agentmiky

After a long time, I felt like watching a historical film, and The Conspirator by Robert Redford seemed like the right choice. I don’t really want to compare it to Spielberg’s Lincoln, but I probably have to. Lincoln clearly had a bigger budget and, of course, Lewis’s performance, but that doesn’t mean The Conspirator isn’t a worthy competitor. It was interesting to see how the real trial of Lincoln’s murderers unfolded. In my opinion, the broader public, including myself, only knows the name Booth, but the details are largely unknown. That’s why I enjoyed The Conspirator, as it took me into unexplored territory throughout its runtime. James McAvoy delivered an excellent performance, as he’s a truly talented actor who can handle almost any role. The process of defending Mary Surratt felt like running headfirst into a granite wall. Even if you give it your all, it’s ultimately futile, as perfectly illustrated by the rather pessimistic ending. The sets were also well done, and Robin Wright’s performance as the main defendant was worth noting. I think anyone who enjoys historical films won’t go wrong with this one, and they’ll learn something new. And that’s the main thing, right? I give it 84%.

Neill Blomkamp and his creation District 9 hold a special place in my heart, so I’m hoping for a similarly successful film from him in the future. That’s not to say that Chappie and Elysium aren’t good films, but they just don’t reach the quality of District 9. Rakka is an interesting concept from a studio I wasn’t familiar with, and the film focuses on humanity being gradually exterminated by alien colonizers. I really liked how the short film was made (even the best Hollywood blockbusters wouldn’t be ashamed of those effects), and the story itself isn’t bad either. We’ll see if enough money is raised for a full-length feature, as it definitely has potential. I give it 81%.

For the past few years, I’ve often wondered why this film has the highest rating of all, as it didn’t quite make sense to me. So I told myself that I finally needed to make time to watch it. I finally did, and I can honestly say it was fantastic in every way. Darabont may not have directed as many films as some other directors, but he focuses on quality and attention to detail. I’m glad we have a director like him among us. I haven’t read the source material, but Stephen King must be pleased that the film based on his book turned out so well. The Shawshank Redemption is built on its flawless storytelling about the main character and his 19 years spent in prison, narrated from the perspective of his best friend, Morgan Freeman. Truly, it’s the story that grabs you by the heart. The film hooked me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the end. Those 142 minutes flew by, and I wish the film had been longer (which is quite interesting, as I usually prefer shorter runtimes). There’s nothing in the film I could criticize because there simply wasn’t a single mistake. Tim Robbins proved that when he’s given a good role, no one can match him. The portrayal of life in prison was very raw, and that’s precisely why the film was so successful. The ending, with the protagonist’s escape, wrapped everything up perfectly—I definitely didn’t see it coming, and it hit me even harder because of that. If you haven’t seen it yet, fix that immediately. I guarantee you won’t regret it. I give it 94%.

Quality gangster films are as rare as gold dust these days, so I couldn’t pass up this offering from the Coen brothers. The duo's style is evident from the very first shot, and those who don’t enjoy Coen films probably won’t find much to like here, but as a big fan, I savored every minute. Miller's Crossing is a typical old-school film that filled me with immense nostalgia throughout its runtime. The casting was once again perfect—Gabriel Byrne played a "good" character, but the ending showed he wasn’t really that good. I also liked John Turturro, who, as an actor, is simply and inherently tied to the films of this directorial duo. Jon Polito also gave a great performance, and I fully enjoyed his speeches. And Albert Finney shined in what was probably the best scene of the whole film, where hitmen from a rival gang were preparing to take him out. The scene with Thompson was a bit far-fetched, but the whole film was somewhat in that vein. The atmosphere was palpable. It’s not quite a five-star film because I would have appreciated a few more shootouts. But some scenes, with Carter Burwell's brilliant, flawless music, will definitely stick in my memory. This is the best you can watch in this genre. I give it 87%.

This was a cinematic treat, elevated by an outstanding performance from Gyllenhaal, who couldn’t have portrayed the slimy reporter more convincingly. Nightcrawler was released back in 2014, but I only got around to watching it now, and I’m truly glad I did. Dan and Tony Gilroy made a film that shows how people, driven solely by their desire for success, can behave like absolute monsters toward others. The main character steadily climbs higher and higher, completely indifferent to the moral and ethical lines he crosses along the way. The film's escalation is chillingly intense, the dialogues are goosebump-inducing, and you never know what Gyllenhaal’s deranged and unbelievably sleazy character will do next. Aren’t these the very elements you want in every thriller? Nightcrawler has them all, with a lead actor who elevates the film into the MUST-WATCH category. A warning sign was also how easily the news director was manipulated, driven by the desire for the network’s success, completely unconcerned that her actions had long crossed the boundaries of common moral values. The final action sequence was thrilling. I’d probably tweak the ending a bit, but it doesn’t change the fact that Nightcrawler will stay etched in my memory for a long time. I give it 92%.

James Mangold closed out the Wolverine films with this one, and some of those were sometimes not the best, but Logan silenced all doubters and critics who didn’t believe in it, as it was the best possible conclusion to the saga of such a charismatic hero. This is exactly how I’d imagine every comic book film—where there’s no shortage of blood and brutal sequences, it’s not portrayed in a childish way, and every second is filled with pessimism. Unlike something like The Avengers, this had a perfect plot where everything worked flawlessly. Everything made sense. I feel a bit sorry for Jackman because I’ll always associate him with Wolverine, but everything has to end eventually. The action scenes provided an immensely entertaining spectacle, something I’ve been missing in comic book films for a long time. Maybe the more violent approach helped with that. Even Professor Xavier had his own epilogue here, and I have to say, I tip my hat to his performance. Overall, the characters were very well-written, and none of them felt bland or flat. Marco Beltrami’s music in the background only elevated the film further. The ending was packed with action, but also very sad. Let’s hope more "comic book films" like this will be made in the future, because Logan belongs at the very top of the genre. I give it 90%.

The name David Mackenzie first caught my attention with the modern western Hell or High Water, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Perfect Sense, however, is a completely different kind of film. The closest comparison might be Soderbergh’s Contagion, but Perfect Sense is still quite distinct. It’s not a film with a particularly high budget, but on the other hand, it has a concept that hasn’t been explored before. A film about the gradual loss of human senses, one after the other? That’s something we really haven’t seen before, and it’s a good thing someone came up with it. I liked everything about the film, though I would have toned down the romantic subplot between Ewan McGregor and Eva Green, which felt a bit overdone and somewhat detracted from the overall effect. It’s not that it didn’t fit, but the creators seemed to give it more attention than the actual loss of human senses. I enjoyed how, during the loss of hearing, as a viewer, you really couldn’t hear anything—it struck me as a brilliant idea. The narrator's words stuck in my mind minute by minute. The ending was grand. It's a magnificent film made on a small budget, and it’s one that will make you think for days after watching it. I give it 83%.

Matthew Vaughn is now a well-respected director, but his early works were largely unknown to me until now. I have a fondness for British detective films because they have a unique style, much like wine is to France. Layer Cake fits perfectly into this category. I was pleasantly surprised by the film’s approach, which felt more lighthearted, even though it tackled serious themes that should be treated with some respect (and that’s what gave it its charm). The decision to cast Daniel Craig in the lead role was a spot-on choice, and with the rest of the cast being British, I was treated to that excellent British humor full of satire—not everyone may enjoy it, but I devour it. I liked the story, as it had interesting moments and boasted an original plot. I also have to give extra points for the soundtrack, which, while sometimes extravagant, fit perfectly into the scenes and was clearly the work of a genius. More films like this, please. I give it 79%.

M. Night Shyamalan is quite a distinctive director, which means he has a solid fan base, but there are also those who aren’t as happy with his work. I’ve enjoyed all his films so far, and I was looking forward to Split like a little kid. Overall, I’m thrilled. James McAvoy and his 23 identities were undoubtedly the main draw of the film, and his performance in each personality was impressive. I could only revel in his flawless acting, which kept me glued to my seat (especially the nine-year-old Hedwig and his dance, which was the best part of McAvoy’s repertoire). The story was top-notch, and I liked the flashbacks of the main protagonist’s life, which had their payoff at the end. I haven’t experienced such a well-built atmosphere in a film in a long time, and the chilling music was another aspect I don’t want to forget. The film had no flaws until the ending. While it started off great, the conclusion was a bit more over-the-top than I would have liked. I’m glad that even today, it’s still possible to make a film with a modest budget, no over-the-top digital effects, and, most importantly, a perfect plot. I even considered giving it a five-star rating, but I’m lowering it for the ending. 85%.

Netflix has been really active in the film space lately, and Sand Castle is its latest product. This time, we’re taken to Iraq. Honestly, I didn’t quite grasp the story, which was supposed to revolve around fixing a water pumping station (it just seemed a bit absurd to me), but in the end, it somehow came together, and the result wasn’t so bad. If a more renowned director had taken the helm (no offense to Fernando Coimbra), the result could have been several notches higher. The cast, apart from two names, was mostly unfamiliar to me. Nicholas Hoult in the lead role neither disappointed nor impressed, while with Henry Cavill, I was annoyed that he didn’t get more screen time. The action scenes and shootouts were decent and felt realistic, but there weren’t enough of them, which is a problem for a film with a military theme. At least the dialogues weren’t cringe-worthy; they made sense, and the viewer walked away with the sense that the whole situation was ultimately pointless, which was perfectly illustrated by the scene of the repaired station, just before a suicide bomber blew it up, resetting everything. It could have turned out much worse. I give it 68%.