Cinema Ramblings - Page 2 of 2 - Cinema in Words, Emotions in Every Line

Lost in Starlight Review: Korea’s Foray Into Animation is a Surprisingly Mature Outing

There is one common thread that binds most animated films in the modern era: the urge to oversimplify. In trying to cater to younger audiences, many animated films end up diluting their emotional weight, softening their edges, and offering safe, palatable narratives. As a result, the potential of animation as a medium for mature, layered…

May 31, 20250Comments ByRitesh Sharma

Review

Moonrise Anime Review: A Relevant Exploration of Current AI Trauma Bogged Down by Spectacle

Netflix’s "Moonrise", helmed by Tow Ubukata and animated by WIT Studio, begins with a promise. Its premise is compelling, its animation exquisite, and its themes rooted in our times, climate decay, AI trauma, and colonialist guilt. With the Moon as both literal battleground and metaphorical dumping ground, the series explores the human cost of exploitation.…

May 30, 20250Comments ByRitesh Sharma

Moral Ambiguity in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul

Opinion Pieces

Analyzing the moral ambiguity in Breaking Bad vs. Better Call Saul

Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, the two shows created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, are among the greatest pieces of television ever created, if you ask almost anyone. In this piece, we will go over one of the most important aspects of the two shows: the moral ambiguity. The writing of both shows…

January 13, 20250Comments ByAndreas Sass

Review

Game Changer Movie Review: Shankar Hasn’t Lost It (Yet)

This writer is in no way qualified to describe the genius of Shankar or how he has influenced generations of filmmakers. Shankar has been making films for over three decades now, maintaining a terrific track record until last year when questions arose about his artistry. While the criticism he received is valid—he did mess up…

January 12, 20250Comments ByNazeefullah Shaik

Review

Shadow of the Vampire Movie Review: A Timeless Connection to Nosferatu’s Legacy

There are many interpretations of Nosferatu, originally made by the German filmmaker F.W. Murnau as an unofficial adaptation of Dracula. It’s important to note that most of these adaptations are personal and sincere to the filmmakers involved. Werner Herzog, for example, felt a great weight upon him as he followed in the footsteps of one…

January 11, 20250Comments ByHarish Babu

Review

Anatomy of a Fall Movie Review: A Riveting Exploration of Truth and Ambiguity

The 2023 film Anatomy of a Fall begins with a deceptively simple setup that lulls the audience into a sense of casual observation. A woman, Sandra Voyter, a renowned author, is seated against a backdrop of snowy mountains, being interviewed by a young student. Their conversation is peppered with laughter and light banter, creating an…

January 11, 20250Comments ByRitesh Sharma

Essays

The Rise and Fall of Kollywood’s Commercial Cinema

Kollywood has always been a topic of interest for me, naturally, as I am from Tamil Nadu. The Tamil film industry is constantly evolving, and the post-2010 era is particularly fascinating. This period saw the emergence of many new-generation filmmakers like Pa Ranjith, Karthik Subbaraj, and Lokesh Kanagaraj. It was also an era that gave…

January 11, 20250Comments ByHarish Babu

Opinion Pieces

The Musical Genius Behind Studio Ghibli Magic

One of the most influential companies in the film industry over the past four decades has been Studio Ghibli. From the iconic Totoro to two Oscar-winning films, you are most likely familiar with the Japanese studio and its products. Without Ghibli, the film industry wouldn’t be the same. Many factors contribute to the massive success…

January 10, 20250Comments ByMicheal King

Opinion Pieces

Rediscovering “Mrs. Doubtfire” as a Psychological Thriller

The 1993 film "Mrs. Doubtfire," directed by Chris Columbus and starring Robin Williams, has long been perceived as a light-hearted family comedy. Audiences laughed as Daniel Hillard, a recently divorced father, disguised himself as an elderly British housekeeper to stay close to his children. But beneath its comedic exterior lies a deeply unsettling psychological horror/thriller…

January 8, 20250Comments ByRitesh Sharma