Movie Reviews-January 2018
Alright folks I’m making myself watch more movies. I feel like I hate every movie I ever see like I’m the worlds biggest critic. Then I figured out it was because I was doing it wrong. I was just seeing the big blockbuster shit my friends would drag me to, or that I kind of wanted to see. No wonder I hated the idea of movies.
I could watch movies at home but it’s hard than it sounds. I’ve let this world worsen my ADD. I’ve given up 2 hour movies for 10 minute YouTube videos and I don’t allow myself time to watch them as I’m so busy with so many projects. So I’m watching only movies that I’ve heard good things about so not to sour the idea that movies are good. It’s paying off. Plus I got a YouTube blocker Plug in that only allows me to watch YouTube videos I actively seek. No ADD feed on the right for me. Anyway, here are my basic movie reviews.
Narratives
Blade Runner 2049- Wow, this is what sci-fi is supposed to be. It’s about the atmosphere and technology and lifestyles and they nailed it. A great twist, long but I enjoyed the ride. Not for everyone but if you like this kind of stuff, you’ll welcome all of it. If you told someone they were making a Bladerunner sequel decades later with another director you’d be like this is going to suck. Who thought it would superior in every way? even more exciting the director is going to make a new Dune movie. Maybe he can do what Lynch and Alejandro couldn’t.
Split- Every Shyamalan movie has a twist. This movies twist… it’s actually good. And there are some actual twists too, kind of. Good fun movie. Nothing deep, and that’s why it was good. He tried to get too deep before and took himself too seriously I think. Now he’s having fun and so is the audience. McCavoy obviously had fun making this, and what actor wouldn’t.
Florida Project- Nobody delivers slice of life naturalism like Sean Baker. At least that I know of. He says he’s more an editor than a director and I believe him. He knows how to gather so many real moments and move it along quick enough to where you’re not yearning for a 3 act story and enjoying your experience being with these people. In a way. You’ll actually get depressed probably because its’ so accurate to poverty. This reminded me badly of living in shitty apartments in San Diego, though these people were way worse off but I know these people and have met these people. You know it’s so accurate there’s no way he hired actors, a lot of these people were the real deal. I just want to know what research he died. He mostly just hung out at Waffle House and shitty motels and took notes.
A Serious Man- I’ve seen this before but you never just watch a Coen Brothers movie once. Well, maybe some. It was good, but I remember feeling like I wanted more watching it the first time, and felt the same this time. Coen brothers wanted just to make a movie about getting high at Barmitsva thing and then ended up making this black comedy, only two people this talented could end up doing something like that. Got some really funny moments in it and really hits home its theme.
Lady Bird- Graduating from Mumblecore acting to making better movies than the ones she was in. She’s married to Noah Baumbach who directed her in Frances Ha and has a very similar style to that. Real slice of life stuff cut quick to another scene. And it works. Only the coach teaching drama scene felt false, like a lost SNL sketch that got injected into the movie. But was a good movie, a little overhyped with today’s political shit, but a well-made fun movie.
Carol- Hot lesbian action. Oh yeah, Cate Blanchett making out with Rooney Mara. Seriously though folks, well-made movie that does a great job expressing contained love with all kinds of boundaries. Kyle Chandler did such a great job playing a jealous husband. I’ve known many of my time as a personal trainer to desperate housewives. Also, I loved how goofy Roony’s boyfriends were. Not a must-see, but was good.
Trainspotting 2- Another sequel made decades later and I think is even better than the original. The first one was trendsetting but this one is way more fun. No dead babies or main characters. The first one is bringing you into the world of heroin. The second one is all about the characters and growing old. Despite the fact, it’s such dark subject matter Danny Boyle always keeps it moving and makes you always have fun. He’s against elitism and pomposity, always focusing on vivacity and it shows. The club scene and Choose Life speech are worth the price of admission alone. The intro and Ending are fucking great. God damn, I’ve found my self YouTubing the scenes of this movie over and over. Not just because of the bad asssoundtrackk. Might be my favorite movie of 2017.
Documentaries
WW2 in Color- The colorization gives more humanization as it makes it look way more contemporary. Black and White give it that Wizard of OZ Kansas dreamlike, of another world, look. I don’t need my war footage looking like it’s going for an artsy Raging Bull look. I learned so much about the war I never knew before. Although history is written by the winners, I’m sure Russia, Germany, and Japan have their own version. THERE’S WRONG ON BOTH SIDES PEOPLE!!!! Anyway, people were so hesitant to get into a war after WW1. Definitely learning why as I’m now watching WW1 in color. Good God. But Germany had nothing to lose, but then got cocky after small victories. Allies joined in too late. Hitler sucked as a commander, bit off more than he could chew, same as Japan, if they both teamed up and never let Italy join in, they may have had a chance. A must watch.
Comedian- I’ve seen it twice and now a third time, and each time learning new things. Once before I ever did comedy, once right as I started comedy, and now after I’ve been doing it for almost 8 years. I remember feeling like Orny a bit 2 years in, so competitive, though not near as insane as him, but very focused. The thing they never show on how hard showbusiness is the bottom where I’m at. Endless open mics and hoping to do a free show that has an audience. Either way, it’s always a fun show to watch, especially now that I recognize more of the industry in the documentary. I just now learned Jerry put him on the doc. because he was the only one not afraid to tell Jerry his new material sucked. One comic is bent on proving himself while staying in ananimity, and one is so famous he can never get a true sense of how he’s doing.
Anyone else watch these and have some opinions. Any recommendations as well. Thanks and goodbye.