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jonjblock
Reviews
Civil War (2024)
Hugely Disappointing
I was really looking forward to this one. A drama grounded in important social issues, much needed in a cinema culture overpopulated with superheroes and remakes. This one also has a truly fantastic premise:
What if California & Texas put aside their considerable political and cultural differences and unified against a common enemy, the United States government?
The ideas that could have been explored here are a buffet for the critical mind, especially for anyone who loves America.
Unfortunately, the focus is all wrong.
Alex Garland brought arthouse pretension to a concept that did NOT call for it; his arthouse pretension worked for his best film Ex Machina, in part because the Oliver Isaac character was so pretentious himself.
Here, we follow stalwart journalists who've seen the most horrifying realities of human nature; to honor them, a realistic grounded approach would have worked better. Paul Greengrass would have been a better director choice give his documentary-style. Ed Zwick would have knocked it out of the park with his ability to combine great action, important social ideas, and compellingly relatable characters.
Instead, Garland's movie has no meaningful character arcs and if there was an ultimate point he was making - besides the obvious fact our country is divided and it's getting worse, which I could have gotten from the trailer alone - then this ultimate point was lost of me.
Another thing: on 5 instances, the music choice is so jarring and distracting, I found myself spending the next minute asking myself, "Why the hell would he choose that song?"
Old Dads (2023)
Loved it! Hilarious and true!
As a 43 year old man, this hit home with me. I related to each of the 3 leads; from Bill Burr's frustration at the changed world around him to the ambivalence that comes with being a family man.
All 3 leads - Bill, Bobby, Bokeem - were great. Strong chemistry. Hilarious and valid points about our world today.
I heard some people say the ending loses steam. I disagree. It has a strong & logical climax (I went to undergrad for screenwriting, so this fact is a big deal for me), and watch out for the surprise cameo from the Uber-like driver who serves as a sort of Bill's Ghost of Christmas Future.
Director, co-writer, and star Bill Burr hit a home run with this one. I had heard of him but never seen him before. Excited to see his other work now! 10/10.
Remember Me (2010)
This film is a masterpiece. Critics got this very wrong.
I'm 42, I went to USC film school for screenwriting / critical studies, and I have been watching 3 to 5 movies per week ever since I was a kid. I watched Remember Me and it's in the Top 20 of best I've ever seen.
The movie FEELS so real. I've spent time in NYC and down to Tyler's bathtub, everything feels authentic. Every character is a real person, flawed and hence so relatable.
The movie is about living for the moment, embracing each day, never taking this beautiful life for granted. Like Roberto Benigni's "Life is Beautiful," the filmmakers use tragedy to deliver this point (that humanity needs to be reminded of repeatedly; personally I think one in every ten movies at least should have this theme).
The relationships between the characters are so believable. EVERYTHING is character-motivated. Robert Pattinson's Tyler is so close to his little sister, after his only other sibling committed suicide, leaving him as the older brother to watch out for her. Pierce Brosnan (the best I've ever seen him) became obsessed with work after his oldest son committed suicide, and it makes sense why he's detached throughout. The arc of these two characters is SO real for anybody who's ever had a comparison father-son relationship (as I have), and so touching as they unify in the end looking out for the little sister.
As for the end, it moved me very deeply. I felt my heart breaking. Some critics called the 9/11 tie-in "offensive," and overall detached themselves from the movie. Their loss, and unfortunately, the loss of anybody who followed their opinion. REAL people died on 9/11. REAL people, doing the best they can with their limitations. This movie honors that. And does it very tastefully.
The music is beautiful as well. As for acting, the Razzie Awards people should punch themselves in the face for nominating Robert Pattinson. He is stellar in this.
And Just Like That... (2021)
Loving this show!
Captures the spirit of SATC - funny, heartwarming, and on edge of cultural zeitgeist. It's great to be back hanging with Carrie and friends. As always, love Carrie's outfits. The Big and Samantha storylines are well handled. Only positives to say about this show :)
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Weak, boring, awful Benedict character
I had to drag myself to get through this one, like being roped at the ankles and dragged across brush and barbed wire by one of Benedict & Jesse's horses. Yes, this movie is that unpleasant.
Benedict's character is a colossal jerk for the first 2/3. Playing banjo opposite Kristen, dinner with the Governor; doesn't matter, he's a Big Jerk. But he's not a funny jerk, like The Joker. No. He's just intensely dislikable. And it gets REALLY boring.
There's some vague explanation that he's a jerk because he's in the closet, then he shares an erotic smoke with his new nephew, and then... dies.
Roll credits.
This is one of those movies that while watching, I kept thinking about how many other movies I've enjoyed so much more. Montana? Legends of the Fall was SO much more enjoyable. Benedict? He's an incredible actor (Imitation Game, Doctor Strange), wish I was watching ANY of his other movies or even his worst Sherlock episode.
I Care a Lot (2020)
Smart dark comedy, great acting, twists & turns
Dark comedy may be the hardest genre to nail.
Most people would prefer to see the very obvious Oceans 8 (another female-centered crime movie), but not me at all. I Care A Lot is an original, a nod to the dark comedies that came before it. If you liked A Simple Favor - which I loved - this will be up your alley.
Rosamund Pike is AMAZING in this. Her character is definitely a cousin of her Oscar-nominated work in Gone Girl; she plays manipulative incredibly well. What adds dimension is her relationship with Eiza Gonzalez. These two love and respect each other, have each others' backs. Their relationship gets tested and the strength of their connection rises to each challenge. It's a rare movie depiction of a mature lesbian relationship. We need more of these.
Which to the movie's credit, nobody ever comments on. Their relationship is accepted. Just like with Peter Dinklage; nobody comments about his dwarf stature. To do so would only cheapen the movie and the filmmakers are smart enough to see that.
The music is great. The production values are strong. The story keeps you guessing right up until the final scene. It's VERY hard to find the right way to end any movie (except for maybe the standard 90s rom-com), yet it's especially hard for a dark comedy thriller. This movie does it right.
And afterwards, if you're NOT left wondering more about how the elderly are getting taken advantage of in this country, and wanting some more answers for yourself, then it's probably time to REALLY step up your movie-watching game.