The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)

The Cloverfield Paradox is a science fiction film set in the Cloverfield universe where scientists are trying to solve the energy crisis with a hadron collider in space.

I had never heard of the director before today, Julius Onah, and after today I'd say he's competent. The shots he chooses to use are interesting and different. He uses classic shots like in the position of power the person should look down on the weaker and vice versa. Also, I didn't notice any problems with the shots used during dialog. The last shot of the film was the only moment where I tilted my head in wonder as to why he chose that. It posed a lot of questions, which is both good and bad.

The writer is Oren Uziel. He wrote 22 Jump Street and Shimmer Lake and has proven that he can write both science fiction, crime, and comedy. Not many people can say they've done the same. The writing has some problems and I can't really get into spoilers but you'll find yourself asking 'How?' at some of the events that happen which I imagine fanboys will say that it's a paradox, you don't need to understand. As a man of reason and mathematics, I couldn't overlook some of the flaws in the writing. Side note: he's also writing the reboot for Mortal Kombat.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays the main character who has lost her children due to a tragic accident. It's a key bit of information that the beginning glosses over due to the writing. It's not a spoiler, and you should know this going in. She is convincing throughout the film and I couldn't find anything wrong with her performance. She can convey messages without having to speak which is key to a great performance. You might recognize her for her brief appearance on a show called Doctor Who.

Daniel Brühl plays Schmidt. I loved his performance in Inglourious Basterds and as Zemo in Captian America: Civil War. His character is interesting enough and has a few scenes with Ziyi Zhang, the woman from Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and, my favorite of her performances, Hero. I can't really say too much about what their characters do without spoiling anything but safe to say Brühl does great and Zhang is here to sell the movie to the Chinese audiences. There is a lot of Mandarin spoken in this film.

Result: B- (It's above average, the second movie was much better, and I do look forward to the next)

Comments

Wuthering Heights (2026)

Wuthering Heights is directed by Emerald Fennell , known for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn , and opens with a striking image that immediately signals this will not be a conventional adaptation of the classic novel. The film remains faithful to several of the book's narrative choices, particularly in how it lingers on the characters' early years before fully embracing the central tragedy. While this approach accurately reflects the source material, the pacing occasionally suffers, with several montages and extended childhood sequences lasting longer than necessary. One element that works especially well is the portrayal of Catherine and Heathcliff's adoptive father, whose volatile temper contrasts sharply with the affection he shows the two children, echoing one of the novel's stronger character dynamics. Margot Robbie , known for Barbie and I, Tonya , delivers one of the strongest performances of her career as Catherine. She captures the character's passio...

Voicemails for Isabelle (2026)

Voicemails for Isabelle is written and directed by Leah McKendrick , whose previous acting work included a small role in I Know What You Did Last Summer . Here she steps behind the camera with a romantic comedy that aims to balance humor and modern relationships, but the screenplay struggles under the weight of uneven characterization. Much of the dialogue comes across as forced, and the humor often leans into exaggerated "girl boss" moments that quickly become repetitive. The biggest weakness is that nearly every male character, with one exception, is written as either incompetent or one-dimensional, leaving the story feeling less like a balanced romantic comedy and more like a collection of caricatures. As a result, the central romance never develops the emotional foundation it needs. Zoey Deutch , known for Set It Up and Zombieland: Double Tap , plays Jill and gives an energetic performance, but the screenplay works against her. The character is repeatedly described as...

Citizen Vigilante (2026)

Citizen Vigilante is written and directed by Uwe Boll , a filmmaker whose work has always been divisive, and this film continues that trend. The movie tackles issues surrounding immigration, social tensions, and public frustration, themes that have been prominent throughout the decade. Surprisingly, the film often approaches these subjects from a perspective that many viewers may not expect from a major studio release. While the political themes are front and center, the larger issue is that the writing struggles to make the world and its characters feel believable. Conversations often lack the natural reactions people would have in real life, particularly younger characters who accept lectures and speeches with very little resistance or personality. Armie Hammer , known for The Social Network and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. , plays the vigilante and spends much of the film using a gravelly, Batman-inspired voice. He commits fully to the role, and his physical presence works well for th...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog