Review: Blade Runner 2049 (2017) (A Sequel Thirty-Odd Years Too Late?)

(SPOILER FREE)

“I hope you don’t mind me taking the liberty”

When we were told that we were getting a belated sequel to Blade Runner, one of the most influential sequels of all time, I reacted with apathy. Why do we need a sequel thirty years after the original was released? Blade Runner might be very well respected as a film, but I couldn’t imagine many people buying tickets to see a sequel to it. And, of course, not many people have bought tickets to see a sequel to Blade Runner. It only making $30 million in its first weekend, compared to its budget of around $150 million. But I’d advise, nay implore, people who love cinema to watch Blade Runner 2049. What could have been worthless cash-in turned out to be one of the films of the year…

Review: Drive (2011) (One Of The Best Films of the 21st Century?)

“I drive”

Last week, BBC Culture released a list of the Top 100 Films of the 21^st Century, as voted for by movie critics (click here for the list). It may be a bit premature, as we are only fifteen years into the 21^st Century. ‘Mulholland Drive’ topped the list, which included critic friendly films such as ‘Tree of Life,’ ‘The Assassin,’ ‘The Diving Bell and The Butterfly,’ etc. I was surprised to see ‘The Dark Knight’ on there, as it is superhero movie, after all!

Review: Only God Forgives (2013) (An Unforgivable Bore?)

“Time to meet the Devil”

Anyone who watched ‘Drive,’ the first collaboration between Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling, would have been eager to watch their second collaboration, ‘Only God Forgives.’ ‘Drive’ was perhaps Refn’s masterpiece, a brilliant mesh of genres with a delectable soundtrack. I, too, was eager to see ‘Only God Forgives,’ but had to wait until its DVD release to watch it. Apparently no cinemas in my vicinity want to show Refn films! I’m having the same difficulty trying to find a showing for ‘The Neon Demon.’ So, to prepare for the latter, Refn’s latest film, I re-watched ‘Only God Forgives.’ I admit I fell asleep during my first viewing. If you’re expecting ‘Drive: The Sequel,’ then you’ll be sorely disappointed.