carrot99 Reviews

Tales of a Golden Geisha (1990)

Oh, the Jelly. Daddy's favourite Jelly.

[10/10 · 25 January 2016]

Is there anything more enjoyable than curling up and watching Juzo Itami movies?

The clothing and dress are particularly stunning with all of the characters. The bright red lipsticks, the fashion of the city. The over all phasing back and forth between the timeless old fashioned quarters and modern society.

Each scene is highlight with delightful transitions book-ended with the catchy score. This is comparable to Juzo Itami's Minbo, although a completely different style of film and musical interludes.

Nobuko Miyamoto again completely transforms herself as the titular Geisha. Her story turns the romantic narrative on its head and completely throws out the conventions of the genera. The glorified melodramatic situations are treated in such a flippant way it highlights the absurdity of human situations to begin with. This is a common theme in every Juzo Itami work, which is why I feel it appeals to everybody. It's not so much an idealization of these very Japanese themes, but a loving study of humanity, the ridiculousness of life, and the human spirit through humor.

Populaire (2012)

Drumline with Typewriters

[10/10 · 17 January 2016]

A very sugary fairy-tail esque romantic comedy with plenty of style and flavour. The male lead seems to have the issues, unlike the female lead, which was a nice reversal.

It's nothing too overly dramatic and stupid like most romantic comedies sercombe to in their third acts. Perhaps because of the "sports movie" element to it.

Overall it's very sweet. You'll love Déborah François in the lead role, along with Romain Duris as a man who makes very odd facial expressions. The cinematography is very beautiful and lush. Highly recommended for anyone.

Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018)

"It is Time to test the Mettle of Man!"

[10/10 · 31 October 2015]

Ash has RETURNED in Glorious Form With the Deadite manic zaniness and gore of Evil Dead 1, the slapstick of Evil Dead 2, and the epic one liner Ash from Army of Darkness.

Not only does this series it flow well with the universe, it adds richness with its own set of gorgeous cinematography. The color grading is also kept to a minimum. Yes, free of the cursed teal and orange mess of Hollywood. Rami gives it a very naturalistic look with bright red bloody splashes galore!

Another huge important thing is that this series WORKS even when Ash is Not on screen! That is a Big deal honestly. I believe Rami tried to cement that in the first episode with the middle episode showing Deadite action happening not around him. It proves that the rest can hold their own weight, which is something that I feel only the first Evil Dead movie accomplished.

It doesn't rely too much on the old one liners and invents new iconic ones, which was a treat.

I hope to see the cast from the original Evil Dead movie eventually make appearances in this series as it has been renewed for another season. Especially Ash's sister Sheryl. I look forward to even more expansion of the mythology in this amazing world Rami and Bruce have created. 10/10

Chappie (2015)

Chappie is a Masterpiece, and better than District 9

[10/10 · 9 March 2015]

Good. Friggan. Lord.

I LOVED this movie. It goes places I have never seen science fiction films go. THIS is what I've been waiting for. This film moved me. It spoke to me.

It was SO hilarious. SO dark. SO cathartic. SO unpredictable. I can't believe some people aren't "getting" it. Well I do know. The South African culture is too thick for most. They could handle the District 9 setting, but that didn't get much into the actual local cultural.

Ninja and Yoolandi Vi$$er of Die Antwoord was a FANTASTIC addition, providing a unique and rich look. Their heist plot truly made this film unique and non-typical. It was just great. Dev Patel has never been better either!

I view this film as canon, somewhere in between District 9 and Elysium. But this film is much better! I put it on the level of Blade Runner. More re watchable too. This movie is better than Prometheus, Alien, Avengers, Man of Steel, Matrix Revolutions, Avatar....heck. It's one of the best FILMS I have ever seen!

PLEASE go into this with an open mind and you will NOT be disappointed. The messages were fantastic and love love loved this movie (L) =)

The Counselor (2013)

Fantastic Film!!

[10/10 · 14 November 2013]

If you love Blade Runner, you will love The Counselor. I guarantee it, 100%.

In fact, simply pretend that every single character in The Counselor (except one) is a Replicant. Apply blue lighting and....... Blade Runner 2 is a masterpiece!

Ridley Scott is at the top of his game, really. Go into it with an open mind, but not an empty head. The nonintellectuals will of course not enjoy this film. But to those who like connecting dots and being immersed in a cathartic world of with tension and an incredible soundtrack, fasten your seat belts. Ridley is about to harken in a kind of film long forgotten. ;)

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Masterpiece.... o_o;;

[10/10 · 19 October 2013]

so incredible.... the trailers don't do any justice to the film. it's so powerful lingering unconventional it presents so many variables to that system one might not consider. the situations they show linger and you get the full effect of them too. you really get the sense that it is based on an account. characters will appear and vanish. they will not have little arcs and get give the audience satisfaction. it just is what it is. nothing is edited to bits either. this film is the work of a genius!

and about the musical selection, good lord. there are long bouts of silence and parts where it just freaks you out. it was really effective and hypnotizing. I was surprised to see Hans Zimmerman did the music. this is far beyond anything I've heard from him. Not the usual inception foghorns or military hum drum. also a great deal of real folksongs incorporated into it. I love when films incorporate the actually used folksongs. period pieces should be filled with music. when there were no modern devices people would sing!

people can't say that this is unrealistic either as it's an actual account. glad McQueen brought it to the public eye and in such an untethered fashion. I'll probably watch this on repeat when it comes out. I'll have to check out McQueen's other films. haven't seen them yet for some reason

Elysium (I) (2013)

Neill Blomkamp has created another science fiction masterpiece. *_*

[10/10 · 8 August 2013]

This film is...wow. Just as impressive as District 9, yet far different. Superior in many respects there is a SCENE in this Jesus Christ....wow. You'll know it when you see it an ICONIC science fiction sequence done with I'm guessing 100% practical effects ....just omg it will blow your mind. this scene I'm talking about is as good as that guys chest opening up in The Thing, or the egg to Cane sequence in Alien Blomkamp is incredible. Nothing is underwhelming.

Jodie Foster is actually perfect in this. I was skeptical at first since I see her as a "hero" actor..always being in things like Contact and such. But she does the villain role well and puts on this strange futuristic accent. Alice Braga was also good. I was skeptical about her too as she hadn't impressed me with anything else I've seen her in..but she was a perfect fit for this.

Sharlto Copley .....iconic science fiction villain. Cleaning house in dat second half : )

Damon was perfect in his role too. I'm glad they ended up going with him. He wasn't bland either. he had this really authentic way of coming across like an everyday man

the whole complexity of the plot just felt organic and fully cared for my only quam was not seeing much (if any) of the Elysium civilian residents.

A solid science fiction film, with multiple threads that give the characters motivation. They didn't spoil these in their marketing either, so there were many complete surprises.

about the controversy The messages are there, but they are universal to the human condition. People can try to fit things as an opposing political views, but in the end you can't really argue with it unless you're a ...em completely lacking in empathy? The situation seemed foreseeable as well. 10/10

I look forward to Chappie and we will have a little Blomkamp trilogy :)

The To Do List (2013)

Captures the spirit of the early 90's the way Fast Times and Ridgemont High did of the 80s!

[10/10 · 30 July 2013]

I was so very impressed by this film. I went in expecting a fun comedy but what we are given is so much more.

First off every frame of this film sets you in the 90s. It really took me back. and in a genuine rich way. Not just in slight little references, but situations you would generally find yourself in because of the current technology or ways of thinking.

I saw this film around noon on a Monday and to my surprise it was packed. People laughing at every scene, which warranted it so. Every second of this film just makes you happy. It's a slice of life that's high on heart and relatable to any gender.

This is only Aubery Plaza's second star role, after Safety Not Guaranteed, but dare I say this film is even more brilliant. I pegged her for a one note actor previously, even though I was a fan, but here she completely puts on a different act. Even with her facial expressions she played the role so genuine as a stuck-up 90s girl. The supporting cast was all incredible as well from Danny Glover to Agent Phill Coleson.

I have never heard of this director before, but if all of their films have this richness they have got a new fan. This film blows away things like Superbad. It's a teen comedy encompassing the 90s so completely. Even the cinematography was impressive and unique. It has made my list of top films easily. Just wow a perfect summer film just do not watch it with parents or anyone who gets sensitive!

Passion (2012)

Uneven MASTERPIECE

[10/10 · 27 June 2013]

I will have to section this film off into 3 blocks to review it

First 1/3rd of the film Didn't engage me. It seemed more like a play than a film. The marketing aspect was identifiable to me personally. Still fifty zillion views in five hours for an idea like that she uploaded - went to sleep and didn't promote is a bit lol.

Second 1/3rd of the film Alright and here begins the roller-coaster! The fan breaks and the pretense dies the competition begins. I became hooked....probably around the scene where Christine tells Isabel that story. It really locks you into the characters here and the back and forth bits are just great. I loved how dynamic would kind of switch at the drop of a pin with Isabel becoming sort of control stuck up character.

Final 1/3rd of the film Wooooow. Now this is just amazing. Whaat. The visually twisted cinematography the performances the plot direction the scene colouring. This final third of the film is perfection. Even with all I've seen promotion wise none of this was what I predicted. Everything was a headspin. The character Dani was incredible btw. My one flaw would be that after the tremendous set up with Dani there is not much film time until the end. I wanted to see a period of time with their relationship after that. It simply goes to the other scene letting you know the situation without showing it. Still the ending is simply haunting. Isabel James is amazing. Great job Noomi

So over all how should I rate it with these three different opinions on different chunks of the films? Well rewatching it will be a treat as I'll know the situations and set ups laying themselves out before the finale. If I could change this film I suppose that the first 2/3rd could be shortened perhaps and the situation after the fact extended maybe? Nothing against McAdams or anything but I found a certain latter situation very interesting. I managed to keep the spoilers light so I didn't get into any specifics. :) I'll definitely be picking this up though whenever it comes out. It's a great film even if the first 1/3rd is a bit cubical. Also there is some nice humor in here. Great job. and Pino Donaggio's score is as always Oscar worthy.

Dead Man Down (2013)

lemon chicken

[10/10 · 8 March 2013]

In the seemingly police-less gangland, Dead Man Down takes you through a labyrinth of visually distinct fascinating characters in an existential approach to both the dilemmas of revenge an their consequences. The action is not superfluous and hollow, but done in a way where each beat is well orchestrated with both real purpose and visual panache.

Through the "doll like" character Beatrice and her adjacent complex neighbor Victor, this film manages to portray an engrossing romantic angle highlighted by its believability through the shear awkward yet genuineness of their interactions. After the tonal shift of the reveal there becomes a form dark energy of rapidness that engulfs them. The eyes of Beatrice become dark and manic, full of pain, culminating in an iconic car sequence of dizzying passion.

Alphonse is a very convincing crime lord at the edge of his mental ropes. In a certain scene you can see the instability as his character while he sits in the shadows eying Victor like a shark as he walks into the frame. An effective rendition of a classy character in command after working their way to the top having to once again become savage in order to remain atop his hill. With his main goons we have Killroy the seven foot tall muscular man with the deep booming voice, Terry the skinny tattoo covered man, and Darcy the smart friend of Vicker who becomes the scariest character in his on right.

This film has the pacing and build like an old crime film, complete with dramatic emotionally spilling performances down to its very ending note. The dialog and characters are so fascinating that when the violence begins occurring you generally care about them. The message is not one glorifying revenge as many films succumb to, but one showing the results of their outcome, which the film has many variations of each character must deal with on their own. This film is an original Neo Noir and a complex brooding character piece strung together with the dazzling imagery of humanity and laced through fragile ephemeral happiness. The kind of film that has become a rarity at the box office. Fantastic performances all around.

Premium Rush (2012)

Pure Fun

[10/10 · 25 August 2012]

It was great! Most fun I've had this summer in a movie, underneath Prometheus and Iron Sky(of course) Michael Shannon was an amazing villain as this OFFICER Monday. Corrupt and evil yea but you can identify with his frustration getting deeper and deeper into more crap. Quite hilarious as well All of the cast was fun. JGL, Shannon, the police biker, the rival biker, aasif mandvi, that girl from Heroes

It was basically done like a video game, but in a good way. Flashing to these little cutscenes every ten minutes that piece the story together. Nice little underlying themes too. gets a 10/10 for what it was. ; ) I will be adding this to my collection when it's released. a popcorn movie worth my time