Joe Penna - Arctic - 2018
A great idea for a film: Mads Mikkelsen survival film in the Arctic. shot in Iceland. Reminded me of a combo of Never Cry Wolf by Carroll Ballard and The Grey with Liam Neeson. I have often not liked Mikkelsen's choices in films but he is certainly one of the top 20 living male actors, The Hunt is just one of those monolithic brutal performances that one rarely sees, like Nicole Kidman's in Dogville.
5.6.2019
Jake Scott - Welcome to the Rileys - 2010
James Gandolfini film I hadn't seen, another one of those monolithic actors.
Michael Connelly, Eric Ellis Overmyer - Bosch season five - 2019
Alain Resnais - Hiroshima, Mon Amour - 1959
(rewatch)
In my former life as an architectural bookseller, I would love when people asked for Kenzo Tange monographs, he did some great buildings including the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in this film. Such an incredible film this is, with music by Georges Delerue and Giovanni Fusco (L'Avventura, L'Eclisse, and Red Desert), cinematography by Michio Takahashi and Sacha Vierny, words by Marguerite Duras, and sublime complex actorshippe by Eiji Okada and the truly beautiful Emmanuelle Riva. This film really has a great rhythm, a kind of structure that is hard to point out or identify but it just moves in a fantastic way, quit intellectualism with an emotional element mixed in to dampen what could be cerebral. One thinks of Alva Noto's work, which when I first heard seemed a little cold but then he issued this intensely romantic and beautiful Xerrox trilogy, full of sublime mystery.
5.8.2019
Sebastián Lelio - Disobedience - 2017
Richard Linklater - Before Sunset - 2004
(rewatch)
The songs by Julie Delpy are quite nice in this film. Their conversations at time are not necessarily ones you would want to revisit but these are attempts to mask their desires? Hoping to rewatch White soon, one of the best Delpy films.
Paul Schrader - First Reformed - 2017
(rewatch)
Fourth time watching this, one time with the enlightening commentary. I should do more research but am a bit surprised how much the ending of this film is not talked about in a meaningful way, in terms of the non-reality of it. After a few rewatches the ending really has become a dream-like transcendental period of time that this viewer looks forward to like a dry martini after a long day. Comparing Ethan Hawke's performance here, in Boyhood and the Before trilogy, he certainly has some range, one of the great actors working today.
Richard Linklater - Boyhood - 2014
(rewatch)
This film didn't hit me as much the first time, I really loved it this viewing. Grew up in a similar upbringing myself, and found the way the children interact with the parents here (both positive and potentially damaging) quite moving. I recently heard a parent tell their 8 year old (or so) child in a museum that if they didn't like the work on the wall then it was garbage, that their opinion is all that matters, which so deeply offended me. Why not talk about the meaning of the artwork, or how it was made, what was happening in the world when it was made (it was a John Cage Ryoanji)? Dooming the poor child to be a monocultured, egotistical bore. Boyhood offers another example with a complex upbringing: sometimes positive but full of grit, layers of depth of thought and feelings. Heard another criticism recently of True Detective 3, people pointing out a parent that would allow their child to ride alone on a bicycle was a rotten parent. Shit I spent my childhood riding a bike and skateboard all over tarnation by myself or with my degenerate friends. Glad that this film explores these questions.
Agnès Varda - Ydessa, The Bears etc. - 2004
I saw the teddy bear exhibition at the New Museum in New York, which was quite impressive. The way she addresses her work in this film honestly rubbed me the wrong way but Varda's obvious love of the work is very apparent and makes for a good film.
(rewatch)
The Tindersticks Clair Denis boxset is something every proud film enthusiast should own, a set I have spent many fine hours immersed in. This film made a strong impression when it came out but I had not seen it since then and had only a memory of the atmosphere of the film. Very nice how Denis has layers of b film here, 70s Italian culture etc, much of which comes from Vincent Gallo's odd screen presence and acting.
Woody Allen - Crimes and Misdemeanors - 1989
(rewatch)
One of the favorite Woody films at the art of memory, although a bit challenging to watch in some ways after news the last few years. Great cast (Martin Landau, Anjelica Huston, Sam Waterston, Alan Alda, Jerry Orbach etc.) and beautifully shot by Sven Nykvist.
Alec Berg, Bill Hader - Barry seasone one and two - 2018-1019
Very good show, Stephen Root and Henry Winkler quite impressive in this as of course is Bill Hader.
5.15.2019
Chad Stahelski - John Wick 2 - 2017
(rewatch)
In preparation for John Wick 3, these films are quite spectacular. Nice how the plot is so mellow, a nice change from all the (bad) plot heavy movies and shows (GOT).
5.16.2019 - 5.21.2019
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss - Game of Thrones season five - 2015
(rewatch)
I must admit I am rather embarrassed to be (re)watching this. To be current in contemporary television I plan to watch the last season yet I couldn't remember where I threw in the towel with this show or where the plot had taken us. There are surely some good actors in this show, a few good moments of visual storytelling, also an abundance of poppycock. The gratuitous nudity is quite prosperous and one must admit quite funny.
5.16.2019 - 5.21.2019
David Benioff, D.B. Weiss - Game of Thrones season five - 2015
(rewatch)
I must admit I am rather embarrassed to be (re)watching this. To be current in contemporary television I plan to watch the last season yet I couldn't remember where I threw in the towel with this show or where the plot had taken us. There are surely some good actors in this show, a few good moments of visual storytelling, also an abundance of poppycock. The gratuitous nudity is quite prosperous and one must admit quite funny.
5.18.2019
Mark Waters - Mean Girls - 2014
Chad Stahelski - John Wick 3 - 2019
Intense, great visual film, I liked it very much. Keanu Reeves has turned into quite a formidable action star, the way that he moves about looking dog tired and beat up is something quite unique, can't think of another performance quite like this. Anjelica Huston is really spectacular as well, didn't really recognize her at first. My friend Mr. Spell pointed out her theatre as Tarkovsky Theatre, very nice! Many layers of influence here, on the recent interview on The Big Picture podcast Mr. Stahelski talked about what interests him and drives his films, the dude has some good taste.
