Asteroid City

Asteroid City (Wes Anderson, 2023)

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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

Whimsical, 1950s, Science Fiction, Grieving, Philosophical

I love Wes Anderson's aesthetic and his quirky stories (here is my post where I rank all of them), so I was excited to see yet another of his meticulously crafted fantasies. To me, Asteroid City is the perfect "story within a story" film (which Wes Anderson loves) and probably Anderson's most philosophical tale. The audience watches both the players of a play and the play they are performing. The lines blur between which one is reality and which one is fantasy--which isn't an original concept but the execution of this concept is brilliantly executed. It is also very timely. This film is full of grief and overwhelming topics--nuclear war, loss of life/grief, depression, isolation. It is poignant after a pandemic that changed so much of how we humans operate together and alone. 

Asteroid City is also just so visually beautiful--the over-saturated/artificial colors made so much sense in the story and was mesmerizing to see. The music was also my favorite soundtrack/score of all his films so far (close behind is Darjeeling Limited). There is so much going on in every respect and I'd definitely watch it again.

Here's a fun article, too.

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Triangle of Sadness

Triangle of Sadness (Ruben Ostlund, 2022)

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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

Satire, Drama, Comedy, Philosophical

Wow. What did I just watch? Ruben Ostlund has created something very interesting, strange, poignant, and...depressing. Triangle of Sadness is a film about structures and dichotomies--beautiful vs. ugly, those who get vs. those who serve, capitalism vs. socialism, etc. It is also the truly sad story of how society and structures human beings have created imprison us all. I've seen the film compared to the masterpiece Parasite, which I think is very apt. The films share many of the same themes and plot devices. There are many other satires out there that critique the elite and wealthy in our world, but unlike most of them Triangle of Sadness offers no conclusions, no resolve. And the story takes so many turns so quickly...it's fascinating. This is a hilarious, disgusting, filthy, sad, intricate, wild film.

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The Mandalorian, Season 3

The Mandalorian, Season 3 (John Favreau, 2023)

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Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

I was so excited for The Mandalorian Season 3. So much was packed into this season and it ended with probably my favorite battle sequence in all of Star Wars. Unlike season 1 and 2, this installment focused less on our beloved duo and more on the Mandalorian creed itself. We learn more about Mandalore, return to characters and scenes from earlier seasons, and see a lot of wrestling with what is truth vs. myth. Grogu is not the only one growing up (when is he going to speak?!)... While this season has a resolved ending, I'm not sure it's truly the end. I have a feeling that the Star Wars universe will keep overlapping and crisscrossing shows and characters so we'll be seeing more of everyone.

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Women Talking

Women Talking (Sarah Polley, 2022)

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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

Drama, Religion, Based on True Story, Complex Relationships

I don't know how it would feel to grow up and live isolated and away from other people, perspectives, and ideas. To only know one, extreme way of life where being a woman meant your voice and thoughts don't matter and have no place. But I know this is the reality for many. I can't imagine the turmoil and trauma of being brutally and repeatedly attacked by men you raised and love. And worse, seeing your children also be attacked. Women Talking is a powerful film. It shows us that strength comes from discussion, conflict, and reasoning. It shows us that challenges can be overcome, it just takes the strength to act. From strength comes solidarity. And, most importantly, from solidarity comes hope.

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