Licorice Pizza

Licorice Pizza (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2021)

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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

1970s, Comedy, Coming of Age

Licorice Pizza is a hilarious, meandering romp. I love stories that don't really have a plot, that are just views into the lives of people. I really like Gary--young, charming, and enterprising. And I like awkward, goofy Alana. It's fun to escape into their entrepreneurial world of the San Fernando valley in 1973, full of celebrities and trends and all walks of life. A very different kind of film for Paul Thomas Anderson, but still so great. Plus Bradley Cooper's cameo is magic and amazing.

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Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Season 1 (Deborah Chow, 2022)

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Rating: DSQ=9, SP=6 / Average Snack

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

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

I had a great time watching the first season of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Many critics have been writing extensively about the problems with logic and plot, the annoying shaky cam, the lack of anything truly new to the Star Wars world. And while I agree with much of the criticism, I also think it doesn't matter. Here's another Star Wars show and I love the Star Wars universe. I loved to see Obi-Wan a decade into the Empire--aged and depressed and disillusioned. And it was fun to watch him become re-energized and find his Jedi soul again. The connection he makes with Leia is lovely and feels so right. And his encounters with Darth Vader/Anakin also feel right. These two men are like father and son...while they claim to want to "end it all" and finish each other off over an over again, those are just words. It makes sense they'll do everything except actually kill each other. Reva/Third Sister was an interesting new character that I do feel didn't have enough development. I hope they'll do something more with her and reveal more of what happened that day of Order 66.

Overall, I liked this show. It's not as good as some Star Wars content, it doesn't really stand alone, but it is fun to watch if you love the universe and like some dramatic fantasy.

P.S. Can I please have an enopie? :)

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King Arthur

King Arthur (Antoine Fuqua, 2004)

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

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

Dark Ages, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Based on Books

This take on the Arthur legend is interesting, but it falls short on many levels, for me. As a college student I was fortunate to have an entire seminar class devoted to Arthurian legend, so perhaps I have higher expectations. The acting and action was all good, but the story itself didn't grip me. I wasn't convinced that Arthur (and all his knights) wouldn't have spoken about freedom quite so assertively (and often) but I did appreciate his strong morals. Clive Owen doesn't exactly exude passion, though. Guinevere's character seemed forced. I didn't really like her as a political warrior. The knights all had such small roles, and that was disappointing. I wanted more depth, but this is really just a film with lots of fighting.

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The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk (Louis Leterrier, 2008)

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Rating: Q=5, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

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

Marvel, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction

I like Dr. Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk as an idea. I enjoy Mark Ruffalo's portrayals in all the MCU films and think he deserves a stand-alone film, for sure. So, I went back and watched the 2008 film starring Edward Norton as the big green guy...it's not a good film. It's OK and there are definitely moments that are fun to watch, but the story is boring and the acting is more than lacking. All the more reason to get a new film made with Mark Ruffalo! And let's have more of the science, please?

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