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This post was found to be inappropriate by the moderators and has been removed.“Women Talking” (2022): Finally watched this, so better late than never. It was a tough film to watch, but a necessary one. I’m glad it went the distance in Adapted Screenplay, as it feels like the true writing showcase of the five nominees. I predicted “AQOTWF” there as the winner for the longest time, mainly out of BP momentum, but I rightfully switched the category near the very end. I haven’t read either novel, but in terms of what the actual scripts accomplished, one felt far more effective than the other one. When a character started quoting Samuel Taylor Coleridge, I was like, go off Sarah Polley! I see you. I doubt I would have been able to choose female acting nominees from the film, since it’s such an ensemble effort. Jessie Buckley’s character was an immediate jolt, but Claire Foy had a slow burn role that really got to me by the ending. Rooney Mara was fine, but if she’s thought of as the lead here, I was maybe expecting a bit more. Judith Ivey was a strong, yet calming presence, and I loved the actress who kept talking about her two horses lol. Frances McDormand was barely in it, which surprised me. Ben Whishaw would have made a stellar supporting actor nominee though. Sad that he never gained needed traction. There might have been a stretch or two where things were too writerly, and I didn’t think the character of “Melvin” was handled well at all. I would say that this film was dealt a bad hand all awards season and probably fought for 10th place in picture over “The Whale” in hindsight. Regardless, I’m genuinely pleased for Sarah Polley and excited to see what she tackles next.
ReplyCopy URLOn this day in history, Queen Elizabeth I died. With this also being Women’s History Month, it seemed the most apt of times to finally watch Elizabeth (1998).
Cate Blanchett is reliably fantastic, and definitely deserved the Oscar over Gwyneth Paltrow (though she did give a great performance and deserved her nomination). However, it wasn’t an undeniable all-timer of a performance, simply a terrific, Oscar-worthy one, so Fernanda Montenegro could very well have deserved it (haven’t seen Central Station so can’t attest to that).
As would be expected of a period film, the production value is gorgeous — lavish sets and beautiful costumes abound. The score was also terrific, setting a consistent tone throughout. The writing and editing, however, hampered its effect. Despite the dialogue being fair and the passage of time being clearly depicted, the historical deviations, characterizations, and fast-paced cutting clashed with the serious nature of the genre. Those aforementioned elements only work in period pieces when there is an obviousness in anachronisms and camp (a la Tony McNamara’s work).
Ultimately, it’s a fairly middling film which is really only memorable for Blanchett’s star-making turn. Unfortunate that it was nominated for Best Picture over The Truman Show…
6/10
ReplyCopy URLEmmys FYC:
Comedy: The Bear, Cunk on Earth, Only Murders in the Building, Reservation Dogs
Drama: The Last of Us, Stranger Things
Limited/Movie:
On this day in history, Queen Elizabeth I died. With this also being Women’s History Month, it seemed the most apt of times to finally watch Elizabeth (1998). Cate Blanchett is reliably fantastic, and definitely deserved the Oscar over Gwyneth Paltrow (though she did give a great performance and deserved her nomination). However, it wasn’t an undeniable all-timer of a performance, simply a terrific, Oscar-worthy one, so Fernanda Montenegro could very well have deserved it (haven’t seen Central Station so can’t attest to that). As would be expected of a period film, the production value is gorgeous — lavish sets and beautiful costumes abound. The score was also terrific, setting a consistent tone throughout. The writing and editing, however, hampered its effect. Despite the dialogue being fair and the passage of time being clearly depicted, the historical deviations, characterizations, and fast-paced cutting clashed with the serious nature of the genre. Those aforementioned elements only work in period pieces when there is an obviousness in anachronisms and camp (a la Tony McNamara’s work). Ultimately, it’s a fairly middling film which is really only memorable for Blanchett’s star-making turn. Unfortunate that it was nominated for Best Picture over The Truman Show… 6/10
It’s hard to see a foreign film, totally out of the Anglosphere, have the traction that Central Station had, especially in 1998, a film by a very little known director winning the Golden Bear in Berlin and getting the Golden Globes was quite atypical.
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I think this is a testament to the strength of the material that is brilliantly carried by Fernanda Montenegro. The film doesn’t try to deliver watered-down cultural overtones to international audiences because it has full confidence in its emotional arc to deliver enough impact. I recently watched a 4K version of the film and the cinematography is brilliant, it’s very clear how the subtlety in framing and textures inspired some works by future artists, if you’re attentive you can see a lot of cinematography elements from films like Carol, Roma, and No Country for Old Men. If you like the Italian neorealist movement, especially the work of Vittorio De Sica, I think you’ll like Central Station.
Now talking about the performance, it is an extremely modern performance, much more comparable to Cate Blanchett in Tár than in Elizabeth. Dora as a character is unpleasant for most of the film but Montenegro’s competence is so great that we don’t even notice the shift or her taking the layers off the character, we are suddenly faced with a very human character, dealing with her own traumas and loneliness. It’s a shame she didn’t win because like other non-English speaking actresses, we know it’s a once in a lifetime thing.It’s hard to see a foreign film, totally out of the Anglosphere, have the traction that Central Station had, especially in 1998, a film by a very little known director winning the Golden Bear in Berlin and getting the Golden Globes was quite atypical. I think this is a testament to the strength of the material that is brilliantly carried by Fernanda Montenegro. The film doesn’t try to deliver watered-down cultural overtones to international audiences because it has full confidence in its emotional arc to deliver enough impact. I recently watched a 4K version of the film and the cinematography is brilliant, it’s very clear how the subtlety in framing and textures inspired some works by future artists, if you’re attentive you can see a lot of cinematography elements from films like Carol, Roma, and No Country for Old Men. If you like the Italian neorealist movement, especially the work of Vittorio De Sica, I think you’ll like Central Station. Now talking about the performance, it is an extremely modern performance, much more comparable to Cate Blanchett in Tár than in Elizabeth. Dora as a character is unpleasant for most of the film but Montenegro’s competence is so great that we don’t even notice the shift or her taking the layers off the character, we are suddenly faced with a very human character, dealing with her own traumas and loneliness. It’s a shame she didn’t win because like other non-English speaking actresses, we know it’s a once in a lifetime thing.
Wow I think I might watch it soon now. I dunno if this is a callback to me having recently watched Bicycle Thieves or not, so sorry if this is redundant, but I did recently watch it for the first time and loved it and it’s one of my favorite films of all-time now.
ReplyCopy URLEmmys FYC:
Comedy: The Bear, Cunk on Earth, Only Murders in the Building, Reservation Dogs
Drama: The Last of Us, Stranger Things
Limited/Movie:
Wow I think I might watch it soon now. I dunno if this is a callback to me having recently watched Bicycle Thieves or not, so sorry if this is redundant, but I did recently watch it for the first time and loved it and it’s one of my favorite films of all-time now.
It was a very timely coincidence as I didn’t know you’d seen it recently, but the comparison will be pretty obvious after you watch the movie. Great taste btw, Bicycle Thieves is without a doubt a magnificent film.
ReplyCopy URLThe Son. Terrible movie. Continues to reinforce my belief that Jackman is a performer and not an actor. The young actor who played his son was horrible. He reminded me of Timothee Chalamet physically but he has about 10 percent of the acting chops. Vanessa Kirby did as good as could be expected in a supporting role. She is a very interesting actress. I won’t spoil it but I will say that I cannot believe the final scene in this film passed muster with any awake studio audience.
ReplyCopy URLYesterday was MLB opening day, so I watched a baseball movie, Bull Durham, to commemorate it. It is a testament to how weak the 80s were for film, and specifically that year (1988), that that was the third-most acclaimed movie of the year. It wasn’t bad; it was a good, solid movie. But that’s it. It’s not on the same level as other third-most acclaimed movies of the year like Inside Llewyn Davis or Thelma & Louise or The Aviator. I mean it had positives to be sure (Susan Sarandon’s performance and the dialogue) but it also had glaring issues (namely, its rushed ending). Not really that remarkable. (Unimportant, but how did Tim Robbins get mentions at both NSFC and NYFCC for his performance!? Like, what!? It was perfectly satisfactory. That’s all…)
7/10
ReplyCopy URLEmmys FYC:
Comedy: The Bear, Cunk on Earth, Only Murders in the Building, Reservation Dogs
Drama: The Last of Us, Stranger Things
Limited/Movie:
Cold War. The initial 30 minutes took me out because there was no development in their relationship, they just suddenly were in love. I was won over in the latter half, though, and the final shot sent me chills for some reason. Just killer cinematography and makes it worth it by itself. Another nitpick was that they looked almost exactly the same as they aged 15 years. Overall, I expected more.
ReplyCopy URLIt’s April Fools’ Day so I thought I’d treat myself to a comedy. I decided on Duck Soup since it’s highly acclaimed (making Sight & Sound and AFI) and I’d never seen a Marx Bros. film before.
How utterly disappointing. Just a poor excuse for a movie.
I cannot comprehend how a single person could find this funny, let alone so many that it was ranked the fifth funniest American movie by AFI. It’s not funny! It’s unfunny. It’s stupid and dull and blundering and foolish and just plain dumb.
There’s some political satire so there’s at least some substance to the movie, which is somewhat of a silver lining, but its shallow and lacks cleverness.
And don’t get me started on the musical portions ugh.
Ultimately, it’s a terrible movie that has no right being listed among the top echelon of cinema.
2/10
ReplyCopy URLEmmys FYC:
Comedy: The Bear, Cunk on Earth, Only Murders in the Building, Reservation Dogs
Drama: The Last of Us, Stranger Things
Limited/Movie:
It’s April Fools’ Day so I thought I’d treat myself to a comedy. I decided on Duck Soup since it’s highly acclaimed (making Sight & Sound and AFI) and I’d never seen a Marx Bros. film before.
How utterly disappointing. Just a poor excuse for a movie.
I cannot comprehend how a single person could find this funny, let alone so many that it was ranked the fifth funniest American movie by AFI. It’s not funny! It’s unfunny. It’s stupid and dull and blundering and foolish and just plain dumb.
There’s some political satire so there’s at least some substance to the movie, which is somewhat of a silver lining, but its shallow and lacks cleverness.
And don’t get me started on the musical portions ugh.
Ultimately, it’s a terrible movie that has no right being listed among the top echelon of cinema.
2/10
I grew up watching the Marx Brothers. This one is not their best but trust me ‘A Night at the Opera’ is hilarious. Don’t judge them just off of this one.
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