Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Marriage Story - Very good movie, but some people are just getting a little carried away with the hyperbole. It's exactly like every other Baumbach movie - strong dialogue, slow but evenly paced, well-acted, while also being elitist, narcissistic, and self-congratulatory. It's not something I would ever want to watch again - as with all of Baumbach's movies (my favorite is probably still The Squid and the Whale), but it does currently sit at #5 on my Top 10 list for this year. I do prefer Scarlett Johansson in movies like this (she was always at her best in her collaboration with Woody Allen, and this is very similar). And I don't always like Adam Driver, but he's also very good here. Neither are ground-breaking performances, though, which is what people are acting like. People are also acting like we've never seen married people hate each other on screen before. This is not new territory, people. And, as per usual, I agree with the male perspective. You can't just take your kid across the country, you stupid fucking manipulative bitch (basically what I said in my head for the entire movie). Also, the movie should be called Divorce Story, right? What a misleading title. And my last thought on this movie - if Driver gets an Oscar nomination over Taron Egerton, I will burn this place to the ground.

2. The King - Nope, still don't get why Timothee Chalamet is a thing. He is not a good actor and he looks like he's 12. I was so absolutely bored for the entirety of this movie because there was no strong screen presence. I expected more from Robert Pattinson - but his French accent was actually just really hilarious. The whole movie is just plain dull and usually I like stuff like this, even when it is boring (Shakespeare junkie! Although, Henry V is among my least favorite, but it's been a while since I've read it). The movie is also really colorless, which was obviously a stylistic choice the creators made, but it intensified the dullness. At least give me something beautiful to look at! And back to Timothee, I really just don't understand? Like, actual adult women (and men) think he's hot? It makes me really uncomfortable. I'm not trying to be insulting because I often get told I look much younger than I do, and I've finally hit the age where people think I'm in my 20s instead of a teenager (I'm LATE 30s, people), but for most of my life people always thought I was super young. I always got really weirded out when men would tell me I looked like I was a teenager and then HIT ON ME or make jokes about if I'm "legal" (UGH...men are the worst). It's not his fault that he looks like a baby, but I think it's weird that people describe him as "hot".

3. American Woman - THIS is the role I've been waiting for Sienna Miller to take on. She's such a wonderful actress and she just keeps getting sidelined to these shit "wife" roles and it's so frustrating. She's stunning in this - probably my favorite female performance of the year (and yet, I've heard no-one talking about it. How sad.). First, I always forget that Miller is British because she's done so many American roles and her accent is perfect. Second, this is such a hard role to play - it's ugly, selfish, filled to the brim with faults, but the audience still has to sympathize with her otherwise it just won't work. Sienna made me care about her. And last, the story is really interesting - the main plot, which is that her teenage daughter goes missing suddenly, leaving her to care for her baby, is pushed to the side but is still somehow focal in every moment. You spend the film wondering if her daughter left out of selfishness - maybe she's somewhere close enough to still be watching, or was she murdered or kidnapped and still alive? It's weird to have that thought as you watch the rest of the world continue because life moves on so quickly. I'm glad they gave us closure - as the film was ending, I was a little resistant of this closure because I thought it would feel too clean, but they did it really well. And ultimately our main character needs this closure as part of her journey. There's also a great supporting cast featuring Aaron Paul and Christina Hendricks.

4. Paddington 2 - The first Paddington was super, sugary sweet and this is more of the same. Except also really devastating - I mean, watching Paddington go to prison is a hard sell for this type of movie. I just wanted to reach through the TV and give him a big bear hug. These movies are super cute kids movies, so it's a weird plot to have for this genre. Other than that, it's got some great visuals, Hugh Grant is super extra and I love it, and I laughed more than a few times. You have to be in a specific mood to watch it - like a mood for something that's entertaining and mind-numbing. It's hard to really write anything else about this movie, because it's just exactly what you expect. Super cute, family movie about a big cuddly bear getting into trouble.

5. Good Boys - Oh my God, I laughed so hard, you guys. Hands down the funniest movie I've seen this year. There were points where I was crying laughing (which I often cry when I laugh - everyone makes fun of me for it). It has the perfect combination of being raunchy but sweet. The kids have really great chemistry together, which I think really helped the film as a whole. I smiled from beginning to end (and man, that ending is hilarious - I will never be able to think of Rock of Ages again, without thinking of these kids). I know for a fact that I will watch this movie multiple times over the next few years (as I've watched its predecessor, Superbad at least 100 times - guaranteed to make my cry-laugh during every viewing. Now is a good time to mention, if you didn't like Superbad then you will probably not like this. And also, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? ). I would love to list out all of the funny moments so that I can relive them, but there are just too many! The ending and the scene with Stephen Merchant were probably my favorite though.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. X-Men: Dark Phoenix - Wow. It's hard to believe how terrible this movie is, really. First, I had no idea that this was a full-on X-Men movie. I thought it was more of a spin-off and that a few of the X-Men characters would obviously appear. But some pretty important things happen for the X-Men universe - including a main character's death (and may I say, good-fuckin'-riddance!). I understand that everyone featured are all contractually obligated to appear in these movies, but why the fuck did Jessica Chastain sign on for this trash? It was a huge heartbreak to see her and James McAvoy together (big fan of The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby...), but it was even more heartbreaking to watch actual good actors try to make this movie watchable. It's not. Sophie Turner was a big casting mistake. She's not a good actress, and it's way too early in her career for her to carry a big franchise film like this. She was tolerable on Game of Thrones because the cast is so massive, and honestly, most of the actors on that show were terrible, with the exception of Lena Headey and Peter Dinklage. She just looks bored for most of this movie. Also, her eye makeup is so distracting. It's crazy that there are actual critics that didn't list this in their "worst of the year" lists but did include movies like Rocketman and "the last half hour of Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" (LOL WTF...how does this person have a job?). Speaking of...

2. Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood - For a Tarantino movie with DiCaprio, Pitt and Margot Robbie, my expectations were impossibly high, and unfortunately they weren't quite met. However, I did like this movie - just not to the degree that I wanted to. It probably lies somewhere in the middle of my Tarantino ranking. Without thinking too hard - my list looks like this (Best to Worst): Reservoir Dogs, Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds, Once Upon a Time..., Jackie Brown, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol 1, Kill Bill Vol 2, The Hateful Eight. There are few things happening in this movie that I would describe as "masterful", but overall, I think it becomes a little self-indulgent (EDITING IS IMPORTANT PEOPLE!). I also think that if it didn't have the ending that it has, then I probably would have ranked it towards the bottom. I don't think I've ever been this caught off guard by an ending of a film in my entire life (ok, maybe the last few seconds of Enemy). In retrospect, it does give the ending away in the title, but you don't really realize that until it's over. I was actually bracing myself for a more typical, massively violent, brutal ending (which we ultimately did get, while also defying expectations in every way possible). I mean, I almost feel like it should come with a reverse trigger warning (as in, don't worry, you won't see a pregnant woman brutally murdered), because maybe people who are avoiding it because of this, might actually watch it. Although, I'm glad that I avoided all of the discourse surrounding it, because as soon as I saw all of the "Quentin is a misogynist" headlines, I had to avoid it all so my head didn't explode (and FYI just because a film only has minor female characters with little dialogue doesn't mean its misogynistic, fucking asshats). The movie isn't about Sharon Tate, just like it's not about Charles Manson. It's about a fictional actor, Rick Dalton, and his stunt double, Cliff Booth. And let me tell you, Leo and Brad are a revelation together. I would love to say a career best, but that's so hard to gauge because they are almost always incredible. Leo will always be a favorite of mine (I was a die-hard Titanic fan girl - posters on my wall and everything), and he just keeps getting better and better.

3. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword - Similar to the Robin Hood remake that came out last year, an "updated", "cooler", take on a classic story. And just like the Robin Hood remake, there are two very hot guys (Jude Law and Charlie Hunnam - not quite as hot as Taron Egerton and the guy from The Fall, though). First, I'm super confused by the non-existent age difference? Like, how is Jude Law there when Arthur is a baby and then 20 years later he still looks the same while Arthur is an adult? They are only like 8 years apart in real life (I'm totally guessing, but I think Hunnam is my age and Jude Law is mid-40s). I was so confused by the time jump because of this. Anyway, I've always been a big fan of Guy Ritchie. Snatch is still one of my favorite movies of all-time. I wish he would go back to making original content though. The Sherlock movies were mostly mind-numbing, and this movie felt very similar. Oh also, Eric Bana is in this! He's hot, too. And on a side-note, a few months ago I took a few of my employees out for lunch at our local diner and Eric Bana was there. I told my employees they were not allowed to engage with him and they are still mad at me for it (dude was just trying to eat lunch!). He looked good in real life; not my type, but a very handsome man. I don't really have much else to say about this movie. Seems like a big waste of time for everyone involved (and a huge waste of money!).

4. Midsommar - I read the hype, but I didn't believe the hype. I enjoyed Hereditary, but the ending really ruined the film as a whole (still that scene will go down in the History books). I'm glad that I held back expectations, because overall I enjoyed this. The beginning is really strong, and heartbreaking, and that primal scream that Florence Pugh belts out is gut-wrenching. I think I have certain problems with the story - because I think we are supposed to root for her? And believe that her boyfriend is an asshole? At least, that's what film critics think. I don't think he's an amazing guy or anything, and clearly doesn't have a high level of maturity, but she seems incredibly clingy right from the beginning. And if your boyfriend isn't giving you the support you need, then break up with him? Instead she forces herself in the middle of him and his friends, and tags along on their vacation that she is clearly not wanted at, and then sulks because her boyfriend isn't who she wants him to be. Sorry, but that's on her. Also, where is the rest of her support system - like, her own family/friends? Why is she putting so much pressure on him as her "only" support? Anyway, if I ignore the problematic plot, it's enjoyable. There are some really stunningly disturbing moments (I screamed when that scene happened). The ending is really OTT, similar to Hereditary, but it worked for me here because the whole thing seemed a little ridiculous, and you could tell that it was preparing for bat-shit crazy territory early on in the film.

5. The Irishman - Nope, sorry guys, this movie just isn't for me. I have to side with the naysayers, on this one - it's waaaaay too long and wayyyyy too boring. There's obviously moments of brilliance, and phenomenal acting as expected, but it was hard for me to enjoy what I was watching when all I wanted to do was go to sleep. Nothing about it is really original or new - just kind of an extended universe of the typical mobster movie (just slower, and more character-driven). In a way, I appreciate the way they subvert expectations for this type of movie, and de-glorify the aspects of being a gangster. It's also interesting to read about the real history behind it. It's based on a perspective about the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa that apparently has been debunked? So, it's not actually true? But nobody really knows. And again, the discourse around the female character is fucking grating. The movie ISN'T ABOUT HER, it's about his version of how he thinks his daughter sees him. Also, why would anyone want to give Anna Paquin more lines? She struggles with dialogue. so the least amount of words that come out of her mouth, the better (sorry, not sorry). Ultimately, this movie is a well-made movie - and currently in my Top 10, but it's also just really fucking dull. The only other thing I have to say is that the de-aging thing is such a nightmare for film-making and it needs to end now.

Thoughts on 5* New TV Shows

1. Unbelievable - An absolutely heartbreaking story, with phenomenal performances from all three women - Merritt Wever, Toni Collette, and Kaitlyn Dever. The biggest success, I think, is that it's a story that is really handled with a deep care for women, and the experience of being raped. It's such a tough thing to get right. I am a certified Rape Crisis Counselor (although I'm pretty sure my certification has expired by now...), and the emotional stress of attaining the certification was so draining. To hear what women have to go through after they just experienced a violation to their body is just...indescribably heartbreaking. Not only do they have to relive the experience in order to describe it to the authorities (over and over again, especially if it ends up in court - and that's a big if), but then they have to experience another violation via rape kit at the hospital. I completely understand and sympathize with any woman who just gives up. Also, trauma fucks with your mind, and your memories - you begin to question what is real and what you might remember incorrectly. The first episode of this limited series is just so hard to watch because it's understandable why the police question her, and why they start to think she might be lying. The contrast to how the female detectives handle rape cases is really fascinating and I wonder if that's the answer? As much as I like to "equate" the sexes, there are fundamental differences between men and women - and sometimes that needs to be recognized and used to our advantage...you know? Anyway, this show is incredible. The end.

2. Batwoman - Just fucking kill me. I mean, this shit is just terrible and now I'm stuck watching another fucking dumb CW show. The biggest issue that I have is that, at the very least, all of the other CW superhero shows had a GREAT first season (and Arrow didn't turn to shit until season 4, if I'm remembering correctly), but this is terrible from the start, and it's likely only downhill from here. The acting is just so wooden and disappointing. I really like Ruby Rose, but I guess I haven't really seen her act well since Orange is the New Black, and maybe she was only good because the writing is so strong on that show (even until the very end - every character is just so well-developed). I just think she's miscast here - originally because I thought she was was just too good for shit like this, but now I think she's just too serious - and not likeable at all (and you are supposed to like her, she's a fuckin' superhero for fuck sake). The plot isn't half-bad, but if you don't have characters that are interesting, then there is no point.

3. Dublin Murders - I've only seen the first episode, so far, and I'm a little disappointed. I was hoping for a little bit more of The Killing, but it's even slower than that (I didn't think that was possible, and I love The Killing, for the record). I did like the twist at the end, it makes the whole case a little bit more psychological. It makes me want to continue watching, which if the twist didn't exist, I probably would not want to sit through any more of it. I'm hoping it gets better (I saw SO many people talking about it on twitter, but as of right now, I just don't get it).

4. Treadstone - I've watched four episodes, and they were all pretty solid. I think they are introducing too many characters and storylines at once, but I'm hoping it all comes together cohesively. I'm a big fan of the Bourne movies (like, really, really big fan. I prefer them over Bond any day), so this show is a perfect extension of that universe. The only storylines I'm really interested in right now are the guy that was working in Alaska, the past storyline with Petra and that guy that looks like Ryan Phillippe (not quite as hot, because no-one is), and the Piano teacher girl. The other storylines are a little dull, and/or the acting is bad (the girl who plays the journalist is terrible, and unfortunately she has a major storyline for now).

5. His Dark Materials - Oh my God, this is some boring-ass storytelling. How I made it through the first episode, I'll never know (James McAvoy helped tremendously). I think the girl is a great actress - I don't know her from anything aside from Logan but she is stunning in that (even with very little dialogue), so overall the cast in this is fantastic. But the story is just.....blah. It's just not really my thing, I guess, because I know it has some serious fans but it's just so slow, and predictable, and mind-numbing. I'm dreading watching any more of it.

*I have not yet watched any episodes of Watchmen, but I AM EXCITED by all the rave reviews...*

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. El Camino - Like many people, Breaking Bad is my favorite show. Ever. I've actually been too nervous to do a re-watch, because I'm so terrified that I've built it up bigger in my head and what if it's not as good as I remember it? I think I would be devastated. Watching the first episode was sort of a fluke for me. I do tend to watch every show imaginable - eventually, but I watched the very first episode of this as it aired, for one very odd reason - I saw a commercial and thought it was a new show with the hot guy from Weeds and The Invisible and I was instantly IN (took me a while to realize that I thought Aaron Paul was Justin Chatwin...). I watched the first episode simply for a hot guy, and then was BLOWN AWAY by what I watched. Jesse was always the heart of the show, and I knew during the finale that they left his story open...for a reason. This was a really convenient way to continue the story. The movie is satisfying - I don't think it ever hits the brilliance of the series, but I enjoyed it. They creatively bring back all of the important characters, and it never feels forced. There are some really suspenseful moments (the scene with the "cops" is wonderful), and of course, Jesse is given the best one-liners imaginable ("only an asshole doesn't like pineapple". Just brilliant.). Overall, I was completely entertained. I miss these characters so much (side-note - What happened to Better Call Saul? I feel like it's been so long since the last season?).

2. Yesterday - Kind of an amazing idea, but definitely not explored to its fullest capacity. It's quite delightful and sweet, but it left me with so many questions. The plot is that this guy is a struggling singer/songwriter who gets hit by a bus, when he wakes up he discovers that The Beatles (and Coke) never existed - so he steals their entire catalogue and becomes a world-wide phenomenon. I mean, if I'm honest, I would probably do the same thing. On the surface- I think it's a highly entertaining rom-com. Himesh Patel does a wonderful job with The Beatles songs, and Lily James is as lovely as ever (the film is at its strongest when she is on-screen). However, I think if you go deeper than the surface, the film is an absolute mess. The Beatles weren't just famous because they wrote great songs - they were a force of nature, changing Rock music forever. If The Beatles didn't exist, then so many other bands wouldn't exist either. This guy, while he sounds nice, has NO presence whatsoever (which is why he wasn't successful to begin with). Also, I think we're supposed to think that Ed Sheeran is our modern day version of The Beatles? Is that for real? I have nothing against the guy (and according to my mother, he "has the voice of an angel"), but he's certainly not changing the course of music history. Also, I laughed really hard at the Coldplay joke (and I like Coldplay!).

3. Bumblebee - I'm a big fan of the Transformers franchise (suck it, haters!), but I was not really looking forward to this. It seems like a sappy, nostalgia-filled, charming movie, and that, to me, is just not a Transformer movie. I think the creators *think* that they are doing something different with Hailee Steinfeld's character, but they are sorely mistaken. It's actually kind of hilarious because she's pretty much identical to Mikaela from the first Transformers (played by Megan Fox). She's super attractive, and totally into cars. BUT, Steinfeld's character is different because she has a "boys" name (Charlie), and she doesn't care about her appearance (but just happens to have the thickest fucking eye makeup on for the entire movie - eye makeup that takes at least 10 full minutes to apply, but we are just supposed to believe that she just rolls out of bed like that and doesn't give a fuck what you think...). It's just so dumb. And, wait for it..., it's incredibly fucking sexist (but this was written by a woman, so it can't be sexist...right??). Anyway, the movie is ok, it just feels unnecessary - and it's all been done before in a much better way, in my opinion. The best part of the whole thing is PAMELA ADLON! I just absolutely adore her. 

4. Arctic - The only way these types of movies work is if the acting is really, really strong - and you just can't go wrong with Mads Mikkelsen, can you? He's incredible. Why hasn't there been Oscar talk for this role? It's definitely one of the best performances I've seen this year. The movie, though, is just about average. It feels a bit like The Grey, but that movie is far superior. Sometimes it's difficult to watch films with very little dialogue - you really have to be in the right head-space. It's never quite boring, but I just didn't really find it interesting either. *slight spoiler alert* I also didn't really understand his thought process of taking the girl with him? Wouldn't he have been able to travel further without her? And wouldn't she have been safer? Or was he scared that she would get eaten by a bear or something? It's questions like that where I feel dialogue would have helped. Anyway, as disinterested as I thought I was, the ending is a freaking killer. I sat at the edge of my couch and bawled like a fucking baby at the ending. It's so tense, and emotional - just filmed and acted to perfection.

5. The Upside - Ok, I was a pretty big fan of the original film, The Intouchables. It almost made it into my Best Films of 2012 list, but that was such an incredible year for movies - it had some tough competition. I loved the original because it was just so charming and heartwarming, but it didn't feel cheesy at all. This updated (i.e American) version is super cheesy. The biggest failure is the chemistry between the leads, and also, the chemistry that Hart has with the audience is lacking as well. In the original, I adored this character because Omar Sy was just so loveable. Kevin Hart is fucking grating (I'm glad he's okay after that horrific car crash, but that doesn't mean I have to like his comedy or his acting). He's been good in some things (I laughed hard at him in Jumanji), but he seems angry in this movie - and that's just not the character. Just everything about it felt...off. It's too serious, too cliched, and just unnecessary. If you're going to remake a wonderful foreign film into an American version - you better make it just as good, if not better, otherwise what's the fucking point?

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Pacific Rim: Uprising - I actually really enjoyed the first one - it was super dumb, but such a fun, loud, and visual spectacle. I did not like this sequel. First, I miss Charlie Hunnam (he wasn't the greatest choice for this type of movie, but for some reason it worked for me). Second, John Boyega is hit or miss for me, and this is a big dull miss (although the casting of him as Idris Elba's son is actually really great). Third, UGH Clint Eastwood's son really irks me. He just exudes this asshole presence that I can't get past. And, most important, fourth, the main girl is a Shailene Woodley wannabe. But terrible. The whole cast is just really stiff, none of them have any chemistry or screen presence - except, of course, Charlie Day, who is just as funny and chaotic as ever. And last, I absolutely could not tell you what the plot even is in this movie (other than the Kaiju's are back). It's just not fun or interesting at all, and it offers nothing new from the first one. I'm not really sure what the point was? I hope they leave it alone and don't attempt a third one.

2. Spider-Man: Far From Home - I have just about the same critique as from the first one, which is that Tom Holland is ADORABLE, as is the rest of the movie. I think the supporting cast is mostly strong - I really loved Michael Keaton as the villain from the first movie, but you really can't go wrong with Jake Gyllenhaal. From the previews, I thought for sure I was going to hate him in this (it just seemed below his talent), but I was very wrong. Even though the twist is obvious (we all know he's the villain), Jake plays it out with believable conviction. I still have problems with Zendaya - she's just really not believable at being socially awkward or a tomboy (I heard she's great in Euphoria. It's on my list!). I'm also confused as to what happened to Donald Glover? He had such a minimal role in the first one, so I assumed he would be a bigger presence in the sequels? Also, WOAH with the after-credits scene! That changes everything! I feel like people didn't really make a big deal about that, but it's a super important scene in regards to the future of the MCU.

3. I am Not Your Negro - I actually didn't know that this was a Documentary (UGH...), for some reason, I thought it was a Drama based on James Baldwin's memoir (did he even write a memoir? I have no idea. I'm clearly confused.). So, apparently it's a Documentary based on an unfinished project of Baldwin's. And, right from the beginning - I was very, very bored. The narration is so monotonous that the gorgeous poetry is completely lost. I think the success of the film is when it relates past event to the present - showing images of young black men being shot by police, etc., is very harrowing and unsettling when it's combined with Baldwin's written word. It's terrifying that not much has changed in over 60 years (I mean, a lot has changed, but the improvements are just moving so slowly). I also enjoyed watching Baldwin challenge debate on Carson (I believe it was Carson? But I could be remembering it wrong - I watched this movie a few weeks ago). I don't feel like there is any real political discourse on late night tv anymore, instead it's replaced with highly entertaining games with celebrities - even the more political shows have become more of a breeding ground for viral moments and sarcasm. Anyway, as Documentaries go, this one is satisfactory. I'm just really not a fan of the genre.

4. Greta - This movie is terrible. I haven't seen many movies released this year, but I'm assuming this will end up on my "Worst of" list (currently my "Best of" list just consists of Rocketman listed 10 times). It's actually fascinating how terrible this movie is, because it has a decent (but extremely unoriginal) plot and great actresses (Isabelle Huppert is a living legend). It even starts off pretty strong, but just descends into stupidity so quickly. The plot is very Single White Female -esque. *side note* I referenced this movie recently to my 24 year old employee who had no idea what I was talking about, especially that I used it as a verb (as in "did she Single White Female you??", which is a totally legit way to use it if you are my age. It is how we describe clingy female friends). Anyway, there are just way too many problems with the plot - 1. If you are on a subway in NYC and someone leaves a bag behind, you would call 911 (See Something, Say Something). 2. If someone is harassing you at your place of work, your employer has a responsibility to keep you safe. They would not just be like "oh well, she's a customer and you have to help her". 3. The cop completely lies to her, when he tells her there is nothing they can do. Stalking someone is a crime and if you report it, the cops HAVE to help you. 4. You can ABSOLUTELY file for a Restraining Order if someone is stalking you. Yes, it may take months, but they will file a Temporary Restraining Order until the case is heard in order to PROTECT you. Jesus Christ, this movie just completely ignores THE LAW. Finally, I'm pretty sure the movie is also shitting on New Yorkers - it implies that people from Boston are nicer than New Yorkers, and that is just not true. And it weirdly acts like her life is so different, but city life...is city life. It's not like she's from the suburbs. Oh AND, her apartment is ginormous!! That would be at least a million dollar apartment (there's so much room, that she can ride her bike inside of it).

5. Isn't it Romantic - Actually kind of cute? It's like Enchanted but, like, the opposite. There's just so much to like about it, and so many things that are just spot-on. I wasn't sure about Rebel Wilson in a lead role (I like her, but sometimes side-kicks are meant to stay side-kicks. I was wrong. She's terrific.). Adam Devine is adorable, but sometimes too adorable (it works for this movie). The film brilliantly pans Romantic Comedies, while also celebrating them (specific shout-outs to two of my favorites 13 Going on 30 and My Best Friend's Wedding). I like that it shows how superficial both sexes can be - she goes on a rant about finding love, but then lists all superficial things that she looks for (handsome, rich, etc.). It's great that when the "dream version" of Liam Hemsworth's character appears, he has his Australian accent (I mean, that is the dream, right? Hot guy with a Hot accent. Yes, please!), but then she gets really bored of him, really quickly. I also really enjoyed the Gay Best Friend character (absolutely killed me). There is also TWO fantastic dance sequences (possibly the best Rom-Com dance sequence since 13 Going on 30). I just smiled through this whole movie, and I would even watch it again, which is rare for me.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. 12 Strong - Very typical war film, but such an unbelievable (true) story. I feel like Chris Hemsworth is going to take all of the roles that Marky Mark is now too old for. It's very "Go America Go!", which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it does feel a bit like Propaganda. There's a fairly large supporting cast, but all of them are unmemorable. Even my favorite, Michael Pena! I forgot he was even in the movie until I just looked up the cast (because I couldn't remember anyone else except for Chris). I don't think I like Chris with an American accent. He's not bad at it, but his natural accent definitely helps his screen presence. Without it, he's a bit dull. Also, I love that his real wife was in it - Elsa Pataky. She is stunning. Anyway, there's not much else to say about the movie. It's exactly what your expecting it to be. Nothing particular stands out in any way, except maybe that a modern war battle was fought using horses. That's fascinating (and true!). Also, on a side note, I think stories like this are extremely important right now. There is this whole backlash against masculinity (because people apparently can't tell the difference between "toxic masculinity" and "healthy masculinity"), but this masculine trait to be the "hero" is what drives people to such dangerous activities and it is absolutely necessary.

2. Boy Erased - Another extremely important and heartbreaking story, based on Garrard Conley's memoir about his time in Conversion Therapy. Directed by Joel Edgerton, who did a great job directing his debut, The Gift, I was very intrigued. Overall, I think this film is very good - mostly due to the wonderful acting performances by Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. And a very small, but very memorable scene from Joe Alwyn. I looked him up, because the performance was that good, and now I realize I recognize him as Taylor Swift's boyfriend (and apparently he was in Mary Queen of Scots, but I don't remember him because none of men were memorable). There's a bit of a twist with his character that I wasn't expecting that makes the whole story a bit more complicated - and is commentary on "toxic masculinity", in case you're confused. There is also, obvious commentary, on the role that religion plays in homophobia. I'm interested to read the book, because I feel like the film plays it a little safe. I just don't think it went deep enough. I also think it should have been more than an afterthought to expose the fact that the guy running the center is gay.

3. Booksmart - Honestly, this movie is a big disappointment for me. I was expecting something...so much more, based on all of the incredible reviews and my love of Superbad (it just might be my favorite comedy of all-time). I've been a fan of Olivia Wilde since The O.C., and I think it's super cool that she directed a movie that received so much critical acclaim. I'm glad others enjoyed it, but for me, it just wasn't very funny, or original, and it definitely didn't feel genuine. I was entertained, don't get me wrong, but mostly because of Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever (who is fantastic in Unbelievable. I'm on episode 5 and I am in love with it). Their chemistry is great, and is about the only genuine thing in the movie. The rest of it feels really forced - especially all of the supporting characters. Just really cliched, and the dialogue is cringe-worthy. I fully admit that I just might be too old for this type of movie, maybe this is how high schoolers act (which if true, the human race is in big trouble). The class of '99 is extremely different than the class of '19 (yes, my 20 year reunion was this year. I'm officially an old lady.), but we definitely had better high school movies (10 Things I Hate About You, Can't Hardly Wait, American Pie - absolute classics). Also, it's weird that a movie that epitomizes "woke" culture has teachers that are so predatory. How is that acceptable?

4. Us - I have such mixed feelings about this movie. It's simultaneously absolutely brilliant and ridiculously dumb. But, the originality of it, is what I appreciate most. It takes so much from other horror/suspense films (the biggest inspiration I felt was Invasion of the Body Snatchers), but is truly its own thing. Also, I thought about it for days afterwards, and that is always a good thing. I don't get scared very easily, but every time I closed my eyes I saw the image of Young Adelaide and it was honestly terrifying (kids are fucking creepy). Lupita Nyong'o is fabulous - it's rare for Horror to be recognized come awards time, but she is definitely deserving of some recognition (and Get Out was definitely loved, so their is hope for this). And, I will admit that Elisabeth Moss didn't bother me that much - she actually did a great job. I read a few articles about this movie afterwards to see how people felt about the last act, and it seems people were surprised by the last twist which is shocking to me. I feel like it is very obvious, particularly during the scene where Young Adelaide is at the therapists office. And I watched the film, with full knowledge of the twist. I wonder how my viewing would have been had I not figured it out so quickly? It's just weird to me that avid film viewers found the twist shocking. I sort of question their ability to analyze film, which I know is mean, but....really? You didn't see that coming??? Anyway, I definitely recommend this movie, it's one of my favorites of the year (but I've only seen like 20 movies from 2019. I'm sooooo behind), just go in with the knowledge that it's a bit stupid.

5. Stuber - I was in the mood for something dumb, so this was at the top of the list. Kumail Nanjiani is hilarious, and Dave Bautista proves to be really funny in the Guardians movies. It kind of reminds me of a more old-school type of comedy (like Rush Hour, Lethal Weapon, etc.), and sometimes that's exactly what you're in the mood for. It moves quickly, has a solid plot, funny dialogue, and likeable characters. My favorite scene is with Steve Howey - I don't know why, but I think he is hilarious and this was the perfect part for him (he's also my second favorite actor/character on the American Shameless, behind Lip, of course). I feel like they were setting up for a sequel with the way the film ended, but I don't think this did very well at the box office...? I would watch a sequel though. It's a shame that Karen Gillan didn't have a bigger role (it's also weird that she's in the biggest movies in the world and no-one in America would recognize her). The worst thing this movie has going for it is obviously the title. Who thought that was a good idea?

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Mary Queen of Scots - Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie are probably my two favorite young actresses. They have both done some incredible work and have made really interesting career choices. They both are phenomenal in this otherwise perfectly adequate film. The film is definitely more centered on Mary, but Robbie really shines as Queen Elizabeth I, it was definitely a more challenging role and she really went for it. I love Period Dramas, but I always have a problem discerning between background characters because everyone looks the same. Definitely a big problem in this movie - I couldn't figure out which character was on which side. I also tend to get confused when it comes to British Royalty and then I furiously google who everyone is instead of just focusing on what I'm watching. I also am really skeptical when it comes to how truthful these movies are because honestly so many plot points could be completely made up, and I wouldn't know the difference (like the scene where they beat her gay friend to death - looked it up and it seems to be partly true). Overall, I would recommend this movie (for the acting, alone), but if you're not into this type of movie then this will probably bore you to death.

2. Kong: Skull Island - Super fun Blockbuster movie. And, man, what a cast! Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston (weird to see them all together in a non-Marvel movie), Toby Kebbell, and the standout performance, John C. Reilly. His comedic timing really makes the movie. I also really love all the of 70s nostalgia feeling throughout. It's done really well, with a bit of grainy images mixed with modern special effects. It also, not so subtlety, gives several nods to "Heart of Darkness" (characters named Marlow and Conrad). The best part of the whole movie is Jackson's Jurassic Park reference with one of his most famous lines "Hold on to your butts!". I laughed so hard at that. There are a few minor issues that I had with this movie - the first, and most important, is that I rooted for all of them to die the second that they started shooting at Kong without provocation. Second, Toby should never do a Southern accent again. Third, it's about 20 minutes too long so it feels really bloated. It would have been so much more fun if they just trimmed a little bit here and there.

3. Mortal Engines - This world building could have been so great - the idea of mobile cities is actually really fantastic, but this movie is just....so boring and lifeless. The main girl (sorry, I'm too lazy to look up her name) is part of the problem. She looks a little like Alexis Bledel, and it's really disappointing that she's not. But then she also looks a little like Elle Fanning, and again, she's not. Instead, she's just there...with no screen presence at all. There's also the guy from Misfits (again, lazy), who is also extremely dull here. But the biggest surprise is Leila George - I did look her up while watching the movie, because she looks so much like Melissa George, and I thought that maybe they were sisters, but apparently they are of no relation (even though they both have the same last name, and are from Australia, and LOOK IDENTICAL. I mean, they just have to be related). Instead, I found out that she is the daughter of Vincent D'Onofrio and Gretta Scacchi (still so weird to see actors I grew up with having ADULT children. It makes me feel so old). And the biggest mind-blowing tidbit I learned about her is that she is dating Sean Penn. Again, Vincent D'Onofrio's DAUGHTER is dating Sean Penn. Hollywood is so weird. All of this information is more interesting than this movie, I promise. I lost the plot after an hour, and suddenly there were these weird skeleton Terminator type monsters and I have no idea why, nor do I care.

4. Fahrenheit 451 - I just don't think this works as a movie - there are just some books that need to be protected in our mind, and this is one of them. I've avoided watching the film version from the 60s for this exact reason, but this cast was just too intriguing - Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon are a winning combination. However, this film is just so dull, and I don't really see how that could have been avoided. I like that they updated the "future" to include virtual reality, digital copies of books, and that there is some really strong commentary on the problems with "PC culture" (being offended by works of art because they depict racism, sexism, etc. - it's all coming to a terrifying conclusion). I think they tried to make the film have a Blade Runner feel, but it feels like a knock-off and not in a good way. There are a few really strong scenes (the VR club scene comes to mind), but overall it feels like a made-for-television movie (which I think it is? This wasn't released into theaters, was it? It's hard to keep track nowadays).

5.  The Snowman - You guys, this is a terrible movie. BUT, not as terrible as I was led to believe. I mean, a 7% on Rotten Tomatoes is definitely an exaggeration. It's hard to watch the movie without thinking of all the "Mr. Policeman" snowman memes and laughing hysterically throughout, but it has a semi-interesting plot, a loaded cast (Fassbender, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Rebecca Ferguson, Chloe Sevigny, J.K. Simmons, and Val Kilmer) and an overall mystery that isn't revealed until the end. Granted, the twist is actually terrible, but twists are often terrible in these types of movies. I'm assuming that the book is really good, and that the initial script was strong (otherwise how did it attract all of this talent??). The movie just dragged a lot, some bits were a bit ridiculous, and it's poorly edited. I was also really disturbed by Val Kilmer's performance, but then I looked him up and apparently he had throat cancer so they had to dub all of his dialogue. I'm not going to put any negative energy in his direction - dude's a legend and I hope he's feeling better soon.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Girl in the Spider's Web - Be prepared: the five movies in this post are all incredibly disappointing - for many different reasons. This one, mostly due to my intrigue over the casting of Claire Foy. I was not the biggest fan of Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (it was a good movie, but I found some of the praise a little ridiculous). I like Rooney Mara, but I didn't really believe her in the role. To cast Claire Foy is such a weird choice - it literally could not be more different than the role she is currently most famous for (Queen Elizabeth). She proves to be a very versatile actress, but I still don't believe her in the role - and for the exact same reasons that I didn't like Mara. The original Swedish version of Lisbeth was played by Noomi Rapace and she was very believable. But I think my main problem is that women are supposed to see Lisbeth as a role model, and that is excruciating to think about. Overall, this sequel is pretty dull and definitely not as beautiful to look at as the first (obvi), but there are some nice action sequences and there is some powerful stuff involving the complicated relationship with her sister (when her sister says "for sixteen years, you chose not to save me", I got chills). Otherwise, it just feels pointless.

2. Men in Black: International - From the reviews, I already prepared myself for disappointment with this one. Such a damn shame. Chris Hemsworth has comedic timing as proven in Thor: Ragnarok and Ghostbusters (omg I still think about him in that movie. Just downright hilarious.), but he is no Will Smith. And Tessa Thompson is just simply wonderful, but she is oddly stiff in this role. This movie lands with such a huge thud - it's just so...boring. It's really predictable, and it's not funny - like, AT ALL. I don't think I laughed once. Meanwhile, I still quote the original Men in Black on a regular basis (really, I just did my impression of "Edgar, yer skin is hangin' off yer bones" last week!). There are some cool visuals, and and some cool looking aliens, but otherwise there really isn't much to talk about. Oh, wait, now that I'm thinking about it - I was amused by Pawny, and Kumail Nanjiani does some fabulous voice-work. Pretty much stole the whole damn movie.

3. They Shall Not Grow Old - Not necessarily a disappointment, because I don't really like Documentaries, but the idea that Peter Jackson directed and he restored all of this original WWI footage is very intriguing. Reviews called it "ground-breaking", which was even more intriguing. It is amazing to see this footage so vividly, but ultimately it's just like EVERY other War Documentary. If you've never watched this type of film before, then this might be something to seek out. But I've seen sooooo many - my grandfather used to make me sit for hours watching them with him. Although, I always thought they were about WWII, but as a kid I probably wouldn't know the difference. I just remember being fascinated that this was something that actually happened. How do we, as humankind, ever think war is the only option? I also never understood why my grandfather was so obsessed with watching them, after having lived through it. But then again, my step-father is obsessed with watching footage of 9/11 (he is a WTC survivor). I guess it must be therapeutic in some way.

4. Billionaire Boys Club - How do you fuck up a movie with Taron Egerton and Ansel Egort? I remember this film circulating at least a decade ago (I believe with Ryan Phillippe attached. Or maybe Ryan Gosling. Definitely one of the Ryans). I never saw the original, and I never really heard the story. I'm surprised it hasn't been turned into one of those popular true crime series because it's a fascinating story, but this movie is just really bad. Ryan Murphy could have made this story into something really fantastic (and maybe he will!). This film kind of downplays their horrible crimes (they fucking murdered people!) and makes them seem like innocent "in over their heads" good boys. Are we supposed to feel bad for them? It's cute the studio pretended it flopped because of the Kevin Spacey controversy, but in reality they hid this movie as much as they could because it's TERRIBLE. These actors are LUCKY that no-one saw it. I adore Taron so I refuse to criticize him, but his American accent is....uneven. I just don't think role is right for him, in general. It's boring and cliched - there's no nuance. I will forgive him and Ansel for participating in this garbage (I mean, in theory this seems like a great project). Also, this is the first time I've ever seen Suki Waterhouse in something (aside from being arm candy to Bradley Cooper), and oooof this is a rough first impression.

5. The First Purge - I've enjoyed all of the Purge movies to some degree (the second one is my favorite - if I remember correctly. The Anarchy one with Frank Grillo and that really rad car). So, I wasn't expecting this to be as terrible as it is. I guess the origin story is the biggest question that needs to be answered, but I probably would have preferred to never have that answer. Probably because the answer is too dumb, and over-simplified (**spoiler** it's a government conspiracy to kill the poor people to solve over-population). It starts as an "experiment" and takes place on Staten Island. I feel bad for Staten Island because it's like the laughing stock of the tri-state area (even New Jersians make fun of it). I actually live really close to the island, but I've never been - it's probably not as bad as people say. According to this movie, it is the epicenter of gangs and violence - i.e the perfect place to make murder legal! I admit that I got really excited when I saw Melonie Diaz because she is such an under-rated actress and then I got really upset because I think she only has like one line in the entire movie!? How does this happen? How does an extremely talented actress like this get shafted, while someone like Suki Waterhouse is getting roles? It just doesn't make any sense. Anyway, I also don't understand why Marissa Tomei would agree to be in this? LOL. Anyway, this is just a really terrible movie. The others at least have a little bit of psychological horror, but this is just hollow. There's some commentary on racism that is relevant to today's political discourse, but the movie is too dull for any of it to be taken seriously.

4 Thoughts on The Emmys

1. The Host - OH WAIT...there was no host. What a terrible concept. I didn't read about this being a host-less event, so I'm not really sure why they decided to go that route, but it just makes no sense. You need someone to make the show move along and ENTERTAIN. There are only two reasons that people watch award shows: one, because they LOVE movies/television/pop culture and actually care about who wins, and/or two, because they love the host and want to be entertained. If one of those is missing, then there goes at least a third of the audience. This flat-lined from the second Homer Simpson appeared (oh Fox, never change).

2. The Winners & Losers - I don't have much to say about the winners - lots of talented people. I recently watched the first season of Fleabag and it's great (wouldn't have been my pick for so many awards, but it's still definitely deserving). I am, however, SUPER ecstatic about Jodie Comer (obvi!) and for Michelle Williams for Fosse/Verdon. I don't think Game of Thrones is the Best Drama of last year (or any year that it's been on), but I was expecting the win and I've come to terms with it. It's a good show, and it's very successful in a lot of ways. An Emmy send-off is appropriate. The only wins that really pissed me off were for Julia Garner for Ozark because she is the worst actress, in my opinion, and this will only make her appear in more things and I really just need for her to go away. And Ozark for directing. I mean, really Ozark shouldn't have even been nominated for anything considering the shows that are more worthy. It's even more absurd for it to win, but in both cases, I think it was a split vote with Game of Thrones (with multiple nominations within both categories), so it had to go to either Ozark or Killing Eve and voters clearly made the wrong choice.

3. The Show - The whole show was just a boring disaster. The presenters were boring, which made not having a host even worse. And don't get me started on Thomas Lennon as the "Emmy Commentator" - what the fuck were those random facts he was spewing out? Half of them didn't even make sense and none of them were interesting. The speeches were really, really boring. I know Michelle Williams is getting a lot of praise, but it was a super weird speech, to me. She basically makes a case for being difficult on-set (like see I was difficult, but people listened and now I have an award so you should listen to difficult women because they know what they are doing). That's just plain weird, right?! But at least she gave a memorable speech and I guess that's all people can hope for nowadays. I couldn't even tell you what anyone else even said. The whole show just felt like a really long ad for Fox tv shows (and FX and FXX).

4. The Fashion - This was the only success of the whole night! I don't think anyone looked like they belonged on the top of a wedding cake! There were still some questionable choices, like anyone wearing that God-awful red and pink combo (seriously?! There were like 5 people wearing this! This is always a fashion "no".) and whichever Kardashian was wearing the latex turtleneck. But, there were also some gorgeous gowns - my favorite is a tie between Michelle William's paisley embroidered Louis Vuitton number and Kristen Bell's beaded Dior dress (that would look so good on me! Someone buy it for me please!). I also thought Emilia Clarke looked stunning.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Rocketman - I absolutely LOVED it. I watched it 10 days ago, and I have thought about it every second of every day for the past 10 days. It just might be my favorite Biopic of all-time (big words, I know but I'm not a big fan of the genre - Milk was at the top of the list previously). First, I think it's genius to have the tagline "Based on a true fantasy", because that sets the tone from the beginning. It's a musical fantasy that utilizes Elton John's songs to tell his life story. Second, it's a bit weird to do a Biopic about a musical legend that's still...alive, but this movie gives a great case for how to make it work - getting John involved, it seemed so personal, so genuine, and so...real (even though it is a fantasy! The line that's straddled is so perfectly balanced). Third, the whole thing just made me incredibly happy - even in its darkest moments (maybe it's knowing that John doesn't, in fact, die of an overdose or by suicide helps). Fourth, it's just so beautifully choreographed - there are so many moments of sheer beauty. The scene that will stick with me forever is the suicide-hospital-Dodger Stadium scene. It's incredible. And Last, Taron Egerton, as Elton John, is the best casting decision of the fucking century. I remember watching Sing and hearing Egerton sing "I'm Still Standing" and thinking "wow! he sounds like Elton John, but also like his own version". That's exactly how I felt for this whole movie. He sounds just close enough to John, without sounding like parody. He also acted his ass off. It's Oscar-worthy material (and as much as it pains me to say, is my favorite performance this year replacing my precious James McAvoy in Glass). And, as I've mentioned probably a dozen times, Taron is fucking HOT as fuck. Even in the Elton John getup.

2. The Meg - I don't care, I will always be excited by a movie that has Jason Statham fighting a giant shark. I wish this was as fun as it was advertised, but it was actually a little bit boring. I don't really think it got interesting until the last 30 minutes (major shark attack carnage), but by that point I was already over it. Rainn Wilson as a billionaire is actually perfect casting. Everyone else (aside from Statham) was pretty forgettable (and I was hoping for their immediate deaths). Ruby Rose is really disappointing in this - she is almost robotic (I thought that maybe that was going to be some kind of big twist or something). She looked like a wet robot for the whole movie. I don't really have that much else to say. Watch Piranha instead.

3. Halloween (2018) - I don't know if I've ever written about my love for the original Halloween. I guess I just assume that it's a given. I should start with the fact that I was never really a Horror movie fan. I was never not not a fan, but there is definitely a Horror genre cult that I'm not a part of. I just enjoy good movies, in general, and sometimes it happens to be a horror movie. Typically, I only enjoy serial killer type horror movies (as opposed to supernatural). I didn't see the original Halloween until after I watched Scream (so '97-ish. I was 16-ish.). It was because I loved Scream so, so, so much that I began to seek out older horror films. Scream was really the first big horror movie that gave me nightmares (although when I was a kid, I had nightmares over Firestarter and from Tales from the Crypt). Scream also came out around the time I really started getting into films. So I loved watching Halloween and realizing how many filmmakers were influenced by it. Then, purely because of my age and my love for Josh Hartnett, I was obsessed with Halloween H20 (I mean, they even got Janet Leigh to cameo!). It's still probably my favorite of the sequels. Anyway, I was excited for this "official" sequel. I think it's weird to ignore all previous sequels, but hey, I guess anything goes nowadays. As a sequel, it's really strong. I'm excited for more. Jamie Lee Curtis is a fucking legend and I'm so proud to be named after her (there are conflicting stories about how I was named, but I always go with this one because it's cooler). But how on Earth did I not know that she's been married to Christopher Guest for the past 30 years??? Judy Greer as her daughter is fantastic casting (because I always love Judy Greer. More Judy Greer in movies please). Overall, the plot is just stupid - I mean, wouldn't she just get an actual safe room instead of booby trapping her house with those stupid metal bars? And she certainly would have gotten rid of those stupid closet doors! It's also not scary, like, at all, but it's fun to watch and sometimes that goes a long way.

4. Searching - Actually sort of brilliant. I didn't really recognize the brilliance behind it while watching it, but it's really stuck with me. The first 10 minutes almost made me burst into tears - Jesus Christ. But then, it turns into this really great story about a father trying to connect to his teenage daughter and realizing that he knows nothing about her. It's fascinating to think that a 16 year old has had their entire life documented online. Like from literal birth. It's a very simple story of a missing girl, but there is so much depth and accuracy in its story-telling within the age of social media. There are a few issues I have with the plot - *slight spoilers ahead* - like how they didn't look into the brother's texts or facetime messages earlier. However, the ending completely shocked me. It's all spelled out within the movie, but it's so subtle that when the ending is revealed I was just blown away by it. I would love to watch it again to make sure it holds up, but on first impressions, I think it does. Which is great! I hate when a big twist happens and you just know if you watch it again, the twist doesn't make any sense. John Cho does a really great job - my heart was just breaking for him through the whole movie. I highly recommend this movie.

5. Mary Poppins Returns - Just not my thing. However, I'm not really sure who the audience is exactly because I can't imagine kids enjoying this at all. It's just so boring and it feels really dated. And I'm about to say something really controversial, but I don't like Lin-Manuel Miranda. I don't really know much from him, and I know Hamilton is supposed to be the BEST MUSICAL EVER, but I never had any interest in watching it (honestly, looks horrendous to me). He's in this movie a whole lot, so it was really hard for me to watch. His voice just irks me. I tried to focus on Emily Blunt, because she's a queen. Imagine getting the call to play one of the most iconic characters of all time? Such an honor, but also incredibly stressful, I imagine. She did a wonderful job embodying the character, but also giving it her own touch. I loved the Dick Van Dyke cameo, I wished they got Julie Andrews. That would have been so lovely. The movie just didn't feel special enough. And I wanted to fast-forward through every song because, damn, those songs are rough.

Fall TV Preview: 6 New Shows to Watch

1. Unbelievable - This already premiered on Netflix a few days ago to rave reviews. I want to see it for two reasons, and two reasons only: Merritt Wever and Toni Collette. Just about two of the most interesting actresses around. I've also read great things about Kaitlyn Dever (I haven't seen Booksmart yet, but I recognize her from Justified and a few other bit parts). It's a very relevant (and true) story, but it doesn't really feel like anything I haven't already seen before so I'm interested to see this added "twist" that I've read about.

2. Batwoman - I've watched all of the CW DC shows (although I never got around to Black Lightning, is it any good?). The only one I completely gave up on was Legends of Tomorrow (which wasn't terrible, I just had too many shows to watch and it wasn't doing anything for me). I love Ruby Rose, but I feel like she's already above this show (like these shows should be saved for more newcomers in my opinion). She was a standout among a slew of fabulous actresses in Orange is the New Black. It's just an odd casting decision, in my opinion. But I guess we'll see!

3. Dublin Murders - I think this already came out in the UK because I remember seeing tweets about it months ago. I was intrigued just by the sheer amount of talk about it. It reminds me of The Killing which was hard to watch at points (because of the subject matter and the dreariness of it), but it's a show that has stuck with me far more than I ever expected.

4. Treadstone - I'm a big, big fan of the Bourne films. This is a wonderful idea, but I'm hesitant that it's on the USA network because that tends to be a network for fun summer shows - not serious dramas (yes, I think of Suits as a fun summer show, and yes, they've had ONE exception: Mr. Robot). The commercials have seemed a little expected and a little cheesy, but I'm still going to watch.

5. Watchmen - I literally could not be more excited. I've been trying to stay mostly in the dark, so I have no idea who is in the cast or where they are starting the story from. I don't need to know. I'm just hoping that it's as beautiful as the movie.

6. His Dark Materials - James McAvoy in another television series?! Dreams really do come true. Also, another fave of mine - Ruth Wilson. I don't know the story. I'm not sure if I saw The Golden Compass, but my initial gut is that I haven't. I've never really been a fan of the Science Fantasy genre, but....James McAvoy!

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot - Gus Van Sant has made some of my favorite films (Good Will Hunting, Milk), so I was really looking forward to this - especially since it stars Joaquin Phoenix. I didn't actually know what the movie was about (the director, star and title were enough to peak my interest), so I was pleasantly surprised that it's a Biographical film about the life of John Callahan (based on his book). Callahan's cartoons are hilariously inappropriate (my kind of humor!). Phoenix does a superb job, as usual, but the standout is (not) surprisingly Jonah Hill. I honestly didn't even recognize him until about 20 minutes into the movie and when I finally did I exclaimed out-loud "HOLY SHIT THAT'S JONAH HILL!" (I knew he was in the movie, but totally forgot when I went to watch it). It's a very typical "hippie-dippy" kind of character, but it's just so unexpected to cast Hill in that role. Overall, it's a forgettable movie which is a shame because it has a great cast, great characters and a great story arc, but it's missing something. I think it needed to decide what it wanted to be - whether it was this feel-good motivational story, or this eccentric tale of an eccentric man. It just played it too safe in my opinion.

2. High Life - My first Claire Denis film, and guess what? I absolutely hated it. It's just a mess of a movie, really. The plot is really dumb, the Sci-Fi aspect doesn't hold up at all, it's extremely slow moving and not in a good slow-burn sort of way, and worst of all - the critics just ate this shit up. The reviews I read are laughable (words like "masterpiece" are being thrown around so carelessly nowadays). The only positive thing I have to say about this movie, is that it is visually beautiful. There are a few shots that are stunning (one shot in the beginning actually made me gasp). However, this doesn't forgive the rest of the film for being complete and utter crap. I will also say that the acting is decent (that's a given with the cast involved - except Andre 3000. What the fuck is he doing in this movie?). The story would be good if they just focused on the main story instead of this weird psycho-sexual story they keep trying to enforce. I felt like that was thrown in to make it interesting, or dark, or something but it fails miserably.

3. BlacKkKlansman - Really great story - based on real events - that obviously resonates in today's climate. I don't think John David Washington really looks like his father (Denzel), but he sounds exactly like him and it is freaky! I became a big fan after that interview he did in which he praises his mother's achievements after being asked about his famous dad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4wOu4_XVMA). It's just so wonderful. I think Spike Lee did a great job in showing the similarities among the "opposite sides", and really made a strong statement in dedicating the film to Heather Heyer. I read that he received a lot of criticism among black activists for dedicating a film about racism and hatred to a white girl, but I think it works in relation to the movie. If you didn't receive that message, that both sides are inciting violence, then you weren't watching closely enough. Lee's point is that we need to start listening to each other, and inviting conversation instead of assuming things based on race (or occupation - as the main character is constantly being criticized for being a police officer, as if he is a "traitor" to his race). I appreciate that Lee is trying to create a dialogue that brings us together instead of creating a larger gap. I don't think the film is very memorable (compared to Lee's previous work - like Malcolm X and Do the Right Thing), but overall I enjoyed it. I'll concede that Adam Driver is getting stronger as an actor. I also really thought that was Steve Buscemi for a good half-hour, until I realized it was his brother. The only huge mistake that Lee made was casting Topher Grace as David Duke. I just can't take Topher seriously, ever, and this is a very serious role (one of the most dangerous men still inciting violence in our country).

4. Aquaman - Not good, but certainly not a bad movie. It's well made for what it is. Aquaman is probably my least favorite DC superhero, and having Jason Momoa in the role certainly doesn't help. I know a lot of women who love him, but I've never been into the muscle-y type men. However, I do LOVE Amber Heard (super huge girl-crush alert, and she looks soooo good with the red hair), and Nicole Kidman is such an unexpected choice. And then, to top it off - Patrick Wilson! What a great cast. Kidman's opening scene is probably the best scene in the whole movie. I loved watching her kick ass. The rest of the movie is just so-so. It does exactly what it sets out to do, so I can't really fault it. It's a very predictable superhero tale, although I was confused about the timeline (is is supposed to be before Justice League? I don't really remember that movie. I probably blacked it out.). I wish the visuals were better - I heard that this was "colorful" compared to other DC movies, but I found it incredibly bland visually. Some color would have been nice, especially for underwater scenes.

5. Widows - There's nothing wrong with this movie, but considering it's directed by Steve McQueen, I was incredibly disappointed. It just feels like Lifetime female revenge territory, so I wasn't surprised that it was co-written by Gillian Flynn (of Gone Girl fame - don't even get me started on that atrocity). Stunning cast, which is probably the only reason my interest was held - Viola Davis, Colin Farrell, Liam Neeson, Michelle Rodriguez, Carrie Coon, and my favorite up-and-coming super-star, Elizabeth Debicki (who basically steals the whole movie). As with every McQueen movie, there is an absolutely STUNNING shot (the one that got me was the rap scene - the circular tracking is just sublime). I also was surprised by two different plot points (no, not the obvious "twist" - if that surprised you, then you weren't paying attention). The movie is far too long, and far too dull for my liking. Also, I think there were too many storylines at play, so all of the supporting characters weren't fleshed out enough - or could have been cut altogether without effecting the main story at all.