I’ve been seeing lots of films in the cinema recently, and some I’ve disliked and regretted – however some I have absolutely loved and have ranted about to anyone who will listen. mother! and Blade Runner 2049 are two films I loved seeing in the cinema recently, but for quite different reasons. Whilst mother! was a treat for the brain and a complete assault on the senses, Blade Runner 2049 was a nostalgic and action-packed trip from the past into the future. Here are two quick reviews below.
mother! (2017)
A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.
I honestly think mother! was one of the most intense and amazing cinema experiences I’ve ever had. It was me and two friends in an empty cinema at 9:30 in the morning on a Saturday and I was a tired mess. What I experienced in terms of a response to the film’s content was so potent, such a concentrated feeling of tension and anxiety that I couldn’t help but exclaim out loud somewhere towards the end (given that there was no one else in the cinema) – “Holy fuck, I LOVE this film!”. I’m not going to spoil the plot, even though I’m sure you have some idea of what happens, given the rigmarole around its release. Director Darren Aronofsky went around telling people how they should interpret the story (not a fan of that), however, I feel that this is one of those films where the plot is so obtuse and symbolic that you can make anything you want out of it. Jennifer Lawrence’s performance is sublime, Javier Bardem is running around Javier Bardem-ing all over the place, Michelle Pfeiffer is overall a surprise highlight – the performances are great. The film is so artfully made, with a minimalistic score and masterful and meaningful direction by Aronofsky, despite his wishing to over-explain everything post-release. The cinematography by Matthew Libatique is also excellent. mother! is one of those films that I’ll tell everyone I loved, but I wouldn’t recommend it to film viewers who are sensitive to tension and anxiety. The strength of this film lies in how it makes you feel. It’s an intense experience, one that you won’t get over quickly.
Is it worth paying for a ticket?: Yes, absolutely.
Watch the trailer here.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
A young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years.
I have to admit that I haven’t seen Blade Runner (1982) for ages, but I do have fond memories of enjoying it. This new Blade Runner 2049 was an interesting cinema-going experience – I went into it not having any idea that it was close to three hours long. Which leads me to my first point: this film needed a good edit. The first half was utterly slow and self-indulgent, and it surprised me, since editor Joe Walker also edited superb films such as Shame (2011) and Arrival (2016), both of which didn’t waste any time at all. However, the second half of this film is by far its best, with some excellent action and interesting plot developments. Direction by Denis Villeneuve and cinematography by Roger Deakins were both amazing – these two together are my ultimate film-making combination, both having a keen eye for visuals. As a result, Blade Runner 2049 was absolutely gorgeous and a treat for the eyes. I most enjoyed Ryan Gosling’s performance as replicant K. We know Gosling can play a solemn, quiet, and dangerous killing machine (we’ve all seen Drive and Only God Forgives), but he lends something special to this role in particular. Watching Harrison Ford reprise his role as Deckard was a whole lot of fun and surprisingly emotional to watch. There were quite a number of plot-points which seemed packed in at the last minute to this one, which makes me think we’ll be seeing at least one more film in the Blade Runner universe. Which I wouldn’t mind. The universe itself is so intriguing, and I really enjoyed this film.
Is it worth paying for a ticket?: Yes – but it’s three hours long, so bring some snacks.
Watch the trailer here.
FILM GRIMOIRE 
You a popcron or pic n mix kind of girl>? Not seen mother but Blade Runner was just exquisitely shot.
Definitely popcorn! 😀 Yeah, you can’t go past Roger Deakins for some purely beautiful shots.
What a epic film! Ridley Scott did a excelent job at filming this movie! I really relished every minute of it.
It certainly was a very visually beautiful film.
[…] review of mother! (2017) – spoiler alert, I loved […]
I think this is the first positive review I have read for Mother.
Haha! Really? I bloody loved it, it was insane. I can see how it wouldn’t be widely enjoyed though.
Hello there, interesting reviews for both films. I was really interested in seeing mother! however, the scathing critic response kept me away as most said it people said it wasn’t worth watching so I gave it a miss. Though I’m curious if the experience is different based on the person, if so I may see what it myself. As for Blade Runner 2049, I really liked the film a lot, far more than I expected. I thought the original Blade Runner was interesting, but not this incredible film that everyone goes on about, I think if I had seen it around the time it was released I’d have a better appreciation for it. 2049 had the core elements of the original but expanded upon those themes and story elements with some intriguing plot and character stuff that resonated with me far more than the original. The visuals were great, I loved the cast especially newcomers Sylvia Hoeks and Ana de Armas, and the runtime didn’t bother me at all, I thought I’d feel a lot more and it was barely noticeable.
Thanks heaps Curtis! I’m super late in replying to you but I always love your insightful comments. Have you seen mother! yet, or did the critics definitively freak you out? I’m still thinking about a rewatch of Blade Runner 2049.
The fact that you replied is great and no problem I drop by to comment when I can. 🙂 And no in the end time was against me so I missed it but I still want to give it a watch and see what side of the fence I fall on.
[…] mother! (2017) […]
Glad you enjoyed these! I enjoyed both, but certainly liked Blade Runner far more. Beautiful film. 🙂
Upon reflection, I think I probably enjoyed mother! more, but mostly because I was in a state of awe at its craziness the whole time!
so far Motjher! sits at number one on my list as the best of 2017
For me, it’s a difficult decision between mother! and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. It’s been a good year for good films!
[…] review posts about films I’ve seen at the cinema; films I’ve grouped together as being super fantastic or super disappointing. This time around, I thought I’d post about a bit of a mixed bag […]
I saw Mother in Theaters and I fully loved every second it was on screen. I love how it can be interpreted in many ways. I also love how it can just unfold as a wild one of a kind story as well. Like an twisted version of Dr. Suess The Cat in the Hat. Blade Runner 2049 is up there with Godfather Part II, and Before Sunset as being a perfect sequel to a classic movie. I will be rewatching this in theaters again soon.
Me too – seeing mother! in cinema was such a visceral experience, I loved it so much. I agree, there’s so much meaning to be found in it, but I can also see how some may have been frustrated by it given how symbolic and intense it was. But that kind of cinema is right up my alley!
[…] film released in 2017: mother! The sheer amount of visceral tension and joy that I felt whilst watching this film at the cinema […]
cost of viagra
viagra fast shipping usa