Movie Review: Marty Supreme

 

Michael's Movie Grade: F

An insufferable movie about an insufferable character. 

This movie about a young man risking everything to become the world table tennis champion seems to be trying to make a comment on just how far someone would go to achieve their dreams even disregarding any sense of morality. This kind of story could work if either the character started out moral and that morality deteriorate as the story went on or if the character started as a jerk but changed into a better person at the end. However, our main character here is an irredeemable piece of crap from the opening credits to the closing credits. He does nothing to win our sympathy nor make us root for him in any way. He simply does one horribly immoral thing after another. The scenes involving a dog especially made me hate this character. The result is just plain unpleasant to watch. For a two-and-a-half-hour runtime it is also irritatingly repetitive. The whole movie is made even more unpleasant by a surprising number of violent scenes (for a film about table tennis) and a slew of supporting characters that also have no sense of reality. The violent scenes aren't especially gory, but they are done in such a way as to make them unpleasant to watch. If there is a point these bits of violence are trying to make, they are lost in a film with a disjointed story and no emotional center. What makes this movie even worse is the ending. While I won't give it away, it obviously expects us to sympathize with our main character and tries to even hit an unsuccessful sentimental note. If so, then the filmmakers should have given us a single reason to care about him and the over two hours that preceded this forced ending. 

I know this movie is a critical darling but frankly I can't see one reason to recommend it. Even Timothée Chalamet's all-in performance as the main character is wasted on a character not worth caring about.  

-Michael J. Ruhland 

Movie Review: The Smashing Machine

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C

A technically well-made but emotionally distant film. 

On paper it seems like this movie about professional fighter Mark Kerr should be your average sports film. However, anyone who has seen the previous films of writer/director Benjamin Safdie, knows that he is not about to deliver such a conventional film. In fact, with this movie, he seems dead set to get as to not fall into any of the typical trappings of sports movies. On a technical level he is quite successful. This movie has a documentary style of filmmaking that works perfectly. Thematically it strips away any of the glitz and glamor attached to the sport and instead focuses in on the brutality and senselessness of two grown adults beating the crap out of each other. This makes for a film that seems real and honest without a hint of superficiality. The documentary style of filmmaking also helps this seem unique among the many different sports movies out there.

However, this movie's major failing is in characterization. I never once felt like I knew who any of these characters actually were. For the most part they are completely devoid of personality. The brief little glimpses we get of what these characters' personalities are makes them seem completely unlikable and selfish. There is not one reason to care about them or what happens to them. This creates an emotionally empty movie. Critics have been praising Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt's performances here but there is only so much they can do with the lack of material they are given. 

On a technical level this is a very well-made movie, but it is held back greatly by not giving the audience any reason for an emotional connection.    

Movie Review: Sorry Baby

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A very intelligent and powerful dramedy.

This movie starts off as a slower paced slice-of-life film about two friends from Gard School simply living their lives. Eventually though this film takes a very serious and disturbing turn. At this point the movie tackles a very serious and uncomfortable subject matter. Though it does this in a way that never once feels exploitive but instead completely honest. This movie deals with how trauma truly works and how it hard it can be that the world keeps turning while the trauma never fully leaves. Director/writer/actress Eva Victor is incredibly empathetic, intelligent and understanding in her treatment of this serious subject matter. This is both true of her script and her powerful performance as the movie's main character. She also does a very impressive job of balancing the humor with the more serious moments. This film never has a single joke that gets in the way of its more serious moments, nor does it ever make light of the main character's trauma. This is a movie that is never afraid to make one feel truly uncomfortable and to be hard to watch at a few times. However, the humor does keep this movie from becoming nothing but uncomfortable feelings. One reason the humor never distracts from the seriousness of the story is that it comes directly from the characters, rather than from silly action. The humorous moments as well as being funny, also help us understand and relate to these characters in a greater way. It doesn't hurt that a lot of the comedy is laugh out loud funny either. 

This is a truly great movie.    

Movie Review: Friendship

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An often-hilarious dark comedy. 

This movie starts with a simple story of a guy who doesn't have any male friends, finally making one with his neighbor. From here the film takes many dark and unexpected turns, constantly keeping you guessing what is going to happen next.

With pure comedies having become rarer in recent years (though I'm glad to say that it looks like they are starting to make a bit of a comeback), it is hard not to love a film that is simply this funny. I saw this film in a packed theatre, and it has been a long time since I have heard a movie audience genuinely laugh this much and this hard. I expected the movie to be funny, but I did not expect it to be this funny. For anyone with a dark and twisted sense of humor, this is a pure laugh out loud delight. Much of the humor comes from the mixture of these situations being incredibly over the top yet instantly relatable at the same time. The movie often makes us feel very uncomfortable as it explores humanity's desire for friendship and companionship but also the dark fear of losing it. However, as we explore this dark delve into loneliness, we are allowed to laugh through our pain and there is something almost beautiful about this, even when the pain gets too uncomfortable. Balancing this mixture of comedy and pain is the performances by Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, who bring all their comedic gifts to the table, while also bringing out the humanity of these characters. 

I do feel that the plot line gets a little too messy in the third act and loses some of its momentum there. However, when a movie makes you laugh this much and this hard that is easy to overlook.

A dark and twisted but hilarious comedy.  

Movie Trailer: Materialists

Movie Review: The Legend Ochi

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A+

A modern-day family friendly classic. 

This film has a very simple storyline. A young girl is taught by her dad growing up to hate and fear a mysterious animal called the Ochi. However, when she meets one and discovers it is not as dangerous as she was taught, she decides to help return it home. However she is followed by her dad, who is leading a group of kids, planning to hunt down her new friend. What transpires from this simple story is pure movie magic. This is a film very much in the vein of family movies from the 1980's and 90's especially Spielberg's more family friendly fare. Much of this is due to how instead of focusing on action or humor, this movie's main focus is on whimsy. Whimsy is something that few family films even try for today. That whimsy is not only attempted here but is done very well makes this truly stand out. This is a lovely film that transports you instantly into its fantasy setting. This is done in equal parts from the story and the visuals. The story may be basic, but it is just the kind of fantasy that we all dream of as a child. Therefore, even the grownups in the audience will feel themselves becoming a child again as they watch. Meanwhile the children will find much wish fulfillment in every scene. Employing a mixture of matte paintings, puppetry, CGI and animatronics, the visuals in this movie have a timeless feel that also recalls our childhood imaginations. These are the environments that I childhood selves dream about, and this again provides wish fulfillment for kids and a sense of being a child again for grownups. 

This is the first feature length film for director Isaiah Saxon, who has directed music videos for artists like Björk, Grizzly Bear and Panda Bear. He is also the co-founder of DIY.org, a platform that is dedicated to teaching children real life skills as well as an appreciation for the world around them.

I can picture this becoming some kid's new favorite movie, and I really hope it becomes just that. I hope that this movie inspires this kid to use his/her imagination in the way the see the world as well as giving this child a greater appreciation for the world around them. 

Movie Review: Warfare

 Michael’s Movie Grade: B

A well made experiment. 

Warfare is a movie that is much easier to admire than it is to like. This film shows us a particularly harsh and brutal day during the Iraq War. It tells its story in real time with its focus constantly on the same group of American soldiers. The movie comes as a constant assault on your senses without a single moment of relief. Every second there are people screaming in pain, explosions, gunfire and extreme violence. Like the soldiers, we don’t enjoy the experience but rather endure it. There is nothing about this movie that could be described as entertaining but it is certainly a true cinematic experience, even if an unpleasant one. 

This movie does have one major flaw though. That is weak characterization. By the end of the film, it is hard to remember a single character’s name, much less his personality. 

This is a movie that will have a real impact on any audience, even if nothing here can ever be considered enjoyable. 

Movie Review: Death of a Unicorn

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C+

A dumb but enjoyable horror-comedy. 

For all the gore coming from people being brutally killed by unicorns, this movie has an oddly sweet heart at its center. The father daughter relationship starts out as very cold but actually morphs into something touching by the end. For a movie about unicorns killing people, this relationship actually develops in a believable way. This is of course helped by having these two characters played by Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd. The likableness of this relationship helps us actually care about what happens in a film where every other character is quite unlikable. 

The storyline is very familiar here, but it unfolds at a fast pace and is never boring. The humor is pretty hit and miss. Quite a bit of the comedy can fall flat but when the movie is funny it is laugh out loud hilarious. However, as a horror-comedy, this movie is never even once remotely scary. Even the usually reliable jump scares don't illicit any actual fear. The social commentary often falls flat because it is extremely on the nose with no subtlety whatsoever, as well as not saying anything that many more movies haven't already said better. 

While, this movie has its flaws, it never takes itself too seriously and the main characters are likable. This gives it a certain feeling of dumb fun that I enjoyed, even if the movie itself is far from a great one. 

Movie Review: On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A powerful movie from Zambia. 

This film begins with a young woman driving home from a party and finds her uncle lying dead on street. What unfolds from here is a powerful meditation on death, hypocrisy, family and cultural traditions, prejudice and sexual assault. Though the story is steeped in the culture and traditions of Zambia, what it has to say about these themes are truly universal. No matter what country you live in you, this film is equally as timely and important. This may not be an easy movie to watch at times and often it will make you feel uncomfortable and angry but that is exactly what makes this it so powerful. By the end of this movie, I felt myself having been shaken straight down to my core. As well as emotionally effective this is also an extremely smart movie and will leave you with much food for thought after it is done. Luckily the seriousness of what this film is balanced out by some excellent dark humor, that offers you brief relief, while never playing down the seriousness of what this movie has to say. The movie also benefits from very complex characters, that we learn more about as the film goes on as well as an incredible lead performance from Susan Chardy. 

I am keeping this review short because it is better to go into this film knowing as little as possible. However just know that this is a true must see. 

Movie Review: The Brutalist

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A+

A brilliant film

This movie follows the story of Laszlo Toth, a Hungarian architect who immigrates to the U.S. after World War 2. While this movie has a lot to say and a well written story, what really makes it stand out is the complexity of the main character. Here is a man that is full of contradictions. He is a deeply sympathetic character that has a good heart and looks out for others. Yet he can also be selfish, cruel, a drug addict and a bit of a womanizer. Still every contradiction in this character's personality perfectly fits together to create a real and complex portrait of a human being. Because of this we are drawn into this character and everything around him. We not only care about him, but we are drawn to his complexities in a way that simplicity makes us fixated with everything going on around him. This is all boosted by an incredibly performance by Adrian Brody. He becomes this character in a way that seems like he is not acting but has rather transformed into someone else. 

This is a movie with a whole lot to say. While many films have a hard time giving truly intelligent commentary on one subject, this film provides brilliant insight into many subjects. The movie comments on the immigrant experience, racism (both causal and not so causal), classism, drug addiction, the importance of art, the cost of being an artist, whether the ends always justify the means, religion, Zionism, the American Dream and post-World War 2 America. It tackles each of these subjects in a completely believable way that never feels forced into the story. Not only does this commentary come naturally from the story but what it has to say will leave you thinking long after the film is finished. The storyline itself is also very intelligently written. While the story may seem at first glance as your typical Amercian Dream storyline, there is much more to it than this. I do not want to give anything away but little in this movie works out the way you think it is going to. 

This film is made in VistaVision (if you wish to delve into what VistaVision is, I highly recommend this article) and the look of this movie makes you wish more films today were made in this way. This is an absolutely beautiful movie to look at and many of the images will stay in your mind long after the credits stop rolling. Yet all of these visuals help the story rather than distract from them. This film also uses an overture and an intermission to help it feel like an old school movie epic. These devices work perfectly, and this movie does truly feel larger than life in a way few films do anymore.  

However the best thing I can say about this movie is that though it runs for three and a half hours, I was never once bored or anything less than completely captivated. This is a true feat that would make this a must-see on its own. 

Movie Review: Babygirl

 

Michael's Movie Grade: F

A smutty and trashy movie that tries to pretend it actually has something to say. 

In this erotic "thriller" a powerful woman CEO has sexual fantasies about being dominated by a man. When she meets a young intern who understands these fantasies, she puts her job and her married life in jeopardy to live them out. 

If this movie admitted that it is nothing but pure smut, perhaps a would be kinder to it (I still wouldn't like it mind you). However, this film advertises itself as a thriller and tries very hard to actually say something. It simply fails at both of these. We never really learn anything more about these characters than their positions and sexual kinks (about our main characters family we learn even less). We are supposed to feel a sense of danger about what could happen if people found out. Yet when the characters don't feel real to us, it is hard to get invested enough to care. When it comes to the social commentary this movie doesn't really say much of anything. Its messages amount to that women should have important roles in the workplace and that sometimes people have sexual kinks that are opposite to their outward personalities. Neither of these is exactly groundbreaking, and both have been explored better in other films. The feminist message especially feels very forced and incredibly basic. There is absolutely nothing here that will leave you with any food for thought. This film is made worse by dialogue that is incredibly clumsy and poorly written. Some of the sexual scenes between the two main characters also can come off as unintentionally funny. The story is very melodramatic and unoriginal. It also relies on way too many melodramatic coincidences that strain believability. 

This movie does benefit from a strong cast including Nicole Kidman, Antonio Banderas and Harris Dickinson. However, a good cast can only do so much with a script like this. 

There are few films I dislike more than a dumb movie that thinks it is very smart. Unfortunately, that is exactly what this is. 

-Michael J. Ruhland

Movie Review: Y2K

Michael's Movie Grade: D-

A horror-comedy that is neither funny nor scary. 

The clever idea of a horror-comedy based on the Y2K computer scare is wasted here as it is the only somewhat original idea. Everything else in this movie is something we have all seen many times and often in much better films. The characters are pure teen movie stereotypes that have nothing interesting about them at all. There are little attempts at times to try and defy these characters' stereotypes, but these add no depth to these characters. That is because these attempts are more interested in the act of defy these stereotypes and not in making them feel like real people. In here lies the film's biggest flaw, the characters never feel like real people. We never believe or care about any of them. On top of this they often come off as obnoxious. It is true that teenagers can be obnoxious but characters in a movie should never be so obnoxious that they annoy the audience. It doesn't help that this obnoxiousness makes up for a lot of the film's humor. Because of this I not only didn't laugh at the jokes but found myself annoyed by the comedic moments as well. Comedy that is foulmouthed or noisy can be hilarious, but it is not automatically funny. And when this type of humor falls flat, it can be painful. The other source of humor is 90's references. Again, the filmmakers seem to think simply making a reference to something is funny in and of itself. These moments may give people in their 30's and 40's a sense of nostalgia but that is the only appeal they have. 

The horror-inspired scenes are probably the part of the film that works the best. However, even those parts could be much better. The violence is often gratuitous and at odds with silly tone of most of the movie. The filmmakers also seem more interested in these violent scenes than in actually creating anything memorable or scary. What does kind of work about these scenes though is that they create a real sense of danger. This danger comes from that the movie sets up that any character can die at any time making no one safe. However, even this would have worked better if we actually cared about the characters. 

This is a real waste of a clever premise.      

Movie Review: Sing Sing

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

An absolutely beautiful movie.

This film is about an acting program in Sing Sing prison that helps give these prisoners something to look forward to and be happy about while they are there. This may sound like your typical feel-good movie, but it is so much more than that. This is a film that truly looks finding light in your darkest moments. The film does not sugarcoat anything and while this can provide them with a purpose, it cannot make the pain of being in prison go away or allow them to see their loved ones. There are scenes here that are downright heartbreaking. Yet these heartbreaking scenes are mixed with hope and love being found among the darkness around them. These men become a family to one another and created a bond that help fill a space prison had put in their hearts. The acting program also allows them to be real and vulnerable with both each other and themselves, allowing them to feel human again. This becomes all the more real due to great documentary style filmmaking during many of the scenes. It is also helped by performances from real former prisoners who had acted in these programs. The film also has a lot of comedy, some of which is very silly. I found myself laughing much more than I expected to during the comedic moments. However, this comedy never distracts from the drama and seriousness of the story. Rather it does for us what it does for the characters. It provides us with a little release. This helps us understand just why this is so important to them and why it should be important to us. 

What makes this film so special though is that all its elements come together perfectly. This is a movie that is extremely uplifting, very sad, laugh out loud funny and quite thought provoking. It manages to be all of these at the same time in a way that feels completely natural. 

Summer Concert Series: Oasis: Supersonic (2016)

 

Note: This film has been placed back in theaters briefly. Though I missed the movie when it first came out, I was able to be introduced to this documentary on the big screen, which is the best way to see it.

An excellent documentary about one of the most iconic rock bands of the 1990's. 

This movie takes a wonderful approach to the rock and roll documentary. Rather than having your typical narrator, this film has all of the offscreen talking done by the band, those they toured with and family members. The film also completely revolves around the first few years of the band, from their start to the height of their popularity. Both of these make this movie something truly special. Listening to the band tell us the story themselves is a wonderful idea. It helps make this film feel like something more up close and personal than the average rock-doc. As we watch this movie, we get to feel like we get to truly know who these people are. It also gives the film a real sense of honesty as none of their flaws are hidden from us. Their egos, the arguments between the two brothers at the front of the band and their tempers are all on full display here. Yet at the same time, this is far from a fully negative portrait of thew group. We also see that they are a band that truly appreciates their fans and goes out of their way to make sure that their audience gets the best they can give them. As such this becomes a complex portrait of not only major rock stars but also real human beings. At the same time, their music is often front and center. Listening to their music here, it is very easy to understand why they become so popular, it is truly wonderful. It is shown to its best effect here and this film is truly a treat for the ears. This movie uses many rarely seen (well before the film was released) live footage of the band in concert. These are true gems and help give one the idea of just what incredible shows this band put on at the height of their powers. I always feel that the best compliment that a music documentary can be given is that someone who is unfamiliar with the band, would become a fan after watching. With this delightful rock-doc, I can fully see this happening. 

 Mat Whitecross, this movie's director, has had a career that has revolved around rock and roll. His career began with an art film entitled 9 Songs (2004); a movie whose story revolves around nine different rock songs heard throughout. He also directed the Ian Duray biopic Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010) and the rock-docs Scott Walker: 30 Century Man (2006) and Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018) as well as the Coldplay concert film, Live in São Paulo (2018). Away from movies, he has also directed music videos for Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Take That and The Rolling Stones.

Oasis: Supersonic is a wonderful treat for all rock and roll fans. 

Movie Review: Janet Planet

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

A beautiful and moving portrait of a daughter and mother. 

This is a film where not much actually happens. There is no larger overarching story, rather we are simply observing these two characters live their lives. Yet this film is so passionate about these characters that despite this and its slow pacing, it becomes completely engrossing. It is obvious that director/writer Annie Baker (making her first feature film (though she has done extensive work as a playwright)) is drawing from her own life here. There is a strong authenticity throughout, and it is clear that she completely understands these characters and the world they inhabit. Yet despite so many specifics from her own life, this is a movie that we can all see ourselves in. It definitely full captures being lonely as a kid. We watch 11-year-old Lacey going through a lonely summer. She has no real friends and spends most of the movie as the only kid on screen. We know she feels deeply for her mom, yet at the same time we see how much she longs from a friend her own age. The one scene where she is able to spend time with a potential friend her own age is appropriately the film's most joyous moment. This scene is a true delight and puts a smile on your face. When it is over you truly feel the absence of this childhood companionship. Anyone who has ever been the only child in a world of adults will find themselves remembering exactly what that feels like. We especially feel this during the coldness of the scenes involving her mom's boyfriends. Her mom goes through multiple boyfriends through this film and none of them are able to connect with Lacey. Yet the relationship between her and her mom is incredibly touching. Though the two don't always understand each other, their love can be felt constantly. Both are broken people, yet they both make each other more whole. At the same time as this movie gets its main characters, it understands its setting just as well. This movie full transports us to a rural Massachusetts town in the 1990's and perfectly captures what a summer in a rural area truly feels like. 

I do have a major complaint with this movie though. That is as well as we get to know our main characters, we don't get to know anything about the supporting characters. These characters feel more like plot points than real people. For a film that focuses mostly on making its characters and setting feel completely real, this can take away from capturing this even better. 

Despite this major flaw, this is an incredibly moving and relatable movie that truly makes us feel we are right there with these characters.

Movie Review: Tuesday

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A+

A mature and intelligent contemplation on death. 

This film marks the feature length directorial debut for director/writer Daina O. Pusić. She could not have started her movie career with a more ambitious project.

Here she pictures death as a magical bird that can grow or shrink in size. At first this bird seems to do his job with little emotion, as he speaks not a word and simply sends both those who are ready to die and those who are afraid of death to their deaths simply like a force of nature. However, all this changes when we meet our main human characters. He goes to visit a 15-year-old girl, who is very ill. Yet the two end up becoming friends. Because of this she convinces Death to wait until she can talk to her mom. The bird patiently spends time with her until her mom comes home. What happens after is something I dare not spoil here. 

This type of story could have easily gone wrong in one of two ways. Either the fantasy elements could make it so it would be hard to take the serious themes seriously or the film could simply be too depressing for anyone to want to sit through. Somehow this first-time director/writer found a way to not fall into either of these traps. As I left the theater, I was profoundly moved by what I saw but never in a way that I wasn't completely grateful for having watched it. Rather than distracting from the seriousness of the story, the fantasy elements instead communicated these complex themes in a way that seems perfectly approachable and even more profound. As for the serious themes, they are explored in a highly intelligent thought-provoking manner. This film does not give any easy answers for death, but rather it explores all the ways it is both necessary and hard to deal with. This movie is full of scenes that emotionally hit you right in the gut, but there is also something inspiring and even kind of uplifting even in the film's darkest scenes. Watching this film, you will be taken to some dark places but the light will never be fully taken away as there is something beautiful even in these dark places. It is rare to see a film that leaves you with so many complex emotions that are hard to explain but this movie does that just perfectly. 

Also making this movie even more powerful are the performances by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Lola Petticrew. Both of them give perfect performances here. Petticrew may be a young actress, but she plays this role with an incredible amount of maturity and insight. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is of course best known for her over the top comedy roles (especially in the infamous sitcom, Seinfeld). However here she is given what is perhaps the most serious role of her career and she plays it perfectly. She brings such emotion to her performance that it is hard not to be swept up in it.  

This is simply a must-see.  

Movie Review: Civil War

 

Michael's Movie Grade: F

An incredibly overrated movie. 

A film about a major modern civil war sweeping across the U.S. should either be a fun popcorn movie or an intelligent political commentary. This film is neither. Civil War takes itself too seriously to ever be anything that is even remotely entertaining. On the other hand, it plays things much too safe to really say anything at all. This movie seems too afraid to say anything even remotely controversial. Because of this you get the same extremely basic messages about war, politics and journalism that you have heard in a million other movies. The movie says absolutely nothing that anyone watching it has never heard before. The film gets increasingly dark and unpleasant as it goes along. However, since there is no real point to the story, this is simply unpleasant and grim to be unpleasant and grim. It makes the movie simply a chore to watch and offers no reward to the audience who sits through these hard to watch scenes. 

A major missed opportunity comes from the characters being incredibly bland and lacking any personalities. This takes away what easily been the most interesting part of the whole film. The story follows a group of war journalists, who are driven to follow these stories regardless of how dangerous the task is or how horrific the world they see is. This could have been a great opportunity to look into just what drives a person to do something like this. Yet we never really get to know who any of these characters really are or what exactly makes them so driven. For a film that wants so badly to feel real, the characters don't feel like real people for even a second. 

This movie strives for realism but while it may visually look realistic, the storyline is far from believable. It is incredibly far-fetched much of the time and many story points make one scratch their heads. From the bizarreness of California and Texas being two states that are involved in the secession from the U.S. (could they have picked two states that are more politically different) to the over-the-top unintentional silliness to many of the action scenes to the unintentional corniness of the final line, there is little here that feels real at all.

I find it hard to believe that the critics are being so kind to this film and have to wonder if they saw a different movie than I did. This is painful to watch. 
 

          

Movie Review: Problemista

 

Michael’s Movie Grade: C

A very uneven dramedy but with moments of greatness. 

It is obvious that this is a very personal film for director/writer/star Julio Torres. Much of the movie is based off of his own experiences immigrating to the U.S. It is this personal feel that provides the movie with its best moments. There are some very emotionally effective moments as we watch the main character trying to survive despite so much being stacked against him. There was even one scene that I found very hard to watch because I cared about him and didn’t want to see him have to go through this. This movie has many surreal images but one stands out as kind of brilliant. This has our hero finding his way through a maze of rooms that seems impossible. This is such a cinematic and intelligent way to show the ridiculousness of the red tape he must cut though. I truly wish the rest of the film could have been as great as this moment.  Even during many of the moments that really don’t work are kept from ruining this film because you can tell this is from a filmmaker who cares deeply about the story he is telling. Even the messiest movies are often worth watching if they have this passion. 

What also works in this movie is the relationship between our main character and his hopefully sponsor. At first these characters seem to have nothing in common (his sponsor can be incredibly unlikable) but you truly believe the relationship that grows between them, and you can see how they truly get each other. The great chemistry between Julio Torres and Tilda Swinton doesn't hurt at all. 

The main problem with this film is that for a movie that is just as much a drama as it is a comedy, it is for the most part not funny. It gets worse when some of the least funny comedic moments sadly become running jokes. Our main character’s depressing ideas for children’s toys or his sponsor’s rants at everyone she comes in contact with where not funny in the first place and they become even less funny each time they are repeated. This film also will mistake being weird or surreal for being funny, but they are simply not the same thing. The craigslist scenes were simply painful to sit through. They only thing that really made me laugh here was Isabella Rossellini's narration, which was actually often really funny. 

This movie also suffers from bland and forgettable side characters and the more surreal elements not always being well incorporated into the film.  

This movie is very messy at times, but there is enough that really worked that I am glad I watched it. 

Movie Review: Love Lies Bleeding

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A well-made neo-noir.

Though with lots of over-the-top sex, violence and gross out moments, this film may not be for everyone there is a lot to really enjoy about this movie. The main reason this film works is because it is a suspense movie that keeps you guessing the whole way through. You never know what is going to happen next and this keeps you constantly on the edge of your seat. Even during the times when you think you know where the story is heading the movie will throw you a curve that will take you by surprise. Sometimes it will even do what you except but throw a little twist on top of that. Director Rose Glass (in what is only her second feature film) also gives us many perfectly staged suspense scenes that simply elevate the film above the pulpy exploitive picture this could have been in lesser hands. Just as much as this is a dark noir-style thriller, it is also a love story. While the characters all have their dark and twisted sides, we also grow to care about them. The romance between our two main characters is incredibly well done. Much of this is simply due to the incredible chemistry between Kristen Stewart (who continues a streak of roles that prove she is a really good actress) and Katy O'Brien. You can always feel the sexual tension between these two, which is incredibly important with how sexually charged this film is (with many very erotic sex scenes that have no fear of how far they are willing to go). Because of this the sex scenes feel like moments of complete passion that can't be held back, rather than coming off as simply pornography. Because of this they feel like a natural and important part of the film instead of simply exploitive.   

The main problem with this movie is that it often goes back and forth between being a serious thriller and being something much more intentionally campy. The transitions between the serious and the campy scenes often are too abrupt and take you out of the movie. There are also moments when the film can get simply too campy for its own good. One important scene near the end doesn't work at all because of this and that really hurts the film. 

While definitely flawed and far from for everyone, there is a lot to love about this film.    

My Top 10 Films of 2023

 Hello my friends with it being Oscar night, it feels appropriate to call attention to some of my favorite films of 2023. Maybe some of these movies will be favorites of yours as well. 


10. The Teacher's Lounge

This German movie is a perfect suspense film. Without much in the way of action, this film kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, always wondering what is going to happen next. This movie also perfectly melds in some incredible intelligent social commentary in its very smart script. Add a wonderful performance from Leonie Benesch and you have a truly incredible movie.

9. Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl

This documentary probably won't be on many people's top ten lists for this year, but it is a film that is tailor made for me. I'm someone who grew up with re-runs of Hee Haw and since that show began my love of country music, it holds a special place in my heart. This also means that Minnie Pearl is someone who is very near and dear to me. This in depth documentary perfectly captures this wonderful country-fied comedian in all her glory. While I may admit a personal bias here, I think even those who have never heard of Minnie Pearl will enjoy this film. 

8. Killers of the Flower Moon 

Any other year and this film would have been at the top of this list, but this year was simply an incredible year for movies. This film is a perfect reminder why Martian Scorsese is a master filmmaker. Despite its very long length, the film is gripping for that entire runtime. Robert De Niro and Lilly Gladstone gives simply incredible performances that are as good as acting gets.   

7. Past Lives

A masterful romantic comedy that is just as intelligent as it is charming. Director Celine Song's first feature film proves her to be a filmmaker to look out for. 

6. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 

Interestingly in a year, where "superhero fatigue" has become a common saying and many superhero films have not received the best reception from critics or audiences, comes out one of the best superhero movies or all time. This animated film is a masterpiece of the genre and perfectly combines great storytelling and incredibly visuals in a simply perfect way. As a comic book lover and this film feeling like a comic book come to life again gives me a personal bias for this being on the list but is it is truly a great movie. 

5. Anatomy of a Fall 

This French film can hold its own with some of the greatest courtroom dramas of all time. Justine Triet's direction and Sandra Huller's performance are pitch perfect. This is a gripping film that will simply leave you amazed. 

4. The Boy and the Heron

Hayao Miyazaki is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time. This might be his last film and if it is, I am perfectly fine with this. This is simply a wonderful animated movie and proves why Miyazaki is a master filmmaker. This is definitely a film in which you need to watch many times to get the full effect of. Fantastic and a great possible send-off to one of the all-time great filmmakers.

3. Fallen Leaves 

This film from Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki is one of his best films in decades. This movie takes his trademark style of filmmaking to its absolute best. In lesser hands this could have simply been another romantic comedy. Yet the expert filmmaking makes this something much more beautiful, moving and laugh out loud funny. 

2. The Taste of Things 

It is amazing that this simply beautiful French film did not receive the attention it so rightful deserves. While with its slow pace and long scenes simply of characters cooking may make it not appeal to a mainstream audience for those of us who love arthouse cinema, this is simply a masterpiece. It is also simply an incredibly moving romance that had me leaving the theater in near tears. This is one of the most emotional cinematic experiences in a long time. This deserves to take its place in the great arthouse movies of all time. Any other year this would be number one but... 

1. Zone of Interest

Possibly the best movie about the Holocaust ever made. This film is one of the most emotional draining films I have ever seen. Though the Holocaust is never directly shown, this movie leaves you absolutely horrified in a way that even the best horror films can't. Without a real story and simply focusing on a family living next door to a concentration camp leading perfectly normal lives makes this one of the most unique movies about the second world war ever created. I have never experienced anything like this before and I doubt I ever will again. This is the type of film that will be deeply studied in film classes many decades from now. While this film is very hard to watch, it is something that every true cinema fan must watch at least once in their lives. You will not leave the film quite the same as when you came in. 

My gosh looking at this list, it is so amazing what an incredible year for movies last year was. Every film I listed is a truly great and if you have not seen any of them you must watch them immediately.