cathyisa Reviews

Men (2022)

What the heck did i just watch?!

[5/10 · 7 January 2023]

I have seen all movies by this director and I don't quite get what he is telling. Every one of his movies has left me perplexed and grossed out. I don't understand his language and don't quite get what all the fuss is about. I see his talent and the tales he tells, but I wonder about the form and visuals.

My boyfriend had his mind blown out by this movie and understood it more viscerally than I. He was surprised and grossed out, but it made an impact. For me, as with Annihilation, it was a really beautifully shot movie but the characters and the situations were somewhat superficial. I will watch Garland's future work because I like being put out of my comfort zone.

Master (I) (2022)

Not the kind of horror you expect

[8/10 · 7 January 2023]

I was expecting a horror movie with a sort of baddie and a sort of vîctim, but this is not it. It made me think of Run Sweetheart Run and how it uses the horror genre to expose the ordinary horrors of our modern lives. Some people may not like it, but I appreciate the movies telling other stories than the final-girl story.

This movie works as a slow burner, and the horror is not jump-scares and monsters. No it is in the ordinary. It made me uneasy and terrified. It is a good horror social movie. It confronts us to our limits without the blood. And Regina Hall proves, once again, her immense talent.

Barbarians (2021)

Did not understand it but liked it

[7/10 · 27 August 2022]

Good movie with loads of irony and cynisism. The montage of the diner discussion is hilarious and cringy at the same time. It is a movie that reflects here and there our self-absorbed times. But it is not a satirical critique on society.

No this movie takes you places but does not explain where. It is for you to figure that out. I did not understand all the symbols and themes. But, I enjoyed watching a good movie that builds some high tension, has great acting and a good simple story that is thouroughly displayed.

In my opinion, this is what movies are for; not to make you confortable but to put your brain cells to work.

This is not the greatest movie I have seen, but it is a surprising one and I think that surprises in movies these days are rare.

Let's get back to being barbarians and surprise ourselves and others.

Out of the Blue (II) (2022)

More of an "exercise de style" than a good movie

[4/10 · 27 August 2022]

The movie is well filmed, well played (even if it is not well-written) but makes no sense and has a plot that is weak to say the least.

There are screen cards telling you the time that passes between each scene as in silent movies. I understand the intention : this is not reality but an interpretation of it by the main character. It does not work because these cards are there every two minutes. They become very annoying and cut the fluidity of the story. It gives the impression taht every scene is a sketch independent from the other scenes, thus creating a story that isn't one. You lose interest pretty fast in my opinion.

The story in tiself is pretty basic. I think the directior who also wrote this movie wanted to look at this genre (the erotic thriller) with a cynical eye. But if that was the case, the movie in general takes itself too seriously for it to be a critique piece of this cheap gimmicky genre.

And well the end is a gimmick made to shock us and reveal the absurdity of this kind of movies. But it is a bit forced and cringy.

Maybe I am reading to much in this, but there are not any black actors or extras on-screen. Is the director saying that these thriller-thingys are often all-white. It made me wonder and it is true that these erotic-thrillers that I saw lately (the Affleck one adapted from Highsmith's novel...and others I don't remember the titles) are all-white cast. They are all pretty bad too.

I think it is time to declare these thrillers dead and begin to make thrillers where the story takes central stage instead of the twists. Deceivng the audience is cool and all-that, but not when it impoverishes the plot and takes the audience for a "babbling bumbling band of baboons".

I will give this 4 for the actors and the director's filming but even if it is a critique it is not a well made one.

Clusterf**k: Woodstock '99 (2022)

The Fyre Festival that happened...

[8/10 · 5 August 2022]

It develops as an apocalypse anouncement. The conditions of this festival resemble a mix between Mad Max and Spring Breakers. The sexual agressiveness and the hate that you see in those images are overwhelming.

A good watch for those who want to organise a festival on what NOT to do and what is crucial to have onsite.

And just because Woodstock is in the title it does not mean the crowd are hippies... The organisers were so naive and Lang was so careless and uninterested.

The Most Hated Man on the Internet (2022)

Another must watch

[10/10 · 5 August 2022]

Entitled white man alert! It is a difficult documentary to watch, but quite revealing on what abuse and consent are. To know that a lot of Hollywood people are ok with what this man does and did... Weinstein is not the only garbage that needs to be taken out.

Ambulance (2022)

Why does Bay keep making movies?

[1/10 · 4 August 2022]

His movies are so bad. This one seems to be filmed by a hyperactive child who has just discovered drones. It is empty, long and so cringy like the road to hell. Pass this and all his movies!

Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project (2019)

A must see!

[10/10 · 4 August 2022]

It is fascinating how what seems to be an incoherent obsession becomes one of the most valuable works on our collective memory. Thanks to Ms Stokes tenacity in recording all of the news channels for 35 years, we have a treasure of information which we can just begin to value. She deserves to be in history books and people should know about what she achieved. A great documentary about this woman who did things her way and lived life as she saw fit. She was quite a jewel.

Mood (2022)

It is a universal theme

[10/10 · 3 August 2022]

It is well known that as human beings we all are searching for our place in the world and our true worth. This is about that. About the complications a self-destructive attitude can put in our way. It is about a lost woman who finds herself alone facing her choices and her traumas. It is a wonderful show with so much truths, hard truths. I don't need to identify with Sasha, because Sasha is part of me as a human being I can relate to her struggles and poor choices. It is a well-written, well-played and wonderfully musical show a rare object made for the strong hearted and empathic people out there.

Fleabag (2016–2019)

Best series ever!

[10/10 · 3 August 2022]

Every time I rewatch this series I laugh, cringe, cry and get so irritated. It is a heartbreakingly funny series with one of the most touching characters there is. It is a very generous and intimate look at one's own self-loathing and it is an experience to watch every single time.

Thank you for this series.

Valentine Road (2013)

Courageous to film both sides without judging

[10/10 · 30 April 2022]

Wow that made me angry. I hate some of the adults in this documentary taht find it normal for a white supremacist white kid to kill another one because he wears makeup and "girl"dresses. He doesn't follow the rules says one of these awful humans and Brandon had no other choice to put and end to a problem the school refused to address one of the jurors says... And what of Larry? What of the victim? Is it normal to ask someone who is different to hide his/her difference just because some people might find it offensive? Larry did not exist to offend Brandon, he simply existed to be his beautiful self and a hate-filled teenager decided to put an end to his life. Just because he decided it suited him best to see Larry dead, than Larry wearing makeup. Seriously people??? Some white people disgust me.

There's Someone Inside Your House (2021)

Tries too hard

[2/10 · 25 March 2022]

My god the scene where you discover who the killer is... Can we please stop the monologue "i'm the bad guy haha look at me I am so crazy and unhinged" it is so tiresome. There was all the ingredients to make at least a good movie if not the best, but no, it tries to go in all the directions at the same time without thinking of the subject and the characters... This stinks of undercooked scenario. Great jobs by the actors though.

The Night House (2020)

Incridible actress

[8/10 · 25 March 2022]

A very good movie which is frightening and innovative in the ghost departement. Loved the actress her fear is really relatable. The scenario was surpriseing and some details were not as coherent as I would have liked (yes I'm like that). But, liked this one very much.

The Manor (I) (2021)

Not good at all

[2/10 · 25 March 2022]

The actors are not the problem, the story becomes a problem because it makes no sense. And the way the movie is constructed, the scenes don't have any coherence as if they were separated from one another. Too many exposure scenes are badly directed. The dialogue is not credible. It is a bad movie. The two stars are for the actors efforts and the location which is lovely.

Hunter Hunter (2020)

loved it and hated it

[10/10 · 25 March 2022]

A slow burner that seems as predictable as rain but with good actors and a simple storyline... Loved it, good good movie, the tension builds and it was lovely to be suprised and questionned on some things. Thank you for this great movie !

The Nightingale (I) (2018)

Vengeance is a cold companion

[10/10 · 22 January 2020]

It is cruel and slow paced. At times you want the main characters to change their minds and their intentions. Because the tension and the wait for what may happen becomes too much. A beautiful love letter to Australia and a sobering tale of what went on when it was still a prison.

Uncut Gems (2019)

A rough diamond

[10/10 · 22 January 2020]

What a ride! This must be what doing cocain feels like. All the actors are superb and Sandler will have the attention he deserves for his acting at last! My first 2020 movie, my favorite so far!

Joker (I) (2019)

Overrated

[4/10 · 22 January 2020]

After a certain point it becomes callous. On the same reflexion but reality based Cuck does a better job. Because for all the hype, don't forget Joker is just DC comics character.

Bliss (I) (2019)

What a crappy movie

[3/10 · 22 January 2020]

This was a waste of time! The main character is just so annoying but well played. But then she just becomes stupidly underwritten and badly played. The horror is juste gore all over and the interesting parts are lost in over-stylish shots... The characters from intriguing become a parody of horror characters. And the abuse of the word doesn't give an edge to the situations but empties all the dialogue of any meaning. It was a waste of time for everyone. Watch The Devil's candy instead it is about better painting and excellent horror with loads of good heavy music.

Charmed (2018–2022)

A very good start and promising plot

[10/10 · 4 November 2018]

I loved the original Charmed, but let's be honest and admit that it sucked ass plot wise. And when Doherty quit it didn't do the show any good. But well that's the past and this is now. And now we have a completely new show that has the misfortune to have the same name. Because that's all there is to compare between both shows. This one is so different and enticing and funny. It is a very good , very well acted and very modern show. It brings up nowadays issues and hot topics without forgetting to be Wiccan and fun. What else is there to hope from a show really ?