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Cat Person (2023)
The Age of Extremism
I loved the title. I thought it was a rom com. I watched the Mark Kermode video review a long time before finding the film on Netflix. I had completely forgotten about the review. I could not shake the baggage of cousin Greg as quickly as Mark Kermode did. Initially to me, it seemed like a weird boring but also unnerving reworking of "500 Days of Summer". The constant reading of texts on the screen got annoying but I still could not let go. I wanted to know how it would end. I wouldn't say that I enjoyed the movie but it is one of the best recent movies I've seen. I also think it will be a wonderful tool for teachers of Film analysis Professors in the future. Miscommunication, contemporary paranoia, friendship, privilege and obsessive navel gazing are all in this.
Foe (2023)
Who or what is foe ?
Brilliant actors in an atmospheric landscape, haunting music and sounds, artsy framing and a Terrence Malick's pace. I had a hard time watching this film. It was so devoid of hope and slow, I fell asleep. I gave it a second chance and I realised the subtlety of the narration. I felt the performance of the actors and the little bit of hope in the rain scene. From a certain point of view, this is a film that would work well in a double bill with "Marriage Story", but also with "Marjorie Prime". The implications of this type of storytelling run deep. At first glance, it is easy to mistake this as a failed attempt at Sci-Fi, or Post-Apocalyptic lesson or even a dissection of human relationships, but it is none of these and all of them at once.
No Sleep 'Til Christmas (2018)
Better than expected. Sort of Sleepless in Chicago mixed with all the rom com tropes
The title is misleading. The protagonist is doing everything she can to get a good night sleep. Anybody who has had sleep issues can totally relate. If her perfect life is so perfect why does her brain deny her well deserved rest? Bridezilla she is not but the pressure of the perfect groom coupled with a busy moment at work and the perfectly perfectionist monster-in-law turn a reasonable professional into an electric violin string. The leads are all charming, the script is predictable but sweet and funny (I particularly enjoyed the psychologist bus driver) and, amazingly enough the side characters are developed just enough not to detract from the main plot, but do come across less monodimensional than in the average romcom. Sweet, easy, not at all a waste of time. Naturally, if you are looking for tips on how to relax, get a good night sleep or know when it is appropriate to break up with your significant other, this is not the movie for you.
Maestro (2023)
Who is bigger? Art, the Artist or the Wife?
This film is a shoe in Academy Award nominee, potentially winner in at least 7 categories. In the UK it is already out in cinema. Who knows for how long. Then it will be Netflix but, honestly, it is much more enjoyable on a big screen rather than on an IPad or Airplane screen. Funnily enough, for a movie titled "Maestro", the film devotes equal parts to Bernstein the man, the Conductor, the Composer, Elite New York and the Wife. In a way it seems a continuation on the themes of "A star is born". That was Lady Gaga's movie, this one is Carey Mulligan's. There is a dissonance in the making of this film I am not sure I am able to explain. The black and white parts are near perfect, the transformation of both Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan is a feast of make up, costumes and mighty acting, the scenes, the editing, the music, so much music... It' s an emotional and amazing journey in and out of Carnagie Hall, Midtown Manhattan and - go figure - Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire. But there is that dissonance, a harsh sound like the phone ringing at the beginning of the movie, and it confines this triumph of research, prosthetic, locations, sound and cinematography to near perfection.
Before I Go to Sleep (2014)
What you don't remember cannot hurt you
Oh my. It took me a while to watch this movie in its entirety. I am not a huge fan of Colin Firth. I did not catch the "Pride and Prejudice"-shirtless-swimming in the pond mania. I don't think he is attractive. He seems very monotone as an actor and, to me, even when he is the hero of the story, he comes across as creepy. Not to mention "Love Actually" which is one the movies that I loathe the most. From the get go, I could not buy that a gorgeous woman such as Nicole Kidman would be married to Firth. I do like a good amnesiac tale and adore to be kept guessing so I managed to soldier through. For me, Kidman is really carrying the movie on her shoulders. Strong is also rather stiff in comparison to Kidman. The denouement is just amazing but, once again, the plot also shows gigantic holes that make it completely unbelievable. Perhaps if it was set in the US where distances and the severely lacking social care system allow for people to disappear in the cracks. I loved the costumes, the camera work and set design. It is all really neat. It was also nice to see little Tommen Baratheon. On a side note, this movie made me think of "Fatal Attraction". I have not seen the TV show yet, but I certainly hope the cheating husband gets a bit more trouble for his philandering ways. Here the poor unfaithful wife ends up with 4 years of her life stolen and two broken ribs. We all know that, despite what the Doctor says, her assailant will probably be out of prison in 10 years (I checked) and there is no guarantee he will not try to attack his victim again.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Egregious but not the best Nolan. Cillian Murphy morphs into the character, an amazing cast, brilliant cinematography
This is a love letter to science and scientists. At times it reminded me of the recurrent joke in "The Big Bang Theory" about Howard not being a real scientist since he "only" holds a PhD in Engineering. I was a bit disappointed with the sound but it might be an artistic choice. Do words, does dialogue really matter when you are retelling how the fear of violence from one side pushed the other to unleash the most deadly and brutal attack on Japan. This is a well written movie though the ending is disappointingly cliche for a Nolan screenplay. Around the two hour mark. It felt like it was getting boring. It might benefit from some cuts. I would recommend it in a double bill with "Hiroshima Mon Amour".
All the Bright Places (2020)
Hits hard and makes you cry
I have not read the book so I might be less disgruntled by the lack of physical likeness of the male lead to the book protagonist. I also have a weakness for Justice Smith ever since "Detective Pokémon". He delivers a measured mature performance. Elle Fanning is an exquisite creature and shines in every role. The only issue I have with the character is that costumes make her look way too old and that detracts from the credibility of Fanning as a real teenager. While Violet's trauma is all repeatedly spelled out, Theo's real fear is only hinted at, so much of the performance relies on Smith's facial expressions more than words. I hated some scenes that were way too cliché for the genre and hated some scenes because I felt too involved and I was really rooting for the protagonists. Side characters were also well cast. I love Keegan-Michael Key: more please. And brown hair Wilson is my favourite of the two. Locations were brilliant. Planning a trip to Indiana as I type.
Robots (2023)
Not every sci fi AI or tech movie needs to be scary or apocalyptic. Not every rom com needs to be a meeting of mono dimensional mannequins.
I strongly believe that this little gem will, in time, become a new cult classic along with the likes of 'Idiocracy" or "The Room" or "Donnie Darko". It's perfect in its own way. I did not give it a 10 because of standard average cinematography. New Mexico comes out pretty but nothing in the framing of the image made me think "wow". From a certain point of view, it suited the movie that cinematography was "inconspicuous", there is so much going on all the time that there was no need for additional elements. As a passionate fan of Jeep, I loved the parts where a Gladiator is an active member of the cast. The main praise I have for this movie is that it brings points across in comedic terms, as a social satire and as a rom com without talking down to the audience, without lecturing. I absolutely adore the lead actors and really liked the character played by Paul Rust.
Men (2022)
Whoever green lit this is a sadist and masochist
The premise is really interesting. Woman alone travels to the countryside to find "healing". The initial minutes are explained in the first act. Initially it is not clear if it is a social commentary or a psychological thriller. Had I remembered that it was written and directed by Alex Garland, I would have been less unsure about the genre. Up until the middle of the third act, it maintains a cool tension and it is entertaining, albeit slow as watching paint dry. The beauty of the framing and the eeriness of the atmosphere keep you entertained and the curiosity about the point of it all does not let you go. The third act is, sadly, a bloody mess of insanity, horror and gore. I had to speed through the most appalling scene because it was really just disgusting. It felt like a deeply troubled nightmare. All things considered. Maybe this was the point of it all.
Asteroid City (2023)
Uneven and too long for its own good
At first the 1950s pastel tones, the eerie familiarity of the dialogue, scenes and the very Wes Anderson's narrative style can lull the spectator in a sense of cuddly comfort: this is a work of art. There is also the added thrill of attempting to recognise the usual famous actors before their face is completely show. This is extreme validation cinema. Wes Anderson's fans are validated in their fandom and see what they expect to see in an "Autheur" film. Wes Anderson is validated in his quirks. The more senseless and far fetched the plot, the more his fan flock to the cinema. Unfortunately it is all fluff with a bow on top. Candy floss and way too much of it.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
I have seen the future of Marvel and it's British
From the opening scenes to the end it is music, dance, choreography, colours in an almost exhausting succession of cliffhangers so intense, diverse and yet familiar that it still manages to be boring. In places. It is not a movie for younger children. Anybody who has even just a mild appreciation of the natural world and animals will feel at times overwhelmed by the violence on the poor creatures. This movie villan is one of the most detestable anti heroes imaginable. A bit Mengele, a bit Frankenstein, with a perfectionist cruelty and a God complex, any other antagonist pales in comparison. It brought me to tears and I did not cry when Rose let go in Titanic.
The Wedding Trip (2021)
Discount Hallmark movie.
It looks cheap. I really hope they did not spend a lot of money on it. If they did, it really does not show. I like watching students' graduation projects and I have also enjoyed my share of Nigerian new filmmakers or other emerging countries productions. I understand the US fell on hard times during and after the Pandemic, so I stayed with this movie until the end. The screenplay is not awful. In the hands of better filmmakers or better actors it might have had a fighting chance. It plays a bit with the romcom tropes but it is really let down by: cinematography, acting and exaggerated comedic filling scenes.
The interaction between the main characters is the best part of the script but Blachnio and Bakich have very little chemistry. Mostly because Blachnio is wooden. I read in his bio that he works in tech and has a passion for photography. For his sake I hope he is better in those activities than what he is in acting. Almost all the scenes with the parents should undergo a deep rewrite. The vignette with the sister's boyfriend is excruciatingly awful. The attempt at balancing the intro of both characters' families and background is really forced. The ex girlfriend bit also feels forced except for the last conversation with the main character. Music is OK, might be one of the best features of this film. It is not a totally unpleasant watch and viewers might find some source of pleasure if they have a passion for photography or Jeep, or if they manage to immerse themselves in a story that tries to do too much and fails on many levels. Film students can definitely benefit from watching this movie as a way to boast their ego, think how they could use the budget ideas and improve on the script.
Austenland (2013)
Keri Russell's hair Elizabeth Bennet's wardrobe
If you are a fan of either or both and you like a tongue-in-cheek pastiche this is entertainment at its lightest. Tested formula, a mix of familiar faces and familiar places. Innocuous except when there is an attempted assault, but this was pre "me too" era. Simpler times. Jennifer Coolidge reprises her "Legally Blond" character. I have yet to see her performance in White Lotus, will I be surprised? Definitely no surprises in this script. Keri Russell is just so adorable that this film keeps being entertaining even if the audience cannot understand or empathize with the characters. Good chemistry between the leads. Edwardian style meatloaf of a movie.
Maybe I Do (2023)
Tired old mess
This must have seemed good on paper. That is where it should have stayed. The premise is not as funny as the writer/director thinks. No matter how good the actors, the dialogue goes from trite to forced. There is no levity, no real depth, only staled concepts. A dated idea of gender relationships, a cornucopia of sub genre stereotypes. The main song "Always You" encapsulates the whole screenplay. Cast and crew were obviously phoning it in. Repeatedly characters are shown putting their shoes on the beds. All of the sets look too pristine to be places where the characters really live. Who are this characters anyhow? The audience cannot care, because all of them are monotone place holders for vague concepts about the possible roles of mother, father, husband, wife as if developed by the brain of someone who has never experienced anything real and human. It is all pretty boring. Was it actually written by a chatbot?
I'm Reed Fish (2006)
At least I managed to watch this while rearranging Christmas decorations.
This is not entirely a pointless waste of resources because Alexis Bledel stars in it. I can't for the life of me understand how this movie managed to come into existence, unless it is a true story and the protagonist had money to throw away. It is a trite come of age/rom com with an unlikable male lead, who is also not attractive enough to have two women vying for his affection. It romanticizes being stuck in a middle of nowhere America that does not exist. It is a pretty boring story orphaned twenty something who have decided to do nothing with their lives. The only enjoyable moment is when the "zhorse" in on screen.
Disenchanted (2022)
It will become a classic. It's unavoidable.
It is an unavoidable truth that, as soon as a successful, loved movie gets a sequel, nit picking sleuths will appear from every corner, every hole in the streets and every suburban garden well to trash it with Spanish Inquisitors zeal. If only this lot could focus their attention on monitoring politicians instead, democracy would be in much better health. 'Disenchanted' is a delightful, charming movie. It can easily stand on its own, though I am really hoping Disney completes the trilogy as it is now wise and proper. I can see an "Enchanting" ride at Disneyland, and a "En/Disenchanted" musical in my.crystal ball...Is it as good as 'Enchanted'? Is the animation as interesting as in 'Enchanted'? Are the songs as catchy? Does it matter? Judge for yourself. Watch it, let it envelope you in a blanket of easily sorted contrasts, singing, dancing, lovely costumes and solid acting. It will bring a bit of much needed magic in these rough times we are living.
All My Friends Hate Me (2021)
Unsettling in a very British way
Sadly I watched this film on a plane. As a consequence, though, on the small screen, with bad audio, I felt more claustrophobic and paranoid as the plot developed. I believe this helped empathise with the main character. Not sure why but it made me think that it was partially a parody, partially a homage to 1992 "Peter's Friends" or a twist on "The Big Chill". The writing is brilliant. The acting really good. Location amazing: I am sure it got more film credits than most of the cast. Only one recognisable face in the cast. I initially thought the lead was an entirely different actor. Good use of sound. If you can stomach the tension, you will not regret it.
Good on Paper (2021)
Not funny enough, just as women comedians are...
... This is generally what I have been told repeatedly by so many different men in my life. I am pretty sure that the majority of bad reviews on this movie will come from cis men. This film is not a masterpiece of comedy in the vein of American Pie or Bridesmaids so, all the viewers who love the sophisticated and incredibly varied hilarity caused by anatomy interacting with food will be disappointed. That is not to say that only viewers with high IQ or Yale Alumni can enjoy this sort of humour but it does verge on the side of bitter sarcasm. It is uneven, with very un-cinematic elements, such as the exaggerate use of voice over, and the excerpts from the protagonist's stand up routine partially acting as a Greek chorus but feeling more like a filler to get to the desired feature length. Even with these minor faults, it is still a funny, decently acted movie that I would recommend to my cis male friends, if I had any hope that they would get how much of Dennis there is in them.
Look Both Ways (2022)
Bad but not as bad as it could have been
At the start, I thought: "Sliding Doors meets Juno but as if they were all written by a Christian with a pretty standard agenda in his/her/their late thirties". It both annoyed me, literally put me to sleep (I have been trying to watch this for two nights in a row, then decided to have a long nap first and then watch it on a lazy Saturday afternoon while clearing papers) but, in the end, it was not a complete waste of electricity. Good points: the plot has scattered moments of semi skimmed, half baked originality, the actors do a decent job, photography is standard, costume and set design are fairly ok and the editing is professional. This view of LA as the mythical place where careers are made and broken in the age of WFH, start-ups, YouTube and TikTok rags to riches rise to stardom feels outdated and a little provincial. I was surprised to see that the writer is a (presumably) female as there are so many negative interactions between female characters but, who knows, maybe this was targeted at a classical WASP audience of spirits drinking, overprivileged, whiny young adults on the brink of childish adulthood. I enjoyed the ending "whatever happens, you are going to be OK" but totally hated the music.
Spencer (2021)
"Beautiful but not bright"
Completely unnecessary, painfully boring, but with incredible cinematography, sound, costume and set design. Initially, it made me feel sick, it made me less sympathetic to the poor Lady D (imagining there might be any resemblance to the real person after countless cinematic portrayals, based on her media persona and on a number of retellings of her feelings and experiences with varying degrees of worth depending on the narrator) that I had to take a long break.
Then I managed to watch another few scenes and fast forwarded through the last 45 minutes. Life is too short, I'd rather spend my time watching "Bo Jack Horseman" or educational videos about cats behaviour on You Tube. I am not surprised KStewart is nominated for her performance. The accent coach was well worth the money and time. The movie heavily rests on her shoulders. In my opinion, the reasons why this film is so incredibly bad are (in decreasing order of importance): writing, directing and lack of depth. The film tries to be as slow as an art movie, as if it had some profound meaningful insight to convey but it is superficial, over dramatic crap. Can it still be called a subtext if it is not subtle at all?
Love, Rosie (2014)
Not the worst movie ever made but pretty close
Mediocre and forgettable. There was probably not much to save to begin with, still this movie is just so bad: in a very mild, very British way. It is formulaic, lackluster outright boredom. This mess was based on the work of a well known author of the sappiest fiction imaginable: no surprise it is a waste of time even to review it.
The screenplay is appallingly bad, the dialogue is bland, the editing is lazy. .
Wild Mountain Thyme (2020)
Half a pint of Guinness left in the rain
This is a rare gem. It is so bad in so many different ways that it could become a cult classic. It is bizarre because, leaving aside the accents (consistently bad), the actors are good, the photography is decent and the story has a potential charm if handled differently. It feels like this movie wants to assemble elements of so many different genres and misses the mark so much as to be only a pathetic pastiche. The weight of the cliches and failed symbolism suffocate the comedy. The romance is flattened but the lack of chemistry between the leads and by the lack of time spent in developing the characters. The plot seems boring even if it is packed with events and situations This is an entirely pointless movie with production value but no soul,
Promising Young Woman (2020)
At times unbearable to watch but should be watched by every person in the so called "First World"
And probably it should become a compulsory film, kind of a requirement on the path to graduation. It is not a perfect movie, it is not a pleasant movie and definitely it raises a middle finger to audience's expectations. Viewers who want the filmmakers to lead them by the hand, gently whispering in their ear "this is a metaphor and it stands for trauma" while one of the character clearly says the same exact sentence, will be disappointed and will dislike the film for its inconsistencies, or the music, or the colors or the lack of fart jokes, LOL scenes or quotable lines. This is a deeply unsettling movie. It offers a refreshing point of view and it should be discussed and analyzed over and over again until, hopefully, society will change and this will really be a dated portrayal of characters and situations. It's been 33 years since "The Accused", yet this could be almost a companion piece to that movie.
Palm Springs (2020)
J.K. Simmons is the only reason I gave this pastiche 3 stars instead of 1
There is no danger of revealing any spoilers in reviewing this movie. It's all been done before. The plot mixes "Groundhog Day" with bits and pieces from trite romcom tropes, veers into "Hot Tub Time Machine" or "Good Will Hunting", depending on the level of suspension of belief that you decide to allocate to this sad comedy. The lack of internal logic of the plot is what grated most on my nerves. I was obviously not expecting much in the way of plausibility, but the plot holes are so huge that the whole wedding party might have fallen through it. I had very low expectations: I do not particularly appreciate the acting chops of the two leads, they have no chemistry in the scene used for the trailer. The writing is effervescent in comparison to the directing. The Photography is so basic that I would not be surprised if it turned out that the D. P. was working from home. The music really deserves a better movie and it was butchered in such a pathetic way, that the unfunny scenes become almost painful to watch. I stuck to the end of it, because I wanted to see if there was any redemption in the final act, anything surprising at all. Alas, no. The only saving grace is J. K. Simmons. The other actors have almost no lines, with the exception of Meredith Hagner who, in a thankless part, still manages to be more likeable than the two leads.
You Again (2010)
Formulaic and derivative are the most positive adjectives I can use to describe this awful mess of a movie
I cannot stand Kristen Bell, generally, but I did like "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and she seems to be appearing on all sorts of projects so either she has some dirt on the big honchos in Tinseltown, she is always available, very likeable, very professional or very cheap... Bottomline, I am OK in watching something in which she acts.
The rest of the cast is quite a feast so I decided to give this movie a try. Big mistake. I managed to go through with it, only by fast forwarding the most trite scenes.
It is as if the writer had watched "My Best Friend Wedding" on repeat and decided to rewrite it by making every character deeply unlikeable. Photography and sets are pleasant and directing must have been an easy job. The writing is the real weakness of this project. It is really a desperate mix of "Bridesmaids", "Bride Wars" and some really mean-spirited idea of comedy. It was so bad I wish I could un see it, though I doubt I will remember it after I close this review.