Oscar nominated – Page 3 – The Queens of Geekdom

Boyz n the Hood (1991) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 1h52
Release 25.10.1991
Director John Singleton
About Three childhood friends, Darrin, Tre and Ricky, who struggle to cope with the distractions and dangers of growing up in a Los Angeles ghetto.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:

The Good

The acting in this film is incredible. All relatively unknown at the time of making, each and every one is worthy of the praise.

The realism presented in the film is heartbreakingly authentic. Not only of the time, but unfortunately today. While at the time, the film was seen as glorifying gang culture and the violence that goes alongside, I think the important commentary to take from this film is how society outside the ghettos responded. By which I mean the gentrification and the way in which the police, even those of colour, made the community low priority and regarded them all with contempt.

The Bad

I really struggled with the language. Particularly swearing and slurs used is such a casual and repetitive way. I have no problem with its use as it is authentic for the time and the community being presented. However, I had a physical reaction every time, specifically in the 1984 section, these young boys were swearing at each other.

It’s hard to watch knowing how it is going to end. That’s not a spoiler, or prejudicial, the opening quote gives you an idea how this story is going to play out. While less of a shock over who, this film is comparative to American History X for that fatal scene you don’t want to see, but cannot turn away from.

The Ugly

This film was vastly overlooked when it came to the Oscars, being nominated only for director and screenplay. I’m not going to even question why; it’s long been established that the Academy Awards are problematic on everything from gender, genre and race.
The biggest example of all three is Angela Bassett. She clearly demonstrates her talent in the minimal scenes she’s in, yet even to this date she’s not been able to claim a trophy of her own.

Officer Coffey is a presentation of the most horrific and heartbreaking side to humanity, made all the worse because people like him exist in real life. Watching Coffey’s distain and contempt for people of his own race is a complex injustice that turns my stomach.

Final Thoughts

Not something people should *want* to watch, but certainly something everyone *needs* to watch.

Chariots of Fire (1981) Film Review

Rating PG
Length 2h03
Release 30.03.1981
Director Hugh Hudson
About Two men, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, race for the gold in the 1924 Olympics. While one runs for his faith, the other participates to leave prejudice behind.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Disney+
Trailer:

The Good

What an incredible film I’ve been sleeping on. It has everything that makes a biopic like this great; a rousing score, dedicated yet flawed leads and an uplifting, tear jerking ending.
Even though it’s a two lead film, there’s an incredible supporting cast who you will be as equally invested in.

The themes explored are powerful. Namely faith, success and the lengths people will go to achieve it, are as organic as the sport presented in this film. Yet, even with the two leads being of the Abrahamic faiths, it does not feel like a religious movie. Merely part of who these two men were and how it inspired, motivated and challenged them.

This film is a whose who of Star Trek and a cast of remarkable talent within English acting. It’s incredible to see these people in an early role and the only problem it raises is trying not to be distracted while you place them.

The Bad

Society in the UK is really quite shit and while it makes for excellent challenges for the leads to overcome, it doesn’t leave a good feeling at the treatment of both Eric and Harold, particularly when a lot of it is directed towards their faith.
The gatekeeping of the Olympics is not a theme isolated to this particular reenactment, which only makes this worse.

The film also presents many men, particularly those in high positions, with antisemitic views. Obviously, it’s a necessary part of the film, and the theme however it does make for a frustrating and infuriating watch.

The Ugly

Oh I cried. It’s weird how success can make you cry more than failure, but I can’t imagine many people would have dry eyes by the final act. For me it’s not about patriotism, but about the success of the individual and the effort they put in.

Final Thoughts

It’s a beautiful, uplifting film that manages to take a look into privileged lives without alienating the audience.

Sideways (2004) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 2h02
Release 28.01.2004
Director Alexander Payne
About A middle-aged Miles is a budding writer while his friend Jack is a soon-to-be married actor. They take a road trip through Santa Ynez Valley wine country in order to celebrate his bachelor party.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Disney+
Trailer:

The Good

It is a really well made film; the scenes are well paced and cinematography is stunning. The cast is incredible and there are some delightful scenes that do make me want to visit “win country”.

Thomas Hayden Church, as always has an excellent presence and this is no exception. Despite the fact that I hate everything about his character, I cannot fault his performance.

The Bad

The jazz music is too “elevator music” to fit the film. I love jazz, but it’s it pulling for attention rather than complimenting the movie. It’s weird; this is now the second Oscar nominated film in which I want to change out the score completely.

Gag warning. There’s a scene in which one character drinks from the spit bucket. Jesus, just no! There’s only one other film that had me this close to throwing up and that was one of the Saw movies.

The Ugly

I detest both men and so I find myself not giving a single fuck about either of their stories. Miles is a miserable dick whose pretentious views about wine has me so angry that I don’t know enough to challenge him.
Then Jack?! It shows how shitty he is, that the film manages to make me hate Thomas Hayden Church and that takes an extraordinary feat. However, using the stage week to first of all land the blowing news that Miles’ ex wife is newly married and invited to the upcoming wedding of Jack’s. Then, the whole purpose of this time away for Jack is to cheat on his fiancee. The character is almost coded as a younger man for the emotional immaturity.
It is a story that clashes so much with my own morality that I cannot enjoy the story itself. Other people might not have that problem, but I was very happy for it to be over.

Final Thoughts

A well made film, but will most likely leaving you feeling hollow. Unless of course you drink when they drink and then you won’t remember how shitty these men are.

Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Film Review

Rating 18
Length 1h51
Release 08.09.1967
Director Arthur Penn
About When Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow meet, they get attracted to each other. Together, they choose the path of crime to earn easy money. But they refuse to hurt people while going about their business.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC Player
Trailer:

The Good

I was hooked from the very start until that heart wrenching, yet inevitable, final scene. The chemistry between Dunaway and Beatty is undeniable and they do really bring the iconic Bonnie and Clyde to life.

Considering when was this was made, the film presents some ground breaking imagery and representation. The first murder on screen by Beatty’s Clyde, while tame by today’s movie standards, is quite vivid. There’s no edit between the firing of the gun and the sight of blood; it’s incredibly well filmed and would take any audience member by surprise.

The ending is on a par with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), or perhaps even the inspiration behind the highly stylised ending for the Redford and Newman fronted film.
Slow motion certainly is something that is overused today, but combined here with the alternative views and speeds, it. really is effective for representing the last moments of their lives.

The Bad

I’m sorry to say this, but how did Estelle Parsons win the Oscar for her support performance?! It’s all screaming and … well if you’ve seen The War of the Worlds (2005) and you remember Dakota Fanning’s scream-y performance. It’s like that, but so much more annoying.
Yes, the characterisation is a deliberate contrast to Dunaway’s Bonnie, but did it really have to go that far?

The Ugly

I’m certain that at the time of release, the original score would have been considered amazing. However, due to the potential over use of the banjo and it specifically being used to provide levity and a satirical tone, the music really clashes with the narrative.

Final Thoughts

A very well made film, with an excellent cast and It’s one of those that you have watch at least once in your life. Give it an updated score that you can listen to without smirking, and I’d agree with many that it is a masterpiece.

The Hurt Locker (2008) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 2h11
Release 28.08.2008
Director Kathryn Bigelow
About Sergeant William James is tasked with leading a bomb disposal team during the Iraq War. But his ideologies and reckless approach towards the job gives rise to conflicts with his subordinates.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:

The Good

The film’s documentary style cinematography is such a brave choice. It feels like a nod to Third Cinema and allows the film to develop an intimate and raw presentation. What I do admire, is that while taking on the style of a documentary it does manage to establish itself as a work of fiction. It also manages to not feel like a propoganda film, like those made in the UK and US during WWII and Vietnam respectively.

The casting is on point. Not only in terms of our leads, but those lose too. From a Drew Barrymore moment early on, to a mid film rug pull… everyone is expendable and it keeps the audience on edge.
Jeremy Renner provides such a well rounded performance. The dangerous, maverick and the vulnerable father clash and compliment each other in a way other actors could never present with any authenticity. You knowing he shouldn’t be there, yet also knowing his skills are incredible means that your heart will be in your mouth for most of the action.

The Bad

There are few parts I struggled to follow. I think the British representatives were mercenaries rather than military. If that’s the case, were they on the same side? The British also seem to just disappear and leave the US team pinned down and in danger. Would that happen?
By extension, would a military team be as small as three men as it is shown here? I accept that they’re specialist, however for the very reason of the lack of teamwork and shift in working relationships, I would imagine a team would be much bigger and working on rotation to support the much bigger platoons?!
I think I would have benefitted from a little hand holding here. What would normally take place in the “redeployment” scene that does not take place is where I would gain most of this information but I do wish the film had taken the time to redistribute and provide context for those of us without a working knowledge of military life.

The Ugly

This film, intentional or not, shows the damage of warfare on soldiers and what I see as poor management decisions that are taken without consideration of consequence. It’s the most horrific part of the story; the team became as volatile as any of the explosives they attempt to neutralise and you have at least two members who are not in a mentally stable condition to be in that environment.
We don’t see the decisions being made, we don’t get the scene in which Jason is given his orders by a man behind a desk but their presence is heavy and it’s heartbreaking to know that those men should not have been in such high stress situations together without knowing how they would work together as team, or even whether they could trust each other. You also have a soldier who should have been sent home long before we meet him, if he should have been enrolled in the first place. These bad management decisions go on in all walks of life; bad leaders promoted, good workers overlooked. However seeing it present in a film based on real events and knowing the choices impact the body count? It leaves a shocking knot in your stomach long after the film has finished and the credits have rolled.

Final Thoughts

Certainly not an entertaining watch, and it will not leave you with the warm and fuzzies. However it is a raw, gut wrenching and captivating look at war without the traditional element of propaganda.

Scent of a Woman (1992) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 2h37
Release 12.03.1993
Director Martin Breast
About A prep school student, who is in need of money, agrees to be the caregiver of a man with visual impairment while his family is away. Unbeknownst to him, the colonel has his own agenda for the weekend.
Moon: no moon sighting
Trigger Warning: Suicide plans/ Gun Violence
Where to Watch: More 4
Trailer:

The Good

I remember Al Pacino being rated number one in a list of 100 actors and I really didn’t understand how, or why. I’ll admit, my dislike of the American gangster movie and their epically long run times, means until recently I probably hadn’t seen too much of Pacino.
Now, though?! I get it. He’s not the man with range, but he’s the man who goes all in to provide authenticity and emotional connection.

Frank’s story arc is compelling. His story provides arguments for and against assisted suicide; the struggle, the loneliness both conflict with the confidence and life that’s still fighting within Frank. How the cause of Frank’s blindness, his bitterness and position within his family and his plans for the future are drip fed to us, provides an ever shifting opinion and it makes for quite a beautiful, yet heartbreaking story.

The Bad

I’m not completely sold on Chris O’Donnell in the role, or the development of the character. What got him into the school? He said it was a bursary, but what for? What was his aim? There was mention of Harvard, but not of what he wanted to do there. We’ve got a Roary Gillmore here, but nothing about the character tells me this. Just a few changes to the character; hell, have him hold a book, taking homework with him to his first day with Frank. Something that showed me that he’s having to work harder than everyone else because he’s still having to earn his place.
Then for Chris O’Donnell, the performance is just a little too timid with not enough growth by the end of the film. It feels a little too one-note and wooden for a young man in crisis and thrown into highly tense situation with a clearly depressed man.

The Ugly

You’re trying to tell me that the Principle of that Prep school didn’t recognise those voices on the tannoy? Given that this is what the B-plot hangs one; it’s fucking stupid. I’d have had more respect if the film acknowledged that the Principle knew who it was, but that he needed someone to confirm it.
Or not have the trio so obvious, watching from the window. So much of it points to the boys and it’s frustrating to have the plot play so dumb.

Final Thoughts

Dead Poet’s Society meets About a Boy. It’s certainly a well made film that everyone should watch once in their life, but it’s more cathartic than entertaining.

Dune (1984) Film Review

Rating PG
Length 2h17
Release 14.12.1984
Director David Lynch
About Paul, a duke’s son, leads an army of the indigenous population called the Fremen on the desert planet of Arrakis as they get ready to defend their land from the evil Harkonnens.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Trailer:

The Good

For the time I think this is a most excellent attempt. Yes the graphics are shoddy, but it’s 1984. I’m going to give it a pass for that. The story is told, and it is mostly easy to follow. There’s parts that are unintensionally funny, but it only adds to the charm.

The acting is not winning awards, but that goes both ways. It’s not Razzie worthy either. The biggest indicator would be that even Sting gives a decent performance as one of many music stars throughout history who have taken to film.
The biggest win for the film is of course Kyle MacLachlan who is able to lead the film as Paul. Being a fated saviour is a hard task to bring to screen and MacLachlan is able to show a developed arc and growth for the character.

The Bad

That opening monologue is terrible, overly expositional and visually off-tone. The moment she fades out, to only fade back in when she remembers another point is something that you would expect to see from Holly in Red Dwarf.

The music, while is much better than the most recent version of this story, I was pulled out of the film because of how similar it sounded to a section of Scrooged’s score. Yes, this came first, but I’m more familiar with with the Bill Murray Christmas Carol offering.

The Ugly

The voice over narration. I’d say 9 times out of 10, I’d already figured out what then was whispered as a voice over “thought” so I get the feeling this was added after filming. It was too intrusive, too distracting and, on the most part, pointless.

The Baron killing the servant was stomach churning. The murder and assault are rather visceral and adding to it the audience and the repulsively of the Baron himself just leaves the whole thing nightmarish.

Final Thoughts

It is of its time and not something I’d rush to watch again. If you’re not a fan of Sci-fi, I would say clear of this as you will not survive the runtime.

Dune (2021) Film Review

Rating 12
Length 2h35
Release 21.10.2021
Director Denis Villeuve
About Paul Atreides arrives on Arrakis after his father accepts the stewardship of the dangerous planet. However, chaos ensues after a betrayal as forces clash to control melange, a precious resource.
Moon: moon(s) seen but not full.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Trailer:

The Good

The cast collected for this epic?! It’s not just the choosing of the up and coming Chalamet or Zendaya, but also of incredible talent from Javier Bardem and Charlotte Rampling. There’s a risk of the production being hammy, but it’s able to keep an element of gravitas with the ensemble chosen.

Strange New Worlds’ Babs Olusanmokun steals the show for me. His voice, his presence is enough to claim MVP. Then his interaction with both Chamalet and Bardem proves that this man will be one to watch.

It’s a stunning film and on a par with James Cameron and Ridley Scott. You could pause the film at any point and before you would be a work of art ready for your wall. On a small screen it was incredible, so I can only imagine how breathtaking it would appear on Imax.

This film and this story, brings together all that we love about Sci-Fi and Fantasy and is incredibly lean despite its run time. The adventure of Lord of the Rings, the action of Star Wars and the beauty of Alien. It works so well because this gives us some of the concepts that have not worked in other franchises, Star Wars, Politics and control for example, and shows there is a place within the genre to explore these.

The Bad

Controversial, but Hans Zimmer’s score falls incredibly flat for me. Yes, I’m holding him in a high regard because of his iconic work on Christopher Nolan’s films. That said, there’s nothing that stands out, there’s no theme. Maybe they weren’t going for that, but then why hire Zimmer?

The Ugly

I’m so bored of “The One” storyline. Yes, the book was written in 1965, way before the emergence of Neo, Potter and the Skywalker family but here in the closing hours of 2023, it is over played. It’s not just the idea of prophecy, but it’s all that comes with it. Not initially knowing, learning to take on the burden of leadership, the loss of the mentor and the biggest bug bearer; are they, or are they not “the chosen one”.

Final Thoughts

An incredible film made from what I’d imagine Hollywood considered an untranslatable novel. I’d would, however, recommend that if you haven’t seen it and you have the stamina; wait for the release of the sequel and catch a double screening.

Philadelphia (1993)

Rating 12
Length 2h06
Release 25.2.1994
Director Jonathan Demme
About A young Philadelphia lawyer who is infected with AIDS keeps his homosexuality hidden from his employers. When he is suddenly dismissed, he hires a homophobic lawyer for a wrongful dismissal suit.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:

The Good

Both Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks gave incredible performances.
The story itself is powerful and one of the first of its kind to explore, or rather challenge, views on sexuality and the stigma of the HIV/AIDS crisis that had been misrepresented in mass media for the entire decade since being recognised as a “novel illness” in the early 80s.
By no means an easy watch, the film highlights the difference between opinion, morality and the law. It will make you think, learn and question. Something all films try to achieve, but very rarely accomplish.
For me, one of the highlights of the film is Daniel Von Bargen as the Jury Foreman. He’s a well known, been in everything, character actor (films include Thinner, The Faculty and A Civil Action). You’ll be forgiven for any presumption you make; don’t worry, the film manipulated you in that way too. He has very few lines, but draws your attention from the start to give a rather surprising and satisfying payoff in the end.

The Bad

There’s a use of the camera as Andrew’s POV. I can see what it was trying to achieve, however I felt it distracted and pulled the viewer from the story rather than being emotive and immersive.
How was it that Denzel Washington was not even nominated for an Oscar?! I knew he hasn’t won, because I believe he received that honour for Training Day (2002) almost a decade later.

The Ugly

The tears. This might be one you watch alone, because there’ll be a point in which this film will break you. When that happens, the cathartic tears will come, but they won’t stop till long after the film’s credits finish.
There’s some ugly language used, even by one of our protagonists; Joe. However hard it is to hear them being used, we have to remember the context and it’s representation of a certain time, culture and society. It makes for a hard, but important watch.

Final Thoughts

So good everyone must watch it once in their lifetime, but so heart breaking that it most likely be just that once.

The Good

This is for anyone who loves the work of Aaron Sorkin. Particularly those who have watched, and loved, his 2012 drama The Newsroom. Not that this film takes away from Sorkin’s creation, far from it. This provides a viewer with an insight to the inspiration behind the work. I also suspect that there are some Easter Eggs hidden within the 3 season, Jeff Daniels fronted, show.
I’d also say this is perfect for those who have enjoyed The Morning Show.
I’m not sure I’d heard of Peter Finch before watching this film. However, his performance was something else. It is easy to see why he won the best actor awards. I must admit, I do shy away from War based films, but perhaps this is the push I need to explore the genre. (Correction, I have seen Finch in A Town Like Alice. I know exactly who he plays, but I do not remember it.)
This is a prophetic tale akin to that of 1984 and almost as dark a morality story as A Handmaid’s Tale. While it could easily be reworked to fit our modern setting, the idea that this came as a “warning” does add to the horrific nature of that ending.
The cast is made up of people you will recognise, but not necessarily place. Yes, it may distract you from the narrative, but its really quite fun to work out what you know people from.

The Bad

Modern viewers have been ruined by on-your-nose satire and might miss some of the cues and nods being set out of the era in which the film was made. I’ll be honest, I didn’t even look anything up about this film prior to putting it on. I simply wanted to watch a film from the 70s and it was the first one to come up. It wasn’t obvious to me that it *was* satire until reading up on it.

The Ugly

It’s a very static and dialogue led film. This might seem like a strange criticism for someone who adores Sorkin and has a yearly rewatch of the Gilmore Girls. However, Sorkin did develop the ‘walk and talk’ and that really does give movement to his work.
Network feels a little like a Samuel Beckett play; they all use a lot of words, but they don’t say very much at all. It felt to me, that this film had the same problem as Beckett’s play ‘Happy Days’ in which for two hours you watch ONE actor, buried from the waist talk to an unseen person. No movement, whatsoever.

Final Thoughts

A thought provoking must-see movie. Less painful than Citizen Kane, but you won’t necessarily feel entertained.

Inside Out (2015) Film Review

Rating U
Length 1h42
Release 24.7.2015
Director Pete Docter
About Eleven-year-old Riley moves to San Francisco, leaving behind her life in Minnesota. She and her five core emotions, Fear, Anger, Joy, Disgust and Sadness, struggle to cope with her new life.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
Trailer:

The Good

The story; the metaphor for emotions and memory is not only well presented, but it is really important for anyone exploring the growth mindset.
The use of colour to reflect Riley’s emotions is brilliant, particularly when Riley is on the bus and her thoughts change.
The voice casting is genius; Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling and Amy Poehler are perfect in their roles.
There’s the nice added touch of seeing into other people’s heads and how their Joy et al manifest.

The Bad

The clown and the imaginary friend. Nope, nope, nope! Hate them, can’t be doing with them. Just, no!
I hate Sadness. I know you’re meant to and the moral is that we all do need that bit of sadness in our lives, but seriously, I want to yeet her out the movie before it even begins.

The Ugly

How has there not been a sequel. There’s so much potential there that I would rather have seen a number 2 of this than the 4th Toy Story.

Final Thoughts

Another addition to the Pixar Studio. I must admit though, I absolutely hated this movie the first time I watched it.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Rating 15
Length 1h 54
Release 16.4.2021
Director Emerald Fennell
About Nothing in Cassie’s life is what it appears to be — she’s wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she’s living a secret double life by night. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs from the past.

The Good

This film is visually beautiful. There were so many times during the runtime I thought ‘put that on a canvas and I’d hang it in my house’. Very few films have even one frame like that for me. Yet here is this film, a Film Studies academic’s dream, giving me enough canvas for a museum.
The film holds a wonderful familiarity with one of my favourite films, Get Carter, and a beloved tv show of mine, Veronica Mars. Not in a way that screams “remake” or “rip off”, but gives me the indication that the creatives behind this film are aiming for my demographic. That this is a film for me, by someone like me.
The entire cast is incredible, but this really is Carey Mulligan’s time to shine. It was Cassandra’s story and Mulligan told it with such a presence that you’re drawn right in. I always knew she was going on to do great things when my favourite episode of Doctor Who became the one in which the Doctor, David Tennant’s Doctor no less, was barely present. It makes the geek in me really happy to see her hold her own in such a powerful and important film.
Okay, there’s one other person I need to mention and that is Jennifer Coolidge. Holy crap, she blindsided me. She has been the epitome of comedy and caricatures that I am ashamed to say I cringed when I saw her name in the credits. Gone was that nasal squeak that she seemed to have branded herself with, gone are the blonde locks and instead we get a rather understated performance that really added to the family dynamic in the film. Directors, I hope you use this woman more because she is so much more than her 2 Broke Girls’ “Hi everybody”.

The Bad

Eat before you press play. Do everything you need to because you are not moving once it starts. I stupidly didn’t think I was going to like this movie, so I naively put it on about 30 minutes before I was going to have my dinner. I couldn’t pause, I couldn’t just nip out… this film had me not only engrossed, but invested. To have paused, even for a moment, could have altered the outcome.
Now, that, that is cinema at its finest.

The Ugly

Its not the most comfortable of watches when you consider the themes, the story and the characters. This isn’t a film for entertainment’s sake. This is a cautionary tale and a societal mirror for trauma, grief and gender prejudice.

Final Thoughts

Watch this movie. Show your mother, your sister and most importantly, show your son, show your brother and show your dad this movie.