corriek-70448 Reviews

Uncut Gems (2019)

Unfaltering Tempo Set to Full Blast

[3/10 · 9 January 2020]

📽Audience REACTIONS at its International PREMIERE: 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄(9 laughs) 😱(1 shock) 😴💤⏳(went long)

Uncut Gems (Benny and Josh Safdie) throws away any attempt at pacing in an over-the-top push to be electrifying. Inappropriate new-age music drowns out a story of risk, capitalism, and gambling addiction. Adam Sandler attempts to move away from his comedic roles into something more serious, but it is difficult to take him seriously. From beginning to end, Sandler's performance is always at the same level, full blast. After 2hrs and 15min of listening to him screaming his lines at top force, I left this screening with a pounding headache. If I was watching it at home instead of it's TIFF premiere, I would not have finished the film. Idina Menzel gave a fantastic performance, but unfortunately it was overshadowed by the chaos. Surprisingly, Kevin Garnett's televised basketball games worked into the film were the only (and much needed) respite from the unfaltering tempo. There is a shock scene near the end of in the film which makes it slightly more palatable. Overall, Uncut Gems is bound to disappoint fans of Adam Sandler's comedy and anyone who appreciates a well-written storyline.

#filmreactiviews

Just Mercy (2019)

Emotional Depth and Sense of Purpose

[8/10 · 9 January 2020]

📽Audience REACTIONS at its World PREMIERE:

😄😄😄😄😄😄😄(7 laughs) 😭😢(2 cries) 👏 (1 applause during film!!) 🤓(learn about true events) 🏆(strong Oscar potential for best adapted screenplay)

Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) is a touching story with an emotional depth and sense of purpose rare in modern films. It's difficult to tell a story so dedicated to a social issue without it seeming belaboured, but this film pulls it off brilliantly. Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson beautifully embody real-life characters in this well crafted film. They truly do the story justice. Bryan Stevenson, whose story the film is based on, was at the TIFF screening and the presence of this real-life hero seemed to impact the audience as much as the film had. Everyday people can make the world a better place. Although at times a little slow, Just Mercy is a touching film with great humour and heart.

Seberg (2019)

Lacks emotional connection with audience

[5/10 · 16 December 2019]

📽Audience REACTIONS at its North American PREMIERE: 😄😄(2 laughs) 😢(1 possible cry) 🤓(learn about true events)

Seberg (Benedict Andrews) is an affair drama which is an interpretation of a real story. Combining the lead character's professional and personal roles, it explores her personal and relational lives.

Kristen Stewart gives a slightly contrite performance and she seems to have been once again typecast. Thankfully, the supporting cast are there with good performances to make up for the lack of personal connection with the main character. Unfortunately the excellent costume design is not enough to carry the film and will likely be overlooked.

Speaking after a screening at TIFF, the director explained the film is really a story of voyeurism; the addiction and danger of the watcher and watched. Even so, the excitement of surveillance is lost on an emotional contrived performance. #filmreactiviews

The Aeronauts (2019)

" a trip of a lifetime"

[7/10 · 7 December 2019]

"Puts your theater seat right in the basket of the Hot Air Balloon, for a trip of a lifetime "

📽Audience REACTIONS at its Canadian PREMIERE in September: 😄😄😂😄😄😄(6 laughs) 😱(audible Ooooo) 👏👏(2 applauses during the film) 🤓 (learn about true events)

The Aeronauts (Tom Harper) reunites Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones (co-stars in The Theory of Everything) in an action packed historical drama. Felicity Jones comes through as a star, playing a strong character who bravely saves the day while rocking a pair of boots with heels. Eddie Redmayne provides a steady performance as a passionate scientist reaching for greatness without a full understanding of the dangers of early air exploration. Stunning cinematography capturing the magnitude of early hot air balloon flight pairs perfectly with the beauty of the script. When watching this film on the big screen, you will feel you're with the characters in the basket of the balloon. Exploring themes of guilt, loss, and passion for adventure, it is a reminder that doubt is there to be listened to, even when achieving great things. A humorous film which will keep you on the edge of your seat, it will at times take your breath away. The relationship between science and adventure combines with a story of personal connections and contradicting personalities. #filmreactiviews

The Report (I) (2019)

The USA Torture report perfectly unedited"

[7/10 · 1 December 2019]

Release November 29th, 2019 streaming on Amazon Prime Video 📽Audience REACTIONS at its International PREMIERE: 😄😄(2 laughs) 😱(1 shock) 🤓(learn about true events) 🏆(Oscar potential for Supporting Actress Annette Bening)

The Report (Scott Z. Burns) follows the real story of the creation of a Senate report into the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program known as the Torture Report. Incredibly informative, the narrative film reaches an audience a documentary wouldn't. Adam Driver feels natural for the lead role but Annette Bening's supporting performance as real-life Senator Dianne Feinstein is truly noteworthy. Anyone who loves and follows politics will find this film informative and enjoyable. #filmreactiviews

Marriage Story (2019)

Raw & deeply real portrayal of love, divorce, & family.

[9/10 · 30 November 2019]

Raw & deeply real portrayal of love, divorce, & family. A timeless story with original execution.

📽Audience REACTIONS at its Canadian PREMIERE: 😄😄😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄(14 laughing scenes) 😭(1 cry) 👏👏(2 applauses during film) 🏆TIFF Peoples Choice 1st Runner Up 🏆(strong Oscar potential for: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress - Scarlett Johansson, Best Actor - Adam Driver, Best Supporting Actress - Laura Dern, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing)

Marriage Story (Noah Baumbach) is a raw and deeply real portrayal of love, divorce, and family. It is a combination of a love story, screwball comedy, musical, and procedural drama. While the blend of styles at a point comes across as forced, the film as a whole is a brilliant work, telling a story rather than following the genre troupes many films fall into. This is a simple story originally executed.

Extremely character driven, the cast play their roles perfectly. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver lead the balanced portrayal of a divorcing couple. This film will impact viewers differently depending on many factors, especially their life stage and past experiences with relationships, marriage, and divorce. The film is so well balanced that one viewer will relate more to one character while the person beside them may be more drawn to the other. Regardless of which lead you relate to more, you are bound to be shaken by the deeply emotional performances of both.

A nod to the cast would be incomplete without a special mention for Laura Dern and Ray Liotta whose characters come to life in significant scenes of their own. The director shared at TIFF that at many times during filming he felt like he was watching the actor's movie rather than his and this truly shines through in their collective performance. Out of the many films we saw in Toronto over two weeks, Marriage Story likely has the best odds for this year's Oscar wins.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

Definitely the feel good movie of the year

[9/10 · 16 November 2019]

Definitely the feel good movie of the year! 📽Audience REACTIONS at its World PREMIERE in September: 😄😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄(20 laughing scenes) 😢(1 cry) 🎶(touching musical moment) 🤐(1 minute of complete silence!) 🤓(learn about true events) 🏆(strong Oscar potential for best picture, Tom Hanks for supporting actor, and adapted screenplay)

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Marielle Heller) is perhaps the most feel-good film of the year. Beautifully demonstrating that Mr. Rogers' lessons are for adults too, this film transports viewers through his world without imposing a confining structural narrative.

It is intriguingly funny even though it explores inner pain and anger through themes of fatherhood, heroes, and role models. With perfectly tender scenes to push viewers emotions to the edge, the film portrays how we can all use a little more kindness in our world. This film draws the viewer in. At the screening we saw at TIFF, the entire theatre was still through a whole minute of silent reflection during the film, spellbound in Mr. Rogers' world. The remarkable achievements of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood would not have been possible without the remarkable talents of Tom Hanks, who perfectly embodied this icon of so many childhoods. All the cast were brilliant but when it counted, Tom Hanks faded away and all that remained was Mr. Fred Rogers.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Much more than just a racing movie

[7/10 · 12 November 2019]

Audience REACTIONS at its International PREMIERE: 😄😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😄😂😄(11 laughing scenes) 😢(1 cry) 😱😱(2 shocks) 💥(explosive action) 👏(1 applause during film) 🤓(learn about true events) 🏆(Oscar potential for best picture, actor Christian Bale, film editing, sound editing & sound mixing)

Ford v Ferrari (James Mangold) combines the fast pace of a racing film with the ruthless world of corporate politics. Exploring themes of drive, dedication and loyalty, this is more than just a racing movie. The performances of Christian Bale and Matt Damon strongly compliment each other, surrounded by a talented supporting cast. Ford v Ferrari balances high intensity scenes with heartfelt moments and can be pleasantly received by a wide variety of moviegoers. #filmreactiviews

Frankie (I) (2019)

It's Like a Relaxing Vacation in Portugal!

[6/10 · 10 November 2019]

Audience REACTIONS at its North American PREMIERE: 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄(7 laughs) 😢(sadish bit)

Frankie (Ira Sachs) is a psychoanalytical film centred around a classical Isabelle Huppert performance. She explained at TIFF that she is a slightly different person in her performance because she predominantly speaks English instead of her native French. The director revealed that the characters were written for the actors and it truly resulted in a well balanced film.

Perhaps the biggest star in this attractive work is the Sintra landscape in Portugal. This daylight film is a movement throughout a quaint town, magical forest, and quiet mountaintop. Embracing silence, the film makes the eclectic feel familiar in few words. This film is not for everyone because the pacing will lose the attention of those who enjoy fast moving or action based movies. While the film is slow, it is slow in a beautiful way. Frankie is exceptionally stunning as a visual work of art. #filmreactiviews

Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

Classic film noir

[6/10 · 1 November 2019]

MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN Release November Motherless Brooklyn (Edward Norton) is the brainchild of it's writer, director, and star. Delivering a quintessentially classic Edward Norton performance, the film draws viewers in. Exploring themes of power and intimidation, it really is a film about underdogs and invisible people exposing the corrupt. Alec Baldwin and Willem Dafoe bring their immense talents in an exceptional way. Motherless Brooklyn is classic film noir, exploring the nuances of New York. If you're a lover of film noir, this film is for you. If you aren't, there are also impeccably written and delivered characters you will still enjoy.

#filmreactiviews

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Remarkably Hilarious & Intensely Touching!

[8/10 · 25 October 2019]

Audience REACTIONS at its World PREMIERE: 😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😄(26 scenes with laughter) 😢(1 cry) 👏(1 applause during film) 🤓(learn about true events) 🏆(oscar potential)

Dolemite Is My Name (Craig Brewer) is the brainchild of it's star Eddie Murphy, who wanted to make this film for over a decade. Murphy told the audience at the film's World Premiere at TIFF that the purpose of making the film was to tell Rudy Ray Moore's story, and he did so brilliantly. Bringing a special kind of enthusiasm and buoyancy, he delivered more than just another biopic. Remarkably hilarious yet intensely touching, this film evokes emotions.

While Eddie Murphy certainly brings Dolemite Is My Name together, it features a stellar cast who all play well developed and lively characters. Perhaps most remarkable is the performance of Da'Vine Joy Randolph who plays Lady Reed, a strong woman who comes into her fullness as a star. She told the audience that her life parallels that of her character. Her performance noticeably stirred the audience and she received applause rivalling that of Eddie Murphy himself. She is someone we will be watching closely in the future.

Finally, a special mention has to go to Oscar-winning Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter who designed immaculate costumes as extravagant as the story this film is telling. Dolemite Is My Name was chosen for the TIFF Exhibit, featuring costumes and sets from the film at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. To see these costumes up close was breathtaking. Netflix did well to purchase this film which is sure to be popular. #filmreactiviews

The Aeronauts (2019)

An exciting adventure for all!

[7/10 · 13 October 2019]

Audience REACTIONS at its Canadian PREMIERE: 😄😄😂😄😄😄(6 laughs) 😱(audible Ooooo) 👏👏(2 applauses during the film) 🤓 learn about true events)

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Outstanding Film!

[8/10 · 13 October 2019]

Audience REACTIONS at its World PREMIERE: 😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😄(26 scenes with laughter) 😢(1 cry) 👏(1 applause during film) 🤓(learn about true events) 🏆(oscar potential)

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Controversial crowd pleaser on a child's perspective of propaganda

[9/10 · 13 October 2019]

Audience REACTIONS at its World PREMIERE: 😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😄😂😄😄😂😄😄😂😄😄 (35 scenes with laughs) 😥 (1 cry) 😱😱(2 shocks) 👏(1 applause during film) 🏆Strong Oscar potential 🏆TIFF People's Choice Award Winner

Jojo Rabbit (Taika Waititi) is brilliantly funny, securing it the Grolsch People's Choice Award, an obvious choice based on audience reaction during the screenings. There were more scenes of audible laughter than in any other film we saw. Our last film of the festival, we were watching this film as it was being awarded the landmark award of the festival; a consummate way to close off the festival!

Set in Germany during the Second World War, Jojo Rabbit is vastly different than the films we think of from this setting. Some will argue that it makes light of the horrors of the time. It is frivolous in its interpretation of the superhero status of Hitler (portrayed as the young character's imaginary friend Adolf) as well as the horrid descriptions of Jews. Some viewers may find this unsettling.

While it is certainly much lighter than we would expect from a film on Nazi Germany, there are lessons of acceptance under the humour. From a child's perspective, we can see the effects of propaganda and brainwashing by the state, and the power of personal relationships in changing that narrative. With witty pacing and a dynamic cast, the characters become larger-than-life, but balance with each other in the point of view of a young boy.

While this film will be one of the more controversial of the year, it is undoubtedly funny, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. You are sure to laugh your way through the film and discuss it long after.

The Goldfinch (2019)

Mostly a failed attempt!

[4/10 · 13 October 2019]

😂😄😄😄😄(only 5 reactiview laughs) ⏳too long 🗑would not recommend The Goldfinch (John Crowley) attempts to portray the immortality of art but becomes mired by a tedious script, dull direction, and mediocre performances. The portrayal of the young lead character played by Oakes Fegley is the film's saving grace.

Pain and Glory (2019)

Not a pain to watch!

[7/10 · 13 October 2019]

Audience REACTIONS at its Canadian PREMIERE: 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄15 laughs 😢 1 cry 🏆Oscar potential, Spains single submission for Oscars Best Foreign Language Film.

Judy (II) (2019)

Film Reactiviews

[8/10 · 13 October 2019]

At Canadian Premiere 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄 13 laughs from audience 😢 1 cry 🎶 touching musical moment 🤓 gonna learn something 🏆Oscar potential Judy (Rupert Goold) is a captivating depiction of the life of Judy Garland. Taking place during her London concerts in 1968, it comparatively portrays the effects of her dysfunctional childhood on her adult life. Renée Zellweger embodies the legendary performer to deliver a raw and intimate narrative about this complex character. She delivers a beautiful soundtrack of classic songs sure to bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. The collaboration between director Rupert Goold and screenwriter Tom Edge produces a heartwarming story balancing pain and tenderness.

Abominable (2019)

Film Reactiviews

[8/10 · 13 October 2019]

ABOMINABLE Release date Sept. 27,2019 Audience reactions at the World Premiere: 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄(11 laughs) 😢(1 cry) 💘touching moment & audible "Awww" from crowd! 🎶moving musical moment Abominable (Jill Culton) takes the entire family on a heartwarming journey. Exhibiting diverse representation on screen, this film features a young Asian girl as the leading heroine. Abominable celebrates themes such as family, the power of music, and the importance of home. Combining heartfelt moments with a moving soundtrack, this animation provides humour intertwined with an epic, sweeping quest. The expansiveness of this film is best experienced on the big screen!

Joker (I) (2019)

Film Reactiviews

[7/10 · 13 October 2019]

JOKER Release date October 4th, 2019 Audience REACTIONS at its North American PREMIERE: 😄😄😄😄😄 (5 laughs) 😱 (1 shock) 🏆 (strong Oscar potential)

Joker (Todd Phillips) provides a divergent take on perhaps the world's most famous fictional villain. Incredibly adept at world building, the film portrays the spirit of the character and the society that failed him through the imagery of the dark city, Gotham. The director described the film as a "slow burn", and it was indeed a very slow burn. One should go into the film expecting something very different than the superhero movies we already know the Joker from. Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal provides a humanizing origin for the villain. While the viewer knows the character ultimately becomes a villain, it is easy to forget that, seeing instead a troubled man in a broken society; someone who just needed some compassion and kindness. Raising questions about the failings of our own society, it calls for introspection. Joker can first appear bland, but the more one considers it, the more deeply it is felt.