Here

Grade: A

Here based on the magazine strip turned graphic novel by Richard McGuire is shot from the exact same angle and follows a spot of land and the house that is eventually built on it throughout history with emphasis on said house and the marriage of occupants Richard (played by Tom Hanks) and Margaret (Robin Wright). 

In recent years, Zemeckis' films have been more hit or miss and the last few in particular haven't been well accepted, but I felt this was a real return to form. It honestly feels like an old-school feel-good drama. Admittedly, some may feel the movie to be a bit maudlin, especially by today's more cynical standards, and the main sources of conflicts in Richard and Margaret's stories respectively may not feel quite like how these circumstances would play out in real life, but honestly this was still an entertaining slice-of-life film.

The slipping between timelines and the various vignettes is what really makes it work. You ever seen an educational video or animatronic performance at Disney World (World of Tomorrow is the best example)? It has that kinda feel, with sort of a lets have fun with the presentation kind of way. The stories work, heck most of the shorter ones are actually more interesting than the main story.

Zemeckis' does a solid job of transitioning between time periods, often in a way where things don't all change at once, and incorporates panels, being reminiscent of the format of the original comics. Hearing the basic description of this, you wouldn't think this would be fancy-looking giving the limited locations, but a lot of effort was put into making the background look like the appropriate time periods. The set design and props are also pretty effective at selling the era.

The deaging technology works really well and usually only seems odd if you're  specifically focusing on it. Zemeckis makes the wise choice of avoiding having the characters close up to the camera too often. I wished the movie had used makeup for old age instead of digital effects. There is a couple usages of that where it feels the most fake.

Hanks and Wright, not surprisingly, are solid. Yeah, Hanks does sound a little old if you listen to him long enough, but I did feel he intentionally put more energy into his younger performance. Wright manages to not sound old when playing her younger self. Honestly, some of the supporting actors here are even more entertaining. Paul Bettany as Richard's father gives a particularly lively and multifaceted performance.

The music didn't work for me. It was too 90's light-hearted and didn't feel like it appropriately fitted certain scenes.

Recommended. I know a lot of critics don't like this, and not to say there are no valid criticisms about the main story, but I thought this was a sincerely emotional, impressive, entertaining, and unique work.

Civil War

9/10

This movie follows a group of journalists and photographers as they travel across a United States ravaged by civil war.

First off, the trailers make this more of a film focused on the action and battle movements, while this is actually a more measured piece that focuses on the journalists' journey. This is written and directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Men) and if you've seen his Annihilation, this is kinda the same formula (a group on a journey) minus the sci-fi. When the action happens, it's well executed but the core of the film is a lot of showing and talking about the situation.

Don't confuse this being plot heavy for this being a boring movie. Far from it. This reminds me a lot of The Big Red One in that this is a travelogue looking at the madness of war that is composed of various thematic elements. This movie does a solid job of changing gears from the eeriness of desolate, war-torn America to dark comedy to moments of real tension. Civil War has one of the most gripping, suspense scenes I think I've ever seen.

The main focus of this film is on the musings in the last few years that the United States could go to war. This has a real world message in that an ACTUAL civil war in the United States would be a terrible, bloody thing that'd pretty mess up most people lives. 

For those radicals arguing in favor a civil war, this movie also makes a point that having one in a place as vast as the United States wouldn't be a single concentrated effort. (In this movie we've got factions and smaller rebel groups.) A lot of people may want the Democrats toppled, but how much you wanna bet they all don't have the exact same view on the government that comes after or what they want or what the real threats are? (Did you see the footage of the gathering assembled to stop immigration at the border? There was some infighting between individuals and factions).

The movie also a well-written look at what it is like to be a journalist during war.

Garland makes the scenario audience-friendly (and more importantly audience-money-friendly decision) by not to base this movie off of any real world politics. Texas and California are in an alliance and that ain't happening in the real world (maybe parts of rural California but not all of California). Garland does an interesting job of laying out the hints of how the civil war came without straight up directly telling the audience exactly what went down. 

In terms of visuals and audio, this is pure "cinema." The cinematography is excellent, featuring well-placed camera work and a strong design sense with what is undoubtedly going to be considered one of the most hauntingly beautiful movie scenes of the year. I do not have discerning ears, so audio work doesn't usually stand out to me. Not here, though. I won't go into detail, but prepare for some of the most effective movie sounds in a while.

Kiersten Dunst delivers what is probably one of the best and most distinct performances in her career as main lead photojournalist Lee. She is a cool-headed, hard-headed veteran of war coverage. Dunst really manages to deliver an objective and hardened, but human-beneath-it-all individual. Also really good in this is Dune Part One's Stephen McKinley Henderson as journalist Sammy, the eldest and wisest of the group. I noticed that the guy's stock in in the film world has gone up in the last ten years or so, because he does a quality job as an authoritative but approachable person.

If there any possible flaws to this film, some may find the final act to run a bit long.

Highly recommended, this is such a well-constructed film. Garland delivers his first movie that isn't sci-fi (or whatever genre Men was supposed to be), which has resulted in his most accessible film.

The Irrational- Season 1

6.5/10

In this new NBC show based on the nonfiction book Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely, behavioral psychology professor Alec Mercer (played by Law & Order/The Flash's Jesse L. Martin) uses his knowledge of irrational behavior to help the authorities solve crime.

This starts off weak. The first couple episodes or so have some troubled dialogue. The last line of the first episode feels like a parody of network television mysteries. The writers do find their voice but even then it is still an average show of its type in regards to writing and characterization.

The best part is the info dumps about human behavior. They're interesting (and the only well written section of the first episode is the introduction to the irrationality of man). The individual stories aren't too shabby and the show is pretty flexible in the cases Mercer takes on, they're not all murder mysteries. There is an overarching storyline about a tragedy in Alec's past. It doesn't break the network television storyline mode, but it is a competently told and decently paced narrative with a respectable resolution. 

Martin's trademark smooth attitude works for making Mercer feel authoritative. However, this is one of Martin's weaker roles. Mercer as a character is low-key and does not give the actor the opportunity to bring the charisma he has been known. Mercer also has a burn scar on his cheek and the makeup doesn't look great.

Kinda recommended. It's your basic network fare but makes for decent time-wasting, and I do like the look at how irrational people are.

Origin

9.5/10

Ava DuVernay's latest film Origin chronicles Isabel Wilkerson's research for her book Caste: the Origins of our Discontents, which looks at various examples of caste throughout the world, including slaver/Jim Crow laws, the Holocaust, and India's caste system, and how it underpins racism.

I only ended up seeing this because I took a chance on AMC's mystery movie, and I'm so glad I did. This is just a really well written film. You'd think a movie that is 60% a woman doing research and interviewing people could be slow and perhaps dull but this is an excellently paced affair with reliable dialogue.  

The subject matter is very moving and interesting. Usually a movie about racism focuses on how it affects a particular race/religion. Looking at the general aspect of it and shows the interrelations of humanity. This all results in a very emotional ending. 

The movie follows Wilkerson (played by King Richard's Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) all of the way except for the occasional historical flashback. The focus wouldn't have worked if the script wasn't there and Wilkerson wasn't up to the performance. There's an understanding and strength to the author (who was dealing with personal struggles as well) that makes her very engaging. The cast is good all around including Reno 911/Claws' Niecy Nash as Wilkerson's cousin and The Punisher's Jon Bernthal as her husband.

At least part of this film appears to be shot on location in various parts of the globe, and I appreciate the effort.

If there are any nitpicks to this movie, it showcases the data of caste systems, but maybe there could've been more of a conclusion of how it all ties together and why the system occurs. Also, you do kinda get the feeling that the movie could only include the highlights of what was in the book and that there were other examples of caste that there wasn't time for.

Highly recommended. This is a very compelling work.

Fargo- Season 5

9.5/10

In season 5 of the FX anthology series, housewife Dot Lyon (Ted Lasso's Juno Temple) finds her life and family under threat when a shadow from the past pursues her.

The last couple seasons haven't been as strong as the first two, so I'm proud to say that 5 is a real return to form. It both feels like the classic Fargo formula while also reinventing itself. (I especially appreciate that this has more of the main character's family life, which I felt really helped make seasons 1 and 2 work and juxtaposes well against the crueler aspects of the world of Fargo.) What ensues is a pretty well written look at the American political divide and the nature of debt coupled by an interesting story and characters. Creator Noah Hawley's gift for excellently crafted dialogue and monologues is at full speed here. The last three episodes may have been the most engrossing cap off to a season of Fargo there's been, and the very last scene of the entire show may be one of the best moments on television I've ever seen.

Going in though, understand that this is also the darkest season of Fargo (and that's saying something.) Sure, the show's always been about violent crime, but this one focuses on a pretty sensitive subject that may not be for everyone and DOES NOT shy away from the matter.

Visually, the show is also still top knotch with some film-quality shots. Plus, there's some of the best use of music the show's ever done.

I'm glad Temple's work on Ted Lasso really helped jump start her career in America. (Unlike the rest of the British cast on that show she'd already been working regularly in the US, but a lot of her films were flops or limited release.) She brings such a humanity and determination to her character (all with a pretty fun midwestern accent.) Rest of the cast is also great. Jennifer Jason Leigh excels as Dot's sarcastic, cold-blooded billionaire mother-in-law Lorraine Lyon, who inexplicably has an outdated transatlantic accent.

Mad Men's Jon Hamm is antagonist Roy Tillman, a constitutional sherriff and rancher from a line of sheriffs who rules his county like a fiefdom. He's different from previous Fargo villains. Most of them are the love to hate types. Tillman, however, is designed simply to be hated. Hamm is really pulling off the loathsome. (Most villains are honest with themselves in their criminality whereas Tillman clearly feels he's the hero of his story.) You don't watch because of fascination of the character, you want to see if he'll get his just deserts or not. But don't worry, the show still has its interesting villain. Ole Munch (Sam Spruell, who was the main baddie in Jodie Whittaker's last season of Doctor Who) is this season's contract criminal. The tall, kilt-wearing Danish man is a fascinatingly eccentric fellow who doesn't have a personal stake in the matters at hand and brings his own personal philosophy into the events.

Unfortunately, there are so many characters that some of them don't get enough screentime. Kids in the Hall/Newsradio's Dave Foley gets to be Lorraine's one-eyed lawyer/fix-it man Danish Graves who's got a flair about him. New Girl's Lamorne Morris gives the best performance I've ever seen him do as a kind-hearted cop caught in Dot's story. Both of them you truly wish you got more of. 

Highly recommended. This is peak golden age television.

Rustin

7.5/10

The Netflix movie Rustin retells how black and gay civil rights leader Rustin Bayard (played by Colman Domingo) helped organize the March on Washington.

Domingo makes this movie in an electrified and erudite performance; a brave man who was committed to peaceful protest despite the odds and wanted to live his truth. Heck, the majority of the cast is strong, including some known faces.

What unfolds is an interesting look at the behinds-the-scenes of everything it took to make the massive march come to fruition.

Though the film mostly focuses on the organizational aspects of the civil rights movement, it reminds the viewers of the injustices done to African Americans through a few well-placed brief snippets.

Naturally, the film is also about Bayard being both black and gay in 1960's America. Credit must be given to the creators for being honestly cynical about achieving political goals as it focuses on how Bayard's homosexuality was an issue for certain NAACPT members or a weak spot for the movement for more pragmatic members. He's arguably one of the less advertised African American rights activists because of his sexual orientation, and the movie shows the ultimate sadness of a man dedicated toward good but forced to muzzle himself due to his gayness. 

Though the movie wasn't that long, it still could've been shortened. Some scenes just feel like padding or a little dry. Most of the writing flows well, but there is one scene involving an anti-war group where a character's dialogue felt really unnatural and expositioney. (I get the feeling that some scenes for that subplot were cut down and maybe the dialogue would've felt more natural if we had more context.)

Recommended. This is a well told film with an excellent lead performance.

The Burial

7.5/10

In this Amazon Prime film inspired by real events (I admire how the film is straight up honest in its embellishment) that takes place in the '90's, Jeremiah "Jerry" O'Keefe (played by Tommy Lee Jones), the owner of several Mississippi funeral homes, is suffering from money problems. He makes a deal with Ray Loewen (Bill Camp), the owner of a Canadian funeral home company to sell a few of O'Keefe's businesses. However, Loewen stalls for months on signing the contract so he can just wait out on O'Keefe not being able to afford insurance so he can sweep in and take over O'Keefe's entire turf. The Mississippian decides to sue and since the trial takes place in a predominantly black district, he decides to hire black personal injury lawyer Willie Gary (Jamie Fox), who has never lost a case but does not have contract law experience.  

The Burial is your typical feel-good historical drama that involves disparate people working together. The movie's biggest weakness is that it's too blatant in certain parts of dialogue in its attempts to emotionally tug on the audience's sympathies. However, it is a well orchestrated film of its type. The cast and script are solid and make for an enjoyable two hours and six minutes that blow by.

Needless to say that the best part of a movie starring Fox and James is Fox and James. Fox owns the role of the fast-talking, showman type of lawyer, and Jones easily has mastery over the role of a salt of the earth, family man. Camp doesn't get much screen time, but he succeeds in the time he has as a guy who is slime, but intelligent and knows the game. Ferris Bueller/Succession's Alan Ruck and Elemental's Mamoudou Athie also do well as O'Keefe's long term contract lawyer and the lawyer who introduces O'Keefe to Gary.  

Recommended. It's just a well told story that works. 

Oppenheimer

 

9/10

This new Christopher Nolan film looks at how physicist J. Robert Oppnheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) led the team that created the atomic bomb and how he was eventually forced out of the Atomic Energy Commission and any other influence on atomic weapon policy in government.

This movie is a gripping three-dimensional portrayal of Oppenheimer as both a man compelled to help win the war but also as a man grappling with such a deadly weapon he's unleashed upon the world. Many have criticized the three hour run time, but it really does allow you to get a feel for Oppenheimer as a person. (There is one scene in particular near the beginning that will make you say "Did that really happen?! Feels like a stretch." I checked and yeah, that's generally what happened, just movied up a bit.) There are also a LOT of historical characters in this, but I wouldn't have wanted to drop any of them. Having all these figures really enhances the historical feel to the film.

What mostly prevents this movie from getting boring is that Nolan realizes you shouldn't spend too much time on one scene. This isn't a film about long drawn out dialogues in order to fill out the runtime. This movie hammers in historical plot point after historical plot point. Every new thing I learned was pretty interesting. (Admittedly, I felt exhausted by the first part of the third act, yeah this is so long the acts have acts, but things start getting engrossing again.)

The movie is really about two things. One is naturally about the creation of the atomic bomb, all the effort that went into it and Oppenheimer and his fellow scientist's moral struggles with what they were doing, and the other part that wasn't apparent in the trailers was about his being forced out of the political sphere because his viewpoints didn't match the hawkish powers that be. This part is just as watchable as it is a very pointed look at how science and people are manipulated by politicians and the military and how Oppenheimer was useful until he wasn't.

This is a Christopher Nolan film, so the thing is shot and edited superbly. The story is told in a non-linear manner, but I never got confused as to what was going on. This has some of the best use of sound I've seen in a movie in a while; Nolan uses it a couple times to great dramatic effect. There's one scene in this that's chilling. 'Course since this is a Nolan film and he's an old school auteur, he's basically yelling at you "Cinema! Cinema! Cinema, d***it!" There is one artsy scene I felt was trying too hard.

Mostly the makeup in this showing Oppenheimer and others aging, was really, really good. It felt so natural. However, when I said "mostly," for some reason the very final stage of makeup looked fake; luckily there's not much of it.

Cillian has always been a good actor, but this may be the one performance he'll be most remembered and possibly receive an Oscar for. He makes you feel for Oppenheimer, but he also makes it clear he's not perfect. I also see supporting acting nominations for Emily Blunt, in a strong-willed performance as Oppenheimer's wife Kitty, and Robert Downey Jr. as former AEC head Lewis Strauss. You wouldn't guess it from the trailers, but Downey is basically the third biggest character in this. Since recently Downey's been knowing for playing a type, but here he's playing against character, and I almost didn't recognize him at first, he's so different looking in this. 

The entire, large cast is solid. You get some big names in this as well as some actors you probably recognize and like, but they don't get as much exposure as they should.

Highly recommended. This is one of Nolan's best films and a great rebound from Tenet.

Where the Crawdads Sing

 

6.5/10

In this adaptation of the book of the same name by Delia Owens, young woman Kya Clark (played by Daisy Edgar-Jones), who's spent her whole life living in the marsh, stands on trial accused of the murder of her ex-lover Chase Andrews (The King's Man's Harris Dickinson). I try to get the most out of my subscription to AMC's A-List. There wasn't anything that I was really anticipating this weekend. This movie and Mrs. Harris goes to Paris were my two options. Ultimately, I went with this on account of the murder trial interesting me. (No offense to Mrs. Harris. Older woman decides to live and be bold for once in her life; sounds like a good time for many.) I kinda liked Where the Crawdads Sing (more on the kinda later).

The story is solid. Manages to be a romantic melodrama that feels mostly grounded and never like it gets too soapy or tropey. There is one part involving leaves that feels corny, but since it happened only once I'll allow it. I bet many a romance fan would have no problem with that bit.

Though this movie is more about Kya's story than it is about the mystery of what happened to Chase, I thought the it did a surprisingly good job of keeping you guessing about what happened and/or who did it.

The movie's competently directed. The wilderness scenery is truly majestic and the best part of this; my hat off to the location scout. Editing in this can be a little choppy at points.

Pretty good cast all-around in this. Edgar-Jones does a solid job as the lead. David Straitharn plays Kya's lawyer, and yeah it's your basic "Atticus Finch-esque lawyer who supports the protagonist when no one else will" trope, but he's definitely the sort of actor you want for that role. (Kind of wished he had more scenes.) The MVP here though is definitely Taylor John Smith as one of Kya's love interests. He completely sells the tender-hearted, protective paramour role here.

Now you're probably wondering why I only kinda like this despite the mostly positive stuff I said above. The movie's too gosh darn long. It didn't need to be two hours and five minutes. The middle in particular felt stretched. I found myself losing attention at several points. I left the theater to go to the bathroom. Usually I try to hold it, or feel annoyed I missed a scene when I can't, but I really didn't mind at all here. The thing is that no scenes needed to be cut, they just needed to slim them down. Pacing does pick up by the third act for what it's worth.  

I have no intent to watch this again, but I had a good time. Yeah, I was bored at points but this film can get interesting as well. In all fairness, I'm a guy and I think this written more for the female demographic. I can see a lot of romance fans getting a lot more out of this than me.

The House

8/10

This new English felt stop-motion anthology on Netflix contains three dark tales about the drawbacks and unhealthy societal expectations of home ownership. (Well, two tales that are basically horror and one that's more of a psychological piece; to quote Sesame Street: one of these things is not like the others.)  

Well, this was definitely different. You don't see a lot of adult animated films, especially in stop-motion. Writer Enda Walsh displays a lot of talent, coming up with some unique, atmospheric stories that draw you in. The first two are really effective at being creepy. I thought the whole home ownership thing was a really interesting idea. Though this is predominantly horror, don't expect it to be a traditional cursed/haunted house movie. Walsh has legitimate and thought-out stuff to say on the subject matter. 

Breaking down the stories:

First segment (8/10)- A family is offered a new, grand house by a mysterious benefactor. The best one. This is a really unsettling story. 

Second segment (7/10)- The Developer (voiced by Jarvis Cocker), a mouse desperately trying to sell a house he's flipped over, deals with some unusual potential buyers.  This is the weakest as is often the case with the middle segment with an anthology. Some interesting ideas, definitely different, and the ending leaves an impression. However, it feels drawn out, and it's on the viewer to try to piece things together.

Third segment (8/10)- Cat and landlady Rosa (Susan Wokomo) tries to keep her large, old house afloat, both financially and literally. The rest of the area has completely flooded, and the water is creeping in. This is the one that's the odd one out; not scary or dark, but moody in a modern Gothic sort of way. I'm rather okay with the movie ending on a less harsh note; sort of a film equivalent of a chaser. Segment could've been a little shorter, but it's a decent character piece and has a dreamlike feel to it.

Nexus Studios really outdid themselves with the animation here. Movement is so fluid. However, I wasn't a big fan of the design of the human characters in the first story. The felt look works well with the furry animals, but it is just weird seeing it represent human flesh. Also, not a big fan of how small the mouths are. 

There are moments where the set design is so good and the camera angles at times are so well placed that it produces some cinematic shots. In particular, the appearance of the third segment's house surrounded by water as far as the eye can see is truly memorable.     

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. If you want something different, I highly recommend this. Unless you scare easily; you won't like this then.

American Underdog

5.5/10

American Underdog, based on the book All Things Possible, tells the story of Kurt Warner (played by Shazam!/Chuck's Zachary Levi), the NFL MVP who took more years than most to make it into the league, and his relationship with the woman who would become his wife Brenda Meoni (True Blood/X-Men's Anna Paquin).

This focuses a lot more on the home life/dramatic aspects than the sports aspects. The advertising made this feel like it'd be more about football. That's what I would've liked. I didn't know anything about arena football, which Warner played before making the big leagues, till this film, and I would've liked seeing more stuff like that. 

This tries to be a Christianity-light, inspirational drama, but while it's competently made, it feels very by-the-numbers. Though there are a few fun lines, the end result wasn't very interesting for me. Not downright bad, or sleep-inducing, but I could've been doing other things with my time. The script feels like it's scraping the barrel when trying to come up with conflicts. Every big setback Warner encounters feels manufactured, and character actions often don't feel natural.

Levi and Paquin are good actors, but they aren't able to do much with the basic dialogue they're given. They give the latter a short hair cut to match that of the real Brenda, but it doesn't work with Paquin's face at all.  Dennis Quaid's in this as coach Dick Vermeil. Isn't in this much (again advertising is deceptive), but he's more entertaining when he's on. Again, Quaid can't do much with the dialogue, but he's clearly having fun and gives a lively borderline over-the-top performance as the coach.

Not recommended. I'm not saying this isn't inspirational and feel-good, but there are other films that do a better job.

Nine Perfect Strangers- Season 1

 

9/10

In this Hulu show based on the book by Big Little Lies' Liane Moriarty, nine people, each with their own emotional baggage/damage, visit Tranquilium, a wellness retreat, lead by the charismatic but enigmatic Masha Dmitrichenko (played by Nicole Kidman). She is said to get results, but her methods soon get controversial. 

I didn't set high expectations when I walked into this. The trailer looked interesting, but I didn't quite know what to make of it. I'm pleased to say this show really took me by surprise. The writing's really good. All the characters and all their personal issues gel. Dialogue is strong.

I like that this is a "dealing-with-your-demons" story, but it isn't trying to be too serious or dark. There's sad stuff in this, but this show isn't about being defined by it. It's also refreshing to see a mystery show that is also not trying too hard to be serious or dark, which feels like a rarity these days. Shocking, kinda trippy, unexpected stuff does happen, mind you, and you're definitely kept interested in what happens next. Though you may be able to guess some of the characters' story arcs, you won't be able to predict all the ways this story will go.   

I do think the show does go a little overboard with Masha's indecipherableness and her quasi-new ageness. There's a subplot with her and her employees that felt like too much.

Has an amazing cast full of big names and familiar faces. Besides Kidman, there's Michael Shannon, Melissa McCarthy, Samara Weaving, Luke Evans, Bobby Canavale, Regina Hall, and The Good Place's Manny Jacinto, (who proves to be very versatile in a completely different role than his humrous Jason Mendoza character). They're all good. Shannon and Asher Keddie here are the real acting heavyweights as a couple with tragedy in their past, and the former gives one of his best performances. Weaving as an influencer and Hall as a woman trying to restart her life give the best character work I've ever seen them do.

Highly recommended. This is a very interesting show. I can't say there are a lot exactly like this.

Things Heard & Seen

6/10

In Things Heard & Seen, based on the novel All Things Cease to Appear, Catherine Claire (played by Big Love/Mank's Amanda Seyfried) uproots her life and moves to Hudson Valley when her husband George (James Norton) gets a new lecturing position. She has to deal with the loneliness of being a new person in rural New York and begins to suspect something is wrong about her house.   

Contrary to what this movie's trailer would have you expect, this isn't so much a horror story as a dark drama. This is a well structured tale. It does a very good job of implying things rather than straight up spoonfeeding the audience. A lot of people online have an issue with how the movie ends. It is not the ending I wanted (I mean it when I say this is dark), but I understand what the director was going for.

The two hour run time does strain itself. You'll spend a lot of time watching stuff you might not be in the mood for, including some really reprehensible actions.

The character intelligence in this is weird. There are a couple moments where you'll question the characters' decisions. Yet, the townsfolk are surprisingly smart and aware. Usually in these stories, those around the main characters have no clue anything is going on or end up believing a different narrative.    

Great location settings in this; they have a rural beauty. Whereas a lot of the sets/buildings reinforce the dark/isolated tone of the movie. 

Overall, this is competently made. But, it's not something something I was looking for. I didn't have fun and the message wasn't enough to make this a strong "story that has something to say" deal. I can't recommend this to others, especially if you just want to sit back and be entertained.  

Fargo- Season 4

9/10

Whereas season 3 was the most recently set story in the series, this season is set the farthest back in 1950s Kansas City, Missouri. In it, we follow the simmering conflict between Italian and African American crime organizations, which soon draws in a mixed-race family who own a funeral home,  two outlaws, and an odd nurse. Last season had been a letdown, so I was so pleased to see the show return to form for this great season.

What we get is an interesting look inside what it is to pursue the American Dream or the illusion of the American dream and the tragic inability of groups, be they ethnic, racial, or religious, to identify with each other even if they're under the same boot. Given that this is Fargo, this is naturally told with the show's trademark combination of moments of unforgettable dialogue, characters, dark humor, and violence. Though, bare in mind that the show has the same tendency it always had of having some killings feel arbitrary. I found that creator Noah Hawley was able to find the right balance between depicting the racism of the time and being a piece of entertainment. 

This season has the same strength I thought season 2 had: a large cast, which kept things busy and managed to prevent the show from feeling drawn out. That having been said, there are parts where the flow could have been smoother. (The brunt of focus is on the mobsters.) This season's primary protagonist Ethelrida Smutney (played by Emyri Crutchfield) felt like and her family needed more screentime. The nurse Oraetta Mayflower (Jessie Buckley) felt like her story was spread too thin (usually in small bits). What makes this worse is that you could predict several points where her story went an episode or two ahead.

Again, the show looks great, maintaining a film-like auteur-heavy quality. I won't spoil it, but the episode East/West in particular takes an interesting visual choice. The music remains superb. 

The cast, including the likes of Chris Rock, Ben Whishaw, Timothy Olyphant, and Jason Schwatzman, is strong across the board. There are so many fine characters and performances, I don't have time to mention them all.

I highly recommend this. This is just some engrossing stuff. (P.S. When you get to the last episode, make sure you don't immediately turn it off when the credits start.) 

Big Sky- Season 1- Pilot episode

 

5/10

This new show from David E. Kelly based on the book The Highway by C.J. Box follows a a rural Montana private detective agency as they search for a couple of missing teenage girls. I felt the pilot was just okay and there wasn't enough to entice me to keep watching.

The biggest issue was that the detectives didn't interest me. They are all given immediate personal conflicts, but not enough effort is given to make the characters themselves interesting or relatable. Nor is enough teased to make me want to find out more. It doesn't help that their conflicts feel petty in the grand scheme of things. A lot of other stuff in this is watchable, but it feels like the show is merely fulfilling the basic requirements of a drama.

That having been said, there were a couple interesting twists in a road. Also, John Carroll Lynch, who's usually good, is fun as an oddball sheriff. The show looks great, combining the northern landscape and a fine use of color.

Overall, I wouldn't say I downright disliked this. It's that with so many shows out there, I felt there were better uses of my time. It is possible that some of you could get more out of this.

The Trial of the Chicago 7

 

9/10

The Trial of the Chicago 7, Netflix's new Oscar grab, follows the real life trial of eight leaders in the protest against the Vietnam War. When the cops started using force, riots broke out. The eight were put on a politically motivated trial (the title Chicago 7 makes sense if you watch) for charges of intentionally planning the riots with hostile judge Julius Hoffman (Frank Langella) presiding. This was a really good film.

This is just a well executed courtroom piece. The thought-provoking serious stuff (how the judge treats Black Panther Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is especially shocking) is balanced with humor managing to make this both a film with something to say that also entertains.  The various historical/political aspects to this is pretty interesting. (And yeah, there are obvious connotations to today's climate). The protest leaders come from different factions with different views on and ways of protesting, and one of the driving forces is seeing the characters work off of one another.     

If the movie has any weaknesses is that it can be a little too obvious at at getting those big emotional Holywood moments. In particular, there area lot of scenes of prosecutor Richard Schultz (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) having multiple crises of conscious which doesn't seem like that is how that played in real life. 

The acting is top notch in this with an array of big or experienced names. The two best performers are Langella and Mark Rylance as defense attorney William Kunstler. Langella does an excellent job of characterization with these little facial, physical touches that sell it. (I guess when if you have a very distinctive voice you'd try extra hard too make sure people see the character and not the actor.) Rylance brings a really different energy than the soft-spoken roles I've seen him do in the past. 

Overall, I highly recommend this. 

New Mutants

8/10

New Mutants, based on the X-Men related comic book series, is about a group of teen mutants being held in a facility until they properly learn to control their powers. Suspicious events commence. This movie was supposed to come out in 2018 before Dark Phoenix and has been held back till now. (The switch to Disney from Fox probably was responsible for some of the stalling on how to handle this.) Now that it's finally come out I'm surprised at the delay. I mean, I could see the executives giving this little advertising or moving it to a weak box office month, but they didn't need to wait this long. Overall, I rather liked the movie.

This is one of the more unique takes on superheroes, being a combination of teen drama and horror. The strongest part is the characters, all managing to be distinct with a good cast playing them. 

The movie looks great. The film has this polished look to everything. It's greyness sets the bleak tone but isn't shot too darkly. The facility this movie mostly takes place in is appropriately creepy looking. It has this sterile, decrepit look while the building exteriors and grounds are pretty grand. The traditional big fight at the end is also definitely different from most films of this type by having some really unique visuals.

However, I can see other people not liking this as much as me. A lot of this movie is just people talking. It could've been shorter. In fact, the pacing may prevent me from watching this again soon.

It's a little hard to believe that the facility is run by only person. Given the powers and raw emotions of the teen mutants, you'd expect there'd be more people there in case things go awry or at least for basic building maintenance or  medical or technical support. Also, the character Ilyana's powers feel vaguely defined. 

I don't know if I can recommend this to everyone (especially if you're not a fan of teen drama, there is a lot of that in this.) However, director/co-writer Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars) had a clear distinct vision and I admire the effort.