The Trial of the Chicago 7--Post 500!

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Aaron Sorkin, 2020)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

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

Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Protest, Courtroom Drama, 1960s

Such a powerful film about such an unfathomable trial in our nation's history. This is a story about doing what is right and about fighting against corruption. It is particularly apt that this film was released in 2020, a painful reminder of how so much work still must be done. Brilliant performances by Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Watching this made me angry and sad--I was literally shaking at some moments. Everyone should see this film and think long and hard about how this history can inform our present. 

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

P.S. This is my 500th post--whew! Feels good to have watched and written about so many fantastic films over the years.

Oscar Dash 2021: The Nominations

It's that time of year again...well, actually it's much later than usual. Oscar Dash 2021. I have had most of these movies in my queue for a while now and plan to watch them all before the winners are announced April 25. Here are the nominees for best picture:

Judas and the Black Messiah

The Father

The Trial of the Chicago 7

Nomadland

Minari

Sound of Metal

Promising Young Woman

Mank

Disenchantment Seasons 2 & 3

Disenchantment Seasons 2 & 3 (Matt Groening, 2018-)

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Animation, Comedy, Middle Ages, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Adventure

Check out how I rated Season 1 here.

Season 2 Rating: CSS=9, CSS=6 / The Giggles

Scale F=3, Scale G=3, Scale H=3, Scale I=3, Scale J=3

    Favorite from Season 2 = "Stairway to Hell"

While not quite as good as the first season, Disenchantment Season 2 has some comedy gem moments, especially an episode set in Heaven and Hell. It was also fun to venture into a steampunk land. Great and quirky writing. All the episodes connect together well and there are lots of bizarre twists and surprises to keep things interesting.

Season 3 Rating: CSS=7, CSS=5 / The Giggles

Scale F=3, Scale G=2, Scale H=2, Scale I=3, Scale J=2

    Favorite from Season 3 = "Steamland Confidential"

"What is going on?" became my catchphrase for the newest season of Disenchantment. Yes, it was still fun and quirky but oh my goodness did things get chaotic quickly. I found Season 3 had way too many loose ends and randomness to fit well within the full story of Tiabeanie and her friends. Over the top can sometimes be a good thing, but not in this case. I need to do a second viewing, for sure, but I'm hoping that a fourth season will answer all the questions and make meaning of everything that was thrown at us here.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Tron and Tron Legacy

Tron (Steven Lisberger, 1982)

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

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

Technology, Action, Adventure, Philosophy

I had only seen bits and pieces of Tron, so it was high time that I watched it in its entirety. While I loved the concepts and the visual artistry, the story made me frustrated. I don't usually get angry at a film's writing unless it a) has a really amazing concept and b) introduces very interesting ideas and meanings BUT then does nothing with them. Tron is so cool and could be completely engrossing and immersive, but so many little things kept pulling me out of the film. I found myself asking, how or why or what's going on now in the outside world, etc. so frequently that it spoiled some of the fun of the brilliant world I was witnessing. The bigger meanings and symbolism that kept coming up in the story ultimately had no point when the film was over. That made me sad. But I loved so much about it--the mesmerizing visuals, the relationship between people and the technology they create, the music. I just wish that someone had written in a little more depth!

Tron Legacy (Walter Hill, 1978)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

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

Technology, Action, Adventure, Philosophy

I much preferred Tron Legacy to its predecessor--the writing was certainly better and more time was given to meanings. I still had plenty of questions and parts of the ending left me confused and ready for more (Tron 3?) especially with regards to the characters Tron and Cora.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

The Rocketeer

The Rocketeer (Joe Johnston, 1991)

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

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

Action, Aviation, Hollywood, 1930s, Adventure

For some reason, I had never watched Disney's The Rocketeer when it came out in the early 1990s. But I finally did and enjoyed the little fantasy adventure. Yes, there are early airplanes and a rocket jet-pack, but the story is really more of a "boy saves girl and the world" tale. There is some zany mayhem, gangsters, Nazis, and Howard Hughes. It feels like a weird hodgepodge of stuff--pulp fiction on the screen--but it's a fun escape for that very reason.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Knives Out

Knives Out (Rian Johnson, 2019)

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

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

Mystery, Crime, Thriller

What a fun murder mystery thriller! Very Hitchcock-esque with some fun, modern twists. It's hard to make a good murder mystery the likes of Agatha Christie because detective storytelling requires such attention to little details and no loose ends. But Rian Johnson pulled this one off and it is enjoyable in every way. Great acting and very engrossing!

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here