Movie Review - BIRDS OF PREY

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BIRDS OF PREY

Year of Release: 2020

JR's Rating: 9 /10, Impressive

"PhD In Being A Badass Bitch"

Never underestimate the power of this PhD in Psychiatry, Harley Quinn is a badass ready to hurt, kick butt and smash brains. Violence is her virtue after all.

After an emotional breakup with Joker, Harley Quinn is left with nobody but herself. Her immunity is no more when various individuals take revenge on their grievances against her. Her greatest adversary would be Roman Sionis (aka The Black Mask) who is set to put her life into danger unless she gives her a diamond ingested by a street snatcher. With the help of the Birds of Prey - Black Canary, The Huntress and Renee Montoya, Harley Quinn is off to the greatest villainery of her life.

As much as the movie's name is Birds of Prey, make no mistake that it mostly revolves around the mischiefs of her highness, Harley Quinn which is, by the way, magnificently portrayed by Margot Robbie. Every one-liner punches and action sequences, those from the police station break-in using her firework / grenade launcher to the amusement park battle against the men of Roman Sionis, are to anticipate. The color in this movie is aesthetically pleasing which are coupled with some great music selections. While the movie was definitely amazing, the Birds of Prey trio seemed left out when they should have been the focus. Don't get me wrong though, this movie serves as a worthy introduction to the girl team for any potential sequels or stories.

Here are some details you ought not to miss:
1. Margot Robbie
2. Action Choreography
3. The "Grenade" Launcher
4. Abandoned Amusement Park
5. Harley Quinn Intro
6. The Birds of Prey Trio
7. Music Selection
8. Hyena Named After Bruce Wayne

#BirdsOfPrey #HarleyQuinn #DC #DCEU #DCFilms
#2020Movies #MovieReviews #JRMovieReviews

Watched on 25 February 2020 at SM Baguio

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^JR Late Night Posts - JR Late Night Reviews: Movies

Time Published: 26 February 2020 (08:00 PM)

Movie Review - JOKER

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JOKER

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (10 out of 10, Outstanding)
⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ⭐️

"Empathy for the Famed Comic Book Villain"

Welcome to the city of Gotham where corruption exists among men! Arthur Fleck is no ordinary clown struggling mentally and financially, a victim of horrific violence and commercial greed. He is set to become the famed villain of the city to take revenge for his experiences and influence everyone to resist. We see how the clown prince transform to be the archnemesis of our bat crusader.

While in the past everyone seems to hate the Joker, it's only now people get to see everything at his perspective. He too was a victim of bullying and oppression. These are what led him to be the vengeful and vicious villain we came to know. Yes, he killed people and yes, he retaliated with violence but with how his life was portrayed in this film, I can't help but feel empathy and eventually root for his cause. What people should understand is how one's actions can lead to one's hatred and madness in the future. Que sera sera, if I may. Arthur Fleck is a symbol of resistance - resistance against the evil that has degraded and took advantage of the lowest of society. His methods we may not approve but you'll feel compassion with everything he has been through.

I couldn't imagine anyone playing Joker as amazing and demented as Heath Ledger; but Joaquin Phoenix proved otherwise in what has been one of the best acting performances in recent memory. How the Joker laughs, thinks and acts may take days and months of method but Joaquin aced the experience of being Joker to its maximum. One other thing I liked the most about this movie, the artistic cinematography that highlights every scene as more than just a story but art. The movie astounds in so many ways that makes a potential boom of villain origins that would provide empathy over their superhero counterparts. I guess Warner Brothers / DC have found a way to counter Marvel's movie dominance with this. Joker maintains to be a highly recommended comic book outing well deserving of its numerous accolades at the moment.

Hail to The Clown Prince of Crime!

Here are some details you ought not to miss:
1. Joaquin Phoenix as Joker
2. Arthur Fleck's Laugh
3. Dancing in the Restroom
4. Murder of Murray Franklin
5. Riots at Gotham
6. The Cinematography
7. Question of Joker's Sanity
8. Short Show of Batman's Origins

#Joker #2019Movies
#MovieReviews #JRMovieReviews #AcademyAwards2020 #Oscars2020

Watched on 04 October 2019 at SM Calamba

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^JR Late Night Posts - JR Late Night Reviews: Movies

Time Published: 09 February 2020 (08:00 PM)

Movie Review - PARASITE

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PARASITE

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (10 out of 10, Outstanding)
⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ⭐️

"Korean Satirical Masterpiece on Social Classes"

When the impoverished "parasites" its way towards the privileged, a comedy of avoid getting caught is off to set everyone for a thrillride. The Kim family takes shot at a gullible Park matriarch to slowly infiltrate their household taking advantage of their wealth to complement their living. Everyone, however, would be shocked when the mystery of the house is revealed.

The rain is viewed as a blessing by the rich but an inconvenience to the poor. We live where wealth of the rich is off to be spent for luxury while the poor is set to spend their money for necessities. We see how the rich stays at the top disgusted at the appearance (smell) of the poor. On the other hand, we see the poor reliant on those people above them despite all the hardships and discrimination thrown at them. "Parasite" explores such stratification of our society in great detail, opening the eyes of each one to the reality existent that is in dire need of attention and resolution to implore the equality or equity that everyone has been fighting for so long.

Everything about "Parasite" highlights how equally good Asian movies are with those from the West. It doesn't need English to make the audience comprehend what the film is ought to share. Bong Joon Ho's direction is masterful and deserving of emulation by aspiring filmmakers. The ensemble of actors are equally amazing, each I fell in love for how distinct and relatable their personalities are. The ambitious production design and its accompanying orchestral score acts as a unique character of their own in this movie. Each scene transcends an experience as if you are awed by paintings and sculptures at the gallery at the same time electrified by a roller coaster of rides at an amusement park. In fact, the scene involving the Kim family hiding and escaping the Park family amazed and thrilled me in a way unlike no other.

"Parasite" is one of the best films in modern cinema. It doesn't demand a Hollywood / English remake because it already is perfect just the way it is. Like Bong said, once we overcome the barrier of subtitles, we will be introduced to so many more amazing films. "Parasite" is truly the highlight and pinnacle of Asian filmmaking.

Here are some details you ought not to miss:
1. The Jessica Jingle
2. Kim Family Watching The Rain
3. Dark Comedic Lines
4. The "Namgoong" House
5. Musical Score
6. Hiding Like Cockroaches
7. Da-Song's Birthday Party
8. Ambitious Yet Hopeful Ending

#Parasite #2019Movies
#MovieReviews #JRMovieReviews #AcademyAwards2020 #Oscars2020

Watched on 29 January 2020 at SM Mall of Asia Director's Club,
05 January 2020 with Liza Alma Rimando,
and 23 December 2019 with Lord Kenreich Rosuman

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^JR Late Night Posts - JR Late Night Reviews: Movies

Time Published: 08 February 2020 (08:00 PM)