.png)
I had a bit of a slow start in January in terms of watching things, thanks to having COVID, and I didn't manage to claw it back as well as I might've liked. However, I still got to watch some really awesome stuff, so I thought I'd share my thoughts with you all!
THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
2021, dir. Joel Coen
The Tragedy of Macbeth was a masterpiece in every way. It is an amazing play anyway, and Joel Coen transfers it to the screen in an incredible way. I loved how simple the production design was - it really allowed the actors to take centre stage and shine, as they should. There were some really interesting shots that played with depth of frame and perception that I absolutely loved. Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Corey Hawkins, and Kathryn Hunter were all spectacular. Overall, I just really, really loved this version of Macbeth. The fact that it is all in Shakespearean dialogue is probably alienating to those that aren't familiar with the story but, then again, I doubt anyone not familiar with Macbeth would go and see it. I liked the use of the original dialogue, though, and thought it worked really well with the general vibe of this adaptation.
LICORICE PIZZA
2021, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Licorice Pizza sadly wasn't a hit for me. I was desperate to love it, but it just fell short of the mark. I did like some of it - Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim were magnetic in their feature debuts. I love how human their characters were; how raw, real, and authentic their performances felt. I also liked the film's aesthetic; it definitely felt like an ode to the sun-soaked streets of 1970s California. However, I did find myself getting a bit bored, and some of the auxiliary storylines didn't really grab me. I felt like it was just getting interesting at the end and then it, well, ended. In the end though, I'm glad I saw it even if I didn't love it.
THE COVENANT
2006, dir. Renny Harlin
Okay. I'm going to be honest here - I watched this movie purely for Sebastian Stan. I knew it was going to be awful going in, but I was still disappointed by how actually bad it was. 4% on Rotten Tomatoes is probably a generous score. The story is bland, the script is terrible, though the acting is, somehow, okay considering the material. For the most part, anyway - some of it isn't great. It is just an absolute mess of a movie that wasn't even entertaining in its creepy campiness. I'd recommend it for a drinking game, but not for much else.
BOILING POINT
2021, dir Philip Barantini
I was really intrigued by this one when I found out that it was a 90-minute single-take. I've loved scenes shot in one take for a long time, even writing a few of them into my own work. Thus, when I heard about BOILING POINT, my interest was piqued. I ended up really enjoying it; the single-take format really ramped up the tension and immersed you in the story. The acting was spectacular, with a stand-out performance from Stephen Graham. My only gripe was that some static sequences slowed the pace of the film and dragged a little, but that's probably me nitpicking.
ETERNALS
2021, dir. Chloé Zhao
This was a rewatch, and my third time seeing Eternals. I honestly don't think it's a bad film whatsoever - I have enjoyed it every time I've seen it. Yes, it has problems, but then again no film can really ever be perfect. I think it'll be really interesting to see how the Eternals are absorbed into the MCU, and where the characters go from here. It isn't the best origin story of the MCU - there are just too many characters for that. It's a shame because it definitely had a lot of potential: great director, solid actors, interesting story, etc. Sometimes things just don't pan out, though. Still, I don't think it deserves the hate it gets, and I do find it enjoyable!
NIGHTMARE ALLEY
2022, dir. Guillermo del Torro
Nightmare Alley was, unfortunately, a bit of a letdown for me. I really, really wanted to love it, but it just missed the mark. I thought the production design was beautiful, especially in the first half of the film; the old-school carnival looked incredible, eerie and gorgeous with its sprawling artwork. I did love the vibe and aesthetic of the film, as stated previously, and I thought the noir-vibes worked well with the subject matter. The acting was fantastic across the board, with Willem Dafoe and Cate Blanchett stealing the show. However, I just felt like the film ended up being all style and no substance. It is beautiful, yes, but the script is lacking and the plot meandering. The writing feels a bit choppy and inconsistent, with some plot threads abandoned, while others are tattered enough that they become nonsensical. It was a decent watch, and I was definitely entertained, but was ultimately left disappointed,
DAREDEVIL - SEASON ONE
2015
After Matt Murdock's cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, my mum and I made it our mission to catch up on all of Netflix's Marvel shows. The first stop on our list was Daredevil; as of writing we've finished season one and are partway through season two. We're watching everything in order of release rather than concentrating on one show at a time, hence why we haven't watched more of Daredevil. I absolutely loved season one, though, and I am similarly loving season two. Matt Murdock is such an interesting character, so wracked with guilt yet so eager for justice and to protect his city. Charlie Cox plays him so well; it is no surprise that he has been lauded for his performance. My personal favourite, though, is Elden Henson's portrayal of Foggy Nelson, who has shot up the ranks to become one of my favourite Marvel characters. I am praying that he makes an appearance in the MCU in the future, because I think he's fantastic. He could've so easily been reduced to simple comic relief, but he is actually a character with great intelligence and emotional depth. His and Matt's friendship is one of my favourite things about the show, and I'm simultaneously excited and nervous to see where it goes.
JESSICA JONES - SEASON ONE
2015
I was really looking forward to watching Jessica Jones as part of our marathon, and I wasn't disappointed whatsoever. Krysten Ritter is absolutely spectacular as the eponymous antihero, and commands your attention in every scene. Again, she is a really interesting character from a moral standpoint, and I think her motivations are intriguing and will definitely take her to some complex places as the show progresses. I love her friendship with Trish and how much they clearly adore each other; although I am, like with Matt and Foggy, nervous to see how things go for them in the future. David Tennant was insane as Kilgrave, and excels in such a deliciously dark role.
Having seen one season of DD and JJ now, it's so fun to see the crossover between their universes. I look forward to seeing them interact in Defenders, when we get there!
THE MIGHTY DUCKS
1992, dir. Stephen Derek
This was another rewatch for me, for the nth time. I really love these movies; despite their flaws, I think they're so entertaining and compelling. The third movie is the weakest in my opinion, but I still watch and enjoy it - just not as much as the first two. The kids are such great actors and you can tell they have so much fun with their roles. It's also really cool to see some of today's popular actors in their youth - Joshua Jackson, Elden Henson, Kenan Thompson, etc. There are some really important lessons to be learned from this trilogy, the key one being the importance of refusing to submit to peoples' expectations of you. It's definitely a very applicable moral lesson, told through the medium of kids playing ice hockey. What's not to love?
So, there we have it! That's everything I've watched in January. I'm hoping to watch more next month - there's a lot of cool stuff coming out, and we'll be continuing our Marvel/Netflix quest. Thanks for tuning in! <3
Комментарии