Dr. Strange

All attempts at being objective are thrown into the wind now. I love it. I adored it. I want to see it again and again and again. I know that I might be able to say that about every one of Benedict's films simply, because they are his, but I'm not lying either. It was fantastic. I will try to now explain why

*Some films I forget a week after I see them. I never even remember to make a post here. Then when I do remember I saw it I remember nothing of the film itself. This film, after seeing it once I feel like every frame has been burnt into my memory permanently. I can't stop myself from going back to it again in my head.

* It doesn't feel like a typical superhero movie. Actually, I have nothing against those either. I like them. I enjoy them, but I can predict every mood, I find myself thinking about what is to come, knowing what it will be and whispering:"I knew it!" I'm not sure if this film was predictable. In a way - yes. We knew something needs to happen to Dr. Strange for him to get his powers, There is a cliche training montage. A lot of things are a little cliche... Okay. Maybe it was typical in some ways, but I was so entranced by what was going on I didn't think of what was yet to come.

*There are a lot of visual elements that remind me of Inception. Inception is one of my favorite films, so naturally, I enjoyed that.

*The characters are so believable.   Doctor Strange is so believable. This is largely Benedict's doing, but there has to be some good writing to it. He has the desperation of a person who has lost hope in modern medicine and turns to esoterica as a last resort. A thing I've seen and heard of so many times. A very current topic too, at least in Estonia, I feel. And yet he remains a doctor - a sceptic, not believing in chakras, auras and spiritual healing and the power of your mind. It's realistic. His transformation could have been slower and more gradual, but I realize the running time of a movie can't be five hours. His inner battle between trusting only in science and medicine and opening his mind to something greater, something divine is relatable. It is a dilemma many people face.

He remains a sceptic, a curious man to always ask questions and doubt even when he is told not to. Even when that is shown as a bad thing.  He never becomes a soldier who questions nothing. I love that.

*Finally, the film is funny. I laughed so many times, there were so many good jokes that I still remember now. The humor was fantastic. And there wasn't a single low joke! Not one hit in the groin! Not one fart joke! I mean, come on, that alone is an achievement.

Black Mass

After all the papers here had long finished reviewing and critiquing this I discovered that the movie I've been wanting to see since April was showed here for the last time today. So I went to that very last screening and here is a slightly bias opinion. Technically, opinions are always biased, but I'm saying this, because you should know before hand I'm a huge fan of Benedict Cumberbatch and thus am automatically more likely to love anything with him in it.

But leaving him aside, is Johnny Depp a human camelion or what? He looks entirely different in every single movie as far as I am concerned. He and Benedict don't really look like brothers at all, but neither do my dad and his brother so I'll let that one go. As for Benedict I feel like they tried so hard to make him look ugly with the cheek implants(Yes. Apparently. Not sure how), but sorry - you still failed, along with the women of the film he was still the most beautiful person there and I liked his character too. He was a nice contrast to all the criminals, a politician with a normal-ish family life and 9 children. Sure, he was also involved, he was loyal to his brother who was pretty much the king of the criminal world, but there was still this nice contrast with him somehow. Also (spoiler ahead) I'm so glad he survived! I was so scared he'd be shot at one point or another.  

 
This is the sort of film that keeps you on the edge of your seat constantly. Everyone could die, at any point, when you know to expect it and when you won't expect it at all. And yet, somehow, incredibly, both of my favorite characters survived. My nerves are quite fragile and I jump at every gunshot that is unexpected or expected, but it was still a nice thrilling plot. I like the feeling.

It might be a bit unethical to say think about a movie that is based on real life events (and by the way I really like that about films like that. It's the only way they are worth a watch). but I find the criminal world really interesting, their honour code, their interactions, their twisted moral and logic. It's complicated, fascinating, it's what makes the movie so thrilling and compelling. It even....oddly makes you(me) feel for some of the character. Even if they really were as awful as they were.