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Reviews
Walkabout (1971)
#MaleGaze Ahoy
There is some cinematic merit to this film, although its' mesmerizing Ecologist overtones are far outweighed by its' fetishism and female objectification. Jenny Agutter's performance is commendable yet hampered by the pervasive sexualization of her character. Clothed in the mini-ist of mini-skirts, Girl is a walking male fantasy; and consistently filmed from the knees up. One scene finds her swimming (gratuitously) nude in a poorly executed editing montage that seems more about having an opportunity to leer than anything else. Undoubtedly a fan of the female form, I must say I found Girl's depiction sexist and fetishized. The rest of the film is nothing if not interesting, but undoubtedly marred.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Outright Bomb(minus Steve Zahn)
Wow was this disappointing. Not sure what I expected from the finale of the franchise but it certainly wasn't this. Excessively long and slow, filled with monologues by characters explaining what they're doing WHILE they're doing it, and too many war film cliches to count, this movie was a slog to get through. Lazy writing and exposition, and obvious plot twists pervade the work; while Woody Harrelson's "Colonel" loses all credibility as he describes, in detail to his sworn enemy, the best way he can be defeated. Lazy writing as you can find.
Steve Zahn was the only redemption I could find in this blockbuster bomb.
Loving Vincent (2017)
Shallow but Beautiful
An exceedingly beautiful visual display, Loving Vincent unfortunately suffers from a weak plot, hampered by clunky, overbearing narration. (As a fan of post-Impressionism,) I can't say enough about the sheer artistry it took to paint this film to life; it is downright astounding. I also enjoyed the unreliable narrator motif, though several of the actors, notably the lead, fail to bring their characters to life beyond the beautiful animation. If nothing else, this film deserves to be seen to honor the 126 painters who have done accomplished something truly extraordinary.
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Sappy but oh so Sincere
A Nostalgia Feels ride for anyone lucky enough to have had Mr. Rogers as a part of their childhood, Won't You Be My Neighbor is equal parts character study and political statement. Wallowing a bit in the sentimental, it nonetheless effectively explores the myth of a man who bucked television's shallow banality and preached a message of love. The documentary poses a poignant question for us today: Is there still room for such kindness?
(ps. WQED Pittsburgh!)