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Piconomicon

piconomicon
Member Since
21 Jan 2019
N/A
TCI
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258
ratings
258
Films
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collections
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Recent ratings
22
Minireviews
9
Starred reviews
See all TCIs
258
Films
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0
Recent ratings
22
Minireviews
9
Starred reviews
Recent Ratings
90 82%
Under the Skin (2014) - Rated 22 Feb 2019
35 7%
Die Farbe (2010) - Rated 22 Feb 2019
This film is a mess. The high contrast black and white makes details hard to see and muddy, which makes the CGI and keyed backgrounds more obvious. The pacing is agonizingly slow after a sprint through choppy edits and location jumps in the first 10-15min. The story is not interesting enough to keep engaged through the slower lingering moments. The acting, especially English language sections, is really bad. I love slow burn horror and suspense, but this was a grueling 1.5hrs.
85 70%
Noroi (2005) - Rated 21 Feb 2019
A truly scary movie that is structured like a genuine documentary, with segments from variety shows and other produced vignettes integrated. Definitely a slow burn, but it allows the creepiness to linger for longer. There are no jumpscares, and the scariest parts are zoomed in on as if you were watching a real documentary. The psychic character was more goofy than disturbing, and during the more hectic scenes it's hard to see what's happening. The tone and pacing are the highlights though.
80 55%
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - Rated 20 Feb 2019
A good script and narrative structure that gives sufficient screentime to most players. Thanos is menacing with hints of empathetic traits, but motivation is a little muddy. Pacing was smooth and the story felt like it kept progressing. The CGI was seamless. The actors did well, save for Pratt's emotional moments which were flat. The sound mixing was great even during the most hectic moments. The camera work and editing are on par with the better MCU movies.
75 38%
Black Panther (2018) - Rated 20 Feb 2019
A standout from the other Marvel films for its excellent score, costume design, ensemble cast, and story that feels like it has more to say. The CGI is noticably bad for a lot of the film, and some of the action scenes, such as the last big battle, felt trite and rehashed. The world building was OK, though there is little that is actually seen of Wakanda outside of a few buildings and some rooms. Overall, there is some things that make it stand out and elevate it a little above the MCU forumla.
80 55%
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) - Rated 20 Feb 2019
As an anthology, the film's appeal changes from story to story. The opening story is bright and melodic, with a cartoonish quality. The second has a bland James Franco in a dead-end story. The third and fourth feature little dialogue but are interesting in their own way. The fifth and sixth feel like typical Coen Brothers stories--snappy dialogue, distinct characters--with the last story being the most engaging. All six are well photographed and directed, but the whole is the sum of its parts.
95 90%
Wild Strawberries (1957) - Rated 20 Feb 2019
Wonderfully shot story with so much complexity and contemplation in only 90min. It's amazing how much it is able to say about the ways our upbringing, grievances, and emotional coping can affect those around us, passed on like a genetic trait. It was very touching to see the character come to terms with what his legacy is, and his last attempts to reconcile his regrets before the closing days on his life.
100 95%
The Favourite (2018) - Rated 17 Feb 2019
Beautiful mise en scene, interesting camerwork, and tight editing. The dialogue is biting and with a sharp and cold-steel delivery reminiscent of Yorgos' other films. The simple story of palace intrigue and courting favour through subterfuge is elevated by the modern performances and chemistry between the three leads, without relying on male-centered romancing or misunderstandings perpetuated via gossip to create tension. The pacing is smooth and the tone is never out touch with the moment.
55 16%
Revenge (2018) - Rated 17 Feb 2019
Acting is average all around, with some characters like the boyfriend being cartoonishly villainous. The lead actress does all right in her role, with most of her acting done via expressions and not dialogue, which is good since the script is uneven. The biggest issue with the movie is pacing. It wants to rush through the setup, but then lingers too long after that before the titular "revenge" happens. Once it starts, it has tense moments and graphic violence, but it's ultimately unsatisifying.
70 26%
The Raid: Redemption (2012) - Rated 17 Feb 2019
The story is basic and barely sufficient to get from one amazing set-piece to the next, but it's not memorable. The characters have no arcs, their only motivation is survival, and the ending is unsatisfying. The fight sequences are the highlight, and they are choreographed impressively with editing done such that the most visceral and impactful moments are given the time and space on the screen to drive home the brutality. Each fight adds something new so that it doesn't get repetitive.