairing with stirring music and cinematography. But here, Villeneuve at last dabbles in storytelling - cleverly making exterior the internal conflicts of the novel. But beneath the film's grandeur and large-stroke genius, there is too-little attention to detail, exemplified by the four different ways "Feyd-Rautha" is pronounced the first four times we hear it.

#dune #dune part two #dune part 2 #film review #screen review

[remedialreviews]

For a book almost entirely comprising esoteric conversations between talking heads with strange names, the book moves at a decent clip. An evocative final act satisfies the novel's philosophical questions and feels almost human again - until a reader remembers the 61 billion dead that have been swept under the rug and is forced to wonder if the architect of the genocide deserved such an end.

#dune messiah #book review #frank herbert

[remedialreviews]

The spectacle is immense - every frame and design (especially in the first act) is overwhelmingly awesome - but the storytelling is shallow and insubstantial. Dune is never even thirsty, and the only character we get a real glimpse of motivation and emotion from is just stressed and sad the whole time. Everything is reduced to moments of spectacle, in plodding, meaningless sequence.

#dune #rewatch #film review #screen review

[remedialreviews]

The story and its characters feel soft and distant. To its credit, nothing is ever sensationalized (its scenes of abuse are gently presented), but we are given hazy montage in place of introspection and unfocused time jump in place of character study. Necessary antidotal viewing for anyone who has consumed Elvis media, and occasionally a subtly profound film in its own right, it nevertheless comes across a bit pale.

#priscilla #film review #screen review #elvis