Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Spenser Confidential - A Marky Mark movie on Netflix?? Yes, Please! Even better, a Peter Berg directed, Marky Mark movie on Netflix!!?? It's exactly what you would expect, so if it's not your thing then it's pretty easy to avoid it. I, however, was completely entertained by it. I wasn't even too bothered that the actress who plays Marky Mark's (ex)-girlfriend is a terrible actress. Her over-the-top Boston persona made up for it, and her chemistry with Mark is undeniable. She even made me laugh a few times (the Batman comparison, and when she calls the other guy "Big Boi"). I also laughed at Mark's confusion about "the cloud" because that is totally me, but that also makes me feel really old (I mean, I sort of get it, but technology is just not my friend). Another thing that makes me feel old is that I recognized Post Malone from the beginning, but then I realized I only know him from "the kids" talking about him. I don't actually know what he does. This movie is ultimately just another paint-by-numbers action/murder mystery, but I had fun with it. The ending sets up for a sequel and I am totally in for it.

2. Where'd You Go, Bernadette - I didn't hear the best things about this movie, but for some reason I still had high hopes. I even bought the book (haven't read it yet - my reading has slipped this year, I've only read 2 books, so far!). Cate Blanchett is still my favorite actress (although Jessica Chastain is now a close second), and she is terrific in this, as expected. And another favorite actress of mine is also in this, unexpectedly, Kristen Wiig. I adore her. Unfortunately, the story is just so dull and elitist. I appreciate what it is trying to do, but it just comes off as disingenuous. It's basically trying to make a statement on what happens to an artist if they stop creating. Bernadette halts her creativity in favor of motherhood, and then once her daughter is almost all grown-up, Bernadette is forced to confront her decision. She basically has a mental breakdown, but it's something that has been building up for years. There are a few moments that are really well done, like when her husband (played by Billy Crudup) confronts her and talks about how he felt her elbows to see if she was an alien. And when she says the line "I'm not good at being exposed to people" (I feel you Bernadette). Overall, though, it's a mess of a movie - completely unfocused and devoid of genuine emotion.

3. Sorry to Bother You - I'm not quite sure how I feel about this movie yet. I appreciate that it is really original, and relishes in its absurdity, while also being about something very real, and very serious. LaKeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson are a dream. There are some terrific moments - the catalyst for the plot is the "white voice" ("I'm not talking about Will Smith white" LOL), is overall fantastic and something I don't think is talked about in film very often. Also, the moment where Armie Hammer asks him to rap, assuming that he must know how. There are these small moments of racism that happen in everyday life that people don't even realize are racist. I'm reminded of one of my managers at work who is black. The amount of times someone comments to her about how professional she is and/or sounds (as if it's a surprise) and ugh I cringed at the moment she commented on liking Dave Matthews Band, and my other manager replied "wow I never thought you would even know who that is". Anyway, I think this movie does a really good job of showing these smaller moments, without being preachy. I got a little lost in the absurdity of it all, and some of it felt a little repetitive, but I would still recommend it.

4. Uncut Gems - I agree with most of the praise for this movie - it grips you right away, and is extremely tense, and ambitiously paced. And Adam Sandler is incredible (it definitely should have been Leo DiCaprio, Taron Egerton, Eddie Murphy, Joaquin Phoenix, and Sandler for the Best Actor nomination). The rest of the cast is also really solid - the second movie in a row that I watched featuring LaKeith Stanfield (total coincidence), Idina Menzel, and why-oh-why was nobody talking about how amazing Julia Fox is? And this is her first feature film? Holy fucking shit, she is perfect. I also now know who The Weeknd is! First, Post Malone and now The Weeknd! I feel super hip now, you guys. I'm assuming Kevin Garnett is also a pretty famous Basketball player in real life, too? I don't follow Basketball (i.e the dumbest sport, but also a little personal tidbit - I am super good at basketball. At least the getting the ball in the hoop part. I'm too short to actually play, which is why it's a dumb sport). I think my biggest criticism about this movie is that it feels dated - nothing about it seems modern. If it didn't feature modern celebrities, I would be convinced it takes place in the 90s. The ending is spectacular though, and somehow unexpected. And that final shot with the "colors of the universe" is stunning.

5. The Lion King (2019) - Ok, so The Lion King is my favorite Disney animated movie (actually on a different day, I might say The Little Mermaid, but it is definitely a tie between those two). I had the soundtrack when I was a kid and I used to blast it on repeat for hours on end. I named my cat "Simba" with the intention of naming my next cat "Nala", but I ended up getting a male cat (so he was named "Milo" after Milo and Otis. Side-note, both of my babies passed away recently. They were born only 6 months apart and they died 4 months apart. They were best friends for life and I miss them both dearly.). Most of the criticism I read about this movie is that the colors are lost with the "live-action", which is true (I mean, just LOOK at that poster!). It makes me really sad. But, my biggest criticism is the music. I cringed so hard the second that "Circle of Life" started. It's not that it sounded bad, per se, but it just doesn't sound...right. My cat enjoyed the whole thing in its entirety, so it's not a total loss, but I found the whole thing unnecessary. I still cried at Mufasa's death though. It just hits me so hard.