Polnaszek5 Reviews

The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)

I will not hear any slander be thrown at Home Alone 2 when this trash exists

[1 December 2020]

Why did this even get made? There's nothing in the form of spirit or artistry offered here! The story is flourishing with creativity in places that is just held back by such a lack of thought or interest with how to bring this to life in any memorable fashion. You wouldn't believe how senseless such a route narrative becomes, but these people found a way.

The production might top a Disney live action venture for how hideously clinical it is. CG is grooooosssss, nothing is real. I'm sure when they're not behind or in front of green screen it's all on some sound stage. And the cast might as well all be manikins, seriously Goldie has the same expression the whole time.

Little Fish (2020)

Get back in there, tear?

[7/10 · 17 November 2020]

It's a very depressing pastime but also a very relaxing one? What a gorgeous production from top to bottom with truly exceptional photography and sound design that homes in on all your senses. I'm surprised that Chad Hartigan was never on my radar until now.

O'Connel and Cooke are really the heart and soul of the whole thing. Giving truly grounded performances that is going to make you feel something. Don't care who all y'all are, you cannot look me in the eyes after watching it and tell me you didn't feel anything.

Magnificent original score as well, one track actually brought tears from my eyeballs.

The Education of Fredrick Fitzell (2020)

Y'all aren't ready!

[8/10 · 17 November 2020]

For those who aren't aware about the background surrounding this film it was hell to make and equally as so to just release the damn thing. MacBride coming off the coattails from his debut The Conspiracy, has pitched other projects in Hollywood that were unfortunately stagnated due to the cursed development hell for many years. His most notable one being Echo that was a script he wrote which was planned to have George Clooney direct at a point. Leads us to our offering today; which according to an account from Christopher on a recent podcast interview he fought tooth and nail to get made. And it wasn't until Dylan O'Brien and Maika Monroe got involved that the ball really got rolling for the project to actually leave the development phase into legitimate production. Which other myriad of problems and bad luck occurred when filming started. Good lord.

I only bring all this baggage up to legitimize the long known theory that a piece of aptitude does not always mirror its making. Never been more true with Fredrick Fitzell. A scrupulously well discerned and uncompromising work that is at every second idiosyncratic, poignant, visceral, and just plain bonkers but in the best ways thats apparent you're experiencing something truly special.

Dylan O'Brien gives easily the best performance of the year that I've seen, at that one scene the guy isn't even acting; it's just him. I knew this kid had the chops and as Fredrick he more than proves his stripes for the string of other potential roles he could play.

Have no idea what kind of home this movie will receive but it best be a just one. Makes me ecstatic to see where MacBride will continue from here as a creative force, only praying it won't take a whole other decade before we receive whatever comes next out of his brain.

Screenplay is *chef's kiss*

Wolfwalkers (2020)

Doesn't get any better than this!

[10/10 · 14 September 2020]

Overwhelmingly well crafted and told to where I immediately just got focused, letting the film absorb my soul with such unsustainable jubilation. Akin to a child enamored with worlds some believed to be impossible, but were brought to life due to limitless imagination. Exactly like my first run in with Cartoon Saloon almost 11 years prior.

First movie in a long time where at every minute I went; "Dude, this is metal!". And when it was over I was like; "Man, I cannot wait to see this again."

Get Duked! (2019)

Soundtrack alone is reason enough to check this out!

[9/10 · 28 August 2020]

Boyz in the Wood (yes I'm gonna refer to it as that, deserves that dignity) goes from 0 to 110% gradually getting and better as it goes, so infectiously fun with how many genres it helms and inventively mixes. That rap sequence is just something else! Effectively crafting something wholly original despite being obviously inspired from other established works.

Just a great time, go watch it and if you got Prime at the disposal.

Hunting Lands (2018)

Wilcox is someone to watch out for

[22 January 2020]

The first twenty minutes are exquisite, like 10 star worthy material. Impeccable sound work and editing, abnormal camera angles that makes the viewer immediately on edge, as well as an unrelenting atmosphere completely led by the stellar cinematography. Plus NO DIALOGUE! All rests upon the shoulders of the location.

Not to say that the rest of the movie doesn't have more of this cool stuff, but it definitely should've been a short not a full length joint as before the climax where it really picks up again you start feeling the time. Not to mention the dialogue isn't anything to write home about either, except for the physical performance from lead Marshall Cook. The mannerisms he gives his character is great, despite at the end where we don't get many resolutions with his awkward placed backstory. Though that isn't really the point of the movie anyway, it's all about isolation.

So on board with whatever Zachary Willcox will do next. According he has another movie in post-production called; Found Your Righteous, which from the plot synopsis alone is maybe my most anticipated flick for this year.

The Fisher King (1991)

Better than Brazil by a mile, much more human.

[10/10 · 22 January 2020]

'Ever hear the story of the Fisher King? It begins with the king as a boy, having to spend the night alone in the forest to prove his courage so he can become king. Now while he is spending the night alone he's visited by a sacred vision. Out of the fire appears the holy grail, symbol of God's divine grace. And a voice said to the boy, "You shall be keeper of the grail so that it may heal the hearts of men." But the boy was blinded by greater visions of a life filled with power and glory and beauty. And in this state of radical amazement he felt for a brief moment not like a boy, but invincible, like God, so he reached into the fire to take the grail, and the grail vanished, leaving him with his hand in the fire to be terribly wounded. Now as this boy grew older, his wound grew deeper. Until one day, life for him lost its reason. He had no faith in any man, not even himself. He couldn't love or feel loved. He was sick with experience. He began to die. One day a fool wandered into the castle and found the king alone. And being a fool, he was simple minded, he didn't see a king. He only saw a man alone and in pain. And he asked the king, "What ails you friend?" The king replied, "I'm thirsty. I need some water to cool my throat". So the fool took a cup from beside his bed, filled it with water and handed it to the king. As the king began to drink, he realized his wound was healed. He looked in his hands and there was the holy grail, that which he sought all of his life. And he turned to the fool and said with amazement, "How can you find that which my brightest and bravest could not?" And the fool replied, "I don't know. I only knew that you were thirsty."'

My father perhaps might be why I'm such the cinephile today. Remember the first time I saw this too, was the summer before entering High School. Hadn't even heard of it, but he insisted that we see it and so we did. And.....wow. Before The Revenant I don't believe a movie quite gave me such pause. There's so much to take in, not to mention elements that'll leave the viewers heads brewing long after the picture has ended. Namely the consensus that hit like a brick as a 14 year old kid; if we cannot laugh at our pain, we shall be consumed by the suffering.

Robin Williams greatness performance, there isn't any ifs, ands, buts, it's the truth. As matter of fact all the casting is spot on, their characters would be missing so much soul without these specific players. Williams with the whimsy. Bridges with the sardonicism. Both characters have plunged through the depths of dispair, yet redemption is possible. Everlasting life can be obtained, but only through the fires of their personal hells.

Terry Gilliam proves that comedies can be art, long as everybody's on the same page. Which in this case includes production, writing, set design, lighting, cinematography; springs to life a spectacular modern day fairytale that'll remain immortal throughout the ages.

Nothing Really Happens (2018)

One of those saw at the right time and place in my life sorta deals

[22 January 2020]

A tired phrase for sure, but I have 100% never seen anything like this before in my entire time of watching and appreciating the craft of film. Exists all in its own universe of structure, pacing, and overall storytelling. You for real cannot explain to people in passing what happens here without getting a headache, or them looking at ya as if you've just had a blunt. Legitimately put me in this headspace dude that no other movie has, but I was enamored for the whole ride. Making me laugh hard more than once coupled with moments that genuinely unsettled my core.

Ambitious for sure and obviously not for everyone if the low scores are anything to indicate, but if you enjoy dry comedies that consistently plays with what we're used too with mainstream offerings than there's no reason to not check this gem out. Might discover something special, maybe emotional like I did.

When the opportunity arises for Justin Petty, I'm sure we're gonna get something even greater down the line.

Away (I) (2019)

Reminds why animation can be a transcendent medium

[9/10 · 22 January 2020]

If you aren't familiar with Gints Zibalodis's art style, I can very much see others get taken aback by how the film appears. Because it doesn't look like anything else you've seen before, unless you played a couple indie developed videogames. Incredible work from being the only dude who worked on it.

Maybe the next Angel's Egg, except more pleasant of an experience. Away wears mood, serenity, and potential symbolism all on its sleeves. Not in the pretentious sense though, moreso achieves having the audience remember an artists name.

Hypnotic from when it starts to where it ends, doesn't waste any potential with a strong hour an fifteen minute runtime. Every second feels deserved thanks to the stunning visuals, and breathtaking score.

Fast Color (2018)

Have the whole soundtrack on Spotify

[8/10 · 5 August 2019]

No best way to describe this movie except magical. Julia Hart orchestrates a literal symphony of compassion and creation. All brought together through exceptional photography and of course an senestational musical arrangement.