Green Book

Green Book (Peter Farrelly, 2018)

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

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

1960s, Biopic, Prejudice, Race, Music, Journey

It took me nearly a year to watch this controversial Oscar 2019 Best Picture winner. Partly because I had read so much about why the film should not have received the award, partly because I wasn't ever in the right mood. But now I've seen it. I certainly don't agree that it's Best Picture worthy, but to me, the film wasn't as problematic as articles I had read said it was. On the topic of prejudices and race, it was definitely surface-level and shallow for 2019, but the story is still enjoyable and an escape. The focus of the film is certainly on Viggo Mortensen's character Tony, and very little depth is given to Dr. Shirley (played extraordinarily well by Mahershala Ali). This feels off and is definitely a missed opportunity. Overall, it was predictable and appeals to that human need to see everything seem to "work out in the end."

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Vice

Vice (Adam McKay, 2018)

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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

Biopic, Drama, Politics, Power, Philosophical

This movie is important, very disturbing, and wonderfully crafted. I think I would have voted for it as best picture. It definitely should have won for best editing (incredible job!). And the music is fantastic--so fitting.

It's scary how we, the people, don't know about situations, schemes, shady business, and illegal doings until years or decades later. Until things have gone horribly wrong or are irreversible. It's scary how much we STILL don't know. And it is astonishing that one person with the patience, motivation, and access can alter the lives of thousands. All over the world. It's the unfortunate story of humanity. How that access is granted over and over and over will always remain a mystery to me.

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The Favourite

The Favourite (Yorgos Lanthimos, 2018)

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Rating: Q=8, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

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

1700s, Biopic, Queen Anne, Complex Relationships, Historical

Incredible film artistry--the striking deep color, fantastic lighting effects, details, acting, balance. Just everything. I was thoroughly impressed. Queen Anne has a tragic and terrible story, which I didn't know much about but quickly researched after watching this. Love and grief are both so complicated and personal emotions and this film tackles them both realistically and beautifully. The three actresses--Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone--gave performances of a lifetime. And I'm giddy with anticipation for more films from Yorgos Lanthimos!

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Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody (Bryan Singer, 2018)

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Rating: Q=6, P=7 / Comfy Old Standard

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

Biopic, Music, Rock n Roll, Complex Relationships, Sexuality,

I've always loved Queen and, in my opinion, Freddie Mercury was the greatest pop/rock vocalist of the century. This film was great--it sucked me in and kept me engaged the whole time--just like Freddie used to do when he performed. Despite the changes in the history and facts, the film is beautiful and gets to the heart of why performers do what they do and how complex their lives often are. And Rami Malek?? Wow. Just wow.

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Oscars 2019: The Results

Another wonderful year of film-making! The results are in: Best Picture goes to Green Book

Click here to view all the winners.

I still plan to watch all the films I haven't yet in the next months. So stay tuned for my reviews!

Roma

Roma (Alfonso Cuaron, 2018)

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Rating: Q=8, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

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

Mexico, 1970s, Political, Class, Day in Life, Complex Relationships

Beautiful. This is the kind of film that sucks me in and brings me to tears. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. It is a quiet film that tells a story through visuals and actions, very few words. The topics that are addressed are so important--especially today--but little is shoved in your face. I think, for me, subtlety sticks and can be more powerful than shock. I'm very pleased that Roma was nominated for so many Academy Awards. Alfonso Cuaron has created a masterpiece of art.

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BlacKkKlansman

BlacKkKlansman (Spike Lee, 2018)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

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

Race, Hate Crime, Based on Book, Detective, Social Justice

Everyone needs to see this film--pronto. So many scenes gnaw at you and make you want to run away--but you can't. And you shouldn't, because this is still happening. My heart was beating fast so many times. Spike Lee is astonishing and magnificently shows the full spectrum of racism--how people deal with it (or don't), and the continuous cycle of it. Just go see this film and make sure you really reflect.

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Oscar Dash 2019

The time is here again--Oscar Dash 2019!

As in recent years, I haven't seen many of the nominations but I know I will by the end of the year. I'm very excited about this list--a great variety of styles, genres, and topics. Don't forget to watch the big celebration on February 24! Here are the nominees for best picture:

Black Panther


BlacKkKlansman


Bohemian Rhapsody


The Favourite


Green Book


Roma


A Star Is Born


Vice


Click here to see pictures and all the other nominations!