Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Encanto - Super...boring? Disappointing? Kind of cute? I don't know, man. There's not much else to say about this movie. But I guess I'll try to drum up something from what little I even remember from it. I watched it about 3 weeks ago (yes, that's how behind I am in writing down my thoughts. Another reason why I'll never be a professional critic). So, one thing I remember is that I didn't hate the music as much as other Lin-Manuel Miranda songs. They are actually really beautiful and catchy songs. However, I had heard about the "We Don't Talk About Bruno" song way before watching this, and while it is super catchy, it's not something I would listen to on a regular basis. I also didn't really think the plot made much sense - relying on magic and superstitions, but blaming a child on anything of this magnitude is pretty rude and not really a good message to send to children? And finally, the gifts that the family are given are all actually pretty cool - but clearly the best one is the ability to talk to animals. The animation is fine, but again, nothing about it really stood out. I really hope that it doesn't win over The Mitchells vs The Machines, which is superior in pretty much every way. I think I would even prefer Luca over this, and I didn't even really like that movie. Oh wait, I remember one more thing! I love Stephanie Beatriz! She has a great voice for animation, but also has a lovely singing voice! More roles for her please. Just give her all the roles. 

2. Munich: The Edge of War - I'm a big fan of George MacKay. That's pretty much the reason I watched this movie. He fits into the WWII era so well, too - he has this very classical movie star appeal that I think is kind of rare these days. I'm not familiar with the other guy, Jannis Niewohner, but he is a cutie, too! Anyway, they both lead this movie very well. It reminds me of that Benedict Cumberbatch spy movie from last year, though. It's an espionage on foreign soil, by a non-actual spy story. There's a great intensity of knowing something that can save the world from war, but not being able to do anything about it. I also like the line "Hoping is waiting for someone else to do it". That's a pretty strong statement that can be applied to today's mess of a world (I'm constantly finding myself "hoping" for things to settle down, but I'm not actually actively doing anything about it...). The sheer bravery and selflessness that people possess is really inspiring. I assumed this was based on a true story, which would have been incredible (imagine someone was *that* close to killing Hitler? I like to think there were people in his circle that were trying to do just that). But, alas, just an alternative historical fiction loosely based on some characters and events. It's a solidly gripping and entertaining watch, but not something I'll necessarily remember. 

3. A Hero - I was a bit disappointed by this, but only because I was expecting something a bit more intense, I think. It's very inline with Farhadi's other films, but it doesn't match up to his best film - A Separation, which is just incredible and unforgettable. I just couldn't get into this - it's very slow and very hard to pay attention to, which is definitely a problem considering it's a foreign language film that requires subtitles. I definitely missed a lot of it, but ultimately I got the story - and it's just not very interesting; nor is it as "grey" as I think it intends to be. I mean, I don't think people should be jailed for being in debt, but I also don't think the debt collector is...wrong? If you owe someone money, you need to pay them back. And as far as I can tell, he didn't borrow the money for an emergency (I think it was to start a business that ended up failing). And it is kind of shitty that he's seen as a "hero" because he returns a bag full of money to the rightful owner, which is just basic human decency. None of the acting really stands out for me, either, which is unusual for a Farhadi film - I feel like that's one given among his films - stellar acting and a grey storyline. So I think this is why this one hit me as such a disappointment. It failed to even hold my attention, let alone be memorable. 

4. Bergman Island - I really like most of this movie. But before I go into that, I should say that I definitely need to watch more Ingmar Bergman films. I'm fairly certain that I've only seen three of them - Persona, The Seventh Seal, and Wild Strawberries - and I think I've only watched them for school, never on my own. I will correct this wild blind-spot ASAP. You don't really need to know much about Bergman to enjoy this film, but I do think it would enhance the enjoyment if one was more familiar than I am. The catalyst for the story is that these husband & wife filmmakers spend time in a space that was once inhabited by Bergman as a way to inspire their new projects. It would be really cool to spend time in the same space as someone that you admire, but also as the wife states, super intimidating. I loved the whole beginning and was fully invested in this ominous tone - waiting for something to explode, but instead nothing really happens and it definitely starts to get really boring. I also found myself really, really hating this woman. She goes through her husband's stuff, flirts with a local instead of going on a tour that her husband was super excited about, and says "I don't like it when artists I love don't behave well in real life" (OH, HONEY. Why do people invest so much in celebrities being good people? I don't think we should rely on artists/filmmakers for any moral or ethical inspirations. Most are phony, virtue signaling, performative, walking contradictions). Anyway, I got so bored, I started to focus on small things that irked me (like the way that she typed with her hands lifted off of the keyboard. *Fun Fact About Me* I can type really, really fast. Like, when people see me type they don't actually believe that I'm typing they think that I'm joking. And then they read the screen and they're like "HOLY SHIT how did you do that??" I probably should have been a court stenographer or something to put my skill to good use, but alas, it's a wasted gift. But also, it explains why I make so many grammatical errors - my fingers are faster than my brain and I pretty much skip the editing process altogether. Oooopsie! Add that to the list of reasons why I'm not a professional film critic. That list is growing by the minute!). Luckily, I instantly perked up when Mia Wasikowska appeared (the sole reason I was even watching this movie to begin with). Plus, the story starts to pick back up and it gets really intriguing. The "story within a story" is told really well - and I love that it starts to bleed into the main story. It's been done before and better (most recently with Nocturnal Animals), but it's still a super cool idea that is thought-provoking and memorable. It breaks the rules of storytelling and consistency, and it feels rebellious. Mia is definitely the highlight - she is just so effortlessly cool. Overall, even with the boring middle, this might end up in my updated Best of 2021 list (still a lot more to see though). 

5. Kimi - This is a very successful little thriller! It's basically an update of The Net mixed with Rear Window (otherwise known as my kind of movie!). It's perfectly paced and well-acted. I wasn't really sure if I liked Zoe Kravitz or not - I've seen her in a multitude of things but she's never really made an impression on me (neither bad nor good - she's just...there), but she definitely proves herself in this - pretty much carrying the whole film. I don't use any of those voice activated things - Alexa, Siri etc. because it totally freaks me out to have large corporations listening to me (which is weird because I'm not super private about things and I don't even care if the government is listening to me, which I know is technically bad, but I literally have zero to hide so if they want to listen to me talk about how hot Taron Egerton is, then more power to them!). But, no thank you to Amazon and Apple and Google (my phone once activated to a commercial and it freaked me out but my bf turned it all off for me. I'm super bad at technology.). If you do use these things, and watch this movie then surely you will stop using them, right??? Although I guess it would be useful if you were being murdered. Anyway, I do like how this movie utilizes the pandemic without making it the focus - but it's inherently changed the way people live and it's also caused a lot of regression with people suffering from psychological or emotional disorders, such as agoraphobia, which is featured here (and I also think the pandemic caused some people to develop such issues. I still run in to people at work who tell me it's their first time out in public since the pandemic hit - and it blows my mind every time.). It's super interesting to see the impact within this taut thriller. There are a few minor points that I have problems with - the first being that none of this would work if, once again, people just had window coverings. And second, the blue hair is a flaw in an otherwise strongly developed character. I just don't think someone with agoraphobia would dye their hair in such a stand-out way. Someone like this would prefer to blend in and shrink away from attention. There are also a few camera techniques that felt out of place - the double layered scene imagery that really only works in dream sequences and the freeze-frame ending really hurt my brain. Otherwise, this is very good! 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Electrical Life of Louis Wain - Benedict Cumberbatch in another movie. Again. Playing some quirky, emotionless, slightly autistic type character. I'm not sure if Wain was autistic, or maybe even, more likely, schizophrenic, but my point is that Cumberbatch is once again playing the same character. He doesn't show any range very often (I'll give him The Power of the Dog, but it's certainly not an Oscar-worthy performance *rolls eyes*). I will overlook Cumberbatch in this, because of his co-stars - Claire Foy AND Andrea Riseborough! It's like a dream come true! And while I usually hate the narrator device, Olivia Colman's voice is always welcome. I was under the impression that this movie featured an adorable cat, but 30 minutes in and...NO CATS. So I squealed out loud when Peter finally appears. He looks like a little like my boyfriend's cat (named Tess after Nicolai Tesla, which is fitting with this movie's focus on electricity. Also, yes, my boyfriend is a nerd. WHO NAMES THEIR CAT AFTER AN INVENTOR FROM THE 19TH CENTURY??). Anyway, the cat is cute, but the movie is just...ok. I like that it's told in this sort of fairytale style, instead of a straightforward biopic, but it got kind of dull and....sad. It did get me curious as to Wain's influence over the world's fascination with cats so I did a lot of googling afterwards, which I think is successful (anything that peaks my interest leading me to investigate further is always welcome!). Also, the use of lens flare is OUT OF CONTROL. 

2. Nightmare Alley - I did not like this, you guys. I believe it is a remake, so the originality issue seems like a moot point, but it is basically a (really, really long) episode of Carnivale (that HBO show. Not seen it? It's solid!). The cast is an absolute dream - Cate Blanchett, Bradley Cooper, Toni Collette, Rooney Mara, and many more. And I didn't realize that Cooper is the star (I know everyone is on the Bradley Cooper train now, but I'm a bit protective of him because I've been such a big fan since Alias! I even have the boxset of Kitchen Confidential! That's true love, right there), for some reason I thought Rooney Mara was the lead in this. They are all...fine. Collette is definitely the stand-out (and she looks stunning with that blonde wavy hair - it suits her so well). I've always thought of Guillermo del Toro as a super talented director - someone that has a visual flair that is distinct and oddly beautiful, but I've not liked a film of his since...Pacific Rim, so I may be rethinking my stance a bit. Specifically because this movie is so ugly looking (and his previous movie was beautiful, but it copied Amelie in so many ways, it was not "distinctly" del Toro's). I think it was supposed to have this film noir vibe set in a carnival, but it's all just very dark and yellowish. There is someone on twitter who I adore, and have high respect for their love and passion for movies, who absolutely LOVES this movie and has gone in depth about the beauty in every shot, but I just don't see it. Maybe because I was expecting more vibrancy, more color, more boldness, more something. Other than the visual aspect, I found the plot really predictable (again, it's just an episode of Carnivale). Nothing really interesting happens for the first hour, so a 2.5 hour runtime is a joke, surely? I did like the ending, albeit predictable. I also like that this was on HBO Max so soon after its theater release! HBO Max is definitely worth the $$. 

3. Willy's Wonderland - Nicolas Cage beating up some life-sized animatronic characters that have come to life, sounds like a blast, no? It's actually super weird and gory, and kind of original, but it's just...not fun. It should have been a bit campier, but it plays so seriously - mostly because Cage takes himself way too seriously here. He has barely any dialogue, just a lot of blank, angry stares, which I think is a huge mistake - some cheesy dialogue could have played really well. I really like the actress in this - Emily Tosta. She's from Mayans M.C. (which is a good show - not quite as good as Sons of Anarchy, but it definitely has me hooked). Also, you know who else is in this? Beth Grant, who will forever be known as the stupid lady who got off the bus in Speed. Imagine having 235 acting credits (seriously!) under your belt and only being known for that one thing? Anyway, there's not much else to say about this movie. 

4. Werewolves Within - Oh no! This is one of those posts where I don't really like any of the movies! I hate when that happens. I actually heard great things about this movie and was really looking forward to it. Horror comedies are way more my thing than straight up horror movies, because I'm usually never scared but at least with the comedies, I can laugh. And I did laugh a few times with this ("It's ANTIFA!" LOL). The plot is a fun "whodunnit" mystery, with a group of small towners stuck in a bed & breakfast together with a "murderer" on the loose. But the characters are the worst - all of them are soooo annoying and feel like caricatures instead of real people. It definitely could have been much funnier with this cast, too. Michaela Watkins is usually a highlight, but she is so grating here (which seems like a directorial choice, not her fault). I do have a new crush, though. Milana Vayntrub. Holy shit. When she comes into the room singing "The Sign", with THAT tank top on - my heart. It hurts. I think it's fairly obvious who the actual werewolf is - it's a case of "who is the least likely one" and BAM...it's them. Also, there is a HUGE clue right in the beginning (hint: it has to do with a specific wardrobe). Overall, I think I was just really disappointed with this. I thought it would be in the same vein as What We Do in the Shadows (which, by the way, isn't there supposed to be a sequel with the "werewolves not swearwolves"? Is that still happening?), but it's not nearly as entertaining. 

5. Don't Breathe 2 - Obviously, I was not expecting this to be good. But the first one, was kind of good? I mean, it made me really angry because the twist is gut-wrenching and very difficult to watch, but it's also something memorable and I thought the cast did a really good job portraying a very real terror. But, quite frankly, a sequel should never have been made. Maybe they felt we needed to see a conclusion to this man's life, since the first one let him free, but I don't feel like that's necessary. Nor do we need to see any sort of redemption arc for such a horrific monster. It's just wild. I'm not sure the plot actually makes sense, either? *slight spoilers* Maybe I wasn't paying attention enough, but apparently there is a group on the loose stealing people's organs, but then later we find out that they are just after the little girl specifically? So why were they taking other people's organs or was that a different group and it's just a coincidence? I'm so confused. I also don't understand how this old blind man gained guardianship over this little girl? Did he steal her from the fire? And why is the woman who helps him, not concerned about this little girl's well-being? Wouldn't she go to the authorities to question this man's motives? Keeping a little girl locked in your house is surely a red flag?? And if the organ stealers were just after the little girl, why did they wait for the woman at the end of the road and kill her? Wouldn't they just wait for her to leave? Aside from the mind-numbing and baffling plot points, this one is terribly acted - the villains are all outrageous in their over-acting. There is just nothing here worth watching. tyuhj-021-0tgrf

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. No Time To Die - Am I the only one excited that this is the last of the Craig era Bond? I've seen a lot of criticism that he's just there for a paycheck and his performances are "phoned it" at this point, but then I see the same people continue to be excited for these films so it's a weird dichotomy. As far as these films go, there is definitely a wide range of quality behind them, some have been very good and some have been barely tolerable. But overall, I think they are just over-done. I'm just bored of all of them, and can't wait to see how they reboot the brand to make it interesting. Some of the casting ideas have been wild, but for some reason, I think they may opt to play it safe (and I still can't believe that they don't actually have the next Bond picked already? What the fuck are they waiting for??). There are a few things that stand-out for me with this movie (both good and bad). First, Ana de Armas, in that dress, is spectacular. I already read that her part is very minimal in the movie, so I prepared myself for that, but it is still incredibly disappointing. Her scene is definitely the highlight of the film, and honestly, I could have just watched more of that for 90 minutes and I would have been perfectly happy. Second, Rami Malek is the worst. I'm hoping the hype for him dies down and he stops getting all these big roles he doesn't deserve (again, I was obsessed with his performance in Mr. Robot, but he has been atrocious in everything else I've seen him in. ATROCIOUS. And he has an Oscar. What an insane world we live in). And last, I think they did a nice job with Bond's overall arc and his relationship with Madeleine - it ends in a very satisfying yet predictable way. 

2. Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins - And speaking of the next Bond, I give you: Henry Golding. He's perfect - charming, suave, can do action, drama, comedy. He's the only reason Crazy Rich Asians was watchable (even though I still fell asleep watching it...). Unfortunately, he does not save this movie. I honestly don't remember the other G.I. Joe movies - I *think* Channing Tatum is in them??? I assume they were mostly mediocre, but I don't think I hated them. This one is just plain terrible. There is just soooo much fighting before the plot starts. It just made my mind wander so quickly instead of capturing my attention. The fight sequences are all so cliched too - small alley fighting, train sequences, fighting on moving vehicles, everything that's been done over and over again. BUT THEN, Samara Weaving shows up!! I had no idea she was in this! It's a shame she's not in it very much, because she's obviously the best part. I hope she shows up in the next one - I assume there will be more? It seems like one of those franchises that they just keep going with, even though nobody is asking for more. 

3. Monday - I have no idea why I watched this considering I don't like Bucky (or as I still refer to him as, Carter Baizen...and still I ask, what is his actual name??). I do admit, he is very, very pretty (and he is very, very naked in this movie), but I think he relies a lot on his puppy dog eyes, instead of actually acting. He's also who I picture whenever someone says the word "himbo". I'm not sure why, I don't think I've ever seen him speak outside of his characters, but that's just how I picture him. But, I also love to have actors prove me wrong (and it happens often!). He doesn't, unfortunately. He's not terrible, but this movie is right up my alley and I *know* that if it had actors that I loved, this would probably be one of my favorite movies of 2021. It's reminiscent of other "love stories over time" films like the Before trilogy and the underrated The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, it even reminds me a little bit of that Ibiza movie with Richard Madden (it's got a similar story of a one night stand that turns into something more, plus the whole "DJ in paradise" part). And it plays into this particular (straight female) romantic notion of meeting a guy waaaaay out your league (who is also nice and seemingly normal), having reckless, passionate sex with him for 3 days straight, and then having him fall in love with you. I mean who doesn't want that to happen (sorry, ladies, it's....never going to happen). Aside from Bucky, I also do not really like the main actress in this - I don't know what her name is, but it appears that she is a well-known theater actress. She's a decent actress, but her attempt at an American accent is grating - it feels like she is struggling with the pronunciation of words. I did squeal out loud when I saw Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper) from The Expanse! I love her so much and now that the series is over, I'm looking forward to seeing her in more stuff (weird to see her without all the Belter tattoos though! Also, her American accent = flawless). Anyway, I like how this relationship devolves into a pretty toxic one without them even realizing (I think that happens all too often and people don't recognize it because they are in it). The dialogue feels really authentic and there are some beautiful smaller moments. I wish there was a clearer picture of how much time has gone by between scenes, and I hate the cut to black to represent a new point in their relationship. Overall, I did like it - solid 3 stars (I even contemplated a 3.5 rating), but, again, if it starred, say...Taron Egerton and Lily James, I would watch it every day for the rest of my life. 

4. Lady of the Manor - Was searching for something quick and light to watch before bed on Amazon Prime, and saw this starring Judy Greer, Melanie Lynskey and RYAN FUCKING PHILLIPPE!! I never pressed play so fast! I love him so much. He seemed like he had a bit of a resurgence a few years ago, but I haven't seen him in much lately. I hope he's not relegated to movies like this though because, as expected, it's quite stupid. But in some ways it's also kind of hilarious. Like the way Phillippe pretty much plays Sebastian from Cruel Intentions again, except he's 20 years older. That had to be done on purpose, right? I'm also happy that Melanie Lynskey is having such a big year - she's adorable and really funny. Plus, she got to be married to Leonardo DiCaprio and makeout with Ryan Phillippe in the same year?!? Girl is living my 1998 dreams. She also reminds me a bit of Drew Barrymore - there is something about the way she talks and the energy she has. Anyway, she definitely makes this really, really terrible, ridiculous movie...watchable (barely). It's always fascinating to me when stuff like this gets made. It was only greenlit because it's from people already somewhat successful in the entertainment industry (written & directed by Justin Long and his brother). Because if a newcomer submitted this script, there is NO WAY it would ever get into the hands of a creative director or producer (interns would have stopped it from ever seeing the light of day). 

5. Swan Song - I've been so excited by Apple+ with their tv series outputs, but not so much by their movies (so far). None have been bad, but most have been mediocre (Palmer, Greyhound, Finch, CODA - can't believe that's nominated for a freakin' Oscar, On the Rocks. The only exception is The Tragedy of Macbeth). This one is exactly that. Mediocre. Exceptional cast - Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Glenn Close, and then...Awkwafina is here to ruin my day (whyyyy is she in so many things?? I just...don't get it). I really like the sci-fi concept - it's smart, futuristic but not unreasonable, and cool visually. But it also could just be an episode of Black Mirror or, actually, more like that dumb Amazon show Solos. It just feels like it's moving in slow-motion, focusing on all these little moments instead of...getting to the point. *slight spoilers* It takes a full HOUR before the anticipated "switch" happens, and then there's still another 45 minutes left in which nothing exciting or interesting happens. It seemed like it was actually going to do a jarring tonal shift, and dip into the horror genre - being forced to watch someone else live your life is quite a terrifying concept, but again, it goes absolutely nowhere. And I think I'm just mostly disappointed with the potential this movie has - even the end could have been an eerie moment with the baby name (the clone doesn't know that he asked to name the baby "Andre", could have been a cool "who is this man, he's not my husband" moment, but nope...). Also, a bit of a nitpicking, but the auto-piloted cars are SO COOL and obviously technology is super advanced in this world, yet he has a normal house with normal appliances? "Smart" houses already exist, but I feel like in this world, they would definitely be commonplace, no? Anyway, I didn't hate this, just saddened by what could have been. 

Thoughts on 5 New TV Shows

1. Invasion - *spoilers* First, I think it's really shitty to advertise a bigger "name" in a series only to have them die in the first episode (another show that did that recently was Big Sky and it really pissed me off). So, if you're watching for the only recognizable face in the preview, then you may be disappointed. Also, the first episode is really, really rough. It probably takes maybe four episodes before it actually seems interesting, and I definitely feel like I had to force myself to get there. I like the international aspect of the alien invasion - it's very reminiscent of World War Z, but with aliens instead of zombies. However, there are four different storylines throughout the first season, and only two of them are interesting. Mitsuki and Hinata's love story is by far the most interesting part (and Rinko Kikuchi! I feel like I haven't seen her in a while). The kids getting deserted, started off really interesting - and I was so hoping for a "Lord of the Flies" mini-plot, but they move through it too quickly (which makes sense with the main kid's "ability", but still disappointing). The other two storylines are really boring - I stopped paying attention for a few episodes and was still able to follow it in the end. 

2. Squid Game - I know I'm a bit late with this, although it only premiered like 6 months ago - people just move so fast through things now. It's like everyone is in a race to watch as much as humanely possible and I have no idea how anyone retains anything? Or absorbs anything? And I watch A LOT of stuff. Anyway, I get why this became so big - it's extremely bingeable (is that a word?) for a few reasons. It's incredibly intense and most episodes feature a "game" in which multiple characters die, and quite a few episodes end with a little bit of a cliffhanger, so it's almost impossible to stop watching. I typically do not binge things, but I watched this entire series in the span of 24 hours. They do an amazing job at developing the characters in a really short timeframe - and the acting is solid. I'm sure I'm not the first one to compare it to Battle Royale, but it also reminds me of that movie with Emma Roberts where they did stunts on social media that became more and more dangerous to try to win a bunch of money (I can't think of the name right now, but I do remember liking it). *major spoilers ahead* I do have a minor issue with it being a little predictable. I'm not sure if others thought the same or if the twist actually was a surprise, but for me, it was so obvious. During the first episode I said (to myself), "I bet the whole point of the game is about being nice to the old man, he's probably in on it". I had my doubts when he's supposedly shot, but there is an old saying in the entertainment industry - "never count them dead unless you see the body". Anyway, still a very entertaining, intense, and satisfying show. I look forward to season 2!

3. The Shrink Next Door - I'm 4 episodes into this series, but I like it a lot so far. It's mostly to do with Paul Rudd, Will Ferrell, and Kathryn Hahn. They fit into this 70s/80s aesthetic really well and their performances feel really genuine. I also think the plot is really interesting - even though it's been a little predictable (so far). It does move a little too slow, but I think it's going to culminate into something much bigger. I'm hoping that the "starts at the end" scene in the beginning of the series is actually the middle, and then it explodes from there. It's a limited series, so it only has another few episodes for all of it to come together, so I'm a little nervous that it's dragged out instead of multiplying (if that makes sense?). It's not exactly funny, either, but there are quite a few scenes that are definitely humorous (like them watching the play when everyone comes out holding candles and torches). 

4. Peacemaker - I'm not fully into this show. I really want it to be funnier - there a few entertaining and humorous moments throughout, but I lose my interest about 1/2 way through each episode and can easily catch up with what's going on by the next episode. And I'm so confused as to why everyone *likes* the opening credits??? I saw so many people call it hilarious and the best part of the show, but I can't even watch them - it's so awkward and cringe-worthy. I actually *skip* them, which is something I don't think I've ever done in the history of my tv viewing. There are a few highlights, though. Particularly, Danielle Brooks. She was one of my favorites on Orange is the New Black and was often overshadowed by other performances (there were A LOT of great performances in that series, to be fair). I don't mind John Cena, either. He's funny and I like that he can make fun of himself and be super silly. My favorite part is obviously....EAGLY! When he wraps his wings around him for a hug - MY HEART. I now would like a pet eagle, please and thank you. 

5. Welcome to Earth - I'm not usually one to watch docu-series type shows, but I saw the trailer for this and there was something really interesting about it. Or so I thought. It's very typical National Geographic nature is beautiful type show. The appeal should be Will Smith because he has a great charismatic personality and charm to him (and they knew what they were doing with that title), but something about this really bothered me. First, it felt like he was talking in slow motion and he just kept repeating what the experts told him, but just rewording it (like dumbing it down...). He's learning things about the planet that most people already know (I hope???), like "everything on earth is making a sound". Um...yeah? That's pretty common knowledge. Also, it's fascinating that someone with that much money has not spent any time exploring the world. I mean, that's pretty much all I would do on my free time. However, I really, really like how they relate the senses to discovering amazing things about our world. Many people are SO focused on the visual aspect of experiencing things (I feel like everything nowadays gets "captured" for Instagram), but I did one of those lava tube tunnel tours in Iceland - and let me tell you what I remember. At the deepest part of the tunnel, the leader asked the group (of 8) to turn off their headlamps and stay as still as possible. It was the darkest, quietest moment of my life - just complete blackness underneath the earth. It was emotional, indescribable and unforgettable. Those are the moments in which you really feel a connection to the planet. And it will never be captured on Instagram. I also like that the show features explorers that have handicaps (Eric Weihenmayer, a blind mountain climber, and Albert Lin, an explorer with a prosthetic leg) because it emphasizes how humans can adapt to our situations/environment.  

Oscar Nominations: The Good, The Bad, and The Snubbed

The Good

- The Best Actress category. My two favorite performances, Jessica Chastain & Olivia Colman, made it through. I knew Colman was a lock, but I didn't see many people rooting for Chastain. I think Chastain deserves the win, but I would be perfectly satisfied if Colman has another Oscar. I haven't seen Parallel Mothers, but Cruz has given Oscar worthy performances in Almodovar films before, so I feel confident she deserves this. I wasn't the biggest fan of Kristen Stewart's portrayal of Princess Diana but I'm not mad at her nomination. She sure tried hard, and that has to count for something (and a lot of people seem to love it, so maybe I'm wrong). The only stinker is Kidman. And I love her so much, and usually would never root against her, but I hated the performances in Being the Ricardos. 

- Jessie Buckley! That's probably the only nomination that shocked me. I hadn't seen her on many predictions. 

- Andrew Garfield is adorable and he's great in tick, tick...BOOM! I was a little nervous he was going to get snubbed. Also super glad that Denzel got in (and he should win, in my opinion). 

- The Tragedy of Macbeth is visually so stunning - I'm delighted that it received a lot of technical awards (Cinematography, Production Design)

- Cruella should get all the awards for Costume Design! I was so happy to see that. Definitely the most memorable and creative designs. 

- The Mitchells vs. The Machine!!! My favorite animation in quite some time (although I think Flee is going to take the win. Nominated in Animation, Documentary AND International Film. Is that a first? I think it must be. I haven't see it yet.). 

- I think it's pretty crazy that Lady Gaga was considered a front-runner. I haven't see House of Gucci yet, but I've seen the trailer and every performance in that movie looks horrendous. I'm glad all of the performances were ignored. But also, it's refreshing to see some surprises - since Gaga had been nominated for ALL other major awards, it was assumed she would get this. I'm glad the Academy aren't just following the herd. It's definitely a step forward. 

- Thank God they didn't nominate Being the Ricardos for Picture or anything other than the terrible acting. That would have put me over the edge

The Bad

- Out of the 10 Best Picture nominations, I've only seen 6 films. And out of those 6, I didn't rate ANY of them above 3 stars. They are perfectly "good" films. But Oscar-worthy used to mean something. I think Power of the Dog is probably going to sweep a lot, including Best Picture, which is...fine. I guess. I think it will also win Best Director, just so they can say that they gave it to a woman two years in a row (and the Oscar discourse is always painful, but I legitimately saw shock when it was announced that Jane Campion is the only female director to get nominated twice. Um...how is that shocking? And even worse someone actually said "but Scorsese has 9", as if one has anything to do with the other. This is Campion's first film in...12 years and her first (debatably) good one in almost 30 YEARS. What was the academy supposed to do? Nominate her for nothing??). 

- Some of the nominated performances are downright terrible - I already mentioned Being the Ricardos, but I'm stunned that people liked Kidman and Bardem's performances. STUNNED. Also, Will Smith. Especially because they show the actual "King" Richard at the end, speaking. Like actual proof that Smith did not only fail at the accent but his mannerisms, too! It's baffling. I think Smith has been "snubbed" so many times, they felt they had to give him this one? 

- Nightmare Alley getting 4 nominations is...something. I did not like it - but also found it really ugly for the most part. Also, it's weird that it got in Best Picture over The Lost Daughter (which had acting and writing nominations, how is that stronger than getting a few technical nominations?) 

The Snubbed 

- While Passing didn't completely work for me, it did for A LOT of critics. It feels weird to completely shut it out, especially with the talent involved. It's certainly better than a lot that did get in. 

- I would have loved to see Maggie Gyllenhaal sneak in a Best Director nod, but I am glad to see her in Adapted Screenplay (I just bought the novel, and I'm excited to read it and see how she translated it to the screen). 

- I didn't love Dune (again, solid 3 stars from me), but to give it 10 nominations, and not nominate the director is a bit mad, right? Denis Villeneuve definitely deserved a nod for his ambition alone. 

- I also didn't love Last Night in Soho, but how on Earth did it not get an editing nomination? How did King Richard and Don't Look Up get nominated over this??? 

- My favorite film of the year, The Harder They Fall, received absolutely nothing, as expected. I can't wrap my head around the complete silence for this film. It's so stylish, has a strong central story, wonderful performances, unexpected production design. It just makes me so sad. 

- I was kind of hoping for a surprise nomination for Jodie Comer for The Last Duel. Also, The Last Duel is better than all 6 movies I've seen that are nominated for Best Picture. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Eternals - I was never really looking forward to this. I tried to convince myself that it might be good because of the cast, but I knew, in my heart, that it would be bad. The trailer was horrendously boring, and unfortunately, is a reflection of the final product. First, let's discuss the only thing I was excited about - the cast. Because with a cast this good, you really have to work hard to make this movie the mess that it is. Certain cast members stood out for me - Jolie, in particular (perhaps the only one that can actually show emotion with her face instead of relying on the awful dialogue?). It works in her favor that she is not in a leading role, because I do feel truly bad for Gemma Chan having the weight of this movie on her shoulders. Luckily, I know that she can act, but if this was the first time I had seen her, I would definitely doubt that. Also, on the plus side, Kumail Nanjiani provides the much needed, but still very minimal, comedic relief, and Lauren Ridloff is pure sunshine (and severely underused). I wanted this to be the movie that I fell in love with Richard Madden (the pieces are all there), but he's still so blank. Disappointed that I have to dump him in the Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Henry Cavill pile of "hot but bores the fuck out of me". But, perhaps, I'm most disappointed by Barry Keoghan because I am a huge fan of his, but he is terrible in this. I also think whoever played Sprig or Sprite or whatever the fuck their name is GOD AWFUL. Like, so painful that I wanted to shield my eyes whenever they appeared. I expected to hate Kit Harrington (not a fan), but he's not really in this enough to matter (although clearly will be a part of the absolutely dreadful sequel that they have planned). Overall, I didn't feel any chemistry or comradery among them (aside from maybe Jolie and Don Lee - they had a sweet friendship) and I didn't care if any of them...lived or died by the end. I appreciate the diversity among them, but also, if you think about it...isn't it weird that they are diverse? Like, why does Ikaris have a Scottish accent? It would have been more interesting if they were all influenced by their surroundings instead of already being created that way (probably harder to do on film, but...still...). Anyway, this kind of leads me to the next point - the plot is nonsensical (and not in a fun way like Guardians of the Galaxy). It's also...pointless? It feels weird to have these superhero alien beings spend two hours feeling guilty for not stopping major human atrocities. Who wants to see that?? Really, who? Plus, I think the benefit of having someone like Chloe Zhao direct is because, as I understood it, she was going to make it beautiful, but honestly, most of it looks really ugly - very CGI heavy, overly saturated in color in some parts, while being too muted and grey in others. It's just a confounding mess. 

2. Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard - I watched the first one about a week before this and it's ok. Some mindlessly fun action, with a solid cast, but the obvious standout is Salma Hayek (I didn't mean to do a Salma Hayek double bill with this and Eternals, but I'm not complaining. I didn't mention her above because she's pretty inconsequential to the movie - meaning anyone could have done that role because it was so under-written). This sequel is also ok, but slightly less fun, even though the plot is even more ridiculous. I like the addition of Frank Grillo and the hot guy from The Umbrella Academy (sorry, I don't know his name. I also didn't know he had an English accent. Very sexy.). I think it could have done without the whole part of Salma's character obsessing over becoming a mother (Salma is in her 50s - so it just makes it sad, which is not something audiences necessarily want to see from a fun action movie like this). There's a fun *surprise* casting - and the look on Jackson's face when he appears is priceless, but I think the casting also makes it obvious as to who "the bad guy" is. There is a reference to Overboard (one of my favorite comedies of all time), and that's always appreciated. I don't really have much else to write, other than the title is very, very stupid (and kind of sexist - why is her title "wife"?, it could have been The Hitman, The Bodyguard & The Con Artist or something to that effect). 

3. The Kid Detective - I like this movie! It's far darker than I was expecting (even though I read that it's a dark comedy - I still didn't expect it to go the the depths that it does). I watched it for Seth Cohen (obvi), but was excited by the multiple great things I read about it. He (Adam Brody) deserves to be a much bigger star - he's been in some recent stuff with Ready or Not and Shazam!, but still mostly in side character roles. He plays the same character A LOT, but it's a good character - he's got the right combination of snark and charm that makes him irresistible. I also really like the girl from Yellowjackets and the girl from Veep (sorry, I'm being super lazy today and I do not feel like looking up names). The mystery is set up very nicely, with an outcome that I don't think anyone could predict even though it's kind of right in front of you from the beginning. There are some weird tonal shifts, though. I get that it's supposed to be a "dark comedy", but it also feels a little immature for such a dark story. There is something really interesting about it, and I think it could have been a very successful tv series. Or even a solid spin-off could be made because I definitely would watch this guy solve more crimes. 

4. Ron's Gone Wrong - Completely unmemorable animated movie. It's not bad, necessarily, but considering it's released the same year as the wonderful The Mitchells vs. The Machines, there's just no competition. It's cute, but everything about it has been done before and better (even Ron has an extremely similar vibe to Baymax, but not nearly as cute and loveable). I do like what it is trying to do, which is teach the dangers of social media to a young audience. It's crazy to me that children need to learn this message (as in it's beyond teenagers, it's now infecting even younger minds). While I do think that social media can be a great place to make friends, share interests, and learn about other cultures, it can also be a dangerous place for impressionable young minds. Specifically, Instagram seems to be the most concerning (and the one that this movie seems to reference the most  - "would you like to comment on this picture?" LOL), because it's really easy to just post a bunch of pictures that make it seem like your life is exciting and then rely on "likes" to confirm that you've convinced everyone. This movie does a good job of showing how it could all go wrong - and the importance of staying in "the real world". I also think there is a bit of a digging at Apple products (although not stated outright, but the whole "you must have this product" feels definitely against Apple), which I wholeheartedly agree with (I hate Apple products, although their streaming service is, unfortunately, excellent). I wish the movie was funnier, and more original, because I'm pretty sure that I won't remember a thing about it in a few months. 

5. Last Night in Soho - Boy do I have a lot of thoughts about this movie, and not many of them are good. It's a very well-made movie, no doubt. It held my attention, there are some stunning scenes, fabulous use of mirrors and reflections, and a seamlessly edited dance sequence that blew me away. So, for that, it's a 3 (out of 5) star movie. But there are just so many problems with the story. I'm definitely not alone in my opinion, it seems like it's been widely discussed as a bit problematic. Most focus on the awful ending, which is definitely a big part of the problem. I'm very confused on what exactly the message is supposed to be here: *major spoilers ahead* Am I supposed to feel bad for a murderer? It definitely leaves a bad taste in my mouth to have this "sex workers are evil" twist. Or, even worse, are we supposed to believe that men who hire sex workers deserve to be murdered??? Because aside from being incredibly bored by their banter, the film never shows any of them treating her badly (except one). They are paying for a service that she is providing - they don't know the circumstances behind her work. And even if "the twist" wasn't so tonally confusing, it is incredibly obvious because they use a famous actor (Sam Caflin) in one of the "John" roles, so I assumed he was more important than the rest of them, which led my head spinning as to how his role connects to the present day. I also saw a few critics question whether a male filmmaker (Edgar Wright) should be making a film that is essentially a commentary on the "me too" movement, and to that I say...bullshit. There have been thousands of female-centric stories made by men that are wonderful - to discourage a group of people of creating art about something they might not fully understand is inherently...bullshit. People USE art and creativity to grow and learn. However, I would LOVE to see more films like these made by women (two things can exist at the same time!). This critique is also nonsense because, while Wright directed and wrote the story, he had a woman write the screenplay; so he did what we've been asking for - hired a woman to tell a female-centric story! I was actually surprised at this, because, to me, this did feel like it was written by a man. Nothing about it felt genuine - especially her interactions with her classmates. My initial thought was "clearly a man who knows absolutely nothing about fashion wrote this", but apparently it's written by two people (and man and a woman) who clearly know nothing about fashion. It's like they assume everyone at fashion school is a Kim Kardashian type? This may seem like a small thing to focus on, but for me, it's super frustrating. Yes, Kardashian and the like, are huge in the fashion world, but they didn't *go to school for fashion*. The school would be filled with our main character type girl - people creating their own clothes, overwhelmed by inspiration surrounding her in a big city, instead of the anomaly that she's portrayed as. And, furthermore, the way the teacher ogles her not-so-original designs inspired by the 60s is kind of hilarious and would not thrive in such a cutthroat industry. It's weird because I think the costume design in this film is great for all the "past" parts - but they do absolutely nothing to modernize it or conceptualize it for the present day. It's just so...basic. My last criticism is the cast - I adore Anya, and she is incredible in this even though she doesn't really have much to do. But Thomasin Mackenzie gets under my skin. I was trying to not focus on it (and I didn't even mention how awful she was in Old...restraint!). She's not terrible in this, but there is just something about her voice that makes me cringe. And I feel like a stronger actress could have made this work for me more than it did - someone like Elle Fanning (although she did a very similar movie already, with The Neon Demon, and at least that movie had something to say...). Anyway, as I said in the beginning - it's a very well-made movie. Wright knows what he's doing - and I'll always happily watch his films, but he just got the story wrong here. It could have been a strong statement on the impact that sexual assault has on mental health (the root behind a lot of "crazy woman" stories), or even something smaller like how we, as a society, glamorize the sexual exploitation of young women - but it's literally just a ghost story.