MilkaKuh Reviews

Now You See Me 2 (2016)

Intrigue, misguidance and not necessarily what you've expected.

[8/10 · 14 October 2016]

-The following will not reveal any spoilers above those presented in any trailer-

Alright. Let's start at the beginning. You've probably seen the first one. Intrigue, misguidance and not necessarily what you've expected.

Well strap in because this one is somewhat close to it's predecessor. I know a lot of people already think of this as "the evil step brother" of the first one.

Let me tell you: It is not! Is this one as exciting as the first one? No it is not. Why, you ask? Well, because it's not the first one! You already know the way this movie is going to work. This is not the kind of cinema that will reinvent the wheel. But it will do it's best to get as close to it as possible? Absolutely!

You will see the same kind of surprises (plot wise) that you got in the first one and a good bit more that you DID NOT expect. This is what this movie is about. It, by definition as a sequel, can't be as surprising as the first one (look at the Ocean's series). But it damn sure gets pretty damn close, so let's make that clear from the get go. However, will you be entertained? Heck yes you will! From the beginning of the movie, I tried to anticipate every move the crew makes. Did I do well? Nope. Did I enjoy myself? You better be sure I did!

If you go into a sequel, expecting the genre to be redefined, I'm sorry, but it's your own fault. If you go into it, trying to enjoy yourself, you definitely will be entertained!

I hope you have a great viewing experience!

Black and Blue (2009)

Mehh

[3/10 · 17 February 2012]

I went into this movie with pretty much no idea what I would be watching. I merely knew I had an indie movie in front of me. Black and Blue has a somewhat interesting storyline and even a few decent moments. However most of the acting (at least all of the main cast) is horrible, the cinematography - especially the general tone of the movie - is pretty uninteresting, seems unfinished.

Sadly, whenever one thinks the movie might take a turn for the better in one or the other scene, raised hopes fall apart just after the next cut.

The only good thing about this movie is the soundtrack. There are quite some decent independent tunes on here but that alone doesn't make it passable. Sad, since the material might have been a decent base for a really good movie...

What could have been a nice film turned out to be quite disappointing.

The Lovely Bones (2009)

Not like most other films!

[9/10 · 1 May 2011]

-The following will not reveal any spoilers above those presented in any trailer-

It is rather sad, to see how people are grabbing on to many of the former reviews and are continually bashing on the CGI use in this, in my opinion, hauntingly beautiful movie.

If one would actually watch this movie without reading any reviews at all, without having an opinion about a movie they are about to watch before even having seen it for themselves and just take it for what is presented, I strongly believe there would be much more positive opinions about it.

And to mention this before anything else is said: I do not believe that the movie is too CGI crowded since the scenes at hand are meant to be unearthly and even a little mystical at that! I am not a very emotional person, I haven't even been able to really feel sad when others around me were already sobbing. But going into this movie and just letting it do its magic, it actually touched me deeply and made me think about it!

Sure - there are a few things that might have been done differently, probably even quite a bit better. But the all-in-all feel this movie leaves the viewer with is incredible. The bizarre but at the same time beautiful world of the in-between, the pain of the family members over the horrible loss and their unique ways of, not necessarily dealing, but rather living with it, even the sick mind behind the murder - it all works together in creating that viewing experience that is deeply touching through its countless layers.

The acting of pretty much each individual actor is already quite impressive, but as the characters interact, one can actually feel the emotional bonds and understandings, as well as the tension or even hatred between them.

All in all I can only urge anyone who loves movies that go beyond that typical mirror of merely entertaining and uninspired filmmaking to watch this gem. Certainly not everyone will enjoy or appreciate it as much as I did, but at least give it the chance it deserves without going into it, already looking for those 'evil CGI' parts and at the very least you will have your own opinion about it afterward and not the one of some guys that merely told you the same thing they only heard from someone else ;)

I hope you have a great viewing experience!