The semi final round results! Lets just jump into it.
I liked all of the movies submitted! But im still eliminating someone because im not doing what I did for the last two seasons in a row
With that said, here are the critiques:
Vixens - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) - Jesus thats a long title but I guess werk for the use of coward! I'm normally not a Western fan at all. It has never appealed to me except for like 1 movie. I will say this movie is very interesting. I don't know the actual events and really don't know the actual relationship between the two characters but I definitely see obsession turned into posession. Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck are amazing in this movie and probably some of the best performances in both careers (and I fucking love Brad Pitt). The movie is also pretty well shot! Roger Deakins just knows so much about the camera and amazing techniques that help bring the aesthetic of the director's vision to life. I do think there are better Deakin's films out there but the man is a master in his craft. I will say though that this movie is LONG! I was invested in the beginning and as it went along it was starting to lose me just because there felt like alot of filler moments that yes help flesh out the relationship of the characters but there are so many of them that have the ssme point that some could have been removed. I had heard there was alot of editing done to this movie and maybe a different cut that established a better pace would have been at least better for me. As I said though, im not the biggest Western fan so that could have been it as well. Overall, amazing performances, really nice cinematography and a story worth telling.
paul028 - Life of Pi (2012) - Aight so this movie is beautifully shot! It looks incredible and the score is beautiful as well. I absolutely adored the score! I did enjoy alot of this movie! The story is very interesting and at times heartbreaking (poor Orange Juice omg). The main performances of the 16 year old Pi is great! I felt for his character and especially his philosophy. I do feel as though a few of the effects havent aged entirely well (but some definitely have) and im also not a fan of the particularily faster frame rate that Ang Lee really likes to use. It takes me out of the cinematic feel and that makes sense considering this is supposed to be in 3-D so watching it without that format can take me out of it a bit. Again, the cinematography is just beautiful though and overall, I do love the story and overall the movie. When it gets to the shipwreck for the rest of the movie on I was so invested and loved it.
LaCroix - Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - I love Danny Boyle. He is one of my favourite directors. I just find him very intricate and really respects his craft and I appreciate it! Sadly though, I haven't gotten to watch this yet but to say I was excited for it is an understatement. I loved this movie. Its so emmaculate and well written. Its so well told with the back and forth in the overall narrative, it does make it very clear and precise and overall investing. Unfortunately for me, I had to download this movie and ended up not getting subtitles so I missed like half of its dialogue but I was able to understand the overall moment so I was ok with it. Yeah I loved this movie. The performances were great and I absolutely loved the cinematography. It uses alot of dutch angles which im not the biggest fan of but it works to great affect here (same with the slow frame rate in some moments). I just love the way the shots are set up, it really paints the picture of the story and how we are supposed to feel. Yeah...I loved this movie.
Olympia - Manila in the Claws of Light (1975) - I do believe you are the first this season to have a foreign arthouse film ( Voila had one last season). I'm always intrigued to see them! This movie is hella depressing omg. Its really well told especially for how it portrays the world around Julio. You are right that the setting feels like its own character because it just swallows him up (like them prostitutes damn). The cinematography really ahowcases the overall story and its themes. Its really depressing yet there is beauty to it and it works! Also from what I was reading about the movie and its restoration, it looks great! Honestly...I think I loved this movie! It truly is just great art and looking at that respectively and the overall challenge, you hit the spot.
And it comes down to this. With a SAFE placement and the last person moving into the finals is...
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Which means we sadly say goodbye to Vixens. I loved your journey this season! Always sending movies true to you and your taste and I have the upmost respect for that. I truly appreciate your effort and the films you submitted. Thank you so much for playing <33333
And with that, we have our FINAL 3! I will post the final round tomorrow morning!
