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karlengland-97539
Reviews
Road House (2024)
Megalomania on Screen
The film was looking to be decent. Jake Gyllenhal is maybe one of the best actors around and he was in serious condition. Was kinda cool that he was ripping up multiple people with slick moves. But as an Irishman I would have to say I almost vomitted when the McGregor character came on the screen. Utterly vile and you could tell he wasn't acting very far from the actual person he is. It felt like nails going down a chalkboard, that entire "looking down on people" kinda way about him, walking naked through a market like he had two tvs under his arms. Genuinely embarrassing, and he will say "tha Baank Balance ain't 2 embarrassed" or some kind of crap relating to money. But this is on par with the Black actors wearing a dress. He can't undo it. It seemed like a parody, could not see it as a serious human that lives on earth.
Speak No Evil (2022)
As good as it gets
I'm so fed up of horror films using the same cliche tropes that do not work in terms of disturbing the viewer. Eg a door slamming while the protagonist is running to it.. I feel this type of thing along with loud piercing jump music is killing the genre.
However, this film is a breath of fresh air. Expertly put together to make the viewer relate, then cringe, then cringe some more. It is always just under boiling point. But surely most people can relate to the breaking down of social norms and barriers, and it doesn't sit well with us at all. More so than a devil raising up from hell for example.
The taxi driver man coming and being the babysitter is as weird as hell, and I bet most people screamed out from their sofas to not leave the child. The family are put in many predicaments by this odd couple.. and I found it hard to look away.
A terrible motive and summary to their behaviours which wouldn't sit well with anyone.
I think foreign film makers seem to have their finger on the pulse of the human condition better than Hollywood. And I welcome more like this, as it was so raw, original and terrifying.
A Rainy Day in New York (2019)
Dream of New York
Funny as to be expected in the explicit form and in the esoteric and implicit, eg interrupting lines with ego driven fantasy, something never seen outside of a Woody Allen Film. I don't like Chamolet acting like he is Woody Allen, I seem to be the only person to notice this, there is lack of masculinity for humour then there is this weirdness displayed which makes it hard to believe, makes the guy seem like he is as far out of touch with reality as a child, yet has an arrogance which is not in keeping with the real self he lives. I don't know why this annoyed me so much, but I find it difficult to believe all these beautiful women would be looking to meet this weird character. He is too far from any person I've ever seen, and having the added ability to be winning poker games as a "shark" makes me dislike this guy even more. It doesn't add up.
The film overall is great. Has touches of nostalgia, love, the remnants of the old days, it's very clear this is a Woody Allen pic. I just don't think Chamolet can pull off the odd eccentric Jewish man that we normally get here, he just seems unlikable as he is potentially too aware, unlike woody Allen's older protagonists (himself), where is seemed like he was a fool almost, making his way through life almost by chance, and humour that spared him further ridicule. Allen has comedic timing like a nuclear clock... Chamolet not even like a broken clock.
Kin (2021)
Fantastic Gangland Dublin
A very real and very true depiction of the crime families of inner city Dublin, families with the same three letters starting the name, KIN. The grand poetry of the word meaning family, a la cosa nostra of Sicily and other mafioso using omertà as the key to success, while selling drugs, brandishing guns, and turning on each other, KIN or no KiN.
Excellent story and character driven to the point they really do seem real. The Dublin accent works really well. The Bren character is maybe the worst human I've ever came across, making it compelling and keeps you intrigued; even to see his demise (or not)
This is the best thing the BBC has made in a while. Scorsese would be proud. Even the use of music is perfect, meaningful.
It has everything sadness, betrayal, love... and the story told like a true Irish Bard.