Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - I liked this movie - it's a solid 3 star film, but it's absolutely insane to me that on Letterboxd over 36k users rate this movie 5 stars. INSANE. I like Letterboxd a lot (I've had it for years, but I only just started regularly using it this year) - I appreciate that I can see film fans review something and actual critics. But I am genuinely concerned for the future of movies if this is considered a "perfect" film. Anyway...as I said, I liked this! I didn't really have much interest nor did I really have any knowledge of the character, but I think it's a welcomed addition to the Marvel movies and I'm excited to see how this will play into the future of these movies. The cast is excellent - Simu Liu has a TON of charisma, Michelle Yeoh is a legend, and I think it's hilarious that they brought back Ben Kingsley. However, I cringed when I saw Awkwafina, though, and horrified once I realized she was going to be a huge part of the movie. She's fine in this - almost a little muted from her normal screechiness (sorry, her voice bothers me). The action sequences and the fight scenes are stellar as expected, especially the fight scene on the bus (just executed to perfection). Like most Marvel movies, it's a tad too long, the dialogue is iffy in parts, and it's all very expected. I do like the idea that "if you aim at nothing, you'll hit nothing" - that's actually a little motivating and a great life lesson. 

2. King Richard - Another solidly flat 3 star movie. There's definitely something interesting about it - I find it funny how "the internet" (and even people who are usually more level-headed on my twitter feed) commented how "problematic" it is to do a movie about the father of two of the greatest athletes of all time, instead of doing a movie about them (arguing sexism, I guess?), but Venus and Serena are PRODUCERS on the movie and are fully supportive of the story being told, as they say "there would be no Venus and Serena without Richard". It's part of this whole mob mentality to automatically get offended by something because one person calls it out as "problematic" (just like when everyone questioned why a white woman, Rebecca Hall, was directing Passing, only to find out that her grandfather is black and can "pass", and therefore it's an interesting and personal topic for her). I think it's actually a really interesting way to tell a biopic - by highlighting an important figure behind an even more well-known important figure. Unfortunately, Will Smith's accent is horrendous (and they make a huge mistake by showing the real Richard talking at the end, so the audience can see just how awful this performance is. And yet, it's getting awards talk. Mind-blowing, you guys). It's also really boring when it gets to the tennis playing part (sorry, it's just such a boring sport. And I watch BASEBALL). There's also this really dramatic music and drawn out matches that are probably supposed to invoke emotion, but...why would I get emotional?? - I know how her life turns out. But, like I said, it's...an easy watch. Nothing really exciting about it, but it's a well-made movie with an interesting story. I literally know nothing about the Williams sisters. I do remember Venus being really, really popular among my peers when I was in high school. I think a lot of people seem to question Richard's motives (as if he was trying to steal the spotlight), but I think it's great that he insisted on keeping his daughters' focus on having fun and being kids. He genuinely seems to care about their well-being and I think that is rare when it comes to parents of famous children (I just read a Natalie Wood biopic this year, and let me tell you, her mother belongs in a fucking prison). 

3. Pig - I've said this before, but I'm definitely not a part of the cult of Nicolas Cage. I've liked him in many things (mostly older things like Face/Off), but his fans have this weird habit of praising everything he does - even the cheesiest c-rate garbage. I was hesitant about this, but I actually really liked it. I don't think it's, like, an award-worthy performance, as some are proclaiming. But it's solid work from Cage. And a great story - a bit like a subdued version of John Wick. I remember really wanting a pig for a pet (back in the day when George Clooney famously had a pet pig and I thought he was super cool). They are supposed to make great pets, and this sort of cements this by how deep this man loves this pig. There's some great stuff in this - particularly the contrast and reality between how the "farm to table" is often enjoyed by the super wealthy. Also, the scene where he confronts the chef in the pretentious restaurant is *chef's kiss* (pun intended). I didn't recognize Alex Wolff, because this is kind of a different role for him, at least from what I've seen. I like the relationship that evolves between him and Cage. And while the ending is obvious from the second that poor pig is kidnapped, it still hits like a gut-punch. It's currently one of my favorites of the year (but I still have SO much to see...). 

4. The Humans - I think the intent behind this movie is usually something that I enjoy - very "slice of life" storytelling, attention to details, very thoughtful camerawork, with an overall sense of dread, but overall nothing about it felt authentic or engaging at all, so to sum it up - it just doesn't work. I used to like Beanie Feldstein a whole lot, but her performance in ACS: Impeachment is atrocious, so now I actually hate her (she does sort of look like Monica Lewinsky, but it was a hard to watch series on many levels). I feel like she has to win me back after that, and unfortunately this does not do it. And why would anyone cast Feldstein and Amy Schumer as sisters?? They don't look, act, or talk alike at all. The apartment that is the setting for the entire movie is absolutely gorgeous for New York City, so it's weird that I think it's supposed to be seen as creepy and decrepit. I don't need to look at water-damaged walls and ceilings for that long - the repetitiveness is definitely a problem (also I had a water-damaged wall in my apartment in Philly and when it rained there was basically a waterfall in my apartment, but I was about two months behind on my rent at all times and my landlord never complained, so I felt it was a fair trade). Anyway, I think I'm mostly disappointed because this should be a movie that I like and it's...so flat. 

5. The Power of the Dog - Unfortunately, this just isn't my thing. I watched for Kirsten Dunst and the return of Jane Campion (I didn't realize that she was a writer/director for Top of the Lake? And now I also can't remember if I ever finished that series? It was one of those things that took ages for each series to be available in America so I might have given up?). I did NOT watch this for Benedict Cumberbatch (although, he was decent in this, and even got the accent right). It's definitely a well-made movie. Obviously there are some stunning shots and it's all very...fine. It's just not very interesting. 45 minutes in and I couldn't even tell you the plot of the movie - it's just so boring. It starts to get a little interesting towards the end, but it's basically a mix of Brokeback Mountain and Call Me By Your Name (both movies I didn't really like, but are also well-made movies). Kodi Smit-McPhee really grew up super awkward, huh? He actually looks like Benedict and could easily play his son (which is why the tension between them is awkward, in my opinion). Kirsten Dunst is great, but looks old. I mean, not OLD old, because she's 39, but it's just hard to see actresses you've watched for decades suddenly look older than they should (and I do think she looks much older than me and she's actually a year younger, but that could just be my wishful thinking. Also, I KNOW it's incredibly sexist and ageist to even bring it up, but also...it's honestly what I was thinking when I watched this, and this blog is my thoughts....so...sorry? I guess.). Jesse Plemmons is also great, but him and Benedict as BROTHERS?? What is up with casting siblings lately? I don't like Thomasin McKenzie (I know I'm a minority in that), but she has...maybe one line of dialogue?? She's miles down the cast list, too, which is super awkward with how popular she has become over the last few years (but, you know, if you're given a role in a Campion movie you take it - no matter how much of a step backwards it is in your career). Also, the score is really overwhelming and a huge distraction. I did really, really, really love the ambiguous ending (although I think the intent is very clear). It almost made me like the movie - I just wish I liked anything about the preceding two hours before it.