tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43082566292877585142024-02-20T20:56:01.028-08:00Resident Film SnobJoshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-9201975280020587762020-02-23T21:43:00.001-08:002020-02-23T21:44:06.591-08:00Horror Short - Don't Fall AsleepThe art of the short film is one that's far from the mainstream. They are by definition obscure. But with the internet revolution, filmmakers with no budget at all can shoot and cut a satisfactory short (if the film works, which depends on the writers and directors.<br />
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I'd like to focus on some short films, mostly horror shorts.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mwxlqZd1Akc" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-23146562209477460442019-06-13T22:17:00.000-07:002019-06-13T22:39:56.769-07:00The Final Entry THE TOP TEN films of 2018!<div style="text-align: right;">
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Here we are! I won't pontificate as I usually do before an entry like this since the suspense is killing you. So here they are.</div>
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10) "Ms. Hyde" - Serge Bozon<br />
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Wow, the study of the duality of the human mind can be so...Damn, I'm actually making myself yawn. Most of the additions into the whole Jeckle and Hyde concept are insipid and obvious, aren't they? Tripe. But "Ms. Hyde" bursts out of the model and shoves its revolutionary ideas on the story right down your throat. The rare film of this series of stories that has just a bit of profundity.<br />
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9) "Disobedience" - Sebastian Lelio<br />
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Sebastian Lelio's follow-up to 2017's Oscar-winning "A Fantastic Woman" is every inch as good as its predecessor, maybe even better. When her father dies, Ronit (Rachel Weisz) is called back to her Orthodox Jewish home. She gets there only to be confronted by Esti (Rachel McAdams,) the love of her youth. With their affair reignited, they are once again faced with the question of how to respond to their conservative community. The real drama is between the two women and Esti's husband Dovid (Alessandro Nivola.) What pulls your heartstrings most in this film is the contrast between Esti and Ronit's joyous homecoming and watching this good man's heartbreak in real time as he slowly realizes what's going on. <br />
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8) "Beautiful Boy" - Felix van Groeningen<br />
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"Beautiful Boy" follows David (Steve Carell,) a father desperately trying to save his son Jasper (Timothée Chamalet) who is struggling with an addiction to crystal-meth. We follow the duo in the present and back to when Jasper was young, juxtaposing the effed-up junkie with the adorable, loving son David raised. In the end, "Beautiful Boy" is a film about the intimate and heart-rending between father and son. When a boy suffers, the father feels the pain. He matches his son's pain, blow for blow and hurt for hurt. Groningen, director of 2012's "The Broken Circle Breakdown," a film about a man struggling with finding a way to break through the grief of losing his daughter, is no rookie when it comes to telling stories of heartbreak and fatherhood. So just a warning, if you are a father this film <em>will </em>make you cry.<br />
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7) "The Favourite" - Yorgos Lanthimos<br />
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"The Favourite" demonstrates plainly that sexual politics are the most efficient to manipulate. They're also the most malicious. I don't know what I enjoyed watching more, the two vindictive-to-the-point-of-sadistic women vying for power and the queen's affections or just how delighted Queen Anne (Olivia Coleman) seems to watch it all play out in front of her. It's a very dark comedy that gleefully celebrates what it really means to be cruel.<br />
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6) "Hereditary" - Ari Aster<br />
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Oh my God, did this movie throw the template for horror films into a bonfire! "Hereditary" has no rules. Every character is vulnerable and the evil has no restraints and that's what makes it so horrifying. The film is so terrifying that you want to turn away but feels forced to face it just to see where the hell it goes. <br />
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5) "Hotel Artemis" - Drew Pearce<br />
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Bizarre for the sake of itself can be entertaining, but in the end, it's not a solid foundation for a film. Lucky "Hotel Artemis" earns the right, through strong stories and well-written characters, to be bizarre as it wants to be. A healer known as "the Nurse" (Jodie Foster) runs an underground makeshift hospital at a former hotel. The characters who come to her are desperate, naturally. But there are strict rules for anybody needing to be stitched-up. Writer/director Drew Pearce takes us on a ridiculously fun ride through a single night at the Armetis when the rules are for shit.<br />
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4) "Cold War" Pawel Pawlikowski<br />
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If you disagree with me that "Cold War" is one of the best films of the year, you have to concede that it's certainly the most beautiful. Director Pawel Pawlikowski and Cinematographer Lukasz Zal were nominated for Oscars for their work on this film. But good looks can only get you so far if you don't have a good story with solid characters. "Cold War" has both. We follow Zula (Joanna Kulig) and Wiktor (Tomasz Kot) chasing each other through the fifties both behind the Iron Curtain and on this one. They're first separated in a self-sabotaged escape from occupied Poland. After that, they come across each other every once in a while, longing to be reunited. "Cold War" is more than a celebration of impossible love though. There's the simple joy of life in every frame.<br />
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3) "Border" - Ali Abbasi<br />
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Most years, "Border" would easily take the top spot as the best film of the year. The fact that it's only number three is just a testament to how brilliant Boots Riley's and Anne Ramsay's offerings were. Tina (Eva Melander) is a Swedish customs officer with an aptitude for sniffing out all sorts of smugglers and criminals. She also has a physical deformity that makes her feel less than human. Then Vore ( Eero Milonof,) someone with the same deformity but incomparably high confidence comes along, questioning everything Tina had come to assume over her life. The film is really about monsters and how they are defined. We learn along with Tina that a deformity does not define a devil.<br />
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2) "You Were Never Really Here" - Anne Ramsay<br />
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If "We Need to Talk About Kevin" was Ramsay's "Reservoir Dogs" then "You Were Never Really Here" is her "Pulp Fiction." Lynne Ramsay's follow up to her disturbing 2011 masterpiece "We Need to Talk About Kevin" became iconic instantly when the film was released. She attempts to study and submit the psyche of a self-loathing, violent revenge-seeker and she nails it to the wall. She understands that the source of Joe's (Joaquin Phoenix) compulsion to rescue innocents and murder wrong-doers is an underlying sense of helplessness he's had beaten into him since he was a child. "YouWere Never Really Here" is basically a celebration of righteous violence and boy, is it glorious!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>And here we are – the greatest film of 2018!</strong></span><br />
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1) "Sorry to Bother You" - Boots Riley<br />
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With "Sorry to Bother You," Boots Riley delivers what is most likely the greatest dark comedy so far this century. Aside from the morbidity that glues the whole thing together, we're also looking at rare, biting and important satires you'll ever see. Desperate for money and employment, Cassius Green, a.k.a Cash (LaKieth Stanfield,) takes a job as a telemarketer. He quickly learns that the key to doing the job well, to pull down those fat commission checks, is to put on his white voice. His numbers skyrocket and get the attention of corporate. After that, Cash slowly sells off his soul, piece by piece as he repeatedly compromises his sense of ethics. In the end, Cash finds himself essentially, a slave trader. Finally, the powderkeg explodes as we see the truly sadistic underside of corporate America, our citizens' lackadaisical response to true evil and just how far a grassroots revolution can go.<br />
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Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-58456924301298876452019-04-01T20:21:00.000-07:002019-04-02T20:53:28.188-07:00The First Entry Concerning the Best Films of 2018 - Worth Mentioning<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AEIKrZBGs6wU6Zt4_NVnskp1PTvsbZSsLtRBshkr2bzvVowqJnt7Z_pzuvxRH72bRezS-f2I0kyRM7ytQzhDL23eDsspentStTeSWx1Quz6lT4jrWiOaBuI6tYw_sibXmyThAKmfOXc/s1600/Bohemian+Rhapsody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1600" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AEIKrZBGs6wU6Zt4_NVnskp1PTvsbZSsLtRBshkr2bzvVowqJnt7Z_pzuvxRH72bRezS-f2I0kyRM7ytQzhDL23eDsspentStTeSWx1Quz6lT4jrWiOaBuI6tYw_sibXmyThAKmfOXc/s200/Bohemian+Rhapsody.jpg" width="200" /></a>Bienvenue, here's where I start talking about the best films of 2018. <br />
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There will be three lists.<br />
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First one, this list right here, is for films which are more than worth mentioning, but didn't happen to make it on the Top Ten or Runners-Up lists. Good but not damn good enough. But seriously, these are great films. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAxjCig3v3dqQ8E9Spt0oiOuXcwKTkxjPZzhtjb25faoGrJkaqmhBBv5KBvqF2oZzuom9ehOF9R6IRv5ZDnX-2PDpRCqg69HJWncc994KLpF1nly7EutvUhfmbeYlxg-nynO7BOHQVMQ/s1600/Halloween+Jamie+Lee+Curtis+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="750" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAxjCig3v3dqQ8E9Spt0oiOuXcwKTkxjPZzhtjb25faoGrJkaqmhBBv5KBvqF2oZzuom9ehOF9R6IRv5ZDnX-2PDpRCqg69HJWncc994KLpF1nly7EutvUhfmbeYlxg-nynO7BOHQVMQ/s200/Halloween+Jamie+Lee+Curtis+2018.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="200" /></a>The second list will be dedicated to the runners up, the films which are worthy of the Top Ten but because ten is a finite number, some just had to go.<br />
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Then, the climax of it all – The TOP TEN films of 2018. (Pause for cheers, pause for applause.)<br />
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There seems some confusion regarding some films some films, usually those that have been on the festival circuit, regarding the official year of release. So don't be distressed when you don't find either "The Death of Stalin" or "The House that Jack Built." one any of these lists. " (See footnote.)*<br />
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Got it? Good.<br />
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So here's the first of the three lists – Films From 2018 That Were More Than Worth Mentioning. <br />
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"Wildlife" shows us the truly devastating divorce has on children. I haven't seen a film brave enough to examine this problem in quite some time.<br />
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"Vice" has been called a cheap political parody comparing the performances to that of the cartoonish farce one would see in an SNL sketch and I will say it's a sneaky film. That is an unfair example to make. You'll see that "Vice" is much more than that when you watch it. It's an (dare I say?) important film, required viewing for anyone interested in politics. <br />
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"Halloween" is a more than capable return to the classic horror franchise. Michael Meyers is back, but so is Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) with a vengeance. It's wonderful to see how prepared she is now and how she matches him blow-for-blow and pain-for-pain.</div>
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The description of "The Tale" may sound like a high-financed Lifetime TV movie. It follows a woman (Laura Dern) on her journey to confront the man who sexually abused her as a teen. The plot sounds trite but "The Tale" goes deeply inside of the long-lasting psychological effects of sexual abuse blowing past any other I've seen. It's damning and dares you to look away. It's harsh and sickening, just as it should be.<br />
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"Bohemian Rhapsody
" really surprised the hell out of me. I don't normally enjoy bio-pics and I've never been much of a Queen fan, but this movie was just explosive. It made me feel connected to Freddy Mercury. </div>
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"Mary Poppins Returns" is not as good as the original, how could it be? So let's not compare and just talk about "Mary Poppins Returns" on its own merits. Aside from the fantastic direction, choreography and score, this film essentially works because of the charm of Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda.</div>
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"Soni" is more than heartbreaking, it brings to light a relatively downplayed human rights issue in a country that claims to be the "world's largest democracy." Soni (Geetika Vidya Ohyan) is a detective in India persecuted for pushing back too hard against sexual assault crime. When attacked, her superior officer tells her how reckless it is to fight off a potential rapist. The sexual politics in India desperately needs to change. Watch this movie and I assure you, you'll agree.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleqapiyWWagQcC1lcG6aLQPKys816LhY8Wmu1TTKMskDqiwMfS0Fv9As6BY7snNjp9e-qkCiR-9KGyEbHPqKOJU9oR0I6Sx6uriSgjEbqNx54rqmmhuOkisyTM9OGdL594GrpBgoH-HI/s1600/The+House+That+Jack+Built.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleqapiyWWagQcC1lcG6aLQPKys816LhY8Wmu1TTKMskDqiwMfS0Fv9As6BY7snNjp9e-qkCiR-9KGyEbHPqKOJU9oR0I6Sx6uriSgjEbqNx54rqmmhuOkisyTM9OGdL594GrpBgoH-HI/s200/The+House+That+Jack+Built.jpg" width="200" /></a>*I should make a note about what films qualify for which year. For example, last year I had "The Death of Stalin" on my list for one of the best films of 2017. Then this year, many critics had it on their top ten lists from <i>this </i>year. Imagine my surprise. I saw it in 2017 and IMDb has it listed it to have it been released in 2017. (And yes, this lovely and disturbing black comedy <em>was</em> on last year's list.)</div>
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Confusion yes but there's an easy explanation. The official dates listed are when the films were released in the US. So, another film I have in my top ten, (not telling – spoilers) is listed as released in 2017 but actually came out in theatres in 2018. So my rule of thumb now is to go by the US. release date and not a festival showing or an international release date.</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BYF2tfdD1fA" style="height: 180px; width: 232px;" width="560"></iframe>Conversely, I ought to tell you about another film, Lars von Trier's bloody and profound "The House That Jack Built." I thought about putting it on my list this year because it <i>was</i> released in US theatres in December. However, as you may know, the film was quickly pulled on account of the shock and offensiveness felt by normal people. So since the wide release has been moved to this June, I'm going to treat it as if it were released in 2019.</div>
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Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-53615315899157452602019-03-28T20:21:00.001-07:002019-04-08T22:21:14.002-07:00The Second Entry Concerning the Best Films of 2018 - Runners Up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99Vf2YziqmGXe_rh3U02ADeC9ChIVR-HniUXN6DeuQQc3nwZ2tBgokW1rjJ326tD4uMJfSbS4w9fT8mV7_bd4eslF84ZK8GeexBxQbzYqB7Ap3LHvEaWQ_cjsnl0blf5X6bZoVKW-aio/s1600/Mister+Rogers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1600" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99Vf2YziqmGXe_rh3U02ADeC9ChIVR-HniUXN6DeuQQc3nwZ2tBgokW1rjJ326tD4uMJfSbS4w9fT8mV7_bd4eslF84ZK8GeexBxQbzYqB7Ap3LHvEaWQ_cjsnl0blf5X6bZoVKW-aio/s200/Mister+Rogers.jpg" width="200" /></a>Welcome back consistently confused moviegoer! <br />
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We're getting closer to where I'll inform you which films are the finest so you don't have to discern for yourself because thinking is hard and you deserve a break. So let's take a look at the runners up of 2018. These are the upstanding films worthy of a place on any critic's TOP-TEN list. But ten is a finite number and I just loved ten other films than I liked a bit more than these. I've put this list in alphabetical order so as not to play favorites.<br />
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"A Quiet Place" is a quiet masterpiece. There's no other way of saying it. The pervasive silence pulls this terrible sense of dread together. It's one of the most brilliant horror films of late. It's tense throughout with a wonderfully concealed villain.<br />
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"BlacKkKlansman" didn't quite make my top ten list, but it's every bit as relevant as Spike Lee claims. Yes, this is an incredibly ambitious film and most directors would not be nearly be up to the task of putting it together. But Lee balances humor, anger and self-righteousness perfectly.<br />
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"Black Panther" achieves what nobody would have thought possible. It's a social commentary with primarily black characters on race relations and black-on-black violence, and it's an audaciously determined comic book movie. It's also entertaining as hell, so it works on several levels, doesn't it?<br />
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"Eighth Grade" harshly brings us back to our adolescent years and reminds us just how awkward we felt. We can also clearly see the cruelty pervasive among students, subtly encouraged by the teachers and principal. <br />
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"The Hate U Give" startles and grabs you demanding you join this visceral experience. The problem we have of police brutality and corruption needs as much light shone on it as possible. Starr (Amandla Stenberg) is a girl caught between two worlds. Her parents have enrolled her in an esteemed and private (white) school but she lives in a black neighborhood. When she witnesses a police shooting, she is pulled into a dangerous situation.<br />
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"I Kill Giants" is the story about a lonesome little girl who has just lost her mother and is coping by imagining monsters for her to defeat. She just doesn't know what to do without her mom and she lashes out, leaving only her older sister, a school counselor and a new friend who just moved in next door willing to help her. As much as this film focuses on this heartbroken child, it's about the journey of these three people desperately wanting to help this girl and wondering if they're up to the task.<br />
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"Let the Sunshine In" is the perfect romantic comedy, if you like that sort of thing. I usually don't but damn, I loved this movie. Isabelle (Juliette Binoche) is on an expansive quest for true love. It evades her, leaving us to wonder if it's them or if it's her or if true love even exists in her world.<br />
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"The Miseducation of Cameron Post" follows Cameron (Chloe Grace Moretz,) a gay teenager who, when caught making love with her girlfriend, is checked into a Christian conversion camp. Watching Cameron getting beaten down is as sad as the delusions and the quiet contradictions the leaders of the camp live with and teach by. You'll feel as bad for the staff as you will for these poor kids. (Well, almost as bad. Or just a bit bad. Maybe.)<br />
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"Overlord" is a treat for anybody who loves B-movies. It starts out as a perfectly serviceable WWII thriller, but then descends into a story involving scientific experiments and monsters. I just sat there with a huge grin planted on my face. "Overlord" easily won my undying affection.<br />
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"The Other Side of the Wind" is a joyous dream of what filmmaking can be. Yes, it's damning to today's Hollywood system, but it invokes a strong hope about how far art can take you. One of the best film-about-films I've seen, plus watching John Huston is just hypnotic.<br />
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"Won't You Be My Neighbor?" does more than make us feel nostalgic. It reminds us of the importance of truly relating to children as Fred Rogers effortlessly makes a connection with children everywhere. Watching it, I wondered whether or not this generation of children will breed more psychotics just because of his absence. He may have been that important.
"Won't You Be My Neighbor?" would have been my #eleven had I been willing to lengthen my TOP-TEN list.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Coming in the next couple of days – THE TOP TEN FILMS OF 2018!</span><br />
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<br />Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-45772458450339008272019-03-16T16:56:00.000-07:002019-03-16T16:56:09.052-07:00A Quiet Place - John Krasinski (2018)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilAI3UExTaDLMzGJ0qBsJiFFSEE2EPmkFlhE5wTG_BA_LhQi3-w2i_NdQLAqctOS00aRnHo1KuBwv6aiZjnw_241NRgmVpwu6l7YB0GVLz34WM-9vxVZXB8wpEBuBeQ3sqvIIXIld4lk/s1600/A+Quiet+Place+-+Poster+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1112" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilAI3UExTaDLMzGJ0qBsJiFFSEE2EPmkFlhE5wTG_BA_LhQi3-w2i_NdQLAqctOS00aRnHo1KuBwv6aiZjnw_241NRgmVpwu6l7YB0GVLz34WM-9vxVZXB8wpEBuBeQ3sqvIIXIld4lk/s200/A+Quiet+Place+-+Poster+Art.jpg" width="138" /></a>All my life, I've associated fear with cinema. I don't know how much of that fear came from growing up in the era of Tobe Hooper's "Poltergeist," Wes Craven's "A Nightmare on Elm Street," etc. The boy-into-donkey sequence in "Pinnochio" traumatized me as did the trailer of "Poltergeist" which they played before "E.T." Children are easy to scare, at least I sure as hell was, but as we mature we become jaded, desensitized.<br />
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But once that element of menace is established, our throats are in the hands of these storytellers, we're at their mercy. To genuinely terrify grown-ups, filmmakers have to work hard to fill us with that much-desired dread. So many turn to gore a lazy response. There are much better ways to successfully thrill, even terrify, horror movie fans. The element of sound is a time-honored method of injecting that bit, turning a bore into an experience where we find ourselves holding our breath.<br />
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Right at the start of John Krasinski's "A Quiet Place" it's made clear that nobody here is safe. It's a world where humans are hunted. These blind terrors can hear <i>anything</i>, any small noise and that's how they find their prey, for food or for sport, it doesn't really matter. They can't see, but they don't have to. Their ears are <i>that </i>sensitive and the hunters are <i>that </i>fast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKQAEEkHyScVpLOY8f47ZGcjtDW8ic66Tt-4T12xFk9FYV3lGtIweYeNiuwhuoZBHYfR6CtxEaFfCXStzEIdxG7-nJMlD1rPDMHMP0d6mx7_Lkn1KNi2gRug9nzLZkD1b-dUud29ahZw/s1600/A+Quiet+Place+-+Lee+With+Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKQAEEkHyScVpLOY8f47ZGcjtDW8ic66Tt-4T12xFk9FYV3lGtIweYeNiuwhuoZBHYfR6CtxEaFfCXStzEIdxG7-nJMlD1rPDMHMP0d6mx7_Lkn1KNi2gRug9nzLZkD1b-dUud29ahZw/s200/A+Quiet+Place+-+Lee+With+Child.jpg" width="200" /></a>The Abbot family, with three children just like any family you might come across. In the opening sequence, the Aboots strip a small grocery store/pharmacy for whatever food and medical supplies they need. When the youngest child of the family if he can take a toy, Lee Abbot (John Krasinski) gives it to him, putting a finger against his lips, warning the child to play with it quietly.<br />
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Of course, there are other Abbot children. One sister, too young to grasp the gravity of their situation but old enough to take batteries off the shelf to power up a toy. Later, the child turns the toy on, setting off flashing lights and loud sirens, violating the primary rule of survival. What happens next is some of the tightest seconds in recent memory. So now the Abbot family shares a trauma.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdx3eGftmWBp2HV6m6IT2nJZwjmB8IF837FXY6uUu5TKgPf2NgHN_BI0uDUNQOTiT-eyf20rxR-oa3pJDEvRzAGWWCNeuSwfhXVmk1obuQYqPsT5S_YJkAclT9AQVBdX01Xi8L6Bphn0/s1600/Evelyn+With+Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdx3eGftmWBp2HV6m6IT2nJZwjmB8IF837FXY6uUu5TKgPf2NgHN_BI0uDUNQOTiT-eyf20rxR-oa3pJDEvRzAGWWCNeuSwfhXVmk1obuQYqPsT5S_YJkAclT9AQVBdX01Xi8L6Bphn0/s320/Evelyn+With+Child.jpg" width="320" /></a>Flash forward one year. We can see from Lee's scavenged newspapers' headlines that these creatures have taken the entire planet. That they are indestructible. That they <i>are </i>the end of the world.<br />
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The Abbot family still lives in silence and fear. Lee's wife, Evelyn Abbot (Emily Blunt) is expecting a baby which is problematic, to say the least. How the hell could a family survive with a baby? They have managed to keep their children silent, but how can one expect that from an infant?<br />
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The rest of the film follows what should have been a typical day for the Abbots in this hopeless, new reality - how they find their food, how they contact their neighbours, how they manage to stay alive. How they learn to enjoy life while walking on a tightrope.<br />
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One thing more needs to said about this film - what separates "A Quiet Place" apart from other horror films is that the focus is not only on the monsters but its characters. We come to deeply care for the Abbot family.<br />
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"A Quiet Place," effectively pins down an atmosphere of un-breathable fear and epic panic right at the start. Krasinski takes us to a place where making a sound, even a small one, could be fatal. The premise takes us to a malevolent place, how could anybody survive?<br />
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Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-29845968265082526312019-02-24T17:03:00.003-08:002019-02-24T20:28:19.054-08:00The Oscars – Who Will Win, Who Ought To Win and Those Who Were Simply Screwed – Part 1: Who Were Left Out, Proving that Justice is Only an Abstract theoretical idea<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYyl-0jApUZZsHWt8FHm_Pc2PWHtigDKiwvHEsnGr9kd3qFkRPXMAEBuwi5IAQI8wIlULN2F_5ZkEMrN-yvFgrGo_wnq7fmJmpzLJVqBhlnzG_CvqNR1oQK5oRajGbHOChyOVEKrfAgM/s1600/SorryToBotherYou2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="870" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYyl-0jApUZZsHWt8FHm_Pc2PWHtigDKiwvHEsnGr9kd3qFkRPXMAEBuwi5IAQI8wIlULN2F_5ZkEMrN-yvFgrGo_wnq7fmJmpzLJVqBhlnzG_CvqNR1oQK5oRajGbHOChyOVEKrfAgM/s200/SorryToBotherYou2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;">We've already gone through which films will win and which ones ought to. So all the fanfare I can muscle from my PC, please enjoy – </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Which Films and Performances Were Criminally Overlooked </span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjr0UzSiPkPoCz0e-8JFTT55OyoZAcF761fRX39Ivqg4-P54_770BuydFvYfQvT-qL8LDRLdB8OPTRMiik_b8TCQQr70QBFTQ2AKvNGAz1K6jAeOGsDgp5l3v_DKA8lhogmI3cDEd3cE/s1600/telemarketing+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="768" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjr0UzSiPkPoCz0e-8JFTT55OyoZAcF761fRX39Ivqg4-P54_770BuydFvYfQvT-qL8LDRLdB8OPTRMiik_b8TCQQr70QBFTQ2AKvNGAz1K6jAeOGsDgp5l3v_DKA8lhogmI3cDEd3cE/s200/telemarketing+shot.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Best Picture – Sorry to Bother You</span></h4>
Yes, this has been a great year for black movies and black filmmakers. We had "The Hate U Give," "Black Panther," and "BlacKkKlansman."<br />
"The Hate U Give" gives us a visceral picture of what is happening right now on our streets, in this world, shown to us through the eyes of an innocent."<br />
"Black Panther" came out and transformed the shallow messages in comic-book films to a legitimate tool for social change.<br />
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But one offering this year by Boots Riley, a first-time filmmaker was superior to the aforementioned films in every way. "Sorry to Bother You" is the film that shows us what America is becoming with wit, a scathing scream out to grab our attention and dares his audience to choose a side – those who ignore the way Americans are changing for the worse and those who can see our country's true face. </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfPA4vB7210sDW9XhLCCWuG1n-KU6qStWeCR0G9KGQ5vLRmrgCHP8Zma8KrqUEUeCiXune62PkinKB7KAmhqy7QcFMycfRIbgHXqlBc_SgDco8h0huY8PQLEiU-85nGcsuza5bilrvl4/s1600/three+at+sabbath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfPA4vB7210sDW9XhLCCWuG1n-KU6qStWeCR0G9KGQ5vLRmrgCHP8Zma8KrqUEUeCiXune62PkinKB7KAmhqy7QcFMycfRIbgHXqlBc_SgDco8h0huY8PQLEiU-85nGcsuza5bilrvl4/s200/three+at+sabbath.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sebastian Lellio's "Disobedience"</span></span></h4>
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Sebastian earned the attention of the world film community with 2017's "A Fantastic Woman." "Disobedience" builds on the themes he'd already established. The story of a rekindled love affair put away for years shines as a powerfully emotional drama where everything is at stake for each of those caught in this love triangle. Watch this film and I dare you not to cry. Go ahead, just try it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSi8E8BrtW_kXIn0ynUri2GK_QwR3k74jGSsjuN9BxOXO8ybEmcLVxH0fIplhUmRZ8oGjHgB8vvkU0UVR2WaPXpqoj9NEuyYlfb22f4NENKflhlFtywXkJU7W5rHBaVOMG0iJJtoMH_U/s1600/Joaquin+and+Hammer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSi8E8BrtW_kXIn0ynUri2GK_QwR3k74jGSsjuN9BxOXO8ybEmcLVxH0fIplhUmRZ8oGjHgB8vvkU0UVR2WaPXpqoj9NEuyYlfb22f4NENKflhlFtywXkJU7W5rHBaVOMG0iJJtoMH_U/s200/Joaquin+and+Hammer.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Best Director – Anne Ramsay</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ramsey should've been recognized.for her taut, unsettling thriller "You Were Never Really Here," a frantic and disturbing film about the relationship justice has with violence. I want to proclaim Boots Riley the greatest filmmaker alive right now, but he needs to start a body of work and make sure he makes it clear to the wind that he's more than a true artist, he's also a force to be reckoned with. Ramsay has given us one masterpiece – "We Need to Talk About Kevin." With "You Were Never Really Here," she cements her place among great filmmakers.</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8FOIoqpc82BwnulpqSnkKPjqjQfxEDjuNsdJvd-LpiTzlIWoHrzwCD0HfHyq9zatgAqqHFHuCJi-rxmXPR77mSIuq_0SNcIU_Zp6ERfoalNTNK4j9ylFePXp6_DuZVYBNWcc13DtqiE/s1600/Dovid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1280" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8FOIoqpc82BwnulpqSnkKPjqjQfxEDjuNsdJvd-LpiTzlIWoHrzwCD0HfHyq9zatgAqqHFHuCJi-rxmXPR77mSIuq_0SNcIU_Zp6ERfoalNTNK4j9ylFePXp6_DuZVYBNWcc13DtqiE/s200/Dovid.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Best Supporting Actor – Allesandro Nivola </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Allesandro Nivola shows us true heartbreak looks and feels like. Rabbi Dovid the tortured man when his wife's former lover, a woman from their past comes to town. He's forced to helplessly stand there, caught between lovers, his wife, and their childhood friend, in Sebastian Lellio's "Disobedience." The one thing we're sure of when watching the film is that no matter how this all shakes out, somebody's going to be left alone with a broken heart. </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So here's the trailer for "Disobedience," the film I've been raving about, the one that's not getting the love it deserves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NpKiUPrNl3Y" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-91515717331033607652019-02-22T23:58:00.000-08:002019-02-22T23:58:29.363-08:00The Oscars – Who Will Win, Who Ought To Win and Those Who Were Simply Screwed – Part 2: Who Should Win<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay, we've covered which films are the most likely to take home Oscar gold. But which movies are actually deserving? Who SHOULD win?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XawBjIXeUgfxpsHGkEFDdEpqOa__G0ulYKWxCsw9qXLgu_xoiErkMe-aEULaO1yibZUVCP80ELP2bKP8gdvsIqfZ44A86sfVTUm526MTDVkFSWw-cGATKkUPf-EH-nsPtO7x4jLr3yE/s1600/Both+Detectives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="798" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XawBjIXeUgfxpsHGkEFDdEpqOa__G0ulYKWxCsw9qXLgu_xoiErkMe-aEULaO1yibZUVCP80ELP2bKP8gdvsIqfZ44A86sfVTUm526MTDVkFSWw-cGATKkUPf-EH-nsPtO7x4jLr3yE/s200/Both+Detectives.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Best Picture – "BlacKkKlansman"</span></h4>
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Spike Lee's "BlacKkKlansman" may not be a sweeping epic (have you ever wondered why film critics use the word "sweeping" so much? Meh. When in Rome) like "Roma," the frontrunner this year, but it's the only film, with bigger balls than both "Black Panther" and the dark sex comedy "The Favourite."</h4>
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I would really like to see Spike Lee honored at last.</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2Q35jKiwe-r-84mDYNfFNmYg8agJG52OZb-3bW3QRrkTm0d4lyIyNlNK7sozyc2K7Wmx5Y1wC_ULibCJc8uJNwYISkKhWVV5G_V5t70ameNOm-XECIti1lyba040d0JyZQqGFbdEuJI/s1600/Cop+and+Duke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2Q35jKiwe-r-84mDYNfFNmYg8agJG52OZb-3bW3QRrkTm0d4lyIyNlNK7sozyc2K7Wmx5Y1wC_ULibCJc8uJNwYISkKhWVV5G_V5t70ameNOm-XECIti1lyba040d0JyZQqGFbdEuJI/s200/Cop+and+Duke.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Best Director – Pawel Pawlikowski</span></h4>
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This one <i>is </i>easy. My pick doesn't have a chance in hell, but he sure deserves it. The cards are stacked against him, but putting away showbusiness politics and other factors, if there were any justice in the universe, the Oscar would unquestioningly go to Pawel Pawlikowski for "Cold War," a gift from God to the world.</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSYpPyXxIFKU78lAxvF3MEtxebEcQLPwzRugpLS7vPsZrUpQSq3TBskKG0cc3oejXyLAH9w_45ubhSPZOSmZI-85J1-RXGxLihDeozYmmrLKObfbHAodTOe5lLaBH-IY5AObxYTp96dc/s1600/Cold+War+Lady+Alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSYpPyXxIFKU78lAxvF3MEtxebEcQLPwzRugpLS7vPsZrUpQSq3TBskKG0cc3oejXyLAH9w_45ubhSPZOSmZI-85J1-RXGxLihDeozYmmrLKObfbHAodTOe5lLaBH-IY5AObxYTp96dc/s200/Cold+War+Lady+Alone.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Best Cinematography – Lukasz Zal</span></h4>
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If God would intervene here, this honor would go to Lukasz Zal's "Cold War. It's one of those few films in which you could disregard story and characters and just watch at beautiful images as they are shown. Every frame of this work of art is a masterpiece.</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceXWjO6wnPe4WsCOzgO9hvFeiS_avizYUvVB_mWsrhd_HLrO8vtFTvHBUIaSEd69ofdbGjsvlAbgsVVdkTOaRHqdQF92h5HLZb66xEsIQhC3z_hI0DUgiMtBKwF7dsvz6CieV1SGBNkU/s1600/Adam+Driver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceXWjO6wnPe4WsCOzgO9hvFeiS_avizYUvVB_mWsrhd_HLrO8vtFTvHBUIaSEd69ofdbGjsvlAbgsVVdkTOaRHqdQF92h5HLZb66xEsIQhC3z_hI0DUgiMtBKwF7dsvz6CieV1SGBNkU/s200/Adam+Driver.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Best Supporting Actor – Adam Driver</span></h4>
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"BlacKkKlansman" has so much going for it that it's hard to give one performance too much credit. But Driver brings something special to the table. He turns what could've been just a standard cop role into an introspective detective who is wonderful to watch as he brings just the right amount of machismo to the table.</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvff9inAvuaE1X8TBDkVMdFV4RMMVH40H06tuKuXXHpyt2Guv-r_Z7cGum28scIke0k50e9BxHXiK2vvO5NnvVxBaE5yWHdGnr1oN6GUSxsgCl650ktJ3aL2AMuM_19QJzw-7CMpMMFc0/s1600/The+Favourite+Olivia+Colman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="620" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvff9inAvuaE1X8TBDkVMdFV4RMMVH40H06tuKuXXHpyt2Guv-r_Z7cGum28scIke0k50e9BxHXiK2vvO5NnvVxBaE5yWHdGnr1oN6GUSxsgCl650ktJ3aL2AMuM_19QJzw-7CMpMMFc0/s200/The+Favourite+Olivia+Colman.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Best Actress – Olivia Colman</span></h4>
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None of these actresses stand a chance against Glenn Close this year. I think pretty much everybody has accepted that.<br />
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However, if I had my druthers, Olivia Colman would win for her turn as Queen Anne in the hilarious and dark comedy, "The Favourite." The film is so damn clever and subversive. Colman shines as the object of two different women's obsession. She's lovers with them both and seems to delight in egging on their cruel rivalry. She's not above "I like it when she puts her tongue in me." </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp8bpe2imWaXzc3mS70u3xUnocglfXN8U1ohgLesd46i6iW6FJ5qjnRTAJmm6nOsZ8un4r7Icu8k0ddPORpAFAW0kmwm25_Pi_ufZP9PWjSxrN_0IpKgi0tMBi1w66mSGnu6h4pQTs7s/s1600/At+Eternity%2527s+Gate+ECU+Willem+Dafoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="636" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp8bpe2imWaXzc3mS70u3xUnocglfXN8U1ohgLesd46i6iW6FJ5qjnRTAJmm6nOsZ8un4r7Icu8k0ddPORpAFAW0kmwm25_Pi_ufZP9PWjSxrN_0IpKgi0tMBi1w66mSGnu6h4pQTs7s/s200/At+Eternity%2527s+Gate+ECU+Willem+Dafoe.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Best Actor – Willem Dafoe</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you saw "Eternity's Gate" you may already agree with me that Willem Dafoe deserves the trophy for his wonderful portrayal of Vincent Van Gough. The Academy has honored him before with plenty of nominations, but no gold this year. He's made so much of contribution to cinema, building up a reputation for choosing films that nobody else could've made their own like "Antichrist," "eXistenZ," "Shadow of the Vampire" and of course, "The Last Temptation of Christ."</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">His depiction here of Van Gough is as lovely as it is dark. He reminds us of the profound beauty of an artist in the context of his life, his neurosis and his crippling (and ultimately fatal) depression. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How a man who saw the world as oppressive and hostile and still find beauty everywhere, giving us the most gorgeous painting in world history, is unspeakably moving.</span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tomorrow, we'll talk about the movies that got screwed out of any nominations whatsoever. I'll leave you will a bit of evidence as to why Adam Driver should win the prize for Best Supporting Actor.</span></span></span></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tXFwZ_kpbsI" width="560"></iframe>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-65355173232956613412019-02-21T23:56:00.000-08:002019-02-24T23:25:34.678-08:00The Oscars – Who Will Win, Who Ought To Win and Those Who Were Simply Screwed – Part 1: Who WILL Win<h4 style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BIxL7SQ3dkfArTb6PN2uabZ1plj_cNFUBxbwPCV2qXE1XPumhAPxgX_WXGkW2RoqjZMfNLJKOFLpQUIeMLvbq9xQXov5h1r5hhWBLI2ddNff1uYSjq3Hu2UepDNxro-cJSs-jnC2CGI/s1600/Cop+and+Duke.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="622" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BIxL7SQ3dkfArTb6PN2uabZ1plj_cNFUBxbwPCV2qXE1XPumhAPxgX_WXGkW2RoqjZMfNLJKOFLpQUIeMLvbq9xQXov5h1r5hhWBLI2ddNff1uYSjq3Hu2UepDNxro-cJSs-jnC2CGI/s200/Cop+and+Duke.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, it's that time of the year when we obscure film bloggers pretentiously pretend not to give a damn about the Academy Awards. </span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who cares about the establishment, about <i>the man</i>? They're just too mainstream, aren't they? Well, I have to<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpJx3wUfPqnL2qgQSgAH3JrpSvd9r12mRn3_3xORosJs6qcuYSRX8k6_U5bNllbjzeS6jac719_Q5xWuEouLrKh2KT_qWE_S-LmKq8W2l0xp_9qRti4__PpKvCipC9oLNJFVACmFsWGM/s1600/Roma+Family.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpJx3wUfPqnL2qgQSgAH3JrpSvd9r12mRn3_3xORosJs6qcuYSRX8k6_U5bNllbjzeS6jac719_Q5xWuEouLrKh2KT_qWE_S-LmKq8W2l0xp_9qRti4__PpKvCipC9oLNJFVACmFsWGM/s200/Roma+Family.jpg" width="200" /></a> confess that I actually follow most award shows, and none as closely as the Oscars.</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6zE-PSnCEKis5dMxA8-u04d3KqzlC2253jJTLFk-F2z_IaeItO3-a8vDwhLlkdPowdWMmloK0Jq0BeG7-LIPxv1wtAJEX5l5uGyPPmXJTPDbwKBDUQpiT4xYhL5Ayx8CQv2v4CAgcW8/s1600/Cop+and+Duke.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6zE-PSnCEKis5dMxA8-u04d3KqzlC2253jJTLFk-F2z_IaeItO3-a8vDwhLlkdPowdWMmloK0Jq0BeG7-LIPxv1wtAJEX5l5uGyPPmXJTPDbwKBDUQpiT4xYhL5Ayx8CQv2v4CAgcW8/s200/Cop+and+Duke.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">So here I am weighing in on the madness nevertheless.</span></h4>
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First, a couple of disclaimers – One, I have not seen every film in the running. I've missed "A Star is Born," and "Vice." I have seen each of the other films up for Best Picture.</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Second, I'm not going to weigh in on each and every category. That would just be effing exhausting. Just the few I have a strong opinion on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So let's start out with which films </span><span style="font-size: large;">will </span><span style="font-size: medium;">take home the trophies this year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Best Picture – BlacKkKlansman</span></h4>
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This year, it's trickier than usual to predict what movie will be proclaimed the greatest film of the year. By Hollywood terms, if you look at their history, it's a race between two. Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma" which is quite a beautiful, personal but grandeur look into the life of a young woman as her country struggles its way through The Mexican Institutional Civil War in the '70s.<br />
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The other film with as many nominations is Yorgos Lanthimos' "The Favourite," an unsettling and surprisingly wicked dark comedy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvqxMUdOabPirRORAUAFmmxBZRAz7mTTFs__NmaDjB5COcNkpRpu2Uwe_idQE0RDeXmgU-SrbSJVS6G_XKVGLU-RIwOE_CWIUrmwsagH-3YAyuTarkfgQ3DU6OkB79RJhbSH20B97n3k/s1600/Both+Detectives.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="798" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvqxMUdOabPirRORAUAFmmxBZRAz7mTTFs__NmaDjB5COcNkpRpu2Uwe_idQE0RDeXmgU-SrbSJVS6G_XKVGLU-RIwOE_CWIUrmwsagH-3YAyuTarkfgQ3DU6OkB79RJhbSH20B97n3k/s200/Both+Detectives.jpg" width="200" /></a>But I think an unexpected left hook just might be the thing. That's where Spike Lee's visionary film "BlacKkKlansman" comes into play. I think everybody will be shocked to see the top honor of the night go to "BlacKkKlansman." </h4>
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A buddy-cop movie in which a black detective pretends to be a white supremacist to take down David Duke may not sound like an Oscar movie on its face, but look at what's happening around us. White Supremacy and White Nationalism going unchecked, uncriticized. Even after white nationalists murdered a woman at a protest, the president himself said that the people there, the neo-nazis, white nationalists and the Klan were "very fine people." Spike Lee decimates these times with a jack-hammer and he'll be rewarded for it.</h4>
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"Black Panther" is in the running, for sure. It's changed the way comic book films will be made from here on out. I'd be glad to see it win, it really was fantastic, but it's a long-shot.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Best Director – Spike Lee</span></h4>
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But I really do believe this time that the Academy will have the grace to finally recognize this giant in the industry. This guy is one of the greatest directors of our generation and until now, he's not been up for Director or Picture. If there were any justice in the universe, he would already have matching ones for "Do the Right Thing" and "Malcolm X."</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv_O7xgF4LZeuHwYeiIrP5hTpyhp1Ord2A_GXTHLO9VpF_qlM9fh7bzs9B7ESTiNFK56UtQ2_USFv6RhdUDHhvTUNWisdrCK-v2nk1JgxWORzQCZSdrEreXrfkd31aukhWSreR-iUcDE/s1600/Woman+Dancing+on+Bar.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv_O7xgF4LZeuHwYeiIrP5hTpyhp1Ord2A_GXTHLO9VpF_qlM9fh7bzs9B7ESTiNFK56UtQ2_USFv6RhdUDHhvTUNWisdrCK-v2nk1JgxWORzQCZSdrEreXrfkd31aukhWSreR-iUcDE/s200/Woman+Dancing+on+Bar.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Best Cinematography – Alfonso Cuaron</span><br />
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I'd really like to believe that the Academy could get behind, simply the loveliest looking film of the year, "Cold War." Lukasz Zal forces us to stop to watch every image he puts in front of us. And each of them is almost hypnotic, from the most beautiful shots nature has to offer, to the truly ugliest filth. And Zal isn't afraid to show us these characters up close, from the plainest plebian right up to the most important and the glorious.<br />
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But there's no way "Roma" will go home completely empty-handed. Consider this one Cuaron's consolation prize.</h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Best Original Screenplay – Alfonso Cuaron</span></h4>
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Like Best Cinematography, I think it's pretty safe to assume Cuaron will win for his powerful screenplay for "Roma." The Acadamy really like this guy and apart from that, he gave us quite the timeless masterpiece this year that will be relevant for quite some time.</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAEI0wGZ4Fb3S_zf0BgCZmm5065Q8fFCuIpFxfVzHcWy1IsF0U8WaN5xxfJO8ymamqFOSIumL2bXVi8P2Ugmx4gfRodHWjVJtu3rYV-HUf19Hmo_Ieb_s9QeU9ZgXBQ5QTX5JnLgADiM/s1600/Glenn+Close.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="820" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAEI0wGZ4Fb3S_zf0BgCZmm5065Q8fFCuIpFxfVzHcWy1IsF0U8WaN5xxfJO8ymamqFOSIumL2bXVi8P2Ugmx4gfRodHWjVJtu3rYV-HUf19Hmo_Ieb_s9QeU9ZgXBQ5QTX5JnLgADiM/s200/Glenn+Close.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Best Actress – Glenn Close</span></h4>
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Glenn Close has always been a bridesmaid, never a bride. This will be her seventh Oscar nomination. Unfortunately, I haven't seen this film so I can't tell you whether or not I think she <i>ought</i> to win, but I expect that Close will take home Best Actress. It's one of the few locks this year.</h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Best Actor – Rami Malek</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e92q94xf_hhCsRSy3JGxQVHMgHasrDTSajitCroCfWmCAhULXFm09Tqwr7nSFqVIQjzGxrlOf-ERXtn08WFHd-78jxuW1ZCuQDgXbTQI4b2hlC50JqxpVW3VEfaaImJ3577vt6A6jow/s1600/PRY8WA-920x584.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="920" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e92q94xf_hhCsRSy3JGxQVHMgHasrDTSajitCroCfWmCAhULXFm09Tqwr7nSFqVIQjzGxrlOf-ERXtn08WFHd-78jxuW1ZCuQDgXbTQI4b2hlC50JqxpVW3VEfaaImJ3577vt6A6jow/s200/PRY8WA-920x584.jpg" width="200" /></a>Rami Malek will undoubtedly take home a statue for his turn as Freddy Mercury in Brian Singer's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Everybody likes to see an actor nail the essence of an historical figure. And Malek's performance is so true it seems implausible that he wouldn't walk home with the trophy. He channels Mercury so effectively, you'll get chills even if you're not a Queen fan.</h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Best Supporting Actress – Tie Between Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo9IMXFycaAcX-WvFl4IM3uqCNo3mC87Iy24JFmTU6V2VbOJ9G5ZuZcbhHhXve1IxZmgGbwZnugq6lnQxnU6Ui7h4sdOVSYwgJ6k9kTTbPXP6WmTMyeDmMd69t1jwUdyi-rs07DxZ32U/s1600/Favourite+two+Bitches.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="400" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYo9IMXFycaAcX-WvFl4IM3uqCNo3mC87Iy24JFmTU6V2VbOJ9G5ZuZcbhHhXve1IxZmgGbwZnugq6lnQxnU6Ui7h4sdOVSYwgJ6k9kTTbPXP6WmTMyeDmMd69t1jwUdyi-rs07DxZ32U/s320/Favourite+two+Bitches.jpg" width="320" /></a>"And the Oscar goes to – The really malicious bitch from "The Favourite." Wait. Dammit. Do I mean Rachael Weisz or Emma Stone? How are we supposed to choose between the two? Coin toss! No? Let's just say it'll go to Weize just 'cause I love brunettes. Weize's and Stone's performances in "The Favourite" rival each other into a one-upmanship of who can sell their soul for some nasty meat first. Their malevolence takes on its own form, creating one fascinating, cruel, power and sex-crazed creature.</h4>
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<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJequ5AouSjDIMPzsvzxusOn0C4i5M9F_rm8FGKLjsaq5J9VPzZ4vaDMKOcLZORCjhCFnoDf_FOLYSTvcoMA_Ttev0Nam1uN3_maSyh8ahhKPm2N3Ll1rVwjBB6UMKEkTJmx7gzTsKFs/s1600/Sam+Elliot+Big+Lebowski.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJequ5AouSjDIMPzsvzxusOn0C4i5M9F_rm8FGKLjsaq5J9VPzZ4vaDMKOcLZORCjhCFnoDf_FOLYSTvcoMA_Ttev0Nam1uN3_maSyh8ahhKPm2N3Ll1rVwjBB6UMKEkTJmx7gzTsKFs/s200/Sam+Elliot+Big+Lebowski.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Best Supporting Actor – Sam Elliot</span></h4>
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<h4>
I think they're going to finally recognize Sam Elliot this year, I really think they will. We've all loved this guy for so long, we all want to see him take home one Oscar while he's still young. Hell, he deserves a lifetime achievement award just for narrating "The Big Lebowski."</h4>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Coming up next – Who <span style="font-size: x-large;">SHOULD </span>win This Year's Honors</h2>
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And here's a peek at the movie I keep raving about but you probably haven't seen – "Cold War."</div>
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Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-82506087381994675822018-04-11T16:07:00.000-07:002018-04-11T16:07:20.199-07:00Quote of the Day - Throw Mama From the Train - There's Always Time For Candy <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsETaq8ab7tRGmXMyzg9_0rnl0ci3Ml6OnGhc_81WrWFGWJH_DT6daqO6Clzk1r8GYiJWZ51SGQqkO19HRpw9dQmie3O-ILJOthHFLX1p6_nCSD8XkMKlS94BaZTYDZ6OISo3_KWerXHg/s1600/Throw+Mama+Upside-down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="600" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsETaq8ab7tRGmXMyzg9_0rnl0ci3Ml6OnGhc_81WrWFGWJH_DT6daqO6Clzk1r8GYiJWZ51SGQqkO19HRpw9dQmie3O-ILJOthHFLX1p6_nCSD8XkMKlS94BaZTYDZ6OISo3_KWerXHg/s200/Throw+Mama+Upside-down.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Chat amongst ruthless killers:<br />
<br />
Owen: "Where are you going?"<br />
Larry: "I'm gonna kill the bitch. You want anything?"<br />
Owen: "Could you get me a Chunky?"<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aYX1XB7IYyE" width="560"></iframe>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-47344865072268252962018-04-04T19:09:00.000-07:002018-04-04T19:16:49.927-07:00On Body and Soul - Ildikó Enyedi (2017) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIy-eUKwriHOLv1R4F-r1QIXG8MkIxEKPzpKnHRngAcwk8M7CPVfZI4Kpen5UYvYZYgFVR4t74Kpx05Cy2OMZ0AYBVncAkeHarP5ecfVX5_GJpp_OpctOAknSlIqJ2getDfFSklseuaM/s1600/On+Body+and+Soul+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="151" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIy-eUKwriHOLv1R4F-r1QIXG8MkIxEKPzpKnHRngAcwk8M7CPVfZI4Kpen5UYvYZYgFVR4t74Kpx05Cy2OMZ0AYBVncAkeHarP5ecfVX5_GJpp_OpctOAknSlIqJ2getDfFSklseuaM/s200/On+Body+and+Soul+Poster.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
Tell me, how wonderful does it make you feel to watch an incredibly touching, romantic film? It can fill you up with an indescribable feeling you carry with you for hours, sometimes days. It's so intoxicating, you want to revisit it right away.<br />
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Where does that magic come from? Sure, you'll point to the screenplay, the directing, and the lovely performances. Some romances have a powerful charm and a gorgeous story running underneath everything that you really can't verbalize.<br />
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In these gems, we fall in love with the characters instantaneously. It's more powerful than what they call chemistry and it's something that you can't explain in words.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYt4Ta8AmNdpNJSeyGQ6w-ymqL36LgSsfSjngdrPutCLM8xZjhGEaV1mKbZtN4vVpKwlr-Kc_bimOaZsCGpooVE4HHDEE0_HGZWP2YNV67AU38ksH_RpoL2-iqrQVTKlviEy6YaM59aY/s1600/Jules+and+Jim+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="448" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYt4Ta8AmNdpNJSeyGQ6w-ymqL36LgSsfSjngdrPutCLM8xZjhGEaV1mKbZtN4vVpKwlr-Kc_bimOaZsCGpooVE4HHDEE0_HGZWP2YNV67AU38ksH_RpoL2-iqrQVTKlviEy6YaM59aY/s200/Jules+and+Jim+Bridge.jpg" width="200" /></a>So when we are lost in a film like Abdellatif Kechiche's "Blue is the Warmest Color," Francois Truffaut's "Jules and Jim," Michel Gondry's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," or Tony Scott's "True Romance," (my favorite love story), what gives us that spark that makes these films so elegant and timeless?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsx8_kqUJVl6iB9W2pKnxJeeQhLD0J844xoPDriKSBefFQyANxbQ0WvXY-L5kiVtPVz5tvg-e0jWoRUlQdC_29GUGeGogC5cVbrZ_RwWfgnLPwd_OJGLKUKcqriOjGNz8juYO_LW76x4/s1600/On+Body+and+Soul+Removed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsx8_kqUJVl6iB9W2pKnxJeeQhLD0J844xoPDriKSBefFQyANxbQ0WvXY-L5kiVtPVz5tvg-e0jWoRUlQdC_29GUGeGogC5cVbrZ_RwWfgnLPwd_OJGLKUKcqriOjGNz8juYO_LW76x4/s200/On+Body+and+Soul+Removed.jpg" width="200" /></a>In Ildikó Enyedi's "On Body and Soul," a young woman, Mária (Alexandra Borbély) starts her new job as a meat-inspector at a slaughterhouse. On her first day, she meets the man in charge, Endre (Géza Morcsányi), an older man, very quiet, who keeps him to himself.<br />
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On the surface, they don't seem to form any kind of rapport. But they quickly learn the two of them share their dreams.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSHlNvrY-PHDRqcMF34tHFnvJYX3nz3nsIr6eRd_9wIYtXObVG1Yfr6Ou8VjgR6-GL_PR1naeLaBdjVsKzZZjDQo33t1s6xlZ_O6TetQu6Z7Z0PnCoNESs49a8Osn3dI1FNyYSKGf3-M/s1600/On+Body+and+Soul+Deer+Couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSHlNvrY-PHDRqcMF34tHFnvJYX3nz3nsIr6eRd_9wIYtXObVG1Yfr6Ou8VjgR6-GL_PR1naeLaBdjVsKzZZjDQo33t1s6xlZ_O6TetQu6Z7Z0PnCoNESs49a8Osn3dI1FNyYSKGf3-M/s200/On+Body+and+Soul+Deer+Couple.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Literally. When they sleep at night, they wander into a single dream. It's a very simple dream. Endre is a stag who comes across a doe, Mária. There's not much to it, they spend some time playfully and affectionate at a riverbank surrounded by mountains of snow.<br />
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It takes them days to realize it, but when they do, they have no idea how to respond. They are not instantly captivated by the other.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAu2Xy7MlvUYhjcUP39lVLpG3c9JRyqETq4YgkMr5a7w_Ur2IuimGf0r6Vw1zIEXPGrqUhmzWJAA1WJn88g_aryk8TdiOVwDRU12l8WUoswbhUdPN01CuvxGvqXHX5rbfWrnnw06EU9M/s1600/On+Body+and+Soul+Sleeping+Together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="480" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAu2Xy7MlvUYhjcUP39lVLpG3c9JRyqETq4YgkMr5a7w_Ur2IuimGf0r6Vw1zIEXPGrqUhmzWJAA1WJn88g_aryk8TdiOVwDRU12l8WUoswbhUdPN01CuvxGvqXHX5rbfWrnnw06EU9M/s200/On+Body+and+Soul+Sleeping+Together.jpg" width="200" /></a>The story slowly starts its work. You realize that these two are either going to have to truly earn their relationship, along with our affection, or you're watching a bad movie.<br />
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Then they keep raising the stakes on each other. It's very subtle, powerful storytelling going on as they slowly build to the place where Endre and Mária can't and won't live without the other.<br />
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So no, they don't share that glow right from the beginning. It takes a while to do it, but Mária and Endre work hard to win our affection and when we've finally fallen in love with them, we are caught off guard. Emotionally, we live and die in every breath they share, in every touch.<br />
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"On Body and Soul" takes no shortcuts. It doesn't take for granted that these two, even given the<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSCrdrbGgA0j8rt9WDYLrBjlK3IXSopJVL6DnPWfmznTXhmgSMAcbV3lBr7WcxsR-IPZHnzRSAN6qe82flw5rmzBQqhW8VGjurmZEODm8jHqTGVXB_Q4eKjS_RGhx2GdIIut-Rd-2naA/s1600/On+Body+and+Soul+Art+for+Ending.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSCrdrbGgA0j8rt9WDYLrBjlK3IXSopJVL6DnPWfmznTXhmgSMAcbV3lBr7WcxsR-IPZHnzRSAN6qe82flw5rmzBQqhW8VGjurmZEODm8jHqTGVXB_Q4eKjS_RGhx2GdIIut-Rd-2naA/s200/On+Body+and+Soul+Art+for+Ending.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
connection in their dreams, will be able to sustain, or even start, a relationship. It's right at the top of the list with "Blue is the Warmest Color" as one of the great romances so far this century.<br />
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And that makes a film a classic. It's why this film will endure.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6gZw6GVf2eY" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-62655287524662562152018-04-02T18:44:00.000-07:002018-04-02T18:44:00.852-07:00Quote of the Day - Support Your Local Sheriff - Stay on Your Side of the Line<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KWHj6crVf2zHXWxK-N4aTC8u26PCZjZTh-4FyQj5yUAGDRNdzNOb70DmHhBtAFVjtkNgoDdfuxgPWBP1q63Z6w1F6ExA9c8OPf3LhLir_qsvr6DHkTcxeqKzfCrRSWL5vGevuKwvl44/s1600/Support+Your+Local+Sheriff+No+Bars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="303" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KWHj6crVf2zHXWxK-N4aTC8u26PCZjZTh-4FyQj5yUAGDRNdzNOb70DmHhBtAFVjtkNgoDdfuxgPWBP1q63Z6w1F6ExA9c8OPf3LhLir_qsvr6DHkTcxeqKzfCrRSWL5vGevuKwvl44/s200/Support+Your+Local+Sheriff+No+Bars.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I don't know how many of you have seen Burt Kennedy's Comedy/Western "Support Your Local Sheriff," but if you haven't, you've denied yourself a real treat. One of my Dad's favorite movies. I couldn't count how many times we watched it, but I pretty much have it memorized.<br />
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The film turns the Western genre on its head and kicks it in the face. The result is one film that still makes me cry with laughter every time I see it.<br />
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Sheriff: "Now Joe, the cell on the right is yours. We don't have any bars yet."<br />
Joe Danby: "You're kidding."<br />
Sheriff: "That's what I said! But we're gonna operate just as if the bars were there. You stay on that side of the line and everything should work out fine."<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6uKlDRX3PQ8?start=44" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-30872688765701707672018-04-01T00:00:00.001-07:002018-04-01T00:00:17.837-07:00Quote of the Day - Barry Jenkins' Moonlight - True Honesty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnKeJYkHwHxYrMGDTd2_hjQvXOA17wd8aMMBR7xBiXQk0V6lEh7y_z8FIQFMFRHuF7Mu-buTuVhWin3lpkV-sObzBsS7dg6nTerAyeG1RcPyObDIryJcr0LDWkdTjqfOeMslLtEuRHug/s1600/Moonlight+Kevin+and+Chiron+on+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnKeJYkHwHxYrMGDTd2_hjQvXOA17wd8aMMBR7xBiXQk0V6lEh7y_z8FIQFMFRHuF7Mu-buTuVhWin3lpkV-sObzBsS7dg6nTerAyeG1RcPyObDIryJcr0LDWkdTjqfOeMslLtEuRHug/s200/Moonlight+Kevin+and+Chiron+on+Beach.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When someone opens up and really wants to share themselves with you, it can go fast and deep and become something you never might have expected. In fact, it can be uncommonly lovely and delicate.</div>
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(And no, I'm not just talking about the handjob. Perverts.)</div>
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"I should have cried too much sometimes I feel like I'm just gonna turn into drops."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- Ashton Sanders as Black in "Moonlight."</div>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-19059262539422399982018-03-28T18:02:00.000-07:002018-03-28T18:07:32.369-07:00Song of the Day - Everyone Says I Love You - A Pathetic Man Can Break Your Heart<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O_1r3jw4p9WJMQyuQ4LiSJzvc0lsvYQ6F0jQ42QblWToCypHaeqC5wyTU6GbVj5ctwPE4D2ZiaUZAbk-x1Tj-xQseeo3fSl1VG9WAOLffsloz558UEUtZRy6TkfJUjAULJ2FHh2YQfo/s1600/Everyone+Says+I+Love+You.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="630" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2O_1r3jw4p9WJMQyuQ4LiSJzvc0lsvYQ6F0jQ42QblWToCypHaeqC5wyTU6GbVj5ctwPE4D2ZiaUZAbk-x1Tj-xQseeo3fSl1VG9WAOLffsloz558UEUtZRy6TkfJUjAULJ2FHh2YQfo/s200/Everyone+Says+I+Love+You.jpg" width="200" /></a>By and large, musicals are wonderful, I've loved them since I was a child. They elicit every human emotion there is and Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You" is no exception. Admittedly, the story doesn't add up to much, but each musical number is delightful.<br />
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Some are lovely because they're so filled with happiness. Others, because they are mournful.<br />
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Every time I watch this film, this particular song tears me up. I can't explain why I feel for this sad and pathetic man, but I do. Most likely because he seems so useless.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mSCKujA-D84?start=2" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-90994704503320709892018-03-22T18:14:00.000-07:002018-03-22T18:14:04.734-07:00Suburbicon - George Clooney (2017)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkm67BJCeWxMHMa6ngtcQjJo3DkcHlGSOTX91Wb41XZvxQLLDAbip2Jhn4CWcH4ZeTh49TKpp9Lyix5OUwvqGoFy0YWgCjtT3MmhDWLUByGjZq4__gTz444rlGkZLOrvWyjso-dJfyZA/s1600/Suburbicon+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1131" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkm67BJCeWxMHMa6ngtcQjJo3DkcHlGSOTX91Wb41XZvxQLLDAbip2Jhn4CWcH4ZeTh49TKpp9Lyix5OUwvqGoFy0YWgCjtT3MmhDWLUByGjZq4__gTz444rlGkZLOrvWyjso-dJfyZA/s200/Suburbicon+Poster.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
You can easily laugh through some dark comedies. George Clooney's "Suburbicon," (based on a screenplay by the Coen Brothers, Clooney, and Grant Heslov) is a comedy in which, the fun and humor are juxtaposed with a backdrop of suffering that isn't funny at all.<br />
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Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon) is an ordinary man, as far as we can see, whose luck spirals downward to an alarming level of rot. Damon is the box office draw, but the Protagonist, the leading man if you will, is actually Nicky (Noah Jupe), Gardner's son.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpam9WVMvmcqstbNJhh8VUBa1ffTKAeGu1StzofoukGo0oR3OhuOyz_XfR284xYQEQdY_9P1-xwycw7TEOOaa09qFiMRE2ttCptAltixvHj4ndxVJxKdj21zbfheLSLIJ_Bi-LpBGJ-Gk/s1600/Suburbicon+Eating+My+Sandwich%252C+Dammit%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpam9WVMvmcqstbNJhh8VUBa1ffTKAeGu1StzofoukGo0oR3OhuOyz_XfR284xYQEQdY_9P1-xwycw7TEOOaa09qFiMRE2ttCptAltixvHj4ndxVJxKdj21zbfheLSLIJ_Bi-LpBGJ-Gk/s200/Suburbicon+Eating+My+Sandwich%252C+Dammit%2521.jpg" width="200" /></a>Nicky is the single innocent in this story. He's the only character who's not an amoral wretch. At the start of the film, the kid is put through a traumatic experience. The sequence is excessively grim, the kind of content that even the darkest of most dark comedies wouldn't touch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhzteDROY8Gk9NW0oPKi4yYdUO-kMeVgsTVnKVLjuI1xEMFP9HqMtLw2r9KDD1Q51FaJQz2Tk4nlBH3T_r0dn_unlE6La-C2to5Ce-211WUR_oecwIYFr2LsIsiKg-3Zh5SsXTgrqwkE/s1600/Suburbicon+Blowing+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="683" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhzteDROY8Gk9NW0oPKi4yYdUO-kMeVgsTVnKVLjuI1xEMFP9HqMtLw2r9KDD1Q51FaJQz2Tk4nlBH3T_r0dn_unlE6La-C2to5Ce-211WUR_oecwIYFr2LsIsiKg-3Zh5SsXTgrqwkE/s200/Suburbicon+Blowing+Up.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The boy is woken in the middle of the night and dragged down to the dining room. He is tied down by a couple of brutes. He sees his mother Rose, and aunt Margaret (both played by Julianne Moore) are tied down as well.<br />
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After a few minutes of intimidating threats, the brutes chloroform all of them.<br />
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When Nicky wakes up, he learns that his mother did not survive the attack. His father and aunt are fairly blasé about the incident.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3IWHzVtZSSIrzgiq-o2gHmPvoKb6SLwyr9gi50AlORbZKZR7VhaVeSDSffk-7qgiAGV7deeADW-BeNSPn3-orpEcbwNgNonhxehJavfWx-PyMcYsubNcHc4Mqen4Wxa4jCIhMkQC2zg/s1600/Suburbicon+Gardner+and+Margaret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1200" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3IWHzVtZSSIrzgiq-o2gHmPvoKb6SLwyr9gi50AlORbZKZR7VhaVeSDSffk-7qgiAGV7deeADW-BeNSPn3-orpEcbwNgNonhxehJavfWx-PyMcYsubNcHc4Mqen4Wxa4jCIhMkQC2zg/s200/Suburbicon+Gardner+and+Margaret.jpg" width="200" /></a>Aunt Margaret moves in to help Nicky and Gardner get used to living without Rose. There may be something sinister behind <b><i>that</i></b>.<br />
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Rose's death starts a chain of unfortunate events that could very well toss the family right on its head. Nicky and Gardner are threatened throughout the film by nosey cops, gangsters and a corrupt insurance investigator looking to take the Lodges for everything they've got.<br />
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Watching Gardner and his sister-in-law Margaret's lives fall apart is hilarious. "Suburbicon" creates so many characters whose demise we gladly cheer for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7UiNN43iE44YKjIRPlDkqGZrxSDRZAex7O5Ki-paQ2MKwQcPfIr-U_YenmDgdIen8xmr1EIA6cMgTMKWYGJiu65DQ6fGgdxBjM1O_URltgtZzJkCtV8bfBni5CtgS0BEjNYz8XAI0w0/s1600/Suburbicon+Nicky+and+Friend+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1400" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7UiNN43iE44YKjIRPlDkqGZrxSDRZAex7O5Ki-paQ2MKwQcPfIr-U_YenmDgdIen8xmr1EIA6cMgTMKWYGJiu65DQ6fGgdxBjM1O_URltgtZzJkCtV8bfBni5CtgS0BEjNYz8XAI0w0/s200/Suburbicon+Nicky+and+Friend+%25232.jpg" width="200" /></a>There is a secondary plot is focused on a black family, the Mayers, who move into the neighborhood. Nicky strikes up a friendship with Andy Mayer, the new black kid in town.<br />
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But the neighborhood doesn't just object to the family's arrival, it rages. As the Lodge family's safety is on the decline, the Mayers face a hostility from the town that simmers through the story and explodes at just the worst time.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbs61Eock-v8NwCG8jmazsYL2ZY7Q4MwW9DHs25Fa0b5yvYZW2kRmXVSW3Gk5DWtqqQjlm2qoIrpwlEnX_Khb5qkwVzuZIi8YwP-kc6NLydYCDt23rvG11opLSHrFyYCtboRo5msRryg/s1600/Suburbicon+Raging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1480" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbs61Eock-v8NwCG8jmazsYL2ZY7Q4MwW9DHs25Fa0b5yvYZW2kRmXVSW3Gk5DWtqqQjlm2qoIrpwlEnX_Khb5qkwVzuZIi8YwP-kc6NLydYCDt23rvG11opLSHrFyYCtboRo5msRryg/s200/Suburbicon+Raging.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
It's wonderful how Clooney manages to slowly transform the normal people we were introduced to at the beginning into the sociopaths they really are. "Suburbicon" mirrors the place where the center of the morality of our country is right now, without sounding too self-righteous.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuSLSYi3g7fZglsrYuE1WGl40UcaGMsVoys20YcgxoctA-fHxx3RpZG0EaKIi5hFuTTKcWPfd8VxAskXUStfN2dAT-Wql0wXtclOdZb60GwKCBCOT-Z_ilb19LPdXoN2bvn5hGmYB-Ms/s1600/Suburbicon+Squeezing+Stress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1422" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuSLSYi3g7fZglsrYuE1WGl40UcaGMsVoys20YcgxoctA-fHxx3RpZG0EaKIi5hFuTTKcWPfd8VxAskXUStfN2dAT-Wql0wXtclOdZb60GwKCBCOT-Z_ilb19LPdXoN2bvn5hGmYB-Ms/s200/Suburbicon+Squeezing+Stress.jpg" width="200" /></a>"Suburbicon" is about "Some very fine people," and how they devolve into monsters most wouldn't have recognized before.<br />
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The film is screamingly funny all the way through until the end, but it is decidedly disturbing at the same time. You've been warned.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IYga2m0V2O0" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-76147260448297669112018-03-21T23:43:00.000-07:002018-03-21T23:43:26.527-07:00Short but Powerful: William Holden in "The Wild Bunch"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3tuxIkRuYg22EVzLynZcR9y9iKMDq5qBbm6HWPoKGknUNC7kgXvAeVabj-itMMjur28tzNsDSs43Sae5veiSn5NqCl81Bw3fUEwVCNf5lsAIOByvUM2bcfV3L7n2s69hgAj7S1HWChw/s1600/William+Holden+in+The+Wild+Bunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="613" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3tuxIkRuYg22EVzLynZcR9y9iKMDq5qBbm6HWPoKGknUNC7kgXvAeVabj-itMMjur28tzNsDSs43Sae5veiSn5NqCl81Bw3fUEwVCNf5lsAIOByvUM2bcfV3L7n2s69hgAj7S1HWChw/s200/William+Holden+in+The+Wild+Bunch.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
"If they move, kill 'em."<br />
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William Holden as Pike Bishop in Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch."<br />
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I love that line. Simple and straight to the point. This both terrifies us and makes feel secure seeing a man this confident in the driver's seat.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jwE3TfJUB48" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-52153615661206753232018-03-16T16:24:00.000-07:002018-03-16T16:25:56.849-07:00Quote of the Day: A History of Violence - Loved From Birth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-5bzZQffVInUtygs9TtAaaq2dLKPFsXjDvcl8AQjdEdamA-YHd_nqavXRMDnKipPGJVeOfN4y-5ZmhkczrTVHl1jY5VsB2oQp0BFAEO1lJssj0W-1uClS0ZE1gg4zeFRairt2oWT32Q/s1600/A+History+of+Violence+Richie+Strangles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1280" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-5bzZQffVInUtygs9TtAaaq2dLKPFsXjDvcl8AQjdEdamA-YHd_nqavXRMDnKipPGJVeOfN4y-5ZmhkczrTVHl1jY5VsB2oQp0BFAEO1lJssj0W-1uClS0ZE1gg4zeFRairt2oWT32Q/s200/A+History+of+Violence+Richie+Strangles.jpg" width="200" /></a>Richie Cusack: "You always were a problem for me, Joey. When mom brought you home from the hospital, I tried to strangle you in your crib. I guess all kids try to do that."<br />
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Go ahead, search throughout the annals in the history of crime cinema. Take a look at the villains. Some terrifying, some brilliant, some puzzling, some so wicked you are sharply reminded that Satan <i>does </i>exist.<br />
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And then there are the crazy ones. The wretches who have simply lost all concept of reality. Richie Cusack from David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence" is one of those scoundrels who has simply just lost their minds.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3EC-c4hnN-8?start=372" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-2866093658371922872018-03-16T15:12:00.001-07:002018-03-16T15:12:50.998-07:00Ingrid Goes West - Matt Spicer (2017) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_B-5Srw2rnpwVnYc-tC9i12xussHULNxyH91VGUiJ6OB1QmnyzyCbnevjLyVTRcGJYYNF4emdHS7WMqs_Mgek4_nDdO-86y_DUpUQr8uIAHAVkAMO6PfoRHSmsAOEd2gUGiUbFWRtvs/s1600/Ingrid+Goes+West+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="189" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_B-5Srw2rnpwVnYc-tC9i12xussHULNxyH91VGUiJ6OB1QmnyzyCbnevjLyVTRcGJYYNF4emdHS7WMqs_Mgek4_nDdO-86y_DUpUQr8uIAHAVkAMO6PfoRHSmsAOEd2gUGiUbFWRtvs/s200/Ingrid+Goes+West+Poster.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Stalkers. Admit it, America, you're just as obsessed with them as they are about their targets. They're just fascinating. We wonder what exactly is wrong with them? But everybody is obsessed with celebrities, aren't they? </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The difference is that we have the privilege of watching everything happen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Live Journal and so many more. Whereas the Stalker has not only to know </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i>about </i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">their target, they must become friends with them in person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">From the start of "Ingrid Goes West," Ingrid's (Aubrey Plaza) insanity is established. We're shown what happens at the ending of a stalker/stalkee friendship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ-yxB1VrEBfP1TIasWe9TJaYGuEPVmHp42pG0uCrhmoBlqlX8o8RgWPfaVtrGCeaVa666C8Rl4tma3Ydlp0ZT2TZJfuUZ9ZDLkJdCqGi09EY6RsVxe1jDgQXGx7_7luYMBOj_6n8LRM/s1600/Ingrid+Goes+West+Acid+Attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="653" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ-yxB1VrEBfP1TIasWe9TJaYGuEPVmHp42pG0uCrhmoBlqlX8o8RgWPfaVtrGCeaVa666C8Rl4tma3Ydlp0ZT2TZJfuUZ9ZDLkJdCqGi09EY6RsVxe1jDgQXGx7_7luYMBOj_6n8LRM/s200/Ingrid+Goes+West+Acid+Attack.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">She crashes a wedding, starts screaming at the bride and then throws acid onto her face. So I guess that makes Ingrid an </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">anti</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">-hero. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">After Ingrid is released from a mental health facility, she doesn't waste any time. She has a new crush. A celebrity on the internet, Taylor (Elizabeth Olsen).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ingrid cashes out her late mother's life insurance and takes a trip all the way to California. She just has to be this girl's best friend, whatever obstacles come in her way.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFFsnpyfiDq9gTuoafcuJxRf2nwBeuqT55syKZ1SE3p46e3HmyGrQqEcRLK8aUXaad2immFHCJHe0KX1ODpU-FV2TR8inYVxrx0yjYNOhQwi7PlIFIhax4HJXkZTnrQgYTfEwUT6lbeA/s1600/Ingrid+Goes+West+Cube+Jr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1600" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFFsnpyfiDq9gTuoafcuJxRf2nwBeuqT55syKZ1SE3p46e3HmyGrQqEcRLK8aUXaad2immFHCJHe0KX1ODpU-FV2TR8inYVxrx0yjYNOhQwi7PlIFIhax4HJXkZTnrQgYTfEwUT6lbeA/s200/Ingrid+Goes+West+Cube+Jr.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">When she gets there, she rents a room from Dan Pinto, (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), who can smell her instability right away. Nevertheless, he lets her have the room, lets her borrow his truck and sleeps with her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjs7KYF7CO1DqEn1e0q0PedYCaOVLs3GGKoipmQZIX0IUT9-4hyphenhyphen-xgM3jGHH8FW0mMVdaRdo6Ri_MVN05KSI3nrsdM6T3VQJY8Qf2ofZQAIwhPevPlNwCNyAwX1C_cS23VGJUMpIkdpI/s1600/Ingrid+Goes+West+Doggie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="632" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjs7KYF7CO1DqEn1e0q0PedYCaOVLs3GGKoipmQZIX0IUT9-4hyphenhyphen-xgM3jGHH8FW0mMVdaRdo6Ri_MVN05KSI3nrsdM6T3VQJY8Qf2ofZQAIwhPevPlNwCNyAwX1C_cS23VGJUMpIkdpI/s200/Ingrid+Goes+West+Doggie.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ngrid knows a lot about Taylor already through her online persona. She knows what she likes, where she lives and who she loves. She uses all this knowledge to squeeze into Taylor's life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">When Taylor's dog goes missing, Ingrid shows up on her doorstep, her beloved dog in Ingrid's arms. From there, Ingrid and Taylor's friendship takes off and then just glows.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO4PLMlmoAdUBMK23K7WbSBep8TF3wYNBI2DvZ8q5eS2qB8yd5vaJvsqe-BF06v_EcOXT9tp_CM92ZaHX3kNn4CMIpSjQ_6UGNduyG3cTdkNY7v8BW4XLWPV8iYXSGz6wzTm8xohPIt0/s1600/Ingrid+Goes+West+Cuddle+Time.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="620" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO4PLMlmoAdUBMK23K7WbSBep8TF3wYNBI2DvZ8q5eS2qB8yd5vaJvsqe-BF06v_EcOXT9tp_CM92ZaHX3kNn4CMIpSjQ_6UGNduyG3cTdkNY7v8BW4XLWPV8iYXSGz6wzTm8xohPIt0/s200/Ingrid+Goes+West+Cuddle+Time.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">They become very close very fast, share intimacy, party together. Taylor even introduces Ingrid to the delights cocaine has to offer.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">When some secrets threaten to doom their friendship, things spiral downward very quickly and very hilariously. But we understand both of these characters throughout the film. We root for both of them and feel sorry for both in equal measure. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Generally, there's only room for one dark comedy celebrated throughout awards season such as The Coen Brothers' "Fargo" in 1996 or Alejandro G. Iñárritu's "Birdman. in 2014." In 2017, out of all the dark comedies like George Clooney's "Suburbicon" and Armando Iannucci's "Death of Stalin," t</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">hat honor went to Craig Gillespie's "I, Tonya."</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7g3fKKAC6GMqBaWURa1dvu3X8_CFYn6SSt9IbO7hzSNrQ9l5rC1sd-Jjj9OSm0e5cH142rTJo8HLPCFpIZljE11hk1jYwNNuNND_rO0J2tLCKLk2ntvcGU89D2ITNujdgjQRrpQwUpw/s1600/Ingrid+Goes+West+Segmented.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="499" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7g3fKKAC6GMqBaWURa1dvu3X8_CFYn6SSt9IbO7hzSNrQ9l5rC1sd-Jjj9OSm0e5cH142rTJo8HLPCFpIZljE11hk1jYwNNuNND_rO0J2tLCKLk2ntvcGU89D2ITNujdgjQRrpQwUpw/s200/Ingrid+Goes+West+Segmented.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">"Ingrid Goes West" isn't one of the best Dark Comedies of the year - nor is "I, Tonya" for all that matters, but it's dark as hell and hilarious, while somehow managing to treat its characters with kindness. You can count on this film to entertain you amply for a couple of hours.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dyKbDHpBPEo?start=39" width="560"></iframe></span>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-8483229985127693042018-03-14T17:12:00.000-07:002018-03-14T17:27:19.995-07:00Quote of the Day: The Imminently Wise "¡Three Amigos!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_Pf5Gx31nvknUYPnEVWz-6m5NXkdgozH0VmEzVmja9mPVWuT8yJ9xrk18qEbs884n1Cs5SF5uRVP1HwZaMshRXzUb0oV1War3s6z5EL4R-npONSVHzCf1lyRgMdiHT0aJEouBlSLx7o/s1600/Three+Amigos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_Pf5Gx31nvknUYPnEVWz-6m5NXkdgozH0VmEzVmja9mPVWuT8yJ9xrk18qEbs884n1Cs5SF5uRVP1HwZaMshRXzUb0oV1War3s6z5EL4R-npONSVHzCf1lyRgMdiHT0aJEouBlSLx7o/s200/Three+Amigos.jpg" width="200" /></a>"There you go, you can sew. If only we had known this earlier."<br />
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Chevy Chase as Dusty Bottoms in "¡Three Amigos!"<br />
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This film came out when I was twelve and has been in my aware consciousness. I've heard people call this film juvenile and trite. I do not give a crap.<br />
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Quotes from "¡Tree Amigos!" pop in and out of my head naturally, as if they have an answer to whatever life throws at you. It's a comfort blanket of a movie.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Faz48zu6X4I?start=30" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-23913546992953604062018-03-09T22:05:00.001-08:002018-03-09T22:05:55.790-08:00The Ten Best Films of 2017 Now that the Oscars are behind us, we can stop focusing on what the Academy thinks and discuss a wider scope of 2017's movies. It's a relief after weeks of tunnel vision.<br />
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They've awarded who <i><b>they </b></i>thought were the best films, performances, etc. But what were actually the best films of 2017?<br />
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The internet is now a gluttonous strawberry-patch for anyone who posts and blogs on the subject, so without further ado:<br />
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<b>Resident Film Snob's list of the top 10 films of 2017.</b></div>
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If you're familiar with this blog, you'll have noticed that for the most part, I like to talk about artsy types of movies. You generally won't find me talking much about big blockbusters or franchises. But "The Last Jedi" is one of the most impressive entries in this series I've loved all my life. I saw "Jedi" four times and am waiting until I can watch it again. And again, and again...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2A7Vn9jbj4b_9T__nDmz-9WTjV3TV6O-ch91QfRa9gtpMFG-x9IGQnX2DQdCe9JKEPF7w85mAxCW1xb5t-nI9Szz0duC-6fwsZfos7ws31dy7jwkg8edFT4QBZcvH5XG9hoYveRkRH0/s1600/Lady+Bird+is+Blessed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="942" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2A7Vn9jbj4b_9T__nDmz-9WTjV3TV6O-ch91QfRa9gtpMFG-x9IGQnX2DQdCe9JKEPF7w85mAxCW1xb5t-nI9Szz0duC-6fwsZfos7ws31dy7jwkg8edFT4QBZcvH5XG9hoYveRkRH0/s200/Lady+Bird+is+Blessed.jpg" width="200" /></a>9) Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird"</div>
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My God, how much do I adore Greta Gerwig? She's been expanding her storytelling kills for years and now she brings us "Lady Bird," a coming-of-age film like no other. Her greatest achievement to date had been her co-writing credit with Noah Baumbach on Baumbach's 2012 film "Frances Ha." I've said before that leading lady Saoirse Ronan is this generation's Molly Ringwald, but it's not that simple. Ringwald and Ronan have different pallets. They show us their range of emotions very distinctly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-m3rilZ7qXp3wUSwU7ABunzsJech9Myxn3t_CNEd4fSfvBfsrZC7gzekdcDpClHYelOWmqMo3Pszivbk_Q_Vk-UhaGUPS5Q_BttyA0MJIu3Cfou7Gd5Q5LwTN9OOhGAVdOhzwd-5XII/s1600/A+Fantastic+Woman+Kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="830" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-m3rilZ7qXp3wUSwU7ABunzsJech9Myxn3t_CNEd4fSfvBfsrZC7gzekdcDpClHYelOWmqMo3Pszivbk_Q_Vk-UhaGUPS5Q_BttyA0MJIu3Cfou7Gd5Q5LwTN9OOhGAVdOhzwd-5XII/s200/A+Fantastic+Woman+Kiss.jpg" width="200" /></a>8) Sebastián Lelio's "A Fantastic Woman"<br />
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"A Fantastic Woman" bites off a lot, but not so much that it can't chew. It argues with anti-Trans sentiment with no subtlety, but it's just not that kind of film. It stands its ground and does so impressively.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FPr_qzj1qFVcQ5ZXebM5Mhs8M7XHl2SrluMBdYjgPHmvibPWQi-BWcLIHRACnIc8wLwSzRSZuUE6rPrWDwvy5cdAVu3emaMoHmkOG8AbaNhl4aHqBH9zNEyTQcuYWNK7GYaihsDLEOE/s1600/Death+of+Stalin+Three+Shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="960" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FPr_qzj1qFVcQ5ZXebM5Mhs8M7XHl2SrluMBdYjgPHmvibPWQi-BWcLIHRACnIc8wLwSzRSZuUE6rPrWDwvy5cdAVu3emaMoHmkOG8AbaNhl4aHqBH9zNEyTQcuYWNK7GYaihsDLEOE/s200/Death+of+Stalin+Three+Shot.jpg" width="200" /></a>7) Armando Iannucci's "The Death of Stalin"<br />
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"The Death of Stalin" is an historical movie about death camps, summary executions, and casual assassinations. And it's the single funniest film of the year. It belongs right up at the top with the greatest dark comedies of all time ( a.k.a. Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove," Danny Boyle's "Trainspotting" or the Cohen Brothers' "Fargo").</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPyVVSeGiTZoZpjlbtcCTxCoQvhMRCBORzrtH2vbGdE1ux2poYsFRxpCZrB0CGc_cVEkCP1uU8kAZ60oJmomjhOQKrsKd1ybkDWmJ_651aXh1mk8jOaQVkv3Kr8NU-elV_Xi7TEtZOII/s1600/Mudbound+Pappy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="768" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPyVVSeGiTZoZpjlbtcCTxCoQvhMRCBORzrtH2vbGdE1ux2poYsFRxpCZrB0CGc_cVEkCP1uU8kAZ60oJmomjhOQKrsKd1ybkDWmJ_651aXh1mk8jOaQVkv3Kr8NU-elV_Xi7TEtZOII/s200/Mudbound+Pappy.jpg" width="200" /></a>6) Dee Rees' "Mudbound"<br />
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From the vast scope of WWII to a smaller story about a simple friendship, "Mudbound" is an epic that strongly sweeps through the story of racism in America. Two families, one black and one white, live on the same stretch of land. The way they settle their disagreements is a picture of the pre-civil-rights era in Mississippi and how far we've come. But most importantly, how far we have to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT802RCyY3cyh2OwpLeRlx85p_jky4dvh-KIwq_4UxHfANsUDD8YlHbOp4vZZzZqExeg2_ERd5Jpp1x9MtzB8ctqID2oNe70IyQyKk0S0L7DLV1L6ta-DbNQPQpCzuevF2pZofSLkKXZI/s1600/Mother+despair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT802RCyY3cyh2OwpLeRlx85p_jky4dvh-KIwq_4UxHfANsUDD8YlHbOp4vZZzZqExeg2_ERd5Jpp1x9MtzB8ctqID2oNe70IyQyKk0S0L7DLV1L6ta-DbNQPQpCzuevF2pZofSLkKXZI/s200/Mother+despair.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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5) Darren Aronofsky's "mother!"<br />
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Spiritually speaking, "mother!" is one of the most important films of all time. The allegory, by turns sweet and brutal, is a start of a conversation long overdue about the nature of God. People worship Him, others discard Him, but in the end, what does our devotion matter to the universe?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii73h8MMQ08bOpXp8E3l4W1ksRWBb76WNwS6qh_U_oUdPYJD3RPOfCRp3r8XFw3bCFnRDjMU69LoqaLq68u8fA_S1iFqFobGOas7-DnM6OI2ZQ7vL2Xv9LinamCjhGt4qP0WRwcN9JZKs/s1600/Elisa+and+Creature+in+Tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii73h8MMQ08bOpXp8E3l4W1ksRWBb76WNwS6qh_U_oUdPYJD3RPOfCRp3r8XFw3bCFnRDjMU69LoqaLq68u8fA_S1iFqFobGOas7-DnM6OI2ZQ7vL2Xv9LinamCjhGt4qP0WRwcN9JZKs/s200/Elisa+and+Creature+in+Tub.jpg" width="200" /></a>4) Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape of Water"<br />
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All of the wonderful things I have to say about "The Shape of Water," you've already heard from others. It's an adult fairy tale. More than that, it's one of the most intimate love stories to come out in a while.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIlEfBGaMY0ELhG5a8Jh2sLFXAzkaCuzLIeRCzJLrQG52tPzMjA1HI3kQTiT_tHh2auqujrod0E1TSXcAKR28lUZLnmiVVNFVNf2HZWPikpWwA_krgT47j2n3Jy4Tjtc11zOdt28k3Vw/s1600/Thelma+Testing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="347" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIlEfBGaMY0ELhG5a8Jh2sLFXAzkaCuzLIeRCzJLrQG52tPzMjA1HI3kQTiT_tHh2auqujrod0E1TSXcAKR28lUZLnmiVVNFVNf2HZWPikpWwA_krgT47j2n3Jy4Tjtc11zOdt28k3Vw/s200/Thelma+Testing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
3) Joachim Trier's "Thelma"<br />
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"Thelma" is not just a film about true love. It's also about first attraction, first lust. It centers around a young woman from a very conservative family. Trier handles the social discussions of the film with subtlety and treats <b><i>all </i></b>of his characters with respect. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTsqLUo5Q2Ei-EjdA6B5qP_M9DAi3hq_UkaerTplx1a4iluWC_kZ59LcuLwJdgMR2BOIuICydxpGrYZFA4A3RsH5K1_eos86U43L1R46YVSwQwAbeTmaSiahCj0hsQcilc3gIaLxPiZw/s1600/Lady+Macbeth+One+Shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="700" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTsqLUo5Q2Ei-EjdA6B5qP_M9DAi3hq_UkaerTplx1a4iluWC_kZ59LcuLwJdgMR2BOIuICydxpGrYZFA4A3RsH5K1_eos86U43L1R46YVSwQwAbeTmaSiahCj0hsQcilc3gIaLxPiZw/s200/Lady+Macbeth+One+Shot.jpg" width="200" /></a>2) William Olroyd's "Lady Macbeth"<br />
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"Lady Macbeth" takes on the style of storytelling Shakespeare was famous for and nails it. We follow a woman forced to live with an abusive husband and father and how she forces a change of power. She turns toward the darkness as she liberates herself from persecution.</div>
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1) Jordan Peele's "Get Out"<br />
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I've said so damn much about "Get Out" on this blog, there's nothing really left to discuss. It's the single most terrifying film in years. It's important. It's a vigorous response to the institutionalized racism from US leaders.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbitkLH70pDJvlll__CVMR2tzZrwGgmlqMSskWVP91pf5dajAUcL6j5u0JWAhmOImRpUdMXJLH8xQW_tHA2LWBzxyC6mUf7ZfFhQRDEHiCUKNJEzMQRSVf4nkGmC_tj3xcJ2YMmeYDrA0/s1600/Get+Out+Escape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1280" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbitkLH70pDJvlll__CVMR2tzZrwGgmlqMSskWVP91pf5dajAUcL6j5u0JWAhmOImRpUdMXJLH8xQW_tHA2LWBzxyC6mUf7ZfFhQRDEHiCUKNJEzMQRSVf4nkGmC_tj3xcJ2YMmeYDrA0/s200/Get+Out+Escape.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Honorable Mentions:</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5R0zTyO6SBl7CAmAnxU-p3llMOHIKtHnuq2oFSPsjV1q7OHzizRAR6xErZ1sL4L4Ln9MT2qxy_s7teZpoJE7PuBmZLmzyqyuHE7NpjmPWbkLt2-HAyBiFBq5TciYpggQ7gkHN4QWsXME/s1600/Charlize+and+two+bad+guys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5R0zTyO6SBl7CAmAnxU-p3llMOHIKtHnuq2oFSPsjV1q7OHzizRAR6xErZ1sL4L4Ln9MT2qxy_s7teZpoJE7PuBmZLmzyqyuHE7NpjmPWbkLt2-HAyBiFBq5TciYpggQ7gkHN4QWsXME/s200/Charlize+and+two+bad+guys.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
"Atomic Blonde" brings us back to the days when sex and violence ruled in the action-movie genre. We've suffered for years under the oppression of lame, PG-13 mediocre films. This film feels like home. God effing bless Charlize Theron.<br />
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Ildikó Enyedi's "On Body on Soul" is a lovely, charming film about how love manifests itself both in reality and in our minds. It reminds us that just because something is in our minds doesn't mean it's not real.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE788nxCm72p3wcDgcnhJGZrDDRFBxo12SAQsKYgv2XDKtopUXk2bv40zYDWF_PPaMlVAUM-Mi9b35j5WT7_TQuvH036QcFbdC8xyqamBIk9NjXgsn99pH_OH2qUiS6WD8cwMOVAeiFg/s1600/Bloody+Matt+Damon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE788nxCm72p3wcDgcnhJGZrDDRFBxo12SAQsKYgv2XDKtopUXk2bv40zYDWF_PPaMlVAUM-Mi9b35j5WT7_TQuvH036QcFbdC8xyqamBIk9NjXgsn99pH_OH2qUiS6WD8cwMOVAeiFg/s200/Bloody+Matt+Damon.jpg" width="200" /></a>George Clooney's "Suburbicon" will have you laughing until you burst or cry or pee. It's so dark and gruesome, but there is so much physical humor, slapstick if you like, that it doesn't leave itself down in the sludge, but soars happily through the dark sky.<br />
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Todd Haynes' "Wonderstruck" bonds two characters so close to each other, you may find yourself envying them. Though they don't cross paths because they're divided by decades, still they find each other.<br />
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Miguel Arteta's "Beatriz at Dinner" is a beautiful ode to those who oppose our current leaders. It surely isn't subtle, but it's nice to see John Lithgow hamming it up as a real estate mogul, cynical and high on the food-chain. And Selma Hayek is charming as hell, representing our disgust, our dismay, and our resistance. Not nearly enough people saw this film and that's a shame.<br />
<br />Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-28234657647353642832018-03-06T23:27:00.001-08:002018-03-06T23:28:33.390-08:00Phantom Thread - Paul Thomas Anderson (2017)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_DUGYT2RdlMTMKXroxe3IlCaCzP40pJdWz6XNTlaDXovKJbDvwTO-54hoIvEO02cWxeRhk-T_0juZxfE249a_NxcsOxqTwhSMyBcHD4XIkFNLJQK7B8U_GOBudEHWmwNMBdJlUYGyPA/s1600/Phantom+Thread+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1600" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_DUGYT2RdlMTMKXroxe3IlCaCzP40pJdWz6XNTlaDXovKJbDvwTO-54hoIvEO02cWxeRhk-T_0juZxfE249a_NxcsOxqTwhSMyBcHD4XIkFNLJQK7B8U_GOBudEHWmwNMBdJlUYGyPA/s200/Phantom+Thread+Art.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
This is going to be a very short entry because we have very little to discuss.<br />
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I'm sure you've watched movies that had characters you've hated. Not villains for sure - they're meant to be hated, but the ones we're supposed to be rooting for.<br />
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And surely you've also seen films that you just disliked (hated) every frame of.<br />
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Paul Thomas Anderson's "Phantom Thread" is just that sort of movie. And Daniel Day-Lewis, as Reynolds Woodcock, portrays just that type of detestable character. A high-end dress-maker who's a confirmed bachelor, he decides now is the time in his life for romance.<br />
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When Alma (Vicky Krieps) comes into Woodcock's, life, boy does it just get turned on its head in a boring, meaningless and vicious way.<br />
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Watching Woodcock treat Alma with such malice for over two hours is more than unpleasant, it's tedious. We're meant to feel terrible as he mistreats her, but somehow, we don't. In the end, Alma is left with a twisted kind of justice but by that point, Oh my God, who cares?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyXX7YDBn1rPLHFqDXsnvH489G34PyUVmbjYJblZ_9DjO_kAbzCQsT3WFC3PeIq_aX1z-UCePixdbVBNGOr926R4bLoEBQsibyujxzd1rqz1KmkAxgB0CqMev38WKYZ0zTHUbYXF3IwE/s1600/Phantom+Thread+Daniel+Day+Leweis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyXX7YDBn1rPLHFqDXsnvH489G34PyUVmbjYJblZ_9DjO_kAbzCQsT3WFC3PeIq_aX1z-UCePixdbVBNGOr926R4bLoEBQsibyujxzd1rqz1KmkAxgB0CqMev38WKYZ0zTHUbYXF3IwE/s200/Phantom+Thread+Daniel+Day+Leweis.jpg" width="200" /></a>Almost as soon as the lights dimmed, I was in misery. As a general rule I try not to dump all over bad movies, but I this time I just want to warn you.<br />
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The film is essentially about the joy of cruelty. And it argues that the answer to that cruelty is more of the same. You might say: "But Resident Film Snob, I thought you <i><b>loved</b></i> long artsy movies like this." That's true, I do. I'm a sucker for pretention, but this film isn't art. It's a bore.<br />
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Partway through "Phantom Thread" I found myself asking, "What the hell happened to Paul Thomas Anderson?" By the end of the film, I didn't care.<br />
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Yes, Daniel Day-Lewis is a fantastic actor and normally interesting to see what he brings to <i><b>any </b></i>film. I just wished I were watching "Gangsters of New York" or "There will be Blood" or even "My Left Foot."<br />
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I'm going to take a page from the late Roger Ebert's book and say "I hated, hated, hated this movie." Because he was wise enough to know that it's important to recognize and condemn bad films just as much as it is to celebrate great films.<br />
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Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-21283767518447743912018-03-02T15:28:00.000-08:002018-03-02T15:28:55.273-08:00The Academy Awards 2018: Who Should Win, Who Will Win and Who Got Snubbed<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Okay, Ladies and Germs, it's that time of year again. The Oscars! (Which I've always maintained are meaningless, but hell, it's entertainment.) </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Who will win, Who <i>should</i> win and who got snubbed altogether:</b></span></div>
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<b>Best Picture. Who <i>will</i> win: Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape of Water."</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXphUUBbRalisrKzA4gCszMoUbVzNlecfVrdi9YI7kNVd3-uZKcJFCvvDMH4lCA5eckwyoUYPA0YIG4Q0Rke4OFqF5Q3FOkhNhxUivDqx-vMjCOikYsd-yhT8vEOErBRx4NfyuwOWvh8/s1600/Shape+of+Water+Elisa+Kissing+Creature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXphUUBbRalisrKzA4gCszMoUbVzNlecfVrdi9YI7kNVd3-uZKcJFCvvDMH4lCA5eckwyoUYPA0YIG4Q0Rke4OFqF5Q3FOkhNhxUivDqx-vMjCOikYsd-yhT8vEOErBRx4NfyuwOWvh8/s200/Shape+of+Water+Elisa+Kissing+Creature.jpg" width="200" /></a>This film will come out on top, I think it's a safe bet. "The Shape of Water" has a broader cinematic scope than any other film in the running. The dark fairy tale takes us into another reality, captivating us. I don't begrudge their win because, after "Get Out," it's the second best picture out of the contenders.<br />
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<b>Who <i>should </i>win: "Get Out."</b><br />
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If everything in the universe were perfect, all other films would bow down to Jordan Peele's "Get Out." I'm delighted that it nabbed four nominations. But we all know that the nominations <i><b>are </b></i>this film's reward. The Greatest film of 2017 could go home empty-handed, but there's hope. It <b><i>is</i></b> also<i> </i>in the running for Best Original Screenplay. It very well may take that home. That would be lovely.<br />
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<b>Who has <i>no business</i> being on this list: "Dunkirk" and "Phantom Thread."</b><br />
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There's usually a token bad movie you can't stand getting a lot of attention and getting nominated for all sorts of awards. You've probably seen it. And I'm sure it'll walk away with a couple of statues. But My God wasn't Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk" just one hell of a disappointment? Maybe that's just me. And everyone I know.<br />
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Paul Wes Anderson's "Phantom Thread" is much, much worse. I'd talk more about this film, but I don't want to.<br />
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But both Nolan and Anderson both have brilliant films under their belts. I'm sure they'll come back with wonderful films in the future.<br />
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<b>Best Director. Who <i>will</i> win: Guillermo del Toro.</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS42zY1auGyJlvW4BNUFJpRe1OySdHE7XXiO02WAmxw-CMjYk_igeS5-7wg6F-AiUdUPqA_DHLDcnFXP73zykrscNwlr7xzblrbvsFQufmy4m2L4rtfwxfV3nSucxBihsWvKYh7YqMLw/s1600/Creature.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="970" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS42zY1auGyJlvW4BNUFJpRe1OySdHE7XXiO02WAmxw-CMjYk_igeS5-7wg6F-AiUdUPqA_DHLDcnFXP73zykrscNwlr7xzblrbvsFQufmy4m2L4rtfwxfV3nSucxBihsWvKYh7YqMLw/s200/Creature.jpeg" width="200" /></a></b></div>
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I think this is going to easily go to del Toro for the way he put together "The Shape of Water." There are so many visual and literary elements the film needed to juggle and he did so adroitly. He pulls the greatest performances out of his actors. He knows exactly what tone is most fitting throughout the movie. From start to finish, del Toro leads us through his world as the movie changes from a fantasy to a thriller, then down to a simple, intimate love story.<br />
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<b>Who <i>should </i>the Oscar go to? See above.</b><br />
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<b>Best Editing. Who <i>will</i> win: Lee Smith for "Dunkirk."</b><br />
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Smith will easily win this one. The film isn't going to win any of the big awards and this is its consolation prize. Funny how crap like that sways the fate of the winners and losers.<br />
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<b>Who <i>should</i> win: Sydney Wolinsky for "The Shape of Water."</b><br />
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Wolinsky cut this film so beautifully. He finds the right rhythm for each sequence in the film, and that's a big part of why this film is such a triumph. Wolinsky cuts with grace, spirituality, and poetry. Damn, I wish he'd get the award.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgborYtCGKlSUf5csroNbcFCtsBbjU8ZBD6YM-NeLlONfDPH1EZ1VvSVV54sd1lah-zgUpkQwG5-PaWXAWxTWaVdbwHlU3H4xRgq0J7TgJjg0mgSYmZShF8mOCnCK5le5vZIGCG4nLAGRc/s1600/Gary+Oldman+in+The+Darkest+Hour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgborYtCGKlSUf5csroNbcFCtsBbjU8ZBD6YM-NeLlONfDPH1EZ1VvSVV54sd1lah-zgUpkQwG5-PaWXAWxTWaVdbwHlU3H4xRgq0J7TgJjg0mgSYmZShF8mOCnCK5le5vZIGCG4nLAGRc/s200/Gary+Oldman+in+The+Darkest+Hour.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Best Actor. Who <i>will </i>take home this award for Best Actor: Gary Oldman for his performance in Joe Wright's "Darkest Hour."</b><br />
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This one's easy. Oldman plays a famous historical person. He's in a fat-suit. Need I say more? But who the hell am I to raise a fuss when I think back over his body of work? Tomas Alfredson's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy." His performance of the truly evil Stansfield in Luc Besson's "Leon." The tragic punk icon Sid Vicious in Alex Cox' "Sid and Nancy." Most of all, out and in front of all the others: Drexel, the aggressive pimp and drug dealer and Tony Scott's "True Romance." It's long overdue for Oldman and I'm happy for him.<br />
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<b>Who <i>should </i>get it: Daniel Kuluuya for his performance in "Get Out." </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo8K14Zf8s8_9mYFbFX__-8bXSchH4iagLGEgiKxUGU9F7FJ5GdQ1ywQI8Y8CQnI5IUJhqmts-fkHru9RRYsVef5Nt6V_0doW1qH-qfy7P1DGrZ8a-dii2RhStqu8PuoWcZurYPtWzMo/s1600/chris+tears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo8K14Zf8s8_9mYFbFX__-8bXSchH4iagLGEgiKxUGU9F7FJ5GdQ1ywQI8Y8CQnI5IUJhqmts-fkHru9RRYsVef5Nt6V_0doW1qH-qfy7P1DGrZ8a-dii2RhStqu8PuoWcZurYPtWzMo/s200/chris+tears.jpg" width="200" /></a>A considerable part of why "Get Out" is so dark and curt is because of Daniel Kuluuya's performance. He plays Chris, the protagonist who's every kind of terrified and he shows different types of fear for the span of the film. From suspicion and wariness all the way to naked fear. Kuluuya knows exactly how to carry the weight of a psychological horror on his shoulders.<br />
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<b>Best Actress. </b><b>Who <i>will </i>win: Sally Hawkins will and <i>should</i> win for her performance in Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape of Water."</b><br />
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This one's fantastic because, as with Best Director, Best Actress as Elisa Esposito in "The Shape of Water," will <i><b>and </b></i>should go to the same nominee. Her performance as Elisa, a woman who has never been treated with equality finding a kindred soul. There's not really much else to say about it. I wrote a bit about her performance when I evaluated "The Shape of Water."<br />
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<b>Who <i>Should</i> Win: See Above.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlIwAw-ZQ6KmnLToewhzWpTUMhkefWQdnjK5SXXfbj3ae6MJrE0h8RJSx83KeXenV18r12khUquiem52ShG32eRyAW7HeQj0R2NLI0pC_Y3N6ipoh77beuLwqHF20uSCgbyIUXOZw4Vg/s1600/Florida+Project+Willem+Dafoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlIwAw-ZQ6KmnLToewhzWpTUMhkefWQdnjK5SXXfbj3ae6MJrE0h8RJSx83KeXenV18r12khUquiem52ShG32eRyAW7HeQj0R2NLI0pC_Y3N6ipoh77beuLwqHF20uSCgbyIUXOZw4Vg/s200/Florida+Project+Willem+Dafoe.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Supporting Actor. </b><b>Who <i>Will </i>Win: Willem Dafoe for "The Florida Project."</b><br />
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Some would consider this category to be wide open, but I disagree. I believe the Academy will give this one to Willem Dafoe for his work in Sean Baker's "The Florida Project." His performance is entertaining (Dafoe couldn't be boring if he tried), but it doesn't even come close to many of his most brilliant work, i.e. in Scorsese's "Last Temptation of Christ," Lars von Trier's "Antichrist" and "Nymphomaniac Volume II," and David Lynch's "Wild at Heart." This is more of a lifetime achievement award if you will. And I appreciate that. I even applaud that.<br />
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<b>Who <i>Should </i>Win: Richard Jenkins for his bit in "The Shape of Water."</b><br />
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But if we're judging these two actors based solely on these specific, I'm afraid Dafoe takes a back seat to Richard Jenkins for his role as Giles in Guillermo del Toro's "The Shape of Water." His performance as half of Elisa's support group is so powerful. He is wise and noble and would die for Elisa, but he looks like a crumpled old man. One could easily take him for a hobo. But he carries himself beautifully and with dignity.<br />
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<b>Supporting Actress. </b><b>Who <i>Will</i> Win: Allison Janney for her role in "I, Tonya."</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcuKqXC54JWNqYppJN3z8OxFc9EVabVDVrhG4gSwK6bg_JS6wZI1d3Yaf_nqMi0RqjQ2Xl-J9S_CN6Xlt2pvjcCNNdmmWThd7hTurPnLgne3HuxDI-8bkNAMpinj1B4f5gZSosP0TGWA/s1600/Tonya%2527s+Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcuKqXC54JWNqYppJN3z8OxFc9EVabVDVrhG4gSwK6bg_JS6wZI1d3Yaf_nqMi0RqjQ2Xl-J9S_CN6Xlt2pvjcCNNdmmWThd7hTurPnLgne3HuxDI-8bkNAMpinj1B4f5gZSosP0TGWA/s200/Tonya%2527s+Mom.jpg" width="200" /></a>Oh, my is this one easy. Allison Janney gave the performance of her career as the vile, venom-spewing mother of Tonya Harding in Craig Gillespie's "I Tonya." So many other actresses would have taken the cruelty down a notch, maybe tried to add some humanity to the film. But Janney knows where to be subtle and where to be aggressive and Tonya's mother is an aggressive character. Janney plays her with malevolent elegance. She will win the Academy Award.<br />
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<b>Who <i>Should </i>Win: See above.</b><br />
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<b>Foreign Language Film. </b><b>Who Will Win: "Sebastian Lelio's "A Fantastic Woman."</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2kHpJnDIjBpRhePrYEL3AgZIBIGVYW1eo6GMaqhNDZt4C-ws3Lkg4kxUr3AAUNFkLeP4Dg67UeAK1dYDKk6CfX6PqGqJHDpNsAnMgbbxHCGlrxCenbqB9DNZc_pcXd__dHofS1Ei-og/s1600/A+Fantastic+Woman+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2kHpJnDIjBpRhePrYEL3AgZIBIGVYW1eo6GMaqhNDZt4C-ws3Lkg4kxUr3AAUNFkLeP4Dg67UeAK1dYDKk6CfX6PqGqJHDpNsAnMgbbxHCGlrxCenbqB9DNZc_pcXd__dHofS1Ei-og/s200/A+Fantastic+Woman+Poster.jpg" width="135" /></a>Full disclosure, I haven't seen two of these films, so take this opinion/prediction with a grain of salt. I believe The Academy will give this award to Sebastian Lelio's "A Fantastic Woman" out of Chile. It comes fresh off several Festivals and it's timely as hell. Not just that, it's a powerful and intimate film as well. It's a love story, a critique of bigotry and the way different kinds of people grieve. "A Fantastic Woman" <i><b>should</b> </i>win the award as well.<br />
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<b>Best Original Screenplay. Who <i>Will </i>Win: Jordan Peele.</b><br />
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My money's on Jordan Peele for his screenplay for "Get Out." It's more than a horror film (though it is terrifying), it's socially important. When it came out, it felt like a revolution. It puts so much shame on our current leaders, it could probably get this kind of recognition on that merit alone. Add to that the fact that it's been years since we've seen a horror film like this one and I think I can safely predict "Get Out" will win Original Screenplay.<br />
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<b>Who <i>Should </i>Win: See above.</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">The Unjustly Ignored:</span><br />
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Sadly, some of the greatest performances of the year received no recognition, no love. Every year, <i><b>somebody </b></i>gets snubbed entirely.<br />
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<b>Best Supporting Actress: Betty Gabriel for her performance as Georgina in "Get Out."</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVQY2dlcmLpnSRbAbObACod6B_rSM13ujPK_6a-ejvEMlr3Em0IB-o1O9pzyR9l59eYqYifez9sSHIKylX9q51wucDH80LQo0_OBoJgWXSvHr2zx4IJgizkM41-2om8ln8CD-8LHP67Q/s1600/Get+Out+Betty+Gabriel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVQY2dlcmLpnSRbAbObACod6B_rSM13ujPK_6a-ejvEMlr3Em0IB-o1O9pzyR9l59eYqYifez9sSHIKylX9q51wucDH80LQo0_OBoJgWXSvHr2zx4IJgizkM41-2om8ln8CD-8LHP67Q/s200/Get+Out+Betty+Gabriel.jpg" width="200" /></a>Betty Gabriel should have been recognized for her small but vital performance as Georgina, the family maid in "Get Out." She brings more urgency to the picture than anyone else. It's not just how she pops up out of nowhere, scaring the hell out of us, although that's pretty frightening. When you look into her face and listen to her, you can see both the poor young woman whose body was stolen and the thief herself. They're each fighting for control. When she apologizes to Chris, you can feel how tense she is. Grandma is trying to keep control of them at the same time as the other girl trapped inside is trying desperately to "Get Out." Her small, single tears are juxtaposed to the infamous ones we all know from Chris. She contributes more to the film than most people realize. It's so damn subtle and that's why nobody's recognized it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNlZXC8dZG8vakJSWt0HzUjRZyebCzeWl862Zh392pZDL4sUoRHiJJ1ZqBVH9nAlSQJ3IDe86SQxac-c3AV1uHzhHXQRND_MCqQex09oB1nFnBfOX-vDG1GPwoIMkGaI0z1DD_I6DHSs/s1600/Stalin+is+Dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1023" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNlZXC8dZG8vakJSWt0HzUjRZyebCzeWl862Zh392pZDL4sUoRHiJJ1ZqBVH9nAlSQJ3IDe86SQxac-c3AV1uHzhHXQRND_MCqQex09oB1nFnBfOX-vDG1GPwoIMkGaI0z1DD_I6DHSs/s200/Stalin+is+Dead.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Original and Adapted Screenplays overlooked: Oh my, there were so many.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Sofia Coppola's screenplay for "The Beguiled" ought to have definitely been recognized, as should have The Coen Brothers, George Clooney and Grant Heslov's screenplay for Clooney's "Suburbicon" and "The Death of Stalin" deserved some recognition. "Stalin" was the darkest comedy of 2017 and Fabien Nury's screenplay (with help from six other writers), is brilliant. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Best Foreign Language Film: "Thelma."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I also have to mention Joachim Trier's "Thelma," a story about a young woman and her first romance against her family's fundamentalist leanings. The film came out of Norway in November 2017, here in the US. As good as "A Fantastic Woman" is, for better or worse, I have so much more affection for "Thelma." It should have been put up for "Best Foreign Language Film."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZyc3Q_thoX3eS2nbfuTp8-Rc5IregO9l2-j3P5ekCdIjnfvWLMiFXuddE5B4e0oUCu0DUwvCaTw-7nAnCk8Yc3JsokiM9t68BQx0ZOC24pNYGwViZxPbzdA5o_Y__RwjFMlxrv1ZHwA/s1600/A+Ghost+Story+Rooney+Mara.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="1110" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZyc3Q_thoX3eS2nbfuTp8-Rc5IregO9l2-j3P5ekCdIjnfvWLMiFXuddE5B4e0oUCu0DUwvCaTw-7nAnCk8Yc3JsokiM9t68BQx0ZOC24pNYGwViZxPbzdA5o_Y__RwjFMlxrv1ZHwA/s200/A+Ghost+Story+Rooney+Mara.png" width="200" /></a><b>Best Original Song: "Distraction Sickness" from "A Ghost Story."</b><br />
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The best original song of 2017 was "Distraction Sickness" by Dark Rooms in David Lowery's "A Ghost Story." But it was ignored completely. It's small but vital to the film's tone. On its own, it's just a brilliant song.<br />
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<b>Original Score: Daniel Hars for "A Ghost Story."</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For that matter, Daniel Hart's score for "A Ghost Story" is one like no other in any of the great movies released in 2017. It's filled with melancholy and darkness and it's gorgeous.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2eJxeEp8_h5NUs3fk2xlCQRVxkqaN4IxMgiScb_1VqN3hJmAUaSv5kcU4lFuQsIE2sOF3Tw6Z-ebrTf7sKx78I6ftlR_u1Mxw4YoCXFBJz8orZagZ6a7ZOTfA-e498gaqjcXNw21pkI/s1600/Mudbound+Poster+Jonathan+Banks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="184" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2eJxeEp8_h5NUs3fk2xlCQRVxkqaN4IxMgiScb_1VqN3hJmAUaSv5kcU4lFuQsIE2sOF3Tw6Z-ebrTf7sKx78I6ftlR_u1Mxw4YoCXFBJz8orZagZ6a7ZOTfA-e498gaqjcXNw21pkI/s200/Mudbound+Poster+Jonathan+Banks.jpg" width="134" /></a><b>Best Supporting Actor: Jonathan Banks in his turn in Dee Rees' "Mudbound."</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the single most unforgivable slight of 2017. Banks plays Pappy McDaniel, a murderous man determined to put as many black people as he can back in their place. Black people are slowly starting to get some status and that infuriates him. Since he can't keep the whole world the way it is, he takes out his white-hot hatred on anybody he can find around him who's vulnerable. He's terrifying. Banks gives the single best performance of 2017, so tell all your friends.</span><br />
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<br />Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-70654540744244978192018-02-27T16:06:00.000-08:002018-02-27T16:06:40.038-08:00The Quote Goes To Groucho, As It Should<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtCYNnm7J-ZonPpvHT_pxEGUQts9IjPqx6SYTidoJdWXyA6n4VejZ9s44JK-wnNjC9g6dxYzuToTAaO2D3R8ULpbbqFPF4RThrafAn_BxS6wcLjYUzEGDmDUcLQbkp6Jy9icEO6p1Xz4/s1600/Duck+Soup+Great+Groucho+Image+Maybe+the+Best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtCYNnm7J-ZonPpvHT_pxEGUQts9IjPqx6SYTidoJdWXyA6n4VejZ9s44JK-wnNjC9g6dxYzuToTAaO2D3R8ULpbbqFPF4RThrafAn_BxS6wcLjYUzEGDmDUcLQbkp6Jy9icEO6p1Xz4/s200/Duck+Soup+Great+Groucho+Image+Maybe+the+Best.jpg" width="200" /></a>"Don't look now, but there's one man too many in this room and I think it's you."<br />
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- Groucho Marx from "Duck Soup" (1933)<br />
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If you haven't seen this movie, you're just an abomination. Shame on you.<br />
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But you can watch it now and remedy that. Then you'll be an upstanding citizen again.<br />
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I think I could easily put nothing but Groucho Quotes on here and this blog would still be insightful and entertaining as hell. I love this guy.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/79DHYUOHRdA" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-31693798833652338282018-02-26T01:50:00.000-08:002018-02-26T01:50:08.489-08:00A Fantastic Woman - Sebastián Lelio (2017)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vhj48QrIiqzmxMv3vhUxjg5lKtUFZ4DMhw9tewnqqyfMg3mzB1-fwrPwfQ5qW9VFW8k-3tPZ8QQI5IK209lYridBQJYEOUQPX4aQUPbX6BAc5zB89he7OPaAV3CGEzoW08oCtSHBwh4/s1600/A+Fantastic+Woman+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vhj48QrIiqzmxMv3vhUxjg5lKtUFZ4DMhw9tewnqqyfMg3mzB1-fwrPwfQ5qW9VFW8k-3tPZ8QQI5IK209lYridBQJYEOUQPX4aQUPbX6BAc5zB89he7OPaAV3CGEzoW08oCtSHBwh4/s200/A+Fantastic+Woman+Poster.jpg" width="135" /></a>Since the beginning of cinema, there have been countless films about bigotry, prejudice, and hate. Some are political and others more personal and intimate. Sometimes, we see stories of men and women who struggle just for their basic right to love and be loved. And when tragedy hits, everyone mourns and grieve just like anybody else.<br />
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Marina Vidal (Daniala Vega), is a young, transgender woman in a relationship with Orlando (Francisco Reyes), a man thirty-years her elder. The two of them are taking a giant step together. She is moving in with him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQynNgzg3g_gIlS8tRvq0ekOXZHwG7vEGrzzZKyUttoNfNoN2eE4vHGKG5Gemr9bC00-7Uuyo3efvOirUbfdRXbIh5Rd3dg0D5y4A_diRtc13WNx7SxRO1XjZ3HDQRhXGtl1g4i_jxrM/s1600/Marina+and+Orlando+Dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQynNgzg3g_gIlS8tRvq0ekOXZHwG7vEGrzzZKyUttoNfNoN2eE4vHGKG5Gemr9bC00-7Uuyo3efvOirUbfdRXbIh5Rd3dg0D5y4A_diRtc13WNx7SxRO1XjZ3HDQRhXGtl1g4i_jxrM/s200/Marina+and+Orlando+Dance.jpg" width="200" /></a>At Marina's birthday celebration, with the Chilean nightlife as its backdrop, Orlando and Marina share an intimate dinner, complete with just the right gift. As one would expect, dancing and love-making follow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0ApAYvbSGJq1WKg1nBi-LbwaZvvh8bB2J2sxJKgaZsTuzNTgjUkEEP4XNsWgtSKqTLKfEforfHsL7owYro40JxRoCtwLAGUASa1Sz6Fi7Mz4j5qmb0y8mZWr14c87_yDHZGpT330i4s/s1600/Marina+and+Orlando.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0ApAYvbSGJq1WKg1nBi-LbwaZvvh8bB2J2sxJKgaZsTuzNTgjUkEEP4XNsWgtSKqTLKfEforfHsL7owYro40JxRoCtwLAGUASa1Sz6Fi7Mz4j5qmb0y8mZWr14c87_yDHZGpT330i4s/s200/Marina+and+Orlando.jpg" width="200" /></a>Then, for no apparent reason, Orlando suffers some sort of attack. Panicked, Marina helps him into the car as best as she can, though, at one point, he fell down some stairs, in spite of Marina's help.<br />
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He dies in the hospital from an aneurysm. Marina is told about an abrasion on Orlando's head he'd sustained when he fell. They connect it and its possible connection with Orlando's death.<br />
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Immediately, the police show up to question Marina. The investigator (Amparo Noguera) wants to know what Orlando was paying Marina. The assumption that Marina's a prostitute is already established in her mind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-QYlgffDuB7IFJIh7E13Xi8KfDq-9_ME3jpxlZWInhyphenhyphenT1MwgfUMY1Jb1iWKN_0qtlbo0gqD5sL0xFwOa6Vd_pGhdxvV5OtZ7xmM4ITtJ3gFv8w3uBW-9cO_0GVjo8Apm_TL0R2E656Y/s1600/Marina+Against+the+Wind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-QYlgffDuB7IFJIh7E13Xi8KfDq-9_ME3jpxlZWInhyphenhyphenT1MwgfUMY1Jb1iWKN_0qtlbo0gqD5sL0xFwOa6Vd_pGhdxvV5OtZ7xmM4ITtJ3gFv8w3uBW-9cO_0GVjo8Apm_TL0R2E656Y/s200/Marina+Against+the+Wind.jpg" width="200" /></a>The so-called investigation would better be referred to as an exercise in cruelty when the investigator decides that Marina's sex is relevant. It leads up to one of the most crushingly humiliating experiences of her life. It's very hard to watch. Of course, Orlando's family were the ones to call the cops in the first place.<br />
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That's just the start of Marina's world crashing down on her head. First, she's alone in the world, she's lost her lover. Now, she's a target, a punching bag meant to absorb the grief of other people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xvbgTHlFJmNzK_Mp1W9y49g3gcmYuzIzdWC1ppVf-KrexPtISrCjpPPsqcKk9sdqXS1BeKtPi90ZU20yFANhIg8VmsDhSTcGWMJ-Xo08vy34yBO-ZNHfEGUFJTGQTb4s9yTnr5kOKTA/s1600/Marina+Hair+Blowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="188" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xvbgTHlFJmNzK_Mp1W9y49g3gcmYuzIzdWC1ppVf-KrexPtISrCjpPPsqcKk9sdqXS1BeKtPi90ZU20yFANhIg8VmsDhSTcGWMJ-Xo08vy34yBO-ZNHfEGUFJTGQTb4s9yTnr5kOKTA/s200/Marina+Hair+Blowing.jpg" width="139" /></a>When Orlando's ex-wife Sonja, (Aline Kuppenheim), comes to claim his car, she gives Marina harsh instructions. She is <i><b>not </b></i>to come to the wake or the burial. Why? Sonja answers with honesty and sincerity. Sonja believes Marina is a perversion. Sonja's offended at the thought of someone she cares about being with the girl. Marina's very existence seems to offend her. She tells her that she's a perversion.<br />
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When Marina shows up at the wake anyway, Sonja stands up and shouts. Marina is shamed in public and reluctantly leaves. Orlando's family, his son, ex-wife, granddaughter, all except his brother persist in mistreating her.<br />
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All of this is happening to her while she's still in the throes of grief. She is stunned with mourning and still being told she doesn't have the basic right to grieve.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-Twt7ffNp_4bdNcavrcgijQAleyDKIVTxgS7LWLpKlEex6lMwrVvUFUfKQhC8QVSH0ThI5eIMLVj8fwwtaYF_P85I32im5tRxB7strG4pIIPfEHMedKoVxnWd0edbLveH1horjNucGw/s1600/A+Fantastic+Woman+Kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="830" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-Twt7ffNp_4bdNcavrcgijQAleyDKIVTxgS7LWLpKlEex6lMwrVvUFUfKQhC8QVSH0ThI5eIMLVj8fwwtaYF_P85I32im5tRxB7strG4pIIPfEHMedKoVxnWd0edbLveH1horjNucGw/s200/A+Fantastic+Woman+Kiss.jpg" width="200" /></a>"A Fantastic Woman" brings up an interesting question. Does a family in mourning have the right to tell somebody who loved him deeply that they will not allow her to say goodbye? The film explores the answers delicately and with care.<br />
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Yes, the film is muted and maddening at the same time. Lelio manages to find the intimate and very human side of grief. It's this year's entry from Chile for Best Foreign Language Film. It's already been celebrated around the world on the Festival Circuit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZtn8XmqaVs9rY8rZ9RvBhNAGZQ4NkhZRuI8muNGUfyIoigG4UfYKDNvcO7-fwH7UZiz_ffxzJxCZoVgSpfz0O56ezlchKx2yDhsE0sUKF_-BRC2uiJnGZUPLoQjI053iKJlsa16nl_M/s1600/Marina+on+Top+of+Car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZtn8XmqaVs9rY8rZ9RvBhNAGZQ4NkhZRuI8muNGUfyIoigG4UfYKDNvcO7-fwH7UZiz_ffxzJxCZoVgSpfz0O56ezlchKx2yDhsE0sUKF_-BRC2uiJnGZUPLoQjI053iKJlsa16nl_M/s200/Marina+on+Top+of+Car.jpg" width="200" /></a>Now, "A Fantastic Woman" is getting some recognition in the States because of the Oscar Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. "A Fantastic Woman" is a treasure and is fittingly getting the attention it deserves.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SgDhpy9Z-NM" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-4334403165769607192018-02-21T22:57:00.000-08:002018-02-21T22:57:40.851-08:00Quote of the Day - Let's Go Mid-Nineties Insane<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfi9AYnPnnM6ROBhWJff95LRyRei_dQY0_oHlUSDkS_pUCOqedbO2UhPV7VwDAj-UR-5IUMgNOvnvHtErE5gE2tQQjkEoVp_nlHzbedqPrewAauh2W72yILMhGwSn-HgZguJBBcMc4ng/s1600/Se7en+Dr.+Beardsley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="709" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfi9AYnPnnM6ROBhWJff95LRyRei_dQY0_oHlUSDkS_pUCOqedbO2UhPV7VwDAj-UR-5IUMgNOvnvHtErE5gE2tQQjkEoVp_nlHzbedqPrewAauh2W72yILMhGwSn-HgZguJBBcMc4ng/s320/Se7en+Dr.+Beardsley.jpg" width="320" /></a>Don't you love the power of positive thinking? That was David Fincher's gospel in the nineties.<br />
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Dr. Beardsley: "He's experienced about as much pain and suffering as anyone I've encountered, give or take, and he still has Hell to look forward to."<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h8m69o_1PoQ?start=32" width="560"></iframe>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4308256629287758514.post-59372422311970802322018-02-16T20:59:00.000-08:002018-02-16T20:59:06.412-08:00Call Me By Your Name - Luca Guadagnino (2017)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP2nwURTSZJTYnA3dsrB7jdcxu4bNtzO3BKyVZ8NmBoJO5kH4x7b7V8LjDMYhEkD7V4HxvObiuiXWVFk_EOSL-66he8A1M66I1ZQDzpfoUi7XH1e-AtFrwiDpUmtQid5RzXKHaWuDpEo/s1600/Call+Me+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="563" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP2nwURTSZJTYnA3dsrB7jdcxu4bNtzO3BKyVZ8NmBoJO5kH4x7b7V8LjDMYhEkD7V4HxvObiuiXWVFk_EOSL-66he8A1M66I1ZQDzpfoUi7XH1e-AtFrwiDpUmtQid5RzXKHaWuDpEo/s200/Call+Me+Poster.jpg" width="140" /></a>Do you remember the moment you discovered you were a sexual creature? You think of others as more than just handsome or beautiful. You actually want to do things to them. You start to wonder creatively what those things could be.<br />
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Luca Guadagnino's "Call Me By Your Name," reaches back to that moment when one's sexuality first rears its head.<br />
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Every summer, the Perlman family hosts a guest for the summer. The patriarch, Mr. Perlman (Michael Stuhlbarg), is a professor and it's an opportunity for a kind of mentorship. This summer, that guest is Oliver (Armie Hammer), a twenty-four-year-old student of Mr. Perlman.<br />
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At first, Elio (Timothee Chalamet), the Perlmans' seventeen-year-old son, doesn't like Oliver at all. In fact, Oliver is kind of a dick. He's arrogant and dismissive. He refuses any overtures of friendship, but he himself demands constant companionship. He expects others to drop everything to accommodate him. So yeah, Oliver is not just <i><b>kind of</b></i> a dick. He's a straight-up bastard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ov6KNVq4aqciuybQ86N0mKy2P1OPx98LqG6usuCN_Xn6hCQt_jqVejw3xJeyqs_YaqKV68dTKvYZmcqwrvEOyc3fRRH390QJOsIRiA9sAT5ClxvPIb99ip4J7PS1I2G2yLTGr2VLp_c/s1600/Call+Me+Biking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1500" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ov6KNVq4aqciuybQ86N0mKy2P1OPx98LqG6usuCN_Xn6hCQt_jqVejw3xJeyqs_YaqKV68dTKvYZmcqwrvEOyc3fRRH390QJOsIRiA9sAT5ClxvPIb99ip4J7PS1I2G2yLTGr2VLp_c/s200/Call+Me+Biking.jpg" width="200" /></a>Elio has to spend almost all of his time entertaining Oliver. He has to go on errands with him. Whenever it suits Oliver, he insists Elio must accompany him all of the time as he goes bike riding or swimming, etc.<br />
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Slowly, Elio's feelings turn from annoyance to attraction. Like a little man-crush, and the romance builds from there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qzaRIt8SYA2Z-UdQp8wXILtE-KjtqIBV6Huaj5Viz5WQSrh6eXIkU0IiY9dIEVmTe-eBz5eb8u11iQs_RneQ96FZuEzgIqQsfnSAqYBh5Sku3p03DGV108L1nE04ERPbf7jCnRPcPKQ/s1600/Call+Me+Marzia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="720" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qzaRIt8SYA2Z-UdQp8wXILtE-KjtqIBV6Huaj5Viz5WQSrh6eXIkU0IiY9dIEVmTe-eBz5eb8u11iQs_RneQ96FZuEzgIqQsfnSAqYBh5Sku3p03DGV108L1nE04ERPbf7jCnRPcPKQ/s200/Call+Me+Marzia.jpg" width="200" /></a>At the same time, Elio is curious about sex in general. He hasn't found his identification yet, so while he's falling for Oliver, his romance with girlfriend Marzia (Esther Garrel) is progressing, getting more serious and more sexual.<br />
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But as his attraction to Olivier turns into infatuation, he has to make some kind of choice. To be fair, Marzia deserves that much. She needs to know where her relationship with Elio is going.<br />
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The bulk of the film concentrates on the evolving romance between Oliver and Elio. Now, the time he spends with Oliver, running errands, bike riding, swimming etc. have gone from tedious to treasured.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWbGJiFwzluGBsWpYy5qpgSvGAmpjd_BMeJSv6VIGRMQNUar7I6PaSaa4YBrvAXncew9ta__82Eufv6b9FKEC_emLR2L9EIf1nrsJG0LMCtQ88iGfBnJXhbaPUyk37eVhyphenhyphenUal3nUXtrM/s1600/Call+Me+More+Kissing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="784" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWbGJiFwzluGBsWpYy5qpgSvGAmpjd_BMeJSv6VIGRMQNUar7I6PaSaa4YBrvAXncew9ta__82Eufv6b9FKEC_emLR2L9EIf1nrsJG0LMCtQ88iGfBnJXhbaPUyk37eVhyphenhyphenUal3nUXtrM/s200/Call+Me+More+Kissing.jpg" width="200" /></a>The way the story plays out with this small intimate group of characters, against the backdrop of northern Italy in the summer makes me think of Bernardo Bertolucci's "Stealing Beauty." Just as in "Stealing Beauty," the characters adore each other and that endears them to us. Plus, the love scenes between Oliver and Elio are soft and intimate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionA-5N74z04o0yb_q0Bio8VZh4UlH-Mai9jZiMJ0wxTUQ16n31W0eISFQJ_xIeg03rSZIziYPQxOy6Usb-B80OY-_02mid3Dwc4mdBTBWEWGypn_zhg8JBfjRuv4O5jdlZWkvxBVJl5A/s1600/Call+Me+Apricot+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionA-5N74z04o0yb_q0Bio8VZh4UlH-Mai9jZiMJ0wxTUQ16n31W0eISFQJ_xIeg03rSZIziYPQxOy6Usb-B80OY-_02mid3Dwc4mdBTBWEWGypn_zhg8JBfjRuv4O5jdlZWkvxBVJl5A/s200/Call+Me+Apricot+Poster.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
One thing I have learned from art-house, gay-centered films is that all of the love scenes starts with play fighting. I don't believe that's the way it is in life, but I don't think I've ever seen a gay love sequence without that wrestling kind of foreplay.<br />
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The tenderness and subtly which with Guadagnino unfolds this romance is beautiful. If you like love stories at all, you'll enjoy "Call Me By Your Name."<br />
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Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070423351272659357noreply@blogger.com0