tashwat Reviews

All the Light We Cannot See (2023)

Louis Hofmann was 20,000 leagues above the rest.

[6/10 · 6 November 2023]

I watched the series in one sitting and had no preconceptions or expectations going in other than the trailer and the actors' previous works. Being a fan of the WWI genre and with a solid cast and Steven Knight at the helm, I was looking forward to this production. Unfortunately, it failed to make any kind of impression.

It was well written and the performances by Louis Hofmann, Hugh Laurie and Felix Kammerer were great, Hofmann particularly standing out. However, I couldn't get over the poor "generic English" accents of Aria Mia Loberti and Mark Ruffalo - both American actors. Their attempts really took you out of the story and were a complete distraction.

I applaud Loberti as this is her first acting role ever, and that they opted to use a visually impaired actor for the role - but sadly the performance still falls short up against Hofmann. In fact, I found the two storylines quite polarising. I was engaged and enjoyed Werner's POV, but felt myself cringing and zoning-out during Marie's. It was like watching two different series.

That being said, my biggest gripe with this adaptation was the productions choice to have everyone speak English. Is it really so necessary to dull-down everything to a base level nowadays? I think audiences are more than willing, especially of late, to embrace the original languages. I feel it would have added a much needed level of authenticity and sophistication and a more complex relationship/interaction between the french and german characters - imagine if 'Inglorious Basterds' had all been in English for example, what a disservice that would have been!

Overall, a relatively enjoyable series if a little predictable and juvenile.

A few notes for improvement:

• original languages enrich a film, don't dumb it down
• cast actors who can do convincing accents, regardless of their box office pull
• give Louis Hofmann his own show!

The Infernal Machine (2022)

A compelling watch with a surprise twist. Guy Pearce gives another amazing performance.

[7/10 · 14 October 2022]

The film tells the story of a one-hit-wonder writer, Bruce Cogburn, who now lives as a recluse in southern California following a mass-shooting incident where the shooter "blamed" his motive for the crime on Cogburn's book. Now 25 years on from the incident, Cogburn begins to receive a barrage of letters from an unknown source, leading to the question that carries the film; "who is sending all these letters?".

The answer isn't an obvious one and you are genuinely wondering right 'til the last act of the film, as it leads you down various different potential "suspects". You think the film is going to take you one way, then it takes a sharp turn in another, unexpected direction. The final twist is a good one...but the execution is a little laboured and indulgent.

The film has a relatively slow pace - don't expect big shoot outs and car chases, but keeps you gripped right through. Guy Pearce is on top form as usual, playing an alcoholic, paranoid hermit. How he manages to nail all these different accents is beyond me! He's accompanied by Alice Eve and Alex Pettyfer who give solid performances as well.

This is an intelligent thriller that is well written , well acted and well shot. Think along the lines of Stephen King's "Secret Window" with less psychopathy.

Watch the movie if you like the following:

• Great acting from the lead
• Clever writing
• Good cinematography
• Compelling plot
• Twists and turns

Don't watch if you're expecting:

• Gun shoot outs
• Car chases
• Fast pace
• Over edited, over-choreographed fight scenes

The only downside is the very end, which I shan't spoil. It feels a little extravagant and is perhaps trying too hard to be prodigious.

The film certainly doesn't deserve the low ratings it has received, so don't be put off by it. Overall it is definitely worth a watch if you're in the mood for a good thriller that keeps you gripped, and if you're a fan of Guy Pearce - which you should be!

Nymphomaniac: Vol. I (2013)

Neither Porn nor Art - A genuinely thought provoking film.

[8/10 · 5 May 2014]

Having browsed over the other reviews I assumed it would be a pointless exercise to watch this film, yet thought I'd give it ago as I enjoyed Lars Von Trier's 'Melancholia'. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and it was not at all what I expected. According to what I'd read previous, this film was just an excuse to showcase nudity and sex. Although, yes sex is at the centre of this story, I felt it gave a true insight and interesting take on the life of a Nymphomaniac. It's about bad choices, regret, happiness and struggle.

What I found most interesting about the undeniable dislike towards this film is that it's not that dissimilar from that of Steve McQueen's 'Shame', starring Michael Fassbender. This too shows a character addicted to sex and the lengths a person is willing to go to satisfy their lust. I don't know if it has anything to do with a mans point of view versus that of woman's. Maybe to an audience a man's is more appealing or understandable.

I would recommend this to anyone with an open mind. I feel 'Nymphonmanic Vol. I' was truly thought provoking, clever and at times quite beautiful.

Domino (2005)

Someone should fire the casting director

[4/10 · 18 March 2014]

The one and main downfall of this film, in my opinion, is the decision to cast Keira Knightley. Ordinarily she gives a very competent performance yet here it is almost cringe worthy. Although she fits the role of a young woman with a well-to-do background, the tomboy and whole bounty hunter side was clearly out of her and the audiences comfort zone. I applaud any actor/actress wanting to break from the constraints of typecasting, however, I felt Keira just simply didn't fit the role. It's as if she tried too hard to be a 'mean tomboy' and as a result failed to capture it. All that aside, the film was unsuccessful for other reasons. Tony Scott has once again made a film that fails to grip the audience. It drags on like a dog missing it's back legs and incorporates all the dull clichés one would expect from a mediocre action film. Scott also, for some bizarre reason, made the film through an ultra-saturated filter, which does little to compliment the film.

Overall, the film lacks any kind of substance with characters you feel no attachment to ultimately wondering when the end credits are going to appear.

Eragon (2006)

If you're a fan of the books, stay away from this film

[4/10 · 18 March 2014]

I am a huge fan of the Inheritance Cycle and was eager yet a little wary when I heard they were making the film adaptation. Then when the cast list came out, my expectations about it's success were lifted with such names as Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Robert Carlyle and Rachel Weisz carrying the film. I thought if they were to bring the level of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy to the film, then they would pay fair homage to the books. However, it was nowhere near they level of epic storytelling it needed to be to make it a success. I felt the whole film was deflated and the only decent credit I could give was Saphira the dragon. I felt as if they had spent all their time and money perfecting her CG character but gave little to the rest of the entire film. John Malkovich gave a very flat and run-of-the-mill performance as King Galbatorix and the lead was equally flat. Sadly this is another example, like many before, where a film seems to rely on it's A-list cast and digital effects to make it a success.

Unfortunately, it was poorly written and poorly directed - a recipe for failure.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Beautiful and Heart Wrenching

[9/10 · 18 March 2014]

I went into this film expecting greatness and it truly delivered. Steve McQueen has created something outstanding. His pacing is brave yet poignant but totally necessary and really grips the viewer. One of the aspects that make this a remarkable bit of film making and something that really stands out is it's cinematography. Some shots are deliberate yet others more subtle but each masterfully accentuate the emotion of each scene. Lupita Nyong'o is the outstanding performance, though that doesn't diminish the others as each of them are truly fantastic and perfect in their roles.

I implore people to watch it. It is one of those films that should be compulsory to see. It deserves every one of it's accolades and more.

The Hunt (2012)

A true insight into what one little lie can cause.

[9/10 · 17 March 2014]

This is truly a masterpiece of film making and a real departure for Danish cinema. The direction and acting throughout is, I would say, flawless. Despite the film's dark and uncomfortable topic, it goes about it in a poignant and thought provoking way. We see how a divorced man desperately wanting custody of his teenage son, is unjustly faced with the baffling accusation of sexually abusing a young girl. Not only is he a teacher at a kindergarten but the young girl is the daughter of his best friend. The film presents how quickly a little lie can explode into something that can ultimately ruin a persons life. Yet what is so masterfully created by both actor and director is complete understanding for each character and the position their faced with.

I highly recommend this film, Thomas Vinterberg has outdone himself, not to mention Mads Mikkelsen gives a truly stellar performance. I feel it was robbed of Best Foreign Language Film of the Year at this years Oscars.