DeadDapperDan Reviews

The Teachers' Lounge (2023)

Curiosity killed the cat

[8/10 · 23 February 2024]

It was just an other day at school until the curiosity of the protagonist sets of a chain of events that lead to mayhem. If one is trying to find the moral of the story, Ms. Nowak's idom of "curiosity killed the cat" trumps any other social commentary one might point out to that leads to the vindictive mayhem that children and teachers get thrown into.

Teacher's Lounge offers a compelling character study of a compassionate, humane teacher who's only aim was to maintain a sense of dignity amongst the students despite the taunts, criticism and violence tossed at her from students, parents and colleagues. She relentlessly tries to assuage parents' anxiety, suggests her own replacement, boosts grades of students on verge of failing, apologises for school's unfounded accusations. Yet she ends with blow on the eye and as victim of character assassination.

It isn't the uncompromising zero tolerance policy of staff or thievery or the vindictiveness shown by students that steers the plot, rather it's the mere curiosity of protagonist to find the thief through her cunning plan that ushers her to a point of mental breakdown.

Very rarely do you get a great character study that neither follows the style of French art house or the silence-filled 3 hour long middle eastern drama. One has to appreciate the Ilker's achievement in developing a melodic character study that isn't possibly tried and tested by many directors.

Taste of Cherry (1997)

Mesmerising

[8/10 · 18 June 2021]

Taste of Cherry is possibly the only serene, slow-paced film I know of which managed to visually enthral and captivate my senses for 90 minutes. Story revolves around a middle-aged suicidal man who is in quest for the "right" person to bury him. The protagonist tries picking up one after the other in his dusty white Range Rover, starting with a young boy, a seminarian then a taxidermist and proposing each of them to bury him in exchange for a financially rewarding sum.

One aspect of the film that truly needs to be appreciated is the landscape shots. I haven't seen any other film that portrayed a deserted landscapes and construction sites so exquisitely. And not to forget the narration that goes along with it.

Director often uses long shots and rarely do we see the protagonist with other characters in the same frame. The camera is adroitly positioned so as to make the viewers feel and experience how Mr. Baadi himself sees and interacts with his passengers. This helps in invoking empathy and establishing an intimate connection with the protagonist's suicidal thoughts without having to reveal much about the character's woes and struggles.

Julianes Sturz in den Dschungel (1999 TV Movie)

Beautiful

[8/10 · 23 January 2021]

Although google categorised this film under the genre of adventure, it doesn't really fit in it. It's common for a documentary to show some real footages or images to make the film more impactful, but herzog does none of that.

Firstly, there weren't enough picture of videos to depict the crash. Werner instead takes us on a journey that Julianne has been through by revisiting the same crash sites. I personally found this way of storytelling in a documentary to be more impactful and gripping than merely showing images and elaborate narrations of the events.

The documentary isn't just about how and when the events spanned out, rather it's more about survival and the gruelling journey Julianne went through.

Westworld: Decoherence (2020) Season 3, Episode 6

Boring Episode.

[3/10 · 20 April 2020]

The show's boring now. They just keep dragging the character's "true purpose" every episode. More than half this season so far was just plain action. I feel like writers are relying on cheap tricks to keep this show alive for few more seasons.

Drugstore Cowboy (1989)

Never Put Hat on Bed

[8/10 · 6 April 2020]

Drugstore cowboy is about a group of drug addicts who rob Drugstores to maintain their junkie lifestyle. Unlike the other movies on drugs, Drugstore Cowboy neither glamourises the drug life nor does it portray the health affects in a hazardous manner like Requiem for a Dream.

It's probably the only peaceful movie I've watched on drugs to date. Film primarily focuses on the lead character's transition to a drug free life due to the paranoia and consequences faced by him as a junkie.

Billy Elliot (2000)

Beautiful

[8/10 · 24 March 2020]

Billy Elliot is one of the best British films I've watched. It's touching, amusing and uplifting. Film expresses the lead character's fight against his father and social prejudices to get an opportunity to pursue Ballet.

What sets this movie apart from others is how it focuses more on the attitude of Billy, rather than the skill to achieve the his goals. Characters are well written and poignant social commentary makes the film even better.

Stephen Daldry, one of the best in business, does a flawless job in directing the film. Billy Elliot is one of the must watch coming of age drama films.

Westworld: Parce Domine (2020) Season 3, Episode 1

Boring

[4/10 · 16 March 2020]

I expected some sort of comeback from Nolan and Lisa joy from the poor writing of season 2. Really disappointed with this episode. They're overplaying with the timelines and cliched philosophical ideas.

Rescue Dawn (2006)

Survival

[8/10 · 7 March 2020]

Rescue dawn is a simple story of survival like many other war films made over years. Unlike the usual war films, Rescue dawn manages to be non political and solely focuses on character's journey from captivity to freedom without any reliance on patriotic elements.

Direction style of Werner Herzog is quite distinctive when compared to other American war films. The main characters in the film are quirky and eccentric in nature. Christian Bale's performance as Dieter Dengler was riveting.

Unsurprisingly, like other Werner Herzog films, Rescue dawn depicts the Man Vs Nature element for the most part of the movie.

1917 (2019)

1,917th War Film Review.

[8/10 · 20 January 2020]

1917 is undoubtedly a good contention for best American film of the year. Exceptional Direction and outstanding cinematography makes this film standout from other war films.

The story and screenplay of 1917 aren't particularly unique when compared to other war films. More than story, it's the cinematography which tethers the whole movie together. Without the finesse of Roger Deakins this movie would've been just an other cliched war movie.

1917 may not be my first pick for the best picture in oscars but it surely deserves its nomination.

Story/Screenplay: 7/10 Acting: 8/10 Cinematography: 9/10 Direction: 8/10

Winter Sleep (2014)

Brilliance

[10/10 · 17 December 2019]

Winter sleep is probably one of the best films I've watched. Despite being 3 hour long, at no point was this movie boring. It's probably the easiest 3 hour film I've ever sat through.

The character study in the movie is magnificent. The intricacies and philosophies of the characters are slowly revealed through long dialogues.

The film contains 4 long captivating dialogues between 3 characters (2 at a time) which go on for about 15 minutes. This film is completely driven by pure, masterful dialogues and flawless acting.

Direction was outstanding, considering the fact that I was engaged in the film for complete 3 hours without any signs of exhaustion.

Winter sleep is one of those movies which truly deserved to win the Palme D'or.

Joker (I) (2019)

Terrible.

[4/10 · 13 December 2019]

One of the most pretentious films I've watched in the recent past. Average movie goers have referred to this film as masterpiece. Unfortunately, this movie was outright terrible. All it did was copy ("Inspiration") Scorsese's taxi driver and put a joker character in.

Apart from the great acting, everything about this film was below average. Don't let the high ratings fool you. The legacy of joker from The dark knight has played an important role in overhyping this film by the joker fan base.

Snowpiercer (2013)

One of Bong Joon Ho's best films.

[9/10 · 13 December 2019]

Snowpiercer is one of the finest movies from Bong Joon ho. It's not at the same level of parasite but surely a step higher than okja. Unlike okja, this movie makes sure that all the sub plots come together at the end with a good closure to most of the side characters.

Cinematography and action are top notch. With a really good screenplay and Excellent direction this movie is easily one of Bong's best.

8/10 screenplay. 8.5/10 cinematography. 8.5/10 action. 9/10 direction.

When it comes to movies with social commentary, Bong joon ho is up there in line with the great Ken Loach.

Parasite (2019)

A Korean Masterpiece

[9/10 · 4 September 2019]

Parasite is undoubtedly the best film of this year. It's very well directed with a engaging background score, captivating screenplay and stunning cinematography.

The film flows through multiple genres from comedy and drama in first half to horror and thriller in second.

Story revolves around a impoverished household trying to procure jobs in a wealthy family using unscrupulous methods. Bong-joon-ho deals with more than one philosophical arguments throughout the movie but never loses his focus of the central plot.

With masterful direction of Bong-joon-ho, film was able to smoothly transition from a tone of comedy to tragedy effortlessly. Parasite might be his best work to date.

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

Violent, Humorous and Entertaining.

[8/10 · 22 August 2019]

Once upon a time in Hollywood may not be Tarantino's career best film, but it surely is the funniest movie he ever made. Similar to his previous films, violence is executed masterfully, being both brutal and hilarious at the same time.

Tarantino does a great job in recreating 1960's Hollywood. Despite being an entertaining movie, it does fall back on few elements. Brad Pitt's character is poorly written, the story is loosely put together with few unnecessary scenes which don't add much value to the story or characters but showcases Hollywood in that era.

As many have already mentioned this movie as being a "Love Letter to Hollywood", it focuses more on Hollywood aspect and less on the actual story.

That doesn't mean the movie is poorly written. Apart from Brad Pitt's character, Tarantino has done a good job with the script. Caprio's character is very well developed, Bruce Lee's fight scene is humorous and violence is more brutal.