A Real Pain

Grandma Dory, a Polish Holocaust survivor (from a thousand miracles), has passed away.  Two of her grandsons, to honor her passing, travel to Poland as part of a small Jewish based tour group with a side trip to the family home.  Cousins sometimes have the opportunity to be raised closely, forming a sibling-like relationship, as we come to understand is the case with David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin).  Families also grow apart as their life choices cause deep chasms in those once close bonds.  However, the differences between these two are so pronounced, you’ll wonder if they ever shared anything more than some dna.  To a musical background of gorgeous selections by Chopin, we are treated to a view of Poland that I, as a half-Czech, wouldn’t have had on my vacation destination bucket list, but I could be persuaded as long as it included going South.  The relationship between this odd couple and their interactions with the guide and group and experiences are the core to this gem of a film (it left off the phrase “in the tuchas”).  Rating:  Odpowiedzią jest miłość (Love is the answer) 3.5 stars

Lee

Could I imagine anyone else portraying Lee Miller other than Kate Winslet?  Honestly, no.  She narrates and trudges determinately into this recollection of Ms Miller’s shift from Vogue model to first American female photo journalist combat correspondent for said fashion magazine during WWII.  Her story is told as a series of recollections via an interview not dissimilar to Interview With A Vampire, but much more chilling as it’s not a fantasy.  This woman was downright amazing.  Her eye and articles pulled no punches.  She was like a tank rolling into “men only” situations that opened the door to what should have been gender-neutral from the get-go.  We watch as she’s exposed to and documented situations which demonstrate the process resulting in PTSD.  I highly recommend that you watch this film early in the day, not with alcohol or being even mildly depressed, and give yourself time to get back to your happy place.  Andy Samberg is perfectly cast as Lee’s co-correspondent during this journey.  It really took me a long time to realize it was him in the role.  Rating:  combat boots, massive cigarettes, a ton of chutzpah both internal and liquid - 4 stars 

A Complete Unknown

Brilliant recreation of the beginning of the career of Bob Dylan in 1961 as he travels from Minnesota to New Jersey to meet his musical idol, Woody Guthrie, through the pivotal growth of his music and relationships culminating with the decision to plug in at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964.  We all know how his music has morphed and defined different eras to date, that there was something in the lyrics that speaks to each generation on a basic level.  It’s like he’s constantly flipping the bird at authority, but still reinventing and remaining true to himself.  Dylan, to me, was/is always a tad off key, but the songs are dead-on in their meaning and originality.  The beginning of Highway 61 takes me back to my youth, and when it starts to play here, I almost cried.  The performances are nothing less than phenomenal.  Timothee Chalamet, Edward Norton, and the amazing Monica Barbaro, make you do a constant double take that they’re not the real deal.  I honestly thought Monica’s voice was dubbed by Joan, herself.  As with Wicked, each did their own singing and played their own instruments.  It paid off big time.  If there’s a god, there has to be soundtrack, just can’t say enough good about it.  Elle Fanning, Dan Fogler, Eli Brown, Scoot McNairy, and Boyd Holbrook bring it all together to make the story as compelling as the music.  Rating:  The Answer Is Blowin' In The Wind - 5 stars out of 4

Conclave

Finally watched Conclave, the film that’s adapted from the book about the process of choosing a new pope after his demise and some very questionable events that take place before and after his passing.  It does have a twist at the ending and I’m not divulging any spoilers.  Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, and John Lithgow are cast as cardinals and sister who are part of the arduous process of narrowing down the choices for the new holy father.  Ralph is outstanding as the Dean, but all deliver deserving supporting performances and will garner several award nominations and I wish them the best.  It did take me one and a half viewings to get to the end, but I have a good excuse (don’t start this without being fully engaged and early enough so you’re rested, I spontaneously nap, whether I like it or not, sometimes).  Although this is a mystery drama, this popped into my twisted little head https://youtu.be/pvhYqeGp_Do?si=OIxrMZ4gZurpuSd8, it hasn’t got a thing to do with this film, but if you’re Catholic, practicing, non-practicing or just want to listen to something funny, click on the link.  Rating:  a well worn rosary, communion, utter faith in God - 3.75 ⭐️ 

Saturday Night Liive

You’ll never think of Uncle Milty the same again.  Excellent recreation of the 90 minutes before the first episode went live 49 years ago of Saturday Night Live and the original Not Ready For Primetime Players.  Thank you Lorne Michaels for your vision.  Everything up to the last second before airing is, to quote a friend, fraught with peril.  It’s funny, it’s raunchy, quotable, it’s ironic, iconic, and will hold hold up over the next 50 years as the pinnacle of sketch comedy, musical introduction of so many new and established artists’ work, satire, silliness, sex and drugs and rock and roll, political import and standing up for one’s beliefs.  Launching the long lived careers of writers and comedians, who we miss, admire, and quote at random times (land shark, that’s some good bass, it’s always something, Jane, you’re an ignorant slut) even now.  So glad I got to witness this live in 1975 and looking forward to the 50th Anniversary show and beyond.  Rating:  one pair of bumblebee antenna, a gallon of fake blood, a bassamatic, best Weekend Update / show opening ever. 

Vidiot's Corner-M.R.F.T.C.C.: Wicked (Part One)

Vidiot's Corner-M.R.F.T.C.C.: Wicked (Part One): Today I saw a flat-out magical masterpiece on film.  The venue, SIFF Cinema (formerly Cinerama), 11 am show, perfect seats, back row center ...

Wicked (Part One)

Today I saw a flat-out magical masterpiece on film.  The venue, SIFF Cinema (formerly Cinerama), 11 am show, perfect seats, back row center balcony, just about as good as it gets.  After reading the book, seeing the play, being inundated with trailers and clips and talk show interviews, I can safely say that this is a predictable winner.  The character development, dialogue, casting, humor, sound, technical wizardry, all are spot on.  And no, it’s not a “kids” film.  I’m sure there were more than a few misinformed attendees who thought they were going to see The Wizard of Oz redeux with new songs, Kansas in black and white melting into a technicolor Munchkin land and beyond to the Emerald City of Oz.  Waiting a year for the second half is going to be a test of patience, but I anticipate it will be more than worth it.  Steampunk on steroids, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are worthy of every nomination and award they receive, without question, in this writer’s opinion.  Rating:  5 stars and that’s saying something because my ratings only go to 4—and no, I respected my fellow attendees by not singing along.  Although it was very tempting…it would have ruined the experience because the stars singing live throughout the film is perfection.

Gladiator II

Thankfully, I was able to watch Gladiator before diving into this testosterone filled frenzy of a sequel.  My question, whenever I’m watching a film set in Ancient Rome, Greece, Scotland, the middle of nowhere, or any large expanse with thousands of soldiers ready to fight to the death for honor and country, is how does the leader of the pack expect anyone to hear him in the back or down the line when he doesn’t even have a curled up cone of paper to deliver his speech and set the charge?  I mean, come on, there has to be communication issues, but miraculously every single soldier knows the plan like it was delivered over a p.a. System.  Same thing in the Coliseum, where a lot of the action takes place.  Amazing technology for the times, heavy use of CGI, especially for one or two of the gladiator tests.  Almost too reminiscent of alien monsters, but hey, it’s Ridley Scott’s thing.  Denzel Washington is the giant asp running the show this time, there are twin crazier than bedbugs emperors, Queen in peril/still, mistaken identities, bad intentions, where are the pockets in a gladiator’s toga?  I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.  Lots of pride, not so secret secrets, blood, back stabbing in more ways than one.  Beautifully filmed, amazing recreation of Ancient Rome, the Coliseum, and palace.  If nothing else, closure will be attained.  Rating:  3.5 stars, a bunch of nominations, et tu Brute.

Olly Gibbs Best Picture Nominations Illustrations 2024

The Boys In The Boat

Growing up in the Roanoke/Portage Bay neighborhood of Seattle across from the University of Washington, the sight of early morning crew practice on Lake Union was common.  My brother was part of Greenlake Crew in high school and one of his best friends had a single shell.  Every year, on opening day at the Montlake Cut, we’d trek over to the bridge, pack a picnic lunch, to watch the crew races and the boat parade.  I wasn’t around in 1936 when this group of kids earned their way to the Summer Olympics in Berlin and captured the gold medal, but my parents were and I’m pretty sure that the level of excitement at that time matched or exceeded what I saw in this little film of hope and inspiration.  Like “Sleepless In Seattle”, there are few scenes that didn’t jive with the landscape, but the story was engaging and the races were adrenaline inducing.  Rating:  3.5 stars - paddles up, shove off, stroke, all are one.

Poor Things

Victorian steampunk sets, costuming, and an out of this world plot that will leave you seriously debating whether you should be repulsed or delighted that you watched it.  Emma Stone rules as Bella Baxter, a mad scientist’s experiment in reanimation.  One unique feature is that the film begins in black and white, transitioning into color as Bella becomes more aware of the world and herself.  It’s like watching lightbulbs going off in the character’s head as she experiences new sensations, deals with a less than scrupulous lawyer, self-love, extremely questionable choices, empathy, and maturity.  Mark Ruffalo is a study in obsession going from lust to insanity.  If you’re not comfortable watching autopsies, full frontal nudity, or different sex acts, I recommend you pass and watch Wonka.  Rating:  I have no words except for the one’s that preceded.  

Anatomy of a Fall

Revolving around the death of a writer, this film takes place in Grenoble, France and centers on the widow, her disabled son, and the ensuing trial to prove her innocence when she’s indicted on circumstantial evidence.  Unlike courtroom dramas that are commonplace in the States, the process of reaching a verdict is, for this writer, notably different than Perry Mason, any of the thousands of versions of CSI, or any of the hundreds of films involving juries that I’ve witnessed in the past.  There’s a sense from the get-go that the family dynamic is passive aggressive and getting to the outcome is frankly, one of listening between the lines and not jumping to conclusions.  Rating:  3.6 stars - details are important.  Subtitled - French/English language.

The Holdovers

A professor, cafeteria supervisor, and student are left behind at an east coast boys boarding school over winter break, 1970.  It’s a match made in purgatory.  As their time together progresses, each are given an opportunity to develop trust and a friendship that will impact the rest of their lives.  Paul Giamatti is a natural for the role of the professor that nobody likes.  Da’Vine Joy Randolph kills it as Mary, who has recently lost her son to the war in Vietnam.  Dominic Sessa debuts as the troubled/troublemaking student who drives the story to its surprising conclusion.  The film is dead on when it comes to detail.  You could say it’s very nostalgic for my generation, it was the year I graduated from high school and started community college.  Not exactly a Dead Poet’s Society, The Emperor’s Club, or even a Breakfast Club sort of film, but a lesson in humility and treating everyone with respect and understanding.  Rating: 3.75 stars—a make-up final will be provided after break, please read chapter six and be prepared to discuss the Peloponnesian war.

Past Lives

The melancholy is strong in this film which deals with childhood friends who part ways and lives when the girl immigrates to Canada and then again to New York from Seoul.  Twelve years pass before they reconnect via the internet.  Have you ever wondered about an old friend or a lost love?  This could have been creepy, sort of an international stalker film, but it’s anything but that.  Instead, it’s handled delicately because, although so much time has passed, the connection or in-yun, has been established when they were children and the possibilities were left without any closure.  Bittersweet and honest, relatable.  Rating:  3.5 stars…may I see your green card, please.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese has adapted a horrific piece of American history that shows the very darkest side of greed and racism.  This isn’t the first time we’ve witnessed Robert DeNiro in the role of Lucifer.  He’s older, but that’s about the only thing that’s changed, and he’s portraying a real person.  The lot that’s dealt to the Osage tribe is heartbreaking.  It’s a different sort of slavery with what seems, on the surface, to be a most fortunate turn of events.  Set in the 1920’s, it follows the life of Mollie Burkhart and the subsequent events that lead to finding justice for both her and her tribe.  Lily Gladstone makes her film debut as Mollie and it’s stellar.  She states volumes with a look.  Leonardo DiCaprio is channeling a brandoesque cross between Stanley Kowalski and Terry Malloy, his entire existence is wrapped up in his loyalties, unfortunately, he isn’t good at making choices.  There’s so much to take in and process during this film’s 3 1/2 hour timeframe.  It’s almost difficult to believe that it actually happened.  Kudos to the cast, production, director for visually recreating and bringing awareness to the Osage and the tragic events that occurred.  Rating:  4 stars

American Fiction

In nearly one month, the Oscar’s will be awarded to the crème dela crème of the films we all viewed, or in this case, didn’t get a chance to see in 2023.  Thank you bebejesus for streaming apps.  Unfortunately, some of the Best Picture nominations will be a challenge to review before the big show, but thankfully, this gem became available for purchase on VUDU.  I usually don’t buy before I’ve had a chance to see in a theater, but time is of the essence and the press and trailers have all been stellar.  I know, get to the point.  The point is that this film captures frustration on the level of Five Easy Pieces.  Jeffery Wright is Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, author, professor, son, brother and curmudgeon when he witnesses the success of writing about the black experience that panders to the white consumers’ stereotyping.  He’s having trouble at work, selling his latest book, his mother is in declining health, his sister is enlisting his help, there’s an unexpected death, and his recently out brother is bouncing back and forth in his life without contributing much more than added stress.  An ideal storm.  The ensuing solution to his troubles is satire in its highest form.  You want to hug him, slap him, nod your head in agreement, and shrug your shoulders in a wtaf is happening disbelief.  This is a really good film and deserves the accolades and nominations, all categories.  Rating:  a  Pulitzer 

Oppenheimer

There’s a song by Randy Newman titled “Political Science”.  This wasn’t played anywhere during the film, but it readily popped into my twisted little head while I watched.  Being born after WWII and spending my grade school years learning about atomic and hydrogen bombs, practicing duck and cover, waiting to go home after a simulation on an extremely packed yellow school bus, doesn’t make it any easier to justify why any country would build this implement of destruction.  Think about it and I’ll guarantee you’ll get a huge moral headache.  However, it happened and even though we can’t turn back time, we live with the consequences.  As a film, it’s damned near perfect.  Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt, and Matt Damon deliver the goods hands down.  Hopefully, there won’t be a sequel, or if some idiot thinks there should be, they really didn’t get it and should not be allowed to make films in the future.  Seriously.  Rating, one potato, two potato, three potato, boom.  4 stars

Wish

I wish I could say I loved this new Disney offering, but for the life of me, it was like eating corn.  I can barely recall what I saw other than there was singing, a group of “misfits”, a talking sidekick goat, some animated chickens, and bunnies.  In all honesty, I’d have to watch it again, but right now I don’t wish to.  Rating:  one star, it was pretty.