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thrillerlover47
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Avatar (2009)
Colonialism dressed up as sci-fi
This movie could be good, but after watching just 30 minutes, I couldn't help but think that this would be another wish-fulfillment story where indigenous peoples stand up to colonial rule. And that's exactly what it is. Unfortunately history doesn't ever bear this out, and so seeing the blue people of this planet succeed (with the help of the "good" colonials, of course) against militia etc., it was like watching a bad metaphor and left a sour taste in my mouth.
The Revenant (2015)
Downhill after the first twenty minutes
This movie fails a basic test for me: is the ending better, or at least as good, as the beginning. The answer is a firm no. The first twenty minutes are really good, and the bear scene is painstaking and amazing. But after that it all muddles through. It's beautiful, yes, and I can see the filmmaker and scriptwriter trying to bring in action when it lulls. But the side plots (an abducted indigenous woman, the moral questions of side characters) are beside the point and never go anywhere.
And like many films, the middle is about 45 minutes too long. When filmmakers and stars get enough power, they seem to reach a point where few people are willing to tell them to trim. The Revenant is case in point.
Stillwater (2018)
An original twist on a common story
I went into this thinking I was going to get the usual "whodunnit" film but set in the woods. I will say that, coming out, it was a lot more than I expected.
Pros: The ending takes it. I can usually call these types but I couldn't in this one. The cast does a great job overall. The lead actor nails it, and overall everyone was believable. The setting of northwoods Minnesota in the fall is beautiful, and that contrasts the downward spiral that the characters take. And for a thriller, the movie touches on some heavy issues with some of it's dialogue.
Cons: Some of the dialogue felt stiff, especially in the opening. There were slow moments, again mostly in the beginning. The one scene with the dummy doesn't really add anything, and could have been left out.
Overall: I despise unoriginality--the constant churn of Hollywood sequel after sequel--and I thought this was an interesting and original concept on a familiar tale. For that reason I gave it a 9.