Napoleon

Napoleon (Ridley Scott, 2023)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

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

Biopic, 19th Century, Historical, France

I went in to the theater with no expectations, but I had seen the very mixed reviews about Ridley Scott's latest film. I knew that the French were upset and disappointed, that much was not historically accurate, and that Joaquin Phoenix's performance was...different. That being said, though, I had an open mind.

Napoleon is a beautiful, epic cinematic experience. The visuals are stunning and leap from the screen, the battle sequences are phenomenal and immersive. There are moments that are breathtaking. The costume design and art direction are mesmerizing--like being in an exquisite and intricate oil painting. But the story of one of history's most mythologized and famous (or infamous) leaders is, quite frankly, flat.

I don't know how it is possible for Scott to make a story that is simultaneously intriguing yet also boring, but somehow he manages to do that. We are shown Napoleon as a general and as a rather annoying and boorish husband. We see him as an emperor, too, but in all these situations we know nothing about him. We see his citizens and soldiers following him without blinking, but we don't know why. Why? What did he do that makes you adore him so? We don't know. We aren't shown. What makes him tick, what interests him? What is his background? And what did he do for France besides fight battles? And the part that is confusing is that we know this information--he was a real figure. Why not show us Napoleon the leader--building up the economy and making reform? Why not show us that he was intelligent off the battlefield, too? That he had...a personality?

Phoenix's portrayal is interesting, I rather enjoyed it but there was so much missing. Not necessarily his fault, though, he worked with what he had--a very lackluster script.

One thing I will say: I would watch it again and enjoy it again. And I will be watching more Napoleon films from the past, as I'm aching to see a performance of him with more depth.

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Ahsoka Season 1

Ahsoka, Season 1 (Dave Filoni, 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

Wow. I had high expectations for Ahsoka, mostly because I am such a fan of Rebels and Clone Wars. I knew going in that this was probably going to be Rebels season 5, and that was perfectly OK with me. I was right and not disappointed in the least.

Ahsoka starts slow, but that pace works well for me. I like the reminder that Ahsoka is much older than when we last saw her (chronologically speaking) and much wiser. She is meditative and deliberative. While the show is named for her, Ahsoka is only one of many main characters in the show. In some ways, this a show about reunion: reunion of family, friends, master and Padawan. It's a reunion of ideals and shared purpose. And what a delightful reunion it is. Since I don't want to spoil anything, I'll just say that certain characters and moments of the show had me grinning from ear to ear. This is the show for Star Wars nerds, for sure.

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Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan, 2023)

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Rating: Q=8, P=8 / Obsession

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

Biopic, World War II, Physics, Philosophical

Breathtaking, absorbing, poignant, philosophical, full of conflict. Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolan's masterpiece and this story is one of the most well-crafted and important to be told in quite a while. It doesn't hurt that Cillian Murphy portrays the conflicted, complicated, and brilliant physicist astonishingly well (plus he's my favorite actor) and is surrounded by an amazing supporting cast. 

This story wrestles with disturbing US political history, with the tragic and haunting consequences of knowledge and invention, war and death -- serious and real topics. Nolan manages to make a film that is active and fierce while still being somber and dialogue-driven. He shows us Oppenheimer in "reality" as others see him and as he interacts with people, scientists, politicians. But we also see into his troubled and stirring mind, his reality. Nothing shows this more clearly than the climactic scene of Trinity when we see a lifetime of research and work and possibility explode in a fiery cloud of death in the dark desert. We watch as Oppenheimer watches, just his breathing and complete awe. It is beautiful filmmaking.

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The French Dispatch

The French Dispatch (Wes Anderson, 2021)

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Rating: Q=7, P=4 / Average OJ

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

Newspaper, Writing, 1960s, Art, Politics, Crime

I had somehow missed Wes Anderson's 2021 film, who knows why, but I finally watched it after seeing the newest piece Asteroid City. The French Dispatch is a collection of vignettes (another film that has stories within stories) but all of them are quirky and funny and overly-dramatic. There are some fantastic performances from Timothee Chalamet, Benicio Del Toro, and Lea Seydoux (and many others). While I liked the film and truly enjoyed the concepts and aesthetic, as always, this one wasn't as captivating for me as some of the others. I'm not sure why, perhaps because it was three independent stories... nevertheless, it is beautiful filmmaking and worth watching!

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