It’s Only the End of the World (2016) is Xavier Dolan at his most emotionally raw and confused
Xavier Dolan’s family dramas are explosive, unrepentant pieces of art that pushes every tensile emotion to its limits. In this view, the script can come off a bit contrived, as we see how hard the writing is trying to invoke a heavy emotional response. It’s over bloated in emotional moments, reaching hard to pull that out of the audience. However, many of these moments resonate because it doesn’t devolve into melodrama. It’s mostly challenged and unacceptable. … More It’s Only the End of the World (2016) is Xavier Dolan at his most emotionally raw and confused
Isao Takahata returns to Japanese folklore in Pom Poko (1994) to cope with the changing Japan
Takahata genuinely uses every imaginable story from Japanese mythology to convey the dying culture of contemporary Japan. It’s used to charm, but also used maliciously and even results in the death of some humans. However, it’s expressed as a battle for their survival and the story carefully relates the trouble inflicted on the Tanuki, foxes, and all the creatures of the forest to express the message. A message that each new development takes valuable resources away from all those who depend on them. … More Isao Takahata returns to Japanese folklore in Pom Poko (1994) to cope with the changing Japan
The Salt of Tears (2021) is the Salt of My Tears
Pointless postmodern melodramatic romance that left me feeling deeply offended. It’s a film that hits all the cliches of what’s generally associated with arthouse cinema but in the sarcastic, negative sense. There’s no essence to the character study as it simply wallows in the dourness of the atmospherics. … More The Salt of Tears (2021) is the Salt of My Tears
On Golden Pond (1982) is unremarkable Oscar bait from the 1980s
Review of 1982’s On Golden Pond. The multiple Oscar winning film … More On Golden Pond (1982) is unremarkable Oscar bait from the 1980s
No Man’s Land (2001) the messy, unthinking psychology of war
Two soldiers caught in no man’s land – one Bosnian, one Serb, barely keeping the thin veil of civility held together, while the threat of grave violence sits overhead. The pressure comes and goes, as the two soldiers seek a general truce with the understanding that violence could erupt at any time. Danis Tanović understands the psychology of the soldiers, the media covering the absurd event, and the UN soldiers having to take the impossible position of peacekeeper. It paints the situation as the evil and the obscurity of war impacting all interested parties. … More No Man’s Land (2001) the messy, unthinking psychology of war
Hud (1963) explores the brazen world of American egocentrism
Martin Ritt’s adaptation of Larry McMurty’s 1961 novel Horseman, Pass By is a nearly perfect adaptation that creates an overwhelmingly powerful acting vehicle for an all-time cast. Starting with Paul Newman’s best performance, bar none, his womanizing, apathetic and lost Hud paints a picture of disturbing ambivalence. Next is the fantastic Patricia Neal (Alma) who … More Hud (1963) explores the brazen world of American egocentrism
The Oscars Hate the Art of Filmmaking
The one question I keep coming back to with the Oscars last night is how does that absolute unhinged shit show make any viewer want to watch these movies? It plays into the idea that the Oscars are detached from reality and feeling of an overindulgent Disney commercial highlighted by the most bizarre Oscar moment … More The Oscars Hate the Art of Filmmaking
Final 2022 Oscar Predictions: May God Take Mercy on us
Final 2022 Oscar predictions … More Final 2022 Oscar Predictions: May God Take Mercy on us
Weird Cinema: Jacques Tati’s Debut Film Jour de fête (1949)
Jacques Tati’s debut film and it’s an absolute banger. Tati, as the unaware mailman, navigates his real home town, sliding and ducking objects, getting thrown in and out of restaurants, and above all, delivering the mail through it all. It’s incredibly funny slapstick with some of Tati’s best gags involved and one of his best characters. … More Weird Cinema: Jacques Tati’s Debut Film Jour de fête (1949)
He is (Oscar voting), eager for fun. He wears a smile, everybody run.
He is (Oscar voting), eager for fun. He wears a smile, everybody run. Welcome to bizzar-o land and the end of an overlong Oscar season once again. The best films of 2021 are being decided in late March 2022, which makes sense to someone, somewhere but I’m lost on how waiting this long drums up … More He is (Oscar voting), eager for fun. He wears a smile, everybody run.
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