Dylan Vo

I actually liked this a lot. Not a dull moment for me, and Glen Powell’s charm continues to work together with a strong supporting cast! I only have my doubts about the ending, which they were obviously going for as revealed, but that still left me unsatisfied.

Pleasantly surprised by this one! Had me smiling from beginning till end with almost some tears as well and I loved some of the absurdity. Gets into my top 10 Pixars!

**Leonardo DiCaprio (Re)run #4** Some films you outgrow. Others grow with you. Shutter Island is that for me. This was the film that truly introduced me to cinema beyond what I grew up with. Back then, it was the mystery, the tension, the twist that pulled me in. Watching it now, it hits in a completely different way. Even when you know the twist, it doesn’t lose its power, it gains something. Every scene feels heavier, more tragic. You start to notice the details, the mannerisms, the cracks in the character. It becomes less about what happens, and more about why it has to happen. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one of his best performances. The depth he brings to Teddy is incredible. You feel his pain in everything. His voice, his expressions, the way he carries himself. It’s a performance that slowly unravels, and it’s devastating to watch. Martin Scorsese is at his boldest here. The dream sequences are haunting and beautifully shot, filled with color yet completely broken, while the real world feels dark, stormy, and suffocating. The contrast is striking and meaningful. Add to that the incredible score, cinematography, and atmosphere, and the tension never lets go. Michelle Williams is also fantastic in a smaller role. Her presence lingers. Emotionally, this film hit me hard. Not because I relate to everything the character goes through, but because I understand the core of it. Holding on to something that’s already gone. Living in memories because letting go feels impossible. Staying there, even when it slowly destroys you. People often say the film doesn’t work once you know the twist. I completely disagree. If anything, this is a film that reveals itself more with every watch. A perfect film for me.

**Leonardo DiCaprio (Re)run** *“You taught me to fly Howard, I’ll take the wheel.”* The Aviator is one of those films I respect more than I actually enjoy. Leonardo DiCaprio carrying a film like this at 30 is seriously impressive. His performance is very strong, especially in how he portrays Howard Hughes’ descent into obsessive behavior. He makes it uncomfortable in a very effective way whenever he’s on screen, you feel that tension. The film is also filled with strong performances across the board. I especially wish we got more of Cate Blanchett, who is excellent in the scenes she’s in. That said, it never really grabbed me. I’ve noticed that I tend to struggle with films set in the 20s–40s if the subject matter doesn’t immediately interest me, and that was definitely the case here. It made it harder to stay fully engaged throughout. It also didn’t feel like a typical Martin Scorsese film to me. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if I didn’t know he directed it, I don’t think I would have guessed. It’s clearly very well made, but it lacks that distinct edge I associate with his best work. The last 30–45 minutes especially lost me. I understand what the film is going for with Hughes’ decline, but it didn’t hold my attention the way I hoped it would. I also wasn’t a fan of how the flying sequences were handled. They didn’t really work for me visually. In the end, it’s a good film with a great central performance, but not one I see myself revisiting.