joshinsky

Reviews tagged ‘challenge2023’ by joshinsky Pro

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In the Mouth of Madness

1994

★★★½ Liked Watched

A love(craft) letter to cosmic horror with very nice practical effects, wonderful 90s vibes and a good mouthfull of madness, although I would like to critisise the lack of usage of the word "unfathomable" and the decision to show a bit more of the horror than needed. I am torn between having wished for more ambiguity firing on my imagination and being a fan of that carpenter'esque monster design. Hence, the film fails a little at sending lovecraftian shivers down my spine but still presses most of the right buttons. And I liked the ending :€

Gaia

2021

★★½ Watched

It hurts to see a film like "Gaia" waste so much potential. What (in my tiny perfect world) is supposed to feel like the South African awesome little child of "Annihilation" turns out to be exactly that when it comes to the visuals, the sounddesign(!) and the atmosphere, but fails to live up to the vibe when it comes to the script, the characters and the dramaturgy. There's just no thrill. It's frustrating. I see these wonderful colourful pictures and…

Zana

2019

★★★ Watched

"Zana" has some genuinely good atmosphere, but more captivating than its A24'esque elevated horror approach (which was solid but nothing outstanding), is its historic background creating a multifaceted psychogram of different generations that each are differntly struggling with the aftermath of a war as well as the clash of the modern world with the old world. Very interesting.

Rafiki

2018

★★★ Watched

Although sticking mostly closely to the handbook of the same-sex-romance-coming-of-age-movie genre, "Rafiki"'s playfulness, the great acting and the wonderful use of (especially pastel pink) colour are making it specifically likeable. The fact that this movie is banned in Kenya gives the story a whole lot more emotional gravity which makes the second half of the movie (although being fully predictable) even more of a gut punch.

Europa Report

2013

★★★½ Liked Watched

Ich missachte mal wohlwollend, dass Dialoge und Drehbuch ihre kleinen Schwächen und Vorhersehbarkeiten haben und freue mich einfach mehr darüber, dass "Europa Report" das beste und unheimlichste aus Arthur C. Clark's "Space Odyssey 2" klauen kann, ohne zuuu geklaut zu wirken, um mit guter Atmosphäre und mit gekonntem Einsatz der Found Footage Möglichkeiten (und Limitationen) noch ordentlich was an Spannung zu erzeugen. Den Reveal am Ende hätte es für mich nicht unbedingt gebraucht, aber geschenkt. Auch mochte ich, dass es…

Reprise

2006

★★★★ Liked Watched

Not that Joachim Trier as a director himself wouldn't be a genius (little camera movements towards kneeing people, or shots on flying party-feathers won't lie), but there is some things in general that the Scandinavians seem to have understood about dramedy movies that the Germans are still a long road away from learning. Characters might be one. "Reprise" has two very nuanced, very closely observed protagonists (that - in addition to being well written - are phenominally played) behaving and…

Crazy Rich Asians

2018

★★ Watched

Abgehobenster Fantasy Film ever, der gerade noch von Michelle Yeoh und Akwafina zusammengehalten wird. Fand ich ganz unangenehm.

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi

2022

★★½ Watched

Episode 1: Doesn't leave much impact on me, feels like a deleted scene from "Avatar". As a standalone short film product this doesn't really work either, as there is no real development, punchline or twist that would give it a memorable quality. (2/5)

Episode 2: Cool worldbuilding in the beginning, semi effective showdown, the atmosphere suggests something more grave than it is, but maybe I'm lacking context. (2.5/5)

Episode 3: Aaah, didn't realise these were connected. This one was interesting,…

Possibly in Michigan

1983

★★★ Watched

Something's odd about this one.

World of Tomorrow

2015

★★★★½ Liked Watched

Cute. Warm. Funny. Cruel. Devastating. 
The fear of death, the dangers of nostalgia, loneliness in a digital world, the mindless fascination of the spectacle, the appreciation of the presence, and many more sub tones, fit into 17 beautifully sad minutes. One of best shorts I’ve ever seen.

A Short Story

2022

★★★½ Liked Watched

Von mir vorgegeben
(Hier Jaschas Liste)

Ich habe wenig verstanden und doch hat Bi Gan wieder ein kleines Stück meines Herzens mitgenommen. Klasse Optik zudem!

Jallikattu

2019

★★★★ Liked Watched

Spielfilm #1/60 der 2023 Challenge mit Jascha
Von mir vorgegeben

Bat.shit.cra.zy. The official description depicting "Jallikattu" as some sort of mixture between "Jaws" and "Lord of the Flies" fits perfectly. While in some parts you can clearly see where the budget was missing, you can only be astonished by how perfect this camerawork is in it's detailed playfulness and how the wild mixture between jumpy stressful cuts and long tracking-shots creates this "Uncut Gems"-like adrenaline rush that is only sured by this…