The Lives of Others (*****) …for a good man
This is one of the better films of the last 20 years. It only took me 14 years to see it.
Criterion: Paper Moon (****1/2) is still a delight
This is the perfect film for Criterion treatment.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse is a world without end
“Every once in a while, something comes along that opens your eyes to a new way of viewing cinema. Star Wars did this for me first back when I was 6 years old. Goodfellas did it in 1991. Now we have this…a comic book cartoon movie.”
I don’t have a vote (and no longer care) for the Oscars – Movies of the Year
“It’s tough to stay interested in watching most blowhards take credit for their work by slandering those who they disagree with, but the desire to see good work rewarded will not get old. The best thing the Oscars have going for them is they’re not as bad as the other televised award shows. The gap is narrowing.”
The Favourite (****) Rabbits on the loose
#thefavourite “The placement of rabbits looms large in this film. She who pays attention to what they signify may be rewarded, even if they still don’t belong on the loose. They belong in cages, not running lose in the castle.”
Roma (*****) – Share the Well
#roma “It’s a tough viewing, to be sure. It is also incredibly rewarding. It is so much higher a level of movie making that one is used to seeing. It’s not the kind of film that everyone could make it through, but it’s the kind of film that is utterly the point for art itself.”
First Man in IMAX (****1/2) Soul Deep in Space
#FirstMan “This film is necessary for one to understand the reach of humans. From out of the dark of a life lost so young, hope springs so forcefully. It’s more than a flag that we put on that moon. It’s all of our hopes and dreams.”
Corner Gas, Episode 43: Ruby Newsday
The show is always best when they give Oscar something to do.
Adams and Jefferson on Pan’s Labyrinth
Two old friends dissect the best del Toro film and discuss the career of the great modern master.
Special Edition: Oscar Predictions by WeMissE
My partner in the Adams and Jefferson on movies posts predicts a big night for Del Toro.
Darkest Hour (****) is the other side of Dunkirk
Wright has made a film that plays a good contrast to Christopher Nolan’s superior Dunkirk. We see the threat that looms at home before it strikes abroad. So much is at stake, the tension is unbearable, yet Churchill finds a way. Good Lord does he ever.
Lady Bird (*****) perfectly flawed
Lady Bird – 2017 Written and Directed by Greta Gerwig Starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Lois Smith It’s amazing how great of a year it’s been in […]
Dunkirk (*****): They know where you were
The best thing Nolan does with Dunkirk is to never lose focus. He is the mariner, Mr. Dawson, and we play the part of Peter. He knows the plane just by the sound, but he still lets us see it so we can remember too. Feeling like it might be hopeless, one might be tempted to speechify and let us know the significance of it all. He just moves towards the battle, but picks up one life at a time.
Spotlight (****1/2) takes the road less travelled
Spotlight – 2015 Director Tom McCarthy Screenplay by McCarthy and Josh Singer Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Len Cariou, Jamey Sheridan, Paul Guilfoyle, Brian d’Arcy James, Billy Crudup In 2001, […]
The Big Short (****) counts on us not liking bad news
The Big Short – 2015 Director Adam McKay Screenplay Charles Randolph and McKay Starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Marisa Tomei, Tracy Letts, Hamish Linklater, John Magaro, Byron Mann, […]
Whiplash (*****) dashes your hopes
Whiplash – 2014 Writer and Director Damien Chazelle Starring J.K. Simmons, Miles Teller, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser If you are looking for the inspirational story of the year, this is not […]
