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Reviews
White Noise (2022)
Don't fault the film
The film itself is near perfect. Adam Driver and Greata Gerwig were great. Baumbach is at the top of his directing game. Great performances even from the bit characters, great set production, cinematography, music, pacing....everything is just about perfect. The problem is, is the source material. It is an extremally difficult novel to adapt from. The book, while not long, was a heavy, frantic read that would be hard to translate into a screenplay. In my opinion, Noah did a great job. In face, one of the best novel to film adaptions I've seen so far.
So if you haven't read the novel, you might be disappointed. If you don't like absurdist comedies, you might be disappointed. If you don't like dry humor, you might be disappointed. So already you can see that the film won't appeal to many, BUT If you have checked all three boxes, than you'll probably enjoy the film.
Aftersun (2022)
Subtle masterpiece
This film just checks all the boxes. First when reading the synopsis, I wasn't really intrigued and it's not the most interesting film of the year. But the way it's told, the cinematography, the performances, the sound track...it just all comes together brilliantly in the most subtle possible way. Not everything is handed to the audience and that's okay, because like the protagonist, not everything is explained to her. There's no real plot or hidden messages, at least I don't think, just get lost in the relationship with the father and daughter and think about your own memories with your parents. Never have I seen a film say so much without saying much at all.
Triangle of Sadness (2022)
We're all in the same boat
This might actually be the dark horse in 'best picture of the year' for me. It definitely won't win the Oscar or many viewers hearts but it just had it all for me. Great acting, beautiful cinematography and a biting satire of a script. Heavy with metaphors but at the same time, near Johnny Knoxville level of gross-out humor. It was high-brow low-brow. If you're a fan of 'Parasite', 'Avenue 5' or 'Don't Look Up', I think you'll enjoy it. I would have liked for Woody Harrelson to be in a bit longer but that's my only complaint. Just make sure to not view on an empty stomach and bring some pretzel sticks.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)
This is not a mocumentary...
Don't know why so many reviewers are saying it's a mockumentary. It's biopic parody. Think more 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' and less 'Spinal Tap'. Having got that off my chest, I enjoyed it. Liked it better than Walk Hard. It hits the ground running but gives the jokes some room to breathe. There's more oddball references than you can shake a stick at, will definitely require an additional viewing. Never been big fans of most of the cast, so the fact that I enjoyed it shows there was good chemistry among the actors. The pacing is quick, no scenes left me reaching for my phone. If Weird Al endorses it, how bad can it be? But once again, it's not a mockumentary.
Im Westen nichts Neues (2022)
Should have seen it in the theatre
There are some films that just need to be seen on the big screen and this was one. The cinematography, the make up, the acting....just everything about this was what you go to theatres for. It was the first movie that felt like 'a movie' in a long time. For all those that say 'they don't make films like they used to', go see it. It's what I wish '1917' was but that ended up feeling more like an action film or a video game sequence. 'All Quiet On The Western Front' is right up there with 'Saving Private Ryan', just everything about it is near perfection. You could tell there was incredible attention to detail and they didn't cut any corners. I wouldn't be surprised if once again, a foreign film takes the best picture award home.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Walked out
Well okay, I didn't walk out because I was sitting at home...but if it was the theatre, I would have. I just couldn't justify sitting through 45 more minutes of everything being a joke, thin plot, horrible CGI and mediocre action scenes by Marvel standards. So I turned it off. I think the biggest problem with MCU right now is there's no larger plot surfacing like we had with The Avengers/Thanos/Infinity Stones etc., at least not one that I'm seeing. The biggest problem with Love and Thunder, a joke every line. It's like what my English lit teacher used to say about swearing, 'If you swear all the time, then it loses it's impact. If you only swear once in a while, it really meant something.' This movie meant nothing to me.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Wanted 'Internal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind'...
...but got 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' instead. Don't get me wrong, it's a good film and most likely you'll enjoy it. But I guess it left me wanting more. It's funny and very clever but the storyline was lacking and there was only so many scenes with hot dogs for fingers that I could take before it felt very repetitive. It was in need of some heavy self editing and they could have knocked 30 minutes off the run time and not really have lost anything story wise. Is it the best film of the year, maybe. Is it my favorite film of the year, I hope not.
Licorice Pizza (2021)
For those looking for more...
What were you looking for when you were 15 years old? That exciting first girlfriend (or boyfriend) experience for most of us. What were you looking for when you were 25 years old? Probably a little more meaning and direction in life. It's these little nuances that both go unnoticed and make PTA such a great director. So I suggest going back to your 15 or 25 year old self and watch the film through Gary or Alana's eyes, and then the film makes more sense. (You can even do this with all the side characters and their behaviors.)
At the same time, at it's core, it's a light and breezy summer movie...don't take it too seriously.
(Also, take a look at Philip Seymour Hoffman's character in Punch Drunk Love and it all comes together.)
Red Rocket (2021)
Big Fish in a Small Pond
Anyone who's grown up in a small town probably knows people like Simon Rex's character, someone who just doesn't learn from their mistakes. Who only knows how to talk a big talk, mooch off everyone and can't stay away from drama. I gave it a ten because I absolutely loved 'Florida Project', and I thought that would be Sean Baker's pinnacle but he surprised me once again. He's my new favorite director. This film won't be for everyone but if you like character study flicks, give it a watch.
C'mon C'mon (2021)
blah blah, blah blah
I have to admit my review is somewhat skewed as I had just watched 'Saint Francis' a week before, because they are almost the same movie, beat for beat....but SF did it better. Nobody in C'mon C'mon came off as believable and the script was somewhat watered down and preachy (even though I agree with everything that was being said.) Maybe if I saw C'mon C'mon a year earlier, I would have loved it but Saint Francis was just a better film and should get more attention, it was a better journey.
Small Town News KPVM . Pahrump (2021)
Real life 'The Office'
I think everyone is still too polarized from 2020 to truly enjoy this, but we did. Loveable oddball characters, funny as hell and a good story of a small time news station trying to make it in the world. I think it sends an important message that no matter our differences, we still have to work together (at least at the office) and we're not that different.
Rutherford Falls (2021)
Great show!
Already binged three episodes and loving it so far.
Is it a diverse cast covering current topics, yes.
Is it funny, yes!
And for those saying it doesn't portray small town life with it's casting, maybe you didn't look hard enough when you were living in that small town. Look again and you'll find plenty of indigenous people, POC and LGBTQ. Maybe this show is specifically meant for you.
Death to 2020 (2020)
Hopefully....
There's still two days left but hopefully this is the death to 2020.
If you're a leftist, this is hilarious.
If you're a centrist, this is hilarious.
If you're a rare unicorn that is a 'right-winger with a sense of humor', this is hilarious.
Put down your political caps for 70 minutes and enjoy this satire that pokes fun at everyone. There have been few laughs this year, so we deserve it. I might have to watch it again, there were so many subtle jokes I probably missed the first time.
I'm Your Woman (2020)
less is more
Maybe it's just because it's been a crazy, crazy year but I really enjoyed this slow burn.
Yes, it has a baby crying for the first half...but it's part of the character development.
Yes, it's slow...but if you grew up on 70's films, they were often slow, with little dialogue.
The set design is amazing, the acting is great, the cinematography beautiful, the music score and sound track was near perfect. Yes, the story was thin and chaotic...AND that's the point. Several of the characters even state that no one knows anything, so it's obviously intentional. If you want big explosions, non-stop violence, over the top dialogue, don't worry, the vaccine is starting to roll out and those types of movies will be back before you know it. If you're looking for something different to get lost in, give I'm Your Woman a chance.