Early Man

Early Man (Nick Park, 2018)

Click here for the basics

Rating: AQ=12, AP=5 / Meant to Be

Scale O=4, Scale P=4, Scale Q=4, Scale R=3, Scale S=2

Animated, Shorts, Stop-Motion, Silly, Whimsical

What a fantastic new(ish) film from Aardman Animations. I have always loved stop-motion animation and will be forever impressed at the amount of work and patience that goes into each second. This story is silly and very British and, therefore, I love it. The gags are great, the artistry is superb. A great family adventure story that plays with history.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Oscar Dash 2020

Well, I'm a bit behind since the Oscar nominations were announced back on January 13...but better late then never!

Unfortunately, I haven't seen any of the nominations for Oscars 2020 but I am very excited to watch them all. I had meant to see most of them and still plan to by the end of the year. Don't forget to watch the big celebration on February 9--much earlier than most years. Here are the nominees for best picture:

Ford v Ferrari


The Irishman


Jojo Rabbit


Joker


Little Women


Marriage Story


1917


Once Upon A Time In Hollywood


Parasite


Click here to see pictures and all the other nominations!

Peaky Blinders Season 5

Peaky Blinders Season 5 (Stephen Knight, 2013-)

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Season 5 Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Obsession

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

Gangster, Power, WWI aftermath, Race, Class, Philosophical, Crime

True to the form, this show just won't stop with incredible writing, acting, plot twists, and artistry. I still believe it's the best show of the last 10 years.

Season 5 takes a political trajectory--though politics has always been a major part of each episode and each season. I found it intriguing but grueling to watch our new enemy Mosley weedle his evil paws into Britain and Tommy. But seeing Tommy's vulnerability was more upsetting. His pain is even more potent on the screen--so much trauma. The Shelby family started to fall apart by the end of Season 4 but now it is positively crumbling. The last three episodes in particular are perhaps the most intense yet. I found Tommy's changing and confused motives the most interesting part of the season and I truly can't wait for more. So much is left unsaid!

Here's how I rated seasons 1 & 2 and 3 & 4.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Solo: A Star Wars Story (Ron Howard, 2018)

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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

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Action, Adventure

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode of the Star Wars universe. It may even be as good as Rogue One?...not sure on that yet. At first I wasn't convinced that Alden Ehrenreich would pull off a young Han Solo, but he absolutely did. And performances from Emilia Clarke and Woody Harrelson were also well done. All in all, the story is excellent and it feels more a part of the world than the last three Star Wars films (7-9) do. That's probably because this one is meant to stand alone, a quality I value especially in action and adventure films.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Happy 2020!

2019 was a great year for viewing--I chose to revisit many favorites and watch many new shows. Highlights were revisiting all Disney feature animated films, Miyazaki films, seeing a live show of Mystery Science Theater (the film was Circus of Horrors), and watching British mysteries like Doctor Blake and Grantchester. The Handmaid's Tale was also memorable, but less pleasantly.



I didn't get to do an Abbot and Costello marathon, but I did do one with Wes Anderson films. Stay tuned for the post shortly. I hope to revisit some of my favorite world films in 2020, especially those from Brazil and Northern Europe.

Best wishes!