Antagon

Gorgeous to look at and occasionally moving, but the narrative sort of devolves into a jumbled mess without a clear thematic focus. The first half is certainly stronger than the final stretch of the movie.

71 _56%

THX 1138 (1971) - Rated 11 May 2025

The visuals and the disorienting cinematography as well as the sound design are top-notch. The storytelling or rather the way it is executed, is a bit too esoteric for its own good. The dystopian society as displayed is a bit too on the nose for something that isn't an outright Comedy. Some of the comedic beats are intentional for sure, but the whole is played a bit too straight for the heavy-handed takes the movie offers. I respect the craft though.

75 _68%

Thunderbolts* (2025) - Rated 11 May 2025

Some of Thunderbolts* hallmarks have the potential to make it one of the greats among the MCU, if only the execution were a bit less inconsequential. Pugh, Harbour and Pullman bring their absolute A-game and whenever the narrative zeroes in on the characters' emotional struggle and inner demons, it's legitimately moving. This is also aided by a well-crafted mise-en-scène and the playful score. Where it falters a bit is urgency and stringency. It wraps up a bit too neatly for its own good.

70 _54%

Late Night with the Devil (2023) - Rated 23 Oct 2024

Great buildup, 70s chic and performances overall (especially Dastmalchian as the mesmerizing lead). I loved how the unusual and terrifying occurences slowly crept in and unraveled over time. Not too fond of the conclusion though. They tried to wrap everything up too quickly and it wound up being a huge mess. Also not a fan of how they decided to portray the obvious James Randi stand-in. The movie could have profited from everything being kept a bit more vague.

74 _64%

Lake Mungo (2008) - Rated 23 Oct 2024

The presentation is very quiet and the unease lingers. The ending is especially effective in its sad and haunting conclusion. Unfortunately, the narrative gets a bit muddled - plot points are introduced that don't add much to the overall movie. And its strong point - the mockumentary framing device - ultimately becomes a bit of a detriment as well. The documentary tone makes it harder to suspend your disbelief when something far-fetched happens. Still, a pretty solid movie.

78 _78%

3 Days of the Condor (1975) - Rated 10 Sep 2024

1 _0%

Am Anfang war das Licht (2010) - Rated 04 Sep 2024

What's the worst kind of documentary? One that uncritically peddles dangerous woo to a wide audience. In "Am Anfang war das Licht" aka "In The Beginning There Was Light", P.A. Straubinger tries to lend credence to the ludicrous idea that people don't require food to survive. Accounts of followers of this cult, the "Breatharians" are taken at face value even though they are easily debunkable. The narrative is very much enamoured with the idea and make no mistake, this is on purpose. Disgusting.

56 _28%

Ergo Proxy (2006) - Rated 05 Aug 2024

A beautifully animated and expertly scored Anime that otherwise fails to maintain an engaging plot. Its biggest downfall must be the main characters. I found it hard to like them. The supporting characters fare a lot better. Character development often feels out of the blue or unearned. New scenarios and plot points are introduced on a whim, it seems, nothing ever gets time to breathe. On the flip side, its best episode probably was the one where the two mains were forced to take it slow.

59 _32%

The Matrix Resurrections (2021) - Rated 15 Jul 2024

A not entirely unentertaining addition to the Matrix franchise, that ultimately winds up feeling somewhat empty. Not that there weren't any fresh takes or interesting ideas in it, but the execution feels a bit lackluster. It seems to operate on ideas and amusing, occasionally astute tidbits rather than an intriguing plot. At no point does there seem to be any sense of urgency - a thread that made the first entry so mesmerizing initially. It ain't half bad as a comedic meta-take though.

80 _85%

What Time Is It There? (2001) - Rated 19 Mar 2024