The dude abides.
Favorite films
Recent activity
AllRecent reviews
More-
Shutter Island 2010
A great first act unfortunately fumbled by cartoonish depictions of mental health and trauma as well as a hammy plot twist straight out of a film student's Google Drive. It's a shame because I really liked parts of this. The film touches on some really interesting themes such as when and against whom violence is justified; criminal rehabilitation vs retribution; and my personal favourite: how the US's 'conquering over evil' following the Second World War is actually a complete myth,…
Translated from by -
Inside Out 2 2024
Can't wait til they introduce Toxic Shame and Gender Dysphoria in number 3!
In all seriousness I hate the fact that these two films teach kids about navigating complex and difficult emotions, concepts like core/limiting beliefs and how identity changes over time, introspection, healthy relationships, and our general mental architecture far more than 15 years of school. It makes me very sad to think about how our education system fails kids (me) who have to work this stuff out the hard way later on in life.
Props to Disney though for doing their research and making another great film.
Translated from by
Popular reviews
More-
The Boy and the Heron 2023
Normally when rating a film poorly I will cite measurable, quantifiable aspects of the film to communicate why I didn't like it. But this film is not particularly concerned with reality or consistency, and I understand that as an artistic decision, so instead I turn to my emotions to understand this film if I can't do so cognitively. Yet, sadly, the opening seen caused more emotion in me than the following 95% of the film. Perhaps I couldn't emotionally connect because I haven't experienced loss, although I'm very hesitant to believe that. I'm just sad Miyazaki's last film left me feeling so empty and disconnected.
Translated from by -
Tokyo Story 1953
This film demands almost superhuman levels of interest in cinema to be properly engaging, I feel. Despite how beautifully shot, subtly written and important the themes, it is just phenomenally difficult to pay attention to. Even as an Art Appreciator, even in the cinema, and even in a mood which I thought made me ready for such a slow, poignant film.
I'm not criticising Tokyo Story for this aspect -- I believe when it was made, the average person could…
Translated from by
