Thoughts on 5 Films

1. A Different Man - I absolutely HATE admitting that I really liked this movie because I don't like Sebastian Stan. I've never liked him - not as Carter Baizen from Gossip Girl, not as Bucky Barnes (and ugh - I hate that character too). He's okay in some other films (Fresh, Monday), but I don't think he's hot nor does he have screen presence. I still don't like him in this, and I think it would have been in my top 3 films of 2024 if it starred someone else (it's actually sitting at #4 right now, but, as usual, I'm so behind on movies, that will probably change). It's far weirder and more experimental than I was expecting. I thought, for some inexplicable reason, that it was more of a buddy comedy (haha!). It's definitely a complex film - part satire about projected identity, part social-commentary on beauty standards, part fairy-tale "life is what you make it" lesson - it's all very interesting. It's also a bit of commentary on standards of casting (does a person need to be the identity they are being cast as, is a popular grey area of concern in Hollywood). I didn't even realize that it was Sebastian in the beginning scenes - I could definitely tell that heavy prosthetics were used in order for it to "come off", but I thought it was Adam Pearson with exaggerated prosthetics. They just do a really good job with it. It becomes a very different film once the change happens, and it's all so unexpected. Pearson does such a good job at being this perpetually positive life force - someone who uses being the center of attention to his own advantage. It's very refreshing and inspirational to see this character be bold, confident, and the life of the party, while someone who looks like Sebastian Stan spends his time being insecure, morally reprehensible, and depressed. It doesn't matter how beautiful you are, if you're ugly on the inside you will live a miserable life. It's very rebellious as far as Hollywood standards go, and it's a film that will stay with me forever. Also, the sound is really spectacular, which is unexpected for a film so focused on character. I think Renate Reinsve is a bit awkward in this role, and the wig she wears in the second part is truly distracting, but I think they do a good job with her character too - she's only nice because it serves her. She uses someone else's story as inspiration without giving them credit. She's the epitome of performative - and it's an epidemic in our current culture. Overall, I was very impressed with this. 

2. Dune: Part Two - I saw the first one in the theater, and thought for sure that my husband would drag me to see this sequel in the theater too, but he was not interested either. And even when it came to streaming, we both hesitated watching it for so long because it's SO LONG. 2 hours and 46 minutes??? WHY???? It definitely doesn't need to be that long. I'm really not a fan of Timmy, either. Or Zendaya for that matter (I actually love Zendaya, but she can't act. Maybe one day she'll be good. I have hope!). They have ZERO chemistry together, and since the story is focused more on their relationship in this one, that's a big misfire for me. I do like the addition of Florence Pugh and Austin Butler (both are definitely scene-stealers). And the highlight, once again, is Rebecca Ferguson. But if you asked me to summarize the plot?? I got nothing. Something about a fulfilling a prophecy and Zendaya's crew being split on believing in this prophecy so she's skeptical, but follows his lead anyway because he was able to ride a gigantic sandworm, and then there is some fighting and stuff. And then he agrees to marry Pugh as a peace offering and Z gets pissed. The end. I like the religious allegory (and it's mostly anti-religious sentiment), but the rest of it is a snooze. It's no better or worse than the first one - I do think it should have been recognized for some of the production values (cinematography, sound design, costume etc.), but the story is just not my thing. And the actors fail to sell it to me. Meh. 

3. Gladiator 2 - So in a surprising twist, I actually loved this. And the first Gladiator too! I rewatched it about a week before I watched this. I remember watching the original in the theater (25 years ago!!) and not really being that impressed. I know it was well-received and Oscar-nominated, but I always shrugged my shoulders at it. However, during my rewatch, I was like "no, -WAIT-, this is actually really good!". So, I really looked forward to watching this sequel after that. I have a few nitpicky things (like Paul Mescal trying to hide his Irish accent. It's painful), but overall I had a lot of fun with it. Especially watching Denzel have the time of his life with this role. I saw a few critics call-out Mescal as not being ready for such a big role, and also just not being a blockbuster actor, and I disagree. I think he definitely has star power along with the acting chops to be part of the next A-List of actors. He's not as showy as Denzel and others, but I don't think his role requires that. However, I do think Pedro is miscast (I fear he's miscast in the new Fantastic Four movie as well, but we'll see). He's falling into this pattern of getting big roles because the internet loves him, but he's not always right for them (see Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, and Timothee Chamalet/Chalamet). And I say that as Pedro Pascal fan (I've been here since Narcos, suckers). He stands out like a sore thumb in this. I also think it's weird that they didn't cast the original kid that played Lucius. He's 37, but looks young, and he's still an actor. It would have been pretty cool to see him take on the starring role, but I get that they needed a "name" in the role. Anyway, the production design is outstanding, the opening sequence is incredibly strong (and historically accurate to the fighting style of the Romans), and the costumes are gorgeous. I loved all of it, even though it's slightly too long. 

4. Your Monster - This is a cute movie, especially if you're a fan of Melissa Barrera (as I am). It kind of reminds me of Lisa Frankenstein which I also liked. I laughed and was fully engaged for the whole thing (which is increasingly harder to accomplish). Barrera is outstanding and the performance for "My Stranger" is SO GOOD. It should have been an Oscar contender (this and "New Brain" by Naomi Scott from Smile 2 are the only original songs from 2024 that I added to my playlist. It's so weird to me that the Academy clearly wants to get younger viewers - which is why Wicked is nominated, but they continuously overlook opportunities to get younger performers like Melissa and Naomi). The ending is also Great with a capital G. I loved her confrontation scene ("limp dick fuckface narcissistic piece of shit asshole"). Plus, Meghann Fahy!! I was hoping to see her everywhere after her season of The White Lotus, but so far I think it's only been that Nicole Kidman Netflix show?? She's such a star, so I think she'll break it big soon. My only big criticism is that the sex scene is weird and unnecessary (and I'm very pro-sex scenes). They could have easily made this more tween friendly instead of rated R. The ending is very dark, but I think tweens can handle dark (I mean Romeo + Juliet came out when I was 15 and obviously that's dark). I also think it's for a very specific audience (tweens and theater people) and if you're not in that category, then you probably won't like it. 

5. Here - This is a bad movie, but it also has an incredible idea behind it, so I have a hard time criticizing it. I will always appreciate creativity and ambition in filmmaking. But, the reality is, this is terrible. A one star movie masquerading as Oscar-bait. I gave it two stars because I can't, in good conscience, rate something this bold only one star. I'm almost hoping that someone else steals the idea and makes a good movie, with more interesting stories, more thoughtful dialogue, and actors that aren't phoning it in. I mean, Tom Hanks is absolutely terrible. And how can Robin Wright sign on for a film like this that uses de-aging techniques after starring in The Congress (if you haven't watched it - it becomes more and more relevant every day with AI taking over the film industry)? The other star I gave it is for the editing because the transitions between scenes are so smooth and interesting; I absolutely loved watching the space transform in front of my eyes. The "gimmick", if you will, is that it is filmed with a stationary camera in one spot - a spot that eventually becomes a living room in an American town (I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be NJ? Like, by my house?). It starts with dinosaurs roaming the Earth, and then we slowly see a house being built, and eventually multiple families move in at different period of times. But the camera never moves. It's super-duper cool. I do think it's inspired by The Tree of Life, but for dummies. The problem is that they focus on one family a bit more than the others - and I hate all of them (Wright becomes a nagging wife and has the audacity to complain about a free house? I would fucking kick her to the curb!). And you can de-age Hanks all you want - he's never going to pass as a believable teenager. It's just so bad. I just sat watching it in disbelief at its awfulness but also in awe, which is a weird combination.