ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD

Release Date: Malaysia, 15 Aug 2019

Genre: Drama / Comedy

Running Length: 2:41

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Timothy Olyphant

Director: Quentin Tarantino 

Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD is nothing like anything being released recently from the Hollywood factory. There isn't really much of a plot. As an audience, I was just kinda "hanging out" with the two leads; Leonardo and Brad, throughout the almost 3 hours movie length. However, the final hour of the movie really paid off with an unexpected jaw dropping "Holy SH*T!" ending! 

When Tarantino announced he would be doing a movie with Charles Manson in it, he wasn't lying when he said this was NOT a movie about Charles Manson. 

I heard of "Charles Manson" but I really didn't know much about him until this movie. If I knew more of what he did and his movement, I'm sure I would have enjoyed this movie more. So here you go if you don't know who the Manson Family is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manson_Family Read this before you watch this film. 

Instead, this movie is about middle-aged fading star Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his buddy/stunt double, Cliff Booth (Pitt). Set in 1969 during the flower power Vietnam War years, this fairy tale like movie intersects with real historical tapestry, giving us a contrasting look at larger-than-life movie gods and their hedonistic life vs. a more cynical common American society. 

What I like about this movie is its comedic moments especially of the violent variety (although the level of violence in this film is significantly restrained compared to Tarantino's other movies). Tarantino also had some fun here with the audience with his signature treatment of tension and suspense as it plays out counter to what we expect. 

DiCaprio and Pitt are perfect here as buddies. I did enjoy "hanging out" with them. The rest of the performances are on-point too. 

And the set design here is perfect. This film feels like the 60s. I believe this sixties atmosphere is also contributed by Tarantino's decision to shoot this movie on film (and the camera movements). It does make a difference in the output - it looks older and warmer. 

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood might be too long and meandering for some. It's a little self-indulgent too, as expected since we're talking about QT here. But thankfully it's saved by great performances, an excellent atmospheric 60's Hollywood set design and brilliant memorable moments. 

It's true. Quentin Tarantino is really passionate and loves cinema movies with all his heart. 

RATING: 8/10  

THE REVENANT (2016)

Genre: Drama / Adventure
Running Length: 2:36
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Forrest Goodluck
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Screenplay: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Mark L. Smith, based on part on the novel by Michael Punke

THE REVENANT feels like an expensive exercise in self indulgence by director Inarritu (more about that later). And it also feels like Leo signed up for this because it could be his ticket to winning an Oscar, finally. The industry knows that the Academy digs actors who go through physical transformation or some kind of emotional torture (or both) in the name of Intense Method Acting. And boy, does DiCaprio suffer to "become" the character of Hugh Glass; consuming raw bison liver on camera, frequently shirtless in hypothermia-inducing harsh climates, sleeping in animal carcasses and so on and forth. 

Please don't get me wrong as all these misery the cast and crew had to go through is translated powerfully on screen - it's a tough, intense and experiential drama. But was it necessary for the film to take so long to tell a simple revenge-in-the-wilderness tale? 

There were way too many perfectly crafted long tracking shots (especially the film's opening Indian raid sequence) which was more distracting than immersive. As the camera glides smoothly through the bloodbath, it calls attention to the whereabouts of the camera instead of making it disappear. It just informs me that Inarritu was intentional on this and wants people to admire his craft rather than getting the audience involved in the action. And there are just too many extended takes on the rugged landscape. 

That said, this method of "not cutting away" was employed effectively in a grizzly bear attack sequence which was intense and disturbing. It gives a realistic view of what actually takes place when a man is being mauled by an enraged bear. Viewers may find this scene way too unsettling as we see DiCaprio being shred apart. 

And speaking of serving the ego, there is an ongoing artsy dream sequence which didn't really serve the story except to showcase how beautifully it was shot. It could have at least been used to fill in some back story of our protagonist so that the audience could be more emotionally invested in him. All we know of DiCaprio's character is that he seems to be super determined to survive but I was detached from his character because I hardly know anything about him. 

From a technical standpoint, The Revenant is flawless and very beautiful to look at. Reportedly shot using only natural light, the glory of the untouched (and freezing) American frontier is masterfully captured. 

Catch it on big screen if you like a gorgeously filmed revenge flick cum survival porn.  

Rating: 7/10