manon reviews

just your typical girl reviewing movies and stuff

[manonreviews]

barbie (2023)

"We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they have come."

Barbie is not just a movie about the famous dolls. On a random fabulous day in Barbieland, Barbie (Margot Robbie) starts having dark thoughts, gets cellulite and can't tiptoe anymore. On the advice of Weird Barbie, she embarks on a journey to the Real World, with Ken (Ryan Gosling) alongside her. But as soon as they arrive in Los Angeles on their roller blades, they are shocked to see that life isn't as sweet as they thought... Both of them try to find new versions of themselves, for better or worst...

I have been waiting for this movie ever since the first pic of Barbie and Ken rollerblading got out. Though I have never been a fan of the original dolls, this movie felt like a must see to me.

And oh was I right. It was everything I expected and more. What starts as a beautifully decorated movie, with pretty clothes and pretty people, ends with such a heart wrenching finale. I never thought that going in the theater dressed in pink and happy to finally see this movie would leave me going home feeling so proud of being a woman and a human. The whole stance on feminism and womanhood was so well brought-on, in a way that made me feel like us women were finally seen and appreciated. America Ferrera's speech about what it is like to be a woman was amazing and so well delivered. What touched me the most was the way Barbie, who's the "representation" of what a woman "should" look like, felt so useless and not enough. But at the same time, Barbie is inspiring to little girls : you can be anything you want ! I loved that.

Without spoiling, Ken's storyline made me laugh way more than I expected. Ryan Gosling was outstanding and gave out a fabulous interpretation. Margot Robbie was also excellent in her role, and I liked America Ferrera very much.

The whole set, coupled with an amazing soundtrack, made the movie feel eerie. I know I will watch it whenever I feel a little down, cause it felt that good. And it made me feel proud to be a woman. Thank you Greta Gerwig!

directed by : Greta Gerwig release year : 2023 my rating :  ★★★★★ ♥

[manonreviews]

currently watching victoria season 1 and i love it

[manonreviews]

stranger things (2019)

I started Stranger Things when it came out in 2016. But as an idiot, I thought it was great, but I also thought that it was hyped too much. I never continued it, and do I now regret it? Yes. But don't worry, I've caught up on the hype and am now on board waiting for season 4.

Stranger Things is the sci-fi tale of a group of teens and their families living in the 80s, and of a monster coming from an another dimension, bringing with him a mysterious girl... As the seasons go on, the monsters are not under your bed no more, but they are well around and chasing you.

I adore this show. I have no idea why I never continued it, and I'm glad I binged the three seasons in no time. What I love the most is the atmosphere: between the 80s energy and a thrilling situation. Everything is so well balanced, especially in season 3. I could be laughing for a solid ten minutes then bawling my eyes out the next one. The scenario is amazing, everything always makes sense in the end and the unfolding of the story is simply delicious. I especially like how every character ends up together in the final episodes of each season.

Talking about the characters, I love how well they were developped over the course of the show, especially Max, Eleven, Steve, Nancy and Billy. One thing I'm kind of meh about is the boy's group: I like them, but then not that much. They are sometimes kind of boring? And their evolution is not a flagrant as the other characters. I'm kind of sad that Will's character doesn't have much going on in season 3 compared to the other two. I grew so attached to each personality, that it makes me like the show even more.

And special mention to the cinematography, which is gorgeous, and the soundtrack, that is simply amazing.

I cannot wait to see where this show takes us and what season 4 has in store for us. It looks so promising, and I'm eager to be in the Stranger Things' universe once again.

created by : the duffer brothers release year : 2016 - (netflix) my rating :  ★★★★★ ♥

[manonreviews]

malcom & marie (2021)

"I feel like once you know someone is there for you and once you know they love you, you never actually think of them again."

Malcom & Marie is the latest movie from Sam Levinson, also known for Euphoria, the HBO TV show. In this black and white film, Malcom, a director, and his girlfirend Marie, come back from the premiere of Malcom’s movie that did extremely well. But the joy of the night quickly turns into a heated argument when Marie feels left behind because of Malcom no thanking her, despite her being one of his inspiration for this movie. Hurtful words are thrown in the air, but how will the couple resolve this argument that comes from their guts?

I liked this movie, but mostly because of Zendaya’s performance. She was mind blowing, give her an Oscar already! She carried the whole movie on her back and did it so well. I also like Washington’s performance, but just less than his female co-star. She put so much life into her character, and it all cumulated until the “where are the pills” scene that was extraordinary. Zendaya is what made the movie great. 

While the acting game was amazing, the movie in itself was okay. It was a bit long, and seeing them arguing over and over was kind of getting boring and dragging it on. The cinematography was on point, and I really liked the whole grainy atmosphere coupled with the black and white. The soundtrack is great as well. 

Thank you Zendaya for blessing the screen.

directed by : Sam Levinson

release year : 2021

my rating :  ★★★★☆

[manonreviews]

Zodiac (2007)

“Mr. Graysmith, I do the posters myself”

The Zodiac is a serial killer that murdered mostly couples during the late 60s and the early 70s. He sends letters to the press to get the recognition he wants, and attracts the attention of Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist at The San Francisco Chronicle. Over a few decades, he will try to discover who this mysterious killer is, while police force are stuck and think about moving on...

Wow. This movie is brilliant. David Fincher made a masterpiece with the story of the Zodiac and the reporters and policemen involved in resolving the mystery of who was behind all those murders and letters. 

I loved it, but I do have to say that the beginning was a bit long, even if it was necessary: I didn’t really care about Graysmith’s date or whatever... But it is a part of his story so it had to be brought up. The movie culminates around the last hour or so, with many twist that leave you anxious and on your toes. The character development is so well done. I still sometimes felt a bit lost at the beginning of the movie due to many things happening at the same time and the timeline of the events. 

The casting is perfect. I had never seen a performance from neither Jack Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo nor Robert Downey Jr., and they blew my mind away. They took their roles seriously, and I felt like they were all in their character. It was so great to see their commitment on the screen. 

The thing I loved the most about this movie is with no hesitation the work put in it. Every detail is so well done, everything is in its place, every fact is correct. I didn’t know a lot about the Zodiac’s story, only that he killed couples, sent tauting letters to the press and that he was never caught. But I didn’t know that a suspect was almost convicted, that it went on for so many years... This movie was a real discovery and made me learned a few things, and I appreciate movies that educate you. This sense of detail from Fincher is remarkable and to be praised. 

directed by : David Fincher

release year : 2007

my rating :  ★★★★☆

[manonreviews]

the devil all the time (2020)

“Some people were born just so they could be buried”

The latest Netflix movie is about men, women, gods and devils in a godless land. Featuring a 5 stars cast, the story of human faith unfolds in the most tragic way. 

I have to start by saying that I was not expecting this kind of movie at all. I was ready to watch a kind of horror driven movie, but the reality is far from it. I liked this movie a lot, and mostly because I was thrown off most of the time. If there is one negative thing I would have to talk about is that I found it a bit too long at times, and the part with Sandy and Carl was a bit too far-fetched in order to fit in the plot.

I loved loved the cast, and I thought that all of them played they role perfectly. But I do have to mention Pattinson’s role, because he killed it! Holland was amazing too, and I am a bit sad that we didn’t get to see more of Skarsgard. 

The story was really great, and it was easy to keep up despite all the time travel and flashbacks. I liked the cinematography a lot, and even more the moral of the whole movie. Even if you’re the most faithful person on Earth, sin is always around the corner, disguised as a need or just plain evil...

directed by : Antonio Campos

release year : 2020

my rating :  ★★★★☆

[manonreviews]

high life (2018)

“What do you know about cruelty?”

A group of criminals sentenced to life imprisonment or death sentence is sent to space for scientific experiences about a black hole. Monte is the only one surviving, with his baby daughter, and he remembers his days on board of the spaceship as he and his daughter get closer to the black hole each and every day. 

I am very disappointed in this movie. It started off really well and seemed very promising, but as the flashbacks from when everyone was still on board started, it got so boring and plainly weird and disturbing at times (wtf is The Box?!). I felt that it lacked a lot of depth, or I just simply didn’t understand the movie well, but everything just looked out of place and the whole of it just seemed unstructured. I also thought we didn’t know enough about the characters’ background, why they were here, what they did to go to prison before being sent to space. The dialogues were a bit all over the place, and it made it harder for me to have any feelings towards any of the characters, except for Monte. 

Overall, the perfomances weren’t that memorable. I was mostly sad about Juliette Binoche’s one cause I remember her from another movie and she was great in it - nowhere near as great in High Life. Robert Pattinson on the other hand, delivered an amazing performance given his movie material. 

I was excepting the end to be at least exciting, but I was just so bored that I didn’t appreciate it enough. 

directed by : claire denis

release year : 2018

my rating :  ★★☆☆☆

[manonreviews]

little women (2019)

" What women are allowed into the club of geniuses anyway?”

Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy are four sisters living during and after the Civil War. We follow their lives as they grow up, grow apart, come back together and experience all that life can offer. 

I liked this movie so much. Watching it felt effortless, you just enjoy the moment and the stories brought up on the screen. It was all so fluid, whether the visuals or the dialog. I haven’t read the original book by Louisa May Alcott so I had no backbone to the story, but it felt legit to me.

The cast is amazing. Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet were spectaculous, really carrying the movie on their backs. I was so disappointed that their characters didn’t end up together lol. Florence Pugh was great too, and Laura Dern just as amazing as ever even though we don’t see much of her (same goes for Meryl Streep). I was not very charmed by Emma Watson, I thought she was a bit boring in the role of Meg. 

The movie didn’t feel long at all, even though its course is supposed to be over a few decades. The way that Greta Gerwig divided the storyline in two, between flashbacks and present, made it very interesting and always kept my attention. The cinematography was really good as well. 

Overall there’s not much more to say about Little Women, except for girl power thanks to Greta, and it’s just one of those movies that you enjoy and that make you happy: smiling while watching, and at peace when over. 

directed by : Greta Gerwig

release year : 2019

my rating :  ★★★★☆

[manonreviews]

sunset boulevard (1950)

“I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.”

Joe Gillis is an aspiring Hollywood screenwriter, and has yet to write a script that will be produced on the big screen. After fleeing from his creditors, he has to park his car in the garage of an enormous villa on Sunset Boulevard. That’s where he’ll meet Norma Desmond, a former silent picture icon left in the past. In exchange of her hospitality, he promises her to write her a script that will bring her back on the scene. 

I was really disappointed in this movie. I’ve seen it being praised everywhere, having amazing ratings, depicted as one of Hollywood’s best and must-watch, but I just didn’t like it, not for one second. I’ll try and rewatch it, but for now it just doesn’t make it to my list... 

I found everything about it boring and long. I couldn’t seem to be focused more than 10 minutes before thinking about something other than this movie. I didn’t get attached to the characters, and I ended up loathing them, especially Norma. She was to me just a brat that can’t accept the truth (it happens but still), that spend her whole time complaining but not trying anything. She just thought that everything was due to her. Thanks to this side of the character, I didn’t appreciate Gloria Swanson’s performance in all her glory. For Joe’s character, it was just bland and lacked depth and something more, I don’t exactly know what but he was just so boring. I didn’t really understand any of his motives for anything, really. Max was a cute side plot but not much more. And as for Betty, yeah she was nice but didn’t appear that much so it was hard to appreciate her... 

It may be because I don’t know much about noir movies, or Billy Wilder, but I just found this movie boring, and actually forced myself to finish it... 

directed by : billy wilder

release year : 1950

my rating :  ★☆☆☆☆

[manonreviews]

westworld (2020)

For its third season, Westworld takes place in the actual human world for once, and all over the world. Dolores and Maeve have succeeded in escaping Westworld, the theme parc created by the compagny Delos where anything is possible thanks to the robot hosts. Dolores only has one mission: destroy the human world, and is helped by the clones of herself she created in the apparences of important characters, or simple humans. But is that realy her main goal? 

I’m a bit mixed about this season. The first half of it was simply amazing!! For me, the episode 4 really was the climax of the season. And I have to admit that it’s the first time that I actually understood everything right away. But from this episode, it kind of went downhill, not keeping me in suspense as much as the first half. A few things did not make sense, like how Maeve was helping Serac just blindly (not her usual development). I was getting a bit more confused as well, not understanding as much as I did for the first four episodes. 

I have to admit that before this season, I hated Dolores with all of my guts. She was in my opinion selfish, unreasonned and sometimes just plain bad. But this season, she became one of my favorite and I actually felt for her. Maeve on the other hand was my fave one, but not so much this season as explained why just above: weird character development. Aaron, just meh ; did not not like him but didn’t like him either. I was very pleased to have Bernard back, as well as Charlotte whom I hated to in the first two seasons. 

One thing I missed the most in this season was the whole concept of Far-West scenery and plots like in season one. For me it is the essence of the show, and this whole dystopian futuristic aspect is something that has been done and redone, making it a bit less special to watch. But the overall plot was so great, and its unrealing was made perfectly. The cinematography, as always, did not disappoint one second (especially those fights!!!) and the music was simply heavenly. Plus: girls rule. 

created by : lisa joy & jonathan dolan

release date : 2020

my rating :  ★★★★☆

[manonreviews]

why women kill (2019)

beth ann, simone and taylor have at first sight nothing in common... except for living in the same house over different decades, where drama comes and goes. til death do us part as they say...

having watched most of desperate housewives before, i was expecting a lot from marc cherry with this new drama show. he didn’t disappoint, to say the least. i loved every single episode, and most of the characters were very well written and had a great depth to them. some of them were just here to amuse the gallery, for example sheila, but she was amazing nonetheless. 

my favorite plot and character was the simone and karl’s one. i was not expecting it as i thought they would just be a shallow couple having some shallow troubles. karl getting AIDS and his tragic life was so touching... as well as how simone stayed by his side, cause he’ll always be the love of her life... i liked how it showed the aspect that before being a husband, your partner is your best friend.

 my second favorite was beth ann and her cheating husband storyline. she got an amazing development throughout the 10 episodes, starting from being an obeissant housewife to becoming a strong independant woman. i liked how her husband always had something worse going on, and how you thought you could forgive him but she would always find more dirt on him - until the inevitable. her helping nature was what i liked the most: helping her abused neighbour, her new friend april... and her relationship with sheila was one of the higlights of this show, she was such a breath of fresh air! 

the storyline i liked the least was taylor and eli’s one. it was fun at first, having some incongruous scenes but funny. as the season went on, it was just getting a bit boring and predictable, making me less excited to see them on screen. neither taylor, eli or jade had any real depth or character build, making them most of the time just whinny and annoying. 

finally, i have to talk about that one finale scene, where every storyline from each decade comes to an end. the cinematography of this scene is one of the neatest i’ve watched in a while, merging every character and the house’s different aspects in one scene. just amazing. special credit to the cast, who was amazing, especially lucy liu and ginnifer goodwin who were amazing. a big crush on this whole show. 

created by : marc cherry release year : 2019 my rating :  ★★★★★ ♥

[manonreviews]

hollywood (2020)

this new netflix show, created by ryan murphy, follows the stories of upcoming directors, screen writers, actors, producers and heads of big studios in hollywood after the second world war. as they make a movie about a fallen hollywood star, each and everyone of them will have to compete for what they love and who they are... 

this show is brilliant. i’ve loved every minute of the seven episodes offered by ryan murphy. this show has been an eye opener for me, and taught me many things, from historical facts and characters, to downright morale. it started off really great with introducing jack and his new job at the gas station.. i loved how each and every character got introduced to the others, making them a big family by the final episode. the cast is amazing. heads up for archie, avis and dick, who were the best characters in my opinion. all of them were touching. last episode made me bawl my eyes out

there are two reasons i adored this show: history of cinema (although be careful, not everything is true), and why representation matters. thanks to those episodes i learned a bit more about after-war cinema in the USA, and about great figures of this period (and some of them i’ve hated with a passion). but what i loved the most was how the topic of representation in movies is still not acknowledge in most of today’s movies/tv shows. it’s such an important cause, and by making it in the 40s ryan murphy showed that even today, we are still so far behind in this topic. the story of the little girl watching a movie and seeing herself on the screen, being the heroine and being capable, is something that everyone needs to understand and work towards. i really do hope it will become more and more essential today...

created by : ryan murphy

release year : 2020 (netflix)

my rating :  ★★★★★ ♥

[manonreviews]

the wind rises (2013)

“who has seen the wind?”

Jiro is a young boy in love with airplanes and everything related to aircraft. but because of a sight problem, he will never be able to become a pilot, and decides to pursue his studies in engineering. with world war two is just around the corner, he just wants to design the best plane possible while caring for his sick wife. it will be the two loves of his life..

this is hayao miyazaki’s last movie for the ghibli studio, and it feels like a sort of autobiography, describing the life of a man who spent his whole time working for what he adores. i really liked it, but it was in my opinion a bit hard to appreciate jiro’s character completely, as he basically gives almost no expressions of feelings. hanako, his wife, was really touching (especially the goodbye scene..). 

i loved, absolutely loved, every single reference to the wind in this movie. “le vent se lève, il faut tenter de vivre” in the opening act was manificient. the wind, this thing that no one sees but is present in all aspects of our lives.. sooshing in the trees, over the waves.. the same wind that can push you into the arms of the one you’ll spend your whole life loving, the wind that makes airplanes go far into the sky, or the wind that makes a catastrophe even worse by spreading fire.. 

this whole movie is a love letter from miyazaki to his passions: planes. i had a bit of trouble with it as i’m not particulary interested in it, but he still made it fascinating to watch and discover, reminding me a bit of porco rosso. i do have to admit i was bored a while in the middle of the movie though. but what amazing drawings and animation.. 

directed by : hayao miyazaki

release year : 2013

my rating :  ★★★☆☆

[manonreviews]

tigertail (2020)

“why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”

pin is a young boy living in taiwan with only one dream on his mind: leaving his country to go to america, where all dreams come true. when his boss offers me the occasion he has been wanting, he doesn’t hesitate to leave behind everything and everyone he knows... for better or for worse. 

i had high expectations before watching this movie that seemed really touching, depecting the reality of a young boy lost in america, leaving behind the woman he loved. i thought i lacked a little bit of emotion, and the characters, apart from pin being the main one, had little to no depth, making it hard to grow attached to them. angela had a really great potential. 

the story in itself was great: i loved the superposition of the past and the present. the cinematography was good on the eyes. the music was amazing and made me feel nostalgic of something i don’t know?? i liked the end a lot, but i was overall waiting for a bit more through the movie. 

directed by : alan yang

release year : 2020

my rating :  ★★★☆☆

[manonreviews]

when marnie was there (2014)

“you’re my precious secret”

anna has to move to some relatives’ house for the summer. the young girl, sick with asthma, also has a hard time living with her adoptive mother, and more generally people her age and herself. but when she meets marnie, a mysterious young girl living accross a marsh in her new town, she becomes acquainted with her and starts to enjoy life more and more. but what is the mystery behind marnie, and is she real?

i started this movie with absolutely no expectations, except for the fact that it’s a Ghibli movie and that i usually like them. well, to say it liked it is an understatement : i freaking loved it. everything from the story, to the music, the characters and the animation was perfect. i was not bored once, and the plot is really well made, as the ending really surprised me. 

the characters are all very touching, all of them have a certain depth to them that makes you grow very attached to each and everyone of them throughout the movie. i felt really close to anna, and i loved the breath of fresh given by marnie’s character. her tragic story made me love her even more.

my favorite thing was definitely the animation and graphics: they are simply breathtaking. the houses, the natural backgrounds, the silo.. everything was so beautifully drawn. i also really liked the clash between the characters’ appareance, simple, and the very detailled and sophisticated backgrounds. i also loved the party in marnie’s house, it looked exquisite on screen.

directed by : hiromasa yonebayashi

release date : 2014

my rating :  ★★★★★ ♥

[manonreviews]

lady bird (2017)

“some people aren’t built happy, you know?”

christine ‘lady bird’ is a 17 year old living in sacramento. and as any 17 years old, she’s struggling with basically everything around herself : parents, education, friendships, relationships, and more importantly herself. as she tries to make a future for herself, she will have to face the consequences of her action, and how she should act on them without hurting the people around her that love her, as well as herself.

lady bird is your typical coming of age movie. but greta gerwig made the movie beautifully. saoirse ronan carries the movie on her back, really seizing her role in full glory. 

what i liked the most about this movie is the feeling of identification i got. who hasn’t been through what lady bird has during its teenage years? the constant fighting with your parents, the feeling of knowing better than anyone else, the not knowing where you belong vibe.. it also made me realise that even though i had some dreams, hopes, but also heartbreaks and hard times during my teenage years, everything eventually works out once you start to grow up.. 

i do have to say though that i was just a tiny bit disappointed because the movie seemed to have had such a success when it came out, that i was expecting something a bit more “standing out’ i guess? 

directed by : greta gerwig

release date : 2017

my rating :  ★★★☆☆

[manonreviews]

ponyo (2008)

“she loves ham and can do magic”

sasuke, a young boy aged 5, finds a goldfish ashore by the sea. after the little creature licks his cut, he decides to adopt her and name her ponyo. but what he doesn’t know is that this fish is the daughter of a sea goddess and a wizard, and that she will now try everything to turn human to be with him, no matter what the consequences can be.. 

made in 2008, this cute little movie signed miyazaki is everything ghibli movies are, except for the ecological aspect of its predecessors. love, cuteness and children are at the center of this movie about a rather simple story. you get carried away watching this, and the almost two hours pass rather quickly. 

the animation is at times really “simple”, but at others times extremely detailed, making it even more easy on the eyes to switch between the two styles. the characters are absolutely the cutest, making me smile and aw more than once, my favorite being of course ponyo - sasuke just behind! 

one thing that i was missing a bit was the magic feeling of ghibli movies music, cause i thought that especially in this one the soundtrack was quite set back and sometimes not present enough, like no songs actually stuck in my head after. 

directed by : hayao miyazaki

release date : 2008

my rating : 3.5★ out of 5