A Quiet Place (2018)
In 2018, director John Krasinski released a horror film that took audiences by surprise. ‘A Quiet Place’ was a tense, heart-pumping thriller that relied on silence and minimal dialogue to create a world where sound could mean the difference between life and death. The film received critical acclaim and became a commercial success, grossing over $340 million worldwide.
The premise of ‘A Quiet Place’ is simple yet effective. The world has been overrun by alien creatures that are blind but have exceptional hearing. The slightest sound attracts them, and they will attack anything that makes noise. The film follows a family, played by John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, and their on-screen children, as they try to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. They communicate through sign language, walk barefoot on paths of sand, and use every precaution to avoid making any noise.
One of the reasons ‘A Quiet Place’ works so well is its incredible use of sound. The film's sound design is brilliant, and the absence of sound is just as effective as the music and effects. At points throughout the film, there is no sound at all to replicate what Regan (Millicent Simmonds) hears as she is deaf and would only be able to hear through a cochlear implant which happens to be broken. The silence is almost deafening, and it creates a sense of tension and dread throughout the film. Every footstep, every breath, and every object that is dropped is a potential danger. The sound is so effective that audiences are almost afraid to make any noise themselves, afraid that it might attract the creatures on screen.
John Krasinski and Emily Blunt give excellent performances as parents trying to protect their children in a dangerous world. Their chemistry is palpable, and they convey their emotions through facial expressions and body language, since they cannot rely on dialogue. The child actors, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe, also give strong performances as siblings struggling to survive in this new world.
‘A Quiet Place’ is not just a horror film, but it's also a family drama that explores themes of grief, sacrifice, and love. There is a constant tension between Lee Abbott (John Krasinski) and his daughter due to an incident that takes place early in the film. The film's emotional depth makes it even more impactful when the characters are in danger. The audience cares about the characters and their survival, which makes the film's tension more effective.
In addition to its technical and emotional strengths, ‘A Quiet Place’ also offers a unique take on the horror genre. While many horror films rely on jump scares, ‘A Quiet Place’ relies on a constant sense of unease and suspense. The film's horror comes not from the creatures themselves but from the fear of making noise and the consequences that come with it. It's a refreshing change from the typical horror film formula and one that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
In conclusion, ‘A Quiet Place’ is a great film that deserves all the praise it has received. Its masterful use of sound, strong performances, emotional depth, and unique take on the horror genre make it a standout film. The film's success has spawned a sequel, ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ which was released in 2021. 'A Quiet Place’ is an incredible film which has shown that sound can make or break a film whether it is there or not. Krasinski has shown that although he comes from a comedic background, his creativity knows no bounds.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is a 2021 superhero film directed by Jon Watts and starring Tom Holland as the titular character. It is the third instalment in the Spider-Man series produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Sony Pictures. The film follows Peter Parker as he seeks to undo the damage caused by the previous films and faces off against his most dangerous adversaries yet.
The movie brings back characters and storylines from the previous instalments in a way that feels natural and necessary to the story's progression. The movie effectively wraps up the storylines introduced in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ while also setting the stage for future movies in the series.
Another reason why the film is a favourite of mine is its outstanding cast. Tom Holland delivers a fantastic performance as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, balancing the character's humour and vulnerability with his heroism. The film also features returning characters played by Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and Marisa Tomei, who all bring their A-game to the movie. Additionally, the film includes characters like Doctor Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and the villains from previous Spider-Man films, played by Alfred Molina, Willem Dafoe, and Jamie Foxx. The films also includes the return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield in their Spider-Man roles with their iconic suits. The three Spider-Men work together to bring down the each of their enemies together. The chemistry between Holland, Maguire and Garfield is insane and they all give an amazing performance.
One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its ability to juggle multiple characters and storylines without feeling overstuffed or confusing. The movie manages to give each character their moment to shine while still advancing the central narrative. The pacing of the film is also excellent, with action-packed set pieces and emotional character moments spread throughout the movie.
Finally, the film's themes of responsibility and sacrifice give it a depth that elevates it beyond typical superhero fare. Peter Parker is forced to confront the consequences of his actions and make difficult choices that have a significant impact on his life and those around him. The film explores the idea of what it means to be a hero and the sacrifices that come with that responsibility.
In conclusion, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is a fantastic film that succeeds in delivering a satisfying conclusion to the previous two films while also standing on its own. The film's outstanding cast, well-crafted storytelling, and themes of responsibility and sacrifice make it one of the best superhero movies of recent years. The film is an amazing addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe while also bringing closure to Maguire and Garfield’s films and will forever be one of my favourite movies.
The Social Network (2010)
‘The Social Network’ is a film directed by David Fincher that was released in 2010. It tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, and the events that led to the founding of the social media giant. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple awards and receiving widespread acclaim for its portrayal of the rise of one of the most influential companies in history.
There are several reasons why ‘The Social Network’ is a great film. First and foremost, the script is outstanding. Written by Aaron Sorkin, the film is a masterclass in dialogue and storytelling. Sorkin's razor-sharp wit and ability to create tension and conflict between characters make for an engaging and entertaining narrative. The pacing of the film is perfect, keeping the audience hooked from start to finish. The structure of the film is one thing that has always stood out to me, the way Sorkin has the main story being told from the perspectives of the people suing Mark Zuckerberg is genius and helps the audience understand everyone's point of view.
The performances in ‘The Social Network’ are also brilliant. Jesse Eisenberg delivers an amazing performance as Mark Zuckerberg, capturing the character's brilliance, ambition, and flaws in equal measure. Andrew Garfield, who plays Zuckerberg's friend and co-founder of Facebook, Eduardo Saverin, also delivers a standout performance. From my point of view, the best performances throughout the film are when Eduardo Saverin (Garfield) storms into the Facebook headquarters and smashes Zuckerberg’s laptop before having a dramatic confrontation in front of all the staff. To me this showed the level of betrayal that was done onto Garfield’s character, his passion and expression made the scene very impactful. The other scene that always stands out to me is when Zuckerberg is being questioned during a lawsuit and is asked “Do I have your full attention?”. This question triggers Zuckerberg to give a very intense and clever response to show that he does not like to feel belittled or looked down upon. The chemistry between Eisenberg and Garfield is electric, and their rocky relationship is what makes this film so entertaining to watch.
David Fincher is a master filmmaker, and he demonstrates his skills in every frame of the film. The cinematography is stunning, and the use of colour and lighting create a mood and atmosphere that perfectly captures the world of Silicon Valley. The editing is also exceptional, with rapid-fire cuts and montages that keep the pace of the film moving at an intense speed.
The film was released in 2010, at a time when Facebook was still in its early stages and social media was just starting to become a huge part of most people's lives. In the years since the film's release, Facebook has grown to become one of the most powerful companies in the world, and social media has transformed the way we communicate, share information, and connect with one another.
‘The Social Network’ is a cautionary tale about the dark side of success, the price of ambition, and the corrosive nature of jealousy and betrayal. It shows us that even the most brilliant minds can be flawed, and that the pursuit of greatness can sometimes come at a terrible cost. It is a film that has only become more relevant with each passing year. This can be seen in recent years as Mark Zuckerberg has been under fire in the media over the speculation that he has been collecting private information of Facebook users.
In conclusion, ‘The Social Network’ is a great film for many reasons. Its outstanding script, stellar performances, technical prowess, and relevance make it a must-see movie for anyone interested in the history of social media, the power of technology, and the human cost of success. Whether you're a fan of David Fincher's work, Aaron Sorkin's writing, or just great movies in general, ‘The Social Network’ is a film that should not be missed.
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