agentmiky

Wait, wait, wait… I must be about to write a review of a different movie because there's one thing here that doesn’t add up. This film has 43%? I’m definitely going against the crowd here, but the new Fantastic Four certainly doesn’t deserve such harsh criticism. To start, it’s important to note that this isn’t the typical formulaic superhero movie—it starts at a much slower pace, and action scenes are few and far between, but that doesn’t automatically mean the film is bad. Quite the opposite. The first half does a great job of fleshing out the individual characters and clearly shows us, the viewers, how each team member got their unique abilities. The cast seemed quite young to me; I’d probably change a few roles (especially Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm—he didn’t quite fit… Chris Evans was far more entertaining). Miles Teller as Mr. Fantastic was fun, and he handled his role well. The best character was the villain Doom, who didn’t say much, but his actions spoke volumes about him. It’s just a shame he didn’t get more screen time. The final action sequence was short but essentially to the point. Beltrami’s music complemented everything perfectly. The biggest downside of the film is probably the need for a more experienced main cast and more action. I also didn’t like the overly serious tone of the film, which sometimes undermined it (it could’ve used more fun moments). But I liked the well-told story that didn’t rush the audience, the dialogues, the music, and the villain Doom. Overall, it’s a solid three-star film, and I give it 67%

Another Czech crime film, this time focusing on the story revolving around the most famous Czech prisoner, Kajínek. Petr Jákl wasn’t afraid to tackle such a well-known topic, which took courage, but he jumped at it like a chicken on feed. The opening massacre scene at Plzeň’s Bory prison was reminiscent of Western competition in many ways, and overall, the camera work was one of the key elements the film could boast about (F. A. Brabec knows his stuff). I liked the storytelling style, even though it deviated quite a bit from the real script in many places, but I guess it wasn’t possible to transfer everything to the screen. Lavronenko was the biggest surprise for me—it must have been unusual for the Czech audience to see a foreigner in the role of Kajínek, but he blew everyone away. You could see how well he had prepared for the film both physically and in terms of character, as I totally bought into his role. I’d also praise both of the Dlouhý brothers, as they are a clear guarantee of quality. Vilhelmová didn’t fit into the role of the lawyer for me, and I would describe her performance as dull. Where I would criticize the film is in the sometimes chaotic jumping around, Václav Noid Bárta's music that pushed a bit too hard, and also some of the acting performances. However, the escape from Mírov prison and the subsequent arrest of Kajínek in the apartment were handled perfectly. It has its flaws, but within the domestic scene, it still outshines most of the competition. I give it 77%.

Let's be honest. Who among us could come up with such a crazy story full of absurd moments where you’d think, “There’s no way that could actually happen”? I don’t think anyone could, but lo and behold, it’s not made up, it really happened (and of course, where else but in the USA). In recent years, I’ve been somewhat transformed in my opinion of Bay’s films. Pain & Gain was a refreshing change from this director. The story is so improbable that I still can’t believe it’s based on a true event. The central trio around whom the whole plot revolves were, forgive me for saying this, total idiots. They wouldn’t be able to steal a loaf of bread from a supermarket without getting caught, but imagining them planning a kidnapping? That’s a whole different league. Everything in the film builds up perfectly—you know that people like them will make so many mistakes that there’s no way this can end well. Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie were unbeatable. I haven’t seen characters so well lived-in for a long time. Ed Harris as the detective was a pleasure, and Shalhoub was fantastic. I’ll definitely remember a few moments from the film that you just can’t erase from your mind (grilling hands, the attempt to run over Shalhoub, the dumbbell killing the guy). Everything is wrapped in an appealing visual package with an amazing soundtrack. I give it 85%

Fuqua knows how to make films, and this time I watched this solid genre detective movie from his work, which doesn’t have any big surprises but follows a tried-and-true formula where nothing can really go wrong. The story is divided into three storylines, each focusing on a different character. The best one was probably the storyline with Don Cheadle, who, as an undercover cop, is supposed to bring gangster Snipes to justice, but as often happens, he grows more and more attached to the gang, to the point where he no longer knows who he really is or what his mission is. Cheadle is a great actor, and he fully utilized his experience here. The part with Gere felt the weakest to me because it didn’t offer a particularly interesting plot. It wasn’t bad, but I would have changed quite a few things. Hawke, with his family problems and desire to steal money from drug dealers, gave an impressive performance. It was clear that things couldn’t end well for him. I liked how all three stories came together at the end, with the main protagonists meeting in the same house. The ending was pretty intense, with no shortage of blood and bodies, and even the main characters weren’t spared. The film had some flaws, but within the genre, it’s still an above-average product. I give it 74%.

It’s been eleven years since the last installment of this unforgettable series, which has deeply embedded itself into all our hearts and ranks among the top films dealing with sports themes. It was unusual to see that in the new installment, Rocky is no longer the main character, but instead Adonis Creed, the son of the famous Apollo Creed. Michael B. Jordan was an uncast actor just a few years ago, but in recent years, he’s been proving that he’s slowly but surely carving out a permanent place in Hollywood. This guy has a bright future ahead! Creed is a great product of today’s times, where I no longer expect such perfect sports films, but lo and behold, I’m surprised. Stallone walked away with a Golden Globe for his role, and it must be said that he deserved it every bit. He’s no longer playing Rocky at his full strength but a normal aging man who has to fight a serious illness and the challenges of daily life (and he does it convincingly). Most importantly, though, he delivers one witty remark after another, which this film desperately needed. Adonis’s training had something to it—it was clear how many hours Jordan had to grind in the gym for his role to make everything seem believable. Maybe I would’ve delved a bit more into his opponents’ characters, but in the end, that didn’t bother me much. The final match was quite emotional. Admit it! Who else got goosebumps like I did when the famous Rocky theme song played? Such small details bring joy, but not every film can boast them. Compared to Southpaw, I liked Creed more. I give it 88%

James Bond took a real beating because this is what I imagine a proper spy film to be like. You won’t find many action sequences here, but instead, a well-thought-out plot with a dense atmosphere that will have you glued to your seat the entire time, along with a star-studded cast where everyone competes to outdo each other (with Gary Oldman and Mark Strong being the best). Tomas Alfredson appeared on my radar out of nowhere, and suddenly, he’s shining like a beacon, as if to say I should start paying attention to him. As I’ve already emphasized, this is mostly about believable and slow storytelling where you really need to stay sharp because you can’t miss even the smallest detail (you’ll hear so many different names and see so many actors that it’ll make your head spin). I’m not saying I understood everything 100%, but I’m not criticizing the film for that in any way, because it tries to lay everything out clearly and thoroughly for the viewer. The 70s vibe emanates from every shot, and it’s clear that an experienced pro was behind the camera. On top of that, otherworldly music plays throughout. A few times, I got chills down my spine, and overall, the film convinced me that being an agent like this takes courage we can’t even imagine. The mole’s elimination at the end with a small-caliber gun, accompanied by that otherworldly music, tied everything together. A spy thriller you can’t afford to let slip through your fingers. I give it 91%.

The conclusion of the Vietnam trilogy, which isn’t very well-known to a wide audience, and that’s a shame. Oliver Stone showed us the first half of the Vietnam War from the perspective of a girl who lived through it and later documented it in her memoirs, which this film draws from. The film, with a few exceptions, doesn’t focus so much on the actual combat, but rather highlights the impact of the war on the civilian population, who had absolutely nothing to do with it and still had to suffer. The second half, when Tommy Lee Jones enters the scene, deals with post-traumatic war disorders. Even though you’re safe at home, you replay the war over and over again, and the actions you took in combat haunt you in your dreams, making you dangerous even to those closest to you. Hiep Thi Le’s performance deserves to be placed on a pedestal. You don’t have to be well-known to deliver an amazing performance with all the bells and whistles. Tommy Lee Jones appeared fairly late, but he was still unbeatable (during the shotgun scene where he wanted to shoot his wife, I was holding my breath at how chillingly he played it). Although the story isn’t exactly rosy, everything is told incredibly poetically and accompanied by wonderful music. This film is a perfect example of how a war movie doesn’t need action to captivate you. All it takes is one true, almost unbelievable story full of unpleasant moments to leave you in awe, and Stone knows how to do this. I give it 89%.

Now I can definitely say that rejecting the fifth Alien movie, which would have been directed by Blomkamp, was an inexcusable blunder. He’s got it in him. Zygote takes a different approach than its two predecessors, relying on uncertainty and the oppressive atmosphere of a station in the Arctic Circle. Even with just two actors, you can deliver an incredible spectacle—it's been a long time since I’ve seen Dakota Fanning, and once again, she didn’t disappoint. She still has many successful years ahead of her. The creature was truly unique, though disgusting and repulsive as a horror monster should be. I have a few complaints (she could have ended it with that axe, and there are some plot holes), but the execution makes up for it all. The music is also captivating. If you’re a fan of sci-fi horror, take 20 minutes and give this little film a chance. I give it 84%.

Rupert Sanders is a big unknown for me (besides Snow White and the Huntsman, which wasn’t anything spectacular), so it felt like I was diving into uncharted waters. But in this little sci-fi film, the director showed that he’s hiding some talent. Ghost in the Shell doesn’t bring any innovations to the genre—it follows an already established system—but everything is wrapped in such great visuals (it immediately reminded me of Blade Runner) that you can’t take your eyes off the screen for a moment. Then there’s the star-studded cast, although I wouldn’t highlight Scarlett Johansson in the lead role as much as Kitano, who plays the head of Section 9. He didn’t get a lot of screen time, but he also didn’t waste a single minute of it, showing just how much charisma this man still has (especially his scene in the parking lot was worth it). I also have to praise the script, as I didn’t notice any major plot holes, which pleasantly surprised me. The story doesn’t particularly stand out, but it still boasts an interesting plot with a few twists. The action was straightforward, well-filmed, and especially the sound was done well, just like the rest of the film. In recent years, I haven’t come across a sci-fi hit, but this film suddenly appeared on my radar and immediately became a perfect experience. It’s not worth a full score, but it’s a solid four stars. I give it 86%.

The best Coen film by far, combining all the positive aspects of the brothers' work. The Big Lebowski is a comedy that defies all established ideals. You have to pay attention while watching it because, quite simply, you don’t want to miss any of the punchlines or brilliant references. This is where it’s clear that when you have quality actors who deliver performances you couldn’t even dream of, you’re guaranteed entertainment and, above all, immense quality. The two main characters, Walter and Dude, are some of the best-written characters—I found their actions hilarious, I laughed out loud many times, and, most importantly, they are so likable that the audience falls in love with them within seconds. At first, the story seemed a bit secondary to me, but soon enough, the Coens' craftsmanship shines through, and it really picks up. Carter Burwell (again) came up with one of the most pleasing soundtracks I’ve heard in a film so far. Everything is meticulously crafted, and nothing feels half-baked. This is exactly how every film should be treated in its creation. And the Coens are the perfect pair who exemplify this. I give it 92%.