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Reviews
Speak No Evil (2022)
Slow Burn, but a good burn
So, I've read the low reviews criticizing the second half of the film and decided to submit my own review to say, you clearly missed the point.
The entire plot is explained simply by Patrick's response to Bjorn asking "why are you doing this?"
Because. You. Let. Me.
All throughout the film, the main couple continually ignores their gut instincts and allows others to dictate their actions:
Bjorn retrieves Agnes' bunny in Tuscany.
Bjorn turns around during their escape.
Friends suggest they accept the invite.
Louise is vegetarian, yet eats Patrick's cooked meat.
Bjorn gets tricked into paying for dinner.
Agnes is basically made to sleep on the floor.
Patrick intrudes while bathroom is in use.
Bjorn/Louise are convinced to stay.
Agnes is invited to sleep in Patrick/Karin's bed.
Patrick and Louise allow their daughter to be taken without a fight.
(To name a few points)
All without standing up for themselves, perhaps as not to be rude to their hosts, but that's the entire point of why they were chosen.
The entire point is that Patrick and Karin intentionally targeted couples who can be easily manipulated so they can reach their endgame.
The message is relatively similar to The Strangers "because you were home," and is meant to serve as a warning to trust your gut and stand up for yourself and your family.
The Iceman (2012)
Michael Shannon makes this movie
Now, the biggest thing I took away from this film is Michael Shannon's portrayal of Richard Kuklinski. I've been a fan of his for years now throughout his other works I've seen. His intensity sure lends a helpful hand to his character and the film as a whole.
Otherwise, speaking for myself, I found it a bit hard to follow everyone's names throughout. Sometimes I have this trouble, especially if they don't really go in depth with who's who and I just got flustered. Aside from that, the supporting characters as well as the story as enjoyable and easy to get involved in.
I saw a few reviews questioning the direction of Kuklinski's character not being as cold and ruthless as his real-life counter part which this film is based on. Since I'm not familiar with the man before this film, that did little to sway me.
So as a whole, I enjoyed it but found all the names a bit hard to follow at least the first time through. This would surely yield a second run-through for me.
Parkland (2013)
A conspiracy-free portrayal of the aftermath
First of all, most if not all of the low/negative reviews are based upon lack of questioning the events that transpired. This is not a conspiracy theory fueled film. The aim of this film is to document the immediate aftermath of President Kennedy's assassination through 4 different story lines and it does just that.
Maybe I'm a little bit biased because it's one of my favorite historical events to research and learn about, but I found it to be an insightful and well done look at the people who became involved after the event, without showing/repeating most of the general information that most, if not all viewers familiar with the assassination are already aware of.
I, for one, am satisfied that they did not blatantly show the entire Zapruder film once the FBI obtained and developed it. Not because I'm squeamish, but because although some may be, and also that this film is not primarily set on the actual assassination itself but rather the emotion and reactions felt afterward.
However, I do wish that they had shown more of Lee Oswald than they did. But then again like I previously said, most people who have researched the case have seen the videos and know the story (based on the Warren Commission at least) of Oswald's whereabouts and his part in shooting the President.
People complaining there's not enough "conspiracy" or lack of Oswald in the story, feel free to watch Oliver Stone's JFK instead, or open up a YouTube search and have at it.
So if you read everything I wrote, or just skipped down here, Parkland is an insightful look at the immediate aftermath of Kennedy's assassination and is highly recommended for fellow history buffs in general, or those interested in learning about the events surrounding November 22, 1963.