Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 160
July 15, 2023
Bird Box Barcelona Review – Could’ve Been A Series
The 2023 horror film “Bird Box Barcelona” is set in the same dystopian universe as Sandra Bullock’s “Bird Box”, just that the latter was set in America. Both films are standalone pieces, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on anything if you haven’t seen the older one.
Directed and written by David Pastor and Alex Pastor, the spinoff stars Mario Casas as protagonist Sebastian, who, along with his daughter Anna, is trying to survive a mysterious entity that compels people to kill themselves upon seeing it. The majority of the world’s population is wiped out due to this sinister phenomenon, and the remaining survivors never venture outside without blindfolds. The cinematography constantly reminded me of other dystopian stories, more specifically “The Walking Dead” and “Sweet Tooth”. Although unlike either of those shows, “Bird Box Barcelona” continues to keep its ‘end of the world’ inducing entity a complete mystery.
The Barcelona chapter has a much more serious tone compared to Sandra Bullock’s story, and the writers delve into theological and psychological themes throughout the narrative. After explaining the paranormal outbreak through a series of flashbacks, the story centers on Sebastian’s efforts to lead a small group of survivors to a safe place. Interestingly, the protagonist is a morally ambiguous character, making it difficult for most viewers to root for him. Mario Casas expertly portrays the dual shades of Sebastian, who is like a completely different man in the flashbacks. Apart from Georgina Campbell’s Claire, the other characters don’t receive enough screen time to establish a connection or empathy. Claire, a psychiatrist, gets along well with those around her and still believes in the inherent goodness of people. However, due to the film’s tight runtime, her immediate probing questions to newcomers come across as intrusive, despite her good intentions. While I typically complain about films being too long, “Bird Box Barcelona” could have been adapted into a series with 8-10 episodes to allow for better character development for some of the actors.
With its post-apocalyptic setting, “Bird Box Barcelona” is an interesting attempt at explaining how trauma and grief can have a lasting or damaging impact on people. The climax was on expected lines, however a little revelations in the end sparks scope for further sequels.
It’s a 7 on 10 from me. Stream it on Netflix.
July 14, 2023
The Pope’s Exorcist – Movie Review
A Vatican exorcist who not only purges demons but also acknowledges the significance of mental health issues and recognizes ghosts can sometimes be manifestations of a fragile mind? That too in the 1980s? Interesting!
But the demon that Russell Crowe’s character, Gabriele Amorth, fights in “The Pope’s Exorcist” is supposedly the real deal. Amorth is sent to Spain to handle a complex case – the possession of a young boy by a demon with its own agenda. As Amorth investigates the demon’s origins, centuries-old skeletons of the Church are uncovered… quite literally. Directed by Julius Avery, this 2023 horror film is written by Michael Petroni, Evan Spiliotopoulos, R. Dean McCreary. The story is based on a book called “An Exorcist Tells His Story” by Gabriele Amorth (1925-2016), who was famed for his expertise in demonology and had been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in the 1950s.
From an ancient, crumbling castle-like church in Spain to the stunning, Renaissance-inspired interiors of the Papal Basilica in Vatican City, the cinematography in “The Pope’s Exorcist” is splendid, thanks to its meticulously designed sets. Despite numerous night scenes, the creators ensure that each scene is well-lit, preventing viewers from straining their eyes to understand what’s happening. And while the “creepy” or “scary” factor isn’t very high in the film, there’s enough plot to keep things intriguing, including internal politics of the Vatican Church.
Alex Essoe portrays Julia Vasquez, a widowed mother of two children who relocates from America to Spain after inheriting her husband’s ancestral property, which includes an ancient church. Construction work on the site leads to the unleashing of the demon that had been sealed within its walls for centuries, and it takes control of Julia’s younger son, Henry (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney). As doctors fail to help her son, Julia seeks out the local priest, Father Tomas (Daniel Zovatto), who, upon failing to tackle the problem, writes to the Vatican for assistance.
Russel Crowe delivers a riveting performance as the titular protagonist, however, Daniel Zovatto as Father Tomas looked suspicious and not trustworthy at all. Throughout the runtime, he had the kind of face that makes you think he is going to mess up. Peter DeSouza-Feighoney as the sickly Henry gave me goosebumps in one scene and managed to pull off the part of a minor in grips of something extremely evil. His dialogues during the possession were reminiscent of “Evil Dead Rise”, where a possessed mother says some terribly hurtful things to her children, here, Henry says shockingly vile things to his mother and others.
Since “The Pope’s Exorcist” is based on the accounts of a real-life priest, the film incorporates significant historical events into the narrative, elevating it beyond the average horror tale. However, one wishes the writers had taken more creative freedom with the script instead of playing it safe. The climax of the film feels contrived, and it lacks the explosive ending that viewers might expect, given the solid and engrossing story in the first part. Consequently, the ending falls somewhat flat. Nevertheless, “The Pope’s Exorcist” is a pretty good pick for horror fans.
It’s a 7 on 10 from me. Stream it on Netflix.
Step by Step Review – Slow, Steady, Then Slips
If done right, slow-burn romances are absolutely delightful. However, sometimes the lines between slow-burn and snooze-fest can become blurred, which is what happened with the 2023 Thai series “Step by Step.” Like the title suggests, the story develops leisurely and is quite enjoyable in the beginning, but slowly become uninteresting.
Directed by Tee Bundit Sintanaparadee, the 12-episode show explores the growing relationship between a young man and the head of his department. However, the superior-subordinate relationship at the workplace complicates their romance. Newcomer Ben Bunyapol Likhitamnuayporn plays the protagonist, Pat, a bright and sweet digital marketing employee who, like many youngsters new to work, gets upset quickly over criticism and has a difficult time with people in authority. Man Trisanu Soranun portrays Jeng, Pat’s dashing new boss who micromanages everything and doesn’t easily trust his juniors. Both Ben and Jeng are worlds apart in terms of personalities, have a significant age gap, and take time to fall for each other. The awkwardness between the lead characters during their “getting to know each other” phase was realistic; however, it eventually becomes too sluggish.
There are a whole bunch of supporting characters in the series, and funnily, a lot of them are far more lively and interesting than Pat and Jeng. The cutest element in “Step by Step” was the friendship between Pat and new employee Chot (Bruce Bruce Sirikorn Kananurak), the two of them are just colleagues, but behave like two giggly twins. Bruce’s last support role was in Thai romance “Lovely Writer”, where he played the bratty bad boy Aoey, but he is a bundle of joy and sweetness as Chot. Up Poompat Iam-samang plays Pat’s ex-boyfriend Put, who is a rising TV star and hopes for a second shot at their relationship.
While Ben does a great job in his role, his character comes across as extremely childish. Instead of maturing over time, the script treats him like a kid until the very end. On the other hand, Man Trisanu Soranun delivers a measured performance as Jeng, the older character who is under a lot of invisible pressure to maintain a perfect persona in public. Jeng is portrayed as older, confident, straightforward, and considerate, while Pat is chaotic and in need of personal growth.
Saint Paramee Mahatthanadul, who plays Jeng’s younger brother Jaab, feels like a character straight out of a romantic comic. He has a whole romantic sub-plot to himself, which unfortunately is almost forgotten in the end. Or maybe I missed some parts due to fast-forwarding stuff in the last few episodes of the series, as things felt stretched out and boring. “Step by Step” initially starts off as a promising and steady love story but loses its way midway through.
It’s a 6 on 10 from me. You can stream the series on YouTube.
July 12, 2023
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 1 Review
When Jujutsu Kaisen season 1 had ended, we felt betrayed – how could it end so quickly? We needed a whole bunch more episodes! Based on the manga of the same name by Gege Akutami, the anime series had been a big hit with fans of its genre, so it’s been quite a long wait for season two. And for those who haven’t read the manga, the first episode titled “Hidden Inventory” begins with an interesting twist – it opens with Suguru Geto recalling his experience as a Jujutsu sorcerer. He isn’t exactly the protagonist.
The episode unfolds in the past, which, to my disappointment, means no Yuji Itadori! But it’s a fantastic horror-laden arc where sorceresses Utahime and Mei Mei investigate a haunted mansion, only to find themselves trapped in an endless maze. The animation was a little rusty in parts, perhaps a deliberate attempt to add a nostalgic touch to the scenes since the events are taking place in the past. The artwork seemed slightly tame in comparison to the detailed animation in the first episode of Demon Slayer’s latest season – Swordsmith Village Arc – which recently ended. However, what makes Jujutsu Kaisen’s animation enjoyable are the interactive camera angles, which makes a lot of scene feel like an immersive first-person shooter game.
Even though the haunted house begins to feel like the focal point of the story, the primary motive of episode one is to establish the rocky friendship between Suguru Geto and protagonist Satoru Gojo. They are peers who often clash in their opinions and are tasked with protecting a “star plasma vessel” meant for Master Tengen. The future of the entire Jujutsu sorcerer society rests on their new mission.
Episode one packs in all the familiar elements of a good ‘Jujustu Kaisen’ edition – action, tension, rivalry, suspense, humor and creepy ghosts. Overall, season two episode one sets a great tone for the upcoming episodes.
Stream the series on Netflix or CrunchyRoll.
Dinner for Few – Short Film Rec
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”. Most of those who’ve read George Orwell’s Animal Farm, will forever remember this quote from the classic, which perfectly captured the entire essence of the tale. “Dinner for Few”, a short, animated film will remind Orwell fans of the popular quote and is quite similar in both its tale and themes, even if it isn’t apparent immediately.
Created by Nassos Vakalis, the ten minute short is a sombre commentatory on the cyclic capitalist maze of greed humans are trapped in. A select few get to gorge on everything they want, while the others are expected to survive on scraps. The opening scene shows a dinnertable, where a group of well-dressed pig are being served food by a large shirtless human, while starving little cats in the floor screech and fight over the morsels thrown at them.
The movie has no dialogues and definitely didn’t even need any to convey it’s message. A violent climax, followed by a cynical twist in the end will leave viewers satisfied, even though the final takeaway is rather glum.
You can watch the film on YouTube.
July 11, 2023
Light Carries On – Graphic Novel Review
“Light Carries on” is a supernatural queer romance set in Chicago by Ray Nadine. The story is about Leon, a young man battling PSTD from his time in the military and trying to follow his passion for photography. When his camera gets damaged, Leon takes an old one from his mother’s antique shop, only to realise that a ghost called Cody is tethered to it. At first Cody hijacks Leon’s body and goes for a spin around town, but the two eventually become friends & decide to uncover the mystery behind Cody’s death.
While the artwork is nice and nostalgic, the story isn’t as riveting. There’s something about the lead protagonists that doesn’t feel authentic, despite there being plenty space for their character development in the book. The plot is somewhat like “Cemetery Boys”, also a queer supernatural romance, but with younger protagonists.
While I wasn’t invested enough to read the whole graphic novel at one go, the plot did keep me around till the end. So, it took me almost a week to finish the book and the ending was the kind of cliched climax you’d expect from a story like this. It’s a 3 on 5 from me.
July 10, 2023
‘Napolean’ Looks Fantastic, Joaquin Seems Fatigued
Apple TV has released the official trailer for “Napoleon,” a biopic of the famous French Emperor starring Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role. The teaser begins with a scene from the French Revolutionary Wars, and the movie depicts Napoleon’s swift rise in the army and his ascension to the throne, solidifying his legacy as one of the world’s most successful military leaders.
Directed by Ridley Scott, the trailer offers viewers generous glimpses of the lavish screenplay by David Scarpa, which faithfully recreates the historic Napoleonic wars. From the infamous guillotine associated with the French Revolution (despite its existence prior to that) to the opulent grand halls of the royal court, Napoleon’s teaser provides visually impressive snapshots of the past. However, Joaquin Phoenix appears more fatigued than formidable as the protagonist. While he would have been a perfect fit for a film focusing on the later years of Napoleon’s life, the teaser shows his coronation, which occurred when he was only about 35.
Nevertheless, the trailer looks fascinating, and the movie is set to have a theatrical release during Thanksgiving.
July 9, 2023
Afterlift – Comic Series Review
Janice Chen’s mother is disappointed in her. Despite having studied in a Business School, Janice chooses to quit her cushy job and make money by driving. As if driving drunk passengers and dealing with her judgmental mother wasn’t stressful enough, Janice has a hellish night, quite literally! She finds herself driving two passengers through hell with a whole bunch of demons chasing them.
Created by Chip Zdarsky and Jason Loo, the comic series “Afterlift” has a crazy, fun plot, but it loses steam too early on. The artwork is reminiscent of older DC and Marvel comics, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it lacks a touch of individuality and makes for a forgettable read. The panels are bright, with a lot of neon shades through the pages. Some readers might love the artwork, other might beg to differ.
What makes “Afterlift” boring, despite its fantasy-like plot that mixes religious and mythological elements, is the fact that the creators rely on sentimentality to make things relatable. Janice is a generic protagonist who suffers from a “savior complex,” and the other characters are even more one-dimensional. Even though I finished reading the comic a few minutes ago, I already cannot recall the names of anybody else. I mean, sure, I could go back and jot down the names for the review, but it doesn’t seem worth the effort since I wouldn’t really recommend this series to anybody.
The series is available to read on Kindle Unlimited.
July 8, 2023
Zenra Meshi Review – Extended culinary journey
After a workaholic govt employee gets a post-dated letter from his deceased grandmother, he visits her estate and meets a young man who had been helping her compile a travel diary by cooking dishes from different countries together. Saddened that his grandmother couldn’t finish her culinary journey around the world, the man decides to continue her dream by cooking the dishes she planned on making.
Spread over 12 episodes, the Japanese series “Zenra Meshi”/”Naked Dining” Directed by Kato Ayaka starts off as a quirky slice-of-life story about how to men bond over food. Kondo Shori plays Ichijo Sota, who works overtime every day and lets off steam by having his meals naked at home, as he finds it liberating. The background music every time he gets (un)dressed is hilariously apt and adds a fun comical effect each time Sota gets an opportunity to eat alone. Yutaro plays Miki Mahiro, the sweet man who runs a vegetable shop and helps Sota in his culinary journey, just like he did with his granny.
The first few episodes of “Zenra Meshi” were breezy and would appeal to those who like leisurely paced contemporary romances. Food plays a crucial ingredient in the tale and it’s quite delightful to watch two virtual strangers become close friends as they bond over cooking meals. The ancestral property of Ichijo’s grandmother is a lovely traditional Japanese home, serving as a pleasant backdrop for most part of the series. After a hectic week of overtime at his Tokyo job, Sota catches a train to his granny’s village for the weekend and her home becomes a retreat for him.
Unfortunately, the writers make the plot a little messy from episode seven onward. Sota’s colleague from work, called Komachi Shimizu (played by Katayam Yuki), has a massive crush on him and creates unnecessary complications in Sota’s life. While she may seem like a cute little puppy, she is actually a manipulative snake who slithers into Sota’s personal space, despite knowing that he has no interest in her. The subplot involving her doesn’t sit well within the story and could have been developed in a better way.
The creators should’ve ideally wrapped up “Zenra Meshi” in ten episodes, instead of dragging it out with silly misunderstandings between the lead characters towards the end.
It’s a 6 on 10 from me.
July 7, 2023
The Out-Laws Review – Like a cringe comedy sketch
The first half of the 2023 movie “The Out-Laws” was so bad, I really didn’t think it would get any better and was about to stop streaming it. Then, a hilarious shoot-out takes place and the action-comedy finally gets slightly enjoyable. And then it gets bad again.
Directed by Tyler Spindel and written by Evan Turner and Ben Zazove, “The Out-Laws” manages to become bearable due to an earnest cast, for whom you start feeling sorry after a while. Adam Devine portrays the goofy bank manager Owen, who is all set to marry his beautiful girlfriend Parker McDermott (Nina Dobrev), a yoga instructor. The couple is overjoyed when Parker’s off-grid parents decide to attend the wedding. Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin are the McDermotts, they manipulate Owen into getting drunk and revealing his bank’s security codes. What follows is a chaotic heist comedy filled with poorly written jokes.
This film primarily relies on a plethora of cringe-inducing jokes, which may be thoroughly enjoyed by some viewers but could leave many others feeling bored. The cinematography, on the other hand, is genuinely impressive, and several action sequences are filled with blood, violence, and well-executed shots. However, all the characters are excessively exaggerated, and not in an enjoyable manner. For example, Lauren Lapkus portrays a caricature-like banker named Phoebe King, who would have been much funnier if she were part of a live SNL sketch. Poorna Jagannathan’s brief cameo as a crime boss is more entertaining than the rest of the cast combined.
It’s bad enough that the trailer had given most of the movie plot away in less than two minutes, and even the actual runtime doesn’t have a lot to offer, despite a very interesting basic premise and a fantastic set of actors on payroll. Maybe all the skilled writers were on strike? Who knows. Sigh.
You can stream the film on Netflix.
