Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (Quentin Tarantino, 2019)

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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

1969, Hollywood, Biopic, Nostalgia, Crime

Tarantino has done it again--created a modern day fairy-tale and rewriting of history. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is brimming with energy, color, nostalgia, and an anxious, restless vibe that is both intriguing and worrying. Much of the story feels like an homage or memoir reminiscent of George Lucas's American Graffiti and Woody Allen's Radio Days, both films that I adore. All three films have a radio soundtrack that acts a powerful narrator. All three are slow-paced and deliberate, caring about the details and little moments as much as the main story. And, in a way, Tarantino's film is also a kind of coming of age--it's a film about the end of an era, the end of two men's careers, the start of a very different world. So much meaning, so much going on. And of course, there is some serious darkness and insane moments that make you feel awful and relieved at the same time. How does he do it?

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Outlaw King

Outlaw King (David Mackenzie, 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

Middle Ages, Scotland/England, Biopic, Robert the Bruce

I am so thankful that there are filmmakers out there that love the Middle Ages and want to share stories about important events and people of that time period. I know so little about Robert the Bruce, Richard I, and the conflicts of the early fourteenth century. Outlaw King is not only fairly true to history (at least from what I've read) but it is also an engaging romantic story. Mackenzie captures the passionate loyalty of the Scots and the rage and pride of Prince Edward. It really feels like we have gone back in time. It is very bloody and tragic, but a gripping tale.

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The King

The King (David Michod, 2019)

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Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession

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

Shakespeare, Middle Ages, Henry V, Biopic

This film floored me. Truly gorgeous lighting and scene, haunting and engaging acting, and a beautiful adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry V. The lines are delivered perfectly and Timothée Chalamet is an amazing actor. I hope to see more of him in future, especially in roles like this one. The King was a refreshing film about a time period I am fascinated by and one that I don't see many films visit. It felt fairly true to both history and Shakespeare's story. Loved it and will definitely watch it again.

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Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit (Taika Waititi, 2019)

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

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

Dark Comedy, Satire, WWII, Drama, Coming of Age

What a strange and compelling film from Taika Waititi--one of my new favorite directors. I was enamored by how a story about a little boy who is a Nazi/Hitler fanatic and who's mother hides a Jewish girl in their attic could somehow be light-hearted and funny. Don't get me wrong, there are moments here that are gut-wrenching and juxtapositions that are truly dark and morbid. But this story sucks you in and makes you think in ways most war films haven't before. And that Waititi chose to make this film today offers another interesting lens. Great film.

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