Movies: Last Movie You Watched and Rate it | {Insert Appropriate Seasonal Greeting Here}

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Watched “8-Bit Christmas” last night.

4/10

 

[PK Cronin]

Iron Claw (6/10)

The story was there, but the roles were miscast, and they cut enough from the story, while not delving into the real issues. A truly tragic story, and sad as hell, but the issues weren't explored enough. I also thought some of the editing and story choices were over the top. I saw Holdovers 2 weeks ago and Poor Things last week, and it was by far the weakest of the 3.

I just checked this one out and mostly enjoyed it. The pacing was a bit off at times, and some time jumps created holes where there could've been more tension built up. Thought they did a pretty good job acting-wise but it certainly didn't blow me away. Holt McCallany and Maura Tierney as the parents were the two best I thought. Efron looking like he juiced up for this role really took me out of it at times, and I know that might sound silly given it's a movie about wrestling. The impersonation of Ric Flair was also rather disappointing.

I'd give it a 7/10 because I thought the story was interesting but wouldn't argue a 6/10. It's in that ballpark for sure. A movie you can watch but I don't think I'll ever have a desire to re-watch it in any capacity.

As someone who knew nothing about it before seeing it, the story is incredibly depressing so be aware of that.

 

[kihei]

What’s your top 10 so far kihei?

I would say I have more like a top four that I really feel good about, followed by an arbitrary mix of good, not great movies. The four exceptional movies are:

Riceboy Sleeps
Anatomy of a Fall
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

After that, at the moment and subject to reappraisal (and in no particular order):

Barbie
Godzilla Minus One
El Conde
Close Your Eyes
The Captain
Beyond Utopia

 

[kihei]

My error

 

[The Macho King]

Re-watches Sorry to Bother You

It's interesting watching it and not being shocked by the tonal shifts throughout. There is so much to like here - really interesting aesthetic, some very good performances, and I really dig the anti-capitalist message. The "rap scene" is one of my most uncomfortable movie viewing experiences.

My only real criticism is the pacing is a bit inconsistent. I kinda want more at the beginning and end, and a bit less in the middle. Still love it. 8/10.

 

[Tkachuk4MVP]

I would say I have more like a top four that I really feel good about, followed by an arbitrary mix of good, not great movies. The four exceptional movies are:

Riceboy Sleeps
Anatomy of a Fall
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

After that, at the moment and subject to reappraisal (and in no particular order):

Barbie
Godzilla Minus One
El Conde
Close Your Eyes
The Captain
Beyond Utopia

Awesome! In typical kihei fashion, I hadn’t even heard of your number one, lol. Glad to see you were as high on Poor Things as I was. My favorite of the year so far, still a lot left to see though.

 

[Tkachuk4MVP]

May December - 8/10

Initially liked it but had a bit of a, “that was it?” reaction when the end credits came up. However, after thinking about it, there was lot of interesting things going on and a lot to like. Discussing specifics would get into spoiler territory a bit, since there are tonal and character shifts throughout. I will say, the entire cast is excellent, from the three leads to all the children. And the score gives the film a sleazy, 90s, movie-of-the-week vibe that fits this material perfectly. A rewatch is definitely needed.

 

[Unholy Diver]

Migration - 7.5/10

My daughter has been looking forward to this movie for several months since we first saw the trailer, quoting the Duck a l'orange bit every time we saw the trailer. I was pleasantly surprised that all the funny stuff wasn't in the trailer, good voicework from Keegan Michael Key, Elizabeth Banks, Kumail Nanjiani, and Danny DeVito, fun little movie

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Barbie (2023) - Some of the gags were cute enough in the first half, especially when Barbie and Ken first arrive in the real world. The whole thing craters in the second-half when they focus more on the plot. Found the writing pretty damn poor/basic as well. I don't know. Just felt like one big ad desguised as something more though not without any ill-intention (i.e. everyone seems to believe in what they're doing and the message is a positive one). Cute enough but just kind of artless save the sets. A movie commenting on itself and its casting is a pretty sore spot too (I.e. The 'Casting Margot Robbie is the wrong person to make this comment' moment, the white savior barbie thing). Just assume what you're doing and stop trying to game the criticism in advance. It's a bad look.

Edit: The last sentence is what was gnawing at me without being able to put the finger on it. Barbie effectively goes for mass appeal and actively tries to respond to the criticism of what that might entail throughout the entire movie. It's annoying. Trying to have its cake and eat it too kind of thing. Pick a lane.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Fateful Findings (2012) 1/10 or 10/10 (who knows?)

In today's episode of "Rodger Watches The Worst Fkng Movie Ever Created" we examine the psychological thriller Fateful Findings. The film was written, directed, and produced by Neil Breen, who also plays lead role Dylan. Neil was also responsible for basically every aspect of the film from casting, set design, make-up, sound mixing, and even craft services. I think it's important to mention this is a serious movie and this is NOT a joke, Neil Breen is a serious filmmaker and this is not a meme movie.

The film follows the story of Dylan, a computer science graduate turned author, who apparently has been incredibly successful with his writing. At the age of 8 years old Dylan and his childhood love interest find a mystical mushroom in the woods which turns into a box that contains a magical black rock that Dylan keeps, while Leah makes a bracelet. She documents this event in a diary entry, exclaiming "It was a magical day".

Leah's family moves away and 8 year old Dylan is absolutely devastated, having lost his 8 year old love forever (or so he thinks). Fast forward some unknown number of years to which Dylan is now a very successful author. While walking across the street and speaking to his now wife Emily, Dylan is struck by a Rolls Royce and falls to the ground, winding up in intensive care.

Upon being treated by a doctor (who isn't his doctor), Dylan is pronounced in critical condition and "near comatose". The doctor has a familiar looking bracelet that we just know we've seen somewhere. After a miraculous recovery, Dylan leaves the hospital under his own power and heads back home, engaging in the most cringey shower scene almost ever.

Out of nowhere Dylan then announces that rather than working on a second novel, he is actually doing research for an exposé which would expose all of the secrets of every corrupt government and corporation by hacking into every computer system ever. He throws a pool party at his house where the doctor randomly shows up, we know this is the doctor because she is promptly announced as "the doctor of the hospital"! They come to the realization that they are actually childhood lovers when the doctor drops the notebook where she documented her magical day that happened when she was 8 years old and it opens to the exact page.

Dylan and his wife struggle to come to grips with her intense drug addiction, which tears them apart. She eventually succumbs to her addiction, which Dylan seems pretty indifferent about. He almost immediately begins an implied sexual relationship with Leah who left her fiance for the irresistible Dylan.

There's another sub-plot about Dylan's friend Jim whose relationship is failing, eventually leading to Jim's wife killing him and staging a suicide. His therapist is a ghost... Jim's daughter wants to bang Dylan..... as well as a lot of other things that aren't really even worth talking about (as if any of this is worth talking about).

Leah gets kidnapped in an attempt to stop Dylan from releasing his exposé. The infallible Dylan saves the day by taking out the guard and no-clipping into the compound to save Leah with his weird unexplained mystical power because of course he does.

In the hilarious announcement of Dylan's discoveries of corruption there is a slew of random corrupt officials and corporate entities including "The Congressman" and "The President of The Bank" who commit mass suicide, all to the raucous cheers of an off-screen audience. A sniper tries to assassinate Dylan in response to him exposing their corruption, but he deflects the bullet back at the sniper with his unexplained mystical power because of course he does.

Dylan and Leah go back to the place where they found the weird mushroom box as 8-year old lovers.


All in all this is certainly one of the movies of all time. The insanity of the film rivals Tommy Wiseau's The Room but somehow is even more insane and unhinged. Neil Breen's characters are hilariously powerful, almost to a messiah-level. It's a strikingly horrendous movie that will make you laugh, cry, laugh, and cry while laughing. Many people probably won't be able to sit through the film, but if you do I promise you that you will not walk away unaffected, for better or worse.

I struggle with deciding whether or not I should recommend this film to people. If you like "so bad it's good" then this needs to be at the top of your watch list. If you like watch-able and easily digestible movies then this is not for you. As god awful as it is, I can't stop thinking about it and I will probably watch Neil Breen's entire filmography. A few days after Fateful Findings I watched Double Down which was Neil's first movie and it was even worse somehow. I'm not sure I can even review this film.

 

[Jovavic]

Funny review, I was gripped throughout

 

[kihei]

Awesome! In typical kihei fashion, I hadn’t even heard of your number one, lol.

Not many people have. Riceboy Sleeps is a small Canadian film about So-young, a recent immigrant from South Korea, who as a single-mother moves to Canada in the '90s where she has to raise her young son in a sometimes hostile environment that she knows nothing about. initially bullied, he is, maybe more so than his mom, trapped between two cultures, pulled inextricably to the one that is more foreign to her. The movie covers so much ground about the importance of family, about feeling connected, about the travails of living in a foreign culture, and about language as a barrier not a bridge . (A scene late in the movie dealing with So-young in a doctor's office trying to understand what the physician is telling her gets my vote as the most riveting and harrowing sequence of the year}. Choi Seung-yoon gives an Oscar-level performance in her debut. It is a mammoth role and she really makes the movie work. I just love the Riceboy Sleep's humanity and the insight it gives into the immigrant experience.

So, while it is obscure, it is not difficult to view. Riceboy Sleeps is one of several excellent films playing at Tiff Digital: ahttps://digital.tiff.net/. Cheap ticket, too. $7. Currently 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, as well.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Funny review, I was gripped throughout

Thanks lol. It’s quite a moving film. I’m just not sure which direction it moved me yet.

 

[JetsWillFly4Ever]

Poor Things: 8/10

I don't normally do reviews but this was as fascinating movie.

Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo were both phenomenal. Went in blind after seeing some high ratings here and was not disappointed. The cinematography and sets were absolutely beautiful and added to the movie immensely. Was also surprisingly funny in a dark way and I was laughing out loud in the theatres.

I did feel like the end dragged on a bit, with the final 20 minutes or so feeling a bit unnecessary, but overall a very fun watch and highly entertaining.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

View attachment 790909
Fateful Findings (2012) 1/10 or 10/10 (who knows?)

In today's episode of "Rodger Watches The Worst Fkng Movie Ever Created" we examine the psychological thriller Fateful Findings. The film was written, directed, and produced by Neil Breen, who also plays lead role Dylan. Neil was also responsible for basically every aspect of the film from casting, set design, make-up, sound mixing, and even craft services. I think it's important to mention this is a serious movie and this is NOT a joke, Neil Breen is a serious filmmaker and this is not a meme movie.

The film follows the story of Dylan, a computer science graduate turned author, who apparently has been incredibly successful with his writing. At the age of 8 years old Dylan and his childhood love interest find a mystical mushroom in the woods which turns into a box that contains a magical black rock that Dylan keeps, while Leah makes a bracelet. She documents this event in a diary entry, exclaiming "It was a magical day".

Leah's family moves away and 8 year old Dylan is absolutely devastated, having lost his 8 year old love forever (or so he thinks). Fast forward some unknown number of years to which Dylan is now a very successful author. While walking across the street and speaking to his now wife Emily, Dylan is struck by a Rolls Royce and falls to the ground, winding up in intensive care.

Upon being treated by a doctor (who isn't his doctor), Dylan is pronounced in critical condition and "near comatose". The doctor has a familiar looking bracelet that we just know we've seen somewhere. After a miraculous recovery, Dylan leaves the hospital under his own power and heads back home, engaging in the most cringey shower scene almost ever.

Out of nowhere Dylan then announces that rather than working on a second novel, he is actually doing research for an exposé which would expose all of the secrets of every corrupt government and corporation by hacking into every computer system ever. He throws a pool party at his house where the doctor randomly shows up, we know this is the doctor because she is promptly announced as "the doctor of the hospital"! They come to the realization that they are actually childhood lovers when the doctor drops the notebook where she documented her magical day that happened when she was 8 years old and it opens to the exact page.

Dylan and his wife struggle to come to grips with her intense drug addiction, which tears them apart. She eventually succumbs to her addiction, which Dylan seems pretty indifferent about. He almost immediately begins an implied sexual relationship with Leah who left her fiance for the irresistible Dylan.

There's another sub-plot about Dylan's friend Jim whose relationship is failing, eventually leading to Jim's wife killing him and staging a suicide. His therapist is a ghost... Jim's daughter wants to bang Dylan..... as well as a lot of other things that aren't really even worth talking about (as if any of this is worth talking about).

Leah gets kidnapped in an attempt to stop Dylan from releasing his exposé. The infallible Dylan saves the day by taking out the guard and no-clipping into the compound to save Leah with his weird unexplained mystical power because of course he does.

In the hilarious announcement of Dylan's discoveries of corruption there is a slew of random corrupt officials and corporate entities including "The Congressman" and "The President of The Bank" who commit mass suicide, all to the raucous cheers of an off-screen audience. A sniper tries to assassinate Dylan in response to him exposing their corruption, but he deflects the bullet back at the sniper with his unexplained mystical power because of course he does.

Dylan and Leah go back to the place where they found the weird mushroom box as 8-year old lovers.


All in all this is certainly one of the movies of all time. The insanity of the film rivals Tommy Wiseau's The Room but somehow is even more insane and unhinged. Neil Breen's characters are hilariously powerful, almost to a messiah-level. It's a strikingly horrendous movie that will make you laugh, cry, laugh, and cry while laughing. Many people probably won't be able to sit through the film, but if you do I promise you that you will not walk away unaffected, for better or worse.

I struggle with deciding whether or not I should recommend this film to people. If you like "so bad it's good" then this needs to be at the top of your watch list. If you like watch-able and easily digestible movies then this is not for you. As god awful as it is, I can't stop thinking about it and I will probably watch Neil Breen's entire filmography. A few days after Fateful Findings I watched Double Down which was Neil's first movie and it was even worse somehow. I'm not sure I can even review this film.

Went and watched the shower scene on YT. Amazing stuff!!

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

View attachment 790909
Fateful Findings (2012) 1/10 or 10/10 (who knows?)

In today's episode of "Rodger Watches The Worst Fkng Movie Ever Created" we examine the psychological thriller Fateful Findings. The film was written, directed, and produced by Neil Breen, who also plays lead role Dylan. Neil was also responsible for basically every aspect of the film from casting, set design, make-up, sound mixing, and even craft services. I think it's important to mention this is a serious movie and this is NOT a joke, Neil Breen is a serious filmmaker and this is not a meme movie.

The film follows the story of Dylan, a computer science graduate turned author, who apparently has been incredibly successful with his writing. At the age of 8 years old Dylan and his childhood love interest find a mystical mushroom in the woods which turns into a box that contains a magical black rock that Dylan keeps, while Leah makes a bracelet. She documents this event in a diary entry, exclaiming "It was a magical day".

Leah's family moves away and 8 year old Dylan is absolutely devastated, having lost his 8 year old love forever (or so he thinks). Fast forward some unknown number of years to which Dylan is now a very successful author. While walking across the street and speaking to his now wife Emily, Dylan is struck by a Rolls Royce and falls to the ground, winding up in intensive care.

Upon being treated by a doctor (who isn't his doctor), Dylan is pronounced in critical condition and "near comatose". The doctor has a familiar looking bracelet that we just know we've seen somewhere. After a miraculous recovery, Dylan leaves the hospital under his own power and heads back home, engaging in the most cringey shower scene almost ever.

Out of nowhere Dylan then announces that rather than working on a second novel, he is actually doing research for an exposé which would expose all of the secrets of every corrupt government and corporation by hacking into every computer system ever. He throws a pool party at his house where the doctor randomly shows up, we know this is the doctor because she is promptly announced as "the doctor of the hospital"! They come to the realization that they are actually childhood lovers when the doctor drops the notebook where she documented her magical day that happened when she was 8 years old and it opens to the exact page.

Dylan and his wife struggle to come to grips with her intense drug addiction, which tears them apart. She eventually succumbs to her addiction, which Dylan seems pretty indifferent about. He almost immediately begins an implied sexual relationship with Leah who left her fiance for the irresistible Dylan.

There's another sub-plot about Dylan's friend Jim whose relationship is failing, eventually leading to Jim's wife killing him and staging a suicide. His therapist is a ghost... Jim's daughter wants to bang Dylan..... as well as a lot of other things that aren't really even worth talking about (as if any of this is worth talking about).

Leah gets kidnapped in an attempt to stop Dylan from releasing his exposé. The infallible Dylan saves the day by taking out the guard and no-clipping into the compound to save Leah with his weird unexplained mystical power because of course he does.

In the hilarious announcement of Dylan's discoveries of corruption there is a slew of random corrupt officials and corporate entities including "The Congressman" and "The President of The Bank" who commit mass suicide, all to the raucous cheers of an off-screen audience. A sniper tries to assassinate Dylan in response to him exposing their corruption, but he deflects the bullet back at the sniper with his unexplained mystical power because of course he does.

Dylan and Leah go back to the place where they found the weird mushroom box as 8-year old lovers.


All in all this is certainly one of the movies of all time. The insanity of the film rivals Tommy Wiseau's The Room but somehow is even more insane and unhinged. Neil Breen's characters are hilariously powerful, almost to a messiah-level. It's a strikingly horrendous movie that will make you laugh, cry, laugh, and cry while laughing. Many people probably won't be able to sit through the film, but if you do I promise you that you will not walk away unaffected, for better or worse.

I struggle with deciding whether or not I should recommend this film to people. If you like "so bad it's good" then this needs to be at the top of your watch list. If you like watch-able and easily digestible movies then this is not for you. As god awful as it is, I can't stop thinking about it and I will probably watch Neil Breen's entire filmography. A few days after Fateful Findings I watched Double Down which was Neil's first movie and it was even worse somehow. I'm not sure I can even review this film.

The climax of this movie absolutely murdered me.

I too have trouble "recommending" because Breen's movies are such tedious/earnest/uncomfortable experiences. But they are experiences.

 

[KallioWeHardlyKnewYe]

Maestro. This is a be careful what you wish for movie. I tend to hate biopics largely because the dull womb-to-tomb Wikipedia approach and the inherent showiness of prosthetics and vocal imitation. "Famous Actor BECOMES Famous Subject!!" the reviews exclaim. This, to its credit, largely dispenses with the first issue. The second is ever-present but the acting is good, so at least it is a high achiever on that front.

But I bumped on two issues ... contrary to my general biopic feelings I actually wanted SOME professional context about Bernstein and his career. I knew some of the highpoints (his Broadway work) but not much about his conducting or composing outside of that. I guess I am a philistine. I don't know when I was hearing his work or seeing him conduct the work of others. I would have liked a little more context. Don't feel I am out of bounds since there is a scene where he openly laments that he hasn't done enough. Then there's a sweaty cathartic concert so I guess problem solved? But I don't know anything about what transpired.

The bigger issue for me though was, as well acted as it is, I felt nothing for the core relationship. There's a showy meet cure (I liked), a couple of light scoldings, a big fight "You have hate in your heart," a reconciliation "You have no hate in your heart!" and the sad ending.

But I never SEE why these characters care for each other. The movie tells us but it jumps from courtship to established marriage so fast that I don't get why they love each other or, for that matter, why she is so important to him as an artist. And vice versa really.

Nevermind the fact that once again a movie asks the question -- could a gay (or bisexual) man possibly be an artist without a devoted straight woman by his side? The family endorses that narrative (just as Queen backed Bohemian Rhapsody) so while there is undoubtedly some truth it always feels a little trite to me too.

It gives you scenes of art and scenes of relationship but with no connective tissue I don't know why I am supposed to care about any of it.

 

[Pink Mist]

The Zone of Interest (Jonathan Glazer, 2023)

Rudolf and Hedwig Höss are like any other couple. They have beautiful children that they read bedtime stories to, a garden and pool they lounge in, in-laws who visit often, and have the typical relationship arguments. Like any couple except that they are Nazis, they live next door to Auschwitz, and Rudolf is a commandant at the concentration camp.

“Heil Hitler. Et cetera.”

The Zone of Interest, based off an excellent Martin Amis novel by the same name, is an engagement with Hannah Arendt's thesis on the banality of evil. Modifications to gas chambers are discussed like fixing an issue on an assembly line in a factory, Rudolf's promotion brings marital problems as Hedwig doesn't want to move, the light from the gas chambers burning keeps grandma up. The evil is largely just offscreen and unnoticeable aside from the Nazi uniforms, the prisoners used as maids in the household, and the (superb) sound editing that brings in screams and gunshots disrupting the family's idyllic home. You never see into the camp or see the prisoners; it might as well be a shoe factory. Even when the film in its conclusion flashes to the present day, with cleaners cleaning the gas chambers and exhibits - exhibits that brought me to tears when I saw them in person a few years ago - the evil that surrounds the cleaners is just background objects that go largely unnoticed by them as they go on with their mundane tasks.

Based on other reviews I've seen, I think this is one of those films where you need to be on its wavelength. It has a deliberate pace, is often experimental in its style and sound design (eg. begins with over a minute of darkness), and its uncomfortable subject matter (the inner lives of Nazis and their detachment to horrors). But its worth getting on its wavelength as it is an incredibly effective and harrowing examination of how mundane evil can be.

 

[ItsFineImFine]

Dream Scenario (2023) - 6/10
Produced by Ari Aster....not really a fan of A24 always leaning into trying to make films uncomfortable and Nicolas Cage being Nicolas Cage feels a bit gimmicky here. Still, the premise was interesting the execution was not.

Awakenings (1990) - 8/10
Robbie Williams plays an unconventional doctor but the touching moments really are touching and while the story feels like a bit of a lesser version of Flowers for Algernon, it's tastefully done with decor. Marge Simpson is also in this, I couldn't place it but knew the voice was fimiliar.

Drifting Clouds (1996) - 7/10

Decent but one of the weaker Kaurismaki films I've seen both visually and in terms of not having the same fun deadpan rhythm as his other stuff. This one felt a bit too much of making the characters suffer setbacks in a one-note style till a turnaround redemption at the end.

 

[saska sault]

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

9 out of 10

They don't make movies on that scale anymore. Really enjoyed it from start to finish. Surprised I had never watched it but was on reddit searching for "War Movies" that I may be interested in and someone suggested it. Amazing scenes done without the usage of CGI. You watch something like that, and you look at what's playing in the cinemas on the regular these days.

 

[Chili]

Taking Off-1971

Teenage runaways is not a light topic, this film finds the lighter side through the parents. Helps to have Buck Henry as the dad. Like the film Faces there are a whole lot of them here, especially a singing audition of young girls who range from squealy to very good (like Bobo aka Kathy Bates) to Carly Simon. Some other notable music: a vintage performance from Tina Turner and a shocking r rated tune, 'Ode to a Screw' from Mary Mitchell. There's a classic scene where the parents of runaways learn all about smoking a joint, so funny. Some great music, nostalgia and a lot of fun, Milos Forman's (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest) first english film.

The Leisure Seeker-2017

John (Donald Sutherland) and Ella (Helen Mirren), an elderly couple head out on roadtrip in their old RV. Ella sees it as perhaps a last chance to revisit past memories. John's memory fades in and out, sometimes lucid, sometimes lost making for an interesting and potentially harrowing travel mate. Their trip takes them south towards Ernest Hemingway's Key West home. Enjoyed following the two legends bringing the story to life, both are on form although I wished Helen spoke in her own voice, the southern accent was a little cringy at times. For anyone who has spent time around seniors residences and perhaps know someone close to them, memory loss seems common for alot of folks. Reminded me some of the Gordon Pinsent/Julie Christie film Away From Her. Good film thanks to the two leads.

All the President's Men-1976

The story of two journalists, Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Berstein (Dustin Hoffman)'s pursuit of the real story behind the Watergate breakins. Have enjoyed the film several times over the years, wanted to read the book first this time. What a compelling story with all of the detective work by the two journalists. Such a great film, enjoyed it even more after reading the book. The real catalyst of the story was Deep Throat aka Mark Felt as he aided Woodward in his search. There is a 2017 film called Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down The White House with Liam Neeson and Diane Lane. It's ok but I probably should have looked for a book on him as well as the story was a bit hard to follow at times with his motivations for his actions.

 

[Sentinel]

Maestro. This is a be careful what you wish for movie. I tend to hate biopics largely because the dull womb-to-tomb Wikipedia approach and the inherent showiness of prosthetics and vocal imitation. "Famous Actor BECOMES Famous Subject!!" the reviews exclaim. This, to its credit, largely dispenses with the first issue. The second is ever-present but the acting is good, so at least it is a high achiever on that front.

But I bumped on two issues ... contrary to my general biopic feelings I actually wanted SOME professional context about Bernstein and his career. I knew some of the highpoints (his Broadway work) but not much about his conducting or composing outside of that. I guess I am a philistine. I don't know when I was hearing his work or seeing him conduct the work of others. I would have liked a little more context. Don't feel I am out of bounds since there is a scene where he openly laments that he hasn't done enough. Then there's a sweaty cathartic concert so I guess problem solved? But I don't know anything about what transpired.

The bigger issue for me though was, as well acted as it is, I felt nothing for the core relationship. There's a showy meet cure (I liked), a couple of light scoldings, a big fight "You have hate in your heart," a reconciliation "You have no hate in your heart!" and the sad ending.

But I never SEE why these characters care for each other. The movie tells us but it jumps from courtship to established marriage so fast that I don't get why they love each other or, for that matter, why she is so important to him as an artist. And vice versa really.

Nevermind the fact that once again a movie asks the question -- could a gay (or bisexual) man possibly be an artist without a devoted straight woman by his side? The family endorses that narrative (just as Queen backed Bohemian Rhapsody) so while there is undoubtedly some truth it always feels a little trite to me too.

It gives you scenes of art and scenes of relationship but with no connective tissue I don't know why I am supposed to care about any of it.

I didn't.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

May December (Haynes, 2023) - It starts with small doses of reflexivity (Nathalie Portman discussing how it is to film sex scenes before filming one, the musician son asking to be music supervisor on her film just before one of the many counterpoint music cues in the film, the use of the camera as mirror, etc.) and ends up in the deep ends, on images of the film within the film, with time marks and property claim. It's a movie about the process of making a movie, which could have been this particular movie - normally my kind of stuff, but for some reason I wasn't all that convinced. If anything, it's a great counter-performative piece, a little like Fight Club was, criticizing the very thing that it is itself doing. 5.5/10

Everly (Lynch - not that Lynch, 2013) - Often very nicely shot, the huis-clos allowing for great cinematography work, this is one of the most boring and stupid film I've seen. Total garbage. 1.5/10

Smile (Finn, 2022) - Too bad it owes so much to It Follows. At first, you're like "well, it kinda...", but then nah, it just loses all efficiency. And what a waste, because the first 45 minutes or so were tense and packed with great atmosphere and pretty fun scare tactics (loved the birthday scene). I'll still give it something like 5/10, but it should be split 6.5 for the first half, and 3.5 for the second one. Really a shame, because they had in their hands material to make a relevant scary film - still a pretty good first film for Finn.

 

[Mario Lemieux fan 66]

maestro: 7.8/10 Great acting and directing. The movie could have used more music and dancing ( 2 of the best scenes of the movie) and less of the marriage drama. But it's a good movie nonetheless.

Anatomy of a Fall : 7.8/10 Great acting and directing but the movie is not as gripping as The night of the 12th and fall short of a masterpiece or an outstanding movie.

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person: 7.3/10 Good vampire movie, good lead actress and directing.

barbie: 7/10 Good music and color but way less good than the hype.

the boy and the heron: 7/10 All points for the gorgeous animation but the story is a mess and could only be describe as a solid acid trip.

killers of the flower moon: 6.5/10 a dull movie with no passion or feelings. The only good thing about the movie is to highlight the true story of the Osage murders.

 

[Sentinel]

𝗡𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗼𝗻 (2023). Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix team up for the first time since 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 for another historical epic. And it's epic. Napoleon Bonaparte's incredible, impossible life that continues to awe history buffs and inspire filmmakers is laid out for all in its 2h40m glory. I know his biography reasonably well and the film is fairly accurate. Not “The History Channel battalion formations at the Austerlitz”-accurate but fairly solid. The emphasis is placed in equal parts on Napoleon’s meteoric career and tumultuous relationship with the love of his life Josephine Borgarne (Vanessa Kirby, looking exactly like I imagined Josephine to look).

In the first half of the film, Phoenix's age is a real problem. He is just too old. At the time of Toulon, his breakthrough moment, he was 24. Phoenix is 50 and looks it. He was also six years younger than Josephine. In the second half, he catches up to his age and begins to look authentic. The real problem is that there is not much character development: we don't see Napoleon change. Individual moments are excellent, and his pre-divorce speech to Josephine (“My destiny is more powerful than my will”) is superb, but, on the whole, there is not much progress. We don't see a ruthless, power-hungry madman from the backwaters of Corsica that is literally climbing to the top on the backs of corpses. Phoenix is cold, calculating, and understated, which also works better in the second half. Plus, this is when some of the more impressive historical scenes take place: in the burning Moscow (I need to rewatch that part in Bondarchuk’s 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲) and at the Waterloo. The portrayal of the Russian guerillas is bit of a headscratcher: did Scott inadvertently confuse them with Mongols? There are also some technical issues, like crappy sound (at times you couldn't figure out what they were saying) and what looked like limited budget (𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 was more visually impressive). The last frame – the gargantuan death toll of Napoleonic Wars – is a damning statement of Napoleon's life and impact but it comes out of nowhere. “The great man” is not actually condemned in the movie.

We also happened to watch it at the Berrymore Film Center in Fort Lee on 70mm film, and I have totally forgotten the joys of a faulty reel that broke at least six times. Appreciate the digital, people! 7/10