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Midas Man (2024)
A painful and uncomfortable experience
Often almost painful to watch. I'm just struggling to understand who this is aimed at. If it was solely about Brian Epstein it could've been passable, but The Beatles segments are just awful & the constant narration to camera feels like a Michael Sheen/Tony Blair impression. I could understand a story of a man condemned to hide his sexuality especially during that time period, but it's just not done well. The jaunty score also adds nothing to the story and the recording and performance of the songs included in the film is more painful than not. Imagine a pitch where one of the disco dancing twins from The Phantom of the Open plays John Lennon... I'd say there's only a maximum of 10 minutes of worthy acting from the main lead. I had to watch it, but definitely did not enjoy it at all. Just dropped another star for the utterly shameful shot of him walking across Abbey Road before the text came on with the date of his death.
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
Ambiguity takes a trip down La La Land
The ambiguity of the first film takes a leap down La La Land with this follow up. Again, all of the conversations are mainly centred around standout lyrics from songs and musicals to cast the presumption and possibility that there's really no physical dialogue actually taking place. The vocal performances are fantastic but especially from the untrained, broken and vulnerable tones of Joaquin Phoenix. The sound design and score was again on top form, as were all of the arrangements. Whilst some sets were obviously designed to embrace the fantasy and fanciful style of classic and lavish musicals, there are occasions where it is the lighting which plays its role at transforming whatever the 'real world' set is into becoming a mindful grandiose stage. I think it will alienate a lot of the audience (there have been multiple and numerous groans from people every time another song begins), but thankfully I did get the majority of the reference points, so again, loved the performances.
I think I've invested myself into a potential backstory of the character enough to be able to tell this fictionalised version of fantasy and reality to just be happy to let the story unravel itself, whereas if you are presuming to take it all at face value then it will feel disjointed.
Trap (2024)
The Butcher slays by acting...
I know how the butcher (Josh Hartnett) killed his victims. He probably just made them watch his acting. Utterly shameless vehicle which probably has the intention of making a music career for the directors daughter. Eugh. I'm still utterly baffled how they could film an arena full of fans watching a solo artists show yet not have even a single hint of any atmosphere whatsoever. It's quite laughable actually how many cringe inducing moments there are except for maybe a 5 minute sit around the kitchen table at the very end where the focus is taken away from the exceedingly terrible Josh Hartnett.
One Life (2023)
Exceptional piece of work
This is truly an exceptional piece of work. Having seen the trailer it could've easily been made to look and feel quite tacky but I was genuinely surprised and extremely impressed by what has been accomplished. Every step of the production was presented exactly as you would want from a time period piece and I don't recall seeing any cgi at all and certainly none which could've potentially shattered the illusion. The commitment of the actors, both past and present versions were magnificent and made you completely believe their situations. The story is an exceptional one and I'm glad that it has been told in exactly the way it was & it absolutely destroyed me & I don't think there was a dry eye left from anyone in the cinema screening that I watched it in. Anything which gives me the immediate emotional reaction that this did means that it deserves a full 5 stars.
The Reckoning (2023)
Coogan is so good it's unnerving.
In the course of his life he became one of the most celebrated radio and television personalities in Britain, and used his extensive charity work to place himself at the very heart of the most important institutions in our society.
This drama examines how he was able to hide in plain sight, using his position to commit countless serious sexual offences, many against minors, and how the voices of so many were ignored and silenced.
Steve Coogan is excellent as Jimmy Saville and has his mannerisms and inflections down, which is both impressive but also very unsettling. The dramatisation too is excellent and isn't shy of showing real footage which just cements its historical accuracy and importantly, the survivors get to speak out as they deliver their stories in a talking head style.
Close (2022)
Beautiful but devastating
I've had the soundtrack on repeat since my first watch of this, one month ago, but only just feel prepared enough to revisit the film. Knowing the story only made me fully appreciate the performances of the boys in the early stages of the film & even more heartbroken as their relationship begins to alter. Beautiful but devastating & the score is itself so achingly beautiful that it will always remain an absolute masterpiece. I love the emotion that Leo displays right after his ice hockey incident, as it's often much easier to display emotions with signs of a physical injury that it is trying to explain what is going on inside. The camera work is absolutely ruthless in this too, as it never lets you forget what Leo is having to come to terms with, as he is for the vast majority of the film, in the centre of the frame.
Unwelcome (2022)
Ludicrous but entertaining...
Judging by the trailer I was kind of half expecting it to be a comedy horror, but the opening decided that it was going to take itself far more seriously. That is until the 'red-caps' are revealed and it definitely goes the way of Cronenberg & I was half reminded of things like The Brood, but also Gremlins. I'm looking to recommending it just to see people's reaction when it does turn a bit ludicrous and bonkers. Definitely a pizza and beer kind of film. I'll probably regret it on a rewatch but I really enjoyed the last 3rd so will score it for now as a very good 'experience', although I can't quite begin to call it a very good film.
Aftersun (2022)
Depression, Realism & Life affirming...
Having seen the trailer for this, I had a suspicion that it would have quite dark undertones & I was absolutely right. Although it could be perceived as being quite ambiguous, it spoke & resonated with me right to the core both as a father & as a person who lives with depression. I can see & hear things within this that I've heard myself saying such as; "You know that you can talk to me about anything, I'll always be here" which is a basic read between the lines as "I'm offering you something that I never had...". The musical, but more importantly the lyrical content of the music which is used & edited to perfection helps narrate the words & meanings that someone in the depths of depression sometimes just cannot find the words to muster. This will stay with me for a long, long time & it is a beautiful film which captures a father/daughter relationship, but if you are particularly susceptible to poor mental health then I would exercise caution before watching it. I'm glad that I felt brave enough, but as I've said, it will stay with me for a very long time.
Brian and Charles (2022)
A really lovely, lovely film...
I'm not sure just how diverse an actor David Earl is, but what he does play he plays brilliantly. Here he plays a loner who's backstory is unspoken but it is obvious from his inflections that it is steeped in loneliness, anxiety and depression. Because you obviously feel for the guy I didn't find myself laughing too much as I just wanted to get behind his sense of optimism & so very wished the very best for him. Because of its PG certificate it stopped the lead from venturing into obscenities, which he is often known for & I think it's better for it as it genuinely made me feel for the guy. Drenched in pathos from beginning to end, all that is left to say that it is truly a lovely, lovely film. The score was really simple but really effective too & played along with the sentiment & optimism that was just right.
Ennio (2021)
A beautiful & comprehensive study...
"I never thought music would be my destiny. I wanted to be a doctor. My father said: 'No, he will study the trumpet'. " Ennio Morricone
Even though I was really excited to see this, it's even greater than I could have ever imagined & really provides an incredibly in-depth & comprehensive study of his entire career, with relatively modern interviews with the man himself. There's so many highlights in its 2hr 36min runtime but this quote about working with some directors who struggled to know what his soundtrack would sound like has left a particular resonance within me...
"You cannot describe music. It needs to be listened to." The easiest 5*/10* documentary score that I can ever recall making.
Licorice Pizza (2021)
Beautiful display of real people living real lives
Absolutely loved it & kind of puts me in mind of Once upon a time in Hollywood as far as the pacing goes & Pulp Fiction because of the amount of closeups where faces fill the entire screen and feels incredibly intimate because you can read every expression & see the pores & blemishes on their faces.
It also has an absolutely brilliant soundtrack that you never knew you needed, until now.
Annette (2021)
True artists at work...
From the very first bars of 'Can we Start' I was sold. The music is stunning, as are the impressively imaginative set changes which flow so beautifully into one another. 2021 is definitely Sparks year and I'm so pleased that this project as well as the documentary has come to fruition for them. Although I might not have thought it beforehand the two main leads are absolutely perfectly cast, especially Adam Driver who gives a career best performance. The entire film is as eclectic as Sparks themselves and everything about it jumps around, portraying exactly what they want, which is displaying what complete and true artists that they are.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Brilliant nostalgic trip...
It took a while to get going to be honest and the early focus on the kids made it feel more like a Goonies film rather than a Ghostbusters movie, but when it finds its feet, it's a brilliant vehicle for Paul Rudd. I can't remember the last time I saw a film with as strong a finish as this was, the last 30 minutes were absolutely magnificent!
Spencer (2021)
It's the score that makes it...
As a film it is very good with some excellent performances from the cast, but the true standout was the musical score written by Johnny Greenwood which is absolutely masterful. It really fills you with absolute dread and fear during the course of the film & much of it really feels like a horror/thriller/drama which sucks you right into the world of the lead character. Yes, of course I know that it's derived from a real person's perspective, but exactly how much truth there is to it I couldn't say but none of that stopped me from enjoying the film one bit.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
His exceptional masterpiece...
Whilst I generally find Clint Eastwood's direction great, this is one example of him just delivering something extra which makes it an exceptional masterpiece. The other reason why this is a particular standout is because of the prominence of the musical score, which Eastwood also wrote. A real combination of the holy trinity of acting, direction & music writing which really sets this apart from his other films.
The Mule (2018)
Just a beautiful tale of human interaction.
After just watching Cry Macho & thinking that this is somehow connected to it has made the scenes where he DOES reconnect with previous relationships just the more poignant and emotional. Analyzing the films that he's directed has provided me the insight that however strong the emotion that he wishes to display, it's his absolute subtlety which really makes it. I'd almost suggest that he's made his own homage to the Japanese directors Yasujiro Ozu & Akira Kurosawa, both of which are absolutely masterful at depicting stories of human interaction.
Cry Macho (2021)
An Americana Trilogy...?
To make any kind of movie at his age is an achievement in itself, but this does have a few sweet & tender beautiful moments. I think it's a great accompaniment to The Mule & could well imagine him wanting to do a 3rd to round up what I would call an 'Americana trilogy'. Wishful thinking maybe...
Love & Mercy (2014)
A true & sentimental love letter ...
The recording studio scenes in this are absolutely fantastic reconstructions of the real sessions & I'll always fall back on the description that my friend gave before the first time I saw it, which is that Paul Dano is perfect in his recreation & John Cusack plays the later Brian Wilson like a baby, which is 100% correct.
Last Night in Soho (2021)
"You're my world, every move I make..."
First impressions are that although it starts out with a flowery 60's vibe, it escalates quite quickly to become much more sinister & quickly graduates & its escalation of terror is depicted brilliantly. Obviously there's lots of music which cements the majority of the scenes in the mid-60's, but these too become much more sinister as the film goes on. It does depict quite a specific vibe of London/Soho seedy gangster history & more specifically gentlemen's clubs which I can well imagine the Krays & the likes to frequent. Thomasin McKensie is absolutely brilliant as the modern character who has the visions which connects everything together & her depth as an actress continues to impress. There are certain elements which go beyond the idea of realistic actions, but considering that it is generally based on visions & fantasies can easily be forgiven.
Count Me In (2021)
A strangely fitting homage to Charlie Watts...
I'm absolutely devastated. I absolutely adored the man. I'm literally just watching people say how much they love Charlie Watts when a news bulletin popped up to say that he'd passed away.
This might be a bit of a niche topic for the majority of people, but as a drummer I've absolutely loved it. Watching well known tub thumpers who are grown men & women be completely giddy as they relay stories of their own drumming heroes is a really lovely thing to see. It's just been added to Netflix & honestly if you'd like to be let in on a whole new world of music, you'll love it.
Druk (2020)
Absolutely wonderful!
This is right up my street & feels quite personal as it's basically about a teacher who's lost his sight of his passion in both his teaching and his home life. Perfect combination of humour with enough pathos to leave you questioning indeed if it's time for another round.
The Sparks Brothers (2021)
Thorough and comprehensive...
That was a fantastic documentary experience & although I knew very little, it's such a comprehensive journey that it could be loved by everyone who watches it. The experience was even heightened by the live Q &A with Edgar Wright & Ron & Russ. Both funny and moving it really does pay tribute to them as artists first and foremost, and they testified that they were greatly influenced by the French Nouvelle Vague ideas of creating a cinematic sound which they applied to their own style.
Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)
Magnificent...
From the moment it begins with Stevie Wonder's drum solo, you know you're in for a unique performance the likes of which have never been seen before. It gives a great sense of context so you understand the importance of the day with both footage from the time & modern talking heads who are reflecting on their experiences and stories from the day. I found it humorous & deeply moving & it's great to see and be reminded of the power of music at drawing an audience together. Yes, many of the songs had a religious theme but that is also balanced with some of the top performers of that time which does an excellent job of appealing to a huge cross section of society that were there on that day. An absolute wonderful experience to see it at the cinema & I cannot wait to see it again.
Fear Street: 1994 (2021)
Scooby Doo for the Stranger Things generation
It uses well established genre conventions of that time to time stamp it with its sound design & use of music. However, ultimately it's almost like a live action Scooby Doo movie for the Stranger Things generation.
Nobody (2021)
Somebody did good...
Absolutely brilliant & loved it. It's extremely entertaining & loads of fun with some great laughs & chuckles throughout. It's a very typical Bob Odenkirk style film I would say and there is some fantastic editing & surprising but exceptional music cues used. Looking forward to watching this again already!