Quentin Tarantino criticized Paul Dano's performance in 'There Will Be Blood,' calling him the film's 'biggest flaw' and suggesting Austin Butler would have been a better choice for the role.
The Pentagon criticized the Netflix film 'A House of Dynamite' for inaccurately depicting U.S. missile defense capabilities, claiming the movie's portrayal of a 50% success rate is false and that real systems have a 100% accuracy rate in testing. The film's scenario simplifies the threat, not reflecting the complexities of actual missile defense, and the Pentagon has also expressed disapproval of other Netflix content.
After the Hunt, directed by Luca Guadagnino, is a stylized campus thriller that explores the fallout of a sexual assault allegation within an Ivy League setting, but it is criticized for its superficial treatment of complex issues, reliance on provocative scenes without depth, and its focus on stirring controversy rather than providing meaningful insight into the #MeToo movement or campus culture. The film's approach is seen as more about generating debate than offering genuine understanding, resulting in a visually appealing but hollow narrative.
The article reflects on the 20th anniversary of 'Brokeback Mountain,' discussing its impact, the accuracy of its portrayal of queer love, and how it might be received differently if remade today, emphasizing the importance of getting the details right in representing LGBTQ+ stories.
The film 'Jay Kelly' starring George Clooney is a glossy, superficial tribute to the wealthy elite, highlighting the emptiness of Hollywood glamour and the lack of genuine stakes or conflict, with critics questioning its depth and the portrayal of privilege.
Radu Jude's 'Dracula' is a chaotic, maximalist critique of vampire cinema and modern media, blending absurdity, political commentary, and experimental visuals, making it an unpredictable and provocative film that challenges traditional storytelling and aesthetics.
Ari Aster's film 'Eddington' revisits the chaos and trauma of May 2020 during the COVID pandemic, offering a bleak portrayal of societal hysteria and distrust without providing solutions, serving more as a reflection than a call to action.
The article critiques Ari Aster's film 'Eddington' for its superficial portrayal of racial issues, particularly highlighting the underdeveloped character of Michael Ward, the sole Black character, and the film's tendency to mimic real-life chaos without deeper exploration, ultimately viewing it as a shallow attempt at social commentary.
The review of 'Jurassic World Rebirth' highlights a shift from the awe and wonder of the original Jurassic Park films to a sense of boredom and annoyance, due to CGI-heavy scenes and repetitive dinosaur appearances, with the film struggling to evoke the same sense of amazement as its predecessors.
The article critiques Celine Song's film 'Materialists,' highlighting its ambitious ideas and problematic use of trauma, particularly a sexual assault subplot, which feels cynical and mishandled despite the film's high artistic aspirations and the director's potential for future success.
The article critiques the portrayal of women in 'F1: The Movie,' highlighting that despite the inclusion of a female technical director and a multicultural cast, the film depicts women as inept and secondary, reinforcing stereotypes rather than promoting genuine diversity and inclusion. It also notes the film's failure to pass the Bechdel Test and criticizes the superficial treatment of female characters, suggesting the movie misses an opportunity to portray women in strong, layered roles.
The article criticizes the film 'Materialists' for falsely marketing itself as a rom-com, arguing that it is a serious, contemplative movie that explores love and societal structures rather than delivering the lighthearted, witty charm typical of traditional rom-coms. The author laments the loss of classic rom-coms from theaters and urges audiences not to be misled by marketing that exploits their nostalgia.
The film 'Mary' offers a lackluster biblical adaptation of the early years of Mary, mother of Christ, with Anthony Hopkins delivering a hammy yet underutilized performance as Herod. While the film includes some entertaining moments, such as a dramatic escape from Bethlehem, it is largely bogged down by uninspired dramatizations of scripture and a lack of engaging storytelling. The film struggles to maintain interest, especially when compared to more dynamic adaptations like 'Journey to Bethlehem.'
Actress Justine Bateman declared the end of the 'woke era' following Donald Trump's 2024 presidential victory, attributing the shift to a loss of 'mob mentality momentum' that previously enforced political correctness. During a Fox News appearance, Bateman discussed a cultural 'spiritual shift' and critiqued social media reactions to Trump's win through her humorous #SocialMediaVideoCritique series, focusing on film elements like lighting and camera angles rather than the content of the outbursts.
Yorgos Lanthimos' new film "Kinds of Kindness" features Jesse Plemons in three roles and explores themes of control and domination through three dark fables. Despite Plemons' award-winning performance, the film is criticized for its repetitive and exhausted ideas, lacking the rigor and unified vision of Lanthimos' previous works.