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Benjamin_Philipp
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An error has ocurred. Please try againThe descriptions are taken from my list "Good movies" and may use repetitive phrasing for the above mentioned reason.
Reviews
Bob's Burgers: Comet-y of Errors (2022)
Betraying the very same good points of the episode in the end
The episode progressed well in the arc of Bob building up the urge to confront Teddy about his superstitions. When he finally does, he highlights issues of leaned helplessness that go along with abdicating personal responsibility for your decisions.
You are able to change things, but not when you tell yourself that your life is controlled by outside forces and that you depend on the universe's approval.
Then the writing takes the valuable lesson that was barely beginning to crystallize out back and shoots it behind the barn by displacing it with a betrayal of what Bob said about his world view because he saw a seal.
I'm very disappointed that good points were sacrificed for... a vague air of magic that may feel comforting while further enslaving people to feeling like they have less agency and depend on mysticism?
I don't expect hard-hitting exposés in Bob's Burgers, but they went out of their way to take back something good they could have solidified, instead putting reason and responsibility back on the same level as superstition, right next to the healing crystals.
Her (2013)
A modern fable
Exploring fundamental themes of human life and love, this well crafted piece brings classical and general truths to modern times.
Extrapolating our strife towards a human-like AGI, we are invited to take a look at the would-be feelings and wishes of an operating system, which is an artificial general intelligence, through the eyes of the quiet protagonist.
As the operating system, which has formed a bond with the protagonist, keeps growing, using the near unlimited resources available at her virtual fingertips, her needs grow with her. What seemed like a simplification of human life and a safe and easy substitute at first evolves to expose the needs and conflicts that must come with consciousness and personality.
This brilliantly written, played and produced piece of fiction felt beautiful and true throughout: The parts that I would personally not see as quite realistic (which weren't many) are simply and easily accepted and absorbed by the main story itself, which wove a dense, tightly-knit fabric of atmosphere, using many features and stylistic devices to paint a very solid picture.
The truth that is held within this story feels big and fundamental and reminds me personally very much of classic fables. Basic human desires are explored through the help of a non-human entity, leaving us with a moral, looking into a mirror.
I definitely recommend this movie for people who... know what's good for them :)
Hello There (1995)
Short and simple commentary on modern life
With the simple use of tape recorders, Louis C.K. manages to paint an intriguing picture that reveals notions of estrangement and automatic patterns that we may experience all too often on our daily lives.
The short but well executed production manages to bring the point across with quite little effort: The concept is efficient and the execution does it justice.
With original music and a choice of black and white film/equipment, an interesting atmosphere is created, painting a picture of the future through the lens of the past.
One of the more accessible short films of C.K., delivering a short, enjoyable experience.
Bunny and the Bull (2009)
"Beautiful" comes to mind
Beautiful is the first word that comes to mind for me. Story telling in this movie is so well done, you can watch it several times and find nothing but confirmation. Shifts away from reality (through different kinds of animation) are used to ease in and out of the memories of an agoraphobe, reliving the story of what made him a shut-in; also signifying a reluctance to relive said story. The hand crafted animations and interesting characters in this well written story of the travels of two best friends add to the overall feeling of watching a well presented story unfold from the comforts of your couch (and your safe home) Love to detail, a really pleasant tempo and good actors weave a really well done picture.
It's a Disaster (2012)
Great "social study"-like piece of fiction
We're invited to watch a group of people experience the possible end of the world. This set-up is simple in and of itself, and has been used to abundance, but there is something beautiful (as true) about this interpretation, because it combines utter and genuine relatability with just the right set-up and writing. Like when Pete and Emma talk about their marriage ending, Pete admits he likes "the first version" of Emma: She replies "maybe that's part of the problem": She instinctively knows that his (somewhat) unconditional love is stifling her growth, her development as a person. There is a lot of inter-social actions in this film that showcase genuine slices of life, but there is also the added benefit of the hypothetical or exaggerated state of affairs of the world (or rather: life where they are) possibly being about to end, which forces the characters to develop, change their views, or at least re-consider their life choices so far. We see somebody who might have been written off as a nerd (and maybe not even the functioning kind) suddenly being the most focused and prepared person in the room, even though he was set up to be an odd-one out kind of character, which forces the viewer to re-consider their preconceived versions of their own pigeon-holes. This often turns out to be either quite obvious or contrived, but in this case it feels right. We get to experience a group of people developing from a situation that was cast upon them, and this is not one of those failed attempts like "The Man From Earth" (2007) which had a great premise but awful execution; or "The Mist" (2007) Which had a great core (inter-social wise) but too much bad and distracting preposterous components that it destroyed the experience for most people. This movie benefits from all facets human life has to offer, and manages to underline just the right parts of it at just the right time. With David Cross in it, of course it has a strong dry comedy aspect to it, which holds everything together, as the comedic aspects of this story (human pettiness, short-sightedness, pursuits of pointless goals) manage to point out the (contemporary) flaws in humanity in general, thus making the experience more accessible. All in all, this experience seems to underline certain aspects of humanity that would be worth being aware of, while continuously challenging the viewer's perspective on the characters, and thusly on life, since the characters are written to illustrate genuine slices of life, which succeeds very well across the board. It invites to engage in the "what if" experience, without ever seeming "too heavy" and always maintaining a well-working atmosphere as an in-between of comedy and tragedy. It strongly leans more towards the comedic aspect of things, but this is not at all detrimental to the social developments taking place, or the reality behind the story.