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Conclave 2024
Palace intrigue, papal-style.
Impeccable craftsmanship: the editing, score, cinematography, costumes, acting and screenplay combine under Berger's precise direction to create a film that's not only pretty to watch, but pretty effective as well. The camera scrutinizes the multitudes in Ralph Fiennes' tortured face throughout the prelude and sequential bombshells of the titular conclave. He gives a worthy best actor Oscar performance, and if not for Adrien Brody, it might have secured one of the best actors of our time the…Translated from by -
Wicked 2024
I admit - this was entertaining. Unfortunately, most musical adaptations can't surpass the original stage version, and Wicked is no different, but darn, did the costumes, production design, and Ariana/Cynthia try their hardest! It's obvious the budget was large (and it shows) but the directorial vision left a bit to be desired. Blame some of it on stretching a story that could have easily all been in one movie (the stage version was shorter in TOTAL than just this part…
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Anora 2024
Contrived chaos only works if well executed - Anora tries very hard, but ultimately falls short. I really wanted to like the film, given the buzz as Oscar favorite (as of today) and effusive praise for Mikey Madison's titular performance. And the first half is indeed a rollicking good time, effervescent, bubbly, and beautifully shot. However, the nearly 30 minute 'kidnapping/fight' scene breaks its momentum and tone, and after that we go down a rabbit hole of a 'humorous' chase…
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A Complete Unknown 2024
Mediocre jukebox musical biopic.
Chalamet gives a just-fine lead performance I guess, if what he's emulating is a Bob Dylan who has zero facial expression and mumbles incoherently 80% of the time.
Ed Norton is fantastic at Pete Seeger. Much, much better than Timmy. Without raising his voice a bit, he emotes so much from just his phrasing and with his eyes.
There's no real plot here. It's supposedly showing Dylan's first few years and meteoric rise to fame, but…Translated from by
