A Complete Unknown

A Complete Unknown (James Mangold, 2024)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

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

Biopic, Bob Dylan, 1960s, Music

I am a huge Bob Dylan fan and student of his work. As a songwriter and musician, he has always been somewhat godlike, to me. So, I wasn't sure what to think when I heard Timothee Chalamet would be playing him in a film. I love Chalamet but I still thought, "sure, he looks the part and probably can act like Dylan, but can he sing and play like Dylan?" As soon as he started to sing "Song for Woody" near the beginning of the film, I gasped. I knew it wasn't actually Dylan singing and playing, but wow. He nailed it. The intonation, the cadence, the way he emphasized words. I can't really fathom the sheer amount of work involved in learning to play guitar and sing and on top of that, sing like one of the most well-known and iconic people in music history. Truly remarkable.

I was also pleased to learn that Dylan supported the script and choice of actor in Chalamet. And the film itself is really quite good. It's paced well, has lots of great moments and music, and feels immersive. It is a little meandering and there isn't much character development, but that's kind of the point. After all, Dylan has always been enigmatic and mysterious.

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Coen Brothers, Hitchcock, and More

I promise I'm not neglecting this blog on purpose! We've been busy re-watching favorite films and also movies by the Coen Brothers, Alfred Hitchcock, and more. Look forward to special posts on these filmmakers in the coming year when we've finished viewing them all (or most of them, anyway).

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Tim Burton, 2024)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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

Fantasy, Horror, Comedy

As a fan of the original Beetlejuice movie (I grew up watching it every year!) I had some expectations for this sequel-- I hoped it would be just as zany and crazy, not trying too hard to do something special or meaningful. After all, the best part of Tim Burton's classic was that it was just strange and unusual. It didn't try to do anything too deep. It was about entertaining. Well, in my opinion, the new movie succeeded. It is a fun re-entry to Burton's weird world for a new generation. I liked it quite a bit. It's not better than the first film, but it does stand on its own to a certain degree (but it is best with prior knowledge). A fun escape!

The Acolyte

The Acolyte Season 1 (Leslye Headland, 2024)

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Season 1 Rating: DSQ=4, SP=2 / Worst of the Worst

Scale A=3, Scale B=0, Scale C=1, Scale D=1, Scale E=1

Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Oh how very, very sad. This was such a disappointing show. What I thought would be an interesting pre-Empire story with stimulating characters, settings, and themes, turned out to be an enormous FLOP. The Acolyte gives us the not-so-good Star Wars over-used troupes and gimmicks with little else. The acting is poor and the script is even worse. How did it get approved? None of the character motivations and decisions made make sense, to me, which just doesn't work. And overall, the show paints the Jedi in a pretty dark light. I get it, we are meant to question the so-called heroes, meant to see that everyone has dark and light in them...I guess? But we only one story from multiple angles. No other stories and no real depth. Honestly, the only characters I liked were killed. The main characters are annoying and confusing. Who wants to watch that? I gave the show a chance by continuing to watch, but each episode got worse. Sigh. Not worth it.

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