Happy 2017!

Well, another year of blogging over. Again, I watched nearly 50 new films. It's hard to say which one was my favorite but The Big Short may be the winner.


While I didn't watch all of Hitchcock's films, I did definitely watch more classic musicals and courtroom dramas. And I've got three new broad film goals for 2017:

1. See more movies in the theater. There are so many sci-fi and fantasy films coming out that look entertaining and fun visual experiences. It seems that 2016 was the year for escapism and not so much complex, emotional stories, and maybe 2017 will also be that way. Film seems to be influenced by the social and political climate. But we need all kinds of movies--both instructive, difficult, and immersive!

2. Watch more silent films, especially any Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin classics I still haven't seen.

3. Re-watch favorites. I have so many favorites that I've decided to watch at least two each month, along with new stuff and new shows.

Mr. Holmes

Mr. Holmes (Bill Condon, 2015)

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

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

Drama, Mystery, Aging

A strange and interesting twist on the Sherlock Holmes canon, but very slow-paced and not riveting enough for my tastes. I liked how dementia and memory played into the mystery but using multiple flashback technique leads to a struggle keeping the suspense and thrill. All the different stories/plots didn't quite fit together and I found myself drifting more than once. Wonderful performance by Ian McKellan, though.

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Gareth Edwards, 2016)

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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

Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action

I was pleasantly surprised by the latest Star Wars installment--it was well thought-out and perfectly ties into Episode IV: A New Hope. Of course, my favorite character was a robot and my favorite parts were those that showed the sweeping landscapes. It's fun, true escape, and won't let down the fans. I didn't have any expectations and left the theater quite pleased. I have to say, though, that the relationships between the characters--especially Jyn and Cassian--were fairly flat. But that's OK since the emphasis in these stories (at least in my opinion) is on larger, bigger meanings: cause, loyalty, courage, justice, etc.

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Only Yesterday

Only Yesterday (Isao Takahata, 1991)

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

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

Animation, Coming of Age, Romance, Complex Relationships, Nostalgia

A beautiful film from Takahata and Studio Ghibli. So many glorious, beautiful moments of art and story. So many sunrises and sunsets! The film's pace feels like we're wandering through the thoughts of adult Taeko. As she remembers her childhood, it informs her current self and situations. And, of course, it's the little things that stand out and bring the strongest emotions. She is a creative, free-spirited child and young woman who was forever being discouraged to pursue your dreams. A very melancholic story, emotional and honest.

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