First the positive...I must say I appreciate being able to see these movies. That is the only positive on this one .. It is just a jumbled mess. With lots of ridiculousness .. I could not hang with it .. a half hour in I fast forwarded to see if maybe it got better but no.. it was worse so this goes in my ..I do not recommend pile
Great documentary that everyone should see so that nobody can be fooled by companies like SeaWorld again.
Without a doubt Blackfish is one of the most horrific theatre experiences you'll have this year. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite presents a very carefully constructed case on the effects of inhumane treatment of Orcas in captivity. The one-sided argument is that the untimely human deaths caused by captive Orcas were not their fault but rather the fault of their captors; SeaWorld, and the evidence proving this point is so disturbing and so shockingly obvious that it's no wonder SeaWorld refused to be interviewed.
The story centers on Tilikum, a 12,000 lbs. Orca that is directly responsible for the death of 3 people, including Dawn Brancheau the former senior trainer at SeaWorld in Orlando. The film explores the reasoning behind the likely "psychosis" Tilikum has experienced in captivity, and the disgusting cover up executives have tried to make.
While SeaWorld naturally refused to be interviewed, the films perspective mostly derives from former trainers/employees of SeaWorld and other various experts. Their experience working with Orcas - most having dedicated their lives to it - is truly heart breaking. Presenting the theory, the evidence and finally a solution to the topic at hand, Blackfish is a marvellous story that will have you as tearful as the trainers that sincerely care for the well being of the creatures.
Blackfish doesn't just show a bunch of disgruntled former employees bashing SeaWorld either. The greatest technique employed in this film is its use of footage from shows featuring these trainers when they were younger. There's something so mesmerizing about watching the smiling young trainers play with their best friend while hearing their older self reminisce in voice over. Hearing a harsh critique of SeaWorld only seems right coming from the people it meant the most to.
While we've always known Orca's are intelligent creatures Cowperthwaite dedicates a lot of the film to demonstrating their capacity for emotions as well; watching them over time build connections with their trainers and each other. So by the time they show us their capture and captivity and witness the pain felt the whales, Tilikum especially, we know that their violent behavior is a direct result of SeaWorld. Killer Whales having never harmed a human in the wild.
I want to go through every point made by the movie but I won't. You need to see this for yourselves. The facts aren't what drive this film, the emotion behind them do. This is one of those movies you just won't stop talking about, and for the subject matter that's the best compliment it can receive. In the end sharing this information is what's going to help these Orcas.
Between the gripping footage and the distressing stories Blackfish effectively proves its point. There are very few movies like this; a must-see. There is no way after seeing this movie that you'll ever want to go to SeaWorld again, and for the sake of the animals that's the only thing we can do for them. Since it's made quite clear; the only thing affecting their decision-making is: how many Shamu dolls and tickets they've sold.
Gave a perspective that I wouldn't have never known from, really opened my eyes on what really is happening in Seaworld and other establishments.
I'm not sure if the acting could possibly get any worse if they actually tried. The plot was passable, but the acting and lines were beyond laughable! As in really really bad!
[Apple Tv +] I find it difficult to connect with this rich girl with insecurities about her husband's fidelity. Sofia Coppola imitates Woody Allen, but she comes up with a comedy so subtle that it's not funny. The dialogues aren't particularly brilliant, and the father-daughter relationship is very strained at times. Although we have long forgiven Bill Murray for playing himself always, even he can't save the movie.
Pretty solid.
Apparently a lot of people aren’t ready to be challenged by content matter like this, but I think that’s only a matter of time. We also got there eventually when it came to empathizing with gangsters.
An immigrant child in a new school battling hormones and her mother's Senegalese traditions tries so hard to fit in she breaks.
Cuties / Mignonnes is everything but cute. It's rough, hard, brutal, tragic and very real. Director Maïmouna Doucouré paints the gut wrenching portrait of the young lady and the clique she's dying to enter with sensitivity, soul and a touch of magical realism that mark the reader like a dark tattoo.
Amy is a complex character (terrifically written by Doucouré and played to a T by Fathia Youssouf) because in the same instant she elicits our sympathy, our anger and our disgust. She makes all the wrong decisions for all the right reasons and because for an 11-year-old on the threshold of puberty, there is only right now and desires that blind them from seeing any consequences of their actions.
As for the ridiculous controversy launched by those who haven't seen the film and fueled by blind ignorance: I find it interesting that people will criticize a female woman of color for directing a film based on her personal experiences, whereas when Woody Allen makes a film about young women throwing themselves at older men, he's hailed as a genius.
Shame on those who shame someone for trying to tell their story. Cinema is meant to be a stage for sharing, not an arena for executing artists we judge despite knowing nothing about them or their art.
Found footage movie has a novel concept, with an excellent performance from Larson in the title role. Becomes a little wearing by the end, but for the most part, this is a creepy little movie that will stick with you.
It was good without being great.
I loved the boat that rocked and about time. I felt this film was missing the heart those films had. There were some lovely moments, some cool moments and some happy moments.... but it was missing that extra 5% for me.
I can see why others have loved it though.
It's like they killed the book, buried it in jump scares, and this is what came back. Sometimes read is better.
Hollywood just needs to stop making Stephen King books into movies. Because they clearly don't get him. This is just a Blumhouse kind of film, no paper-thin characters, no real intense gore, no atmosphere or dread. The switch in the twist of the story would work if the film felt like a fully fleshed out character drama that delved into horror territory but it doesn't. Everyone seems to be phoning it in other than Jeté Laurence who plays Ellie. It's a waste of John Lithgow. I had such high hopes but this film fails. And now I'm worried about IT Chapter 2.
Jason Clarke? Really? Please Hollywood, stop hiring this guy... he's awful.
I must say, this was a wonderful western tale. Excellent. Netflix is the new HBO when it comes to great series.
