Thoughts on 5 Films

1. His House - Ok, so I read SO MANY good things about this movie...and I...don't get it. I like the plot and the original idea behind it A LOT (asylum seekers move into a house that has supernatural qualities), but the actual movie is really average. There's a lot of allegorical images, and has interesting themes of survival and sacrifice, cultural identities vs assimilation, etc., but like I've said many times - supernatural horror just never does anything for me. I did find out the BIG news while watching this (that Biden won), so I paused it for a bit to digest, and I admit, it was super hard to concentrate on it once I restarted it. But I also think that it's just really hard to concentrate on anything this year - but if something is actually really good it should hold my attention. But, maybe I just need to watch it again to see what all the fuss is about (but I really, really don't want to). I do think the acting is really great, as expected - Wunmi Mosaku is having an excellent year with this and Lovecraft Country and I recognize Sope Dirisu from Humans. But overall, I can't help but be disappointed. 

2. First Cow - I'm not really a big fan of this movie either. I probably should have looked into a little more before hitting "play" because I really wasn't in the mood for a Western. I always hear great things about Kelly Reichardt as a director, but the only movie I've seen of hers is Wendy and Lucy (which I gave an impressive 4 stars, but I have no recollection of it at all). Her other movies are on THE LIST. This is definitely well-made, except the sound feels a bit weird towards the middle (some of the dialogue is louder and not as clear in certain parts which doesn't feel like it was done on purpose because...what would the purpose be?). I like that it's a quiet and reserved story, but it is just really boring, and I can't take that actor seriously (he's the dorky guy from Orange is the New Black and The Umbrella Academy, and now you want me to take him seriously as an actor? NOPE, it just can't be done). I think, once again, my expectations were just too high. And it's also just not a story that I feel any connection to. 

3. Bill & Ted Face the Music - I have not seen Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure in well over 20 years, but I thought I enjoyed it to an extent. I also have a fondness for it because I lived in San Dimas for a little while so it was ingrained in my brain as iconic. I don't think I ever watched the sequel (but based on this movie, I may have just blocked it out). This is a really, really, really painful watch. It's just dreadful. Absolutely dreadful. I had a glimmer of hope when I first spotted Samara Weaving (I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW SHE WAS IN THIS!!), and both her and Brigette Lundy-Paine are definitely the best part of the movie - and I honestly would have preferred a spin-off with just them (and maybe a small cameo appearance by Keanu and Alex). Because the biggest problem is definitely Keanu and Alex - neither of whom can actually act (I adore Keanu, but again, facts are facts). They have absolutely terrible comedic timing - it seemed like they were really struggling to remember their lines, but it was ok to just go with it because they're supposed to be potheads, but it is offensively bad. And Kid Cudi...really? Could they not get anyone better than Kid Cudi? (sidenote: I do not know who Kid Cudi is...). 

4. On the Rocks - Oh no, I just realized that I didn't like any movie in this post. Ugh, I hate when that happens. This one is probably the best of the 5, but it still bored me a little and the story is kind of dumb. I've said it before, but I want to like Sofia Coppola movies, but I always find them dull and pretentious (I did like Marie Antoinette and The Virgin Suicides, but I didn't love them. Sadly, I hate ever other one of her films). And Bill Murray is just going to ride this old, sarcastic, curmudgeon shtick until he dies, isn't he? And it's sickening that we're supposed to see him as charming or believe that the women in this movie find him charming (sorry, but in real life when old men hit on 20 year olds, it's vomit-inducing and I promise you that women do not feel flattered by it). The story is really aggravating - it's about a woman who starts to believe that her husband is cheating on her (and is egged on by her father insisting that he definitely is because "he's a male". Cool, cool, cool). So, instead of just being a fucking grown-up and asking him about it, telling him about her insecurities, etc. she starts to spy on him. I won't give away the plot, but it ends EXACTLY how you  expect it to, and is then turned into a father/daughter bonding film - which just makes the whole thing worse. I guess we're supposed to forgive her father for almost ruining her marriage because he was just doing it to spend "quality" time with her? Give me a fucking break. I did like some things about it - like Rashida Jones (she's great!) and I don't feel like I've seen Marlon Wayans in anything in so long, and I've definitely not seen him in such an adult-like role. I also think the dialogue is really great and thought-provoking about how difficult marriage can be - and how important simple communication is to a relationship (except all the anti-men "all men cheat" talk. That's just bullshit and I'm so sick of it).

5. Greyhound - I was actually excited about this, but then it was released only on Apple TV+, which I thought meant I would never see it (don't get me started on Apple, but just FYI - I will never give them money. Never, ever.). I received a free year subscription so I (hesitantly) accepted because there are a few projects that I really want to see (both this and On the Rocks, plus in a twist of fate - my pretend husband's (Taron Egerton) next film was bought by them and was announced the day that I signed up. Hoping they can film and edit it within a year...*crosses fingers*). Anyway, this shit is boring as fuck. I was so disappointed because it looks like it should be really intense and gripping but I honestly almost fell asleep. Elisabeth Shue is in it for mere seconds, and the rest of the cast all blended together - I couldn't even tell you anything about any of them. Also, the ocean and the waves look terribly fake. Another movie to add to the Worst of 2020 list. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Rebecca - I like this movie - I think it's a very solid 3 star film, but I think expectations were just very high, and people had a lot of preconceived notions of what this movie should be, hence the mostly mediocre reviews. I'm also in love with Lily James, so that obviously makes me a little biased. I also think people are getting way too hyped up about people categorizing it as a "remake". It technically IS a remake. I'm reminded of the time I called the 2013 Carrie movie a "remake" and I was "corrected" - "it's a reimagining of the novel!" (LOL Whatever, dude). I just feel like if a story is already told in a certain medium then it's a remake - even if it goes back to the original source. Chances are the creator, and everyone involved in the movie has seen the previous version and will be influenced by it to make "their" version - even if it's simply to avoid things from the previous version or to specifically do things different. You can't deny that you will have the previous version in your mind. And if you pretend like you don't, then you're lying to yourself. The only way this theory doesn't work is if NOBODY working on the new version has seen the previous version - and if anyone working in the film industry hasn't seen Hitchcock's version, then they should all be shunned altogether from this industry (harsh, but fair I think). Anyway, obviously I appreciate when someone takes a story and refers to the original source. I just don't really feel like Ben Wheatley does anything special with this. It's all very straight-forward and it doesn't feel like Wheatley's style at all, but it's still very well made. It also becomes quite boring about an hour again, instead of building suspense, I was sort of over it. I think Lily does a great job. I can take or leave Armie Hammer - he's a little dull in this, instead of charming. I'm also not really a fan of the ending - I think we are supposed to see this as a "happy" conclusion, but I would have preferred a more dubious ending.

2. The Addams Family (2019) - I was honestly a little disappointed with this because I thought it would be much better. It's really...blah. And completely forgettable. There's a few very funny lines, though (like the woman who sits on the toilet backwards. What the F? I couldn't stop laughing), but the best gag happens within the first 5 minutes of the movie (the perfectly timed "Welcome to NJ" sign). Also, Chloe Grace Moretz does a fabulous job voicing Wednesday. Just the perfect amount of sarcasm and boredom in her voice. Everyone else is...fine? Nobody else really stands out. But, I do wish Charlize would stop doing voice-work. I love her, but her voice is so monotonous - it works for Morticia, but I hated it in Kubo. I'm surprised this is getting a sequel because I don't really remember anyone talking about it. 

3. Inherit the Viper - Oh hey, this is the first opportunity I have to tell my Josh Hartnett story! I can't believe that I've been writing on this blog for over 10 years, and Josh Hartnett hasn't come up - where the fuck has he been?? So, Josh went to the same college as me, just three years before (in fact, he is exactly three years older than me, as we share the same birthday. And you better believe that 17 year old me thought for sure that was a sign that we were meant to be together or something). It's a very small state school, so it was a super big deal when people became famous (like Edie Falco, Stanley Tucci, Melissa Leo), but Josh Hartnett was a Drama Studies major (again, same as me) who realized after a year that the whole thing was bullshit, and he dropped out. Within a YEAR of him dropping out, he became a super famous heartthrob starring in some of the biggest blockbuster movies of the summer, and our professors HATED him for it (there were also rumors that he actually tried out for the super exclusive Acting Conservatory and didn't get in, which is hilarious, if true). So, by the time I got there, he was like this myth that nobody was supposed to talk about. Sometimes I would sit in class, listening to people analyze Othello for the billionth time and think "maybe I should just drop out - things worked out for Josh Hartnett, they could work out for me too" (I picked Othello for this example for a reason - remember the movie O with Hartnett? I LOVED IT!). Unfortunately, I stuck it out, but it was all complete and utter bullshit, and I have so much respect for Hartnett for following his gut. Anyway, back on track, Michelle. I like this movie - the cast is really strong (the girl who played Amanda Clarke on Revenge is SO GOOD - I don't think I've ever seen her in anything else), the pace accelerates quicker than I was expecting, and the ending is really dark, which I wasn't expecting. It felt Shakespearian (which is fitting!). I didn't like that a lot of it is filmed in the dark - I don't know why anyone thinks this is a good idea. I can never see ANYTHING. 

4. Over the Moon - I appreciate Netflix's attempt to compete with Pixar and other animation studios, but this is...not good. The beginning starts off cute (and in a very typical kids fairytale way), but once she goes to the moon it just takes a deep dive into shockingly terrible territory. The animation gets super trippy (and cheap looking), to the point where I felt like I needed to be on drugs to understand what was happening. One of the characters is literally unidentifiable - is Gobi supposed to be a hedgehog? The internet is calling him a "space puppy" whatever that means, but he has spikes and curls into a ball for no reason. The songs are not good, even the one featuring Chang'e because it is a clear nod to Hamilton (and NO THANK YOU!). And there is a scene with rabbits that is super confusing - the moon rabbit transferred his powers to the Earth rabbit, I think? Although I'm not sure how or why. I do like that it's centered around Chinese culture and mythology, featuring an all Asian cast of voice actors. However, I'm guessing that it is very Americanized. 

5. Emma. - I can't say that I remember the one with Gwyneth Paltrow, but for some reason I think that I liked it? But my favorite Emma rendition is definitely Clueless (OBVI). I enjoyed this version - I was hoping that it had more of a modern Romeo + Juliet ala Baz Luhrmann sort of vibe to it, and it doesn't. It's extremely straightforward and typical, but it still has this spark that makes it entertaining. Mostly because Anya Taylor-Joy is an absolute joy to watch. She's incredible in everything I've seen her in, even movies that I don't like such as The VVitch. She has some really great energy and facial expressions in this that are just absolute perfection. There are also a few other aspects that I really like - like the scene with the man getting fully dressed. They always show this scene with women - with the assistant tightening the corset, etc., so it is really refreshing to see a male character shown in this way. It's also quite funny in some parts, like when Jane starts playing the piano. Bill Nighy is probably the comedic highlight, though. Also, the costume design is stunning. I have to find that pink bolero jacket Emma wears to the wedding in the beginning (apparently it's called a "spenser" jacket. Learn something new everyday!). I've had no luck finding it or anything similar in a reasonable price range, but I am determined. I NEED IT. I think the weakest link is definitely Mia Goth. I usually like her, but she doesn't fit the role at all and she over-acts in this. I also did get very bored because the whole story is just uninteresting to me - matchmaking, catty friendships...ugh, as if!