8 November 2024.
By Neptune
THE SUBSTANCE ***
Right here it’s – the merciless actuality of the value of fame and glory, and the strain on girls to be younger and delightful, particularly in Hollywood. This movie made an enormous splash in Cannes, with a glamorous Demi Moore enjoying right here a fading actress who realises she is shedding her youth and her profession as a TV aerobics teacher. And she or he is just 50!
When she by accident learns that her present is being cancelled she turns into determined. Listening to of a substance that guarantees to create a youthful model of herself, she goes for it, nonetheless harmful. And thus begins an unimaginable transformation. There are touches of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, bits of Tinseltown’s ruthlessness and back-stabbing and shades of Norma Desmond (of “Sundown Boulevard”) in an incredibly fashionable allegory written and directed by the dedicated feminist, French-born Coralie Fargeat.
Here’s a movie the likes of which you might have by no means seen – daring, exaggerated, merciless truths; wonderful appearing by Moore and her youthful double, performed by the stunning Margaret Qualley (daughter of Andie MacDowell), and a splendidly caricatured Dennis Quaid. Its good state of affairs, which turns extraordinarily bloody and gory (you’ve been warned!), was deservedly topped in Cannes with the award for Greatest Situation. It would disturb and shake you, however you’ll not neglect this movie!
TROIS AMIES **1/2 (vo French)
The French are specialists in any respect types of love and romance and right here’s an all too typical instance. It’s tough to outline this story by Emmanuel Mouret, because it’s a dizzying merry-go-round of feelings and relationships about two {couples} and a single lady, making up the three girlfriends of the title.
I received’t get into the nitty gritty of their relationships, however suffice it to say that in most {couples}, one loves greater than the opposite. As with Joan who’s not ‘in love’ with Victor, who adores her. She feels terribly responsible about that, as he’s a superb man. And naturally she confides in her girlfriends. She lastly tells him, and he disappears. Oops, wasn’t going to get into particulars.
For those who’re curious about such tales you would possibly take pleasure in this movie, however its tedious trajectory and fixed back-and-forth turn out to be heavy and sticky, no less than they did for me. And all the assorted deceptions flip unsavoury and at last tiresome. It’s little bit of a contemporary Eric Rohmer, the grand grasp of such movies as “Ma nuit chez Maud” and “Conte d’été” amongst his many harmless romances. This convoluted one can not examine with the light temper of these classics.
RED ONE **
Oh expensive, an ultra-modern Santa story. Not fairly certain for whom this Xmas journey is made, but it surely’s actually not for the little children who deserve some vacation enjoyable and cheer, somewhat than this fantasy which at occasions resembles the Marvel blockbusters.
Santa (J.Ok.Simmons) has a supersonic sleigh, his reindeer are outsized beasts and Dwayne Johnson is his bodyguard. His North Pole residence resembles one thing between a tightly secured army compound and an Amazon supply facility. The dangerous man is performed by Chris Evans (who used to play Captain America!). Whilst a nasty child he was a non-believer in Santa and different legendary entities.
However now Santa has been kidnapped and his trusty bodyguard and the dangerous man need to work collectively to save lots of Christmas, just some days away. Their eventual camaraderie shouldn’t be so dangerous, but it surely’s all a mishmash of genres, although the ending does get candy and gooey and has an ethical message. However who’s it geared toward…the kiddies who can be overwhelmed, or the adults who can be bored?
Lawrence Kasdan, director of such excellent classics as “Physique Warmth”, “The Huge Chill” and “Silverado”, is the daddy of Jake Kasdan, the director of this movie and such others as “Unhealthy Instructor” and “Intercourse Tape”. Considerably totally different types…
Very good **** Very Good *** Good ** Mediocre * Depressing – no stars
By Neptune
Neptune Ravar Ingwersen critiques movie extensively for publications in Switzerland. She views 4 to eight movies per week and her goal is to type the wheat from the chaff for readers.
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