Log: week 28 / 2025
Let's get one thing straight: the title for this film is apt. There's a lot of random comedy, the colors pop, and the plot is all over the place. It's the type of film I like, unbridled in its creativity and maximalist in its execution. Only the execution felt a little rushed, which is why I was a tad disappointed the second time around. The cinematography in particular could've been better. Yes, it's colorful, yes, the costumes are crazy, yes, there's an agile camera, but the finish is lacking. Other than that, this is a thoroughly entertaining film, if you can handle the madness. Don't expect this to make too much sense, and you'll be fine.Read all
Not sure what precedes this film (manga, anime, or live-action series), but it's obvious from the start that this builds on earlier material. It's not a major problem; the context isn't overly complex (a good priest battling priests gone bad), but no doubt it's a bit more enjoyable if you're already familiar with the franchise. When Amemiya is involved, kooky fun is guaranteed. The biggest question that remains is how cheesy/low-budget it gets. Biku is one of his better films in that regard. There are some genuinely cool-looking scenes, and some nicely directed action sequences. That said, the CG is not good, and there's still a hefty amount of cheese to wade through. That said, I enjoyed myself.Read all
Another nice take on the US's school shootings problem. This TV-born project isn't the most subtle or creative vision, but it does a good job hammering the core message down. There's also the strong performance of Ben Foster to look forward to, who does a great job as the tormented lead character. The 4:3 ratio is a bit of a downer, and the cinematography and score, while well-intentioned, feel somewhat chaotic. The ending, too, could've done with a little restructuring, but these are minor complaints. The film is pretty gripping, but it's just not the personal favorite it used to be.Read all
Back when the US superhero genre wasn't an established blockbuster niche, this film tried to do things a little differently. I surely appreciate the bold and straightforward approach, but the result is often appalling. To a point where it actually becomes funny to watch, but good cinema this is not. The special effects are in a league of their own. I think most video games of that time looked better. The performances are just as bad, the bad guys are ridiculous, but this is such a car crash of a movie that it is quite entertaining to watch. It's funny to compare this to contemporary superhero flicks, but at least it wasn't as boring.Read all
A solid slow burn set in a small Spanish village. Tensions rise between villagers and two expats taking over one of the farms, triggering a spiral of distrust and harassment. The dry, deliberate, and stone-cold direction is perfect for this type of film, but the escalation is limited, and the pacing is a tad sluggish. Performances are good, the presentation is decent, but a little underwhelming. And the way the second half includes a police investigation is also very much by the numbers. I think the intentions were good, the right choices were made, but the execution was too safe to stand out from the crowd. Solid filler.Read all
Cute, but somewhat forgettable. It's one of those films that builds everything around its premise. Now, the premise is fun, but not that exceptional, and it requires a bit of effort from the audience to keep being invested. It's a good thing that the film is relatively short and that it keeps the pace high. The performances are fun, the characters are quirky, and the initial setup is promising, but then it devolves into basic crime antics a little too quickly, and the film becomes somewhat one-note. It's still an amusing romp and decent filler if you like this kind of thing, I just wish they had leaned a bit more into the comedy.Read all