Dustin Riddell's Final thoughts on the movies reviewed this week:
Joker: Folie à Deux
"Joker: Folie à Deux" is truly a masterpiece that dives deep into the complexities of human emotion and mental illness, and I feel like it's a film that not everyone fully gets. The layers to this movie go beyond the standard comic book fare—it's more of a psychological exploration than a traditional villain story. Joaquin Phoenix brings such raw, vulnerable intensity to the role, and it pairs so well with Lady Gaga’s haunting performance. The musical elements add this surreal, almost dreamlike quality, making the whole experience feel like you're inside the Joker’s mind, seeing the world as he does. It’s a bold, unique take, and I think it’s misunderstood because it challenges the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about society, mental health, and identity. This isn’t just a film—it’s an experience that stays with you, and honestly, it deserves more appreciation for the risks it took.
No Country for Old Men
"No Country for Old Men" is one of those films that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Honestly, the Coen Brothers nailed the atmosphere, making it feel like every scene was dripping with tension. The pacing is slow, but it pulls you in, letting you feel every quiet moment and unpredictable twist. Javier Bardem's portrayal of Anton Chigurh is chilling, easily one of the most memorable villains in recent film history. The story feels almost like a meditation on fate and morality, with each character facing the consequences of their choices in brutal, unforgiving ways. I really enjoyed it; it's a dark, captivating ride that keeps you thinking long after it’s over.
Isaiah Riddell's Final thoughts on the movies reviewed this week:
Joker: Folie à Deux
Pending
No Country for Old Men
Pending
Sebastian Riddell's Final thoughts on the movies reviewed this week:
Joker: Folie à Deux
“Joker: Folie á Deux” is a film that has so much potential but manages to make every wrong decision. Todd Philips throws everything thought provoking about the first movie out the window in an attempt to save face due to the backlash it received. “Joker: Folie á Deux” is a film made with such a hatred for the fans of the first film that it’s hard to ignore, making it VERY clear that there is nothing compelling or relatable about Arthur Fleck’s motives in the first film, and that you’re a psychopath if you think there’s anything understandable about him as a person. This movie claims that Arthur Fleck was a creepy, insane and troubled man who is not the result of a failing system but rather of his failing mental psyche exclusively. I think that Todd Philips and the other people behind this film had the singular goal of clearing any controversy their first film created, because they are scared of having a movie that makes people talk and think. Pair this truly insulting message with a slow court drama that gets so bored of itself the courtroom randomly blows up, constant musical numbers with no original songs that reiterate things we already know rather than adding substance to the story, the horrible acting of most of the cast, and an ending that’s inconsequential of anything that happened before it and has 0 buildup whatsoever, and this movie is truly a disaster. To write any more about this film would be wasting more time to it than it deserves and would be more effort in a review than they probably put into making the movie.
No Country for Old Men
“No Country for Old Men” is a film that despite having a profound message buried within it, sacrifices audience investment and enjoyment in order to make a comment on life. I will not shy away from saying that when I first watched it, I didn’t get it. And I scoured the internet for other perspectives so that I can more clearly understand the “point,” for lack of a better term, of the film. It is of my belief that the directors of “No Country for Old Men” had a bleak outlook on life that they wanted to push into the minds of others when going into production of this movie, and selfishly charged forward with their perspective and ignored traditional storytelling. Did they provide a thoughtful approach to how we perceive life, the universe, and Mortality? Well, sure. But did they waste 2 hours of screen time telling a pointless story about a man who entangles himself with the cartel and a vicious murderer to send that message? You can be certain of that. I can accept a story that doesn’t satisfyingly tie a bow around the narrative by the end, or a story that subverts traditional media norms, but for me, they totally sacrificed audience enjoyment in order to tell the message they wanted to tell. I believe that far better movies have been able to find a balance between message and story, and concluded with something memorable and thought provoking. This movie has thought provoking down but I’m afraid the plot falls short to do so.
Jaxton Riddell's Final thoughts on the movies reviewed this week:
Joker: Folie à Deux
Pending
No Country for Old Men
"No Country for Old Men" is a great movie, but still has some flaws. The villain is amazing but he doesn't do great at being intimidating while he's talking. There is only a couple good actors in the film especially Anton Chigurh. Josh Brolin's character doesn't really change throughout the film and he dies off screen. The great part of the movie is the cinematography makes the movie look like a old and western film. I would like to believe it is a good 74/100 and that's not likely to change if i watch the movie again.