Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Elvis - So this is one of those movies that I didn't really mind while watching - it was perfectly okay, but the more I think about it, the less I like it. I'm a big fan of Baz Luhrmann - he's got such an extravagant, cinematic style and the way he uses music in films is super cool (two of my all-time favorite soundtracks are Romeo + Juliet and The Great Gatsby). I thought his style could be a perfect match to tell this story. When I think of Elvis, I think of a sort of grandiose spectacle of showmanship; a larger than life force of nature that swept the country. But instead, the film really lacks any and all spectacle. There is a popular Letterbxd review that states "Congrats to Baz for making the first 2 1/2 hour movie trailer" and it is SPOT ON. I kept waiting for the movie to start. It just moves so quickly without saying anything. I think part of it is not wanting to offend - so everything is very surface level well-known headlines about Elvis. There is also the traditional "villain" aka music executive that is featured in just so many biographies that it's almost eye rolling. It's even worse that Tom Hanks gives what might be his worst performance in history??? I could easily praise certain scenes - especially the Las Vegas performances. There have been tons of clips showing the real performances to compare, and they are all stunningly perfect. But the reason I hesitate to praise it is because I don't understand the point of it??? Why are we just recreating an already perfect performance? I can just watch that on YouTube, right? I just expected more imagination from Baz. I think the only scene that grabbed my attention is the Toxic/Viva Las Vegas mash-up especially playing off of the Toxic video on the airplane. I wish there were more scenes like that. As for Austin Butler - he's mostly wonderful. He definitely excels during the performance scenes - it's pretty spectacular to watch him become Elvis with every breath and movement of his body. And even if I didn't like the recreating aspect of the performances, I think he did what he was directed to do and absolutely nailed it. However, during some of the smaller, but essential, key scenes he feels a little blank (which was my worry from the trailer). There isn't much competition this year for lead actor performances, so I can see him landing an Oscar nomination and I wouldn't be mad about it (well, I mean, I definitely will be mad about it but for an entirely different reason that has absolutely nothing to do with Austin). Two other side-notes: (1) I was super excited when I saw Kelvin Harrison Jr., only to be extremely disappointed that he's barely in it. (2). Is that Billy from Stranger Things??? I never realized how much he looks like Zac Efron? How weird. 

2. Red Rocket - Had I seen this earlier, it definitely would have been included in my Top 10 of 2021 list. I loved it. Sean Baker is definitely one to watch, which surprises me because of how much I hated his debut, Tangerine (like, absolutely hated every single second of it). But I thought The Florida Project was fantastic so it gave me a little hope, but with this movie - I'm officially a fan. He seems to understand something about poverty in America that I've never really seen captured so authentically on film before. It's so often that I'm watching a film about supposed "poor" people but they live in a house in the suburbs! With like fresh squeezed orange juice on the table for breakfast!! Sorry, but that's NOT poor. He also consistently tells stories of unlikeable people - this one is about a guy sparking up a relationship with an underage girl and then grooms her into the porn industry. It has a very slice-of-life storytelling, which works because his characters are so interesting and/or charismatic. Simon Rex is fucking hot (and always has been. I remember my 9th grade best friend was obsessed with him when he was an MTV VJ back in the day). He's also very, very good in this - I could watch him all day long as this absolute trash of a character. I hope it triggers a resurgence in his career because I would like to see more of him. Also Suzanna Son has an INCREDIBLE voice and whoever did the arrangement for her version of "Bye, Bye, Bye" surely deserves some kind of award? I didn't even recognize it until she literally says the "bye, bye, bye" lyrics; it's so hauntingly beautiful - I've had it on repeat since I've seen this (it's been a few weeks - I'm, once again, behind on my blog posts. Good thing I'm not a professional). 

3. Thor: Love and Thunder - I thought this was fun! Not as good as Ragnarok, but I didn't expect it to be. There is definitely more good than bad, and it's a lot more fun than some other recent Marvel movies (AHEM). I like that it fully embraces a rock vibe with the Guns N' Roses soundtrack - ever song that played I was like "FUCK YES" dancing around on my couch (GN'R is one of my favorite bands. I'm full of surprises!). I think Chris Hemsworth has grown a lot as an actor since the first Thor movie (and the same can not be said for the other Avenger actor named Chris...). And Natalie Portman was so under-utilized in the previous movies, so it's really fun to see her as "Lady Thor" (and her hair looks FABULOUS when she's Thor! Is it a wig?). Now I just need to see Jaimie Alexander as Lady Sif for more than 5 minutes and we'll be all good! I was expecting to see a Matt Damon reprisal, but I laughed out loud at the casting of the "other" Hemsworth, Luke. I wish the casting of Hercules wasn't spoiled for me (I'm not blaming anyone - I watch things so far after they are released, of course things are going to get spoiled); I don't usually care much about spoilers, but this would have been a fun surprise. I do think it has some pacing issues and it wasn't as funny as Ragnarok. And also, the screaming goats thing is like...at least 5 years old (maybe more?) and they used it A LOT. I never really understood why everyone thinks it's so funny, so this got old real quick for me. **some spoilers ahead, in case you are someone who cares** I was surprised by the end because I was under the impression that Portman was taking over the role??? As in Hemsworth was done (similar to how Anthony Mackie is taking over as Captain America)?? But that doesn't seem to be the case. Am I missing something? 

4. Morbius - Well now, this is a terrible movie. I knew the reviews were pretty bad, but sometimes critics exaggerate and then everyone jumps on it. It's like the film bro version of high school bullies. But, unfortunately, this deserves the critical beating. I don't hate on Jared Leto like the rest of the world. I think he's an incredible actor, but also a bit of a weirdo cult member (same can be said for a certain someone who is ADORED and he's not even that good of an actor **cough** Tom Cruise **cough**). He's definitely not the problem here. The problems, for the most part, are the crazy weird special effects choices - like the wavy liquid effect that follows him when he jumps. What the fuck is that? The dialogue is rough - "I'm starting to get hungry, and you don't want to see me hungry" is an actual line from the movie. Leto's vampire makeup is different in every scene, which is also a weird choice. The biggest problem, though, is that I *think* this movie is trying to convince me that Matt Smith is...hot? I'm sorry, him dancing with his shirt off actually made my body physically cringe. I know I can be really fucking shallow sometimes, but guess what???? I don't care! I enjoy when actors/actresses are hot! He's not a very good actor, either, so it's a lose/lose situation for me. Anyway, it's a pretty boring, less-than-mediocre, superhero movie and it seems pretty pointless. But I'm guessing it's going to connect to the reboot of Blade with the vampire stuff? I actually had no ide who Morbius was or what exactly he does, so I was a little surprised by the fact that he's basically...Batman? Like technically more Batman than actual Batman? How weird. The only good thing I can say about it this is that I love Adria Arjona! Happy to see her in more stuff. 

5. Dog - I watched the trailer for this (I think it played before The Lost City) and it looked cute, but then it was on the little tv screen on my flight to New Orleans - I wasn't watching it and there was no sound, but every time I looked up at the screen it was a scene from the trailer. And it kind of put me off watching it because I feel like the whole thing is in the trailer. I also assumed that I would probably cry (and I did, in fact, tear up a bit at the end. Animals are the best.). Overall, it's an okay movie. It's not something I'll remember. Channing Tatum gives a strong performance - I usually prefer him in comedies, but I think this type of role fits him well too (and there are some funny parts). He's also in a white t-shirt for a lot of the movie, so there's that. His character name is Jackson Briggs, which is the most Channing Tatum character name I've ever heard. I think the movie could have dived a little deeper into PTSD of veterans, and how our country has failed them - but I think the creators didn't want to alienate the Go-America-Go crowd who don't like to admit this fact. I do have some problems with the central story because first, I know that there are much better systems in place when dealing with animals in the entertainment industry, but they really had to rile this dog up for certain scenes - and that bothers me A LOT. I also hate the scene with the veteran who rescued one of the military service dogs because it sends a dangerous message. A trained military dog should not be around children - as it's shown in this, dogs suffer from PTSD too - and anything can set it off. I say this as someone who grew up with Pit Bulls as a child and will vouch for how sweet they are if properly trained, but trained military dogs are different. I do think there needs to be a system in place for these dogs to "retire" to, that does not involve putting them down because that's disgusting. But bringing them into your home with your child is not the answer. I also think it's weird that he tries to let it "escape" when he's in the desert (like "go, be free!!") - how would that be better than putting him down? A dog would have a miserable life in the desert with no food/water with that heat?? It doesn't even make sense! Anyway, like I said, it's an okay movie. I was entertained - it's humorous, emotional at times, but never really gets as deep as it could.