d-JCB

Finally watched this recently and was quite impressed! It was like the ultimate Wes Anderson film, with all the trademark tracking shots, set design and playful approach. It felt like this was his 8 & 1/2, with how the story constantly flowed and drifted between time periods and perspectives.

The story structure was quite complex and layered, moving in and out of dimensions almost. This film would benefit from repeated viewings, as i was quite perplexed at the start until I settled into the chaotic structure of the film. I applaud Wes for trying to pull off this ambitious feat!

Ultimately it felt like Wes Anderson's "greatest hits" all piled into one film, with an all-star cast and every frame looking and feeling very Anderson esque. It's like he has pushed his own style to the limits here.

The set designs are so elaborate, pulling out to wider shots to objectively take in the action, which felt like a homage to the master and creator of this macro look of society - Jacques Tati.

The pace of the dialog and tracking shots were also stepped up here, the snappy dialog reminiscent of 40s Hollywood gems, a clear era of inspiration for Anderson.

The score was perfectly fitting with Alexandre Desplat's playful whimsical atmosphere that sits nicely within the journey through Anderson's universe.

I wasnt sure if I'd like THE FRENCH DISPATCH as it has had polarizing verdicts, but I tend to like films like that for some reason. I like it when a director pushes themselves, even to risky limits he has here knowing the structure of the film will challenge many to follow and comprehend.

Maybe it's just one of those films you have to revisit, to ensure you didnt miss anything with it's lightning fast paced dialog and constantly shifting paradigms. And that's ok, because many of the greatest films of all time require more than 1 sitting no matter how much you think you "got it" first round. Try watching Bunuel's 1967 masterpiece BELLE DE JOUR without your head turning inside out as the final sequence dissipates. Like some great books, they cant be digested in 1 sitting...

Dont like this story structure turn you off. I would encourage all peeps to see this film.

Anderson has become one of the few film makers that create films for all generations, non offensive and fun, quick whited and playful approach becomes quite engrossing. It's a good companion film to his recent greats MOONRISE KINGDOM and THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, though I prefer his previous masterpieces to this film, however I feel this is somewhat a masterpiece but I need to sit with it a bit longer and reassess after a 2nd viewing. 8/10.

The King was a solid, tense period film over the English/French rivalry from the middle ages. Aussie master David Michôd returns with a gripping portrayal of these dire times, with touches of Shakespeare tongue and brooding drama. It's a tale about honour, family, and the fight for peace over war. With many stories from this turbulent era in history, the film keeps you hoping, but is bittersweet by close...

From the opening moments, the film has an unsettling mood that carries the tension throughout, never over erupting but sticking to the very end. It's dark mood is pitch perfect for the era where beheadings were commonplace if you dare go against the King's wishes.

Timothée Chalamet as Henry V is outstanding, one of the most promising young actors with this performance here, proving his efforts for the masterpiece Call Me By Your Name were not by chance. Michod & Edgerton on the writing credits again here, backing up the tight script of The Rover (2014) they co-wrote. Not to mention Edgerton acting abilities are on point once more as Henry's best mate on and off the battlefield. Incredible cinematography from Adam Arkapaw that depicts the scale of these battles brilliantly, while showing the intimacy of Henry's life and the decisions he chooses along the path.

Considering this a Netflix film, this along with Annihilation proves they can deliver cinematic pieces of cinema worthy of the masterpiece throne. There was no sniffs of it being a Hollywood blockbuster here, with material like Henry V's battle against France would be a money hungry producer's dream to glorify and exploit for the masses to suck up. Instead we have a well paced brooding tense film that is executed with a dirty sword right from the mud pit of the battleground. More of this please...

7-8/10

Just finished watching this. powerful doco on the tragedy that is occurring in South Africa against white people. An uprising from the blacks after years racial tensions after apartheid, murdering farmers and vulnerable people, while the government does nothing. on the brink of civil war, many cant afford to leave, so they form segregated communities, or in some cases prepare to civil war with supplies and weapons. must see that opens your eyes to a modern tragedy that mainstream media is avoiding to report