Loving Vincent
What a beautiful masterpiece. Going into it I didn't know much about Van Gogh, aside from the standard misconceptions. This film was hand painted over 6 years, and there were 65,000 frames of oil paintings. The acting, cinematography, soundtrack, and attention to detail shone through and created a masterpiece for the ages. This movie was a definite must see.
The Loving Vincent Exhibition is now open just south of Amsterdam, and if I was there I would have loved to see it. In the meantime, I'll settle with reading the collection of letters that was published posthumously by his sister in law.
Blade Runner 2049
I was not impressed with this movie at all. The sound editing reached a new level of terrible. The visuals were stunning and Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford were great. But I knew they would be before I went into it. Even Jared Leto, generally not favourite of mine, also reached the high bar set by the powerhouses he was acting with.
But that is where it ends in terms of being worth the money I spent on it. I would argue that this was one of the most over-hyped films of the year. As stated here, it would have been better named Blade Runner 1949. Also stated in this article, the movie was a misogynistic mess. "The original Blade Runner is not without issue in the misogyny stakes -- even in 1982 they should have steered clear of including a rape scene -- but in 2017 we should expect more of our directors than Denis Villeneuve offers here. Armed with a colossal budget and an experienced cast, Villeneuve has proceeded to make a completely flat, emotionless, nonsensical, and eye-gougingly sexist film."
The roles that women in this 2049 society hold are prostitutes, punching bags, holographic housewives, or bosses that can kill you with side eyes "who nevertheless meet gruesome deaths that we watch in horrifying detail. Men also get killed, of course, but we don't watch their eyes bulge for tens of gratuitous seconds -- they are blunt, noble deaths, not desperate fetishistic ones."
The completely unnecessary and larger than life statues of slim, busty naked women found in the desert were totally out of place and quite honestly uncomfortable. A perfect refection of the movie. This film could be a comment on how the patriarchy is going to adapt to the new technology available to them and use it to run "the others" into the ground. Another thing that really stunned me was that there was an overabundance of poverty and the world seemed to be a literal hell hole - I may be an optimist, and if 2017 has taught me anything it is that this may be true, but I really, truly hope that the world does not look this this 32 years from now.
As recently as yesterday, Director Denis Villeneuve tried to defend his portrayal of women in Blade Runner 2049. You can decide for yourself but I would save my money if I was you.
Human Flow
This was one of those films that makes you think about your place in life and where it is compared to the people you know are disenfranchised.
Everyone should see this movie because it blows open the door behind which people with power are hiding while making deals to hinder further the lives of refugees all over the world.
This was my introduction to the work of Ai Weiwei and I am so thrilled I have had an introduction because I will be keeping an eye open for his future works.
Suburbicon
Talk about false advertising.
This movie was not what I thought it was going to be and I am honestly not sure what to say about it. The biggest problems in the movie were: the commentary on it's overarching story line and the flat, unlikable main characters that did a dance on screen of sheer ridiculousness for an hour and 45 minutes.
The overarching story line of the film was that Suburbicon was a settlement community for white people in America in the 1950's and a coloured family moves in. You can imagine the circus of racism that ensues, similar to the circus happening currently in America (HMMM.... aren't we supposed to learn from history....).
This was not George Clooney's first time directing a feature film and I can't say I was impressed in any way. The threads he wove in the film were left unfinished, untied, and unrealistic.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
It's been a few weeks, but I am still trying to wrap my head around the events that I watched unfold on screen for this movie.
The movie was gripping. In an almost uncomfortable manner. I didn't know if I was to laugh or cry or scream because it was just so intense. There was never a dull moment and there were certainly scenes I could have lived without (two jump to mind immediately; the first was the opening scene - which was an open hear surgery; and the second was when...well that would be a spoiler so you'll have to see it to understand.
Colin Farrel has spoken on many occaisons about how much this role disturbed him, and rightfully so.
Thor: Ragnarok
This was such a wonderful movie all around!In this movie Thor faces a new villain named Hela, the goddess of death, who is almost unstoppable against him. As Odin’s first child, Hela sees Asgard as her royal birthright, and the conflict ensues.
The movie had powerful female characters that could hod their own against the God of Thunder and the band of misfits creates great movie which audiences of all ages can fall in love with.
One of my favourite film quotes of the year is from this film: "I tried to start a revolution but I didn't print enough pamphlets." Definitely a must see for all!
Murder on the Orient Express
The costumes and staging for this film were fantastic! As was the acting from the star studded cast which was no surprise. Something to note from the stories that have come out about the movie since its release is that the set of the film was so real that many of of the stars experienced motion sickness while filming. Kenneth Branagh is both directing an starring in this adaption and shines through like a ray of light in both his roles which he does extremely well.
For die-hard fans it is important to note that some of the details were changed from the book to the movie, including why the train stopped and its' name.
Definately something the whole family can enjoy, and should. Audiences can see Hercule Poirot next in Death on the Nile.
What I'm looking forward to next:
Roman J. Israel, Esq
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The Breadwinner
Darkest Hour
Jumanji
The Greatest Showman
Pitch Perfect 3
The Post
