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amandawoods71
Reviews
The Ritual (2017)
It's not really horror, it's symbolism
I really like this film, and while it's not supposed to be gore, It's more psychological, and although I've never read the book, I think this story is worth analyzing anyway. If you're interested in the opinion of a literature
professor, then read on. If you don't, then don't. This review was much better the first time I wrote it, before it got erased.
When the story first opens, we see Luke witnessing his friend's murder at the hands of store robbers. Luke does not act, he sits silently, warning his friend not to act defiantly, and frozen in inaction himself. Later, in the forest, each friend begins to have visions or nightmares, over time, the nightmares no longer occur while they are sleeping. Luke's visions are always of the terror-filled events of the convenience store; we get a sense he will never really leave it. We know that he has become a sort of half-man; he seems distant from the group, a point driven home when his friends confirm to his face that they believe him to be a coward and to various extents, no longer a friend, part of the manly comeraderie. Each time we see his store-vision, we notice that the topography of the forest has encroached more and more on the scene, as this incident overtakes the murder of his friend as the worst thing that ever happened to him. As Luke becomes more and more "present" in this current situation (instead of living in the past), his friends become more and more dependent on him to guide them, to be a scout for them, to be the sole survivor of the group, and in the end, to avenge them. Luke, out of all four men, was chosen as worthy by the god to join the ranks of his worshippers. He is the singular one, the character most developed. (If you want to go down this rabbit hole, Greek drama tells us that it's the character who has experienced the most pain who is the most developed, surpassing even the gods themselves in compassion and therefore, perfection.) When the god itself faces him (excellent imagination of a Nordic god-monster, BTW), it forces Luke down into a prone worship stance I believe 3 times, a significant number in storytelling; it shows that the protagonist has surpassed his issues and has chosen this act very deliberately. Luke stands defiantly in the face of the fear-god itself, successfully, even wounding it to demonstrate his superiority to it. He leaves the forest, also leaving the convenience store behind with it (notice the lack of store imagery in this ending scene), and turns and screams at The Fear as loudly as he can, again 3 times, in a perfect foil to his silence and inaction in the first scene which froze his life in terror and shame. He leaves the forest and drops his weapon, which he will no longer need.
I don't see much of any other way to see this movie, but I literally just finished watching it. Sorry if you don't agree.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)
Brings out the Incels
A very pretty movie, as Luc Besson tends to do, but if you're comparing his works, the story isn't as compelling as something like the 5th Element. The actors aren't up to snuff, but we can't blame Cara Delevigne, she's a model, not an actress--blame the other guy whose profession this is supposed to be. The dialogue is heavy handed at times, trying to cram as much exposition as possible into tiny spaces. It's an average movie, and a pleasant waste of time. I'd rate it 6.5.
The main issue is the ickiness factor I now associate with this film, which you'll see if you read any other user reviews. It really brings the incels out, immature "men" who seem to find it necessary to come online and comment about all the special *feelings* that Cara Delevigne stirs in them and in all other "men," as they seem to presume. We really don't need to be knowing what you're doing when you watch this movie, guys, so please take it down several notches and let the woman do her job in peace.
The Silence (2019)
I love terrible movies. This is worse.
Everyone else has said most of what I could say, but even then there's still more. This movie simply is so bad there's not enough time or room to list all the questions or issues with it. I gave one extra star just because it started promisingly. I'm going to start a go fund me page for Stanley Tucci, since apparently he's desperate for money.
Wallykazam! (2014)
Best kids show on TV
I'm really not sure why people are leaving such negative reviews, either about the content of the show or about the animation. I believe the animation is about as top notch as you can get. As far as the show content, this is a fantastic way for preschoolers to learn about letter sounds, combination of sounds, and sounding words out. The stories are engaging and frankly, the music is rather sophisticated. If they came out with a wallykazam CD, I would probably buy it for myself. In short, this is quality television that you don't have to feel guilty for letting your preschooler watch. Actually, I'm rather miffed if I'm too busy for it. If you need a recommendation, my 4 year old boy requests this show over other, flashier shows 100% of the time.