Author: Manuel São Bento

Within the world of cinema, expectations can be both a boon and a bane. As I settled down on my couch to watch Role Play, a film with a fun premise featuring some entertainment potential, I braced myself for a straightforward, formulaic escapade, fully aware that the very best I could possibly get would be a harmless, enjoyable time. Fueling my interest was the allure of Kaley Cuoco in the lead role, whose memorable performance in The Big Bang Theory – one of my favorite sitcoms – had me eager to witness her versatility in an action comedy. What unfolded on the screen was precisely what I expected, for better or worse. Role Play doesn't tell a story we haven't seen before within its mix of the spy, thriller, action, and comedy genres. Emma (starring Kaley Cuoco) and Dave (co-starring David Oyelowo) have a seemingly perfect life as a couple married for seven years and counting. However, Emma leads a secret life that Dave knows nothing about, hiding the fact that she is working as an international assassin for hire with a bounty on ...

Yet another film I knew nothing about before watching to continue New Years viewings. Yet another feature directorial debut, this time from American actor Jake Johnson. Yet another movie that caught my eye due to its interesting cast. After Night Swim and Role Play at the start of 2024, it's time for Self Reliance to try to surprise me with a high-concept premise that promises entertainment from all parts of the comedy-thriller spectrum. The movie's plot follows Tommy Walcott, portrayed by Johnson himself, a lonely man trapped in the monotony of his daily life who seizes the opportunity to participate in a dark web reality show where he must survive 30 days without being killed by others – addressed as the "hunters" – and win a million dollars. The catch? Participants can only be attacked when they're completely alone. This loophole is obviously explored by the character, who begins a self-discovery adventure within a life-and-death scenario. Self Reliance opens with a promising start, setting the stage for a thrilling competition with the potential for tons of humor, but also a deeper examination of the vitality of ...

Kelly Fremon Craig's coming-of-age comedy adaptation Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret had long been lodged in my film viewing schedule, yet somehow managed to elude me when it first opened (back in April 2023), ultimately succumbing to the abyss of missed watches. The noticeable awards season buzz surrounding Rachel McAdams' performance, coupled with a multitude of overwhelmingly positive opinions, compelled me to place it as a top priority viewing before the year's end. Gratitude is owed to everyone who shared wonderful feedback, for this turned out to be one of the most pleasantly surprising movies of 2023. Actually, this should be nowhere near close to a surprise for me, having in mind that Kelly Fremon Craig is also responsible for one of my favorites of 2016, The Edge of Seventeen, which at the time I considered to be one of the best coming-of-age stories of its decade. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret warrants that same proclamation, as it's a remarkably layered study of the intricate facets of a 11-year-old girl's life. The narrative dives deep into the challenges of adolescence, covering ...

As someone who grew up a fan of wrestling but had little knowledge of the pre-WWE generations, including the legendary Von Erich family, I was certainly interested in what a biographical film based on this family could add to my enjoyment of the entertainment sport. I also had never seen any of director Sean Durkin's previous films (Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Nest, this year's "Dead Ringers" series) before watching The Iron Claw, so for me personally, the main draws were definitely the subject matter and cast, who will undoubtedly get some sort of recognition & accolades during the awards season this year. One of the film's most resonant themes is the exploration of how passion can transform into an unhealthy obsession, even more so when passed down through generations and driven by the overwhelming weight of rigid parenting. The Iron Claw tells a tragic story that unravels the mental health struggles, overwhelming pressure, and stifling lack of freedom that accompany the burden of carrying on a family legacy, in this case, in the world of professional wrestling. Durkin carefully navigates the delicate ...

As someone who grew up with Tim Burton's 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the announcement of a new film exploring the origin story of the enigmatic Willy Wonka piqued my interest. Despite it not being personal favorite or a movie I have tremendous nostalgia for, I still vividly remember the story and its moral lessons. I approached Wonka with a blend of anticipation and skepticism, with clear memories of Gene Wilder's iconic portrayal and Johnny Depp's memorable rendition. Paul King (best known for both Paddington & Paddington 2) being at the helm definitely contributed to higher expectations, and the final result left me positively surprised, as the film is a charming, entertaining experience that successfully captures the essence of the timeless novel while managing to stand on its own. In crafting a screenplay that focuses on the early years of its candy-making protagonist, writers Paul King & Simon Farnaby (of Paddington 2 and The Phantom of the Open) conscientiously strive to preserve the core moral lessons that are inherent in Dahl's many stories. These serve as a ...

Like many children born in the 1990s, I was blessed with the many animated wonders of Disney, shaped by numerous heartwarming, educational stories. Now, as an adult, I still maintain high levels of enthusiasm and anticipation for each new Disney Animation release, especially original movies. Under the guidance of directors Chris Buck (director on Tarzan, Surf's Up, Frozen, Frozen II) & Fawn Veerasunthorn (head of story on Raya and the Last Dragon), two well-known names in animation with multiple creative at the studio, Wish combines the storytelling craftsmanship of the former, with the exciting directorial debut of Veerasunthorn, whose previous credits involve valuable contributions to many of Disney's beloved stories. The premise of Disney Animation's Wish follows many typical studio formulas, for better or worse. In the magical kingdom of Rosas, the 17-year-old protagonist, Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose), a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it's answered by a cosmic force – a little star of boundless energy called "Star." Together, Asha and Star face the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico, to save their community and show that when the courageous will ...

As someone who enjoyed 2019's Captain Marvel more upon rewatch than during the initial premiere, I approached The Marvels with a mixture of tempered anticipation and curiosity. As everyone is aware, the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) has expanded to include not only films but also television shows, some of which are crucial to fully getting behind the main characters. WandaVision remains my personal favorite for its extraordinary storytelling, and Ms. Marvel was a delightful watch due to its blend of cultural richness with a unique visual style. Consequently, I was intrigued to see how filmmaker Nia DaCosta (Candyman) would seamlessly merge three different characters: Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau / Photon (Teyonah Parris), & Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), into a single movie. Since the monumental success of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has found itself in a special position where both intense hype and harsh criticism have become the norm. Hardcore Marvel fans, eager for the next big thing, often expect each release to surpass its predecessors, which is an unattainable standard. On the flip side, some individuals have grown exceptionally weary of the ...

For many viewers, the star power of Emily Blunt and Chris Evans will undoubtedly be the primary draw for Pain Hustlers, the new film made by David Yates debuting on Netflix on October 27th. Their names alone are enough to pique the interest of a wide audience, given their consistent track record of impressive performances in various genres and hit movies. Personally, I find the fact that it's only English filmmaker David Yates' third directorial effort outside of the Harry Potter franchise the most attention-grabbing element of this Netflix endeavor. His successful work within The Wizarding World has solidified him as a talented director, but seeing how Yates approaches a different kind of true story is an interesting prospect. Pain Hustlers revolves around a shocking true story in the pharmaceutical field that exposes the disturbing side of human greed and the lengths some people are willing to go to for their own gain. Wells Tower writes his first-ever screenplay and does a decent job of conveying the harrowing events while shedding light on the grave consequences of placing wealth & ambition above humanity & health. ...

One of the main reasons why the Sundance Film Festival is so popular amongst cinephiles is the total focus on purely indie stories, often handled by first-time directors, writers, actors, and many others pursuing their dreams. Fair Play was highly acclaimed at this year's edition of the event (here's Alex's review), continuing to collect positive reactions during its festival run throughout the year. As it has finally made its streaming debut on Netflix worldwide, I approached it with somewhat high expectations, hoping that Chloe Domont's feature directorial debut deserved the hype. Domont delves into complex gender dynamics, highlighting the biases faced by successful women in various fields, shining a light on the challenges of couples working side by side in a tense big city thriller that builds up to an admittedly divisive ending. Independently of each viewer's position regarding this conclusion, it's the careful study and respective messages that really matter. The film presents a thought-provoking story underscoring the many disparities women encounter on their journey to success. It raises important questions about the expectations placed on women to excel beyond the ordinary ...