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Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Visual masterpiece
Visually, this is a masterpiece and maybe has the greatest CGI in motion picture history. It's stunning to look at and needs to be seen on the big screen. The technological advancements that Cameron has made to the medium of film, cannot be denied.
Story wise, it's not quite as tight as the first film, but it's certainly not bad. The philosophical and environmental themes and motifs are still presented strongly. I do question the validity of this story arcing over 5 films, though. Perhaps it will be a generational thing and cover a large expanse of time, ala the Dune books. I guess that remains to be seen.
Overall, a very entertaining watch and one I would recommend if you enjoyed the first film.
The Rental (2020)
Slow burn underrated slasher, not without it's flaws
This film exceeded my expectations and it legitimately scared me at points. It's Vacancy meets the Strangers and will make you never want to rent an airbnb ever again. I think it's underrated. I'd honestly like to see Franco do more within the Horror world, as this film showed great potential in his writing and directing.
A small cast with solid performances that are amplified and enhanced within the isolated setting. The single location confines of this film (which probably came more from budget constraints, than anything else) really helped with the tension that slowly ratcheted up more and more throughout the film.
This film is very slow burn, but the third act really cranks up the horror and rewards the viewer with a healthy dose of lasting scares. There are some issues I had with some of the writing, as it focused heavily on some unnecessary subplots in the first two acts that were largely inconsequential and not needed by the end. However, the ending is so boldly written that it elevates this film past any major writing issues I had. The ending left me majorly wigged out and it will stay with me for awhile.
Elvis (2022)
Butler shines
This film is very Baz Lurhmann with a highly stylized and over the top visual style and a melding of both period accurate and contemporary music. If you like his style of filmmaking you'll probably really enjoy this film. Amazing costuming, makeup, visual effects, and set design.
Austin Butler's portrayal of Presley is top-notch as he truly embodies the character in both voice and physicality. He's captivating in all the right ways, and for my money has the best portrayal of Presley that's ever been done.
Where this film dips is in the focus of the screenplay, the editing, and I hate to say it, Tom Hanks' portrayal of Colonel Tom Parker. I love Hanks, but his performance was gaudy, over the top, and imposing in all the wrong ways. The story is largely focused through his perspective, which I found to be a misstep. The film focuses on his character just as much as it does on Elvis. This is where editing could have taken down a good 20 minutes or so of this film and greatly reduced the Colonel Tom to Elvis imbalance.
That being said, this is 100% worth watching for the dazzling visual spectacle that is Luhrmann's filmmaking and Butler's epic performance as the King.
Nope (2022)
Peele does it again!
I was really impressed by this film. It's a very interesting amalgamation of genres, themes, influences, and cultural commentary. It's like if Close Encounters of the Third Kind was mixed with Jaws, Signs, 60's-70's Westerns, and films about filmmaking. It's wholly unique and original and is a large scale film that feels very Spielbergian in it's gravitas and pulp. It's a love letter to filmmaking told through the lens of two black siblings trying to stake their place in the American West as they encounter Paranormal happenings. It's a big, loud movie that will reward you if you see it in theaters. The cinematography is bold and daring and the sound design wildly adds to the experience. It's not quite as good as Get Out, but it surpasses Us in my opinion. What it does the best, is cement Jordan Peele as one of the most exciting original filmmakers of our era.