Awe-inspiring. Gratifying. Utterly confounding. In many ways, the ultimate work of science fiction. Embracing exploration and aspiration at the expense of all else, and importantly never once making that cost seem insignificant, nor even necessarily imperative. This is easily Christopher Nolan's richest—and, frankly, perhaps his only true—emotional core, and it's one that, in my experience, can only sincerely resonate when delivered in concert with the spectacle; the utterly breathtaking scope of it all. His flicks before this have of course…
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The Empire Strikes Back 1980
Happy 40th, Empire! To mark the occasion, I watched the D+80 cut of the film (a theatrical restoration of ESB, sourced from the new 4K 19SE - reviewing it as the original isn't heresy).
Most of you already know this. But I have never much been a fan of this film. Even when I was a kid. Even when I liked the prequels... And even, most recently (November, I think), when I rewatched the saga in preparation for The Rise…
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Twister 1996
Silly premise, flabby script, horrible character work (plus a mostly underwhelming cast); so, naturally, a kick-ass movie. For the most part even de Bont isn't able to give much real weight to the exotic action he's dealing with at this juncture, but the knack for momentum he brought to Speed is again as forceful as ever here. Giving us a whirlwind (get it?) of craft, and pretty much craft alone, that understands exactly what makes adventure so fuckin' fun, and gives it to the audience, plain and simple. An excellent embodiment of the thrill of the chase, with little-to-nothing more.
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The Passion of Joan of Arc 1928
Painfully piercing horror saga that just so happens to be a genuine account of history as well. An eighty minute montage of the most profound and artfully unambiguous imagery ever put to screen, accompanied by a forever-haunting aural beauty throughout the silent film’s score. Falconetti’s casting is nothing short of divine; dark and light, cold and warmth, death and life can all be seen manifestly through those wistful eyes. This is sincerely one of the most damning works ever conceived, let alone executed. Unbelievably powerful.
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Tenet 2020
Don’t try to understand it. Feel it.
For the first half-ish, I really was feeling Tenet, as an excellent espionage flick: fun characters, cool action, amazing set pieces - presented through expectedly great visuals. All with some promising high-concept Sci-Fi charm, dangling from the smashed rear-view mirror.
We then proceed to watch the film's remainder through that rear-view mirror. Navigating backwards is hard enough, but through all these conceptual and narrative cracks, it's damn near impossible. The only "feeling" left…
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Mank 2020
On the record as a Fincher shill, there was no way I wasn't gonna adore this Gary Oldman-starring, Reznor/Ross composed, monochrome-palette, 'movie-about-movie' directed by the man himself. The question only ever was "How much?"
Answer is... "a shit-ton." Not that there was much competition, but this is easily my favourite film of the year and one of Fincher's best works thus far (where there is much competition).
Whether it be the performances, cinematography, soundtrack, or story - there's not a…
