Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw - While I enjoy all of the Fast & Furious movies, I fully admit that they are all starting to blend together. I could never even do a ranking of them because I have no idea which one is which. However, I would surely rank this one towards the top. Mostly because I just love Jason Statham, but also because of Vanessa Kirby. I love that she went from being in The Crown to big action franchise movies (this and Mission Impossible). She's so hot and her hair looks fucking fabulous through the entire movie - even during the most intense action sequences, she's just flawless. The same can be said for Eiza Gonzalez (just watch the From Dusk Till Dawn tv series and try not to drool). This is the type of movie that I will always have fun watching, but obviously I can see the flaws. First, I love the banter between Statham and The Rock, but some of it felt a little bit forced. Second, I know these films aren't obviously supposed to be realistic in any way, but there is no way Vanessa Kirby would ever have a shot in a fight with The Rock. I don't care how skilled she is, he could break her with his pinky. And third, I'm also a little desensitized by the action scenes - after, what, seven or eight films (I've lost count), what else can they do that they haven't done? It all gets a little repetitive, and by the time they get to Hawaii, I was over it. It's unnecessarily long and there's way too much filler.

2. Jojo Rabbit - I liked this movie a lot. For some reason, I wasn't really expecting to. The plot is obviously a bit off-putting. And I've seen a few articles here and there that describe the film as "problematic", which usually makes me laugh, but seeing as it's a satire about Nazis, I can definitely see the extremely thin line that may have been crossed. However, for me, it works. I can completely see how it might not work for others. Humanizing Nazis is never going to sit well with most people, but sometimes stories like this need to be told so we, as a society, can understand how this type of evil starts and spreads (and hopefully can be stopped...). I do wish it wasn't pushed as a "comedy" because it's definitely not - it's clearly a drama with comedic moments, but I think because it's "satire" it, for some reason, has to be also labeled as a comedy. There is no way that any movie with a scene like *that* should ever be labeled as a comedy. It's soul-crushing. And definitely problematic. Anyway, there is wonderful commentary and dialogue about the cycle of violence, which I think can be related to many scenarios, not just Nazis. I also think it displays an amazing mother/son relationship about a mother who has not only lost her son to pure evil in which she has no control over, but also she still sees the best in him, and has hope in saving him. We often place blame on the parents when someone grows up to be evil - and I know first-hand that it's not always their fault. Roman Griffin Davis is adorable and is absolutely wonderful in this role. On a side-note, I am completely expecting this kid to show up in the next Kingsman movie (not the prequel one that's coming out, but possibly the one after that). He made many references to it during awards season - wearing the orange suit, and Kingsman cufflinks. I thought it was so weird, so I looked into it and it turns out that his dad is a DP on many of Matthew Vaughn movies (and also one of my favorite movies - Seven Psychopaths). So, yeah, I would say that's a lock to happen in the near future. Scar-jo deserved the Oscar nomination (not for Marriage Story though - although she was better than the actual winner). And I'm really surprised that Taika didn't get more credit for his acting role in this - definitely brilliant. And of course, Sam Rockwell is perfect as always.

3. Anna - This seemed like my kind of movie - very Alias-like. Plus it's Luc Besson, and I will always be a fan, even though he's done some terrible movies. Overall, I was entertained. It's a little bit like recent films Red Sparrow and Atomic Blonde, and it doesn't add anything else to what's already been done. The twists are pretty good, though. It was obvious that something was going down, but I wasn't expecting what happened, so that's always a good sign. The cast is strong - I'm not sure I've ever seen the main girl in anything before, but she does a really good job of being a believable model/spy. Helen Mirren is unrecognizable (and also, a little bit cliched now for the role. We get it Helen, you're a bad-ass). Luke Evans does a surprisingly great Russian accent (I'm not sure what his original accent is - I think British or Welsh maybe, definitely not Russian, though). I love Cillian Murphy. I feel like he's not in as much stuff as he should be, or even when he is in stuff, he's not really rated as highly as he should be. He's always a solid actor - and he tends to pick interesting projects.

4. Lost Girls - Amy Ryan is definitely a great under-rated actress. I started watching this without realizing that it was based on a true story, but then I stopped it about 30 minutes in to look up the real story. It's weird that it happened in Long Island in 2010 and there was a whole serial killer situation, and yet, I heard nothing about it? Which is kind of the point - since the women were all assumed to be sex-workers, so it wasn't made a big deal (although the movie does show it getting press). This movie isn't that great - it's well acted, but overall it has no impact. Also, the girl from Jojo Rabbit is in it. It's weird when that happens - randomly watching 2 movies in a row that star the same actor/actress. I didn't mention her in my Jojo Rabbit thoughts because I didn't really like her performance, but decided to focus on the great performances instead. Unfortunately, I didn't like her in this either. There is something weird about the way she speaks. I think it might be because she is trying to hide her real accent, in which she is successful because I had to look up where she is from. There's just something off, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Anyway, the real question is why they put the fact that Mari (the main character in the movie - the mother of one of the missing girls) was murdered by her other daughter, in the footnotes at the end of the movie. That's an incredibly interesting part of this woman's story that maybe should have been focused on a bit more.

5. Dolemite is My Name - Another casualty of this year's disastrous Oscar nominations for both Lead Actor and Costume Design. Eddie Murphy is phenomenal, and that 'Eddie Murphy smile' was definitely missed. I've never seen a Dolemite movie - and honestly, I probably never will, it's just definitely not my type of humor. However, this movie was very entertaining and had some really memorable scenes. Like the scene where they all go to the movies to see the "comedy" - man, the look on all of their faces is perfection. The story is a really interesting look at what makes something a "cult classic". Sometimes the public couldn't give a shit about what critics think or if something is technically "well-made", instead they just want to watch something that they can connect to, or laugh with, or laugh at, or sometimes all three. The biggest revelation, though, is that holy fuck that's Kodi Smit-McPhee all grown up?!? I didn't even recognize him, which is weird because he's in the X-Men movies, but I guess he doesn't make a big impression in those movies. 

Thoughts on 5 New TV Shows

1. Watchmen - The hype was real for this, and for the most part, I think it lives up to it. The cast is incredible. I've been a Regina King fan for years, but she really thrived in this. The standout performance, for me though, is Jean Smart. I used to watch Designing Women when I was a kid - and I used to think she was so funny, but it was a different kind of funny than what most women on television were at that time - she was smart funny and dry funny. She's been around for years on various tv shows (24, Samantha Who?), but it really wasn't until Fargo that I remembered how much I love her. The third episode of Watchmen, Jean gives an unforgettable performance - it's just sublime. The story is ambitious (maybe a little too ambitious?), but ultimately really strong. It's based around a dark day in American history - the Tulsa massacre, and how the events of something so traumatic can have decades-long consequences. I'm glad that this is just a one season show - not everything needs to be dragged out for forever.

2. The Outsider - I was nervous about this because I thought it was going to be similar to the other current Stephen King television show, Castle Rock. While the cast on Castle Rock is outstanding, the rest of the show is hot garbage. Luckily, The Outsider is far more cohesive and interesting. The mystery is really creepy and the suspense builds nicely with each episode. Ben Mendelsohn really carries the series, but I have to say, Cynthia Erivo is mesmerizing as Holly Gibney - probably one of my favorite characters on current television (no-one comes close to Villanelle, though). I was really rooting for Cynthia at the Oscars this year (obviously she wasn't going to win the Actress award because everyone had their mind set on Zellweger for some baffling reason, but she could have taken home the Song award), which would have made her an EGOT winner at the young age of 33 (if you count Daytime Emmys - which I personally think should count). Also, Julianne Nicholson is such an underrated actress. She will probably be overlooked for this performance, but she does such a great job of portraying grief and anger in a really vulnerable way. Overall, I would definitely recommend this if you are into horror/sci-fi shows - it comes to a satisfying conclusion, so I'm interested to see how they continue the story for another season.

3. The Mandalorian - I have to admit that by the time I got around to watching this I wanted to punch every single person who posted a Baby Yoda meme. And then I started watching the show, and came to the realization that I WOULD DIE FOR BABY YODA. Literally. He's just about the most adorable creature ever put on screen. Every time he appears, my heart just burst with joy. Anyway, I'm a little disappointed that Pedro Pascal keeps that helmet on for the entire season because I love him, and I kept forgetting that it was him under there. Plus, I'm not sure he's the best actor to use purely based on voice? I'm not really familiar with the extended Star Wars universe, so some of the plot went over my head, but overall I enjoyed this.

4. Devs - I'm not fully invested in this show. It keeps bouncing back and forth between being extremely predictable to what the fuck is happening/this doesn't make any sense. And I'm not sure it's going to be worth it. Also, the cast is weird - like nobody matches their role. I'm only on episode 4 so I assume (hopefully) that it will all come together cohesively, and that maybe the weird acting is done on purpose. I think I just had higher hopes for it because Alex Garland has some pretty neat sci-fi ideas. But so far, it just feels like a chore to watch.

5. Avenue 5 - This is an entertaining little comedy/sci-fi. I enjoyed it, and laughed out loud quite a few times. It's a little bit of mindless entertainment, but sometimes that's necessary - just to watch something that doesn't take too much mental energy is sometimes a blessing, especially during recent events. The cast work really well together - and even though I really don't like Josh Gad, he has some really funny dialogue to work with. I'm excited for season two - and I can see this show working for multiple seasons and growing into something great. The basics for a great show are all there.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Spenser Confidential - A Marky Mark movie on Netflix?? Yes, Please! Even better, a Peter Berg directed, Marky Mark movie on Netflix!!?? It's exactly what you would expect, so if it's not your thing then it's pretty easy to avoid it. I, however, was completely entertained by it. I wasn't even too bothered that the actress who plays Marky Mark's (ex)-girlfriend is a terrible actress. Her over-the-top Boston persona made up for it, and her chemistry with Mark is undeniable. She even made me laugh a few times (the Batman comparison, and when she calls the other guy "Big Boi"). I also laughed at Mark's confusion about "the cloud" because that is totally me, but that also makes me feel really old (I mean, I sort of get it, but technology is just not my friend). Another thing that makes me feel old is that I recognized Post Malone from the beginning, but then I realized I only know him from "the kids" talking about him. I don't actually know what he does. This movie is ultimately just another paint-by-numbers action/murder mystery, but I had fun with it. The ending sets up for a sequel and I am totally in for it.

2. Where'd You Go, Bernadette - I didn't hear the best things about this movie, but for some reason I still had high hopes. I even bought the book (haven't read it yet - my reading has slipped this year, I've only read 2 books, so far!). Cate Blanchett is still my favorite actress (although Jessica Chastain is now a close second), and she is terrific in this, as expected. And another favorite actress of mine is also in this, unexpectedly, Kristen Wiig. I adore her. Unfortunately, the story is just so dull and elitist. I appreciate what it is trying to do, but it just comes off as disingenuous. It's basically trying to make a statement on what happens to an artist if they stop creating. Bernadette halts her creativity in favor of motherhood, and then once her daughter is almost all grown-up, Bernadette is forced to confront her decision. She basically has a mental breakdown, but it's something that has been building up for years. There are a few moments that are really well done, like when her husband (played by Billy Crudup) confronts her and talks about how he felt her elbows to see if she was an alien. And when she says the line "I'm not good at being exposed to people" (I feel you Bernadette). Overall, though, it's a mess of a movie - completely unfocused and devoid of genuine emotion.

3. Sorry to Bother You - I'm not quite sure how I feel about this movie yet. I appreciate that it is really original, and relishes in its absurdity, while also being about something very real, and very serious. LaKeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson are a dream. There are some terrific moments - the catalyst for the plot is the "white voice" ("I'm not talking about Will Smith white" LOL), is overall fantastic and something I don't think is talked about in film very often. Also, the moment where Armie Hammer asks him to rap, assuming that he must know how. There are these small moments of racism that happen in everyday life that people don't even realize are racist. I'm reminded of one of my managers at work who is black. The amount of times someone comments to her about how professional she is and/or sounds (as if it's a surprise) and ugh I cringed at the moment she commented on liking Dave Matthews Band, and my other manager replied "wow I never thought you would even know who that is". Anyway, I think this movie does a really good job of showing these smaller moments, without being preachy. I got a little lost in the absurdity of it all, and some of it felt a little repetitive, but I would still recommend it.

4. Uncut Gems - I agree with most of the praise for this movie - it grips you right away, and is extremely tense, and ambitiously paced. And Adam Sandler is incredible (it definitely should have been Leo DiCaprio, Taron Egerton, Eddie Murphy, Joaquin Phoenix, and Sandler for the Best Actor nomination). The rest of the cast is also really solid - the second movie in a row that I watched featuring LaKeith Stanfield (total coincidence), Idina Menzel, and why-oh-why was nobody talking about how amazing Julia Fox is? And this is her first feature film? Holy fucking shit, she is perfect. I also now know who The Weeknd is! First, Post Malone and now The Weeknd! I feel super hip now, you guys. I'm assuming Kevin Garnett is also a pretty famous Basketball player in real life, too? I don't follow Basketball (i.e the dumbest sport, but also a little personal tidbit - I am super good at basketball. At least the getting the ball in the hoop part. I'm too short to actually play, which is why it's a dumb sport). I think my biggest criticism about this movie is that it feels dated - nothing about it seems modern. If it didn't feature modern celebrities, I would be convinced it takes place in the 90s. The ending is spectacular though, and somehow unexpected. And that final shot with the "colors of the universe" is stunning.

5. The Lion King (2019) - Ok, so The Lion King is my favorite Disney animated movie (actually on a different day, I might say The Little Mermaid, but it is definitely a tie between those two). I had the soundtrack when I was a kid and I used to blast it on repeat for hours on end. I named my cat "Simba" with the intention of naming my next cat "Nala", but I ended up getting a male cat (so he was named "Milo" after Milo and Otis. Side-note, both of my babies passed away recently. They were born only 6 months apart and they died 4 months apart. They were best friends for life and I miss them both dearly.). Most of the criticism I read about this movie is that the colors are lost with the "live-action", which is true (I mean, just LOOK at that poster!). It makes me really sad. But, my biggest criticism is the music. I cringed so hard the second that "Circle of Life" started. It's not that it sounded bad, per se, but it just doesn't sound...right. My cat enjoyed the whole thing in its entirety, so it's not a total loss, but I found the whole thing unnecessary. I still cried at Mufasa's death though. It just hits me so hard. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Trial by Fire - I hadn't heard of this movie, but I came across it while scrolling for something to watch. Jack O'Connell and Laura Dern certainly peaked my interest. It's based on a true story about a man who was executed for killing his 3 children in a fire, despite there being a significant amount of evidence proving his innocence. It's definitely an interesting story, but the film doesn't give it the emotional resonance that this story needs. It feels like a TV movie - which isn't really an insult anymore, but I meant it as one. I usually love Jack O'Connell (he will ALWAYS be Cook from Skins, to me), but this performance is rough - the awful American accent combined with the white-trash persona, it just felt so inauthentic. There was a highlight with Emily Meade, though. She felt like a real person, flawed and confused. I also appreciated that they never shied away from how awful this couple were - they were both physically and emotionally abusive to each other, and were probably terrible parents, but it doesn't necessarily make him a murderer, though. He was definitely convicted based on his background and his past immoral behavior, and that's where the problem lies. It's just a terribly tragic story on many levels, but I wish the film was stronger.

2. On the Basis of Sex - While this was a typical biopic that I'm not necessarily thrilled about, I still enjoyed watching it. It's a cute movie that gives a little insight into Ruth Bader Ginsburg's rise to the Supreme Court, but it also delves into her marriage and her relationship with her daughter (who idolizes Gloria Steinem). It's always a joy to watch Felicity Jones - she's just such a delight. Plus, I learned a few things! (1.) I knew Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an amazing woman, but I didn't realize just how amazing. (2.) I had no idea her husband had testicular cancer back in the 50s. And she took his classes for him so that he could stay in Law School while undergoing treatment. I absolutely LOVE their love story. They are both so inspiring. (3.) I never realized how tiny she is. I know this seems trivial, but it's really hard to be taken seriously, not only as a woman, but especially as a tiny woman (trust me). The only thing I hated about the movie was the final shot - it was so poorly done and unnecessary. We already know what RBG looks like.

3. Knives Out - I enjoyed this movie a lot, but I didn't love it like I was expecting to. The cast is phenomenal - led by the stunning Ana de Armas. I am so excited that she is EVERYWHERE now. I fell in love with her in Blade Runner 2049 and I'm so excited to see her as a Bond girl. The rest of the cast is a dream - Toni Collette, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, the girl from 13 Reasons Why, Daniel Craig (I'm leaving off Chris Evans, sorry, he's just so dull. I'll never understand why people are so obsessed with him. Although he's been funny before with The Losers and Scott Pilgrim. Overall, though, BLAAAAHHH.). I think I went in with the "trust nothing" attitude, so that's exactly what I did and that led me to assume that the story that was presented as the "truth" was not in fact "the truth". I guessed who did it, but I definitely would never have figured out how that person did it. I wish it was a little campier (like Clue or Once Upon a Crime), I just didn't have as much fun watching it because it took itself a little too seriously. There are a few funny moments - I loved the reference to "Flam", which is obviously a jab at Gwyneth Paltrow's "Goop" company (on a side-note, at work I was asked to listen to a podcast with Gwyneth and some other ridiculous woman about women in leadership. This is what the world is coming to - I'm supposed to take advice on leadership from Gwyneth fucking Paltrow. Fucking kill me.).

4. Alita: Battle Angel - Once you get past the "look" of it, it's an ok movie. But I had a really hard time with visuals for at least an hour before I was able to focus on anything else. There are a few things I really enjoyed - It has a really, really fascinating sci-fi premise. Jennifer Connelly is wonderful, as always, and Rosa Salazar is fantastic (but ruined by the special effects, such a shame). The scene in the pub is wonderful and very effective, and the last hour had a really intense pace that I appreciated. Everything else is pretty tough. Aside from the visuals, the second worst part of the movie was the guy who played Hugo. The lines are always cheesy with movies like this, but he really took it to another level of cheese. Also, I wish some of the supporting cast were featured more because there are some really awesome people involved (Eiza Gonzalez, Jackie Earle Haley, Mahershala Ali). I think it's weird that it has this fairly large cult following of people demanding sequels and such. It's very mediocre overall.

5. The Dead Don't Die - I always assumed I was a Jim Jarmusch fan, but after looking at his filmography, I'm not so sure. I liked Broken Flowers to a degree, same for Only Lovers Left Alive, but man, did I loathe Paterson (and I don't think I've ever seen Coffee And Cigarettes). This is by far, my favorite film of his, and I think it's weird that it's his worst according to reviews. I thought it was really interesting, and different, and hilariously sarcastic. At first, I was really aggravated by the sight of Adam Driver (whyyyyy the fuck is he in EVERY movie?), but he's perfectly dry in this. I really loved the entire cast - Bill Murray, Caleb Landry Jones, RZA, Tilda Swinton, Chloe Sevigny - they all played to their strengths. My favorite scene is when they discover the two murdered waitresses - it's so awkwardly odd and serious, but also dryly funny. I also loved that they kept ironically referring to Selena Gomez as a "hipster" because if I close my eyes and picture a celebrity hipster, it is most definitely Adam Driver and Chloe Sevigny. And my favorite bit was towards the end when it just goes full-blown meta ("I know because I read the script" - I gasped with shock and laughter). I had a lot of fun watching this movie and I would actually consider watching it again, because I feel like I might have missed a lot of smaller jokes.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Ma - Octavia Spencer is always great, but this movie is not. The plot is actually a good one, for a horror movie, but it takes so long to get to the point. Absolutely nothing happens for the first hour of the movie. I like the main girl, I recognize her from Booksmart. But there are a bunch of supporting actors, who are only in it for mere minutes, who are way to good to be utilized in this way (Luke Evans, Allison Janney, Juliette Lewis). Once it finally gets going it becomes a fun, cheesy horror movie full of cliches and dumb dialogue. And Luke Evans' penis (which I was not expecting. The only time I jumped through the whole movie!!!). Also, this is going to make me sound like an unsympathetic bitch but the catalyst for the movie (the reason she is crazy) is really dumb - *spoiler* she was bullied, because that's what every movie like this is about nowadays. How about people take some personal responsibility for their own actions, you know? She willingly went into that closet. People don't deserve to die just because you're a gullible idiot.

2. The Hustle - Wow. So bad. Not even a little bit good. The trailer was pretty terrible, but I thought it could be cute. I've enjoyed Rebel Wilson in the past (I thought Isn't it Romantic was super cute, and I never expected that to happen). And I like Anne Hathaway. It's supposed to be a gender-swapped Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, but it fails in so many ways. First, it's not funny at all. Like, not one joke landed. Second, Hathaway's British accent was so insane. It hurt my brain to listen to her. Third, the whole thing is really anti-men, and it terrifies me that this is seen as being a good thing for women. The whole con-artist part relies on the fact that "no man will believe that a woman is smarter than he is" (actual line from the movie), which is just ludicrous. But then the kicker is that *major spoiler* they get fucking played by a man. Then what in the actual fuck is the point of this movie? OH...wait...I just remembered back to my earlier point about it not being funny - I did laugh once, when she made fun of her Beetlejuice suit. That was a good one.

3. Parasite - I wanted to believe the hype, but it was hard considering that I believed the hype surrounding Snowpiercer, and I thought that movie was...just "ok". While I did find this to be a much better movie, I'm not in love with it as most cinephiles are. I enjoyed it. It's well-made, and wonderfully acted. It will definitely be in my Top 10 from last year (probably top 3), but that doesn't mean it's a masterpiece - it just means that last year was a shitty year for movies (at least from what I've seen so far). I was actually a little annoyed with this movie in the beginning. It's hard to believe that poor people worry about phones and wifi? Is that poor now? Because when I was poor we worried about food and shelter and heat (and we walked to school uphill both ways!!!). I'm not trying to be unsympathetic, but I genuinely just don't understand - it's weird to me that the internet has become a necessity. Anyway, there comes a point in the movie, about half-way through, when I finally bought into this family and this story and really started to enjoy it. And then, once the rain starts, it gets so good I get goosebumps thinking about it. I was under the impression that this was a horror movie, for some reason, and it's definitely not, so I think I also kept waiting for the "horror" part which was a disservice. Overall though, it is a brilliant story about class - the symbiotic relationship between the wealthy and the poor. There is also an amazing balance of controlled chaos. It felt like the movie was going to bubble over every second, but it holds back until the end, and it is very satisfying.

Judy - This movie just makes me so angry. Well, actually, it's the performance that makes me angry. Wait, no, it's the fact that is performance was so praised and showered with awards that makes me angry. I've never been the biggest Renee Zellweger fan - except for the Bridget Jones movies and Chicago. She is sort of this spacey, eccentric personality, and she seems intoxicated all the time (mean, but true), so I don't think this role is a stretch for her. This performance is just Renee Zellweger with really good makeup and hair. Plus, I could hear her Texas twang through the whole movie, so someone please explain to me just how this deserves an Oscar - when Lupita and Sienna Miller weren't even nominated?? Also, I was under the impression that she sings the songs herself (which is why none of the real high notes are ever featured), but it seems like she is lip-syncing through the performances (which is more of a sound-mixing issue than her fault). Judy's story is a tragedy, and just so heartbreaking but I would have loved if the movie had a little more nuance - it's just so cut and dry (A to B storytelling is just so ordinary, especially for a biopic).

5. The Best of Enemies - I watched this a few weeks ago and I just had to look up what this movie was even about, so that tells you exactly how memorable it is. I watched it for one reason, and one reason only, Sam Rockwell. He is the best at playing unlikeable characters that you still somehow root for. Taraji P. Henson is great, but that show that she is on is so awful, it makes me not like her (why are you wasting your talent on such a garbage show, Taraji??). I was surprised by Anne Hache! I haven't seen her in anything in years. I assumed, for some reason, that she quit acting? Anyway, I don't really have much to say about this movie. It's based on a true story, and I don't think it tells you anything new - But I'm actually surprised that it didn't get more attention and rave reviews like other mediocre stories about race (like Green Book). It seems like the type of movie that Oscar voters love to pat themselves on the back for.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Honey Boy - I've written about my love for Shia LaBeouf many (many, many) times on this blog, so I won't bore you by repeating myself. I just think he's really talented and I don't think he gets the credit he deserves for this talent. It's super cool that he wrote this movie, based on his own life experience as a child actor with parents who have questionable parental skills. He focuses more on the relationship with his father (in which he portrays in the movie), and it is fascinating to watch. I was surprised at how self-reflexive it is - once the scene with the car crash happened, I was pretty impressed by his honesty (I remember that crash well, and feared it was going to be the end of his career). I think most people are terrified of analyzing their past mistakes and learning from them. It's also a huge success to cast Lucas Hedges in the role of "Otis" (aka Shia). He even changes his voice a little to sound like Shia and he gets it pretty perfect. The kid version of "Otis" is also very good. Unfortunately, I did find the movie itself a little dull. I also didn't find anything special about the way it was directed (as Alma Har'el was listed among the female directors "snubbed" for an Oscar nomination this year, but umm...why exactly should she be nominated for this? I don't get it.).

2. How to Talk to Girls at Parties - Oh my God. What the fuck even is this movie?! I can't tell you if I loved it or loathed it, but it's fucking crazy and for that I have to at least respect it. John Cameron Mitchell is a genius. I saw him perform Hedwig on Broadway, he had broken his leg the day before and still gave one of the best live performances I've ever seen. I was excited about this project simply for him, and for Nicole Kidman in that outfit, but then it got zero traction once it was released. I'm kind of surprised it doesn't have a large cult following - it reminds me of Spring just 100x weirder. Elle Fanning is sublime. She never plays it safe and I adore her for that. I don't really want to say much more because I think it's a movie that you just have to experience for yourself, but there is one scene that is worth mentioning - the scene where they sing the punk song together and leave their bodies. It's a stunning visual representation of what it feels like to experience a "connection" with someone - there is so much passion and intensity, and the scene will stay with me forever.

3. Skin - I've never really given Jamie Bell much thought. He's always sort of bored me, but I don't think he's been given many challenging roles (other than the one he's most famous for which I can't think of right now, but I know it involves dancing...maybe?). I mean, he's been in a ton of films, but I don't remember him in anything. On a side note, I just found out last year that's he's married to Kate Mara (the superior Mara sister) and I AM JEALOUS. Anyway, he's unrecognizable in this, and it's definitely a challenging role so kudos to him for finally taking a chance and doing something memorable. The film is in the same territory as American History X (a movie I've only watched once, because it's such a difficult film to watch, but man, is it a great movie). This is just as hard to watch for me - I'm going to drop a nugget of personal information and then quickly move on: my father (who I hate for many reasons, but I'm about to reveal one of the biggest reasons) is a white supremacist. He has "white power" tattooed on his knuckles and is basically human garbage (he was also raised Jewish, which is why American History X is such a tough watch). So, now maybe you can understand why these films hit me a little bit harder. Anyway, as far as the film goes, the first hour drags a lot, but I appreciate that it's a story about someone who is trying to better himself and change his life while also showing how difficult this journey is (and also gives a solid reason as to why someone might stay). I was floored when I found out that it's a true story - what an inspiration this guy is, and it gives me such a glimmer of hope that people, even someone as evil and vile as he was, can, in fact, change.

4. Zombieland: Double Tap - I wasn't the biggest fan of Zombieland - it was overpraised, in my opinion, and it felt like it was one of those films that just tried too hard. I did think some of it was funny, but I don't really remember any of it (it was 10 years ago, but I'm pretty sure I forgot about it like a month after watching it). The sequel is more of the same. Some of it is funny, most of it is trying too hard, but it's mostly unmemorable. I do adore Emma Stone, though. She's just wonderful, so watching her for 2 hours is always entertaining. What's Jesse Eisenberg been up to? I can't remember him in anything other than playing Lex Luther and that Woody Allen film. Also, Abigail Breslin isn't very good, is she? Was Little Miss Sunshine a fluke? Because I don't remember her being good in any other movie. I will admit, the best part of the movie was Zoey Deutch. Her part was pretty cheesy, but she played it well and provided most of the comic relief. For some reason I thought I didn't like her, but I can't think of why.

5. Aladdin (2019) - So unnecessary, but I obviously had to watch it. I think the only way this was going to work is if Robin Williams was still alive and played the live action version of Genie. To have anyone else do it is just downright disrespectful. And I say this as a Will Smith fan. However, I've questioned Smith's choices lately - he hasn't done anything noteworthy in years and some of his films have been downright rough. This is pretty painful to watch - it's an embarrassment for all involved. Especially for Guy Ritchie - I actually can't believe he directed this? Whhhyyy would he think this is a good idea? And why can't he go back to making original films? Also, I just looked him up on IMDB, and apparently there is a Snatch tv show??? How did I not know about this? Snatch is one of my favorite films...ever (I long for another Guy Ritchie/Matthew Vaughn collaboration. What happened, you guys?). Anyway, even though Aladdin was never one of my favorite Disney movies, I did love all of the songs, with "A Whole New World" being among my favorites, and this version almost made my ears bleed. And why did the costumes seem so cheap? The actors who played Aladdin and Jasmine are so dull, too. It's just overall, such a mess. The dance sequence during the credits is the best part of the whole movie.

3 Thoughts on The Rhythm Section

1. Lively & Law - I've said it before, Blake Lively is a surprisingly great actress. She's proven herself in smaller roles, and she has a presence onscreen that is undeniable. I've also said this before, literally in my last post, but I love Jude Law. My love for him started in the 90s - he was in three of my favorite movies from that decade - The Talented Mr. Ripley, eXistenZ, and Gattaca. He's just soooo charming. Together, they make this film tolerable. Both of them give really strong performances, and have some great (non-romantic) chemistry together. Unfortunately, everything else about the movie isn't so great.

2. The worst title. Ever. - The trailer is pretty strong - very Alias type action with a strong female lead. And it features well-known actors. It should be a strong movie for a February release, but someone made the most baffling decision in naming it The Rhythm Section. It doesn't seem to relate to what is shown in the trailer and it is so forgettable. When I was trying to pick a movie for my mom and I to go see, I almost skipped right over this because my brain didn't register what movie it was. When I described the movie to my mom - she was like, "oh yeah! I want to see that! That's the title??". And I feel like that alone is why this movie is bombing so badly at the box office. Obviously, the mediocre reviews aren't helping. The title is referred to a few times, but it still doesn't make sense to name the whole story after this one weird reference.

3. The worst wig. Ever. - I'm not sure why they made the decision to have Lively look so awful for a majority of the movie? I get in the beginning when she's a drug addicted prostitute, but once she gets healthy and starts training, why not have her start to look a little more like herself (i.e a stunningly beautiful woman)? Do they think it would make her performance seem more "gritty"? Because I think it hurts the movie tremendously.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Farewell - I...don't...get it. How is this more than a mediocre movie in any way? I was really looking forward to this because I have not been an Awkwafina fan, at all, in any movie that she's been in (and her voice is like nails on a chalkboard for me, and she seems like she's trying too hard to be shocking), but I was ready to have my mind changed. While I don't think she was as annoying in this movie, I just don't see anything special about this performance at all. She just walked around and looked sad the whole time (and it doesn't make a bit of sense that this was considered a "Comedy" at the Golden Globes, which is precisely why the GGs have become irrelevant). The movie is ok, but the only thing that sticks out to me (after watching it a few weeks ago), is the music - it is hauntingly beautiful. I do think it's important to have stories like this represented onscreen, I was just hoping for something so much more. I did laugh a few times, and of course, the story is depressing, but also a little bit hopeful. But, just overall it's a 3 star movie.

2. Fast Color - I love going into a movie completely blind - I knew nothing about this, who was in it, or even what genre it was. And I was pleasantly surprised that it is story that is right up my alley - a little bit sci-fi, a little bit indie drama, and a whole lot of slow burn (it's reminiscent of Midnight Special, or anything that Brit Marling does). I also love Gugu Mbatha-Raw. I'm waiting for her to be a star and this is a good project for her to showcase her talent. The story is about a woman who has "special powers" hiding out after being discovered. She goes back home years after abandoning her daughter with her mother. It's a small family/human drama mixed with some really cool and beautiful sci-fi "special powers" scenes. It's a really strong story of protecting your family, the strength of a mother's love, and sacrificing yourself for others. I do wish it moved a little bit quicker, and I felt like it was missing something to give it more of an edge. The ending is so beautiful, though.

3. Destroyer - I could not follow the plot of this movie. Partly because I was distracted, but mostly because it wasn't all that interesting, but also seemed way too complicated. It just starts off complicated too, so it doesn't really give the audience a chance to want to pay attention. You need to have a hook first, and Nicole Kidman in a bad wig and even worse makeup is not a hook. Basically, the movie is about a botched bank robbery and a woman trying to seek revenge, but then there is all of this other stuff thrown in for seemingly no reason. I think we are supposed to be impressed by Nicole Kidman going super trashy, but we've seen it before (The Paperboy - you know, the movie where she pees on Zac Efron). There are only two other things I want to mention - one, it takes place near where I was born (they mention Chino - which is also coincidentally where my soulmate is from. Ryan Atwood). And two, I know everyone knows that guy as Bucky but he will always be Carter Baizen to me. But the real question - does anyone know what his real name is? Didn't think so.

4. Julie, Naked - Hmmmm, I'm not sure how I feel about this movie yet. It's a little self-indulgent but so are most stories about aging rock stars. I love the cast- Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke, and Chris O'Dowd. The story is extremely far-fetched (I mean two people connecting over the internet..?? Come on...), but it's also very cute. It has some interesting theories on the artist versus the people who consume art, with quotes like "you don't value it because it comes natural to you" and "art isn't for the artist", but it's all very wishy-washy. There's no real depth to any of it. It's wild to me that people dedicate themselves to this obsession over celebrities. I've had obsessions before as a teenager/young adult (I will never admit to you just how many *Nsync concerts I've been to), but it's fascinating to me that people keep these obsessions as adults. I'm not judging - whatever makes you happy. I just can't picture myself caring about...anything...to that extent anymore (except maybe Taron Egerton. But I'm not obsessed. Ok...maybe a little...). Anyway, I was pretty disappointed by the implied ending. Why can't she just stay happily single? Why is that not considered a "happy ending"?

5. Vox Lux - Oh wow. I'm sort of speechless with just how insane this movie is. Some of it is a good insane, but some of it is a very bad insane. So, let's start from the beginning. It's written and directed by Brady Corbet. If you've seen Mysterious Skin, then you've been sufficiently traumatized for the rest of your life. The best part of this whole movie is that the credits role after the first (very traumatizing) scene - it is bat-shit crazy, but I actually loved it. I'm talking the FULL credits. What a ballsy move for a new filmmaker! So the catalyst for the movie is a Columbine type school shooting in which one of the survivors becomes a pop star. It's so difficult to watch this scene, and it's horrifying that this is the "new normal". The film is basically exploring the same message as Split - that surviving tragedy makes you special (I think the line is "the broken are the more evolved") and it is problematic as fuck. Then, Jude Law appears with a very thick NY accent, and wow it is rough. I feel like he's done American accents many times before and they were fine, so I'm not sure what happened here, but it is not easy to watch. I love that Jude is appearing in more and more nowadays because it felt like he disappeared for a little while and I missed him. Remember when he was in like every movie that one year? I think it was 2004. Then, the biggest what the fuck - the star of the movie, Natalie Portman, doesn't appear until 1/2 way through. And her NY accent is even worse! And it's stronger than the younger version of the character which doesn't make an ounce of sense. I like Natalie Portman, mostly because I feel that she really challenges herself in the roles she takes, but this is a huge misfire (I do love the Closer reunion with her and Law. I love that movie!). I do think it's interesting that she chose this role with all the stuff that came out about her "relationship" with Moby. Up until Natalie appears, I thought this was an interesting movie - it speaks to the loss of innocence of that generation (she's only supposed to be 5 years younger than me, but I always think a big age gap exists between people who were adults when 9/11 happened and people who were kids. I was 20 years old. Being 15 is a whole different experience). But once Natalie appears it becomes one of the worst movies I've ever seen. It's shockingly bad. The only amusement I found is when I misheard the lyrics to one of her songs as "I'm a fried egg girl in an omelette world" instead of "I'm a private girl in a public world" (my lyrics are infinitely better. I'm still laughing about it). Also, it's pretty obvious that she's supposed to be a terrible performer so why make us sit through her whole concert? It's pure torture.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Wild Rose - Overall, this is a cute movie. Someone I know gushed about how amazing it is, so I think my expectations were a little too high going into it (I hate when that happens). It reminded me of those movies from the early 90s of young musicians moving to a "big city" to "make it". The Thing Called Love comes to mind - It's not very well known, but it's a movie about a young girl who moves to Nashville to be a country singer; it's from 1993 starring the love of my life, Sandra Bullock, plus Samantha Mathis, Durmott Mulroney AND River Phoenix - his last finished film. I bet you didn't know Sandra Bullock and River Phoenix were in a film together! On a side note: I was 12 when River died and I cried hysterically because I didn't really understand death, and then I was hit again the following year with Kurt Cobain. It was rough being a tween in the early 90s idolizing celebrities. My brain is on an epic side-track now. What was I even talking about?? Oh yeah, this movie is pretty mediocre in its narrative, but the acting is really strong, the Scottish accents made me melt, and that song at the end sent shivers down my spine. It is EVERYTHING. The whole movie is worth it, just for that moment. Hands down, best original song from a film; I'm so glad it was nominated for OH WAIT...nothing. The Academy really fucked that one up.

2. Ben is Back - Lucas Hedges is just such a terrific young actor. He is definitely on my list of actors to watch (and he's so young too! I can't believe he's only 23 and his career is already this strong). I'm not a big fan of this story. Privileged white boy drug addict that we are supposed to feel bad for (nope, sorry, I have sympathy for the addiction, but if you have a supportive family, and money, and an education, and opportunity, then I can't feel bad for you. It's just never going to happen). The story definitely reminds me of guys I went to high school with, so it's no surprise that it takes place in Upstate NY, which just might be the Mecca for privileged white boy drug addicts. I was surprised at just how dark this story got, but mostly because it's all just a little ridiculous. I do think it's an interesting story of a mother's love and support of her child no matter how fucked up he is. She still believes him and trusts him, even after he continues to prove her wrong time after time. Overall though, I think this is a pretty forgettable film.

3. Hotel Mumbai - Obviously, this is a tough movie to watch. It's based on the true story of the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, with it centered at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. It tells the tale of the hotel workers who sacrificed their safety in order to stay and protect the tourists that were staying at the hotel. The cast is really strong - Dev Patel and Armie Hammer are the featured actors (and they do a fine job), but I am fascinated by Nazanin Boniadi. First, she is simply stunning. Second, I've loved her since General Hospital and I'm so happy that she's continuing to succeed. Her television projects have been really strong (she was in a season or two of Homeland and she was in my favorite show of last year - Counterpart and she held her own among an incredible group of actors), she's now in some high-profile films with this and a brief appearance in Bombshell. I just can't wait to see her career progress. Her character was the more interesting and complicated role as she is Indian, but staying at the hotel as a tourist with her American husband and baby. She has some very memorable scenes. I can't say that I connected with the rest of the film, it all played out in a very typical way, but they were able to keep it suspenseful. Of course, the end destroyed me (real footage of tragic events always hooks me).

4. Hustlers - My co-worker (and close friend) insisted that I had to watch this movie ASAP because there is a scene in the beginning of the movie that she knew I would absolutely love. I had no idea what she was referring to, but I was intrigued. I was sort of dreading watching it - I don't care how much buzz JLo got, I didn't believe for a second that it was an award-worthy performance (as some insisted she was snubbed). Don't get me wrong, I LOVE JLo, but I think she is an amazing dancer/performer not an actress. Although, I don't think she's a terrible actress, I just think she's better at other things. And I still say that even after this performance. She's...decent? I guess. Also, I have a hard time listening to JLo because she reminds me of 9/11 - her song "Play" was on the radio while I was driving and they stopped it in the middle to announce that a plane just hit the World Trade Center - it's an unavoidable connection that will forever be in my brain. Anyway, back to THE SCENE that my co-worker was referring to  - it will go down as one of my favorite scenes ever - because she does her insanely amazing pole dancing performance to one of my favorite songs of all-time (Fiona Apple's "Criminal". Fiona is my favorite artist/lyricist always and forever). I honestly almost died of joy. It's just absolutely perfect. As for the rest of the movie, it's fucking terrible. Constance Wu is not a good actress. She's incredibly dull (and I thought she was really dull in Crazy Rich Asians, too). The rest of the cast is hard to stomach (everyone from Cardi B to Lili Reinhart in a horribly miscast role). The plot doesn't even make sense - she makes as much as a Brain Surgeon in one year, but then the next year she is so poor she has to work at Old Navy? Why not just sell all the insane stuff you bought when you were rich? Nope, instead they start drugging unsuspecting male clients and maxing out their credit cards (that's the actual plot, which I guess, as a feminist, I'm supposed to find empowering??? What the fuck is happening, you guys, how do we keep losing our way so easily?). They completely skim through the fact that most women working in this industry are also heavy drug and/or alcohol abusers, and glamorize an industry that they are also trying to destroy. It's also hard to believe that an average looking guy wouldn't be suspicious if four extremely hot women started hitting on him. But it's based on a true story, so I guess men are fucking stupid.

5. Joker - I was super skeptical of yet another rendition of this character. And so soon after we just had Leto's version (that I didn't hate. I didn't love it, but I'm not sure why he received so much hate for it). Plus, someone already perfected the role (and why mess with perfection??). Joaquin is undeniably fantastic. Before watching it, I had a friend of a friend inform me that they didn't like his performance because it felt like he was trying "too hard to be weird". I can see that as a solid criticism - however, if you've ever watched literally any of his other performances you will likely come to the realization that the dude is always weird. It's just him, and it works for this role (and most of the roles that he chooses). I'm glad that he won the Oscar (and all the other awards) because (1.) my favorite performance wasn't nominated anyway and (2.) he should already have, like, 5 Oscars (for Walk the Line, Her, I'm Still Here, The Master and Inherent Vice - and I'm sure if I dug further into his filmography I could think of more. Like, remember Inventing the Abbotts? I adored that little 90s movie). Aside from a strong central performance, I'm not really sure that the rest is as great as it's getting praised for? I liked it, but it didn't feel like anything extraordinary or new in any way. A hero is only as strong as their villain - and Joker has always been an incredible villain, and I guess digging into his history is interesting, but it's also exactly what I was expecting. When it was over, I thought "oh..that was good!", but that was about 2 weeks ago and I've literally thought about it a total of ZERO times since. And now that I'm forced to think about it in order to write this, I realize that it's more like "oh, that was good. I guess.". Such an odd phenomenon.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Pet Sematary - Even though I had a habit of calling my cat "Church - the Pet Sematary cat" (full quote) when she would get real bitchy - she would just suddenly turn pure evil and it was the first cat that I had that would change her personality so dramatically within seconds (her real name was Trouble and I miss her dearly), I don't really have much recollection of the original movie (nor have I read the novel). The story is just too dumb for it to actually be scary. There are a few creepy moments that are done well, but it's not a movie that would keep me up at night. The cast did what they could - especially the little girl. And I did like the ending - I don't remember if the original ended that way, but I really appreciated that it didn't have a typical "final girl" type of ending. Other than that, I can't say that I will remember anything about it in a few months time.

2. The Seagull - I was actually really surprised by the dismal reception to this movie - it's based on the classic Checkov play, starring Annette Benning and Saoirse Ronan! How can that be anything less than amazing? Well, surprise! It kind of sucks. There's just something really lacking - the only one who seems to be giving it her all is Benning. Everyone else is just walking and talking through the motions, without any actual emotion. I forgot about how ridiculous (and hilarious) the character of Irina is, but Benning is just perfect in the role. Corey Stoll was really miscast though. I mean, just zero chemistry with the rest of the cast. Also, I didn't really find anything visually stimulating about it the film, either. It's very cut and dry. I would love to see a more modernized film version of this play (something in the style of 10 Things I Hate About You).

3. If Beale Street Could Talk - Realizing now that I'm not really a fan of any movies in this post. I hate when that happens, because I would so much rather write about good movies than bad ones. Not that this movie is bad. Far from it. I just didn't really connect to it. I did really like most of the cast. Stephan James is excellent (and he's great on the show Homecoming), plus the supporting cast of Regina King, Brian Tyree Henry, Finn Wittrock, and very brief appearances by Diego Luna and Pedro Pascal (he isn't even credited...isn't that weird?). But, the main girl is really, really dull. There is something just really off about the performance - she is supposed to be reserved, but it doesn't feel genuine at all. I could see someone like Aja Naomi King really ace this part. And I think if I liked the main actress more, I would have had a stronger connection with the movie. There are some really beautiful scenes and the music is stunning. But, again, it's not something I will remember in a few months time. There is one scene, though, that is wonderful - the pregnancy announcement with both families - just really strong performances and some shocking dialogue.

4. Mile 22 - So. much. gunfire. I watched this a few weeks ago and I can't even tell you what it's about, I just remember constant gunfire. I also remember falling asleep for 10 minutes and waking up to...yup...you guessed it, more gunfire. I admit, I only watched if because of Marky Mark (I will watch anything with Marky Mark), but was pleasantly surprised by Lauren Cohan. She was always the best part of The Walking Dead and I'm so glad that she escaped from that garbage of a show (that I still watch because I am a masochist, apparently). I wish she chose a better project to showcase how awesome she is. Also, I just looked up her name (my brain just isn't working right) only to discover that apparently their is a sequel being made to this movie. But....why? Did it do well at the box office? Because I don't remember anyone talking about it.

5. Her Smell - I saw this movie on a few "Best of 2019" lists, which is the only reason I forced myself to watch it. And all I have to say is...what in the actual fuck? How can anyone find anything other than mediocrity within this movie. And, Elizabeth Moss is fucking terrible. Like, cringe-worthy terrible. I know I might be biased because I've never liked her, but I did just recently give her positive criticism for her work in Us. So, I'm not always stuck in my ways. I do recognize when an actor surprises me. I actually LOVE when it happens (like with Adam Driver in the Star Wars movie. I don't remember which one...they are all blending together at this point). Also, this character is awful. It reminded me of Courtney Love (and I fucking loathe Courtney Love). You're not meant to root for her, so ultimately this is just an exercise in narcissism and selfishness. And then to top it off, we have to sit through an entire rendition of Moss singing "Heaven". THE ENTIRE SONG. A few lines would have sufficed, but nope, prepare to be tortured. It's also way to long at 134 minutes (which for some reason my brain registered as being an hour and a half. When I realized my error, I was super pissed). There is no way this story needs to be over 2 hours long. There is one highlight in the movie and that is the love of my life, Amber Heard. Looking stunning with the Cleopatra-esque hair and makeup. Also, on a random side-note: Is this how Ashley Benson and Cara Delevingne met? I don't really follow celebrity gossip (anymore), but that picture of them carrying the sex swing into their house made me die laughing. I love celebrities who just live their lives and don't give a fuck.