Tag Archives: Willem Dafoe

Review: Poor Things (2023)

Posted on March 5, 2024 | Leave a comment

Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing.

I’ve heard a lot of things about this film, and one of them is that it’s too graphic, so I was somewhat prepared but still found myself occasionally taken aback. Personally, I’m not keen on excessive sex scenes in non-pornographic films, haha, so the abundance of that here was quite WOW.

Setting that aside, which admittedly was difficult, I found the film pretty engaging. It delves into themes of learning, female empowerment, and the journey to adulthood in a captivating and multifaceted manner. Its narrative, both heartfelt and eccentric, explores the essence of adventure, self-discovery, and the profound significance of life’s journey.

The performances by Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Willem Dafoe are truly outstanding. Stone, particularly in her role as Bella, portrays a captivating journey of self-discovery and growth. Her character’s evolution and assertion of her desires are depicted with remarkable authenticity, showcasing Stone’s talent for capturing the essence of seizing control over one’s destiny.

The production design is impressive, with top-notch cinematography and costume design adding depth to the film’s visual appeal.

In summary, Poor Things is an inventive, visually stunning, and genuinely amusing film. I’m not sure if I will be rewatching it anytime soon, but it’s definitely an experience.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by: Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone
Cast: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael

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Review: The Fault In Our Stars (2014)

Posted on June 4, 2014 | 2 comments

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via impawards

After raving so much about the book, it made me anxious and uber-excited anticipating the release of the film and I thank my lucky stars that I was able to score an invite for its advanced screening. Seriously, the wait was just about to kill me! The story is centered on sixteen-year-old cancer patient Hazel, who is forced by her parents to attend a support group, where she meets Augustus Waters, an ex-basketball player and amputee. From there, they were inseparable that even led to Augustus granting Hazel’s wish to meet the author of her favorite book, flying them both to Amsterdam.

I honestly didn’t set too many expectations prior to seeing this. I mean, the book was one of the best reads I’ve had recently and I didn’t want to spoil the whole experience if the movie didn’t live up to its promise. Fortunately, the movie didn’t disappoint. From the onset of the film, I was already grinning from ear to ear and midway through it until the end – I think I was one of the viewers bawling like a 12 year-old girl whose puppy just got kicked!

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via pagetopremiere.com

I just really love how effective and succinct Shailene Woodley as Hazel. This girl could pull you into a corner and just be in awe of her emotional depth. It’s amazing how she’s able to make you smile and feel giddy about her and Gus (Ansel Elgort). At the latter part of the film, I was with her crying. I feel her pain and I feel her resolve. She truly connects in such a way that everyone could easily relate to. Ansel on the other hand was dreamy as Augustus Waters. He’s got a really good chemistry with Shailene and I think everyone sighed heavily (wishing they were Hazel) during the swing scene and that oh-so-well-rehearsed dinner. It was almost too much but it’s still awe-worthy. Shailene and Ansel intricately worn the characters of Hazel and Augustus to life that it’s almost difficult to let any one of them go.

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via rebloggy.com

It was also nice to note that Josh Boone who directed the film and Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber who wrote the screenplay decided to be subtle about their approach on one of the characters fate. For someone who hasn’t read this John Green novel, it was a bit surprising and heartbreaking at the same time.

Another wonderful thing about this adaptation is the fact that it goes beyond its target audience much like the book. It’ll destroy your emotion but keeps you on the ride at the same time. The Fault In Our Stars has one solid story that will probably rival Noah and Allie on a different kind of level – bittersweet yet there is acceptance. It was magnified in such a way that it does not really revolved on two cancer patients but rather the romance, the young love and that heartfelt loss and acceptance that will forever be in their hearts.

#Okay

Director: Josh Boone
Based on the novel The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Mike Birbiglia, Lotte Verbeek, Willem Dafoe, Emily Peachey

Rating: 9.5/10

Watch it nationwide on the big scree n on June 5, 2014.

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Review: John Carter (2012)

Posted on January 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

via wikipedia

via wikipedia

John Carter is an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom series that tells the story of former confederate military captain John Carter who accidentally got transported to Mars where he became in-between conflicts of the inhabitants of the red planet that includes the Tars Tarkas and the people of Helium living in a world that is about to be destroyed and ruled by the leader of an opposing tribe who was gifted a powerful “blue” ray by some ‘supernatural’ beings. The storyline of the film has so much potential that it will make you really excited from the start since it would explain much of what the struggle of the film is and be introduced to different characters in it. It’s just too bad that the characterization took much of the explaining without actually letting us know more about Barsoom itself.

The Tars Tarkas were the most interesting characters in the film and it feels like watching Star Wars with all the sub-storyline involving them. I thought their Gladiator-like challenge was fun but it was comical at the end since it’s not even that important which I later figured out why it ended that way (audience alike had a good laugh involving these green Martians.) Nevertheless, I think they are the characters to watch for, as the rest seemed a bit forgettable. Of course, Taylor Kitsch (John Carter) is definitely a one charming hero in the film and thought he delivered the best performance but his lines totally failed him. He and Lyn Collins (Princess of Helium) have great chemistry though, so that should be a bit of a plus to consider.

I will not say that the film reached its maximum potential with all the thrilling action sequences and special effects but it definitely is asking for a sequel (hmm maybe?). I mean, there’s just too many gaps and questions unanswered (especially for someone who have not read the book / series). John Carter is a “Martian hero” and that’s just it – it somehow led you to ask more questions. I mean, I think that’s a good thing because there’s a hunger to know more about John Carter and the people of Barsoom because it goes to show that it’s somewhat interesting to its audience. Overall, I’m not sure if the film will please everybody but I think kids would love this one and its great cinematic effects. It’s maybe a bit underwhelming due to the unrealized sub-plots but it’s okay for an hour and a half film.
Rating: 6.5/10
Director: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Willem DafoeBased on “A Princess Of Mars” by Edgar Rice Burroughs

This film review was first posted at Pinoy Exchange. Read all my film reviews at Pinoy Exchange Official PEx Movie Reviews.

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