Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Goldfinch - I was told this movie was bad by someone who is a big fan of the book (I've never read it, but now I definitely want to). I was surprised at how much it bombed at the box office because of the cast and the popularity of the book (it cost 45M to make and had a worldwide gross of only 10M - yikes!). Ansel Elgort needs a career boost - STAT (with this and Billionaire Boys Club, he's in trouble- but it can be fixed - Taron did BBC and followed it up with the disastrous Robin Hood, and he's recovered quickly). I don't really think Ansel is hot, though, but he does have a screen presence that is interesting (on an epic side-note, I think it's hilarious when he trends on twitter because it's always a new picture that showcases his...um...gigantic...YOU KNOW. I also appreciate that he used this influence and posted a "thirst" picture of himself practically naked with the post "more here" that linked to a Brooklyn hospital that was in need of PPE supplies. The dude's okay in my book. Although, I hope he actually donated and not just directed his fans to do so - more on this type of celebrity influence later in the post). So, anyway, I actually liked this movie. It was far too long, it has some editing issues, and the kid from Stranger Things is tragically miscast, but it does have a lot of good stuff. Nicole Kidman is in her lane and I LOVE IT - just icy cold, entitled, and somehow still sympathetic. There's a lot of depth to the story, with interwoven plot-points, and I was invested through its entirety. It actually could have been really, really good. This is why I want to read the book - there's so many interesting ideas presented, it's just a shame that it's not done as well as it should have been done.

2. Pain and Glory - I'm really disappointed with this movie. Possibly because I had high expectations? Or because it just has nothing interesting to say? I'm not really sure, but it's just so dry and self-indulgent. Definitely my least favorite Almodovar (my favorite is The Skin I Live In). It's supposed to be an autobiographical story about an aging director looking back at his life, but it's just not at all interesting. I can connect to the chronic pain memories - the "anatomy of pain" scene is brilliant. While people have grandiose dreams of love and success, I dream of waking up without pain for just one day. ONE DAY (without drugs. I refuse.). I try not to let it effect my life, but sometimes I think about how much worse it will be as I get older and it's fucking depressing. Anyway, I enjoyed the parts with him as a child more than the rest of the movie (plus Penelope Cruz back to her strength - I had a really hard time with her performance as Donatella Versace. One of the worst performances I've ever seen.). Same for Antonio Banderas (I've only liked him in The Skin I Live In). I thought this movie would impact my updated Top 10, but sadly it doesn't come close.

3. 1917 - I had high hopes for this - there were a lot of comparisons to Dunkirk which I LOVED, some even calling it better. I can't agree with that statement at all, but I did like most of it. Obviously, it's a stunning achievement, technically speaking. I really appreciate how much work went into every single second of the movie. Sam Mendes and Roger Deakins know how to make a beautiful movie. Unfortunately though, I found most of the story boring and there were so many weird unnecessary scenes (like the baby scene - wtf was that?). Also, ***spoilers ahead*** I assumed that Dean-Charles Chapman's character was going to die - I thought that was obvious (for many reasons, story-structure, the fact that George MacKay is a more well-known actor, did most of the promotion for it, and is featured on the posters), but I guess if you don't know much about movies, it might be a surprise (I saw two different people who said it surprised them). But also, THANK GOD, he does die, because he is a terrible actor. Especially compared to the great actors he's surrounded by. And am I supposed to believe that he looks like a younger version of Richard Madden...because LOL. And, while I'm on the topic, was Richard supposed to be hiding his accent? Because he failed in just the few lines he had. I'm not complaining - he was never my type, but I binge-watched The Bodyguard for his accent alone (and also, it's really good). Also, it's weird that so many famous actors appear only to literally have 3 lines (Madden, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Hot Priest). It felt unnecessary and distracted me from the story.

4. The Lovebirds - Cute movie. It's nothing great or anything, but it's exactly what I expected it to be. Although, this couple is my least favorite type of couple - the kind that just bicker back and forth all day long. I think it's supposed to be cute and funny, but I always find it so grating. They are both very likeable, though. I think this is the first time I've ever seen Issa Rae in anything, and she's great (Insecure is on my list!). I laughed many times - I think my favorite is the "who the fuck do you think we are, Hobbes and Shaw?" line. I also laughed at the frat boys listening to Third Eye Blind (seemed so random, but also hilarious). The plot is pretty dumb - I mean, they literally do the opposite of what they should do at every turn. But, it has a really great ending - *spoilers* the cops know from the beginning that they didn't do it, and are only after them to protect them, which is a great twist for such a cliched story. There's really not much else to say. I recommend it if you just want a fun, quick movie to watch to take your mind off of things.

5. Seberg - I watched this movie about 10 days ago - not really realizing the relevance to current events that have taken place since. If you're not aware of the story - it's about Jean Seberg, a fairly famous (white) actress from the 60s/70s whose life was destroyed by the FBI because of her open support of the Black Panthers (along with a romance with one of the members). What's fascinating is that as a Film Studies student, I was not aware of the full-story. And as any Film Studies student can attest, we watched her most famous film, Breathless, approximately 32 times in a 4 year program, so I obviously should know this story. Part of this is because I never studied acting or actors in the Film Studies program (in order to study acting, you had to want to act - which I always thought was dumb. I'm so fascinated by the profession and would have loved to study it, but almost every curriculum required actual acting as part of the course. And I would rather die than be on a stage with a crowd of people looking at me). This film is an interesting watch at this particular time for two reasons - (1.) The importance of white people supporting black movements and initiatives. I've been really struggling with how to support and truly show a commitment to ending systemic racism without it being performative. I agree with the sentiment of the White Silence is Violence anthem, but I also think that maybe it's time for white people to just shut the fuck up and listen (and support, donate, sign petitions, etc). I know so many white people who seem more actively involved than I am, but then again, I don't think posting black boxes on social media or going to a protest only to take 100 selfies to "prove" your activist status is really helping anyone. There has to be a better way, but I don't have the answer. And (2.) The importance of celebrities speaking up. Usually, I get so annoyed at celebrities taking over awards shows to talk about whatever "issue" they feel is important at the time, and right now I feel like a lot of celebrities are falling into the "performative" activist category. However, it is absolutely necessary for celebrities to get involved. Unfortunately, a lot of people are influenced by whatever their favorite celebrity does. But my biggest plea for celebrities to get involved is really for ONE reason - and that is $$$$$. The only headlines I want to see about white celebrities right now is that they are donating a significant amount of money to relevant charities (and while it's nice that they are also posting links for "normal" people to donate. They are the ones who can significantly effect change, not the person who makes minimum wage, who is also most likely on unemployment anyway due to Covid-19). So anyway, I don't know if any of that makes sense, but I couldn't write a post right now and not address what is happening - especially with the topic of this movie. As far as the actual movie goes, it's not as good as it should be. The cast is great - this should be a role that Kristen Stewart knocks out of the park (she doesn't), plus Anthony Mackie, Margaret Qualley and the scene-stealer, Jack O'Connell. The best way to describe the film is soul-less, and a story like this should feel lively, thought-provoking, and authentic. I wish they delved into her paranoia more (which wasn't actually paranoia), and the repercussions she suffered - her miscarriage is left as an afterthought. The costume design is gorgeous, though. That pink dress with the diamond collar is so stunning - sadly, I could not find a picture of Jean in a dress like this.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Lodge - I didn't know much about this movie, but I really like Riley Keough. I didn't expect it to be scary, so the fact that it's not, isn't a disappointment. I didn't expect it be so...psychologically interesting, though. So that was a nice surprise. This is a movie that I've thought about multiple times since viewing it, and I absolutely love it when that happens. *spoilers ahead* The plot is pretty simple - man leaves wife for younger woman (UGH...men. Also, great casting Alicia Silverstone because Riley does look a bit like her so it hits that "younger version" point really hard). The wife kills herself, leaving their two children distraught and confused. A few months later (I think 6?), the children are left alone with the "new" girlfriend in a secluded cabin and some creepy shit starts to happen. This alone would make for a great horror movie plot, but the story goes even deeper - like the fact that the girlfriend is also the lone survivor of a mass cult suicide. The audience is left to question her sanity, while also questioning the children's motives. And, I actually began to sympathize with her (I think you're supposed to sympathize with the children from the beginning, but they did such a great job of making everything so "grey"). I think the whole creepy dollhouse was an unnecessary addition, but other than that it felt very efficient. Plus the last 15 minutes are spectacular. Moral of the story: Don't fuck with a crazy person.

2. In the Shadow of the Moon - I forgot all about this movie! I wanted to see it because it stars Michael C. Hall and it's about serial killers, but I don't even remember it being released and now it suddenly appeared on Netflix as a Netflix Original. So weird! Anyway, it's not exactly what I was expecting. First, Hall isn't actually in it that much. The star is actually Boyd Holbrook (I only know him from Narcos, but he is excellent). Second, it's got a sci-fi twist! And actually it's a great twist, but I was expecting something more gritty and realistic - I think it was originally advertised as an late 70s/early 80s cop thriller (which is what it starts off as, but it sure ends on a completely different spectrum). Third, the killer is a woman! Pretty rare for serial killers to be women. Fourth, it's unfortunately really, really boring. It's really repetitive, as it tracks the story from decade to decade. It did hit a nerve for me, at the distressing idea of having your wife/partner die while giving birth. That's automatically a tragedy, but I never really thought about the fact that you will forever have to celebrate your child's birthday on the anniversary of the death of someone you loved, and it would probably be pretty depressing to have the tradition of going to a cemetery on your birthday. But that's about the only thing that struck me about this movie. Otherwise, it's pretty forgettable.

3. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil - I actually enjoyed the first one, which was unexpected. It was so much better than it had any right to be. I also thought Angelina did such a fantastic job with this role. I also forgot that it's Elle Fanning in the role of Aurora. She's been doing such strong work over the past 6 years, it's hard to see her in such a mediocre role like this (I'm so excited to watch The Great - just trying to catch up on some other stuff before I start something new). And I'm pretty sure Michelle Pfeiffer wasn't in the first one, but boy was I glad to see her! She's a queen (literally, in this, but also in life). However, this sequel is such a mess. I don't even have the energy to dissect it all. It's just overall, one of the worst movies I've watched in a while (and I've watched some bad shit over the last few weeks). It feels never-ending, as well. It kind of has the same basic message as in the first one - which is that Maleficent isn't actually the evil one of the story. I'm not sure a sequel was ever necessary to begin with. BUT, there is one thing that is fantastic in this - and that is Pfeiffer's wardrobe of being absolutely drenched in pearls. I would DIE for that pearl capelet. DIE.

4. The Wedding Guest - Great plot, boring movie. And it's not really a plot that I've seen much of before, so I feel like there is a good movie here, but somehow they fucked it up. It's crazy to me that arranged marriages are still a thing in certain cultures. But, I also think marriage, in general, is pretty crazy. So, I'm probably not the best judge (and I've read a lot about how people in arranged marriages are actually happier, which is pretty interesting). Even though the plot is filled with a lot of twists and double-crosses, it's still all very predictable and none of it is done to the proper dramatic effect - meaning that none of it is told with a sense of urgency or danger (it's categorized as a thriller, not a drama). Also, the title isn't the greatest choice - it implies that it's about a wedding, which is not true at all. Dev Patel is a really great actor, though. I wasn't the biggest fan of Slumdog Millionaire (and the attention he received from it), but he's been consistently great in every project since (and he was great on Skins too, duh). He definitely carries the movie, but not enough to actually make it interesting.

5. Ready or Not - YESSSSS! I fucking love this movie so much. There are very few movies that I unequivocally love from last year (Rocketman and Queen & Slim - that's it!). It's also pretty rare for me to love horror movies (I think the last one I truly loved was The Babadook). So I was so happy when the movie ended and I was smiling from ear to ear. It's just so much fun. It's also not 100% a horror movie - more dark comedy/thriller. And Samara Weaving is spectacular (and I may have developed a thing for blondes? WTF is happening to me? Samara, Lily James, Margot Robbie, Blake Lively...they're all so hot). The plot is absolutely bonkers, and not believable in any way, shape, or form. But they all just go for it, and it just makes for a really fun ride. At first, I just kept shaking my head at the absurdity of the plot (I mean, REALLY?), but it quickly won me over (probably at the scene where she puts the sneakers on - like she's ready to fuck shit up). I really thought I was going to be disappointed by the end, but nope - it really just goes to another level of straight-up awesome (and stays with the "this is ridiculous" tone). Plus, Adam-fucking-Brody! He needs to be in more movies. I adore him.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Prodigy - Ugh...this movie is rough. Just about everything about it could have been done in a better way. The plot is an average - "kids are creepy" horror story, with the added twist that he's a child prodigy (but not really). I usually find kids creepy (like, all kids), but this kid is pretty bland. Taylor Schilling was great on Orange is the New Black (she often got outshined by her costars, but she was consistently strong through that whole series), but she is God-awful here. I read a few quick reviews that seem to be impressed by the acting but not the story, and I find that really odd. The acting overall is just awful. Even the guy from Rookie Blue is hard to watch (but not hard to look at...). There's some really interesting ideas about reincarnation and the "soul" being found in the eyes (which is explored brilliantly in the movie I Origins, probably one of my favorite movies of the last decade), but it never goes far enough to be interesting. The ending is pretty great and really effective, it's just a shame that the rest of the film isn't.

2. Harriet - I was really looking forward to this because I love Cynthia Erivo. She's such a talented entertainer - and I really think she's going to be an EGOT winner, like, really, really soon. She is incredible on The Outsider, in which she helped create a really unique and memorable character. She also has an amazing voice. I was rooting for her to win the Oscar this year - even though I hadn't seen the movie, and I already knew Zellweger was a shoe-in. But she's still so young, so she's got time. I also really liked Joe Alwyn in...um...that one movie that I can't remember the name of, but I also recently watched Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, which is terrible, but he is really excellent in it. I'm really excited to see more from him. Unfortunately, I did not like this movie. It wasn't bad, but just a very typical biopic (i.e boooooring). Nothing interesting happens for the first hour, and the dialogue is really cheesy. I also thought that the premonition scenes were really poorly executed (but I honestly didn't know this aspect of her history, which is...interesting). And my final thought - it's an odd choice to not have anyone age. How are we supposed to have any idea how much time has gone by? Obviously this struggle was over the course of years, it didn't happen overnight. I think Harriet Tubman deserves a much stronger biopic (still starring Cynthia - she did a fine job).

3. True History of the Kelly Gang - I don't get it - the title declares it to be "true", but then within the first few seconds we are told that it's not true...so that's weird...right? I like things that re-imagine historical figures or events, but the title is misleading. Also, it focuses very little on the rest of the Kelly gang - mostly just focusing on the most famous one, Ned. I can't say I know much about Ned Kelly, but I did watch that movie with Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom. I don't think I liked it (I don't really remember much about it, but I rated it 2 stars). I really, really, really like George MacKay - he was so wonderful in Captain Fantastic. His performance in that instantly made me a big fan (I'm going to watch 1917 this week and I am excited!). Plus, Essie Davis! Fuck YES! She is awesome. Also, has Charlie Hunnam had a day off? I feel like he's in every movie I watch and I swear I'm not doing it on purpose, even though he is fucking hot and I will always welcome his presence. I was disappointed by the sight of that girl Thomasin McKenzie - this is the third film I've seen her in recently and she's been consistently awful. The movie is interesting, I guess. It's kind of a mess, editing wise. I had a hard time following certain character motivations. It jumps in time, and I feel like it's missing key plot elements that maybe we are just supposed to *know*, but I don't. There are some really stunning and memorable moments, especially that gunfire scene. I actually had to look away from the screen because it was too overwhelming.

4. Godzilla: King of the Monsters - Truly the most boring Godzilla movie I've ever seen. I thought the previous one was pretty bad, but that's a masterpiece compared to this one. I was actually under the impression that this was another reboot, so I didn't realize that it was a sequel to the Bryan Cranston one. I blocked that one out, so I had to look up what happened. I'm really confused as to why Vera Farmiga would do this movie? But casting Millie Bobby Brown as her daughter is a great choice. I just wish it was for a different movie! I liked that they had her as the villain because it's rare for women to be dumb world-ending villains in big blockbuster movies like this. I'm not really sure I understand her motivation for risking humanity (for world peace among the species, I guess?), but it hardly matters in movies like this. What matters is that the special effects are glorious, and that's where this movie fails the most. It looks TERRIBLE. Mothra is cool though.

5. Terminator: Dark Fate - I thought this was a satisfying addition to the Terminator franchise. I had some small issues with it, but I was entertained for most of it. I'm not the biggest fan of the franchise as a whole, but I absolutely LOVE Terminator 2: Judgement Day. I like the first one too, but the sequel RULES. The rest have been pretty mediocre. I was excited for this one for two reasons: Linda Hamilton (obvi!) and Mackenzie Davis. I totally believed that she could be a badass, and I was right. She really gives it her all and plays off of Hamilton (i.e one of the most iconic female badasses of all-time) perfectly. I think the story is really strong and straight-forward, which was nice because I think the last two kept trying to over-complicate things with the timeline. It's disappointing that *HE* doesn't appear until about an hour in, but oh man, it's perfect when he does (I died at the line "and I'm extremely funny"). I'm also disappointed that it seems like they might be trying to make the other girl the lead for the next one. She was awful. So awful that I don't even want to look up her name, but I would definitely not be interested in watching more of her. I would watch a full spin-off of Mackenzie Davis' character, though.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - Literally the only thought I wrote down after watching this was: satisfying. It's not great; it's not terrible. It's all very expected. I didn't hate on The Last Jedi as so many did (nor did I think it was spectacular - it had its faults, for sure). But, at least I had something to say with that one, while this is just sort of...there...existing as closure to this chapter in the Star Wars saga. I'm not sure if Star Wars fans are happy or upset with how it ended, or with Rey's storyline (I didn't care enough to give it much thought). I think that the main cast did a fantastic job, as a whole within the trilogy - and Adam Driver is the continuous highlight. My favorite part though is Keri Russell! It took me a few minutes to recognize the voice, until it drove me so crazy that I had to pause the movie to look it up. J.J. ended strong with his alumni casting. I do think it's super creepy to continue Leia's story with CGI Carrie Fisher - that just sets a horrible precedent in filmmaking that I want no part of. And to have her real-life daughter act in a scene with her? I can't believe she went along with it.

2. Bad Boys for Life - The original Bad Boys came out when I was 13 (soon to be 14) and it was the first time that my mom forbid me to see a movie. She had seen it in the theater with her then husband, and thought it was inappropriate (which was weird because I had definitely seen much more inappropriate things by this point and she never cared). So, OF COURSE, I had to see it. And I loved every single second of it - to the point that when it came out on VHS, my friend and I would watch it every day after school and we memorized each and every line (I also did this with Speed). I still quote it on a regular basis (my favorite is singing "I wanna be, I wanna be like Mike...POW" anytime I meet someone named Mike - which is an extremely popular name so...it happens quite often). I can't say that I remember anything about the second one, but I was very excited for this one. Even though it wasn't directed by Bay, the trailer seemed like it got the Bad Boys feeling *just* right. And it's been so long since we've seen these characters, I felt like the anticipation was there. Unfortunately, it falls a little short, for me. I was entertained for the majority, but I felt like the jokes were really repetitive, and nothing actually stands out as laugh out loud. In fact, I hardly remember laughing at all. Plus *MAJOR SPOILER* THE BEST CHARACTER FUCKING DIES. That's a really fucking shitty thing to do to a character that is so loved. Also, the supporting cast is terrible. Who thought casting Vanessa Hudgens was a good idea? And I think the plot was trying to set up for a possible spin-off, but absolutely nobody wants to see it.

3. Underwater - I'm able to watch so many movies now that I'm only working like 1/2 my normal hours. I feel like I've watched more "new releases" in the past few months than I have in the last 5 years. I might even be able to catch up! That might be the only good thing to come out of this pandemic (unless I die first...). Anyway, the problem, though, is that I have a bad memory so I'm having trouble recalling my thoughts for certain films because they are all blending together - this one, in particular. That's never a good sign (and if it was good, I would definitely remember it). I'll have to rely on my quick notes that I took - which are all over the place (that's kind of my brand, though, so you should be used to it). First, I appreciate that Kristen tries to do different roles, but she should stick to what she's good at (i.e. not blockbuster type movies). I think she thought this character was going to be like a modern day Ripley and LOL good luck, girl. Second, apparently I wrote something about spiders. Does someone kill a spider in the movie? I really don't remember, but I probably got upset if that happened. Fun fact about me: I love spiders. Not like crazy big spiders you find in Australia (those are fucking terrifying), but normal house-spiders are so cute! And they kill other bugs so I usually just let them hang out in my house if I see one. I had one living under my bathroom mirror for a while - he/she would drop down and say hi to me when I did my makeup in the morning. ANYWAY. Third, how the fuck is T.J. Miller still getting employed? Aside from the fact that there have been MANY rumors about him being horrific to work with, has made a lot of sexist comments, has been accused of sexual assault - he also phoned in a fake bomb threat on a NJ train last year. I mean, fuck that guy. Last, Vincent Cassel is always a bad guy, but apparently not in this! How crazy is that! Sorry, that doesn't really tell you anything about the movie. But it's bad, so maybe that's all you need to know.

4. Extraction - I really thought I was going to like this movie. Seems like totally my thing, aside from starring Chris Hemsworth. He's not always bad, but usually pretty boring (exceptions are Ghostbusters (2016), Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame). Netflix promoted the fuck out of this movie, which is odd because they are really bad at promoting their movies (they are much better with the tv shows). I saw ads and clips for this EVERYWHERE I looked. I was really excited for its release, but man, is it so boring. It's so weird because the action is spectacular - it's obviously winning a lot of praise for its impressive action-packed tracking shot, and I am such a sucker for tracking shots. But, like, you have to make the rest of the movie good, too. You can't just rely on one (very impressive) thing. The other big issue that I had with it, is that it looks really ugly. It's so yellow (which is, for some, reason typical in films that take place in India, but I expect more from the DP of Drive). The plot is very simple and straight-forward. The audience isn't really supposed to like any of the characters, so it's just really, really boring. I thought it was super weird that people questioned the ending so much so that several entertainment news outlets had to write up articles on "what the ending means". People are so fucking stupid. It hurts.

5. The Two Popes - I say this with love, but FUCK Jonathan Pryce and his Oscar nomination for this movie. There is no fucking way this performance should have been nominated over Taron Egerton. It's just unreal. Pryce was never even a front-runner for a nomination, but he's a solid actor so I hesitated to judge before I saw this, but now I can say with confidence he did not deserve the nomination. I was pretty confident with my picks of DiCaprio, Egerton, Murphy, Phoenix, and Sandler, but then I saw Queen & Slim and Ford V Ferrari, and now I think both Kaluuya and Bale were screwed too. It was just a ridiculously excellent year for male performances, but nominating Pryce is a punch in the gut. This movie has wonderful dialogue, but overall it's really long and boring. I don't follow the happenings of the Pope (shocking), so that obviously hurts my overall interest. I was interested in the friction and history between these two men, though, at least enough to look up the true story (which is actually interesting...who knew!). I did laugh really hard when he made the "German joke" ("it doesn't have to be funny"). And also I thought them watching the soccer game at the end was the best part. I wish there were more scenes like that.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Gentlemen - I've been bitching for a while now for Guy Richie to go back to making original movies - it's been so long! Since RocknRolla (a case can be made for The Man from U.N.C.L.E, I guess). I was very excited for this, but then I saw some of the posters and it looked like a bad copy of Kingsman (especially with similar titles, too). But even weirder, it ended up being a decent copy of Matthew Vaughn's directorial debut, Layer Cake. I don't know if there is a war between these two (seems like they keep trying to one up each other), but I am Team Vaughn 100% (he gave the world the gift that is Taron Egerton, and has consistently kept him employed, as he is a producer on Rocketman and Eddie the Eagle). Anyway, as far as this movie goes, it's not as great as I wanted it to be, but it's hard not to love a movie with this cast. Colin Farrell is the obvious highlight - his initial scene in the cafe had me dying. Just so perfect. Charlie Hunnam is sexy, and he finally gets to keep his natural accent which makes him even sexier. And Henry Golding is also really hot. The whole meta storyline, and story within a story, and this story I'm about to tell you is a lie and then I'm going to rewind and tell you what really happened, got really grating for me. It kept losing my attention, but it's a movie that you have to pay attention to so I kept rewinding it. I think there is just something missing but I can't really pinpoint what that is. Overall, I did like it, though. I was just expecting something more exciting.

2. Horse Girl - If you don't know anything about this movie, I suggest you keep it that way before watching it. It's a movie that I knew nothing about except that Alison Brie stars in it - and I love her, so I was instantly hooked. *spoilers ahead* But what the movie turns into is really unexpected and...exciting in a way. It just starts so slow and normal, and descends into complete madness. At first, I was a little offended by the implications that this girl was "weird" because she seemed like she was living my life (I work, I watch tv, I sleep, I repeat), but then just as I was thinking this - she gets...creepy. I like that you don't really understand what's happening to this girl at first. Eventually, you realize that she's having a mental breakdown (or she is being abducted by aliens if you prefer to take the film more literally). I've said it before, but even though I'm not scared of much in this world, I think having a mental breakdown is just about the most terrifying thing I can imagine. And maybe it's because I think it's actually a possibility for me? I had a mini one last July - where I literally started hallucinating, I lost time, and I couldn't verbalize what was happening to me. It was horrible. It was a little different than what this character is going through because mine was linked to depression and stress, while hers is more of a bipolar/paranoia issue (at least I tell myself this because I feel like I have more control over it, which is comforting). I think this is a movie that I will think about for a while, and I love when that happens. Plus, it has some really charming moments - the birthday party scene, as a whole, is really great - the white guy rap is hilarious, as is the guy's confusion over what "a baker's dozen" means. Although, I have to say if someone was trying to set me up with a "weird, loner girl" and I opened the door to someone who looks like Alison Fucking Brie, I would be way more ecstatic than this guy seems to be. Oh, and Brie co-wrote this, so that's super cool.

3. The Lighthouse - This didn't seem like my kind of movie, but it just received so many great reviews. I honestly thought I was going to be surprised by it. But unfortunately, I think I hated it. I'm a big fan of Robert Pattinson - and I'm excited for his take on Batman, it's such a surprising casting choice (and I'm reminded now of that actor's roundtable interview where Eddie Murphy was comforting Pattinson and he said something like "I think you'll be a great Batman" and then he instantly turned to Taron Egerton and said "and you'd make a great James Bond" and Taron got all flustered. That's two Taron mentions in one post! I can't help it, he's the only thing that's keeping me going at the moment). Anyway, spending 4 weeks with someone in a small space is definitely my version of Hell, and that's basically what this movie is about. I just don't connect to it, and I should. It's also really dark in parts (in color, and also subject matter), so I had trouble seeing what was going on (and I even put my glasses on!). The accent bothered me a lot - I didn't even think it was supposed to be American, but apparently it's supposed to be a Maine dialect. I can't say that I know a lot of people from Maine, so maybe it's done well, but it still was hard to listen to. And, just in case you haven't seen it, and want to know just what you're getting into - he fucks a mermaid, and just when I contemplated the logistics of that to myself, "how does one go about fucking a mermaid?", a mermaid vagina flashes across the screen. Asked and Answered. The movie just felt like it was trying too hard to be weird and that's always frustrating for me.

4. The Way Back - Not something I was particularly excited to watch - it just seemed like a cliched sports movie, while also being a cliched substance abuse movie. And, it is both of those things. However, I enjoyed it way more than I was expecting to. I'm a big fan of Ben Affleck, but he's done this "working class, average Joe" character TO DEATH (to the point, where I think he thinks he can still relate to this type of role, but he hasn't been "working class" in over 20 years). He still does it really well, though (and he might even get an Oscar, considering everything else has been canceled this year? Maybe they should just cancel the Oscars? Or just give it to Taron Egerton as an apology for overlooking Rocketman? That's THREE times. I'll stop now. I promise.). I think it's pretty clear that Ben put his own personal history with abuse into this movie, which made it more authentic and genuine, and also sad. Just plain sad. I liked that the movie doesn't end with the big "winning game", and then everything is suddenly great (i.e a typical happy ending), instead it gets pretty dark and self-destructive. On as side-note, I will never understand drinking beer all day. Don't you feel bloated and gross? I love beer, but if I'm trying to get drunk (and wallow in self-pity), I would drink hard liquor. Just seems logical...

5. Late Night - I was so IN for this movie in the beginning with Emma Thompson being a character who is in a position of power, but treats other women like garbage, as she has an "issue with women". It's such an underrated problem that women have to deal with, but it's way more common and simpler to blame men. I thought that it had so much potential, but it never really went anywhere - and instead, the character is just a bitch to everyone regardless of sex, so the setup in the beginning is pointless. It's interesting that in reality we aren't even at the point of having a female late-night talk show host, but the story revolves around one that's been on the air for so long that she's getting stale. It's also interesting that it still feels outdated (they act like "slut-shaming" is a new term, and that's been around since I was in high school, so at least 20 years). I'm a big fan of Mindy Kaling, so I think I just expected something more original and modern (I don't think she gets enough credit for her comedic talent in writing and, also, timing - she's brilliant). I do think it did a good job at creating really genuine, layered, complicated characters. It also focused a lot on the importance of diversity within a team, and writing from your own experience (pointing out that people want to hear from women over the age of 50 - however, Pamela Adlon outdid this sentiment with an absolutely perfect season of Better Things). And Emma Thompson is incredible, as usual.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Angel Has Fallen - So, about an hour into this movie, I suddenly remembered that this is actually the THIRD installment of this series. I forgot all about the London one! Can you believe that THREE of these movies exist? It's wild. Anyway, I still think of the line "why don't you and I play a game of fuck off...you go first", from the first movie, pretty regularly. It's just so ridiculous, and it's crazy to me that someone actually wrote that dialogue, and it's even crazier that it was actually used in a real movie. I like Gerard Butler (let's be real, it's probably just the accent), and I like that he's a little bit worn down in this one (aren't we all?). It's obvious who the "bad guy" is from the beginning, so I appreciate that they didn't keep it as a surprise. It's just a very straight-forward "good guy vs. bad guy" action movie. Jada Pinkett Smith is just a terrible actress (I didn't use to think this, I was a big fan of her in the 90s, but her turn on Gotham really made me sour on her). I did love seeing Piper Perabo! Remember her from Coyote Ugly? She was supposed to be a big star, but it never turned out that way for her, which is a shame (side-note - I dated her brother's roommate way back when. He was an "actor" too. UGH.). Anyway, I feel like if you enjoyed the first two, then you'll enjoy this. I highly doubt I will remember it exists within a few months from now.

2. Birds of Prey (I refuse to write the full title. Who do they think they are...a Fiona Apple album?) - I'm...just not a fan, you guys. I tried. I heard mostly positive things about this movie, so I had hope that I would enjoy it. I went into it with a really positive attitude, but I just don't get how anyone could enjoy this. It's bonkers, and not in a good way. I love Margot Robbie, but just not in this role. The accent hurts my ears. But I think that I just don't like Harley Quinn as a character. She's just so...pathetic. And am I supposed to be inspired by her because she eats? Is that a thing that I'm supposed to be impressed by? And ugh...the dialogue is just so dumb. It's also filled with the most cliched songs ("Barracuda", "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World", etc.). I did find a few positives, though! (1.) Mary Elizabeth Winstead is awesome (always and forever). (2.) Chris Messina as a bad guy is an interesting casting choice. I feel like he always plays "nice guys", but I could just have a terrible memory. (3.) I did appreciate the jail fight scene for a number of reasons - it seemed slightly more realistic than most fight scenes like this, the choreography is insane, and they found a way to include sprinklers - completely soaking Quinn, but still somehow avoided sexualizing her. It's very impressive (but then only mere seconds later, she's completely dry. HOW?).

3. Queen & Slim - I love it so much, I could cry just thinking about it. I didn't love a lot of movies from last year, so it's been a pretty disappointing year of movie-viewing for me. Because of this, I can feel myself adjusting my expectations for every movie, so I didn't really expect to love this movie so much. I was a little cynical in the beginning - these just didn't seem like likable characters to root for. And then "the incident" was (unfortunately) predictable. But shortly along the way, I found myself loving these two people so much, and wanting them to have a happy ending. I read a few things about the movie after I watched it, and I was stunned by the description as a "modern day Bonnie and Clyde". I mean, what an insulting comparison. Bonnie and Clyde were fucking bank robbers! And they murdered people ON PURPOSE. I would say this is more of a "modern day Thelma and Louise" (as a love story, although one could easily argue that Thelma and Louise is a love story). They are on the run because of a failure of law and justice, not because they are criminals. ANYWAY, Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Smith-Turner are spectacular, as singular characters, but also as a couple (their chemistry gives me chills). It's not a perfect movie - and there are even some really dumb moments (like how she goes dancing after getting shot in the leg), but the feeling and mood of the movie is just on-point. It's stylish, sexy and bold. For such a new filmmaker, it also feels surprisingly effortless and confident. I'm in awe of every second of it.

4. Little Women (2019) - I really dreaded watching this movie - it's just not my thing. I never liked the book (to be honest, I probably never even read it in its entirety. Pretty sure I read the Cliff's Notes for it- remember those? Do those exist anymore? I guess it's not really necessary anymore with the internet nowadays). It just seems so boring, and the trailer didn't alter my opinion at all. But, I have to admit, by the end, I was fully immersed, and I actually think that I liked it? I definitely didn't like the beginning because it was exactly like what I was expecting, but the cast really sells it - they all have really great chemistry and an undeniable camaraderie that is really enjoyable to watch. Saoirse Ronan is excellent as expected (although she's supposed to be the "not pretty" one and I'm pretty sure she is the most attractive of the cast? Like what the fuck?). Florence Pugh is a delight (not an Oscar nomination worthy performance, though). But, I still maintain that both Timothee Chalamet and Emma Watson can not act (Ronan and Pugh really carry them throughout). Also, I read some mixed things about the editing, specifically the time-jumping back and forth, but I think it works brilliantly. It's probably the reason the film held my interest. While it's better than I expected, I still wouldn't put it on my Best of 2019 list, nor do I think Gerwig deserved any more praise than she already received.

5. Pokemon Detective Pikachu - I have no idea what I watched. I've never played Pokemon, or watched any related content. I think I was too old for it once it came out (I think I was a senior in high school when the original game came out). It was super weird when the resurgence happened a few years ago. It was everywhere - and people of ALL ages were super into it (so weird). I thought this movie might be cute because it has cute creatures and possibly some witty dialogue, but overall, I was just super confused by the whole thing. It's definitely not made for an external audience. There is literally nothing else to say about it.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Charlie's Angels (2019) - I can't say I was ever a big fan of the Charlie's Angels franchise. I used to watch reruns of the television show (I LOVED Farrah Fawcett), but not regularly. I watched the movie with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu, of course, but it wasn't very good (I see a lot of love for it nowadays, but come on guys, it was terrible). I thought an updated reboot could work (I mean, with the amount of times they reboot James Bond and Batman, surely there is room for a third rendition of Charlie's Angels in the span of 30+ years). I was also really excited for Elizabeth Banks to direct, and I thought Kristen Stewart was inspired casting. I've liked her in some quieter roles, but I don't think she's great in bigger films like this. Although, unfortunately, she is probably the only watchable aspect of the movie (even though she's still dead-behind-the-eyes, she's also quite charming). The rest of the film is rooouuugh. The other two girls are really dull (I recognize one from the live action Aladdin, in which she is also really dull, but I don't recognize the other one from anything). What bothered me most, though, is that it's not at all fun, at least the previous version had some fantastically cheesy dialogue to laugh along with. Actually, wait, what truly bothered me the most is the absolutely awful action scenes. There is a car-chase sequence that is really hard to look at - the bright yellow sparks during the gunfire is shockingly bad (although it really makes you appreciate the talent that goes into those scenes when they are done well). Oh, and one actual positive thing - Jonathan Tucker is the bad guy! I literally just mentioned him in my previous post which is weird because I haven't seen him in anything in a while. I don't hate him as a bad guy - it's kind of sexy.

2. Triple Frontier - Man, this movie went right under the radar which is so weird considering the cast - Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund AND Pedro Pascal, plus it's directed by J.C. Chandor. I never heard of it until I was scrolling for movies to watch, and was completely surprised by the caliber of talent for a movie that I've never heard of - I literally read the description and yelled out loud "what the fuck is this movie?!". And, it's not terrible. It's not exactly good, either, but I'm not sure why it was completely ignored. There's a lot of issues with the general plot, and the character motivations are very inconsistent. But first, let's dissect this cast. (1.) Charlie Hunnam and Garrett Hedlund as brothers is perfect casting. Just perfect. However, I don't like Hunnam with an American accent. I know that's how he is known - as Jax from Sons of Anarchy, an unforgettable character that I adored, but his accent was always a problem. (2.) Ben Affleck is getting so old and it makes me so sad. He's only 9 years older than me, but honestly, I think he could pass for my dad nowadays (but good for him in dating Ana De Armas - she is unbelievably gorgeous). (3.) Pedro is under-utilized (as per usual). Next, I always appreciate that J.C. Chandor doesn't dumb down his movies for audiences. You really have to pay attention to details. But this is such a misfire. Instead of dumbing down the plot, he dumbed down the characters - i.e they are supposed to be Special Forces, but they don't realize that a teenage boy is following them? Come on! And the biggest problem with the plot is that they should just bury the money and then come back for it...no? Instead of...you know...BURNING IT. AAAAHHHH. Ok, now that I'm thinking about it, maybe it is terrible and should be buried among the pile of forgotten films.

3. Onward - Such a super cute movie! I feel like it didn't really get much traction in the theater but maybe that's just because it was released at the start of all the world ending events? Tom Holland actually has a super cute voice for animation. I think I really liked it because I really, really appreciated what the message turned into. *spoilers* At first, you think it's about someone coming to terms with their father's death. I can appreciate that - but it always makes me angry when audiences are supposed to pity characters for one thing, even though the rest of their life seems perfect. He didn't even know his father (he died before he was born), so how is he so obsessed with feeling loss of someone he never had? BUT THEN, while on this epic magical quest with his older brother to bring his father back from the dead, he comes to this realization that he, in fact, had a "dad" his whole life - his older brother had done everything he felt he had missed out on with a father/son relationship. It's so emotional when he comes to this realization - and the rest of the story just falls into place so wonderfully. We've all lost people, but sometimes it's necessary to think of the people who are in your life that fill those roles. It's not always easy, trust me, every time I have issues with my car - I have a mental breakdown because it's just a reminder that I don't have a dad - even though I have plenty of people in my life who have, and will, help me. It's just one of those things that I always imagine other women relying on their fathers for, and it hurts to not have that support. Overall, I enjoyed this - it's not amazing, or anything, but it's cute and fun, with a wonderful message.

4. Ford v Ferrari - I wasn't really expecting to like this even though the cast is solid and James Mangold has an excellent track record. Mostly because car racing, to me, is like torture (they just go round and round until they crash - what's the point?). I actually really liked it. Like, a lot. It's a very typical "sports underdog" story, but it's done really well. I really liked how it's not set up as a clear "hero vs villain" story; instead both the Ford and Ferrari corporations are filled with assholes and these two "normal" guys are stuck in the middle (and they are both on Ford's team - so I guess the assumption is that the audience should want Ford to win, because you want these guys to win. I always say that "people work for people; not corporations" and this, in a way, proves that to be true). I also really liked that the driver, Ken Miles (played by Christian Bale), is just an overall decent guy - he's a great father and husband, he's really smart, and followed his passion (yes, he's a bit abrasive, but that doesn't bother me). I wasn't expecting the end (not the outcome of the race - that was pretty obvious, otherwise a movie wouldn't exist) - I know nothing about these people in real life, but I guess I should have paid more attention to the foreshadowing, because when that ending happened...it hurt.

5. 47 Meters Down: Uncaged - I watched the first one a few days prior to this and even though it's pretty bad, it is infinitely better than the sequel. The first one seemed a little realistic. I hear of dumb young women doing all of these unsanctioned tourist trap kind of things, like cage diving, all of the time, and it blows my mind. It made sense that it would all go wrong, and there wouldn't instantly be someone there to help. However, with this one - it's just really stupid. First, why/how is this even a sequel? Not only is the cast different, it has nothing to do with being "47 Meters" underwater. It's just another shark attack movie, so why have it connect to a previous mediocre shark movie? Why not just make it its own thing? Second, all of these girls are terrible actresses (I don't recognize any of them, so I assume they are all newcomers). Third, it's dumb - like if the scuba diving was spontaneous, how did they happen to have scuba gear for 4 people that fit perfectly? And last, and most important, it's really boring. There's just not enough shark attack carnage until the end.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Blinded by the Light - A movie dedicated to The Boss already has my heart. The trailer looked super cute, and overall I think it turned out exactly how I expected. The highlight is obviously the "Born to Run" scene. I smiled for pretty much the whole movie, even though it's a little bit cheesy. It makes it better that it's based on a true story (and the pictures at the end almost made me cry). I think everyone can relate, especially as a teenager, to finding salvation in music. I think the film does a great job at showcasing this, and also the joyous experience of being a "fan" of something. There's a lot of serious stuff going on in the background regarding racial tensions in England in the 80s (that are probably exactly the same now), but I think the point of the film is finding an "escape". I don't think the movie needed to be 2 hours - a solid 90 minutes would have sufficed. I loved the end, though, when they are so excited to go to Bruce's hometown. I've been to Asbury Park once, and it's not my cup of tea (I'm a beach snob having grown up with West Coast beaches. I'm sorry, but the Jersey Shore is fucking disgusting and no-one has been able to convince me otherwise, and believe me they've tried). Sometimes I'm tempted to go, though, just for the off-chance that Bruce will show up as he often does.

2. Toy Story 4 - I've quickly mentioned the Toy Store franchise a handful of times on this blog in the past, but I try not to because, honestly, I just don't understand its popularity, but I also don't enjoy shitting on things that people love. It's not like I hate these movies, but I just don't understand the intense love for them. They are decent - Cute. Funny. Sweet. But also - Repetitive. Simple. Boring. The fourth installment is exactly that - cute, funny, sweet, repetitive, simple and boring. There's really not much else to say, which is always my biggest disappointment when watching a movie. I love trying to figure out who all the voices are though - like Christina Hendricks, Louise from Bob's Burgers, and Murray Goldberg. I can't believe it won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, though. I haven't seen a lot of animated films from last year, but really? This was the best one? The only good thing is that maybe this is the last one? Hopefully? Please, God, let this be the last one.

3. Portrait of a Lady on Fire - I didn't love it, but there is still a lot of good stuff to talk about. It's beautiful, the acting is wonderful, but my favorite aspect is that is openly discusses or depicts "taboo" women's topics that are not usually shown onscreen - especially in a story about women in the 18th century. First, and most obvious, is that it's a love story between two women. Second, there are a few scenes depicting at-home abortion attempts. Third, the one that stood out to me most, was the open discussion of menstruation. Maybe it's because just the day before I watched this movie, while at work one of my managers walked over to the CVS next door and was pressured into buying a bag from the store clerk because she was buying sanitary napkins (in the town I work in plastic bags are banned - so if you want a bag you have to purchase it, and yes we are still working a few days a week to fulfill online orders because over-priced yoga pants are a must during a global pandemic). He was like "don't you need a bag?" and she said "no, I'm just going next door" and he looked at her with disgust, so she purchased a bag. This woman is 40 years old and still embarrassed by her period. It's just absolutely ridiculous. I'm not blaming her, I'm blaming society (but honestly, if that happened to me I would have told him to fuck off). Wow - epic sidetrack! Anyway, the rest of the movie is pretty dull. Nothing happens for the first hour. The final painting is shown in the beginning (and it's even the poster), so it's very anti-climactic. I also didn't think it was very erotic either.

4. Jumanji: The Next Level - I unexpectedly enjoyed the first one (wait, not the "first" one, but the "first" of the reboot). It was super fun and unpredictable. Sadly, the sequel is a little disappointing. I'm not sure if it's because I went in with different (higher) expectations than with the first, or if it's just not as good. The biggest misfire is the switching of the characters - it was a highlight in the first one, but in this one it went so wrong. As soon as they switched into their original characters, it was like a weight was lifted from the film and it suddenly became fun again. I mean, just picture The Rock trying to do an impression of Danny DeVito. It's beyond awful. It doesn't get much better to have Awkwafina doing a Danny DeVito impression, but it's not as painful. Karen Gillan remains the highlight. Even though I was disappointed, I still had fun watching it. It has some really funny moments, is cute, moves pretty quickly, and overall just a great family movie.

5. The Kitchen - I didn't really know much about this movie going in, which is always nice. I was really happy that "The Kitchen" referred to the infamous "Hell's Kitchen". I will never not think of Sleepers when someone refers to "Hell's Kitchen" (one of my favorite movies of all time - and what a fucking cast). Also, there was a really great short-lived television drama called The Black Donnellys that was set in "Hell's Kitchen" (fun fact both Sleepers and The Black Donnellys featured one of my favorite actors growing up, Jonathan Tucker). As you can see, I'm avoiding talking about this movie because it fucking sucks. I don't like Melissa McCarthy in serious roles (actually I think she did a good job in that one movie with Bill Murray and I haven't seen Can you ever Forgive Me yet). I don't like Elisabeth Moss at all. I'm going to decide now, that Tiffany Hadish is just not my cup of tea (I haven't seen her in much, but her line delivery is so cringe-worthy). The only highlight is Margot Martindale (obvi), but she's not in the movie very much. I think it's supposed to be seen as empowering for women (or as they call it "all Gloria Steinem and shit" - you know, because Steinem fought for women's rights to lead organized crime and murder people just like men do! What a fucking joke.). I honestly stopped paying attention for a full half-hour and I don't feel like I missed anything. I did enjoy all of the fantastic sunglasses. I have a bit of an obsession with over-sized sunglasses, and have an embarrassing amount of them. And yet, I need every single one that is featured in this movie.

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.