SPACEMAN (2024)

Directed By: Johan Renck

Written By: Colby Day

Based on The Book “Spaceman Of Bohemia” By Jaroslav Kalfar

Cinematography: Jakob Ihre 

Editor: John Axelrod, Scott Cummings, and Simon Smith 

Cast: Adam Sandler, Paul Dano, Carey Mulligan, Kunal Nayyar, Isabella Rosellini, Lena Olin, Marian Roden, Zuzona Stivinova, Petr Papanek, John Flanders

As an astronaut sent to the edge of the solar system to collect mysterious ancient dust finds his earthly life falling to pieces, he turns to the only voice that can help him try to put it back together. It just so happens to belong to a creature from the beginning of time lurking in the shadows of his ship.


This is an existential journey, a type of film that deals with loneliness and depression, and even though it takes place in outer space, it’s more about an inner journey than anything else.

So if you’re gonna do a movie that is practically mostly almost a one-man show where you spend time with the lead you’re going to want to cast an entertainer who here is trying to be more of a dramatic actor, but is definitely someone you know the audience is a fan of and identifies with Who they won’t mind spending time with throughout, even if he is not offering his usual type of performance.

Most are coming to this film for its star to see him in a different type of role, more dramatic than he takes from time to time, and not as rarely as before. 

The film like the character sounds downtrodden throughout 

Technically an art film is not bad and is actually impressive. It has plenty of artistic flourishes among the mundane story as the effects are, but this feels more like a Spotlight more focused on the character and his story. 

The film is about heart, but it feels like it lacks it, though Carey Mulligan seems to be the heart of the film and of the character’s existence, they are mainly kept apart most of the film.

As her character stays somewhat unsupported by him. The main problem with the film is that his character seems to be the same from beginning to end, even in the flashback so since she seems to be more lively, we never quite are sure why she fell for him, even though she explains it, but we never quite see it. so that this love story or romance kind of makes no sense as even when we see old pictures of them, it looks awkward and uncomfortable

The film might have been more noteworthy before streaming as it definitely would have probably made it to theaters with high hopes here it just seems like a regular expensive experiment or his yearly release through Netflix, focusing less on his usual type of comedies, yet still rocking his production companies, side project comedies. Shaking it up a bit with films like this.

The film is not as effective as it should be or tries to be it has good, technical filmmaking. It’s very meditative and slow as we live through his trauma

Love the cast, Carey Mulligan, Lena Olin, and Isabella Rossellini, who finally gets a role that is more than a minor one scene, the appearance of Kunal Nayyer. One just wishes they had more to do and a project that utilizes their talents more.

Nothing in particular makes this film noteworthy for all its peculiarities. It still feels oddly familiar as it is never quite warm, even when it wants you to feel something.

The one that makes the film and the characters come alive is a memory of a date at a public swimming pool.

Maybe if the film was more independent production, it would mean more as a project of passion to put all of a vision into, and it would feel like maybe a story that needed to be told. Here it comes across as entertainment that wants to have depth.

The second half of the film offers more heart. The film strives to be philosophical and romantic at heart. And after spending so much time, watching the film. You kind of surrender yourself to its charms, like Stockholm syndrome to make it feel like it was all worth it.

By the end In the film you can identify with him, but never quite feel anything. You wonder Is that the point?

Grade: C+

PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN (2020)

Written & Directed: Emerald Fennell 
Cinematography: Benjamin Kracun 
Editor: Frederic Thoraval 

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Adam Brody, Sam Richardson, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverene Cox, Max Greenfield, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Alison Brie, Connie Britton, Molly Shannon, Loren Paul, Christopher Lowell, Steve Monroe

A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who crossed her path.


The film seeks to try to make its points over and over again that feel like overkill and preaching to a certain extent.

The film manages to surprise the audience using exploitation expectations though giving something else entirely.

This film would have worked fine enough if it was what one was expecting a revenge tale against so-called nice guys and bad guys alike.

Though the film addresses more and it tries to be a film that inspires discussion and becomes more of a think piece than necessarily Just a film. This is fine as long as it offers more arguments and evidence for what it seems to want to spark conversations. 

Some aspects are left vague as we never really See what happens once she is down with her encounters with these men and are never really told what happens after. Is it just confrontation as a kind of exposing and warning to them? Does she do anything violent to them and if the just warning does she really Get revenge and does she have a backup security measure if these guys decide to get violent?

Even with her little notebook which she seems to make markings in of another case or victim. What Is it all for?

Not to mention afterwards though it seems to happen around the same town and area. It never comes back to her until the film needs it to, which comes off as a bit too convenient.

The film offers interesting twists but while there is a certain level of guilt. We still might wonder why she takes on this mission. 

Her revenge schemes are thought out, cruel, and make their points. Even though most men are made out to be villains throughout there are some women who are just as guilty in their ambivalence.

The film seems to make a point against nice guys being as bad or worse than predators. As they see themselves above it all and defend or support women. Though deep down they hold the same attitudes as those predators and believe because of their other good deeds that they are somehow owed love or a woman. Even as these nice guys already seem kind of predatory or at least douchey beforehand. 

Especially by casting actors, we have seen as the nice guy nerdish characters in other films and television shows. Who here makes cameos or has a scene or two Then disappear. That truly only one character actually does surprise me.

This also gives the film a whiff of superiority as it comes off more about issues than character. Which for some might feel for some

Preachy and while a film about the issues it presents are welcome. The film isn’t as good to back it up, Or be a good example.

Nice to see comedian Bo Burnham Giving more of a meaty supporting role. 

This is a revenge tale that takes comfort in being in and having the rules but acts like it is better than them. When it actually might be a little smarter and more discreet in its handling And treatment of the Material.

Which helps the film not be as exploitative. As the character and scenes aren’t made erotic or sexualized. It comes off as more of a new normal get more through a feminine gaze. Though strangely in its set-up and backgrounds it feels almost like it’s taking place on a kind of dreamland as it is real but feels artificial, more pretty than anything. 

The design of the film is remarkable and quite brightly colored to offset the dark behaviors and characters.

The film’s strength is more in its surprising and unpredictable third act. 

This is also a movie that loses some points due to hype. As ever since hearing about the film before it Came out wanted to see it and heard nothing but good things to the point of it’s Multiple academy award nominations And win for best original screenplay. But not after finally seeing it. That hype hurt the film in my eyes. 

Even when trying to put that aside others might have Been lucky to Discover it to admire it for what it is. (The best way To see any film) But coming into the film with preconceived thoughts. It doesn’t live up to the prose exactly. As it isn’t horrible but not as good as expected though better than average. 

It feels like a lifetime movie due to the can be anywhere, Polished no violence but always a threat of it and actions mostly Done on theory with big histrionics and a cast more known for appearances on television. 

The film even introduces an idea that might even work as a sequel 

GRADE: B-