Past Lives makes you think about destiny and order but also the chaos and randomness of being alive and connecting with people. Absolutely loved how in this movie you're painstakingly waiting for a moment to find it's answer - and it's not always met with one.
Going into Beau is Afraid - I had high expectations. After the success and reception of Hereditary and Midsommar, I was excited to see Ari Aster's third feature length film.
This was one of my least favorite movies in memory, unfortunately. In the beginning, BIA really captures you with anxiety inducing chaos that make you feel the fear and anxiety Beau does. With tidbits of humor and absurdity, one might think the journey about to unfold is going to be one…
"(Tennis) is a relationship."
Challengers proves to be some of Guadagnino's best work yet. I couldn't peel my eyes away. Watching the triad of Art, Patrick, and Tashi compete against one another from teen years into adulthood really highlighted the complex and human storytelling of competitive players in a game that goes beyond the court. From the first shot to the final Match Point, it was such a cinematic experience to see how the three all played a part in their collective successes. Plus, who knew tennis was so hot? 🎾
Emma Stone is a master in her craft as she brings Bella Baxter to life in Poor Things. From conception (well sort of) to full womanhood, Bella is a journey of becoming human and tasting the best and worst of life.
All in all, Poor Things is just proof that Yorgos Lanthimos remains my favorite director.
Foe took its time to get started. It was rather uneventful and by the time it got somewhere, it felt like it was over. But also could have ended at 4 different spots? I love the idea behind Foe but is still isn't anything we haven't seen before. However, Mescal and Ronan are great and their performances really shined through. I just wish Foe was more polished in the end.
This is definitely a "the book was better" movie.
Scrapper took its time sinking its hooks into me, but when it did, boy was it an emotional journey. Lola Campbell and Harris Dickinson as father and daughter were a delight to watch as their relationship went from distant to a playful one. Scrapper was well written, moving, and heartfelt at depicting what it means to finally show up for the people in your life - no matter how hard it may be.
Eggers knows how to really paint his story in Nosferatu - I just wanted more. The movie itself is atmospheric, creepy, and interesting - it just felt relatively safe and linear. Haven't seen Depp in anything else until now and she sold me most of the time. Skarsgård and Dafoe are brilliant as always.
Yorgos' central idea that people will go to extreme lengths to get what they want over-saturates the three tales of Kinds of Kindness. We've seen it before in The Lobster, Dogtooth, and The Favourite but KOK was sort of a step down from traditional Yorgos. Don't get me wrong: it was visually stunning and smart and I laughed and gasped - I just expected more from Daddy Lanthimos.
Unfortunately this was similar to her dad's style of movie making where the dialogue gives away too much, too often. By the time it got remotely interesting or even different, it ended. Womp womp.
First half was losing me but boy did the second pack a punch. Not the best story pacing or creative choices, but I'll support and see anything Dev is in, honestly.