DesertTalkies Film Reviews!

Challengers [2024] Starring: Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O'Connor Direction: Luca Guadagnino Language: English  I admit it: it has been ages. But in a saga of Ramadan, last weeks of school and A-Level exams, I have been too busy to watch anything new: choosing instead to watch some old favorites (I love myself some 'Love in the Afternoon'). But, after I heard about Challengers, I knew that this movie was the exception. In Dubai, there is often significant censorship of any content which is even mildly 'impressionable': as such, I was surprised that this movie was even showing in theaters. Even though I saw a version that was quite clearly edited down, something is better than nothing.  Let's talk about the plot: it's been a long time since I've seen a romance plot with this much heat. I have seen relaxed rom-coms which are comforting in their own way, but this movie was intense in the best way. Maybe it was because of the nature of the plot: any movie abou...

  Dune: Part Two [2024] Starring Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler Direction by Denis Villeneuve Language: English I am still in shock after watching this movie. For context, I never saw Dune: Part One (Sci-Fi is not usually my thing), nor have a read the books. When I was watching the Oscars in 2022, I would role my eyes whenever Dune won and my favourite movies didn't. Flash forward to 2024, and I wasn't even planning to see this installment of Dune. I had seen advertisements for it online, and I was aware that some of my favourite actors had significant roles. But my (now extinct) hatred for Sci-Fi stopped me from going. It was only when my auntie came to stay when she dragged me to Dune. I rolled my eyes when I saw it was an almost three hour long movie: not even modern Indian movies (which are known for being long) topped the length of this. However, I soon came to find that three hours was simply not enough. I would have sat in that theatre for thir...

The Holdovers [2023] Starring: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da'Vine Joy Randolph Direction by Alexander Payne Language: English In the roster of Oscar nominated movies, I was a little worried about watching this one. Well, maybe not worried. But from the description, it didn't seem like my type of movie. However, my local cinema chain was showing this movie in theatres - a rare treat. I'm glad that I took the opportunity to watch it in full screen: it has become my favourite of the Oscar-nominated films (and I've watched a few - reveiws yet to come). It was the first movie which has been significantly awarded by the Academy which was fun to watch. And before you say something like 'Barbie was also lots of fun', this movie was fun to watch because it was so comforting. For the first time in a long time, I didn't have to strain to understand, whilst profound, incredibly complex themes interwoven with intricate plotlines. This movie was simple and easy to gras...

All Of Us Strangers [2023] Starring: Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy Direction by Andrew Haigh Language: English I sat down to watch this movie with a friend, and when I told her I hadn't before seen, to my recollection, a movie starring Paul Mescal or Andrew Scott she was absolutely shocked, saying I was a disgrace. As such, she literally watched me watch the movie, making sure I didn't avert my attention away from the screen for a single moment. A part of me resents her for that - the movie, whilst poignant with all the ingredients of an award winning movie, didn't really resonate with me. I don't know why - my friend again told me I was insane, but everyone has their moments where a movie someone loves is something they can't stand.  To be honest, this was a movie I didn’t really understand until halfway in, and that massively affected my viewing experience. I had no idea that the main character, played by Andrew Scott, was having hallucinations about the p...

  The Color Purple [2023] Direction by Blitz Balawule Starring: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo Language: English It was surprising to see that a movie like this was coming to commercial theatres in my area: given the very intense themes I heard it contained. When I saw an advertisement for this before seeing Argylle (not a movie worthy of review), I knew it was next on my watchlist. And I wasn't sad to see it. I have seen a lot of hate for this movie online: how it is not true to the original production, and how it deviates from the original novel. However, I do think that this was worth watching: every movie deserves a breath of fresh air after a few decades: if West Side Story is not proof of that, then what is? I had a friend message me after I had the chance to review this movie, and she said this movie unfairly played into black trauma as opposed to black liberation. However, I would have to disagree. with this. By including so much music, ...

  Maestro (2023) Starring: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer Direction by Bradley Cooper  Language: English  Tár and now Maestro? The Academy definitely has an obsession with composers. But hey, I’m not complaining - Tár was pretty good (if not at least a little difficult to understand). I’ve said it before, but one of my favourite movies to date has been West Side Story, and who else was behind the movie’s success but Leonard Bernstein? Maestro was not what I was expecting at all, and it surprised me in a very positive way.  Let’s start with Bradley Cooper. I am embarrassed to say that I don’t think I have seen a single movie where he stars. Not even Shallow! Anyways, after his performance in this movie I think his movies will be on my watchlist - wow! He was incredible. It’s difficult to explain, but he put his entire body into the character - and it came off in an incredibly poignant way. I often have a hard time trying to review acting - I feel like it’s...

 Well, Oscar nomination day has come and gone, and I have realized that I am woefully behind in watching the movies that were nominated. I am now on a quest to amend that, starting with the short films and working my way up.  Island in Between [2023] Directed by & Featuring S. Leo Chiang  Language: English and Mandarin Chinese  In my Human Geography class, we have been looking at at border disputes, and how states will often contest borders due to political, social, and economic differences. One example we have studied in particular is China and Taiwan, and how years of conflict have separated people who are ethnically and culturally similar yet different only in political ideology. And this movie explored exactly that: detailing not only the narrator's journey between finding 'home' between Taipei in Taiwan and Beijing in China, but looking at how the focal point for tension can be seen most clearly in Kinmeng, a Taiwanese island off the coast of Mainland China....

  Saltburn (2023) Starring: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike Direction by Emerald Fennell Language: English I can credit Jacob Elordi’s sultry good looks to me finding out about this movie. I saw interviews of him talking about this movie on TikTok, and it came onto my radar. Then, a few of my friends talked to me about the movie, and his, as one of my friends put it, ‘delicious face and body’. Then I started hearing odd words being put together: bath tubs, graves, and murders. And then I realized that it was high time to watch this.  Where do I start? This movie DEFINITELY challenged all my preconceptions. I figured that any Elordi movie would inevitably end up being some sort of rom-com. I was MORE than wrong.  Firstly, the movie was shot beautifully. I do wish I was able to watch this in my country’s theaters, but they don’t publicly show movies with suggestive plots. The use of angles was incredible, and as such I found the movie incredibly intimate and enga...

Wonka [2023] Starring: Timothee C halamet, Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Grant Direction by Paul King Language: Arabic I'm going to preface this by saying that there was a brief Wonka backstory that was outlined in the 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' (CATCF) movie. That went against this story. But it was fine - I am totally willing to accept this version of Wonka's story because it was just better.  The Dune trailer came on before the movie, and it hit me like an epiphany. Timothee Chalamet may be the most versatile actor of this generation: whether it was his portrayal of a nervous, quiet Elio in 'Call Me By Your Name', or the outgoing, hopeful, and eccentric character which is 'Wonka', he really is a chameleon. He embraced the role of Wonka phenomenally - a little offbeat but full of character and energy, he shined throughout the movie. You're looking at a Chalamet fan here.  I didn't watch the trailer of the movie before I came to watch it, so all...

 Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes   Starring: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis  Direction by Francis Lawrence  Language: English  I have been a 'Hunger Games' person for a while. I have read all the books, I have watched and obsessed over all the movies. However, I didn't read the book this movie was based on: how can a prequel even start to compete with a series that that I grew up to and loved? It was ultimately the fact that my cousins didn't want to see the Turkish movie 'Ataturk', nor 'Napoleon' that I was pressured into seeing this. After reading many scathing reviews (some of which went as far as to describe the very title to be 'cumbersome'), I will say that I did enjoy watching it very much.  Normally, I would trust what the big pop culture magazines have to say, but this is one of the times I would vehemently disagree. I think this movie was packed with action, dramatic sequences, and flare. It is very rarely that I y...

  Burlesque [2010] Starring: Christina Aguilera, Cher, Stanley Tucci Direction by Steve Antin Language: English If you would like to watch something trashy and fun on a Friday night, this movie is worth a watch. Anything more than that and it falls short.  I didn't really have high hopes for Christina Aguilera. We've all heard the story before, singers trying to get into acting. And I would say that 9 times out of 10, it doesn't work out. And whilst Aguilera hardly delivered an Oscar performance, she definitely did outdo Cher and my expectations of her. Listen, I like Cher just as much as the next person, but this was not her finest moment. Her character was performed in a one-dimensional way when it could have been so much more. Honestly, she should just stick to singing (which, by the way, was great, but I'll get onto that later). However, there's one thing you can always count on whenever the actors in a movie are singers. The music will be good. And the music is...

  Funny Face [1957] Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson Direction by Stanley Donen Language: English Why I watched this movie, you ask? I'm a Gilmore Girls addict. I sound super uncultured saying that, but I found out about this musical from the couple of times it was mentioned on the show. I know that as someone who loves watching film, finding out about a successful film starring Audrey Hepburn through a television show is blasphemous. But if it is any consolation, I did really enjoy this.  Firstly, how could anybody say that Audrey Hepburn has a 'funny face': calling her 'plain'. That, to me, is the real blasphemous thing. Everything about Hepburn in this is incredible. From her makeup and hairstyling, to her wardrobe (which was, by the way, astounding). From her general suitability to the role (her ability to oscillate between being humourous and jolly to being stiff and mannered), to her ability to carry out all the long, awkward dance sequence...

  The Sound of Music [1965] Starring: Julie Andrews, Cristopher Plummer, Charmain Carr Direction by Robert Wise, Screenplay by Maria Von Trapp Language: English Sometimes I dream that I am Maria: gallivanting around the hills of the Austrian countryside. Sounds peaceful, doesn't it? Everyone, even those who haven't watched this movie, have some link to it. Everyone has heard 'my favourite things' somewhere - I'm sure of that. The last time I watched this was a good thirteen years ago, when I was sick with a cold. A cold of similar severity has struck me down again, and so naturally I thought that it was time for a rewatch.  There is no musical without the music (it goes without saying), and it was glorious. Timeless classics hit the viewer left and right. I miss the simplicity of movie music: where simple and strong melodies were the norm. There's a reason that, after watching this movie, I have caught myself singing some of the big songs - several times. My fav...

  Red, White & Royal Blue [2023] Starring: Nicholas Galitzine, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Uma Therman, Sarah Shahi  Direction by Matthew Lopez, adapted from the novel of the same name by Casey McQuiston Language: English This movie was one of the thousands that have been banned in my country, and so I originally had no knowledge of the movie's existence. However, TikTok to the rescue: it came on my radar from the social media site, and when a movie garners this much attention, especially from a younger audience, I was intrigued. Using a VPN, I watched this. And I didn't regret it.  To start off with a more subjective opinion, I really enjoyed the movie's general premise. Seeing any sort of representation for atypical relationships (I'm being careful with my wording given the place I live), is very rare, and I'm glad this was made purely for the message it served.  In my mind, I compare this movie to Barbie, only because I watched the two so close together. But this mo...

Barbie [2023] Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell Direction by Greta Gerwig  Language: English I miss the days where I was able to happily watch film, without having to worry about impending A-levels, college applications & absolutely drowning in work. However, I have managed to find the time, over the past few days, to watch two movies. The first of which was Barbie. When you have a movie that is THIS hotly anticipated, you make it a priority to go and watch it. In my country, it was released late, and so I watched it then. The feminist in me LOVED the movie, but my inner film critic? Not so much.  The first half of the movie, to me, was a little boring. To illustrate my point? I was checking the time on my phone. A lot. The storyline in the first half of the movie wasn't compelling enough, at least for me, to maintain a strong interest. The outfits were great (which, by the way, stayed great throughout), and there were freq...

 Whitney Houston:  I Wanna Dance With Somebody [2022] Starring: Naomi Ackie, Nafessa Williams, Clarke Peters Dorection by Kasi Lemmons Language: English And here is the third and final installment of my airplane movie watching. This movie first came on my radar in December of 2022, but I never got the chance to watch it because I was on holiday when it was in theatres, and the country I was visiting wasn't showing the film. By the time I got back, the movie had swiftly exited the movie timetables. This flight was my chance. I have been obsessed with Whitney Houston for years, and I thought it was high time that a biopic came out celebrating her life. I don't care what the critics have said, but I loved this movie. And any true Whitney fan would love it too.  Everyone knows Whitney Houston, one of the biggest music stars in the 1980s and 1990s in the US. A figurehead for African-American representation in the music industry, Houston broke all sorts of records to ascend to ...

  Jerry Maguire [1996]  Starring: Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger , Cuba Gooding Jr.  Direction by Cameron Crowe Language: English  After I watched a few good movies from the section, Netflix's critically acclaimed section is my new best friend: expect reviews from movies there.  I had forgotten that Tom Cruise was once considered by many to be a talented actor: somebody who was a chameleon whose movies did well. This movie, despite its flaws, taught me that the people who think of Tom Cruise as a frontrunner in the industry are not completely crazy. He was very good in the movie - I tend to find it difficult to judge acting and the quality of it, especially where characters play largely comedic or optimistic roles. I feel like a member of the Academy - only capable of recognising very dramatic performances in what tend to be very dark films.  Renée Zellweger was also great; I really do need to start watching her movies.  That being said, the movie felt so...

  Midnight Express [1978] Starring Brad Davis, John Hurt, Irene Miracle Direction by Alan Parker, Adapted from Billy Hayes' novel, Midnight Express  Language: English  When you hear about a movie about an attempt to escape from prison, you would typically think of some oversensationalised drama, dramatic to the point where the story is devoid of realism. It's a very childish genre when it is fictional: a staple of 'young adult' or preteen film. There has never been a situation until know where I have seen a movie that is so raw, so real. I loved everything about this.  Firstly, it was an interesting choice to have extended scenes in untranslated Turkish; whenever there is a scene in a film where something is not spelled out for you, so are almost forced to revert to a basic, human level of emotion, to empathise with the untapped emotions of fear, of suffering, of longing, of disillusionment. To see everything from a point of view where you are the one feeling this sw...

 White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch [2022] Direction by Alison Klayman Language: English This was one of those things that gets recommended to you on Netflix that you watch to kill time. Whilst I don't anticipate this documentary winning an Academy Award or something of that nature, it looked flashy enough to the point where I thought that it would be worthwhile to watch it. I had my own little Abercrombie & Fitch phase when I was younger, and, having watched this documentary, I'm almost ashamed to say that I had one. And whilst visually the documentary was enticing, there were some problems that were quite obvious to me.  Firstly, I felt like the pacing of the documentary was not quite right. The movie focused heavily on the 1990s and early 2000s, which made sense considering that those were the times were when the brand was at its biggest. However, the documentary goes onto discuss events in the late 2000s and 2010s. It was almost as if the documen...

  Memoirs of a Geisha [2005] Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Wantanabe Direction by Rob Marshall Language: English Well, Michelle Yeoh was in this movie, and that was my entire reason for seeing it. In the past, I have heard that this movie has caused a lot of controversy from people who watched it. And when there’s controversy, there’s me.  I enjoyed the movie, but I think that there were some inherent issues with the writing of it. The movie focuses on how difficult it is to be a geisha, and how being one means living a life devoid of love, full of regret and devoid of joy. However, this movie decided to focus on the exceptional, a story where there is dramatic suffering only to end with the fulfilment of a childhood wish, which would be highly improbable considering how the plot of the story went. It was annoying that the ending was so trite: I thought that, especially in a movie that revolves around the suffering in a profession that is also so underrepre...