Tag: Oscar nominated

Vertigo (1958) Film Review

Somewhere…Somehow – He’d Loved and Killed That Self-Same Girl Before!

Rating 12
Length 2h08
Release 22.05.1958
Director Alfred Hitchcock
About John, a retired detective from San Francisco, suffers from acrophobia. He is approached by an old friend, a rich shipbuilder, who wants John to investigate the weird activities of his wife, Madeleine.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: ITV X
Trailer:

The Good

  • James Stewart is as awesome always. Okay, so Scottie is no George Bailey but he is still a likeable character thrown into a complex mystery. I’m not used to seeing America’s Everyman in colour, but bloody hell those eyes take on the lion’s share of the role.
  • The music has that Hichcockian chill to it, adding to the elements that make the director a high profile auteur.
  • The entire filming and cinematography. The flair and experimental shots that jerk you into the scene.
  • All the scenes including Midge are wonderful and I really do wish she was used a little more and not discarded come the final act.

The Bad

“I love you Madeline.”
Really?! She’s your mate’s wife and you’ve been essentially stalking her for 3 days at the point of you uttering those words?! Yeah, I’m cynical, but a bloke who is still hanging about in his ex-fiancee’s place and tasked with following a woman who may or may not be on the edge of a mental breakdown is not the fast-track for love.

The Ugly

I wish it was in black and white. I don’t quite know what it is, but outside of Stewart’s dashing blues, everything seemed off. Almost as if it was coloured in after the film was made.

Final Thoughts

Great film with a few surprising turns that justify its run time.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

A Mighty Motion Picture Of Action And Adventure!

Rating 12
Length 3h47!!!
Release 10.12.1962
Director David Lean
About Lawrence, a lieutenant in the British Army, is asked by Colonel Brighton to moderately assess Faisal, their ally. Lawrence is impressed with Faisal and seeks his help to plan an attack on the enemy.Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Netflix
Trailer:

The Good

Peter O’Toole is, certainly to me, the mid-century equivalent to David Tennent. The voice that commands attention, with a clear Shakespearean training and way of standing out among a cast of heavy hitters.
There’s something about him, on his own that is enchanting. You then have these beautiful, almost battle of wits, moments between his character and some of the finest actors of their time. My favourite is Lawrence meeting Omar Sharif’s Sherif Ali for the first time. It’s as if it was straight out of a Shakespeare play. He of course also goes toe to toe with Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins and Alec Guinness. It these interactions alone that make the film worth watching.

It’s a beautiful film with incredible shots and pans of enchanting landscapes. There’s no denying that director David Lean has an incredible eye. I’m not a hot weather girl, but even I’m tempted by what I see.

The music is out of this world. I don’t know if its true, but I feel as if there’s an element within Maurice Jarre’s epic and romantic score that was an inspiration or influence to the great John Williams.
The score here is so iconic that I’ve probably heard hundreds of times without realising it’s origins.

The Bad

The film is too long for the bookend filming device to truly work here. You forget about it by the time you reach the end. The film could have quite easily skipped ahead and started with the introduction of O’Toole’s Lawrence.

The Ugly

There is no need for the film to be as long as it is. The restored version on Netflix runs for 3 hours and 47 minutes and its very, Lord of the Rings with all the walking. I perhaps would have preferred to have seen the original parred down 3 hour and 7 minutes, but even that to me feels excessive.

Another David Lean and Alec Guinness bumble. This time, no prothetic for cultural implication. No, this time it’s straight up brown-face while Anthony Quinn is given the prosthetic nose and brown face. Quite a hard thing to watch knowing we have Omar Sharif, of Arab decent, in the cast.
This is the exact problem that actors are challenging today. A historic president was set that these films would not be marketable without this casting of white prominent actors and fitting them to the role. Equally, Sharif was made up to appear white in many of his roles.
This whole thing, and knowing those who are up in arms over The Little Mermaid and Perry White casting changes will not acknowledge these poor representations, too focused on their perceived injustice makes this film, and others like it, a hard watch.

Final Thoughts

A beautiful and epic film with a charismatic lead. Just really could do with an hour cut out to making it a much more manageable affair.

The Godfather Part II (1974)

All the power on earth can’t change destiny.

Rating 18
Length 3h22
Release 15.05.1974
Director Francis Ford Coppola
About Vito’s popularity in the underworld is on the rise, while his son, Michael’s career is swinging downwards. In order to redeem himself, Michael must fight his enemies, including his own brother.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Channel 4 Online and Paramount Online
Trailer:

The Good

It is a better made film. I cannot put my finger on what it is, but it feels more accessible to the gangster-adverse like me. Even up to the halfway point I am liking the dual time frames.

Robert DeNiro is incredible as the younger version of Vito Corleone and for me is the highlight of the film. Not only did he give a worthy performance for a character that was played by Marlon Brandon, he also made it his own. I can also now see why there was such a call to have Pacino and DeNiro in a film together.

The music is stunning.

The Bad

Oh the sister can fucking do one! She picks such shitty men. In fact, she’s already lost one brother who was looking out for her, don’t sulk about Michael kicking you into touch. Yes, she was irritating in the first one, but she served a narrative purpose. Here, she’s just fucking annoying.

I don’t think enough was made of the ‘you said you’d be legit in 5years. It’s been 7.’ It felt more like exposition to given the audience an idea of how long it’s been than a reminder of the power of those words.
It just makes me question something I wasn’t thinking about by reminding me, which then brought to my attention how much Michael is no longer conflicted. He’s no longer making decisions for a legacy, but I really do wish there was something that suggested the Marine was still there beneath the mask of being the Don.

The Ugly

I don’t see the connections or complimenting themes that require the two timeframes being in the same film. They are, individually, strong stories. They do not go together. You know they don’t because of how long each runs for before switching.
What perhaps would have worked better would have been had to keep the story from the first film up until Michael executes those who attempt to assassinate his father, and weave young Vito’s story in there. They are then complimentary stories and both timeframes end with the son avenging the father.
You then have the freedom to spend a film focused on Michael’s romance in Sicily, bulk that out and have Michael looking into his roots while in exile. You would then finally have a closing film to the trilogy that looks at Michael’s return home and his accession to the Don of the family. 

Final Thoughts

I good film, that I had to watch in three sittings. Still not getting the hype, but I understand the quality of the craft.

Green Book (2018)

Inspired by a True Friendship

Rating 12
Length 2h10
Release 01.02.2019
Director Peter Farrelly
About Amidst rampant racism in the 1960s southern America, an African American pianist hires an Italian American bouncer to drive him through his venues. They come closer in the course of their journey.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Netflix and BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

Mahershala Ali is dream casting. He plays Don Shirley in a way that is reminiscent of Tim Russ as a Vulcan. I love how he grows over the course of the movie. Then there is a scene near the end in which Don plays with a Jazz band and I’ve never seen a smile convey quite so much; belonging, happiness, contentment. Perfect!

It’s really funny considering the story. Despite the challenges faced on the road and in the Deep South of America in the 60s, this film keeps it upbeat and humorous as much as it can. From Don’s tart responses to anyone and everyone, to Tony’s food focus, it makes this very different to other films depicting this era.

The Bad

It takes a little while to get going, which is a hard thing to pick upon as it gives us time with the lovely Linda Cardellini. Perhaps intersecting Tony’s life with that of Don’s may have been the compromise that the film needed for a smoother start.

The Ugly

Honestly, as much as watching films about segregation and racism is educational they are a difficult watch for me. I don’t understand, on an introspective emotional level, how someone (let alone a society) could treat people so badly. This is something that I find difficult for Race, culture and anyone who has fought to belong due to their sexuality or identity.
Anyone who absorbs emotions like a sponge, will find the film hard going but it is worth it for the final act alone.

Final Thoughts

Entertaining, educational but an emotional ride.

Poor Things (2023) Film Review

I have adventured it and found nothing but sugar and violence.

Rating 18
Length 2h21
Release 12.01.2024
Director Yorgos Lanthimos
About Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman runs off with a lawyer on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, she grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
Moon: waxing crescent seen just before ‘The Ship’ title
Where to Watch: Disney+ and cinemas nationwide
Trailer:

The Good

Emma Stone is breath-taking and weirdly charming with her brash candour as Bella. I adore the character in all her being, learning and adventure. Her journey reminds me a little of the life of Siddhartha; except perhaps without the epic amounts of ‘furiouis jumping’.

Visually this film is a dream. It’s art. From the use of colour, the fish eye lenses and use of steampunk imagery. It reminds me a little of The Fall (2006) for how the visuals are overwhelmingly striking.

The script is absurd, but so very quotable.

The Bad

The thing that will prevent this being a rewatchable gem is the sheer number of sex scenes, particularly when Bella gets to Paris. Call me a prude if you wish but while I do not take offence or abashment to watching them as part of the telling of this tale, they are not something I find enjoying or entertaining enough and there are certain scenes that I find a bit too disturbing to endure again. However, with an editing of some (most), I’d watch this over and over again.

The Ugly

The music. Yes, it fits well with the absurdity of the film however I really did not like what the subtitles name ‘offbeat strings’. I don’t know enough about music but the instruments were either out of tune or key. I think they are different, but I could not tell you which one it was.
Even the introduction of the theremin did not win me over as it was there to clash with everything else.

Final Thoughts

An incredible, award worthy, film and piece of art.

American Fiction (2023) Film Review

Geniuses are loners because they can’t connect with the rest of us.

Rating 15
Length 1h57
Release 02.02.2023
Director Cord Jefferson
About Monk is a frustrated novelist who’s fed up with the establishment that profits from Black entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, he uses a pen name to write an outlandish Black book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Trailer:

The Good

I fucking loved the humour. From Jeffery Wright’s Monk reducing a white woman to tears over the use of a controversial racial slur to the white judge declaring they love listening to Black voices; after voting against the black voices in the room.

Speaking of which, Jeffery Wright is perfect. I’ve loved him since he first appeared as Felix in 2006’s Casino Royale. While other’s in the role could have drowned in the cynicism and negativity, Wright balances it out with a charming vulnerability.

Is there anything Sterling K Brown can’t do? Damn, he has an amazing presence and works off whoever he is acting against. One of my favourite things about this film is the relationship between the two brothers.

The Bad

The ending ventured into Blazing Saddles territory with the meta and layered ending. I’m still trying to decide if it worked for me or not. I did love that it allowed us to reach the end without hitting the typical tropes.

The Ugly

It is a rather heavy going film despite the comedy. Parental trauma, the pain of losing a loved one to alzheimers, the challenge of living in a sibling’s shadow. So much of the life of Monk will be relatable to anyone who has experienced what it’s like to be part of a family.
For me watching Monk take up the lion’s share of caring for his mother was pretty tough going.

Final Thoughts

Hell or High Water (2016)

Justice isn’t a crime.

Rating 15
Length 1h42
Release 09.09.2016
Director David MacKenzie
About Toby and his brother, Tanner, an ex-convict, resort to robbing banks when they are unable to afford their mortgage payments.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Netflix
Trailer:

The Good

Chris Pine gives a mighty fine performance as one of the brothers who, due to the corruption of the US banking system, and the theft of their mother’s home, have found themselves completing heists to get back what is owed to them.
Pine, and Ben Foster to be fair, not only ground their performances in the pain, frustration and sadness of loss but they have the audience feeling, if not quite rooting, for them.

Jeff Bridges, and Gil Birmingham, are the opposite side of this criminal paradigm but is as equally as precise a performance. Yes, I hate the character and pretty much everything that comes out of his mouth, but that is exactly the point and Bridges understood that.

The final scene is one of the best verbal stand-offs I’ve ever seen and it’s a rather satisfying ending despite it not going for the obvious plot tropes.

The Bad

This is a film that gets better as it goes along because the start is rather slow and clunky.

The Ugly

Oh I ugly cried. Between the crying of a cranky old man and the poverty as a disease monologue, I cried for most of the third act.

Final Thoughts

One of the most heartbreaking films I’ve watched for so many reasons. Incredibly well made and the cast is on point.

Doctor Zhivago (1965) Film Review

In a world of guns and ice there is the great noise of battle and the greater silence of lovers

Rating 15
Length 3h12
Release 26.04.1966
Director David Lean
About Amid World War I, Dr. Yuri Zhivago, a physicist and poet, tries to fight his inner demons when he is attracted to a woman despite being married to the love of his life.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good?

The performances, accents aside, are incredible and very much on brand for a David Lean production. Omar Sherif, Rod Steiger and Tom Courtenay all provide the many factions within Russia from the end of World War I onwards.

Alec Guiness provides the narration and as much as I hate to admit it, it is a soothing addition to bleakness that just keeps on given.

I absolutely love that this story represents a powerful response, by the attacked woman, to the man who raped her. For the time, I can imagine this was controversial. After all, once Victor assaults Lara, he goes so far as say it would be insulting to consider it as such. However, as an audience we know the truth. There’s something quite satisfying in Lara’s response.

The Bad

I found the representation of Russia quite inauthentic. Actually, fuck inauthentic, outside of the environment they didn’t try. I guess having people put on Russian accents would have perhaps put it into parody territory, however as it stands, it’s really cheap and lacks conviction. For an epic story, I want to be invested and this is the first time David Lean has not captured me from the start.

The treatment of Lara, despite everyone with a penis wanting her, is appalling. From Victor calling her a slut, to her husband abandoning her and do not get me started on Yuri! It’s most heartbreaking element is how true to life it all will have been.

The Ugly

What a fucking depressing, morally bankrupt, loveless story. People voluntarily watched this story and thought of it fondly? The thing, I guess, is that there’s no chemistry between Omar and any of the women in Zhivago’s life. Rightly so with one; he was introduced to you as your brother. However, given that the other was his mistress, there should be an element of love there. Alas, their relationship was as cold as Russia itself.
I did lose count of the times I called Zhivago a wanker and his actions truly made me very happy to be single.

Omar Sherif acts the shit out of the role, there’s no doubt about that. He was the right person for the role. It is then heartbreaking to read the lengths he had to go to hide his Eygptian features, including facial tape to change how his eyes looked. He would also shave and wax his hairline multiple times a week.
I find this difficult. Not because the role should have gone to “someone Russian”, but because in a film where everyone keeps their British accents should Omar be free to perform without such manipulation of his features.

Final Thoughts

I’ve seen it, I’ve crossed it off the Oscar list. I do not need to watch it again. Nor do I intend to.

The Godfather (1972) Film Review

An offer you can’t refuse.

Rating 18
Length 2h55
Release 24.08.1972
Director Francis Ford Coppola
About Don Vito Corleone, head of a mafia family, decides to hand over his empire to his youngest son, Michael. However, his decision unintentionally puts the lives of his loved ones in grave danger.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Channel 4 OD
Trailer:

The Good

There’s no doubt in that this is a well made film and a demonstration of excellence. The opening slow zoom out and the choice of beginning the film with an incident being retold is just one of many examples of the skill and craft of film.

The cast is incredible and each gives their all to the performances. From a young James Caan to a barely recognisable Robert Duvall, you can see how these men have become the silver screen staples over the years.
Al Pacino is incredible as Michael and his arc as outcast military man through his evolution to Don of the family.

The Bad

I’m sure upon first viewings, Marlon Brando’s muffled and puffed up chatter was what added to the film. However, every actor and half-cut lad ever since has mimicked the hamster-cheeked uttering that it feels like mockery. It also doesn’t help that my deafness rendered almost all of Brando’s dialogue incomprehensible without subtitles (albeit about a minute behind the action).

As much as I found the film a little too long, and I would very much love to see Coppola’s parred-down director’s cut, I also wished that Michael’s exile in Scilly was it’s own film. It would make for a beautiful romantic entry and allow for Brando to be the protagonist of the first film; ending with his shooting.

The Ugly

If I could compare it to anything else, it would be a Stephen King book. It meanders at what feels like a needlessly and painfully slow pace. I found myself engaging more with the plot once Al Pacino’s Michael, however it takes over an hour to establish him as the leading man.

Not the film’s fault, but some lines are now so entrenched as pop culture references, this watch felt a little like parody… of course, that was until I remembered that this film originated the lines.

Final Thoughts

Much in a similar way to Shawshank Redemption, I recognise the craft and skill that is demonstrated in the film, but I do not understand what I’m missing about it that makes it so beloved.

The Father (2020)

Nothing is as it seems

Rating 12
Length 1h37
Release 05.06.1998
Director Florian Seller
About Anthony suffers from dementia and is cared for by his daughter, Anne. But when Anne decides to move to Paris and Anthony must deal with this change, he finds himself losing his grip on reality.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: 4OD
Trailer:

The Good

Anthony Hopkins is incredible. He gets the temperament on point in every scene and allows us to follow what is a complicated narrative thread. The final scene brings together a climax that the film painstakingly builds towards from the first moment. No one else would have been able to carry this film as he did.

The very thing that makes this a difficult watch, will ensure it’s regarded highly for decades to come. The presentation of an almost non-linear narrative, multiple actors playing the same characters. All of it gives what I can only imagine is an authentic, realistic, presentation of what it must feel like to be loosing your memory.

The script is crisp and clear. It is what helps the audience follow the story and piece together what is and isn’t reality. Without that script and carefully seeded anchors, the audience would be lost and unable to see beyond the scope of Anthony’s condition.

The Bad

I found the story thread of the daughter leaving for Paris hard not to react to. Perhaps my own experience and sacrifice for my father makes me a little angry. I get it, you really shouldn’t put your life on hold however I find myself not really understanding the men in Anne’s life and why they would not be more understanding of the situation.

The Ugly

It is a hard film to watch from the outset. The topic is heartbreaking, and I’ve never had the experience of watching a loved one losing their memory. At least not in the way it’s presented in this film. My father had issues with his memory, but it wasn’t dementia; his was from oxygen deprivation as a result of COPD and so he never lost the sense of who he was.
I cannot imagine this fill being cathartic for those who have had to endure an experience like this and being the emotional sponge that I am; I found it hard not to feel it deeply.

Final Thoughts

Not a film I intend to watch again. Incredibly well made, but a little too painful to watch.

How the West Was Won (1962) Film Review

The Great Dramatic Motion Picture That Puts YOU In Every Scene!

Rating U
Length 2h44
Release 01.11.1962
Director John Ford/ Henry Hathaway/ George Marshall
About Three great Western directors, combined forces with an all-star cast to create this magnificent panorama of how the American West was won – and lost.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

The 3 strip Cinerama process that gives this film the panoramic perspective allows for some breathtaking scenes and individual images. There’s a depth of field that I would compare to Avatar. It’s not often I would want screen grabs on my walls, but this film had many.

The cast is incredible. Like Infinity War/ Endgame level of casting for the modern view who perhaps wouldn’t know the faces or names that populate this film. I could wax lyrical about all of them, but I will point out two specifically: Debbie Reynolds and George Peppard.
Reynolds is someone I’ve only seen on screen in her later life. To see her here, is to see the roots of Carrie Fisher’s performances. As Lilith, Reynolds portrays her through the decades without fault. She has incredible chemistry with everyone she acts alongside and she carries the second segment beautifully, stealing every scene even when iconic Gregory Peck is there.
George Peppard, a name I knew but could not place until I looked him up after the film, not only gives a strong performance, he is able to portray the son of James Stewart’s Linus with an accuracy that not many could achieve.

The narration between segments is a clever way of marking the change in director, time frame and focus character. It keeps the audience with the film at times when other films could lose them.

The Bad

I’m happy with the running time, but I also wonder if this could have been a series of films. I’m happy enough that the Native Americans are not portrayed in a negative light, however the film perhaps would have benefited from more time and focus from their perspective. Something I think only splitting this into individual films could achieve.

It pains me to say this because I adore the man, but James Stewart was entirely wrong and much too old for the role of Linus. Yes, he does a good enough job with what he’s given, but it’s really disappointing to watch.

The Ugly

The 3 strip Cinema process, while incredibly beautiful, took its toll by the end. In the final two sections particularly, there was clear lines showing where the three strips are originally joined together.
There are also certain scenes, particularly when there’s a singular moving image, where the background is distorted. It doesn’t ruin the film, however certainly for me it caused a headache by the end of the film. The distortion, in a similar way to when a film is dubbed, it causes eye strain.
I’m unsure, but I would say this would be reduced by watching on a curved screen which is the format it was made for.

Final Thoughts

I actually have no words for how good this film was. It never felt over long or boring. It’s not only I’ll rush to watch again, but I’ll certainly watch again it at some point.

Babe (1995) Film Review

A little pig goes a long way.

Rating U
Length 1h31
Release 15.12.1995
Director Chris Noonan
About Babe, an orphaned pig, learns to herd sheep after Arthur Hoggett, a farmer, wins him in a contest at a country fair. However, Rex, Hoggett’s lead sheepdog, doesn’t like Babe.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Channel 4
Trailer:

The Good

James Cromwell excels in everything he’s in. That’s not even a question. However, he is the only reason why I rewatched this at all. His dialogue is minimal, yet even without speaking you get a lot about his character and his feelings towards Babe, or ‘Pig’ as he’s known to the ‘Boss’.

The episodic storytelling, and the story overall, is really uplifting. The changing opinions of certain animals about others, the triumph of Babe as a Sheep-Pig… it’s heartwarming shit.

The Bad

This, despite its U rating and cute animal focus, is not a kids movie. It’s too dark in tone and themes to truly be a film that is for children that adults can appreciate. There’s a lot of death; implied and near misses. I got the overwhelming sense that Maa was going to die but I couldn’t remember how. I most definitely didn’t remember the opening scene preparing the pigs for the abetoir.

The biggest plot hole for me is that ‘the Boss’ believed, even for one moment, that Babe killed Maa! Yes, pigs have the potential to eat their own and are know to eat small animals… but to kill a sheep the way the dogs do?! Come on Boss, you are better than that.

The Ugly

I hate the mouths. I had nightmares about the mouths. I get they had to have some movement there, but it’s unnatural and in someplace almost looks like human mouths superimposed onto the animals. Really distressing and not helped by the fact that my dad really enjoyed to watch this movie.

Might sound rather cynical but this time I felt like it was anti-meat propaganda. Being a “kid’s” film, I can imagine many a child refusing to eat bacon for a decent amount of time after watching this, and that’s only from the opening scene.

Final Thoughts