Movie #160/ New Movie #116: Napoleon (Movie-Theater)
It works for excellent military set pieces, and a look at the ultimate example of a cult of personality, a great man who led his followers to success after success, and then lost his touch.
8/10
Short Movie #32: Doctor Who- The Giggle (Disney+)
The Toymaker, especially Neil Patrick Harris’ version is a great enemy for Doctor Who. This is a continuity heavy story that sets up more flexibility going forward. And it ends up being a hell of a debut for Ncuti Gatwa, as well as a celebration of what makes the Doctor special and what he needs.
10/10
Short Movie #33: Lava (Youtube)
Just a lovely tribute to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole and Hawaii.
9/10
Movie #161/ New Movie #117: Poor Things (Movie-Theater)
This is a weird riff on gothic horror exploring what it’s like if it’s really for mature audiences. Emma Stone is incredible, depicting the transformation of a child into a philosopher in the same body. The cinematography and sets are amazing. Ruffalo is absurd and different than usual, although I’m more impressed by Willem Defoe’s benevolent mad scientist.
9/10
Movie #162/ New Movie #118: Saltburn (Movie-Theater)
This story of a scholarship kid at Oxford ingratiating himself into a rich family comes at a time of “eat the rich” films (Parasite, Triangle of Sadness, the Menu) where the main distinguishing thing is how perverted it’s all allowed to go, and the cast of grotesques. There are some developments that are presented as twists that seem very obvious, but the ending does land.
9/10
Movie #163/ New Movie #119: Melchior the Apothecary (DVD)
This is the first in a series of medieval Estonian mysteries. An apothecary (pharmacist) makes sense as the lead of that kind of series, and I like how it depicts the chaos of the times, when powerful knights can deputize people and force them to help. It’s not the best start. The production values are excellent for Estonian film, but the story is a bit generic, the lead is bland and the case doesn’t seem to have stakes for the detective.
5/10
Short Movie #34: Doctor Who- The Church on Ruby Road (Disney+)
The Christmas special is pleasant, introducing a new companion and setting goblins up as a race of bad guys worthy of further exploration, though there’s plenty here with the language of ropes and emphasis on luck. I like how they show the meaning Ruby brought her family, which makes this a decent Christmas story.
9/10
Movie #164/ New Movie #120: White Christmas (DVD)
It’s a bit weird to have Bing Crosby playing a slightly ungrateful square, but the songs are great and it is fun. Just a cozy film.
9/10
Short Movie #35: South Park- Not Suitable for Children(Disney+)
Matt Stone and Trey Parker compromised on the quality of South Park, and likely gave up years of their creative life in the combination of their deals with HBO/ Max and Paramount+, which include these specials. I can’t blame them if nine figure sums were on the table. It’s a fun riff on influencers and the morals of selling out, which seems like the Streaming Wars specials to be an admission.
8/10
Movie #165: Hamilton (Disney+)
It remains one of my favorite works of art of the 21st Century. The songs are incredible. The scale is both epic and personal. Renée Elise Goldsberry and Leslie Odom Jr give two of the best performances ever.
10/10
Movie #166/ New Movie #121: The Boy and the Heron (Movie-Theater)
It’s excellent that Hayao Miyazaki had at least one more film in him, and appropriate that when he decided to join directors like Stephen Spielberg, James Grey and Alfonso Cuaron in telling a story inspired by his coming of age, it includes a doorway to a fantasy world.
9/10
Movie #167/ New Movie #122: Crimes of the Future 1970 (DVD)
It’s mostly a low-budget sci-fi with a parody of how messed up things can get. For the most part, it seems tame compared to modern takes on these topics. But there’s something messed up in the last few minutes that just made me lose interest in finishing the film, even if I know it’s not going where it seems to be. But it’s just too gross.
N/A
Movie #168: Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde (Max)
Frederich March is excellent as the two sides of Jekyl and Hyde. The film suffers a bit from the clumsiness of early sound, but benefits greatly from being pre-code.
9/10
Movie #169: Unforgiven (4k Ultra HD Blu-Ray)
Man, this is even better than I remembered. Gene Hackman is set up really well as the antagonist, a man who isn’t taken seriously as a carpenter, but is quite impressive against gunslingers. It’s probably the best western Eastwood ever made, and may possibly be the best ever, as the ultimate deconstruction.
10/10
Movie #170/ New Movie #123: Promising Young Woman (Amazon Prime)
The casting is excellent here. Carey Mulligan depicts a woman defined by tragedy who doesn’t get how everyone else isn’t, and it works to have someone more girl next door than bombshell in a film abotu the willingness of men to abuse. The “nice guys” make an effective statement.
9/10