Mr. Holmes

Mr. Holmes (Bill Condon, 2015)

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Rating: Q=4, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=1, Scale 4=2

Drama, Mystery, Aging

A strange and interesting twist on the Sherlock Holmes canon, but very slow-paced and not riveting enough for my tastes. I liked how dementia and memory played into the mystery but using multiple flashback technique leads to a struggle keeping the suspense and thrill. All the different stories/plots didn't quite fit together and I found myself drifting more than once. Wonderful performance by Ian McKellan, though.

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Gareth Edwards, 2016)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action

I was pleasantly surprised by the latest Star Wars installment--it was well thought-out and perfectly ties into Episode IV: A New Hope. Of course, my favorite character was a robot and my favorite parts were those that showed the sweeping landscapes. It's fun, true escape, and won't let down the fans. I didn't have any expectations and left the theater quite pleased. I have to say, though, that the relationships between the characters--especially Jyn and Cassian--were fairly flat. But that's OK since the emphasis in these stories (at least in my opinion) is on larger, bigger meanings: cause, loyalty, courage, justice, etc.

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Only Yesterday

Only Yesterday (Isao Takahata, 1991)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Animation, Coming of Age, Romance, Complex Relationships, Nostalgia

A beautiful film from Takahata and Studio Ghibli. So many glorious, beautiful moments of art and story. So many sunrises and sunsets! The film's pace feels like we're wandering through the thoughts of adult Taeko. As she remembers her childhood, it informs her current self and situations. And, of course, it's the little things that stand out and bring the strongest emotions. She is a creative, free-spirited child and young woman who was forever being discouraged to pursue your dreams. A very melancholic story, emotional and honest.

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Arrival

Arrival (Denis Villeneuve, 2016)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Sci-Fi, Aliens, Human Condition, Complex Relationships, Philosophy

Oh my. This film. I never knew I was waiting so long to watch a story that shows how language can unify; how language is the essence of a culture and how it is not subject to the laws of nature and "reality." Arrival is way more than a sci-fi movie--it's about the importance of selflessness/sharing, patience, and trust. It's about overcoming fear to embrace love.

I can't quite explain how I felt when I saw this one--just go see it.

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Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (David Yates, 2016)

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Rating: Q=8, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Fantasy, Magic, Adventure

J.K. Rowling's universe is so enchanting, delightful, surprising, and fun. I knew I was going to enjoy Fantastic Beasts...how could I not? So imaginative, such an escape. Eddie Redmayne gives another incredible performance that makes me want to meet Newt Scamander. And that cute niffler creature...I want one!

Upon reflection, though, I'm deeply impressed by how Rowling writes about fear. Yes, her fairy tale stories are steeped in discussions of good versus evil and the all the greyness in between. But fear is a regular theme in her stories. It is always stemmed from uncertainty and a lack of understanding. Knowledge/education is always the answer and that makes me smile.

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Anatomy of a Murder

Anatomy of a Murder (Otto Preminger, 1959)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Crime, Mystery, Courtroom

Duke Ellington cameo and soundtrack. Jimmy Stewart as a fisherman/jazz pianist/attorney. George C. Scott as a slick city attorney. Glorious script, for example:

"One judge is quite like another. The only differences may be in the state of their digestions or their proclivities for sleeping on the bench. For myself, I can digest pig iron. And while I might appear to doze occasionally, you will find that I am easily awakened, particularly if shaken gently by a good lawyer with a nice point of law."

I loved so much of this movie. But it's also hard to watch because it is about a rape. The way that women were and still are questioned/prosecuted by lawyers and attorneys is frequently unexceptable and unbearable. Sometimes even disgusting.

After watching this film I remembered how much I love Preminger's writing. And the way he always makes the films feel like an escape. Despite this one being nearly 3 hours, I don't think I was tired or bored or distracted for a second. 

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April and The Extraordinary World

April and The Extraordinary World (Christian Desmares & Franck Ekinci, 2015)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Animation, Adventure, Coming of Age

This was completely unexpected. What a truly bizarre story...but entertaining! I like when storytellers rewrite history to show a world of what might have been. A prolonged industrial age of steam is fun/interesting to imagine. At times I felt lost in all the twists and turns of the narrative, but the artistry kept me grounded. The animation was wonderful, especially the backgrounds, lighting, color.

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Dr. Strange

Dr. Strange (Scott Derrickson, 2016)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Comic Book, Action, Adventure, Mysticism, Fantasy

WOW. So, I'm not the person running to the theater to see each new Marvel movie, but this was a really good escape. Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tilda Swinton?? And the special effects...I haven't been that impressed for a long while. Be sure to see it in 3D, if you can.

I think I was most impressed, though, because the film isn't just a bunch of effects and in-your-face action, like a lot of other comic book movies. The visual appeal is definitely a major part, but there is also a story worth listening to. I like Dr. Strange. I like watching him struggle, grapple with reality/unreality, etc. And I'm really into the mystic arts and magic and psychedelic stuff. This one is fun.

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Johnny Guitar

Johnny Guitar (Nicholas Ray, 1954)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Western, Romance

This film is strange and twisted with unexpected moments thrown in all over the familiar landscape. It's a film about jealousy and repression--yes, a man comes into town to protect and rescue but the rest of the men in the story are boring, useless, passive. Two women are the leaders of this story and their relationship is the focus of all the action. There is so much that is not explained and so much that the characters are holding back. It is a Western, not a thriller, but it sure made me tense.

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Purple Noon

Purple Noon (Rene Clement, 1960)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Based on Book

I love Patricia Highsmith stories. There have been a few adaptations of The Talented Mr. Ripley but I had always been told that Purple Noon was the best. I was not disappointed. Alain Delon is a perfect Tom, beautiful and nonchalant on the surface but evil and disturbed inside. We don't get in his head like we do in the novel, but the artistry and slow, deliberate pacing helps us spend more time watching him and, eerily, relating to him. It's a gorgeous film--like an eternally sunny watercolor painting--but such a creepy story.

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The Paradise

The Paradise: Series 1 and 2 (Bill Gallagher, 2012-2013)

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Series 1 and 2 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=8 / Obsession

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

Drama, Late 19th Century, Romance, Intrigue

What color and sparkle! This show was absolutely refreshing. It captivated me from the very first scene. I love "costume" films and shows for their attention to detail and that marvelous way they bring you back in time and make you feel as though you truly are watching the past. This show, despite its many painstaking and suspenseful moments, is remarkably uplifting and positive. There are strong female characters and at least one man who learns from them.

Both series 1 and 2 have so much going for them, it was hard for me to be disappointed by anything--other than I kept wanting to watch more. I love to see anything built from scratch, blossom and bloom, and then be rebuilt again. And it doesn't hurt to have Emun Elliott playing the man everyone wants to please...This is a really enjoyable show.

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Embrace Of The Serpent

Embrace of the Serpent (Ciro Guerra, 2015)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Amazon, Exploration, Philosophy, Environmental

"To become warriors, the cohiuanos must abandon all and go alone to the jungle, guided only by their dreams. In this journey, he has to find out, in solitude and silence, who he really is. He must become a wanderer dream. Many are lost, and some never return. But those who return they are ready to face what is to come."

This film is quiet and complex, lots to contemplate and navigate both visually and narratively. I found myself drifting in and out of dream just as the characters did. If you enjoy thinking about our place in the universe, you'll likely enjoy this beautiful story.

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The Bandwagon

The Bandwagon (Vincente Minnelli, 1953)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Musical, Romance

Song, dance, color, frivolity! The Bandwagon is a classic musical that showcases two of Hollywood's finest dancers: Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. And they are incomparable. The story isn't special, but that's OK because the point is to watch a variety show. A good escape!

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Miss Fisher's Mysteries Seasons 1-3

Miss Fisher's Mysteries, Seasons 1-3 (2012-)

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Seasion 1 Rating: DSQ=9, SP=8 / Sweet Treat

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

     Favorite episode from season 1 = "Queen of the Flowers"

Seasion 2 Rating: DSQ=9, SP=8 / Sweet Treat

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

     Favorite episode from season 2 = "Murder A La Mode"

Seasion 3 Rating: DSQ=8, SP=7 / Sweet Treat

Scale A=2, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

     Favorite episode from season 3 = "Blood and Money"

Australia, Murder Mystery, 1920s, Romance, Witty, Based on Book Series

I'm a fool for a good mystery series but so many of them in the last decades have been too gory, horrific, or grueling. So, it was refreshing to stumble across Miss Fisher's Mysteries. Phryne Fisher decides to be a detective and then bands together all the people she trusts to help her. It feels like The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and Agatha Christie's Poirot stories blended together. Glorious.

The series is also set in Melbourne in the 1920s, which I find incredibly interesting. I know nothing about Australia in that time period. It's also way too fun to watch Phryne and Detective Jack Robinson's three season flirtation.

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42nd Street

42nd Street (Lloyd Bacon, 1933)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Musical, Romance

I've said before that musicals are not my favorite genre of film, so I have lots of catching up to do. But I enjoy many of the early films--from the 1930s--because they are light-hearted and the placement of the songs make sense. 42nd Street is a fun diversion, a nice escape during the Great Depression. And it's a treat to see some of the famous faces/voices of a bygone era, like Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. While watching, it is hard not to think about how vastly different the world is today.

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I Am

I Am (Tom Shadyac, 2010)

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Rating: DOCQ=8, DOCP=8 / Quite Legible

Scale K=2, Scale L=3, Scale M=3, Scale N=2

Documentary, Philosophical, Political, Spiritual

How I feel about this film can be summed up by one quote that stayed with me long after viewing:

"There's one fundamental law that all of nature obeys that mankind breaks every day. Now, this is a law that's evolved over billions of years, and the law is this: Nothing in nature takes more than it needs."

"An ocean, a rain forest, the human body, are all co-operatives. The redwood tree doesn't take all the soil and nutrients, just what it needs to grow. A lion doesn't kill every gazelle, just one. We have a term for something in the body when it takes more than its share, we call it: cancer."

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In A Lonely Place

In A Lonely Place (Nicholas Ray, 1950)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

"I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me."

This film takes its place in the library of classics because of the script. Each line is meaningful, there is no filler. And the lines are delivered with impeccable timing by two stars: Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame. Even though the story and characters are not new--the volatile writer, the mysterious and beautiful woman, an unsolved murder--the way it is told seems fresh. For the time and even now. It has a feeling of a stage production, as many films of the 1950s do, but it is enhanced by beautiful film artistry, especially lighting and angles.

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Killer of Sheep

Killer of Sheep (Charles Burnett, 1978)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Docudrama, Race, Class, Complex Relationships, Philosophical, Cerebral

"Day in the life" films are hard to get right, but this one is poignant and heartbreaking, beautiful and quiet, difficult and simple. It encompasses everything about being African American in Watts in the late-1970s. It is certainly a film centered on race and class but it is so much more--the scenes make us ask ourselves why we work or why we choose not to, what makes us love and strive, how we react to hard times, etc. Killer of Sheep gives you perspective.

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Safety Last!

Safety Last! (Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor, 1923)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Comedy, Silent, Romance

The classic scene of Harold Lloyd dangling from a clock twelve stories up--I'd seen it countless times. So why did it take me so long to watch the whole film?

I really love silent films and I've never quite figured out why people won't give them much of a chance. I suppose it's because lots of sound seems to rule the big box office films. But comedy can be spot-on with just a well-timed piano soundtrack. Harold Lloyd was a genius of comedy, not far behind Chaplin and Keaton, but he doesn't have that legendary status like the others. Maybe because he always plays characters that seem real, the average guy in a tricky or messy situation. In Safety Last! he's just the new guy in the city trying to impress his girl. Of course, everything he plans goes awry.

If you don't normally watch silent films, take a chance on this one. It's short, truly funny, and has classic moments you'll somehow recognize (Oh, that's where that gag came from!). Then try other greats like Sherlock Jr. and City Lights.

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Boy & The World

Boy & The World (Ale Abreu, 2013)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Coming of Age, Philosophical, Social Change, Environmentalism, Technology

This film is enchanting, at times even mesmerizing. I was absorbed by animation style--simple but vibrant with unexpected techniques at every turn. The story is beautiful, too: we watch a little boy (Cuca) take an adventure in search of his father but soon discover that isn't really what's happening at all. It is always about the journey in Coming of Age stories, never the destination, and this story is the perfect example. I felt like I was taking a ride through a kaleidoscope and across the imagination of a mind taking everything in for the first time.

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Anomalisa

Anomalisa (Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman, 2015)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Complex Relationships, Human Condition, Philosophical, Enigmatic

Charlie Kaufman has brought us so many strange and beautiful stories over the years: Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and now Anomalisa. This film is just as symbolic, layered, and surreal at times. But the stop-motion animation style is new and fits the story absolutely perfectly.

From the very beginning I was drawn in by the way the viewer is allowed to enter the mind of the main character, Michael. Everything we see and hear is from his perspective, which is crucial as the story unfolds. While it seems likely that Michael has a mental disorder--like Fregoli delusion or Prosopagnosia--it isn't important. His character forces us to think about the complexity of relationships, attraction, and expectations...we can all relate to some aspect of his situation. This is definitely a film for anyone interested in psychology.

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The Martian

The Martian (Ridley Scott, 2015)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Sci-Fi, Adventure, Survival, Space Travel, Human Spirit

I really enjoyed this film, for its uplifting and inspirational quality. Yes, it's about astronauts and space exploration but it is really more about survival and endurance. Matt Damon's performance is one of his best ever, bringing you to tears of sorrow and joy almost in the same instance. And he's really funny.

We owe it to ourselves to reflect on human existence-- the impact we make as a species and as individuals. This film makes definitely does this...and still lets you escape.

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I'm Back!

I'm Back! Sorry for the hiatus in posts but this summer was a busy one! A busy work schedule in June and early August PLUS a long vacation abroad for much of July and August means not much movie watching. But I do have plans to watch many classics, animation, new award winners, etc.

Theeb

Theeb (Naji Abu Nowar, 2014)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

WWI, Complex Relationships, Coming of Age, Vengeance

Oh, if only this film had been made when I was writing my thesis! The magnificent artistry combined with the deliberate pace and unnerving story makes for a truly wonderful film. Theeb is anxious to prove himself capable and grown up. And his environment and circumstances force him to make crucial decisions of life and death. Jordan's desolate landscape perfectly reflects the isolation, heartbreak, and dramatic changes he goes through.

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Carol

Carol (Todd Haynes, 2015)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Forbidden Romance, Complex Relationships, Based on Novel, 1950s, LGBT

An absolutely gorgeous and captivating adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel, The Price of Salt. Both Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett perform to stunning perfection. You can feel the tension and repression of their relationship and that whole time period in every frame. This is a story about what is not spoken, about taking a risk, about being true to yourself and disregarding reputation. And unlike so many stories about forbidden love, this one actually has a hopeful end. It is also about women trying to live honestly and with dignity in a world created for men.

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The Revenant

The Revenant (Alejandro G. Iñárritu, 2015)

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Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Survival, Redemption, 1820s, Fur Trade, Racial Conflict, Complex Relationships

In one word: transcendental. I'll forever be amazed by the film making abilities of Inarritu. He is a genius. This film is so much more than following the trials of one man. It is so much more than a reminder of the truly violent history of our country.

I would argue that most of The Revenant is about transformation. Words to water, breath becoming clouds, man turning into beast... the focus of humans have to the earth, to their kin, to other animals. And Inarritu erases the lines and barriers leaving us with a beautiful blending of everything.

If you can stomach some incredibly gory and grueling scenes--the main character is never not in pain--then watch this film. And be sure you have a good quality screen and sound system because the artistry is magic.

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Amy

Amy (Asif Kapadia, 2015)

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Rating: DOCQ=5, DOCP=6 / Quite Legible

Scale K=2, Scale L=3, Scale M=3, Scale N=3

Biography, Music, Consequences of fame

I felt absolutely drained and depressed after watching this film about Amy Winehouse. As soon as I heard her voice back in college I knew she was a phenomenal artist and could become legendary. But I only ever saw her life through the thick filter of the media. She always appeared drugged-out and crazy. But that wasn't the real Amy, that was the product of celebrity-ism. Fame really doesn't work for most people, especially artists who just want to do their craft. It is no wonder that so many celebrities turn to drugs or become depressed. What else do you do when you can't leave your house or go anywhere without cameras shuttering and people yelling at you? Our capitalistic/consumerist society is literally killing people who have so much to give our culture.

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The Danish Girl

The Danish Girl (Tom Hooper, 2015)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Transgender, Identity, 1920s, Art, Biopic

Is there any role Eddie Redmayne can't play exceptionally well? What a marvelous film about identity, unconditional love, and courage. This is one of the best films I've seen about how it feels to be transgender in a world that isn't ready, doesn't understand, and is afraid. It is also remarkable at showing what love, commitment, and being a true ally looks like. It is far from easy to support someone no one else will. Alicia Vikander deserved her award, hands down.

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Brooklyn

Brooklyn (John Crowley, 2015)

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Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Immigration, Romance, 1950s, Family

"You have to think like an American. You'll feel so homesick that you'll want to die, and there's nothing you can do about it apart from endure it. But you will, and it won't kill you. And one day the sun will come out - you might not even notice straight away, it'll be that faint. And then you'll catch yourself thinking about something or someone who has no connection with the past. Someone who's only yours. And you'll realize... that this is where your life is."

I was so moved by this film, particularly the struggle of breaking away from the past and embracing the new. Even though I didn't leave my hometown for college or graduate school, I understand homesickness. When I went to Perth, Western Australia--arguably the most remote and farthest place from Ames, Iowa--the homesickness was strong. But when you know nothing and no one, you make friends fast. You have to. I hear similar struggles from the 18-year-olds in my office during their first months on their own.

Brooklyn also made me think about my grandparents and my mother's journey over the Atlantic in 1951. And all the other families or single people who left everything familiar to start fresh. They had nothing but hopes and dreams. What does the America of today offer? What about the world? Very thought-provoking.

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Ida

Ida (Pawel Pawlikowski, 2013)

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Rating: Q=7, P=4 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

1960s, Poland, WWII, Holocaust, Complex Relationships, 

A very quiet, beautiful, and heavy film. The artistic techniques are tremendously effective--the lighting, shadows, angles, and stillness. It is interesting to see the post-WWII landscape and society of Poland through the eyes of a young woman who has been sheltered away from the horrors of the war. Ida is a reminder of the importance of perspective and to get to know the world before you engage in or disengage from it.

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Trumbo

Trumbo (Jay Roach, 2015)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

1950s, McCarthyism, Blacklist, Politics, Movies, Biopic

I could not help but get seriously contemplative and a little depressed when I watched this movie. Why? Because the corruption and scare tactics of our past government are still going on. And it could amplify and be like the era of McCarthyism all over again. Dalton Trumbo was a stubborn, crude, eccentric, genius, it's true, but his courage and moral strength is admirable. His words sum it up for me:

"The chief internal enemies of any state are those public officials who betray the trust imposed upon them by the people."

This film has an excellent score, witty dialogue, and is timely. Plus Bryan Cranston is amazing.

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The Big Short

The Big Short (Adam McKay, 2015)

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Rating: Q=7, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Wall Street, Trading, Scandal, Corruption, Credit/Housing Crisis

This should not come as a surprise to any of my readers but I have to say it again: I seriously love films about groups of guys. And The Big Short is truly a film about guys acting like guys in a guy-centric field (did I say "guy" enough just then?). If I learned anything from my studies on masculinity it is that men are having a harder and harder time understanding their identities in the world today. And so when opportunities arise that help define that unknown or unclear purpose, they are grabbed.

"Masculinity has nothing to prove yet somehow needs constantly to prove itself," Guy Austin once wrote. And this is so true--I even titled the academic portion of my thesis "Watch Me Prove It To You." Yes, the film's story is the few guys who anticipated the credit/housing bubble collapse before it happened (and made serious money off of it). But to me the film is also about proving. It is about grappling with this unclear "masculinity": investigating, risk-taking, being aggressively assertive, exposing the enemy, and then cornering the enemy, pride, power...

But these guys ultimately feel failure or guilt, not success. Even after profiting in the multi-millions. Because the system is broken. And once the proving is done, what then? And what was it all for? Did anyone make a real difference? Broken systems don't start broken, just like corruption doesn't start with power and greed. It all stems from somewhere...

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Spotlight

Spotlight (Tom McCarthy, 2015)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Drama, Journalism, Media, Scandal

In a world that seems to no longer value facts, truth, and objective reporting, Spotlight is an incredibly refreshing film. I thought it would be too heavy, given the subject matter of child molestation and religious scandal. But seeing the active, investigative journalists doing there thing--not sleeping, powering through long days of interviewing, needling their way into courts, scouring over records--is powerful and energizing. And they do it not to win awards or be recognized. There are no selfish, egocentric people on the screen. All the journalists are motivated by their principles and belief that the people should know the truth and the system should change. Simple as that. A very worthy Oscar Best Picture winner.

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Room

Room (Lenny Abrahamson, 2015)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Drama, Based on True Events, Complex Relationships, Parenting, Kidnapping

Love is stronger than fear. And the bond of love can save us, even from the most horrific and traumatic experiences. Because love creates trust. And it can be a trust so powerful we will risk our lives or run straight into the terrifying unknown without looking back.

This film is intensely powerful. It is a reminder that children are amazingly strong. And with love and encouragement they can be heroic. Room is about the vital need for hope in a dark world. It is about the importance of perspective. The world beyond the door can be non-existent or it can be vast. Sometimes it can be scary, sometimes magical. One room can be suffocating and isolating, but it can also be a home.

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Mad Max: Fury Road

Mad Max: Fury Road (George Miller, 2015)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic, Survival, Neo-Western

This film is all about action, movement, and more action. It's so fast-paced it's hard to focus on anything else. It's fun to watch, even with moments that are seriously creepy or horrific. The overarching theme of environmental degradation and the underlying message of "We must prevent this from actually happening" is great and important, but the logic in the world of the story is often missing. For example, the lack of water is so severe--how are any of the people capable of exerting such energy? Surely not by adrenaline alone... I was reminded many times of Larry Niven's machine people in the Ringworld series. I wonder what will come next.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Grey Gardens

Grey Gardens (Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Muffie Meyer, 1975)

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Rating: DOCQ=5, DOCP=1 / It's All Scribbly To Me

Scale K=2, Scale L=3, Scale M=1, Scale N=0

Documentary, Comedy, Biopic, Nostalgia

I had a hard time focusing during this classic documentary. Edith and Eddie, Jackie Kennedy's eccentric relatives, are strange, funny, and their relationship is touching and bittersweet. But this type of film is just not my style. The meandering conversations and free-form of it all can be tedious at times.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Oscar Dash 2016--The Results

The Oscars ceremony last night was one of the most interesting, edgy, and entertaining I've seen. Despite my Oscar Dash failing miserably (still have most of the films to see), I really enjoyed the show. Congratulations to all the winners!

The Best Picture Winner: Spotlight


Click here to see the full list of winners.

Hail, Caesar!

Hail, Caesar! (Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, 2016)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Comedy, Hollywood, Film about Film, 1950s

For a lover of cinematic history, this film really delivers. It's jam-packed with references to the quintessential genre films that dominated Hollywood films in the late 1940s and 1950s: musicals, westerns, epics, and broody dramas. And talk about a star-studded cast! I've never been so entertained by Channing Tatum and Frances McDormand, though her role is small, is hysterical. A fun film that pokes fun at the world of show business.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Mr. Turner

Mr. Turner (Mike Leigh, 2014)

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Rating: Q=7, P=4 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Biopic, 19th Century, Art

Like stepping into one of his masterpieces, Mr. Turner transports you to 19th Century England--from the cloudy, dusty atmosphere of the city to the clear, picturesque and open countryside. I thoroughly enjoyed the visuals of this film. This is serious artistry and craftsmanship. The viewer really comes to understand why Turner felt compelled to paint the landscapes he saw--they were utterly beautiful.

Timothy Spall is incomparable as Turner--both gruff and polite, mysterious and sincere, closed and highly attune to the complexity and fragility of life.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Badlands

Badlands (Terrence Malik, 2008)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Based on Real Events, Crime, Coming of Age,

This is a film about what happens when you start something you just can't stop. But not because of fear, rather because of pride and reputation. It's a fascinating look into cause and effect--an irrational act in the heat-of-the-moment leads to a series of unbelievable, senseless killings.

Beautiful scenes of the upper-Midwest grasslands and prairie add a haunting quality to the tale. I was reminded of the Coen Brothers' Fargo on many occasion. Perhaps the quiet, small-town isolation can breed a kind of boredom that sometimes goes out of control. Both Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen give tremendous performances as the young, odd couple.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (J.J. Abrams, 2015)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Science Fantasy, Saga, Action

Well, episode 7 is certainly gorgeously designed, fast moving, and fun. Not much talking, still lots of questions unanswered, but it the film certainly feels like part of the earlier stories and it is fun to see all the legendary characters reunited. As with most action movies, there were cliche moments and tropes that made me sarcastically think, "Really? That's unexpected." I hope that the next episode explains why and how Kylo Ren became so horrible. And I'd like to know more about the events that caused the First Order's evilness. Fill us in!

It was refreshing to see a capable female lead, and one who doesn't succumb to love-sickness--in fact, she actually gets stronger through the film. And the cute robot. Seriously, I want one of those. I didn't jump into the theater right away but I'm glad I did eventually see it on the big screen.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Witness for the Prosecution

Witness for the Prosecution (Billy Wilder, 1957)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Mystery, Crime, Courtroom Drama, Based on Novel, Suspense

Oh, how I love Agatha Christie! This is one of her most famous novels but one I haven't read or seen, so I was pleasantly surprised by how her narrative complexity and subtleties translated very well to the film adaptation. Marlene Dietrich is fascinating, Charles Laughton is marvelous. A great courtroom drama that keeps you watching until the twist ending!

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Oscar Dash 2016--The Nominees

Oscar Dash 2016!

Well, this year I'm way behind (haven't seen any of the nominees!) because of work and my health. But I will try to see as many as possible, per usual, before the ceremony. And then I'll continue after, too, so you'll have my review for each one. Don't forget to watch the big celebration on February 28. Here are the nominees for best picture:

The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

Click here to see pictures and all the other nominations!

Happy 2016

It's another new year for more film goals! I watched 50+ new films again this year (plus lots of TV shows and some favorites). Definitely my favorite viewing was Song of the Sea.


Last year I made a list of three broad film goals and I feel confident I met all of them. This year I have a few new challenges I'm going to take on:

1. Watch all of Hitchcock's films. I still haven't seen many of the early Hitchcock films.

2. Watch more classic musicals

3. Watch more courtroom dramas