Interestingly, the final movie I saw in my 2019 Oscar race was my favorite. I loved this movie. It provided everything that I want in an excellent film. The movie tells a compelling story. The characters are well developed. I liked the characters and cheered for them, even with all of their messy parts. The…
Until about 2pm on this day I’m finally writing my thoughts about The Favourite, this film was my favorite of the season. This means it’s still a beloved film. It’s still a movie that has settled down deep inside of me as a great piece of art. And it’s still a film that puzzles and…
Roma is a beautifully poignant movie. From the opening scene of the sky’s reflection on the water below to the closing scene of the open sky itself, the movie fills everything in between. Admittedly, I had to look up 1970s Mexico to have a better understanding of the premise of what was happening in history…
The best thing about seeing movies this time of year is the prevalence of high caliber films. Three Billboards is one such film. It isn’t flawless. But it is a fine film falling easily at the top of the list for the year. If you’ve seen the preview, you aren’t surprised when I say revenge…
In case you haven’t heard, the new film Lady Bird has nothing to do with LBJ. Or Texas. Or female birds. It has everything to do with family and growing up and relationships and love and meanness and gentleness, and, well, I think you’re getting the idea. And I bet you’re not surprised to learn…
The Florida Project is not a movie for everyone. Case in point: I utterly adored this movie, my movie companion, not so much. My companion wanted a movie with a more traditional story arc with a defined beginning and end. He complained as the movie progressed, he did not see “the point.” But to find…
When I saw the trailer for 10 Cloverfield Lane, I’m sure I rolled my eyes. After asking if it was a remake/follow-up and hearing yes, I even commented to my friend with me that day, “Oh, no, well, then I cannot possibly see this because I would be completely lost.” Yes, a sarcastic tone accompanied my…
Chaos. From the opening scenes as masses of people in the dark night are hurried into a building and a room to disrobe, a man with a hat, averting his eyes from anyone in charge, a large red X painted across his back, helps to lead those masses into the building, helps them leave their…
Nothing like waiting until the last minute to see some Oscar contenders, but that I did, finally earlier this evening watching the live action short films nominated for a 2016 Oscar. The five films were mostly heavy, hard subjects with one endearingly lovely tale wedged in the middle. As usual, they were all very good.…
About five years ago, my dear friend and frequent movie companion put his total trust in me, and we went to see the animated (almost silent save for a few lines in Gaelic) French-Scottish film, The Illusionist (L’Illusionniste, 2010). I’ve never lived it down. Today, he indicated that we’d hit a new low. 😉 Okay, so not…
45 Years is one of those quiet, introspective dramas that demonstrates how risky it can be to pull at the scabs of old wounds of a marriage before they are healed, or, perhaps, ever. Whether an actual, physical wound or the emotional achilles heel of a relationship, you don’t always know what’s underneath. And for Kate,…
Go. See. This. Movie. Okay, sure, it highlights and explains a fair part* of the greed and corruption that led to our economic crisis in 2007/2008. And yes, I wish more people would understand the risk of un(or under)regulated Wall Street. But it’s also a really great film! The Big Short patiently (and partially) explains (quite…
The Revenant was among the top five (or so) most-anticipated films for me this year. The previews promised drama, suspense, and amazing landscape as a backdrop. The film, an epic early 1800s piece focusing on survival and revenge, did not disappoint. After seeing the film, I remarked to a friend that it was good, but…
Don’t worry, I will include no spoilers. I promise. I will say that I very much enjoyed this movie. And I will admit that I had not seen a Star Wars movie since, I’m sure, the early 80s. I was the sort of person who probably watched each one once or twice when it came…
Excellent movie. Excellent. I should back up. I cannot unread the book. And the book was phenomenal. But that, to me, makes the movie even better: it was beautifully true to the book. To its voice. To its story. To its feel. The book is written from the perspective of young Jack. Five years old.…