AaronKoe

AaronKoe

Favorite films

  • Happy Together
  • Paris Is Burning
  • Beautiful Thing
  • Shortbus

Recent activity

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  • Babygirl

    ★★★½

  • Anora

    ★★★★★

  • Champions of the Golden Valley

    ★★★★★

  • ¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!

    ★★★★

Recent reviews

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  • Babygirl

    Babygirl

    ★★★½

    #gotmilk An unexpected vehicle for Nicole Kidman in a timely tale about power dynamics and learning to own one’s sexuality. There are delightfully honest and subversive moments throughout- thoughtfully shot with bold frames that compliment the action and emotions. Performances were solid throughout- and while everyone is buzzing about Kidman, praise must also be given to Esther McGregor- she has a dynamic presence on screen that is palpable.  The film has a fun soundtrack that leverages some popular hits in amazing new ways. Definitely recommended- but definitely not for everyone.

  • Anora

    Anora

    ★★★★★

    The latest from Sean Baker is part farce, part tragicomedy, and steeped in the social realism that Baker does so well. The film explores power dynamics through the lens of a savvy sex worker. And Bakers sense of comedy truly shines as the story goes madcap on the back two-thirds. A unique presentation that is solid start to finish with gorgeous cinematography, fun soundtrack, and noteworthy performances from the entire cast. I find the ending to be  particularly poignant. Cheers for ANORA!

Popular reviews

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  • South Park: The Pandemic Special

    South Park: The Pandemic Special

    ★★★

    Smart, sharp, and often way too real- lots of fun, albeit expected in that South Park way- it pokes fun and summarizes the dumpster fire of a year 2020 has been in a way that doesn’t make you feel immediately depressed- only after the chuckles subside and you realize that yes, in fact we’re still here in the middle of a blazing dumpster rolling down a hill towards a brick wall.

  • The Color Purple

    The Color Purple

    ★★★

    Strong performances throughout and a real spectacle overall - certainly a fresh take on the source material that doesn’t really try to compete with other versions, but rather compliments them— beautiful lighting and cinematography but feels a bit overly polished- the film has a strong music video sort of quality - it is a musical after all - and it generally works. There is a density to the film that works for and against it — staging, blocking, and choreographed numbers are well executed but there’s a lot of material packed into a long runtime— And still some story beats feel rushed.

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