Category: Mini Review
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Mini Review: Black Box Diaries
Shiori Itō is both subject & documentarian in #BlackBoxDiaries, allowing us to be a fly-on-the-wall during her tense & infuriating journey to justice in an incredibly unjust society. What results is something so raw, vulnerable & effective – you just can’t & shouldn’t look away.
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Mini Review: The Count of Monte Cristo
I was a bit skeptical from the exuberant RT scores, but after finally watching #TheCountofMonteCristo I’ll admit it, I was pretty blown away. Don’t let the 3 hour runtime scare you away. This one is thoroughly captivating with none of its runtime wasted. An incredible production!
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Mini Review: Goodrich
Keaton & Kunis are excellent in #Goodrich, and pull out every ounce of emotion out of their complex characters and interesting dynamic in what would otherwise be a straightforward fish-out-of-water family drama. It’s not quite a classic but will certainly resonate with some.
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Mini Review: Hard Truths
Mike Leigh’s #HardTruths is a down-to-earth drama about a woman battling a bitter depression, played brilliantly by Marianne Jean-Baptiste who makes you feel her frustration & pain at your core. I wish a bit more was explained & not left inferred. But the acting makes it worth it
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Mini Review: Fresh Off Markham
Seeing where you grew up on screen is so surreal – but ultimately I just wish #FreshOffMarkham hit better. The themes are strong, & feel authentic to the Canadian Chinese experience. But I can’t help but feel that the tonally jarring anthology approach do them a disservice.
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Mini Review: The Apprentice
Sebastian Stan & Jeremy Strong are both excellent in #TheApprentice, giving these larger than life characters a nuanced ounce of humanity in this stylishly sleezy film. Did I take away any new insights? No. But its eerie watching Stan inch closer to the man we know today.
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Mini Review: Back in Action
Netflix’s #BackInAction is a welcome reminder of how darn charismatic both Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx are, and a nostalgic love letter to those early 2000s action comedies, but beyond that nothing about the film feels modern, fresh or new. I guess it’s fun at least.
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Mini Review: The Piano Lesson
Not knowing the source material, #ThePianoLesson was a jarring experience, as a story of legacy & the literal ghosts that haunt us. John David Washington’s intensity doesn’t quite work for me, but Deadwyler & Fisher are top-notch. Overall, I feel a bit lost in the art on this one
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Mini Review: The Last Showgirl
Pamela Anderson shines as #TheLastShowgirl, in a role that feels tailor made for her. But as an exploration of character the film spends too much time telling rather than showing, dedicating much of its runtime to dreamy stylized shots. But the cast is no doubt excellent.
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Mini Review: The Room Next Door
Almodóvar’s #TheRoomNextDoor is dreamy in tone, visually striking, & perfectly contemplative with its subject matter. While the dialogue is a bit awkward, it’s aided by seasoned actors who feel right at home in the nuance. Still, I can’t help but feel a bit distant on this one.
