Movie Reviews in 100 Words

Emilia Perez (2024) Director: Jaques Audiard

I watched Emilia Perez in January and held off from reviewing it due to controversy. The Hollywood drama aside, Emilia Perez is a unique film. Most viewers have had mixed reviews on the musical aspect, but I liked the inclusion, making the film something different. The film stars a strong female trio, led by a fierce Zoe Saldana (Rita). Jaques Audiard was inspired to do the musical idea from a chapter in a novel about a drug trafficker seeking an identity change. The problem is that we didn’t need all the musical numbers, and the storylines could have been stronger.

Red One (2024) Director: Jake Kasdan

Get your reindeer in gear - Red One is a holiday, action-packed comedy. These are the films we could use more of during the holiday season. Red One is a thrilling comedy, but jam-packed with repetitive jokes and unnecessary storylines. Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans made an excellent comedic duo, but similar to the duo in Spirited, they’re given too much improv freedom. On a positive note, casting J.K. Simmons as Santa was the best decision ever! Red One gets too carried away with the troll storyline. Think about the adventures that would have transpired with the duo rescuing Santa.

Omni Loop (2024) Director: Bernardo Britto

Movies like Omni Loop show that you can do anything with a time-travel storyline. Omni Loop does something different. Mary-Louise Parker and The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri star in the film. A woman is trapped in a constant loop and seeks help from a college student. I was taken by the film’s message. Never take life, specifically the smaller moments, for granted. Bernado Britto left out potential in different loops, making it overly long. The film deserved a faster speed to make the point. Still, give it a chance. Sci-fi and time travel fans should put this film on their list.

Nightbitch (2024) Director: Marielle Heller

I mainly watched this movie because Amy Adams was nominated for a Golden Globe award. While Adams is splendid, I wasn’t sure about the rest of the film when I first watched it. Nightbitch has rubbed viewers the wrong way, but mostly mom audiences. The whole vibe of this film has a negative outlook on motherhood. I adored the scenes between the mom and her son. The toddler actors are talented. And then it has this subplot where Adams is supposedly turning into a dog. Marielle Heller had a unique eye for the film, but what is the main theme?

The Social Network (2010) Director: David Fincher

Someone recommended The Social Network to me. The Social Network is about Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg. Based on the synopses, I knew I was going into a movie with technology-based talk (not my cup of tea). It’s all boring talk about computers, politics, and Internet security with dating drama tossed in. Jessie Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield star in the film. Eisenberg cited how difficult the role of Zuckerberg was because it was so different from his personality. Ironically, Eisenberg doesn’t have a Facebook. However, with David Fincher’s clever techniques, the film is directed, acted, and edited well. He reads between the lines.

Fargo (1996) Director: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen

Somehow, I haven’t seen Fargo until this year. It’s a gripping crime movie. While I like movies that have an assortment of storylines, the film didn’t have a resolution. The acting is great, notably from the talented Frances McDormand as the pregnant police chief, Marge Gunderson. William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi had great performances. I was expecting Fargo to be a comedy, but I was surprised at how bleak the film is. It was a lot darker than I anticipated. The Coen brothers masterfully blended deadpan humor with chilling violence. It’s worth checking out if you haven’t seen Fargo.

Nola (2003) Director: Alan Hruska

Nola tricked me. Based on one minute of the trailer, Nola is a film about a young woman who is finding her way. Emmy Rossum (Nola) is an underrated actress who has more talent than what media merits her. Nola is a driven young woman who fights for what she wants. This movie should have gone in a completely different direction. Alan Hruska’s direction is scattered, focusing on secondary characters who aren’t as interesting as Nola. In the end, Nola makes a decision that is totally against her character. My eyes wanted to barf at the outcome of said scene.