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Victim/Suspect (2023)
Necessary to Watch, Hard to Listen to
This is an extremely well done documentary.
It's a clear statement on how flippantly detectives treat vulnerable victims when it concerns sex crimes, especially when the rapist is known to them. It's filthy, demeaning, and cruel for police officers - a body of individuals were generally told to trust - don't have an interest in actually dedicating investigative work to a case. In the cases cited in this show, it was made clear these police officers felt it was easier to gaslight/manipulate the victim into not believing their own story because they were vulnerable, and these officers did not want to do the investigation. (In one case depicted, they never even contacted the suspect; in another, the officer did not interview them. Instead, they accepted a written statement from him that was handed to him in-person.)
This documentary is detailing how the journalist untangled these cases to find an overarching theme of dismissiveness from police officers when concerning sex crimes via personal witness interviews, personal victim walkthroughs, recorded police interviews, police reports, surveillance, and even an interview with one of the detectives. I read in other reviews people were complaining it does not respect police officers or police procedure, yet I don't see how a journalist consulting experts, gathering evidence, etc to corroborate the victim(s) statements she was able to help; the journalist made it very clear, too, she had to remain highly objective about this and not just flatly believe these victims without evidence, hence why she got evidence.
The point of this documentary is to prove there isn't a unilateral goodness/hard-working disposition in every police officer we encounter. It's clear these officers did not respect these victims, they conveniently used the law to lessen their workload, and had no problem cajoling people into inadvertently confirming their "false reporting charge" because the victims became unresponsive to their accusations, which leads the officers to claim "victim recantation."
With this documentary, I can understand why anyone would feel fearful to report a sex crime to the police if they had one to report. It is completely understandable. However, I hope this doesn't happen, because it genuinely will make it worse. The best way to interpret this documentary, I believe, is to understand if you're ever in this situation, you must be there for yourself even if you feel like you don't deserve it. You must believe in your own experience, Police officers can evidently be lazy, and you never know what police officer you might be interviewed by, so always believe in your experience. If you feel like you're being treated as a suspect, if your laws permit, try to leave and/or retain a lawyer.
I greatly empathize with all these victims. I hope this never happens to anyone else.
Hairspray (2007)
Still one of the best live musical movies
Let's be honest: a lot of the live action musicals suck pretty hard. But Hairspray definitely doesn't suck' it's witty, campy, doesn't try too hard, has fun music and genuinely amusing characters from the hermit, Edna to the overly religious mother of Penny. The plot isn't too self-indulgent either trying to achieve an idyllic 60s aesthetic or being preachy about their touching on racism. Racism is very real and harmful, but it's not always cruelly violent with pejoratives and physical abuse; it's also subtlety invasive from segregation,for example, which Hairspray manages to comment on powerfully.
The way Hairspray manages to be a funny little rom-com about a girl who just wants to get on television and a seriously engaging commentary on 60s segregation is a strange, but fantastically welcoming vehicle.
Your time won't be wasted watching it, I promise you that.
Red Dead Redemption II (2018)
Brilliant narrative, fantastic world, and awesome gameplay
I know it has been 4 years since its release that I'm writing this, but oh my lord: this game is quite literally the grandmaster platinum of all games. The narrative is compelling, fascinating, nuanced, and isn't cheesy in anyway at all (though there are moments where it could be) - the world is incredibly immersive with hunting, fishing, ordering food at a cafe, buying clothes, customizing guns etc. That no other game has nearly matched the calibre RDR2 has exhibited. Even now, 4 years later, I play it with the same appreciation I had originally - and even again, 4 years later, I doubt even rockstar knows how to top it. Rockstar does so well making you feel like a pro-gunslinger in a gang that I even thought I could survive in those days ( I wouldn't for 3 seconds). I don't know if they're interested in making a third, but I dearly hope so.
Loki (2021)
Surprisingly fresh, clever, well-acted and engaging
Didn't expect this to have as much heart as it does, but damn - it really came through. I'm so glad Tom Hiddleston became Loki because he has the perfect mischievous charm one would expect. There's a nice cheekiness to the whole series that plays itself well, and the intense world building is so detailed and done with ease that it hardly feels like you're trying to be sold on the world. Without any spoilers, the plot is well thought out, the characters were well chosen, and it had a great balance of emotional gravitas and humour.
Absolutely the best Marvel TV series they put out.
Black Widow (2021)
How did ANYONE reasonable green light this?
This plot is so Messily constructed I don't know who, in their right mind, said "this is passable." There are so many basic plot holes, poor connection between characters, and various other things that limit this movie's potential it's frighteningly abominable.
1. How did Natasha even find Yelena?
2. After Yelena realized Natasha wasn't sent to kill her, why didn't she have some marginal glee to seeing her? If she hated her so much, why did she stick around?
3. How did Natasha even get the antiserum? Who even developed it? Why, what happened to this person?
4. How'd they find Alexei? Why was he in prison, and why is he portrayed as so idiotic?
5. Why did Melania help them? She showed no interest in them at all, yet suddenly she's helping them?
6.where the hell was the Red Room? Norway? Hungary? Russia?
7. Why did they take Taskmaster, a character from spider man, put them into this, made it a Russian woman who is the daughter of the fiendish general?
8. THE PHEROMONE LOCK? REALLY?
Honestly I could go on, but that's just the short list. None of the characters had chemistry, they were all disinterested in each other and there was nothing believable about them even caring about themselves. This is seriously poor writing, and after the giants of Infinity and Endgame, and the surprising greatness ofLoki, Wandavision and the Winter Soldier, this is such a sad instalment it might as well be next to Ed Norton's Hulk. This movie felt like 5 people wrote it and instead of compromising and making something cohesive, they smashed it together and went "yeah, whatever."
Monsters at Work (2021)
Cheap jokes, plain storyline, and uninteresting characters
Pretty disappointed in Pixar actually, I'm surprised they green lit it. It's super, super basic and the only redeeming quality is that Billy Crystal and Jong Goodman return. Otherwise, pretty boring. Recycled joke we've all seen, and the plot is like every YA novel I've ever seen.
Would expect way more from Pixar.
Dressing Funny (2019)
Accomplishes what it sets out to do perfectly
I'm not sure why it has an overall poor score - and I'm not even a Queer Eye fan - but this miniseries does exactly what it's supposed to do and does it well. The outfits are nice and stylish, the banter between Tan and the comedians is great, and there isn't a moment where it feels ultra contrived - they all look like they're genuinely having fun. I hope more episodes come out because I 1000% would love to see them.
God's Own Country (2017)
Where Being Gay is a Plot Device
Here's the thing: if this were a straight couple instead of a gay couple being portrayed, would it be seen as being so potent? Just think about it: a grizzly farmer boy meets a quiet, good-natured foreign girl - who, through her sweet disposition, transforms the farmer's pissy attitude and approach to love into something far less aggressive and deeply intimate. When it's firmly established the farmer's dad is fully handicapped and requires the son to take over the farm, the boy concludes he needs help managing the farm, and asks the girl to stay permanently. The girl is hesitant, he cheats out of assumed rejection, she leaves, he retrieves her , and then she relents and moves in. This is a pretty standard plot; there's nothing notably interesting in this film other than the protagonists are gay males. Representation of gay protagonists are more than just graphic sex scenes in the mud or in a barn, or sitting naked for the entirety of a scene. It's about giving a protagonist dynamism as a person - someone who has opinions, someone who has interests, someone who has dislikes, and someone who has a personality other than being a farmer, drinking beer, and having loads of sex with a stranger he just met.
Black Panther (2018)
Definitely Not Trash (Though Everyone Claims it)
Has everyone forgotten this is a superhero movie? It's a superhero movie that follows a super hero plot - of course its essential plot infrastructure (of good triumphs over evil) and character basics (of T'Challa bring the humble, kind, merciful warrior and the antagonist being full of hate and essentially tyrannical) are going to be predictable, that's how it works! Black Panther hit a perfect balance between plot substance and action - perhaps people are upset because there isn't an overwhrlming presence of action? Winter Soldier has mostly high ranking user reviews, but it was 80% action and 20% plot making it incredibly boring and far more "garbage," "irritatingly bad," "over rated," etc. deserving than Black Panther.
Great Marvel instalment that was far better than Winter Soldier, Age of Ultron, and Civil War. Who knew people hated to see a film about a rich country's entanglement with a man who wants to rectify the poverty stricken environment he grew up in? Doesn't sound interesting for a Marvel movie AT ALL when it's bretheren typically only focus on fighting each other or some weird, nonsensical quest to defeat a robot... and fight each other. Again.
Rise (2018)
High School Musial + Glee + John Green = Rise
Essentially, it has the skeleton of HSM, the characterization of Glee, and the supposed edgy tone of another John Green novel.
Rise is not anything new: it employs tropes which are so old and worn they're practically ragged hand-me-downs in this year. It tries to do something different by underpinning it with a dark, broody tonality; however, its adherence to the stock character fittings of the talented underdog who gets the female-lead, the attractive, popular sports guy who gets the male-lead ( and the two fall for each other), and the unfulfilled teacher who seeks fulfillment through some artistic outlet sharply undercuts it and makes it cringe-worthy because it is remarkably predictable.
You see, HSM, Glee, and John Green content were (are, in John Green's case) successful because they knew how campy and stupidly cliche they were/are, they never took/take themselves too seriously, and that's why they gained/gain popularity: because they never tried to be anything other than what that it was, a good musical teenage time.
If Rise owned up to its own cliche'd existence, perhaps it would survive; however, at this rate, a complete season would be an impressive feat.
Feast (2014)
Well That Emotion Came Out of Nowhere
That cut really deep, really fast. I didn't expect the sympathy that poured out of me for Winston when he yearned for junk food. And then, I found myself quite sad when he did finally get what he wanted, but at the expense of his owner's displeasure. But when when he sprinted through the kitchen with the bit of garnish to find the server, and resisted eating the steak, that was adorable. Overall, that short film was quite touching and it reminded me of my cat and I, before he passed away. It's wonderful having a companion with you; knowing you'll always have a little friend who will love you unconditionally through thick and thin.
Big Hero 6 (2014)
A Surprisingly Clever and Charming Film
Big Hero 6, as the title indicates, is surprisingly cleverly written and massively endearing. Despite the formulaic Disney structure-- killing the parents, then killing the fatherly figure off, the film smartly showcases love in a simplistic, sophisticated way without the use of overtly ebullient songs. The lack of song is refreshing and demonstrates Disney's maturing skill to create captivating pieces without the support of song. Songs aside, the villain's effortless menacing ferocity is a prime example of Disney's creative maturity. Terrifying, yet not over complex, the villain gets the job done rightly. Overall it may not appear meticulously crafted, yet imagine the will-power required to refrain from slipping a couple songs in here and there.
Sybil (1976)
This Movie is Damn Good
Seamless and distinct Field portrays her characters beautifully. Based on a true story, the writer's capture the harrowing with precision and intellect without the aid of gore. Psychological terror is the most effective tool for the horrifying, when placed in the correct hands. Placed in the wrong hands will result in a mass of blubbering, red water and eyes that will roll. Luckily, Sybil isn't the latter, allowing the reader to be drawn in, horrified and hugely empathetic. Highly commended for skillful writing and superb acting, this film is one that crushes the stereotype for T.V movie. A work that will surely survives the ages, Sybil is tragically gorgeous.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
I enjoyed this movie thoroughly and cannot wait for the third installment!
I urge everyone to see this magnificent movie. It is filled with stunning, sweeping graphics and of course in-depth, emotional moments between human and dragon, but is mainly portrayed between Hiccup and Toothless.
This movie is massively successful because it focuses and beautifully captures the love and friendship between the humans and dragons. Especially Toothless and Hiccups'relationship because it is defined by non-verbal communication; looks of pure affection and love for each other. The eminent message of devotion, trust and intimacy between a human and what ever it may become companioned with is perfectly portrayed. Although this is a fantasy film viewers will be able to relate to this message because every interaction between these characters replicate the interactions between a human and their dog/cat/bird etc. Every human who has mutual adoration with their companion will begin bawling because their interaction with their companion, is mirrored by Hiccup and Toothless.
For example, while ascending the climax we see Toothless saving Hiccup from a icy blast from the Bewilderbeast((the Alpha dragon)encasing them. Toothless launches a plasma blow to free them, then roars to challenge the Alpha, because he wants to protect Hiccup ,no other reason. This act where Toothless selflessly leaps and throws himself in front of the blast to protect Hiccup, is similar an act of a loving dog or cat protecting its human. Yet this action was not the point where the emotion began to pour out of me like a well. It was that look Toothless gave Hiccup after freeing them of ice. That look reflected the love for Hiccup and Toothless's goal of ensuring Hiccup's safety was of the utmost importance to Toothless, nothing else. The only thing that mattered to Toothless. After this emotionally charged scene Toothless attacks the Alpha in order to protect hiccup and in the process, begins to assert himself as Alpha, by breaking the trance the Alpha ensnared the other dragons with. Eventually with the help of the other dragons, and a final plasmic blow from Toothless, does the Alpha fall and retreat. The battle scene concludes with another, extremely touching interaction between Hiccup and Toothless, with Hiccup thanking Toothless in his own way and touching his head against Toothless's. An incredible moment to slow the climax of the movie.
This movie deserves every accolade it receives. Animated films usually do not receive massive amounts of awards. But it should. As you can see, I am truly blown away. The moments between Toothless and Hiccup are priceless and Their relationship could be admired by all. But for those who are companioned with a dog, cat, bird etc. there is no need for ad ration, as you already know the feeling. You were right there with Hiccup and Toothless as that relationship between them may have reflected the relationship between you, and your companion.
I know it reflected mine.
Also, just to add, I created this account just so I could write this review. I loved it to the extent that I needed to express it to the public.