Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Angel Has Fallen - So, about an hour into this movie, I suddenly remembered that this is actually the THIRD installment of this series. I forgot all about the London one! Can you believe that THREE of these movies exist? It's wild. Anyway, I still think of the line "why don't you and I play a game of fuck off...you go first", from the first movie, pretty regularly. It's just so ridiculous, and it's crazy to me that someone actually wrote that dialogue, and it's even crazier that it was actually used in a real movie. I like Gerard Butler (let's be real, it's probably just the accent), and I like that he's a little bit worn down in this one (aren't we all?). It's obvious who the "bad guy" is from the beginning, so I appreciate that they didn't keep it as a surprise. It's just a very straight-forward "good guy vs. bad guy" action movie. Jada Pinkett Smith is just a terrible actress (I didn't use to think this, I was a big fan of her in the 90s, but her turn on Gotham really made me sour on her). I did love seeing Piper Perabo! Remember her from Coyote Ugly? She was supposed to be a big star, but it never turned out that way for her, which is a shame (side-note - I dated her brother's roommate way back when. He was an "actor" too. UGH.). Anyway, I feel like if you enjoyed the first two, then you'll enjoy this. I highly doubt I will remember it exists within a few months from now.

2. Birds of Prey (I refuse to write the full title. Who do they think they are...a Fiona Apple album?) - I'm...just not a fan, you guys. I tried. I heard mostly positive things about this movie, so I had hope that I would enjoy it. I went into it with a really positive attitude, but I just don't get how anyone could enjoy this. It's bonkers, and not in a good way. I love Margot Robbie, but just not in this role. The accent hurts my ears. But I think that I just don't like Harley Quinn as a character. She's just so...pathetic. And am I supposed to be inspired by her because she eats? Is that a thing that I'm supposed to be impressed by? And ugh...the dialogue is just so dumb. It's also filled with the most cliched songs ("Barracuda", "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World", etc.). I did find a few positives, though! (1.) Mary Elizabeth Winstead is awesome (always and forever). (2.) Chris Messina as a bad guy is an interesting casting choice. I feel like he always plays "nice guys", but I could just have a terrible memory. (3.) I did appreciate the jail fight scene for a number of reasons - it seemed slightly more realistic than most fight scenes like this, the choreography is insane, and they found a way to include sprinklers - completely soaking Quinn, but still somehow avoided sexualizing her. It's very impressive (but then only mere seconds later, she's completely dry. HOW?).

3. Queen & Slim - I love it so much, I could cry just thinking about it. I didn't love a lot of movies from last year, so it's been a pretty disappointing year of movie-viewing for me. Because of this, I can feel myself adjusting my expectations for every movie, so I didn't really expect to love this movie so much. I was a little cynical in the beginning - these just didn't seem like likable characters to root for. And then "the incident" was (unfortunately) predictable. But shortly along the way, I found myself loving these two people so much, and wanting them to have a happy ending. I read a few things about the movie after I watched it, and I was stunned by the description as a "modern day Bonnie and Clyde". I mean, what an insulting comparison. Bonnie and Clyde were fucking bank robbers! And they murdered people ON PURPOSE. I would say this is more of a "modern day Thelma and Louise" (as a love story, although one could easily argue that Thelma and Louise is a love story). They are on the run because of a failure of law and justice, not because they are criminals. ANYWAY, Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Smith-Turner are spectacular, as singular characters, but also as a couple (their chemistry gives me chills). It's not a perfect movie - and there are even some really dumb moments (like how she goes dancing after getting shot in the leg), but the feeling and mood of the movie is just on-point. It's stylish, sexy and bold. For such a new filmmaker, it also feels surprisingly effortless and confident. I'm in awe of every second of it.

4. Little Women (2019) - I really dreaded watching this movie - it's just not my thing. I never liked the book (to be honest, I probably never even read it in its entirety. Pretty sure I read the Cliff's Notes for it- remember those? Do those exist anymore? I guess it's not really necessary anymore with the internet nowadays). It just seems so boring, and the trailer didn't alter my opinion at all. But, I have to admit, by the end, I was fully immersed, and I actually think that I liked it? I definitely didn't like the beginning because it was exactly like what I was expecting, but the cast really sells it - they all have really great chemistry and an undeniable camaraderie that is really enjoyable to watch. Saoirse Ronan is excellent as expected (although she's supposed to be the "not pretty" one and I'm pretty sure she is the most attractive of the cast? Like what the fuck?). Florence Pugh is a delight (not an Oscar nomination worthy performance, though). But, I still maintain that both Timothee Chalamet and Emma Watson can not act (Ronan and Pugh really carry them throughout). Also, I read some mixed things about the editing, specifically the time-jumping back and forth, but I think it works brilliantly. It's probably the reason the film held my interest. While it's better than I expected, I still wouldn't put it on my Best of 2019 list, nor do I think Gerwig deserved any more praise than she already received.

5. Pokemon Detective Pikachu - I have no idea what I watched. I've never played Pokemon, or watched any related content. I think I was too old for it once it came out (I think I was a senior in high school when the original game came out). It was super weird when the resurgence happened a few years ago. It was everywhere - and people of ALL ages were super into it (so weird). I thought this movie might be cute because it has cute creatures and possibly some witty dialogue, but overall, I was just super confused by the whole thing. It's definitely not made for an external audience. There is literally nothing else to say about it.