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https://zzlpolitics.com/threads/movies-thread.80/post-236186
Short version — it’s a lot of fun if you know the French New Wave era and the players. Probably still enjoyable if you don’t.
Movies Thread
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https://zzlpolitics.com/threads/movies-thread.80/post-236186
Short version — it’s a lot of fun if you know the French New Wave era and the players. Probably still enjoyable if you don’t.
#2 of 10: "Bugonia". Grade: B
Wow, what a trip! What starts as a skewed crime drama turns into a skewed social commentary/"Black Mirror" (minus the technology) episode. Like "The Substance" from last year, this movie asks more questions than it answers. Some of the questions are profound. Some are not. Is this a social satire about "doing your own research"? Is it a commentary about the elite helping themselves while the rest of us suffer? Is it a mash-up of both related, yet unrelated, concepts?
While Emma Stone is the nominee here for Best Actress, the star turn belongs to Jesse Plemons. Honestly, is there a better actor out there at playing a mentally tortured human being? In a sane round world, the Oscar should go to ... (the un-nominated) Mr. Plemons.
While the script was interesting, there were a couple of hiccups. What was up with the two flashback/flash forward scenes with the young Teddy? And what of Don and Officer/babysitter Casey? Integral exposition to explain Teddy's insanity or diversions from his genius? Please go figure.
I liked the movie, and I'm sure it will stay with me for a while. But, I didn't love it. Its best shot at an Oscar is the Adapted Screenplay. I think it's likely to go home with just its four nominations.
Wow, what a trip! What starts as a skewed crime drama turns into a skewed social commentary/"Black Mirror" (minus the technology) episode. Like "The Substance" from last year, this movie asks more questions than it answers. Some of the questions are profound. Some are not. Is this a social satire about "doing your own research"? Is it a commentary about the elite helping themselves while the rest of us suffer? Is it a mash-up of both related, yet unrelated, concepts?
While Emma Stone is the nominee here for Best Actress, the star turn belongs to Jesse Plemons. Honestly, is there a better actor out there at playing a mentally tortured human being? In a sane round world, the Oscar should go to ... (the un-nominated) Mr. Plemons.
While the script was interesting, there were a couple of hiccups. What was up with the two flashback/flash forward scenes with the young Teddy? And what of Don and Officer/babysitter Casey? Integral exposition to explain Teddy's insanity or diversions from his genius? Please go figure.
I liked the movie, and I'm sure it will stay with me for a while. But, I didn't love it. Its best shot at an Oscar is the Adapted Screenplay. I think it's likely to go home with just its four nominations.
uncgriff
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Watched fellowship of the ring in the theater re release. Planned on watching all 3 but my schedule didn't work out so watched the other 2 on DVD at home. Still amazing after all these years.
But the Odyssey has me more excited than any movie since master and commander and the aforementioned LOTR movies. Intentionally reread Homer this week.
But the Odyssey has me more excited than any movie since master and commander and the aforementioned LOTR movies. Intentionally reread Homer this week.
Watched Secret Agent last night. Liked not loved. Wagner Moura was good but not sure it was worthy of an Oscar nomination.
Pacing was off and it was too long at 2:40. Just didn’t feel tight enough or coherent enough. Part of that might’ve been me not knowing the backstory of that political era in Brazil.
But worth watching with all the buzz it’s been getting, and good performances. Some good villains too.
B
Pacing was off and it was too long at 2:40. Just didn’t feel tight enough or coherent enough. Part of that might’ve been me not knowing the backstory of that political era in Brazil.
But worth watching with all the buzz it’s been getting, and good performances. Some good villains too.
B
One of my favorites of the year. Hawke was excellent. For such a small and contained film, there are a lot of layers here. And I mostly missed an entire layer with all the musical theater and song references weaved in, but caught some of them. Pro tip: subtitles help here because they put those titles and lines in quotes where applicable; a lot I’d have missed otherwise.
But the wordplay, the acting, the old world New York setting at Sardi’s, all pitch perfect. The writing was too clever for anomaly I recall, and I can see that… but it folded perfectly into the time and place, giving it a bit of a stagey vibe, by design. Plus by the accounts I’ve heard and read, Hart really was that quick and clever with words.
A big bonus for me was EB White making a surprise appearance, and especially the storyline working in his essays, which are some of my favorite writings by anybody, anywhere.
Great movie. Loved it. Don’t let the musicals aspect deter you — there are no song and dance scenes or anything hokey like that. It’s more a story about the passage of time, loneliness, friendship, love, artistic integrity, ambition, beauty. A movie for writers, readers, lovers of language. Fantastic.
But definitely not for everyone, I imagine many would find it slow and uneventful. I found it incredibly rich, and at 1:40 I couldn’t believe Linklater had accomplished so much in that little time. Much tighter than a lot of movies this year that needed to shave 20-30 mins.
A
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Love Ethan Hawke so will have to check it out. Thanks for the review.
One of my favorites of the year. Hawke was excellent. For such a small and contained film, there are a lot of layers here. And I mostly missed an entire layer with all the musical theater and song references weaved in, but caught some of them. Pro tip: subtitles help here because they put those titles and lines in quotes where applicable; a lot I’d have missed otherwise.
But the wordplay, the acting, the old world New York setting at Sardi’s, all pitch perfect. The writing was too clever for anomaly I recall, and I can see that… but it folded perfectly into the time and place, giving it a bit of a stagey vibe, by design. Plus by the accounts I’ve heard and read, Hart really was that quick and clever with words.
A big bonus for me was EB White making a surprise appearance, and especially the storyline working in his essays, which are some of my favorite writings by anybody, anywhere.
Great movie. Loved it. Don’t let the musicals aspect deter you — there are no song and dance scenes or anything hokey like that. It’s more a story about the passage of time, loneliness, friendship, love, artistic integrity, ambition, beauty. A movie for writers, readers, lovers of language. Fantastic.
But definitely not for everyone, I imagine many would find it slow and uneventful.
A
I got to know Bobby Cannavale through a charity event and he's the nicest guy. Real good dude.
Cannavale does seem like a good dude by all accounts.
Same for Ethan Hawke. He’s grown on me quite a bit over the years as an actor and as a person/dad. You hear stories around NYC since he’s always out and about, all positive. I’ve never come across him other than once or twice seeing him run by when I was watching the marathon.
The way he’s in rhythm with Linklater on those two-hander projects and scenes driven almost totally by dialogue, it’s incredible. Linklater isn’t taken as seriously as the top directors, but his breadth of talent has grown immensely and he’s become a force. To have two such different and accomplished movies as Nouvelle Vague and Blue Moon come out in the same year, impressive.
#3 of 10: "Sentimental Value". Grade: C
I once had a friend who loved to discuss movies. He described a boring three-hour film as being akin to brushing one's teeth for three hours. With "Sentimental Value," I was spared 47 minutes of the dental tendium.
How this movie received 9 nominations is more of a mystery than many of the family secrets hidden by the screenplay. The acting was okay, but Best Actress, Best Actor, and TWO Supporting Actress noms?!?!? You've got to be kidding. I mean, Elle Fanning must have had maybe 10 minutes of screentime. I'll confess that I'm an easy mark for a tear-jerker but this movie left me completely dry-eyed.
While I'm in confession mode here, I'll admit that I'm generally not a fan of subtitled movies. I'm a notoriously slow reader. I always worry that I'm missing important facial cues when I'm reading the subtitles, and I always feel like I'm missing important dialogue when I'm looking at the rest of the frame. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. But I'll be damned if I could make out much of what was going on in this disjointed story. Honestly, a linear script would have served this film better. But what do I know? I'm not the one who got nominated for an Original Screenplay, Best Direction, and Best Editing.
Perhaps the favorite revelation I got from "Sentimental Value" was that the film was just that ... FILM ... the beautiful 35mm variety. Kudos for that! But as for the MOVIE "Sentimental Value," I've seen many, many movies that are better - even some with subtitles. Don't believe me? Just check out "Parasite" and last year's "I'm Still Here".
I once had a friend who loved to discuss movies. He described a boring three-hour film as being akin to brushing one's teeth for three hours. With "Sentimental Value," I was spared 47 minutes of the dental tendium.
How this movie received 9 nominations is more of a mystery than many of the family secrets hidden by the screenplay. The acting was okay, but Best Actress, Best Actor, and TWO Supporting Actress noms?!?!? You've got to be kidding. I mean, Elle Fanning must have had maybe 10 minutes of screentime. I'll confess that I'm an easy mark for a tear-jerker but this movie left me completely dry-eyed.
While I'm in confession mode here, I'll admit that I'm generally not a fan of subtitled movies. I'm a notoriously slow reader. I always worry that I'm missing important facial cues when I'm reading the subtitles, and I always feel like I'm missing important dialogue when I'm looking at the rest of the frame. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. But I'll be damned if I could make out much of what was going on in this disjointed story. Honestly, a linear script would have served this film better. But what do I know? I'm not the one who got nominated for an Original Screenplay, Best Direction, and Best Editing.
Perhaps the favorite revelation I got from "Sentimental Value" was that the film was just that ... FILM ... the beautiful 35mm variety. Kudos for that! But as for the MOVIE "Sentimental Value," I've seen many, many movies that are better - even some with subtitles. Don't believe me? Just check out "Parasite" and last year's "I'm Still Here".
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Finally got around to watching a movie and went with One Battle After Another. Thought is was alright but don't see what all the hype surrounding it was about.
I'm sure the movie has been discussed plenty here so there's probably nothing I can add. Just wanted to ask how did Teyana Taylor win Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture?
Spoiler alertish: I thought the movie got much better when her character disappeared.
I'm sure the movie has been discussed plenty here so there's probably nothing I can add. Just wanted to ask how did Teyana Taylor win Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture?
Spoiler alertish: I thought the movie got much better when her character disappeared.
She won a golden globe, not an Oscar yet. I thought she was fairly strong but it was a much easier role and not on par with the rest of the cast, who were all incredible.
Can’t help you if don’t get the hype. It had everything and is one of my favorites in a long time, and up with Sentimental Value for this year.
#3 of 10: "Sentimental Value". Grade: C
I once had a friend who loved to discuss movies. He described a boring three-hour film as being akin to brushing one's teeth for three hours. With "Sentimental Value," I was spared 47 minutes of the dental tendium.
How this movie received 9 nominations is more of a mystery than many of the family secrets hidden by the screenplay. The acting was okay, but Best Actress, Best Actor, and TWO Supporting Actress noms?!?!? You've got to be kidding. I mean, Elle Fanning must have had maybe 10 minutes of screentime. I'll confess that I'm an easy mark for a tear-jerker but this movie left me completely dry-eyed.
While I'm in confession mode here, I'll admit that I'm generally not a fan of subtitled movies. I'm a notoriously slow reader. I always worry that I'm missing important facial cues when I'm reading the subtitles, and I always feel like I'm missing important dialogue when I'm looking at the rest of the frame. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. But I'll be damned if I could make out much of what was going on in this disjointed story. Honestly, a linear script would have served this film better. But what do I know? I'm not the one who got nominated for an Original Screenplay, Best Direction, and Best Editing.
Perhaps the favorite revelation I got from "Sentimental Value" was that the film was just that ... FILM ... the beautiful 35mm variety. Kudos for that! But as for the MOVIE "Sentimental Value," I've seen many, many movies that are better - even some with subtitles. Don't believe me? Just check out "Parasite" and last year's "I'm Still Here".
The acting here was as good as any movie I’ve ever seen. The two sisters completely knocked it out of the park, and the younger sister (who’s going to get robbed of an Oscar) is the most memorable performance I’ve seen in years. Skarsgard and Fanning gave solid A performances.
There’s a difference between a tear-jerker with cheap unearned emotional manipulation, vs something like this which was ripped right out of real life, emotionally jagged and raw where the high stakes for a family were looming right over every scene. Could not have been more impressed by it.
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I could have written this same statement.
I like the subtitles as I often struggle to hear low voices and sounds, but I also find my self missing important visual things while reading.
We agree that the younger sister gave the best performance in this movie.
Outstanding documentary.Watched this last night.
Senseless tragedy at the hands of a racist, lying witch.
For all the docu-slop netflix pumps out, this one was high quality.
fourheels
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Agreed. Pretty interesting that they used police and court room footage exclusively. It sounds like there might be even more damaging video of the woman both from the neighbors as well as during her trial. Just seemed like an awful person who had nothing better to do than to harass those kids
Looked out the front door a little over two hours ago and we had light flurries here in Burlington. Decided to wait up awhile to see what would happen. Put the TV on TCM. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance had just come on. Watched it all the way through. There are probably not 12 movies in the history of cinema better.
Not snowing here right now.
Not snowing here right now.
#4 of 10: "Train Dreams". Grade: A-
As a theater owner, I'm not a fan of Netflix. I've always worried that the biggest threat to theatrical exhibition was the studios' insatiable desire to "sell their product" directly to the "end user". The middleman (the movie theater) must be destroyed. The studios have mounted their attacks for decades. VHS sales and rental, DVD & Blu-ray, Blockbuster, Netflix, Redbox, and early streaming ... all efforts failed ... until COVID. With theaters closed and people at home, streaming became, for the first time, not only viable but preferred. Primarily streaming titles began to be nominated for Oscars after perfunctory theatrical releases. One finally won the Best Picture prize when Apple TV's "CODA", a lightweight, 1980s-vibed, feel-good movie, won the big prize at 2022's ceremony. Even though the movie wasn't good for the bottom line, I really liked it. We even got a digital drive and showed it.
So, here we go again, with not one but TWO Best Picture nominees from Netflix: "Frankenstein" and "Train Dreams". As if that wasn't bad enough, the streaming giant now wants to gobble up last year's most successful studio, Warner Bros. The loss of 20th Century Fox to Disney a few years ago was horrible; the loss of Warners might be catastrophic.
So, with that background, I really wanted to hate "Train Dreams". I didn't. Like Mikey with Life cereal, I liked it. I really liked it. The slow and quiet story about how quickly life passes explored themes of loneliness and longing, moments of terror and bliss, and the randomness and finality of violence by man and nature. Sure, the movie had its slow moments, but that pacing allowed the viewer to drink in the beauty and ugliness that life has to offer, particularly if one opens his or her eyes.
The best shot this movie has of winning an Oscar is for Cinematography. The vistas of tall trees against western skies are awe-inspiring. While it likely won't win the Best Picture prize, "Train Dreams" may encourage viewers to appreciate the special moments in life and to consider the words of the old-timer, "My family is everywhere there's a smiling face."
As a theater owner, I'm not a fan of Netflix. I've always worried that the biggest threat to theatrical exhibition was the studios' insatiable desire to "sell their product" directly to the "end user". The middleman (the movie theater) must be destroyed. The studios have mounted their attacks for decades. VHS sales and rental, DVD & Blu-ray, Blockbuster, Netflix, Redbox, and early streaming ... all efforts failed ... until COVID. With theaters closed and people at home, streaming became, for the first time, not only viable but preferred. Primarily streaming titles began to be nominated for Oscars after perfunctory theatrical releases. One finally won the Best Picture prize when Apple TV's "CODA", a lightweight, 1980s-vibed, feel-good movie, won the big prize at 2022's ceremony. Even though the movie wasn't good for the bottom line, I really liked it. We even got a digital drive and showed it.
So, here we go again, with not one but TWO Best Picture nominees from Netflix: "Frankenstein" and "Train Dreams". As if that wasn't bad enough, the streaming giant now wants to gobble up last year's most successful studio, Warner Bros. The loss of 20th Century Fox to Disney a few years ago was horrible; the loss of Warners might be catastrophic.
So, with that background, I really wanted to hate "Train Dreams". I didn't. Like Mikey with Life cereal, I liked it. I really liked it. The slow and quiet story about how quickly life passes explored themes of loneliness and longing, moments of terror and bliss, and the randomness and finality of violence by man and nature. Sure, the movie had its slow moments, but that pacing allowed the viewer to drink in the beauty and ugliness that life has to offer, particularly if one opens his or her eyes.
The best shot this movie has of winning an Oscar is for Cinematography. The vistas of tall trees against western skies are awe-inspiring. While it likely won't win the Best Picture prize, "Train Dreams" may encourage viewers to appreciate the special moments in life and to consider the words of the old-timer, "My family is everywhere there's a smiling face."