Cloud Atlas - 9/10
A second time. And it's even better and it even moves faster.
The Godfather Part III - 9/10
It seems to me the only reasons this gets so hated is because it's not as good as the other two and because of Sophia Coppola. Well, it's not as good as the other two and Sophia Coppola isn't very good, but get the greatness of the first two our of your head, and if you just look at this one, the rest of the film is pretty damn great. I've always been content with Michael sitting in his chair at the end of Part II contemplating on what he did as the last image of his story. But you know what? I loved seeing Michael as an older man who tries to redeem himself but no matter how he tries everyone and everything around him doesn't make that possible. Seeing a wiser, more patient Michael who occasionally has his younger explosive moments are just wonderful to see. Pacino is excellent. Just seeing the latter part of his life is just fascinating. Especially with the people he surrounds himself with. Some of the best scenes are with him and Diane Keaton. It's just really sad to see a man who was so powerful and once evil so vulnerable and falling apart while he tries his best to want a normal life. It's a very compelling character arc. Interestingly enough, all three films show Michael with a terrific character arc. So does Michael finally redeem himself at the end? In a way perhaps. But really, I kind of see it as he will never be able to redeem himself. Losing his daughter was the ultimate price. So as he died alone, he may have been redeemed, but was he happy?
