Beasts of No Nation

In 2015, the world was introduced to the harrowing story of Agu, a child soldier forced to fight in a brutal civil war in an unnamed African country. The film, titled "Beasts of No Nation," was directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starred Idris Elba as the menacing Commandant who leads Agu and his fellow soldiers. The movie was released on Netflix and received critical acclaim for its powerful performances and unflinching portrayal of the atrocities of war.

"Beasts of No Nation" was an important film for several reasons. Firstly, it shed light on the often-overlooked issue of child soldiers in Africa. The United Nations estimates that there are currently around 250,000 child soldiers worldwide, and the film showed the devastating impact this has on young lives. Secondly, it highlighted the role of Western countries in perpetuating conflicts in Africa, particularly through the sale of arms to rebel groups. The film never explicitly named the country where the conflict takes place, but it is clear that the Commandant and his soldiers are armed with weapons manufactured by Western countries.

But what made "Beasts of No Nation" truly memorable was its ability to humanize the soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Agu is not a faceless child soldier, but a complex character with hopes, fears, and dreams. The Commandant, too, is not simply a one-dimensional villain, but a man shaped by his own experiences of war and trauma. The film forces the viewer to confront the uncomfortable reality that in war, there are no winners, only losers.

In this blog post, we will explore the themes and messages of "Beasts of No Nation" in greater detail. We will examine the film's depiction of child soldiers and the impact of conflict on young lives. We will also delve into the issue of Western complicity in African conflicts and the role of the arms trade. Finally, we will analyze the film's characters and their motivations, and what this tells us about the nature of war itself. "Beasts of No Nation" may be a difficult film to watch, but it is an important one that deserves to be remembered and discussed long after its release.

I'm sure you will also enjoy the following films:

As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions. However, I can provide a comprehensive review of "The Revenant" movie.

Summary:

"The Revenant" is a 2015 epic survival western film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, and Will Poulter. The movie is based on the novel "The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge" by Michael Punke. It follows the story of Hugh Glass, a fur trapper who is left for dead by his companions after being attacked by a grizzly bear. Glass embarks on a journey of survival and revenge in the wilderness of the American West.

Impressions:

"The Revenant" is a visually stunning and intense film that immerses the viewer in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the American frontier. The cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki is exceptional, with breathtaking landscapes and action sequences that are both beautiful and terrifying. The film's score, composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto, is haunting and adds to the film's overall atmosphere.

Strong Points:

The performances by the cast are outstanding, particularly Leonardo DiCaprio, who delivers a powerful and emotional performance as Hugh Glass. The film's use of practical effects and minimal use of CGI is impressive and adds to the film's realism. The pacing of the film is well-done, with moments of intense action and quieter scenes that allow the viewer to reflect on the character's journey.

Weak Points:

The film's length and pacing might not be for everyone, as it is a slow-burn movie that takes its time to develop its characters and story. Some viewers might find the film's violence and brutality too much to handle, as the movie does not shy away from showing the harsh realities of survival in the wilderness.

Overall:

"The Revenant" is a must-see film that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. It is a gripping and emotional story of survival and revenge that is elevated by its stunning visuals and exceptional cinematography. If you are a fan of westerns or survival films, "The Revenant" is definitely worth watching.

Oh man, have you seen "Sicario" from 2015? If you haven't, grab some popcorn and get ready for a wild ride.

Plot Summary

The movie follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) as she is recruited by a mysterious government task force to help take down a powerful drug lord in Mexico. She quickly realizes that things are not as they seem and that the task force operates in a morally gray area. Along with her partner, played by Daniel Kaluuya, and a mysterious operative named Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro), Kate navigates through the dangerous world of drug trafficking and corruption.

Impressions

"Sicario" is a tense and gritty movie that doesn't hold back. The cinematography by Roger Deakins is absolutely stunning and captures the harshness of the desert landscapes and the violence of the drug war. The direction by Denis Villeneuve is masterful, he creates a sense of dread and unease that permeates throughout the entire movie.

Strong Points

The performances in "Sicario" are top-notch. Emily Blunt is incredible as Kate, she portrays the character's frustration and confusion with the situation she finds herself in perfectly. Benicio Del Toro gives a haunting performance as Alejandro, a character with a mysterious past and a hidden agenda. The tension in the movie is palpable, and the action scenes are intense and well choreographed.

Weak Points

The only weak point I can think of is that the movie can be quite dark and heavy at times. "Sicario" doesn't shy away from portraying the violence and corruption that exists in the drug war, and some viewers may find it difficult to watch.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I think "Sicario" is an excellent movie that is well worth watching. The cinematography, direction, and performances are all top-notch, and the story is engaging and thought-provoking. It's a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll, and it's definitely one of my favorites from recent years.

I recently watched the 2015 movie "Room" and I must say, it left a lasting impression on me. The movie was directed by Lenny Abrahamson and based on the novel by Emma Donoghue. The plot follows Joy (Brie Larson) and her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay), who have been held captive in a small room for seven years.

Plot and Acting

The movie is divided into two parts, the first half where they are in the room and the second half where they are trying to adjust to life outside of it. The plot is gripping, and the director did an excellent job of keeping the audience engaged throughout the movie. The acting was top-notch, especially from Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay. The scenes between Joy and Jack were heart-warming, and their chemistry on screen was fantastic.

Cinematography

The cinematography was also noteworthy. The camera angles, lighting, and framing were all done in a way that added to the overall atmosphere of the movie. The scenes in the room were claustrophobic, and the camera work made me feel like I was trapped in there with them. The scenes outside of the room were shot in a way that made me feel like I was experiencing everything for the first time, just like Jack.

Strong Points

One of the strong points of the movie was its ability to tackle difficult topics like trauma, abuse, and mental health. The movie did an excellent job of portraying the psychological impact of being held captive for years, and the challenges that come with trying to adjust to life outside of it. The movie also explored the bond between a mother and her child, and the lengths a parent would go to protect their child.

Weak Points

One of the weak points of the movie was the pacing. The first half of the movie felt slow, and I found myself getting bored at times. However, the second half of the movie picked up the pace and made up for the slow start.

Conclusion

Overall, "Room" is a fantastic movie that is worth watching. The plot is gripping, the acting is superb, and the cinematography is outstanding. The movie explores difficult topics and does an excellent job of portraying the psychological impact of trauma. The pacing may be slow at times, but the movie is still a must-watch.

Wow, I just watched "Spotlight" and I have to say, it's an incredible movie that is both powerful and thought-provoking. This movie is a must-watch for anyone who's interested in investigative journalism or real-life stories that have made a significant impact on our society.

Plot:

"Spotlight" is based on a true story of how the Boston Globe's investigative team, known as "Spotlight," uncovered the massive child molestation scandal within the Catholic Church. The movie starts with the new editor of the newspaper, Marty Baron, who assigns the Spotlight team to investigate the story. As they dig deeper, they realize that the scandal is much bigger than they initially thought, and the movie follows their journey as they uncover the truth and try to bring it to light.

Strong Points:

First and foremost, the movie's cast is phenomenal. The actors brought a level of authenticity that made the movie feel real and raw. Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, and Liev Schreiber all gave outstanding performances that brought the characters to life.

The cinematography in this movie is also top-notch. The director, Tom McCarthy, did an excellent job of capturing the tension and emotion in each scene. The camera work was subtle yet effective, and the lighting was perfect for each scene.

One of the strongest points of this movie is the writing. The story is well-written and does an excellent job of keeping the audience engaged. The pacing is perfect, and the tension builds up perfectly, making the climax of the movie incredibly satisfying.

Weak Points:

Honestly, I can't think of any weak points in this movie. It's a well-crafted movie that does an excellent job of telling an important story.

Personal Opinion:

As a movie enthusiast, I can confidently say that "Spotlight" is one of the best movies I've watched in recent years. The movie's topic is sensitive, and the director and cast did an excellent job of handling it with care. The movie is a powerful reminder of the importance of investigative journalism, and it's a story that needed to be told.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I highly recommend this movie to anyone who's interested in investigative journalism or real-life stories that have made a significant impact on our society. It's a well-crafted movie that deserves all the accolades it has received.

"Creed" Movie Review

As a movie enthusiast, I recently watched the 2015 movie "Creed" and I must say, it was a thrilling and captivating experience. The movie is a sports drama film directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson.

Plot Summary

The movie tells the story of Adonis Johnson, the son of the late world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. Adonis is determined to follow in his father's footsteps and become a professional boxer. However, he struggles to make a name for himself and seeks out the help of Rocky Balboa, his father's former rival and friend, to train him for a shot at the title.

Strong Points

The movie's cinematography is stunning, and the fight scenes are intense and realistic. The storyline is also well-crafted, and the character development is excellent. Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone both deliver powerful performances that really pull the audience in. Their chemistry on screen is undeniable and adds depth to the story.

Weak Points

One minor setback for me was the predictability of the plot. As a sports drama, it follows the typical underdog storyline, which can be a bit cliché. However, the excellent execution of the story still manages to keep the audience engaged.

Personal Opinion

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed "Creed." The movie's cast, direction, and cinematography were all top-notch, and it successfully pays homage to the original Rocky franchise while carving out its own unique path. As a movie lover, I appreciate the attention to detail and the effort put into bringing the story to life.

Final Thoughts

If you're a fan of sports dramas or the Rocky franchise, "Creed" is a must-watch movie. The movie does an excellent job of blending action, drama, and emotion to create an unforgettable experience. It's no surprise that the movie received critical acclaim and was a commercial success. I highly recommend it.