NETFLIX: UNCUT GEM

Release Date: Netflix Malaysia, 31 Jan 2020

Genre: Drama / Thriller

Running Length: 2:16

Cast: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield, Eric Bogosian, Judd Hirsch

Director: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Screenplay: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein

The backdrop that UNCUT GEMS transpires against is not new - the gemstone industry. But the way this movie unfolds is refreshing.

The pace is relentless with shady characters and con artist talking and shouting on top of each other at any one time. I was trying hard to understand what was going on 10 percent into the movie and my head wanted to explode. I wanted to scream, "WTF is going on??! Can all of you just SHUT UP!!!"

But if you can power through and not be distracted by pausing or fast forwarding or even walking to the fridge to get something (since this is streaming on Netflix), the payoff is worth it.

Gemstone dealer Howard Ratner (Sandler) is the film’s high-strung protagonist who likes to live on the edge and is always on the verge of an eruption. He is a womanizer, compulsive gambler and all-around crook. Howard is pinning all his hopes on an Ethiopian opal that would get him out out of his debt situation. Throughout the film, he is a ticking time bomb. 

This is one of those rare gems of a movie that almost everything about it, from the directing to the acting and the technical aspects of it, is flawless. Adam Sandler received so many critical praises for his performance here I had to check it out (I'm never a big fan of Adam). If I'm one of the film studio executives, I wouldn't be able to imagine Sandler in this role, "C'mon, this role is totally out of his league!"

It’s a tough part for anyone to pull off, but Sandler nails it. His character is repulsive but yet, oddly charismatic. I can't help but to root for him.

Set in New York in 2012, the Safdie Brothers successfully captures the overwhelming and chaotic energy of the city with the extreme close-ups of the characters, intentional haphazard editing and its synthesized score.

This movie is uncompromising, stressful and exhausting - but a very necessary watch.

RATING: 9.5/10

KNIVES OUT

Release Date: Malaysia, 28 Nov 2019

Genre: Thriller

Running Length: 2:00

Cast: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Christopher Plummer

Director: Rian Johnson

Screenplay: Rian Johnson

KNIVES OUT is one of the most entertaining, smart and enjoyable films I've seen this year. 

The movie starts off like the board game Cluedo. Harlan Thrombey (Plummer), a renowned and rich crime novelist is found dead in his huge mansion the day after his 85th birthday party. He has invited his dysfunctional family, and there are many of them, to his party. Of course, everyone at the party is a suspect and in comes famous Detective Benoit Blanc (Craig) to investigate this mysterious death. 

And that's all I can say about this movie. Because anything more than that will rob you of your joy in watching this well-written, well-directed and well acted movie. 

The highlight of this movie is Daniel Craig's Blanc. His southern drawl is one of a kind and his method of investigation is refreshing. He is detached from logic and intuition and believes that the evidence will eventually show up. It's nice to see him moving around in a nonchalant laid-back manner, compared to his portrayal of James Bond. 

The other highlight is of course the ensemble cast of calibre actors, with most of them playing against type. You are glued to what's unfolding in front of you because of its sharp dialogue and not because of some car chase action scene. In fact, there is only one car chase scene in the entire movie and the remark at the end of the chase was funny in a self-parody way. 

Go watch this classic whodunnit? murder mystery on the big screen!

RATING: 9/10