Hello All,
Boy this has been a really long day for me. I’ve seen almost four hours of movies today, I’ve ridden on at least six busses, I’ve eaten so much goddamn pizza, and to top it all off I’m going back out again tomorrow. Before tomorrow comes however, let’s talk about the films I saw today. The common thread between these films is that they are tales with great elements of sadness to them. So you can see why this has been a taxing day for me emotionally at least. So what is it about these films that make them so sad, and does that drag down the entertainment value in the process? Let’s find out together shall we?
Silence Review
Plot Summary - Based on true events, the story follows two Jesuit Priests as they travel to Japan, which is currently undergoing anti christian purges. While there, they both tend to the faithful christians who live in hiding from the warlords, and search for their mentor, who has reportedly renounced his faith, and is now living in Nagasaki.
Pros - The cast is stellar, especially Andrew Garfield as the main character Rodrigues in another stellar performance of a man whose faith is put to the ultimate test. There are also a lot of supporting characters, but the film actually does a good job of giving each of them their own time as well. For an almost three hour movie, the pacing is amazing, as it did not feel at all like a three hour movie. The story is intensely brutal, with only a few moments of mercy in between it all. It’s well directed, and is extremely beautiful visually.
Cons - Like I said before it is a brutally intense film. If you’re not up for almost three hours of a man going through his personal hell, then this movie is not for you.
Final Score - 10/10
This is a majorly huge film. Like, it’s hard to explain, but this is a truly intense film to watch. If you feel like you’re up to the task, then by all means I implore you to go see this film.
A Monster Calls
Plot Summary - Conor O’Malley (Lewis MacDougall) is a young boy dealing with his mother’s cancer, when a strange monster starts appearing at seven minutes past midnight. At first thinking the monster is here to help his mother, the monster reveals that he is there to tell him three stories, and will then require a fourth from Connor, which will force him to tell the monster a deep truth.
Pros - The film is simply gorgeous visually. It switches between watercolour stories, with visually interesting real world places and components. The cast is fantastic as well, especially Lewis as Conor, and Felicity Jones as his mother delivers one of the most heart wrenching scenes I think I’ve seen ever. The three stories as well are well told, and also contribute overall to the theme of the main story.
Cons - The main story itself is extremely dark. A lot like Silence, it has it’s tremendously sad moments, and truth be told I balled my eyes out more than once watching it. I also have a slight issue with the very end of the film, and as much as the film hints toward it, I find it kind of takes away from the ending just slightly.
Final Score - 10/10
Okay the ending bugs me just a touch, but the rest of the film more than makes up for it. Again, if you’re not a fan of brutally dark movies, then I wouldn’t recommend it to you.
Next: Well, now is a good time to tell you that that’s going to be a bit complicated. See, I’m planning on seeing (or at least trying to see) five movies in the next two days. So instead of giving you one really long review with a bunch of different movies on it, I’m going to see them all, write all my notes, and then release one a day over the course of the week (hopefully.) I’m not going to reveal these films now, instead I’ll reveal them as the week progresses (and also because I’m not sure in what order to release them yet.)
Links: (Admittedly I might update this section soon.)
Last Review is Here: The last review was for a movie that I can honestly say was way more cheerful. You can read that one here.
Twitter Account is Here: You’ll get notices when the reviews are live as soon as I post them, plus any trailers, movie news, or updates on when I stream on Twitch. I’m always looking for new followers, and with more followers means more ways for you guys to contribute.
Suggestion Box is Here: Are you sick of gaps in my posts? Why not suggest a film or film series for me to watch? Suggestions will be completed in order received, and if you’d like to leave your name for a suggestion credit and anything you’d like me to promote (within reason) I’d be happy to do that too. This suggestion box will be a permanent fixture of the blog, as again I’d love any and all help you guys want to offer.
Twitch Channel is Here: I’ll admit, I don’t quite have a regular streaming schedule worked out, but if you follow either the Twitter account or the channel directly you will be notified whenever I go live.
Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.
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