The year is almost over. So, I decided to do a little bit of catching up on some 2022 films before I finalized the list for my top 10 favorite movies of the year. With many movies being released at once, there were some that I missed in theaters, and because of how many I had to view, I didn’t have much time to write full reviews. So, here are some mini reviews for the films that I watched over last two weeks.
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| Park Hae-il and Tang Wei in "Decision to Leave" Photo Credit: Imdb.com |
1) Decision to Leave - Although the only two movies that I’ve seen from acclaimed writer-director Park Chan-wook are “Oldboy” and his English-language debut “Stoker,” that was enough to get me excited for his latest accomplishment. This mystery-drama tells the story of an insomniac detective (Park Hae-il) who becomes involved, and soon obsessed, with a woman (Tang Wei), a suspect in his latest case. The two leads give passionate and enigmatic performances as two lovers who can’t seem to separate. Their scenes together carry so much mystery that we can’t quite see where it’s all heading, but they keep you hooked into their relationship as it becomes more and more poisonous. The screenplay by Park and Jeong Seo-kyeong provides plenty of layers that always keep us wondering what each new clue means and how much personal destruction is in store for the two main characters. Given the film’s two-hour-plus runtime, there are layers upon layers of this dark romantic puzzle as it goes in many directions that you wouldn’t expect. As any twisty narrative in Park’s filmography deserves, his directorial stylings are once again perfect for his film. Whether it’s a stunning interrogation sequence that plays with foreground and background in a unique way, or a thrilling rooftop chase, Park knows how to invest you in both the character moments and the thriller aspects. Being equal parts thriller, detective story, and romance, Park delivers on all three fronts, and also injects some humor that works surprisingly well and doesn’t detract from the serious aspects. When it comes to “Decision to Leave,” don’t leave this movie unwatched.
Grade: A
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| Jayln Hall and Danielle Deadwyler in "Till" Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com |
2) Till - After writer-director Chinonye Chukwu’s heartrending drama, “Clemency,” became one of my top 10 favorites of 2019, I was looking forward to seeing what she would bring us next. Her third feature is a movie that’s just as hard-hitting, which tells the true story of Mamie Till-Bradley (Danielle Deadwyler), who sets out for justice after the 1955 murder of her 14-year-old son, Emmett (Jalyn Hall). Deadwyler gives a galvanizing performance as a mother who will do whatever she can to show a nation what happened to her son. Through her initial motherly worry of Emmett visiting the south, to her distraught of losing him, to her bravery to defend his honor, to her painfully impactful courtroom testimony in the movie’s finale, Deadwyler delivers one of the best performances of the year. Meanwhile, the screenplay by Chukwu, Keith Beauchamp (who’s done extensive research over the years of Emmett Till), and Michael Reilly, we’re given an in-depth view into this event, as well as a loving view of the mother-son bond between Mamie and Emmett at the start of the film. With effective long-takes that focus on Deadwyler’s biggest moments in the film, we feel the power behind what we’re watching as her character contribute to the Civil Rights Movement. Through it all, Chukwu delivers the raw emotional intensity that such a story needs, showing you a mother who’s life was changed forever and set out to make a difference. This film can be difficult to watch at times, but you’ll be grateful that you did.
Grade: A
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| Felix Kammerer in "All Quiet on the Western Front" Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com |
3) All Quiet on the Western Front - Despite there being countless movies about World Wars I and II, never underestimate the power that the more recent examples can present, which is what director Edward Berger does with this latest adaptation of the 1929 novel of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque. The movie follows a young man (Felix Kammerer) who enlists in the German army during the final stretch of WWI, only to experience the horrors of war and realize that the prospect of wartime glory isn’t what it seems. Kammerer’s performance is a gut-punch portrayal of the impact that fighting a war has on a person, particularly in a heart-shattering sequence between his character and a French soldier. The screenplay by Berger, Ian Stokell, and Lesley Paterson explores the futility of war and the monumental costs that are present. The extended battle sequences are spaced pretty far apart, but that’s not a bad thing. Instead, this allows us to get to know the different groups of characters in the scenes in between as we view the war from a couple of angles and feel the scope of everything that’s taking place both on and off of the battlefield. The cinematography utilizes long takes as we go through the gruesome no-man’s-land territories and the trenches as the soldiers fight their way to stay alive. As a director, Berger makes full use of the film’s scale to capture the devastation that came out of this war, exhibiting the brutal combat and tragic losses. With his work, he shows the viewer that, just like with the lessons we learn from history, this is a movie whose message will always resonate.
Grade: A
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| Gabriel LaBelle in "The Fabelmans" Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com |
4) The Fabelmans - Steven Spielberg is one of the most prolific filmmakers of all time, pretty much inventing the blockbuster early in his career, and then reaching newer and newer heights as the years progressed. He now takes us back to where it all began with his semi-autobiographical drama, which tells the story of Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle) as he grows up in post-WWII Arizona and develops aspirations of becoming a filmmaker. LaBelle gives an impassioned breakout performance of a young man who realizes what he’s meant to do with his life and goes for it. Meanwhile, Paul Dano and Michelle Williams are terrific as Sam’s parents who try to get through their rough patches while working to keep the family together. The screenplay by Spielberg and long-time collaborator Tony Kushner gives us a poignant view into Sammy’s life as he tries to make his dreams come true and have his family understand how much film means to him. To see a celebrated director such as Spielberg bring his life to a movie is one of the best experiences to be had with any film this year. Although you could also watch HBO’s 2017 documentary “Spielberg” (I highly recommend it), it’s just as invigorating to see Spielberg’s life through the lens of a narrative feature. Spielberg has given us movies for over 50 years of his life, with "The Fabelmans" being a powerful film that shows the beginning of his life's work.
Grade: A
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