At long last, via Criterion Channel, I've finally seen it! While I was prepared for Audrey to be beautiful as ever, it was a bit startling to find Albert Finney so good-looking. Oddly, he was only 31 here (Audrey 38) as he appears to suit the 10 yrs into the marriage character best.
This film is so artfully designed. The pace and editing between at least 5 time lines includes wonderful transition cuts and truly is a marvel. Stanley Donen…
With an opening scene that reminded me of Stomp and a second number which was blatantly stolen in Disney's Beauty and Beast (not to mention Chevalier clearly being the inspiration for Lumiere), this was off to a great start. I was so impressed with the use of sound in this film because it had only been 5 years since The Jazz Singer. It's staggering to see how much had been accomplished in such a short time and utilized so effectively.…
I adore films like this. Small cast, great script, and excellent use of location. While this was labeled noir, it definitely shares many elements of a classic western (two of my favorite genres).
It's kind of a trip to see Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine so young in this (their 30s), but it was shocking to figure out that Spencer Tracy is 55 here (caveat: I am 55) because he looked at least 65. Same with Walter Brennan and Dean…
This was a mess.* How is it possible I could love WandaVision so much and pretty much hate this? Because, umm, it didn't even seem like the same character and all of Elizabeth Olsen's acting ability was absolutely wasted here. I guess I won't bother going on a tirade because nothing I say or do is going to stop the real madness which is how far gone these MCU films have become.
Ms. Marvel was a delight if you still care about character development and storylines that are involving btw.
*I know I sound bitter and jaded, but I'm so frustrated.
Just what was needed as I avoided celebrating a nation which no longer gives women the right to autonomy or privacy over their bodily decisions. 🤬 So, yay, a film written, directed, and produced by women aimed at women. Not nearly as good as anything written or adapted of Jane Austen's work or as scintillating as Bridgerton, it has a gentle sense of humor and its heart in the right place.
Rare for me to mention, but even my husband…
Thanks to Criterion Channel, I was finally able to see another Billy Wilder film. I just love him and what's particularly wonderful about this film is that it feels like it could also work as a farce (if not for the subject matter). I just found out they originally intended the lead role for Cary Grant, and that only confirms my feeling about the undercurrents of humor throughout. Also, Anne Baxter's character shows surprising depth and autonomy which was refreshing…
Definitely better than the 1st one which I saw at 18 at the cinema. So, yes, nostalgia plays a large part in seeing this and watching Tom Cruise age. I did get quite emotional about Val Kilmer. But there was lots of groan-inducing lines and moments and far too much rehashing, but like everyone else, it's the action sequences that elevate this to blockbuster status for me. Sometimes, even I just want to have fun at the cinema.
Happy Pride 🌈! I love Pride and Prejudice, and this is a fun frolic of an adaptation. I found Bowen Yang utterly adorable and moving in this. It was so nice to see him as the least flamboyant character. I'm so glad that this got made by Asian gay men (writer, director, stars). Representation continues to matter.
This was a lot of fun to see at the cinema with a crowd laughing and getting references. It is about as meta as a film should ever be, and the first hour is an absolute delight. Nicholas Cage and Pedro Pascal are an inspired duo.
It absolutely helped that this was the 30th Cage film I've seen and that I'm a huge film nerd. For instance, Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Paddington 2 are both in my personal Top…