Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Official Secrets - I don't feel like I've seen Kiera Knightly in anything in a really, really long time. Like, maybe since Begin Again? Has it really been that long? She is a very specific type of actress. There are things that I absolutely love her in (like Atonement), but I'm not a fan of her when she does more modern roles or when she attempts an American accent (ooof). She's really strong in this - as is the rest of the cast (even Matthew Goode looking super hot!). I really liked the story and I was not familiar with the true story at all (I'm glad that it had a happy ending, because if it ended with this woman in prison, I would have been devastated). It highlights the struggle of being loyal to and having pride your country but also being able to criticize it in equal measure (which is incredibly relevant to how many Americans are feeling right now - it's really hard to have pride in something that also needs to be burned the fuck down). It's also sickening how easy it is for the government to completely destroy your life within minutes - the threats she receives, the fear of her husband's deportation, etc. It's all very straight-forward, but it was intense enough to hold my attention. 

2. Radioactive - Definitely one of the worst movies I've seen this year (most have been mediocre, at best). I think Rosamund Pike is a terrible actress (I know, I'm in the minority on this once again, but I hated her in Gone Girl too). She's beyond awful in this as one of the greatest scientific legends - Marie Curie. The film itself is extremely reductive in its telling of her story - the fact that it's considered in the "Romance" genre really tells you all you need to know. It's like when they made a movie about Stephen Hawking and made it more about his relationship than his accomplishments. It's just so dumb to reduce such brilliant minds to "but what was their relationship like?". It's even more problematic with Marie Curie because her husband got ALL of the credit for her work (at first, and I'm glad that they showed his support of his wife. He was an actual good guy, from what I've read). And then they continue showing her personal life even after her husband dies, and how vilified she became by the public for her sex life. I get that they were trying to show how smart and accomplished women will always be picked apart, but this is exactly the opposite of what Marie Curie would have wanted highlighted in her life story, surely? AND THEN, the film also takes a pretty negative stance on her discoveries - practically blaming her for the worlds biggest tragedies (footage of the bombing of Hiroshima, and cancer patients). What in the actual fuck? I think it's important to show the internal struggle that Curie may have had when she discovers how her work could be used for destruction, and that her discoveries were making people sick, but the way the film is edited - it doesn't really show her internalizing it - it shows it as fact. It's infuriating. The ending shows her selflessly and heroically taking her work to the battlefields to save thousands of lives, but also heavily implies that she's doing it out of guilt. Maybe I'm wrong, and I've just interpreted the story very negatively, but the inconsistencies in the story and the way the film has no clear vision - I have no choice but to form my own interpretation - and in my opinion, it sucks.  

3. Little Woods - Help, I had no idea that a movie existed with Lily James and Tessa Thompson! I feel like I'm pretty up-to-date with movies and filmmaking in general, but these movies keep sneaking up on me out of nowhere and it makes me feel so out of touch. This is also the first film written/directed by Nia DaCosta (I assumed she had a longer resume? People seem really excited for her Candyman remake and for her directing Captain Marvel 2, but why? Just because of this movie? That seems weird to me.). I liked this movie - it's quiet, reserved, and lovely. It's a great study on empathy - having empathy for people stuck in the cycle of being poor - leading them to petty crimes, leading to bigger crimes, leading to jail, leading to being poor again - it's hard to pull yourself out of that, even if you have the best intentions. It's also a story of sisterhood - the sacrifices one makes for family, etc. I think it could have gone a bit deeper, and it could have been a really effective film. I can't say that this is something I'll remember, but it's lovely all the same. Oh, and I really liked the music that is used. And on an irrelevant side note - they say in the movie that it costs 8-9k to have a baby without insurance, but surely it has to be more than that? I thought it was much higher than that, like 20k? 

4. Vivarium - Possibly the greatest sci-fi concept I've seen in a while, but they just do absolutely nothing with it. The beginning and end is so strong, but the core of the movie is sooooo boring. It starts with a young couple searching for a new house in the suburbs only to end up in a never-ending nightmare of suburbia landscape. There's a lot to unpack in its imagery and less than subtle allegories - the deconstruction of the "American dream", the dehumanization of a "productive" and "reproductive" society, the erasure of identity and uniqueness. It's all fascinating until...it's not. I currently live in the suburbs (not quite like the type in the movie - all the houses don't look the same, and I'm within walking distance of everything I need - although it's all chains like Chipotle and Whole Foods. I long for the days in which I could walk to the river and enjoy the view of NYC and then stop for somewhat authentic Thai food on my way home). It's honestly Hell sometimes. Our neighbors are annoying and intrusive, Sunday mornings are ruined by the echoing sounds of lawnmowers or snowblowers or leaf blowers, and I feel like the possibilities are limited instead of limitless. I think the movie misses the mark in showing all of this, partly because the characters are alone in this suburban labyrinth. It's great to showcase the isolation, but most of what makes suburbia so awful is the people. There are quite a few scenes that I liked, though (the one where they give the child the finger, for one). And I think Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots make a very believable couple, and Poots gives a terrific performance of genuine horror and confusion (this may be the first time I've ever said something nice about her, but she definitely impresses me here). On another note, all of the posters for the movie are just superb. 

5. Tolkien - Extremely boring biopic about someone I care very little about. That sounds way harsher than I meant, but it's the truth. I know J.R.R Tolkien means a lot to a lot of people, but it's just not my thing. I mean, I appreciate the fantasy genre immensely, but I've never read the books and The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies are, in my opinion, generally good but...that's it? They aren't movies that I will ever revisit (because LONG - there is even a line in the movie about it "it shouldn't take 6 hours to tell the story of a ring" LOL.). I don't really understand making a biopic about someone who doesn't really have an interesting life. I do think they should have kept the focus on his imagining of this other world in order to survive the horrors of war - that's the only interesting part. Pretending something magical is happening is sometimes the best way to survive (which is why, in my head, I'm currently happily married to Taron Egerton. It's pure survival instinct.). The other stuff - like his friendships and the romance part is all just so dull (I guess we are supposed to see how he was inspired by them, but it's boring filler). Nicholas Hoult is getting better and better, though (side note: he is delightful in The Great - seriously, such a fun performance). 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Good Liar - Overall, I liked this movie - I feel like adult drama/suspense films are more and more rare these days. *slight spoilers ahead* I think it's pretty obvious from the beginning that she is tricking him. No person of sane mind would just divulge that they are worth 2.8 million to a stranger, plus any person worth 2.8 million would already have a financial advisor. It was still interesting to see how she was going to follow through, and obviously why she is tricking him. There's a lot of clever dialogue (my favorite is McKellen saying "I do not approve of his lifestyle. He...designs kitchens"), and character development. And obviously, the two main cast members are legends, but they also have Russell Tovey - who is just super adorable. I was fully invested for most of the movie, but when they go to Berlin and do the whole flashback, I got a little bored (completely not expecting that to be key information). Once we do get to the not-so-surprising "twist" that she is, in fact, the one in control - we finally learn the reason, and JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, I was not expecting it to be that serious. I was not expecting her to have, like a really, really good fucking reason for destroying this man. I thought she was just having some fun. The weakest part of the whole film is the dragged out explanation of how she tricked him (the audience *just* watched it, we don't need you to explain every detail. Never assume your audience is dumb - especially with a movie like this). 

2. Project Power - Oooof this movie is rough. The idea is great (it's kind of like Limitless but the powers vary) and the cast is terrific - Jamie Foxx, JGL, and the highlight, Dominique Fishback. Her two rap scenes are just glorious, as is Foxx's reaction to the second one ("that's your power" - it was just so well done). I can't say I'll remember anything else about it. And if I'm honest (which I always am), I don't even think I could clearly explain the plot. Like, I understood what was happening as it happened, but overall I have no idea what the point of it all is. I'm starting to lose faith in Netflix original movies - at least the ones that are supposed to be more action/blockbuster ones (I was disappointed with The Old Guard and Extraction too) - they are just so....forgettable. Oh wait, I'll remember JGL's Clint Eastwood scene too, because the way he says "punk" just about killed me. On a side note, he's super hot in this movie - sometimes he's hot, sometimes he's adorable, but I'm always a fan. I'm glad he's making a comeback after disappearing for a few years. And I now know who Machine Gun Kelly is (that's a lie...I have no idea who he is or what he does or why he thinks the name "Machine Gun Kelly" is an acceptable alias. Why would you want to be named after someone who literally murdered people?). 

3. Downton Abbey - I finally finished watching the series about a month ago (It only took me 8 years. It's super boring, you guys. It's definitely not something I can binge. I could only watch like 1 episode a week, which is how it was originally intended - you know like a normal weekly series? Remember those? Why must we binge everything?). I didn't think a film was necessary - and after watching it, I guess I was right? Because nothing really happens. Seriously. Absolutely nothing. They just set the house for royalty to visit and hi-jinks ensue, but everything turns out just peachy. The end. I do like that they set a happier ending for the only character worth giving a damn about (Tom, obviously. If you like any other character - you might be a monster. The only other one I liked was Lily James' character - I'm severely disappointed that she isn't in the movie, and I honestly don't remember how they ended her story on the series? Did she just end up with that Jewish guy and then that was it?). Um, there's not really much else to say - I guess if you're a big Downton Abbey fan, then you'll probably enjoy this? But as someone who merely suffered through the episodes, it's just as dull and boring as the series. 

4. The Night Clerk - I'm so up in the air on this movie. I didn't really like it as I watched it - mostly because I didn't like Tye Sheridan's performance. I'm a big fan of his - he was stunning in Mud and I thought he did a respectable job in Ready Player One, but in this he is supposed to be portraying someone with autism, and if just feels really forced and inauthentic. They focused his autism on his inability to interact with people, so much so that he records people in order to "study" their behaviors. It's kind of like Nightcrawler but without the depth and nuance. He replays his interactions and then practices how he thinks he should have responded (I mean, I do this too, just without the video. I replay conversations in my head all day long and think about how I should have responded differently. Isn't that, um, normal?). Also, if ANA DE ARMAS walked up to me and tried to have a conversation, I would be the most awkward person alive at the moment. Anyway, I also didn't like how the plot holes kept piling up. It's just so frustrating - I kept thinking "this just doesn't make any sense". BUT, then the twist happens - and it's fucking great, and makes the whole movie make sense. It also made me want to watch it again because I think I spent too much time being frustrated to notice how it was all going to play out. I still think there is one *major* plot hole (*spoiler* the cops saw one of his videos that would have shown him entering the room after the murder...so they would know he didn't do it, but it's never discussed at all, unless I missed it?). So, after thinking about it - I realized that I actually liked it quite a bit. It's got some unexpected layers that hit me after a few days of letting it sink in to my brain. 

5. The Assistant - There is a lot I like about this movie - it is a very 'slice of life' story about working in a film production office. I can say from experience that the feeling of this movie is extremely accurate. I think everyone assumes it's far more glamorous than it actually is. I worked as an office manager/personal assistant for a few months at an independent film production company in LA and it was so...boring. It's always nice to connect to a story in a more personal way and reflect on similarities and differences within your experiences. With this, I can't say that I connect to the actual story - I was always treated with respect. But perhaps because both people I worked for directly were women (and even though the one that I was a personal assistant to wasn't very nice, she was always respectful). But I was in charge of all the interns (all male, all of whom were pleasant) and the (male) office assistant (who, for years after would send me his ideas and scripts because he trusted me to give him honest feedback). I did feel like it was a boys club sometimes, but never in a way that made me uncomfortable. I think the only time I felt this true feeling of a "boys club" in the film industry, in which I felt intimidated, disrespected, and left out, was when I worked on a film set as the director's assistant. I just assumed that he never had anything for me to do other than get him lunch, coffee, etc., but one day I overlapped with his other assistant (we usually altered days), and he was sooooo chummy with him, and was explaining the scene set-ups and showing him tips and tricks of "filmmaking". It made me so upset that I went home and cried for like 8 hours. But after a few years of self-reflection, I realized that I never made any attempt to cultivate that type of relationship. I'm super introverted and quiet, and that just doesn't work if you are on a film set with a hundred other people. You'll just get lost in the shuffle and you have no-one else to blame but yourself. Anyway, I've gone on a tangent, but my point is, I guess, that I don't really feel bad for this girl. She doesn't seem to be putting herself out there very much, and she seems super stressed for, like, no reason - sorry, but if you think that's a stressful job, try working in retail (especially during a pandemic!). Also, I don't really think it's any of her business who her boss hires, and why, - and also going to HR on day one is just extremely reactionary. Maybe see if this girl can do the job first? And see if her being hired has any effect on your job first (because it seems to me like it might make your job...easier?). It is an interesting story, though, and I like the scene with the HR representative basically ignoring her complaint (even though I agree with him, to a certain degree, but it is up to HR to look into things further - and also look at her complaint as preventative from future problems that could occur. It's extremely, and unfortunately realistic to corporate HR departments. They basically try to convince you you're crazy first before they actually do anything. And that's if they do anything). As far as Julia Garner's performance, I think she does a decent job - probably the only thing I haven't hated her in (I think I've only seen her in Ozark and Dirty John and I think she's awful. I don't care how many Emmys she collects). 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Motherless Brooklyn - The more I think about this movie, the more I absolutely hate it. It's so uncomfortably cartoonish, but I don't think it's meant to be that way. I *think* it's supposed to be taken seriously, and that is really disturbing. I've always been a big fan of Edward Norton, but I just can't support him with this disaster. First, it's painfully and unnecessarily long. There's just so much filler and bloated scenes for absolutely no reason. Second, instead of being a pulpy stylish noir, it comes across as cliched and cheesy. Third, Norton's attempt at portraying someone with Tourette syndrome is noble, but ultimately is a distraction from his normally powerful performances. Those three things are probably the top three reasons why I hate this movie, but my list could go on for another dozen reasons, like the supporting cast- none of whom fit the role (Alec Baldwin and Willem Dafoe play brothers. I repeat, BROTHERS - who on Earth thought that was a good casting call?), the obvious twist of Bobby Cannavale's character, the choppy editing, the fact that it actually has no resolution and therefore NO POINT? The whole movie is just absolute garbage. The only positive thing I can say is that I like Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Not in this, but I like her, in general. That's it.

2. Waves - Aw man, I really didn't think I would see another movie from 2019 that I would want to add to my "Best of" list, but this would have absolutely made the cut (probably at #5). The worst part is that I never saw anyone talking about it! I don't follow "film twitter" as much as I once did, but I always check out everyone's yearly lists, to make sure I don't miss anything and I don't remember seeing this on anyone's. The only reason I even added it to my watch-list is because I really like the girl from Lost in Space (Taylor Russell). In a way, I'm glad I never heard anyone talk about it because that means I went into it completely blind. I knew from the beginning that something ominous was going to take place - I could feel the intensity, and that every moment served a purpose to propel the seemingly simple story forward. But, when that moment hits - it hits hard. It absolutely shook me to my core and I physically went numb for about 5 full minutes. The first half of the story feels so real and relevant to today's youth - how every emotion can explode into chaos if left unchecked. It's devastating. Kelvin Harrison Jr. is extraordinary, as is Sterling K. Brown, who portrays his father (I guess you know you're old if you're finding yourself attracted to the parents of teenage kids - this is happening to me far too often lately. He's only 5 years older than me! How does he have teenage kids?! When did this happen to me!). The second half of the movie, or "the aftermath", isn't as strong, but it's still really good and interesting. I forgot that I saw Lucas Hedges in the credits, so when he appeared in the second half, it came as a bit of a shock. I'm not really a big fan of his story arc (the whole forgiving his father part because he's dying just doesn't sit right with me, but I realize that the whole point of the movie is about forgiveness). Overall, I really loved this movie. I instantly looked up what the director, Trey Edward Shults, has previously done, and added It Comes at Night to my watch-list. I watched it the next day - and it's not as good as this,but it also stars Harrison Jr. and he gives another incredible performance. He is definitely one to watch.

3. Guns Akimbo - This movie reminds me of that movie from a few years ago, Nerve with Emma Roberts, only much more batshit crazy. And if I remember correctly, I actually ended up thinking Nerve was decent, but... this...not so much. I do really like Daniel Radcliffe, though, but let's be honest, my main reason for watching this was Samara Weaving. She just has such a fantastic screen presence, and I have the biggest crush on her recently. Unfortunately, I did not find her attractive in this (I think it's the eyebrows), but I did appreciate that by the end of the movie she is once again a complete fucking badass, covered in blood (is that going to be her thing? I do not mind it.). I like what the film is trying to do, but I just think that it's also trying a bit too hard to be edgy and it just comes off as ridiculous. There are a few scenes that made me chuckle (the "it's pre-recorded, dipshit" "Oh" reaction scene is the first to come to mind, oh and him fumbling to do things with guns attached to his hands - I laughed every time), otherwise, it's ultimately forgettable. 

4. Lucy in the Sky - Oh wow. I read that this movie was bad, but I wasn't expecting it to be this bad. The true story is so insane, and a perfect character study to make into a movie. Plus, directed by Noah Hawley and starring Natalie Portman? That sounds just brilliant. But this just isn't it. If you aren't aware of the true story - definitely look it up, it's so fascinating (in short, this woman, a brilliant engineer and astronaut, was arrested after stalking her ex and his new girlfriend. The famous part of the story is that she drove across the country to confront them, and brought diapers with her so that she wouldn't have to make any pit-stops). There's a lot of psychological aspects that could have been explored - some easy examples: (1) that someone could be so intelligent, but also so emotionally immature or (2) that being in love could actually drive someone to insanity or (3) the idea that she was emotionally manipulated, so much so, that she let this man destroy her career or (4) space travel can cause extreme emotional distress. Literally, any of these examples could have provided for some thoughtful content and commentary on mental health, but NONE of it is explored. I also feel like this was a perfect moment to explore having empathy for someone who is obviously struggling (instead of being treated as the laughing stock that she became). I appreciate that they cut the diaper part (which is the main reason she became headline news), but the movie is just so cut and dry. Plus Natalie Portman in that wig with that accent, is just all sorts of wrong. 

5. Luce - So in a complete coincidence, this is the third movie starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. that I watched within one week. I had no idea he was in this, it just happened to be next on my list. And once again, he is incredible. The cast is definitely the best part of this movie - Naomi Watts used to be my #1 favorite actress, but Cate Blanchett and Jessica Chastain have overtaken her. She just hasn't really done anything amazing lately (she's still top 3, though!!). And Octavia Spencer is perfectly cast here - she's so good in this role. The story is extremely racially charged - and so relevant to some of the discourse that I've seen circulating, which is this expectation for minorities to be "role models" for whatever ethnicity they are. The film shows this pressure, and shows how dangerous it can be - and also how it can backfire. I really like the dialogue that it addresses, but I wish it was a little more intense and interesting. Instead, it moves really slowly and it gets a little boring before it really makes its point. However, the ending is just brilliant - the little "moment" that Harrison Jr. does at the end is just chilling. 

Thoughts on 5 New TV Shows

1. Hunters - A little insane, but kind of in a good way? It was really different and interesting, so that's always a plus for me. Not all of it worked, and some of it is a little problematic, but as a whole, I think it's a solid idea and it is executed very well. It's one of those examples in which the good outweigh the bad. However, some of the bad...is really bad. For example: The end is horrific. I appreciate the shock value of the twist, but, man, is it really tough to grapple with. Also, I think sometimes it went a little too far - subtlety doesn't seem to be an option (one of the episodes is titled "Shalom, Motherfucker"). There are moments of levity - some of it works really, really well (like the "Stayin' Alive" scene - I could probably watch that on repeat. Just so good.), and some of it doesn't (because it's hard to make the Holocaust light and funny, and maybe this shouldn't be a thing? I know a lot of people had the same problem with JoJo Rabbit too). A big plus, though, is the cast - Al Pacino is peak Al Pacino (take that as you will...). And Logan Lerman is incredible. I totally forgot that about him with my previous Emmy post - but I could make a solid argument for him deserving a nomination. I think I've mentioned before that I'm hesitant to like him because his mother was rude to me and made homophobic comments (she was his manager at the time, but he was a kid, so hopefully he has a better team behind him now? I'm too lazy to look into it). There is also a terrific performance by Greg Austin - just super fucking creepy and evil, nightmare inducing. He reminds me a lot of a Skarsgard brother (I thought he might be...). And lastly, Lena Olin (who will always be Mama Bristow to me). I can't say anyone else in the cast stood out, but they all worked well together (maybe Josh Radnor, but that's just because the role is so different for him, but I'm convinced someone else could have done it better). I'm super interested in what season two will look like (and who will join the cast??). 

2. Perry Mason - I remember watching the original Perry Mason reruns with my grandmother (which is where I get my love of television dramas and detective/spy stories). I thought this could be a good character to update, and I really like how they kept the integrity of the "vibe" of the original, but I'm currently on the 4th episode and it's...starting to get boring. I do love the cast, though. Matthew Rhys and Tatiana Maslany??! Like, I'll keep watching any show with those two, even if I die of boredom. It's a very classicly stylized detective story (complete with Jazz music), based in the 30s. I was not expecting it to be so graphic (with the crimes, but also with the random sex scenes) and I can't help to think that they are just thrown in there to try to hold the audiences attention? Because it's not really necessary if you have a solid story to tell. I haven't written it completely off yet - I really liked the pilot episode, but the next 3 have just been really disappointing. 

3. I'll be Gone in the Dark - What an overall heartbreaking story - obviously the original serial killer crimes are hard to process, but the fact that Michelle McNamara became so obsessed with finding the truth and getting justice for these victims that she drove herself to an unhealthy mental state (and eventually death) is just devastating. I don't much care for the True Crime genre (for many reasons - usually because I feel like it's told in a very propaganda-type way, convince the audience of "their" versions of what is true - the best example of this is with the Netflix series Making a Murderer, but also because sometimes reality is just really hard to deal with. I do like "Based on True Story" storytelling, though, but that's because it's acceptable to change the narrative, and therefore doesn't feel as "real"). However, when I read about Michelle McNamara, I had to read her book. It's more because I've developed an interest in her story though. I've always been such a big fan of Patton Oswald (was supposed to see his live stand-up earlier this year, but it was obviously cancelled), and I always love the way he talks about Michelle with such pride. Also, because the story has a somewhat "happy" ending - with them actually finding the East Area Rapist (it's super weird that the investigators were so hesitant to give her the credit - I assume because they don't want more people to be inspired to solve crimes on their own, but still - there is NO WAY that her research isn't what led them to him. JUST NO FUCKING WAY). The book is written so well - and it's so respectful of the victims, while still being extremely thorough in describing the horrific crimes (not going to lie, it's a tough read - especially if you read before sleeping, like I do). I've watched the first three episodes of this Docuseries, and so far it's good. It's pretty much exactly what I was expecting - except that I'm surprised at how much footage they have of Michelle. I'm always weirded out by that though, and then I forget that "normal" people record their lives via social media. If I died there would be absolutely no archival footage of me - maybe a few selfies and some cat pictures, but that's it. Also, it's even more devastating to watch the victims talk about their attacks than to read about it - so prepare yourself. 

4. ZeroZeroZero - Man, I had really high hopes for this - it has one of my favorite current actresses - Andrea Riseborough, and also Dane Dehaan. But it's really awful. And hard to follow. It reminds me of Narcos (with similar topic of drug smuggling but this is just on a global level), but Narcos is fantastic and this just falls flat. There's just too many plots, I think? Or maybe it was all one plot and I was just too bored to put it all together? It's hard because I don't mind subtitles at all (and I even put subtitles on for most things, even in English), but if I'm bored, it's so much harder to pay attention to the subtitles so I guess it's a lot easier to lose the plot (again, I have no problem with paying attention to Narcos, so I don't think it's me, I think it's the way this is written). I watched the whole first season, somehow, but I couldn't tell you the outcome (other than that the expected thing happens). I'm not sure if this is going to stay as a mini-series or get a second season, but I sure hope not because I don't want to watch any more. 
 
5. Hollywood - So far, not a big fan of Ryan Murphy/Netflix productions. I'm a big fan of Murphy - and typically his first seasons of tv shows are incredible (and some second seasons as well, but he ends up going off the rails after that). However, with this and with The Politician, I am incredibly disappointed. I probably like this a tad more than The Politician (it has some good moments, but overall it just tries too hard - and I hate the cast). Hollywood is interesting, for sure. The idea of re-writing Hollywood history (a very different alternate universe twist than is usually done) and also mixing real life people with fictional characters, is wonderfully realized. I just think it's weird that they focused the idea on sex-workers trying to "make it" in Hollywood. And it got very repetitive and dull by the 4th episode. I do like the cast, though (much better than The Politician), especially Samara Weaving. And the main guy (I don't know his name, but he was in a few episodes of The Politician too, and he was much stronger than his co-stars). He's like a younger Henry Cavill, but with screen presence and a personality. I hope they leave this as a mini-series, and Murphy just moves on. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Old Guard - Was this originally supposed to be a Netflix movie, or did they release it that way because of the pandemic? I'm so lost on the release of movies these days. I didn't really hear anything about this until literally the day of release, which is just weird for such a big action film. My initial reaction - after the *thing* that happened within the first 15 minutes happened was that I was going to absolutely love it, but unfortunately nothing else really great happened for the rest of the movie. I guess maybe if I knew what the movie was about before watching it, I would have been less surprised, or if I knew that it's technically a superhero movie - I think my expectations would have been so very different. Charlize is just so perfect for these types of roles (she's great in anything, really). And she's just one of those impossibly beautiful women. I think this will be a franchise, since it seems to be doing well. I wish Atomic Blonde was better because that could have been a great franchise (and it had the added bonus of James McAvoy!). I think my problem with this movie is that I just got bored, and like most movies nowadays - it's just way too long. It barely goes over my 2 hour limit, but it feels really long and it didn't feel warranted - there's just so much filler. I could easily cut 30 minutes from this movie and it would have been so much more intense and purposeful (and YES, I am very aware of the irony of someone like me constantly complaining about the importance of editing, considering how I write). 

2. Last Christmas - *spoilery* From the God awful trailer, I didn't even make the connection that this movie was "inspired" by George Michael songs - which, I admit, is a super cute idea. Also, I assumed that because it's a sappy romance that one of them was going to die and therefore it's titled "Last Christmas" as in it's one's last Christmas alive, not that something significant happened "Last Christmas" as in a year prior to the story. I'm kind of giving away the surprise twist, but you'll figure it out at least half-way through (here's the spoilery part: if you're paying attention - I mean he CLEARLY doesn't exist...and once you connect the George Michael song with it that starts with "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart"...the writer took that shit pretty literally and ran with it. They do add a scene that is intentionally meant to throw the audience off, but I wasn't fooled.). Anyway, this isn't as terrible as I was expecting, but it's certainly not good. I don't really like Emilia Clarke (I liked Khaleesi, I did not like her acting though), and this character is just so cliched - and actually kind of a terrible person (she's just so self-involved and irresponsible and disrespectful to everyone around her - her mother, her boss, her friends), I just don't relate to her at all. Henry Golding is pretty hot, though (I think I've written this sentence at least a dozen times). And Emma Thompson is wonderful, as per usual. 

3. Spies in Disguise - Well now, I was not expecting this to be as cute as it is. It's kind of like an animated Bond movie - but geared towards kids (so it's got a bit of cuteness and humor to it). Will Smith and Tom Holland have great voice chemistry and I laughed out loud a few times. Overall, I had a lot of fun with it. It felt different for an animated movie - like it was action-packed, but still full of heart. And once he turned into the pigeon, I giggled quite a bit (especially with the female pigeon rubbing against him all flirty LOL). It also has a very in-your-face anti-violence stance which is...a strong choice for a movie about not only stopping a terrorist, but also about a kid who lost his mother by possibly (?) gun violence (she's a cop) - obviously the kids are not going to understand the political undertones. Maybe I enjoyed this because I didn't really know what it was about, so I wasn't expecting much. But also because I enjoy action movies - and really anything spy themed, so this just ticked all my boxes. 

4. Apollo 11 - UGHHHHH...Documentaries are always so boring. And I keep getting tricked into watching them, but people saying "NOOO you have to watch this...it's SO good". No, it's a fucking boring documentary. I'm half-kidding, because obviously it's good. But for someone who doesn't like docs, it's just never going to be something that interests me. And honestly, I've seen this story so many times, so it's not like I learned anything new just because they had all this "never before seen footage". I couldn't even tell you what I supposedly have "never seen before". I mean, they go to the Moon, and then they come home. What else could they possibly tell us??? 

5. 7500 - Very typical movie for this subject matter. I'm not sure how many of these "hijackers on a plane" stories we really need? I do appreciate that they tried to do something different by just giving us one person's perspective (the co-pilot, played with satisfactory efforts by Joseph Gordon-Levitt). I like what they were trying to do - in theory this makes the story more claustrophobic and anxiety-inducing. But it just didn't work for me. I got bored very quickly, and frustrated that I didn't know what was happening with the rest of the plane. It doesn't make any sense that a plane full of people couldn't overtake two men using shards of glass as weapons. It's also so dumb that his baby mama is also on the plane (and *spoiler* OF COURSE she is going to be used as a hostage, but the question is why wouldn't they have picked the flight crew from the beginning - why did they choose the random guy first?). Also, I thought most pilots have guns now? Or am I mistaken? Not that I'm suggesting that as a solution, I just assumed that happened. Anyway, it's a very forgettable movie, again - as most movies are nowadays...