I went in blind to this film only knowing there was a LOT of hype. I kinda wanted to discount it at first, but then it grew on me and got very difficult to dismiss. Just a superb job of unusual pacing to create a highly sustained, very unsettling, uniquely creepy vibe. That’s all done extremely well, but the singular, critical, indispensable element where the success or failure of this film ultimately lives or dies is the performance of Inde Navarrette as Nikki…and she delivers an absolutely iconic, mesmerizing, revelatory performance. What more could you wish for?….wait—I take that back!!!
Disclosure Day
Just saw Disclosure Day. Looking at reviews post-screening and seeing a lot of negativity. I don’t buy it. This is an excellent film. Interesting, intense, thought-provoking…the unique plotting and the way information is delivered kept my attention glued. OK, maybe it doesn’t hold up air-tight to post-movie scrutiny…but command of the camera and overall Spielbergian feel was at maximum Spielberg. What’s not to like about that? If we ever do blow the cover off an Area 51 extraterrestrial government cover-up, I think it will play out almost exactly like this…but contrary to this narrative, when the footage is disclosed, news producers and the majority of the general public will instantly discredit it as an AI hoax. I guess the cover-up is safe…for now. The truth is out there!
Song Sung Blue
My Hot Take Rule 1 when it comes to a movie you plan on screening: never watch the preview. I stumbled into Song Sung Blue completely blind. Loved it. Major emotional roller coaster. Amazing performances. extremely captivating story supremely well told. Afterwards, I watched the preview and it gave away every major plot point and emotional gut punch. Would have totally spoiled my viewing experience. I give this movie 5 out of 5 Diamonds.
The James Bond Filmography
I’m a self-proclaimed James Bond scholar. I regularly read the original novels, I’ve seen all the films many, many times…but I’ve never watched the films in order(!) When they were all recently released on Netflix, I took up the challenge. Absolutely fascinating experience. I do have unconditional love for this series, but the common thread throughout is: very high ceiling; very low floor. The source material is so, so, SO good--I definitely feel like that gift has been squandered over the decades. The films that by far stood out the most from this review? From Russia With Love, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, For Your Eyes Only, Goldeneye and Casino Royale. Least favorite: Thunderball. All the actors to play Bond are outstanding….but my favorite filmic Bond? …Same answer as from my youth: Roger Moore.
Project Hail Mary
Can’t remember when I saw a movie this epic, engrossing, audience pleasing…and funny. Amazing work from Ryan Gosling—on top of his game and hitting new heights. Speaking of elevating material, It’s “must see TV” when he hosts Saturday Night Live.
“So I met an alien. He’s kind of growing on me. At least he’s not growing in me.” Great stuff.
The Day The Earth Stood Still
With world conflict weighing on my mind, I felt it was time to revisit this 1951 classic. Worthy of its iconic status! The mission of Klaatu is still very relevant today…but the idea of leaving an all powerful robot army (AI) in charge hasn’t aged too well.
Bugonia
Dark, weird, funny, unpredictable, thought provoking. If there are highly advanced extraterrestrial beings out there, this is probably a very likely scenario.
Peaky Blinders
When I heard Steven Knight will be writing the next James Bond script, it was time for me to finally check out his series Peaky Blinders. Very glad I did. Excellent series—great look, acting, story and overall unique vibe. Mr. Knight can certainly write! I look forward to how he will launch the new Bond. My unsolicited advice: stay true to the original Fleming source material and your mission will succeed
Marty Supreme
Yowza! What a high-stress, high-intensity, havoc-filled rollercoaster ride of anxiety! Not so much of a film as a tense, visceral experience. Certainly an exhilarating and captivating time to be along for the ride. Following up A Complete Unknown with this epic and absolutely powerhouse performance—I do believe Timothée Chalamet currently holds serve as the best actor on the planet.
Snow!
It was a sad state of affairs getting minimal snow the last couple Minnesota winters. It’s back this season in all its “Winter Wonder Land” glory. Too bad my Nordic ski technique is not yet all that glorious…
Adolescence
Wow…kind of speechless about what I just saw. What a spot-on clever, compelling and emotional way to tell this important story. Just absolutely, completely, 100% immersive and sets new standards for acting and cinematography. I felt the weight of every moment…and it’s heavy!
Tim Robinson
Never heard of this guy until I stumbled into the movie Friendship…which I found quite compelling…which lead me to discover his sketch comedy series I Think You Should Leave. I definitely appreciate a good comedy, but seldom laugh out loud. This show is SO absurd, SO unpredictable, and SO committed to the bit that nearly every sketch has me bursting into hysterics. That was particularly awkward when I recently watched a bunch of episodes on a flight. I know this show won’t be for everyone, but for whatever reason, it is setting its own unique standard of hilarity for me.
Edgar Wright
I recently revisited Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Baby Driver. In my opinion, Edgar Wright is the greatest filmmaker working today. I can watch his movies over and over and over again and always catch something new. Always be on the edge of my seat. Always be highly entertained. Such a unique and compelling vision for cinematic action, comedy, story, character, dialogue, sound and of course EDITNG. No one shoots for the edit like this guy.
Black Mirror Season 7
Black Mirror is my favorite show of the streaming era. What a treat it is to experience a new season and bask in its brilliance. I made sure to avoid any trailers, summaries, etc. and went into each episode as a complete blank slate, letting them unfold and envelop me in their dark, tangled webs. When this show works, it works like no other…even when it doesn’t quite work…it still works!
3:10 to Yuma
I’m a big fan of author Elmore Leonard and currently reading his entire library in order. I just watched this 2007 adaptation of Leonard’s short story by the same name. This is a masterpiece Western and just a great film. Definitely reinforces Seth MacFarlane’s thesis from his highly entertaining A Million Ways to Die in the West.
Quarterback: Season 2
As someone who has the privilege to film people and tell their story, I am once again in awe of and completely blown away by what is achieved in the Netflix Sports documentaries. With an all-access pass and backed up by the incredible cinematography of NFL films, this is documentary story-telling at its best. Narrative, visuals, pacing, etc.—the whole game plan is flawlessly executed. This show once again has me whipped up for another NFL/Fantasy season. As the 3 featured QBs say (about a billion times), “Let’s GO!!!”
The Terminator
I revisited this favorite film of my youth to see if it still holds up for me. Sure, some effects are a little dated…but many others are still absolutely epic…and the story! Yikes!—what seemed like Sci-Fi 40+ years ago is quite believable now. Wow, was this movie ahead of its time. “Young” me saw this as an all-out action extravaganza. “Adult” me was deeply moved by the power of the emotional core at the heart of the story and the total belief in Sarah Connor’s arc from hapless to the mother of all action heroes. This is a masterpiece.
Game of Thrones
I read the books way back when, so needed to let those memories get very hazy before I finally tackled watching the series. Wow, what a saga—worth the wait! Sometimes a little too talky…not all tangents are equally intriguing…but by the hellfire of Drogon does this series look awesome. It just gets more and more epic. Amazing cast; attention to detail with wardrobe and locations is incredible; extremely hateful villains; best battle sequences I have ever seen (except for The Battle of Winterfell—that was a looooong night.) Like the building of The Wall, Game of Thrones is nothing short of legendary.
Sinners
A character study?…Gangster film?…Period piece drama?…Vampire horror musical??? Whatever Sinners does, it does extremely well…and same for whoever is doing it. Intense, thought provoking, original. The power of music is truly immortal. Stay for the credits!
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
Great finale to this outstanding series. Really, I don’t think anyone else comes close to the action scenes these films achieve. Tom Cruise putting his life in peril for our entertainment certainly gives these a heightened sense of realism and intensity. I saw this epic in IMAX—just a super fun and impactful theater experience…reminded me how much I miss those experiences.
