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tottiemitchell
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The Fabelmans (2022)
2022 film that felt like a 1950's film- Horizon in the middle mostly
I confess that I found myself-fast forwarding through some scenes. I then decided to stop the stream for the day and come back to it with the respect it deserved. Reading the reviews here, I've come away thinking that Spielberg intentionally put the horizon in the middle (re John Ford's lesson and thus the yawns from reviewers) because that was what Sammy Fabelman's first experiments with film were like.
Exept in the scene in the high-school hallway after all the students and teachers watch Sammy's full-length film project. Sammy is crouching on the floor almost in tears as we watch the star of the film fury at being glamorized as a beach-blanket idol. The horizon shifted dramatically to the bottom- a good thing. Although not stated, I think the lesson here for me was that the simple playful film aroused strong emotions. I also wondered if this studly adonis was furious because he was struggling with his sexuality. That is a personal interpretation. The point is that the horizon shifted. Spielberg was on the right track then and on his way to learn the craft.
I was asked by a family member how I rated this film. I said I give it 6 out of respect for Spielberg. Had it been about another director I might have rated it a 4.
1917 (2019)
THEY WILL GROW OLD AND MAKE MORE LOUSY MOVIES
I am not sure why I sat through the entire film. Thank goodness it was half-price Tuesday for this Senior. Ususally if a director wants us to "care" about a character, we get to know them as we did Richard Jewell. Not in this case. Two fellows walk from France to Germany in a trench and do we even have a vested interest in whether they live or die? The first line of barbed wire, decaying horses, and men caught dead in barbed wire was reminiscent of the cold reality of "They Shall Not Grow Old" (the best WW1 film of late). Following scenes were as if we were watching a surreal dream sequence to nowhere. Even when the front-line commander got the message, his oh, ok reply made all that wait pointless. Golden Globes can take a hike and leave that parade.
Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
Better if it had been a Monty Python comedy
I laughed so hard to myself in many scenes. When Donnelly asls Mary if she loves him, I was waiitng for Tina Turner to strut in the background doing her "What's love got to do with it" chorus. During the 3d hasty marriage of Mary Q, I wanted to hear the voice of the priest like the one in Princess Bride with his lisp say "Mawwage". Is the use of token diversity in gender and color the only way youth of today will sit through a British historical drama? If I saw the film in slow mow, I might find more places to insert humor. Perhaps Mary Q as she approaches the block to depart with her head had turned to the camera and said "I picked the wrong day to give up sniffing glue." Now that movie, I would give a 10.
Fallet (2017)
If you liked Rake, this is also a bit of fun and slapstick
After a day of hearing political/economic news here in the US, I always look for light entertainment to relax. I loved Rake and last night I stumbled on Fallet. I actually thought maybe a new Wallender but then caught a few of the jokes and thought...wow, this is even better. Some of the humor is subtle and other lines and action just plain silly. A fresh breeze of comic relief you won't regret watching.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
See this film as its own unique work of art
I read through several reviews- many negative. I found that viewer/critics wanted to make sense of the film as if it was intended to be a close up of white-dominated town in Missouri. This movie is not about modern culture. This story and the players in it are displaying raw emotions that we all -whether we admit it or not -share. Don't look for solving a murder. Look at humans inside their cosmos. They all are struggling to face death by cancer, murder, bigotry, homophobia, growing up with effed-up parents, and changing times. Frances McDermott is always bringing her best game. Sam Rockwell as Dixon however is a tour de force. I was convinced he was an illiterate closet gay using anger to look like a man. He evolved (I could care less about his sexuality) and is that not worth a star or two? He played his part to perfection and then some. Reminded me of Ben Mendolsohn in Bloodline and Darkest Hour.
Go see the movie. Leave your current life in the car, train, bus, sidewalk. Take it for what it is and not what it is not.
Youth (2015)
Peter o'Toole's Venus
All the reviews are very good and well thought out. I watched this film oblivious to the director's filmography. That being said, the best film for that depicts loss of youth is by far, Venus, with Peter O'Toole. I rest my case.
If I had to pick 2 priceless scenes in Youth: Jane Fonda's teeth reflected on a knife blade and the dark dreamy introduction of Michael Caine arriving in Venice at night. Perfect Venetian surreal cinematography.
The setting, a spa at high altitude, is the subconscious. This was one long Freudian psychotherapy session. Thrilling to see the actors please the director- you can't miss with Caine, Kitel, Fonda.
Go see it. It beats mowing the lawn.