John Riopi

John Riopi Patron

Favorite films

  • 2001: A Space Odyssey
  • Nickel Boys
  • Conclave
  • Swallow

Recent activity

All
  • Blood Tea and Red String

    ★★★★

  • The People's Joker

    ★★★★

  • Swallow

    ★★★★½

  • Bye Bye Love

    ★★★★★

Pinned reviews

More
  • Woman in the Dunes

    Woman in the Dunes

    ★★★★★

    This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  • Safe

    Safe

    ★★★★★

    This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Recent reviews

More
  • Blood Tea and Red String

    Blood Tea and Red String

    ★★★★

    I do not say this lightly: those mice are hardcore. Phenomenal stop motion animation, beautiful art style, and haunting sound. The film had me enthralled for a five minute scene of mice drinking blood and playing blank cards. Great, creepy stuff.

  • The People's Joker

    The People's Joker

    ★★★★

    Vera Drew made a brilliantly thought out analogy of a film, telling the story of her experience as a trans woman (I'm not exactly sure how autobiographical it is) within the wacky world of Gotham City. She plays a brilliant character and the emotion depths the film reaches while simultaneously being batshit crazy stylistically is very impressive. The film is super low budget, and though some of the art style and effects are impressive, some of it is an absolute eyesore. I can't wait to see what Drew does with her next film.

Popular reviews

More
  • Take Out

    Take Out

    ★★★½

    Take Out is a brillliant look at the struggles of immigrants in New York, especially those in food service. It feels genuine and heartbreaking in Baker's typically intimate style. The film is not so thoroughly plot based, but deftly conveys vicarious experiences through our protagonist and his coworkers. It packs a punch to gut, and now maybe the viewer will put more effort into helping to brighten a service worker's day.

  • Mickey 17

    Mickey 17

    ★★★½

    Mickey 17 starts very strong before being run too thin and ending with an uninspired finale. The concept is fresh and the humor is usually on point. It has a fun, satirical tone, though some of its satire is a bit too on the nose and not biting enough.

    Mickey 17 is a great character and Pattinson does an excellent job juggling the characterization of him and Mickey 18. Mark Ruffalo does a serviceable job in his Trump-esque role, though…