First Time Viewings: November 2023
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- DirectorJohn SchlesingerStarsDonald SutherlandKaren BlackBurgess MeredithAn art director in the 1930s falls in love and attempts to make a young woman an actress despite Hollywood who wants nothing to do with her because of her problems with an estranged man and her alcoholic father.Viewed: 18-11-2023
Fascinating delve into the fringes of 1930's Hollywood. Full of colourful characters and great acting, especially by Donald Sutherland, Burgess Meredith and Billy Barty. Quite a unique piece of cinema which is only let down slightly by Karen Black's character. While the acting is great, the character is at times torture to watch and I can't believe anyone would actually fall in love her, but maybe that's the point. Maybe she's the human incarnation of Hollywood, looks good and tempting but will spit you out unapologetically. Very cynical, satirical and full of nightmarish visuals that, by the end, I felt like I had just seen a horror film.
9/10 - DirectorJon TurteltaubStarsJason StathamBingbing LiRainn WilsonA group of scientists exploring the Marianas Trench encounter the largest marine predator that has ever existed - the Megalodon.Viewed: 19-11-23
This big budget B-movie certainly has a fair bit of fun with a ridiculous storyline, but probably not enough fun. It plays it a little too safe and feels like a generic action movie in places. The characters are all stock-standard action movie characters too. It is nice to watch a B-movie with decent special effects for once though, and it's entertaining enough to pleasantly pass some time.
6/10 - DirectorWes AndersonStarsRupert FriendRalph FiennesAsa JenningsA small brilliant boy is tormented by two large idiotic bullies.Viewed: 19-11-2023
A tale of bullying that is rather powerful but told in Wes Anderson's whimsical style is a little distracting. Rupert Friend as the narrator of this is terrific, and Anderson's theatrical telling looks great, it's just a little jarring.
7/10 - DirectorSofia CoppolaStarsKirsten DunstJason SchwartzmanRip TornThe retelling of France's iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. From her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 14 to her reign as queen at 19 and to the end of her reign as queen, and ultimately the fall of Versailles.Viewed: 19-11-23
Sofia Coppola's biography of the French Queen isn't a typical biopic, in that it doesn't really give you a history lesson or give you a sense of what life was like in 18th century France. It's a vibrant film that is seen through the eyes of the teenage girl that became Queen of France. The film has terrific cinematography, with well-placed contemporary music, and Kirsten Dunst is excellent. One issue I have is the timeline, it just flows by without much to gauge at what point of time we're actually in. It's a little like the many sugary sweets in the film, there's not a great deal of substance but it looks and tastes great.
8/10 - DirectorMike FiggisStarsKevin AndersonBill PullmanKim NovakThe successful writer and professor of architecture Nick Kaminsky returns from New York to Elderstown to visit his biological mother Lillian Anderson Munnsen that is terminal. Nick does not know Lilian since he was adopted when he was a child but he pays the bill for her to stay in a private room in the hospital. While walking on the street, Nick stumbles upon his former college friend Paul Kessler, who is demolishing with his team an old department store building where a murder and a suicide happened many years ago. While talking to Paul, there is an accident and Nick saves his life. Paul invites Nick to go to the birthday party of his wife Jane Kessler. Nick feels attracted by the building that is built in cast iron and asks Paul to visit it. Meanwhile Jane, who is a photographer, decides to take photos of the same building. They get close to each other and Nick learns that Jane was also adopted. Along the following days, Jane and Nick have a love affair and Nick discloses hidden secrets from their past.Viewed: 23-11-2023
This film is billed as an erotic thriller, but that tag does not do this film any justice. That tag will undoubtedly annoy many expecting a simple erotic thriller but getting this instead. I was pleasantly surprised however. Writer/director Mike Figgis is more fascinated by the atmosphere, music and style of film making. The script is well thought out, though maybe a little too incohesive, but that plays second fiddle to the feel and look of this film. Each scene is really in and of itself, you don't really need the context of the plot to enjoy it. Actually, the plot almost gets in the way at times. The film also features the last film appearance (as of 2023) of Kim Novak, who isn't given a great deal to do here but it's still noteworthy. This has elements of noir, mystery, erotica and romance, but those tags feel redundant, just watch it, immerse yourself in it, and enjoy.
9/10