The Brutalist
(18), 215mins
★★★★★
Adrien Brody’s Oscar-tipped performance is nothing less than incredible
When it comes to a lengthy film, the struggle to find the right moment for a bathroom break is real. But in The Brutalist, there isn't a single moment of Adrien Brody's Oscar-worthy performance that you'd want to miss. Director Brady Corbet makes sure his three-and-a-half-hour drama, following a Holocaust survivor rebuilding his architecture career in America, comes with a 15-minute intermission.
The story begins with Laszlo Toth, played by Brody, experiencing the Statue of Liberty for the first time in New York. With emotional depth and raw intensity, Brody portrays a range of emotions from joy to frustration to anger, leaving viewers captivated throughout.
As Laszlo navigates a new life in Pennsylvania, working for wealthy industrialist Harrison Van Buren (Guy Pearce), the clash of their personalities becomes central to the plot. Pearce shines as the cold and calculating Van Buren, contrasting with Laszlo's emotional and artistic approach.
With powerful performances and a storyline that goes beyond architecture and anti-semitism, The Brutalist offers a cinematic experience that is both beautiful and brutal, with moments of hope amidst despair.
Flight Risk
(15), 91mins
★★☆☆☆
Michelle Dockery does a decent job, but Wahlberg spends most of his time yee-hawing
Mel Gibson's latest directorial effort, Flight Risk, falls short of expectations. Starring Michelle Dockery as a US Marshal tasked with transporting an informant, played by Topher Grace, the film unfolds mostly on a flight from Alaska to Anchorage.
Challenges arise as the marshal faces Mark Wahlberg's character, a pilot with a penchant for risky maneuvers. While Dockery delivers a solid performance, Wahlberg's portrayal leaves much to be desired, with more focus on action and less on substance.
For those seeking punch-ups and quick thrills, Flight Risk may offer some entertainment, but overall, it fails to soar to great heights.
Presence
(15), 85mins
★★★☆☆
Presence won’t linger once you’ve left the cinema
Steven Soderbergh's return to filmmaking with "horror" movie Presence may not leave a lasting impact. The story follows a family moving into a new home, where a poltergeist-like presence begins to make its presence known.
While the film offers some psychological drama and twists, it lacks the tension needed to truly captivate viewers. Despite a strong performance from Lucy Liu and intriguing plot developments, Presence falls short of creating a lasting impression once the credits roll.
