[MOVIE] Wake Up Dead Man (Knives Out 3) (2025)

The director got me for the second time.

I think it's a decent continuation to the series. Although I consider Knives Out mysteries a very peculiar type of movies, since they're the rare ones that can be watched as stand-alones and in no particular order, since they're not dependent on each other.

Before watching I had all type of theories what this movie will be and the director is such an unreliable narrator at times that he gets me every time, because I'm a bit lulled to sleep and my vigilance isn't high when suddenly you get a platter with a card, the words on the card - oh sorry, it's not really what happened.

It's interesting how he manages to play with perception. Just give you a little bit which is open for interpretation, but how are you sure if it's what happened? Even with close-up shots. Oh god, he got me there too! From previous movies I knew that close-up shots matter, but at the moment of you seeing them you don't really realize which part is important or as in my case my imagination did not feed back any good ideas. Only when I reached the end it was like - damn it, he got me again.

Same for the mystery. Damn, he's good at it. I liked it, honestly.

I don't think that any of the characters outside of few main actually get much time, but I find it interesting that each of them can be discussed and interpreted. Same as topics, it doesn't take some solid stance, but actually brings in multiple povs, just like real life would be. I like that some bits and pieces can create a picture. Not the one that creates the mystery, but the characters.

It was a really good watch. If one feels it's too simple, maybe it is, maybe it's not, but what is certain is that Rian Johnson is good at his job.

RATE: 8/10.

The devil is in the details~

the devil Elvis lol

Shalom y'all. What is that in the back~

Haven't noticed the man in the background on the first watch.

It's just part of interesting details in the movie. Even for the simple characters they all have something around them. But that's exactly why I think it's crucial in the final revelation. These movies are great on the re-watch when you look at the picture with a purpose.

[MOVIE] Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Doctor Strange teams up with a mysterious teenage girl who can travel across multiverses, to battle other-universe versions of himself which threaten to wipe out the multiverse. They seek help from the Scarlet Witch, Wong and others.

-IMDb

I'd say this description is so false. Because the main confrontation is between Strange, the girl (the best background board type of character) and Wanda. To know why Wanda got crazy you need to watch the TV show they created, which of course I didn't care about because I don't care about her character.

This is a downside of the MCU, they include things that were mentioned somewhere, elsewhere, which basically means you need other sources to fully feel for the characters here.

I can honestly accept that I liked the special effects. Because I recently watched the Hitchhiker's galaxy guide some of it was reminiscent. The plot is a totally different thing though.

I like how to make the character totally bad Wanda refuses to peacefully ask the girl who can travel the verses to help her, no, she is now paranoid and wants the power for herself.

Meanwhile the girl is completely flat as a character, she is so insignificant and acts as a took I'll be honest. Like we should care about her.

This is why they escape and Wanda chases.

She chases relentlessly, so much so we find that in one universe there is a whole bunch of heroes of alternative versions. I love how ridiculously imbalanced the powers are. Like Wanda arrives at their temple and starts pew-pew-pew with her powers, before she fucks up someone's head, just one person and it basically creates an opening (l = logic). Later she is with her dark book, which I think had a pretty short but nice scene of a woman sacrificing herself  to destroy the book. But I laughed so hard when in very next scene Wang tells cliche stuff like "better kill me" but yields under the threat of his comrades' deaths. I thought they should protect secrets with everything they had, I guess I was wrong. But even more ridiculous thing when they find that temple and Wang almost acts as a tour guide. My question is - how does he know when he is forbidden to go there? Do they get a brochure of secret places?

Anyway, she had her way, a full-blown altar to use to steal the power (how convenient), while Strange connects from another universe. Ngl the thing they thought about as using a dead body in original world to connect was campy.

But this is it. Simple message to the girl, which is flat as the ground - believe in yourself.

But what Wanda got was far worse, but honestly only this part, very last part of the movie was okay.

Again, the special effects were great, some operator's work was really good. And overall it was okay. It's just those silly things to forcefully stick the story together that got to me.

[MOVIE] Legally Blonde (2001)

A re-watch for me.

You know how they care about beauty? They always have and they always will. But what Legally Blonde raises are the standards, because she is blonde, she is beautiful and she is smart and hard-working. 

Although the initial goal was quite silly, going to Harvard not because she is ambitious, but because of a guy, but the path of finding your self-worth and being true to yourself.

First of all sorority goals. Just recently there was a lot of talk about how sororities only care about money, they promote it heavily on TT, even get brand deals and to me as an overseas outsider lost the initial goals of what it represents. Sure thing you need at least some money, but they make it the main goal instead of anything else.

By the first scene I almost felt envious that everyone was so supportive of their sister. Here we don't have such a thing as soririty, so I have no idea how it should be, how it was before and what it became now. But just from the outsider's pov I like the spirit in this movie.

Elle (haha like magazine) is a daughter of a wealthier family, she could stay the way she is, but being dumped makes her motivated to prove that she can get into Harvard, not to mention law school. A pretty shallow reason that we have at the beginning.

Her friends may seem a bit shallow and represent the cliche view on women, but they are quite supportive of Elle's goals. I mean it is such a short but heart-warming scene where basically everyone around her is so happy for her achievements.

Interesting wardrobe choices follow along. If you pay attention to it you can see how Elle changes from her pink to more serious attire, but still leaving it looking fashionable. With time it changes more and more, the same her character changes as well to conform some other image before she reverses back to her pink. In a way it shows her inner true self. She can be a fashionista and a lawyer.

Because she does find this path quite hard. Instead of impressing a boy she now works for herself, even if eventually she finds out that she is still discriminated and targetted because she is a beautiful woman, which makes her doubt herself, her own worth. Were her achievements all thanks to her beauty or her own hard work?

I like the part where women lift other women up. Even relationship between Vivian and Elle transforms into friendship. I completely forgot Jennifer Coolidge was in this one, but hey, don't they have a great friendship too. Even if it has some sort of "romance" thankfully it's a pretty background love line that does not influences her decisions. Something that I'd love to see in a movie like Devil Wears Prada, which is suss, but it would be perfect if it had different relationship line.

This movie has so many good moments about it. Simple and direct. 

RATE: 9/10.

[ANIMATION] KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

Damn that was such an enjoyable, fast and easy watch. I haven't felt like this in a long time, no wonder the hype is so high. There is no fancy storyline, everything is simple and relatable, plus it came out among the ever growing hype over kpop during these years. 

We always had girls fighting demons, I mean look at Sailor Moon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and others. But each generation had its own perks, right?

Here we have a half-demon girl Rumi and her teammates Mira and Zoye who bear the important burden of demon hunters, each generation chooses three girls to send the message and seal the barrier and slay demons. Pretty easy setting.

And then we have Jinu who has a plan how to take over demon hunters, not by force but by tactic, this is why Saja Boys, a demon boy group appeared and topped the charts. Charming many fans to their side.

But girls can't fight openly and always fall short one step behind.

Rumi's insecurities as a half-demon are also used against her, but when the most critical moment came it was her who reversed the situation.

I kinda like the idea that the girl processed it herself when her half-demon nature was exposed to her teammates, they surely cared for her and wouldn't harm her, but the betrayal was real. This is why they united again and became stronger than ever.

I also like the double-sided meaning you can apply to this movie which showcases the idol power over people, that it can be used for good or for something bad. Which is also an ongoing topic among fans, because there are a lot of rational and just supportive fans, but any fandom has a toxiv group to a varying degree.

Story would not be a story without a bit of romance and the fruit won't be so tasty if it does not have a bit of forbidden taste. Since Rumi and Jinu are on different sides.

I honestly liked the ending when Jinu could finally do something good. I'm sure a lot of people weeped for him and wish for a sequel when Rumi saves the guy. Honestly I'd watched a sequel or something, but I hope they won't start milking it too much and ruin the initial intention.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, this movie would not do without the MVP - DERPY!!!!

If you have a character who is so loved you're already successful. Because this precious creature is so cute. I know it is from Korean folklore, but Derpy and Sussy with his little hat!

It's a bit of a tangent but I watched a "how it's made" type of video on YT how those hats are made, I was always curios! And it's woven from horse hair omg! It's all handmade and so much work with all the gluing and stiffing and heating and shaping and painting. Crazy amount of work and skill goes into making one.

It's fun how we're all united and find Derpy so precious that we want more of him and will not allow anything to happen to this lovely creature.

8/10 would recommend anyone who haven't watched it yet, but I'm sure I'm late to the whole party, it feels like this swept the world.

[MOVIE] The Princess Bride (1987)

This movie should be watched, should be re-watched. It is so quotable, so hysterical, has so many great parts that when you start to quote them and when you realize you quoted the whole thing.

I still want to know how they did that scene when Buttercup falls in/under the sand during the Fire Swamp scenes. 

I LOVE the movies of that period, so much of love and soul. 

[MOVIE] The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010)

An adventure set in the early part of the 20th century and focused on a popular novelist and her dealings with would-be suitors, the cops, monsters, and other distractions. (IMDb)

I feel sorry for this movie, I think I heard it did not do well in the box office. But actually it fits to make a series of adventure movies. 

Adele is a novelist and is quite popular in her field, she writes and researches for one single goal, to save her sister (this plot is different from the comics and adds more emotional drama). For this she travels to Egypt and wants to steal a mummy of the most famous doctor close to Pharao. She wants to bring him back to life. Yeah, this movie is full of supernatural element.

Although it has a light-hearted tone of a comdey, but when it comes to her sister you can feel the guilt and despair of doing anything, including believing in supernatural.

Directed by Luc Besson, most knows for The Fifth Element.

I've seen the original comics, I couldn't read it (it was in French) but must say they picked a gorgeous actress to be a female lead and also adapted the comics well. Although of course they brought up their own work into it. Especially the paranormal element (like in the second issue of the comic(?) there is a story about a monster which ends up being a costume, stuff like that).

The movie has elements of mysticism, which is quite interesting. But I personally like that they gave it a bit of a comic look (just looking at the detective with his big fake ears and nose). It reminded me how Adventures of Tintin from 2011 looked like (but that also did not receive as much praise). I don't know, I hink it gives the movie this unrealistic and fun feel.

But Adele is fearless in what she does because she has a strong motive and it's remarkable.

The plotline isn't anything complicated, although a bit unexpected (I mean dinosaur egg hatching, of course it's something unexpected). Also.. French totally do not beautify, I think the only truly pretty part are women. While men are either ugly or weird.

Actually, I forget to post about movies I watch here, I just remembered about this one and decided to share.

Edit 8/8/25

I decided to share the difference between the comic and the movie. 

This scene has nothing to do with what happened in the movie, but was used regardless (a place where Adele reads her mail haha)

[MOVIE] Midnight Inn

I suppose it's like a series of movies titled [Midnight Theater], this installment is called "Midnight Inn". The series covers different stories, mostly surrounding horror (like many traditional horror elements, characters etc.). I watched few, but I must say I was lucky this was the first I stumbled upon, because it felt much better than the rest.

Also what a cool cinematography.

PS: Eng subs available.

[MOVIE] The Fifth Element (1997)

It's like a re-watch week or something, I've been re-watching a lot of movies. Who am I kidding I usually do that a lot.

The Fifth Element in some ways was ahead of its' time by many years. It offers its' own look at the future of the Earth and the danger of total annihilation by pure evil, because the plot centers around a taxi driver Korben Dallas who has to save the world by connecting the stones representing the four elements and a fifth element, which is supposed to be a supreme being, a beautiful woman named Leeloo.

Actually, the movie has this funky feel to it, considering the way it looks. Maybe it's because of the production designs, which sometimes comes off as goofy. But if I think more about it, it actually makes sense at that time something similar could be traced across several movies of different genre. Yet actually it introduced a lot of new ideas too (not mentioning clothing by Gaultier, but some of the small everyday life details in the movie).

And it definitely gave its' own commentary on such things as overpopulation, class difference, ecology, damn even media. Who knew that the character of Ruby Rhod will become reality in modern society. But Tucker played it so well.

The world in the background speaks for itself.

Starting from the one tiny room apartment of Korben that looks claustrophobic, when he is actually an ex-special forces (though probably gave everything to his ex-wife, slipped my mind if it was mentioned). The way he has a full load of guns from attempted robberies. Flying cars that are everywhere with dense traffic whn Korben tries to fly through. Jungle of skyscrapers. No privacy in the face of police (the scene of scanning through the door). The pile of garbage at the airport/spaceport. In stark contrast comes the luxurious spaceship full of fun and leisure where you could see all types of dignitaries and celebs with Korben being one of few "low class" people I suppose.

The only thing about the movie that showcases how old the movie is the best is CGI. That one does look old, but at the time of the release of course it was fantastic.

RATE: 8/10.

[MOVIE] Aladdin (1992)

The song "A whole new world" stuck in my head in the evening, so I re-watched Aladdin.

A classic. Unlike the live adaptations I can re-watch the old animation from time to time. Especially when now everything is almost UHD and you can enjoy such a good quality. I admit I haven't even watched the live adaptation of Aladdin, just visually that looks as abomination and after the Oscars and what Will Smith did I'm just "nah dude". Even if previously I was okay with him (after roles like in Men in Black or Independence Day)..

I must say I miss Robin Williams' voice overs. He could create many characters as a single person. Genie gives this one so much humor.

But one I also appreciate a lot here is Gilbert Gottfried aka the voice of Iago. Hysterical.

I don't remember what my impression was as a kid - maybe wow~. But as an adult I appreciate how beautiful the animation is, how action-packed the sequences are, how everything is concise. There is also a good message about embracing who you are, doing the right thing. Aladdin a good-hearted fellow.

This is what irritates me in live adaptations in general, they try to twist things to be different, but instead twist the logic or characters' motivation, so the overall feeling and meaning are lost. While these stories should be as simple as possible. Simple and educational almost.

Anyway, what funny is after I watched that song stopped haunting me ahaha

[MOVIE] Labyrinth (1986)

Sarah is on the journey to pass the Labyrinth and save her little brother from the Goblin King

So many years have passed and I'm still crushing on David Bowie in this movie. He was indeed my childhood crush okay.

I think I re-watched it more than a dozen times, each time at different period of time and each time I find different things and think of different things. Of course with all the modern tech knowledge it is impossible to look at it with childish eyes that had no idea about green screen or other means. Being older I can marvel at how the decorations and background work was done. I mean till this days I haven't seen anything that would sparkle as how this movie sparkled.

And the music. How great is the music in this one. 'As the world falls down' is still one of my favorite compositions ever.

It's such a wonderful story in its simplicity. The beginning is so on-point in showcasing Sarah's character and how she just wants to do her own thing instead of obligations of an older sister. Honestly the kid cried so heartbreakingly. And Sarah couldn't take it anymore and wished for her brother to disappear, only to find out that he was indeed stolen.

It's such a good lesson of the consequences of "those were just angry words".

Now she is on the quest to save her brother and must go through the Labyrinth, meating friends and foes. Basically, having the adventure she always dreamt about. Labyrinth isn't only an adventure, but a path to her growing up.

And of course this movie wouldn't be it without David Bowie. It's not even a point of discussion❤

RATE: 10/10.

* * *

There's such a sad love

Deep in your eyes a kind of pale jewel

Open and closed

Within your eyes

I'll place the sky

Within your eyes

There's such a fooled heart

Beatin' so fast

In search of new dreams

A love that will last

Within your heart

I'll place the moon

Within your heart

As the pain sweeps through

Makes no sense for you

Every thrill is gone

Wasn't too much fun at all

But I'll be there for you-ou-ou

As the world falls down

Falling

As the world falls down

Falling

Falling in love~...

[MOVIE] Nosferatu (2024)

A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

Cinematically and amospherically this movie is indeed beautiful. Especially those night filters on camera and the shadows on the walls etc. is a big nod to the predecessor.

The short summary on the IMDb basically scratches the surface of the storyline, but does not touch upon the meaning that could be interpreted from the circumstances Ellen finds herself in.

On the surface it's a story of Ellen Hutter, who, relatively simply speaking, finds herself not like others, as if there is something more about her. But her oddities only make her more isolated and even feared by her parent, they continue and the feeling of isolation makes her seek something out there to be her company. Instead she awakens an ancient evil - Nosferatu. By her call they form a sort of pact.

It seemingly ends when Ellen is married to Thomas, but does this pact fully disappear?

To make their lives better Thomas agrees to travel in person to count Orlok and deal with the purchase of the estate. But it all is just a trap to make Thomas sign the deed in language he does not understand.

All after that Orlok cares about is to go and find the one who belonged to him once. Through sheer manipulation he makes Ellen to agree to him "willingly" and Ellen sacrifices herself just to lift the curse of Nosferatu on the plague-infested city.

Under the surface you can feel that it's a bit of metaphor for the female sexuality of that period and even now. That something is lurking beneath her skin, but it is claimed to be sin and that she should be ashamed of it, not something natural that women should feel.

This is to put things simply. I think anyone should just explore the movie for themselves, if they'd like to give it a chance.

Now about the details.

The camera work I think is fantasic.

The visuals are great too, although the movie feels so dark at times. But the atmosphere is truly great.

Even if that city is a fiction, but most of what was shown was pretty accurate. The locations especially feel incredible. Of course everything is filtered like the color was sucked out of that movie, but still the locations are beautiful and accurate.

Actor's work is fantastic, Lily-Rose especially nailed it, she did not shy away from anything and became the true heroin of this movie. 

I'm surprised to find that Skarsgard played the count Orlok. You can't see him behind the heavy sfx make-up, he also speaks with that accent and he speaks so slowly and wheezes all the time. Everything pointed out that he's a second aways from kicking the bucket. But he is death and plague, he is a walking rotting corpse that is somehow alive. But I feel pity I saw him fully before watching the movie. All thanks to YT, otherwise it wouldn't be YT, if something was not spoilered there. I feel pity because the trailer I watched at first kept his image fully concealed, even in the movie for a good deal of time you can't clearly see him, because he's like a shadow. The only thing that made me crack up is that accent and the hair, because I can't unthink the radish. It reminds me of Cossacks and actually it has one of the beliefs about that hair, so it will be easier for God to pull you out. But orlok is a fully bad villain with no redeeming qualities mind you. He is fully manipulative and he makes you think there is no love from his side actually, no matter how many times he claims the opposite.

In conclusion it's a cool-looking gothic tale, which is quite gruesome and bloody.

RATE: 7/10. It's my personal opinion that they should tone down some of the eroticism. Not all of it was okay with me.

[MOVIE] How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

On the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town.

It's interesting that for the New Year time it's the best to watch the old comedies or watch some old Christmas movies (though should not be even the same thing with NY conceptually).

I'm not sure I ever watched "How the Grinch stole Christmas", but I won't stress on that. It's sill a delight. Such a simple story and how ironic that maybe only a little girl Cindy Lou understands what Christmas is all about.

Jim Carrey can not be anything but brilliant. He is never afraid of those elaborate costumes and not-so-good characters. Like who can replace him?

Ngl I was having a blast with how they created this absolutely non-existent town and still left it with cartoonish style that could have easily be a thing of those years (and probably no one will risk it today?). It's fun, it's colorful. I'm sure the costume designers were having so much fun.

And I had my fun too.

This should be included in the category of movies you should watch at least once during this time (or multiple times if it's one of your favorites).

[MOVIE] The Substance (2024)

It's fucking insane, I loved it! This is a short version of the review ahaha

A fading celebrity Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself Sue (Margaret Qualley).

TW: body horror,.. lots of it. lots of gore in general. and also gross things.

Before I start I want to praise the acting which was incredible, directing is awesome, operator's work is insane, cinematography is chef's kiss, the sound effects are great (that ringing in the ears though), the music is top, the idea of putting everything almost into your face is perfect for this.

Where do I even begin with this? If one haven't seen it yet, I recommend to do it, it doesn't matter who, female audience will see a lot of what we're struggling with that can't be warpped in just a simple sentense and male audience can see the female rage that women can direct at themselves and understand better what years of "younger, more beautiful" brainwashing did to many of us.

Some may not even consider it a deep topic, but honestly if countless women suffer from body dysmorphia due to brainwahing, I think we can share some thoughts about it. It feels like many women can't accept that they're aging, because for so many years our brains were soaked in these consuming ideas that we can't simply be ourselves, we should be youthful and beautiful and then we are the most perfect existence. But what if our body is not even close to what is considered perfect? What if our face doesn't fit the standard? Can I create a better version of myself that fits? In the meantime it feels like it became scary to get older, it's scary to lose your youth, your peak time, your body starts to change in a direction you don't expect and the insecurity grows stronger. Not to mention older women, young women nowadays who are barely 20 are not afraid of doing plastic surgery, just because it's a trend, just because it's more favorable and the beauty from the IG photo whispers to you to do it (even if you know that the photo was filtered to filth). But you can be the same, right?..

It's also such a hard chase after yourself, something you once were.

I honestly really loved the idea and how it played out. Because it's so true.

Spoilers, here they come.

We start with Elisaeth who is basically fired from her position on the show on her 50th birthday (the producer has symbolic name - Harvey, I mean you couldn't be more direct), she gets a pat on the back and a bouqet of roses, with a symbolic phrase "You were amazing"

Elisabeth's career is over, so on her ways she saw how her billboard ad was torn down and this distraction caused a car accident. Breaking down in the hospital she receives a USB hidden by a male nurse, with words "It changed my life".

Although listening to the content, Elisabeth is set to throw the flash away, but the morning she finds that she not only is replaced but the newspaper also has an ad about the new show's casting (don't ask about the newspaper, it's deliberate) she decided to make the phone call.

This leads to her receiving the package, she travels to a remote place and follows the corridor to a prim and proper room with perfect renovations and several lockers (only two used). Hers is 503

(I love this homage to what will happen next, if you saw the spine on the cover, you will know)

That scene in front of the mirror, ugh, so true, nothing makes you more critical that a fluorescent light above your head that makes you see all the folds and imperfections about your body when you look at yourself naked. I applaud Moore for not being afraid to fully show herself, because the lighting and camera showed everything, the camera this time had no intention to beautify anything, it is how it is, all the folds and sagging (and let's all remind ourself, Moore is 62 as of now). Following instructions she injects the activator from The Substance kit. She thinks she's crazy but then things drastically change, in pain and agony she "births" another self (which came from the back, like a butterfly almost) and now we see Elisabeth / Moore paralized on the floor, but the one who stood is a young and beautiful woman, with amazing body. And she almost instantly starts to enjoy herself, looking from different angles, aren't they all perfect?

But the kit comes with strict instructions:

YOU ACTIVATE only once

YOU STABILIZE every day

YOU SWITCH every seven days without exception

REMEMBER YOU ARE ONE

Interestingly, Sue did not choose any other career or just enjoy life she now has in her new body, as being one she has all the aspirations that Elisabeth has, the glitz. So she auditions for the show and meets Harvey as her new self. She is set to have her own show "Pump it up". Btw the movie is full of close-ups like this:

And when the show is filmed later on, it's a lot of close-ups. The shots are aesthetic and pleasing, almost screaming "Look at this perfection". Sue gets a lot of those to bring a striking contrast to the body of Elisabeth. Because Sue is "perfect" and it boosts her confidence too.

But here's a catch, she has to switch. Note, the first switch is pretty voluntarily.

Switching back Elisabeth sees Sue for the first time, I think you could see looking almost cherishingly. But now there's another problem, since Elisabeth moved behind the scenes she actually has nothing to do. She did not make any goals for herself outside of letting Sue appear. So she spends her time watching TV, the only time she went out was to get the kit re-fill.

When Sue wakes up all young and pretty she can see that the TV is on and that the armchair feels very "used". She almost scoffs at it.

And here is where I find it fantastic in a way, Elisabeth and Sue are one and two people at the same time. But because of this the feeling of separation begins to grow stronger. So the feeling of disgust and rejection will also appear. It's almost like self-loathing, that this is my true self, some old woman, past her best years and I don't want to be like her. But she is you, you are one.

Not to get into trouble, after all there is a body lying around the house, Sue opens up a wall (very handy girl) and creates a safe room. Btw she is interrupter by a neighbors who instantly calms down when he sees Sue in person, all his rage at the noisy neighbor disappears with appearance of the beauty.

Sue drags Elisabeth into the safe room and starts her days. Enjoying the new billboard advertisement with herself that is right in front of the window, a symbolic reminder all day long.

Honestly, you really must be confident to pull what Qualley can do, all those close up during filming of the show. And after filming she comes out to have a good time wearing a tight bodysuit and high heels.

And here is the first time that Sue gets late to switch due to her partying and not wanting to miss sex with a young hot guy. So she drains more stabilizer above the normal dose. Stabilizer is Elisabeth's spine liquid.

When Elisabeth wakes up all she sees are the after party mess, but it's not the only thing - her finger is now aged. (Praising the sfx department, they outdid themselves in this movie).

This old skin is not an illusion, so Elisabeth makes a call, but the answer is - what is taken, can't be returned. Basically, she can't control when the other part of her decides to drain her spine liquid to prolong the number of days outside without switching.

But does Elisabeth decide to stop? She does not. Even knowing the risk she continues. She cleans up the mess and sees the new show on TV with Sue's close-ups. It's such a complicated look. As if deeply inside there is a brewing thought - You exist because of me, your beauty is taken from me, everything you have is mine, but she still can't let go. Unlike Sue, Elisabeth can not stabilize herself and exist longer, so she has to switch no matter what.

Elisabeth again travels for the refill kit, but this time she meets a person, the owner of the other locker, number 207, and she is reminded of the young male nurse, but the old man asked her about still mattering in this life and also if the other half started "eating her"?

And here I think of that fascinating small note that will be shown later on the fridge (screenshot above) - It changed my life - but whose life did it change? It actually changed the younger sef's life, not the original. I love that this part is so tricky.

To prove to herself that she still exists, that she's still there Elisabeth finds a phone number of a man who asked her out, someone from school. So she dresses up and puts on make-up, but before going out she stops and looks at the Sue outside the window, thus after overfixating on herself and how she looks, changes her lipstick, adds gloss, changes again, adds blush, then she's dissatisfied with how her chest looks like in a dress and covers it up, but then when she sees herself again she basically gives up. her date asks if she's late or anything wrong, but Elisabeth just sits there with a feeling of brokenness.

The scene is actually amazing, so much hate is directed at yourself in the mirror, almost paranoid.

Moore totally didn't spare herself.

She turns to food. Which is symbolic to many people turning to food for comfort.

Ngl the food is presented in this movie in such a way that it will make you feel uncomfortable, but that's the catch.

Sue saw a nightmare as if she took a chicken drumstick from her body and woke up to whole chiken eaten by Elisabeth and only the bones left behind.

Sue makes a call and is outraged that she has not enough time as herself, but Elisabeth does nothing, there is so much disgust in those words, as if she matters, but Elisabeth now doesn't. But she can't change the process.

She finds that the studio is not ready, she is afraid being let go aagin, tears in her eyes, as if it's the most that matters, but Harvey says the show had tremendous success and they will get her new time slot and will let her host a New Year's show.

Thus for Sue her career is more important than any balance, she starts to extracting more and more "stabilizer" and promises each time "It's the last day, I promise" and also tells about her progress as a rising star.

The scene with taking the spinal fluid is very body horror trigger warning all over the place, because the injection place starts to get almost like infected. Ah, scary.

But the one who is scared the most is Elisabeth who realized that Sue did not care about her at all and did not change for much longer than the last time. Now half her body is of that of an old woman.

Again, sfx team, props to them and also Moore is not scared to play at all.

But even if she's bitter and angry and sarcastic and is enraged at Sue on TV show who also points at her in a sarcastic way, while answering and even if Elisabeth is asked by the operator if she wants to terminate, Elisabeth does not terminate. She can't terminate, after all that beautiful part of herself exists and she can't let it go. Yet it doesn't mean she is not angry. The TV show interview with Sue makes her so angry that she makes a whole mess of the apartment making the woken up Sue enraged to such extent that she completely disregards the consequences and drains a full load of spinal liquid from Elisabeth. She doesn't want to switch anymore. And thinks she'll be fine.

3 months later she is ready to host the New Year's show, goes to inject the stabilizers but find that her stash is empty, unbothered she enters the safe room which is filled with packages of "food matrix" that are supposed to be for her and Elisabeth, but we do not see the body, yet we see Sue who had not taken any more liquid.

She calls and gets an answer that without switching there will be no regeneration of the spinal liquid, but it's a critical moment for her. But she has no other option but to switch.

And now we see Elisabeth. Boy what a view, they went all out on that bodysuit, it's a bit funny ngl. So Elisabeth is now a deformed hunched old lady. She is now completely ruined.

She makes a decision to finally terminate. But during the process she again sees the new poster outside with the upcoming NY show and half through the process she stops and tries to revive Sue, she is successful, but Sue who saw the half-empty syringe is the most outraged and in the process brutally kills Elisabeth (interestingly Elisabeth doesn't put up a fight, but only defends). Feeling after that something is wrong with her body she stops. We again see the reminder of "You are one".

This is the evening of the New Year show and Sue gets ready, but again hears the ringing in her ears and can barely concentrate, something is definitely wrong with her body. Left alone she sees herself getting worse, almost desintegrating. Afraid she runs back to grab the "activator" (that funny green liquid) in an attempt to make a copy of herself, but activator only for the original and for one use only, what comes out of Sue is a morphed version of some body monster. Elisasue get ready for the evening, they re-arrange the dress, also put the jewellery on, maybe the first time they look in the mirror normally. She cuts out the Elisabeth's face from the big portrait and sticks it on herself, this is me. She goes to the venue and is met by people, as if they don't see her behind that obvious mask and she goes on stage letting others see what she looks like.

The audience is scared and hates her instantly and wants to get rid of her.

TW: Too much of blood lol. But that gush of fake of blood as the responsive violence to audience's hate is something else. I bet they had lots of fun.

FInally Elisasue leaves and falls apart on the street, the last bit of her, Elisabeth's face that was part of the morphed person almost crawls to the thing we saw first in the movie, her star on the walk of fame.

She finally disappears when she reached the moment when she is truly free.

The movie is so grotesque, it's definitely not for those with weak stomachs, but at the same time so vocal about the issues it presents.

It's interesting to see that both parts basically hate each other, despite the fact that they are the same person, but one sees value in the other or more like wants to prolong that life through the other part, while the other part disdains the original for being a drag. It's such a vivid inner conflict and the final freedom.

RATE: 9/10. Shaving one star for the gore, although I know and understand the idea why it was done, but I truly lost my appetite after watching ahahaha

[MOVIE] Dinner in America (2020)

An on-the-lam punk rocker and a young woman obsessed with his band unexpectedly fall in love and go on an epic journey together through America's decaying Midwestern suburbs.

-IMDb

This movie is said to have a surprising fate, with its initial release in 2020 when pandemic was the most rampant, then getting additional screening time and in 2024 because of trending on TikTok of the main theme song "Watermelon" the movie gained another wave of popularity.

Being honest my process of watching was deeply influenced by watching a review by Amanda the Jedi, who promoted this movie from back in 2020 and released a new video, because of the movie getting another screening time.

And I really liked it.

Maybe because it's such a tender and pure story between two individuals who "don't fit", maybe it's the wonderful actor's play. Maybe it's the idea that they fell in love without looking at each other's looks, but truly liked each other as human beings. 

No honestly the actors were amazing. Emily Skeggs as Patty was fantastic, her interpretation as this outcast-ish girl, her behavior and mimics. I think she nailed it. Her image is that of not conventionally attractive young woman, who is bullied by some tracksuit assholes, gets annoyed by her family, but her best part in life is a punk rock group Psyops she follows and sends love letters to their vocalist.

On the other hand is Kyle Gallner, who looks like a live version of musketeer in real life, but his role of Simon is always full of rage and raw emotion and aggression. Some may not like him, but it's the type of person who shows too much and makes you uncomfortable by oppressing you emotionally. But despite questionables sides of his character, he appreciates Patty and lashes out at anyone who humiliates her.

They can be called a weird couple, but there is something so authentic about their relationship that I can't help but call them cute. Despite the premise of the movie and storyline they managed to be more romantic than many romcoms of nowadays. 

Because many girls that are out there are Patty and they also need their own Simon who appreciates them for who they truly are.

I sometimes find myself thinking that actors in small movies like this can be more impressive to me than some big name celebs..

Anyway recommended.

RATE: 8/10. 

[MOVIE] Storks (2016)

Or the movie that has the biggest loophole everyone who gives it a good rating overlooks.

Oh God, I kinda felt so stupid after watching it, no wonder it wasn't promoted or became popular, it really went right above our heads. At least in my case.

I've seen the moment with wolf pack building bridge and maybe that's the funniest part of the movie at all.

Most important backstory of this movie. Storks were delivering babies since ancient times, they got a cool technology for that because they have a whole baby farm. This lasted for centuries before one single incident when one of the storks saw the baby and refused to give it away and in the process of struggle the locator with the address breaks down.

And I have so many questions right away. With such a big farm and technology.. no backup?

Important information: 18 years later.

After 18 years, the orphan Tulip lives with storks on that mountain. Storks now just act as delivery. The one to be promoted, Junior, is asked to fire Tulip for her destructive innovations that caused damages. But Junior moves her to the old baby factory because of being unable to fire her.

On the other hand we have a family of three, with a boy named Nate and his always busy parents.

Seeing his parents never having time to accompany him and being envious of other children having siblings he proposes to have a baby brother. Why parents acted weird beats me. But one this is evident, storks themselves say - there are other ways to have a baby, meaning natural way. Otherwise storks would have never run out of baby business.

Finding an old brochure Nate writes a letter, that is delievered to Tulip, who accidentally put it into machine instead of dumping it with all other letters.

Quick note: I had no idea that there were so many old letters lying around and this will be crucial in the end.

But now there is a problem, Tulip and Junior produced a child and they have no other option except delivering it. And they set off this journey. Tbh, the cliche of everyone seeing the baby and being like 'awe~' is old.

Best thing is the wolf pack (and their assemble), they wan to leave the kid and raise it, but Tulip and Junior escape. Dumb humor throughout the entire movie btw.

They travel, but now they are also followed, on is the bird who wants to report that Junior broke the rule of "no babies", like it's something outrageous. And another is the stork responsible for the incident with Tulip.

Because of the first bird, the address is manipulated and the baby is stolen. This part made me go crazy, because - they can manipulate data of that locator, but don't have a second locator for Tulip omg.

So we're back to square one and the final showdown between the current boss of storks delivery and Junior + Tulip. They turned on the machine in baby factory and produced thousands of kids.

The boss is defeated. Everyone is like hurray.. why? beats me. We have a heartfelt monologue from Junior, that delivering babies was their duty and blah-blah-blah and storks are back to their old business, because where else do they keep the babies, so they deliver it. Hundreds of storks flock out and fly in different direction with the inspiring music in the background, everyone is in awe, they deliver babies, people are happy. Lot of PC.

BUT! Remember the important information? 18 years have passed. These people should have aged, or got pregnant without storks, why everyone thinks a sudden baby is a blessing and everyone is happy? Let's toy with this idea. What about divorced parents, what if they already have children, what about their financial situation? A baby isn't just a tamagochi for you to keep an eye on. They made it look like babies were delievered to families that were waiting, but they all look young still, ok? :) This is the biggest loophole of entire movie. 18 years later, those letter kept being collected and unanswered, the whole bunch of babies are late for 18 years. And don't tell me some letters might be fresh, this does not erase the loophole.

Even if Tulip returns to her home, of course she is welcomed (how those people recognized her, signature red curly hair?), the scene is followed by the beloved American hugs. With no question or no logic, everyone is like - ah~ hugs~ welcome home. Even kids. No one asked - who is that?

But of course it has the happy ending of, Tulip has her family, all the babies found their home and storks are back into baby business.

If it wasn't for wolves, everything else is so plain and lacks thought and soul.