please don’t hate me, but la la land just didn’t work for me. the visuals are stunning, the performances are charming, and the ending is easily the best part. but the story is a little too self-indulgent for my taste. ryan gosling’s character preaching about jazz to actual black jazz musicians is… a choice, and the film’s whole “hollywood dreamer” nostalgia feels more surface-level than genuinely moving. the songs are pleasant but not particularly memorable, and while i appreciate what it’s going for, it didn’t leave much of a lasting impact on me. pretty to look at, but not much else.
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Paris, Texas 1984
paris, texas is visually stunning and undeniably well-crafted, but it just didn’t click for me. i can see why it’s so highly regarded. the cinematography is stunning, the performances are raw, and the themes of loss, regret, and redemption are deeply felt. but the pacing was too meditative for my taste, and i found myself feeling more detached than engaged. the emotional payoff in the final act is strong, but getting there felt like a bit of a slog. i appreciate its artistry, but it’s not a film i’d rewatch.
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sex, lies, and videotape 1989
james spader in this film looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks. he’s awkward, weird, and filming people for “personal project”—and somehow, that’s hot? i fear i may have a problem.
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Raiders, Raptors and Rebels: Behind the Magic of ILM 2015
a solid deep dive into the legendary visual effects studio, packed with cool behind-the-scenes footage and nostalgia for some of the biggest movies ever made. if you’re into film history or special effects, it’s definitely an interesting watch.
however, i came here for james spader, and his appearance was so brief it felt like a blink and you miss it moment. disappointing? absolutely. but the documentary itself is still worth watching, just don’t expect much spader content.
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