I was originally going to make a TV Show review of the first episode of Amazon Primes new "Hot Stuff" Spy Show Citadel. I then thought that doing a whole review on the entire Show would be better (Definitely not trying to rationalize watching it over and over again) as a pose to one for the first episode and then probably a second one once all of the 6 (That's right, SIX) episodes were out.
With that being said, I shall go against what I have just said and make two reviews for Citadel, one without spoilers other than mentions of shots from the various trailers and one WITH spoilers (That I will NOT be posting for some time so people can actually watch the Show hopefully spoiler free) for those who wish to hear of my own take on such things as, the lore within and how the Citadel Universe is coming about. In other words, the first review shall be about the shots, cinematography and the all round looks of the show. The second review shall be more Story line based.
I have always loved learning about the creation of media and I seem to have a way of finding out and knowing lots about the workings of the settings (Universes) that the things I was are based in (I am aware that it sounds sketchy; I promise you it isn't). This would include things like why such characters chose to do whatever the action they did was and how such events took place and how such reactions were caused. It's a bit hard/confusing to put into typed words but I hope that you guys get my reasoning. With that being said, I do NOT dare to spoiler Citadel for anyone but at the same time, there is SO much to unpack that I am just itching to talk about it.
With all that being said I am yet unable to give a date as to when I shall be posting said reviews but I shall try my best to not keep you all waiting for a super ling time.
I got to see FALL 2022 and here is my review of said film.
The level cinematic delight that come from FALL 2022 is wonderful. The shots that we are given, as though they may be expected with the premise of the film surrounding height and vast scenery, give the viewers a sense of comfort by its beauty at the same time as portraying the constant danger that surround the protagonists Becky (Played by Grace Fulton) and Hunter (Played by Virginia Gardner).
Having the premises of the film be about overcoming ones fear, the fear that the film is centring its storyline around being overcoming ones fear of heights and overcoming ones fear that comes from witnessing what could be considered a violent death of a loved one. Having the death of Becky’s Husband, Dan (Played by Mason Gooding) be a constant knife that would find itself in between both Becky and Hunter’s relationship even when they are fighting for their lives.
Having Dan refer to Hunter as “Ethan Hunt” during the beginning, already gives the viewers an insight into the attitude that Hunter has towards making the most of the time that is given. The death of Dan that follows shortly after acts as the opening to a curtain of what is to come. Even the off handed comment that Dan gives in relation as to how Hunter climbs, shows the viewers just how free yet caged Hunter truly is.
The dynamic that is shown between both Becky and Hunter shows that even though the thick and thin, whether it be personal barriers or environmental barriers, that by working together and using each others resources that the goal is indeed in reach. Even if the path to get there is unconventional. Facing the elements; surviving with minimal resources, forces the pair to partake in acts of which one would only rely on when all else had either failed or be unobtainable. Methods of which, I shall not spoil. The connection that Becky and Hunter share, even when truths are revealed and limits are tested, shows what truly matters.
During the height of trouble the mood tries to be lightened by a new mention of names in the referral of the acts taking place. The name in question being “MacGyver”. Like “Ethan hunt”, “MacGyver” also gives an insight as to the circumstances that are presented and how they are handled. With the use of the minimal resources and the knowhow that might otherwise not be thought of, calls for the partake of dangerous situations all in the efforts to try and get saved.
Another aspect of FALL 2022 that viewers may find enjoyable I would say to be the twists and turns that take place through out the run time. The biggest and most shocking reveal that takes place; being the most useful reattempt of using resources in the strive to hopeful success. Even then, the dangers do not dissipate. With the stakes as high as ever, the final stretch having acting like a bungee tied to rescue bobbing in and out of retch, audiences' may be finding themselves sitting on the edge of their seats and/or gripping at the arm rests watching as the last leap of faith takes place. Though you shall have to watch to find out the outcome.
A negative that I took away from the screening was how during different shots, you could visibly see objects that were taken out in relation to the plot. For example, the rungs of the ladder that the protagonists are climbing will be missing in one shot to create tension, but in the next shot the same rungs that were missing shall be in there rightful place on the ladder making the climb appear to be seamless. Unfortunately, this happens more than once. Then again, it is kind of yet also not very visible to the viewer.
Before this film review comes to an end, I would like to add something that is a massive spoiler to the film but I personally liked quite a bit so feel free to stop reading if you have made it this far as to not have the near ending spoilt and the spence vanish.
As a Marvel Fan and as a Fan of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, I could not help but be reminded of Leopold Fitz and Jemma Simmons during Season 2 of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD. I shall leave this small add on at that in the hopes that it draws more people into watching FALL 2022 from another Fandom.
Now this may seem like another massive spoiler so feel free to stop reading, yet, this is another attempt in trying to draw in another Fandom into watching FALL 2022.
Even with his short screen time, Jeffery Dean Morgan (playing Becky’s Father) from what I could tell was trying to actually be a good father and was trying to be present in his Daughters life after what she went through especially. Which the Supernatual Fandom may find to be a shock, knowing JDM to be universally labelled as terrible father.
Just gotten around to watching The Batman. Amazing movie, though heads up if you're Autistic, Photosensitive Epileptic, ext. Or just sensitive to loud noises amd/or flashing images. A way around that was helpful deletes to knowing when something loud/bright was going to happen was the timings throughout the movie.
How does this lie into the upcoming Film Review?
Where the movie was really good, it also had its cliche moments. By this I mean you were able to predict when something was going to happen and sometimes you could even predict what it was that was going to happen. A good example of this would be, towards the end of the movie where Batman was hanging on by an arm over an edge where the Riddler's followers where hiding. One of the Riddler's followers approached Batman and took advantage of thinking that they had Batman to themselves, proceeding to take their time in reloading their weapon. This had the same level of energy as a villain or enemy doing a final monologue. It was because of that, that I knew that Batman was not in trouble and the Riddler follower was.
A point within the movie that I did enjoy was the Base-Jumping sequence while being chased by the police. I like this not only because it was Base-Jumping but also because even though it worked, it didn't end the way it was suppose to.
Another point from the movie that differed from some of the more recent Hero/Comic book Movies would have been that Batman never gave away his identity. Those who knew that he was Bruce Wayne was those who knew Bruce Wayne personally, like Alfred, or those who figured it out, like The Riddler.
Just rewatched The 355, and I have got to say that it was just as amazing as the first time. You have got to love the girl power that radiates from the movie.
The overall relationship between Mace (Jessica Chastain) and Nick Fowler (Sebastian Stan) was a beautiful portrayal of how love blinds. The workaholic Mace "falling" for Nick Fowler who had already "fallen" for Mace. Then falling apart because of the events which occurred within the job at hand while still managing to be civil with each other. This leading to the downfall of the plan put in place to succeed the mission. Their relationship to ultimately have the tables turned and having Nick Fowler (Sebastian Stan) becoming the "workaholic" and Mace (Jessica Chastain) becoming the one who blinded by love. As is said by Marie Schmidt (Diane Kruger) (roughly) "Living in a life of lies makes it hard to see the truth from the lies." (not accurate I know).
As a whole, it does not follow all of the cliches of a spy movie and because of it being a female lead spy movie, many of the "cliche moments" such as, the female roles are fillers for simpler roles within the organizations used or being love interests for the male lead. The 355 pulls a full 180° on this. Having the males characters being the "lesser skilled" compared to the female characters. An overall gendered role reversal taking place shows just how much a female can know compared to a male, proving that they are no lesser of a spy just because they are a female.
I realize that this turned into some form of a movie review but it was just a good movie I just wanted to speak my thoughts.
I watched The 355 on the 7th and was semi regretting it because it's new and thought that the Screening would have quite a few people in it. No. There were more people in Spiderman: No Way Home and The King's Man than in The 355. Reminds me of Sebastian Stans "Dislike" towards Tom Holland.
On that topic, I don't know why I've not seen people talk about The King's Man, or atleast Daniel Brühl and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (because that's the side of social media I am on).
