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).
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.
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