One Day At A Time
Friday, October 11, 2024
'Rez Ball' A Review
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Fall
slowly close
Friday, October 4, 2024
'The Wild Robot' A Review
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
'Megalopolis' A Review
Megalopolis is a scifi/drama set in 'New Rome' aka NYC about Cesar(Adam Driver) a rich, genius architect who has invented a miracle substance that he wants to use to recreate the city into what he believes will be a utopia, he's opposed by other rich, powerful individuals.
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
The Bear
at the bear
and all I can feel
is pity
this creature
of power and hunger
subjected to this
indecent
oggling
and disgust
for my fellows
in their leering, slathering, avariciousness
as they shutter away.
Sunday, September 29, 2024
'Will & Harper' A Review
Will & Harper is a documentary that follows Will Farrell and Harper Steele, collaborators and friends, as they take a road trip from the east coast to the west.
Harper's recent transition is the focus of the film and how it relates to her new position in the world and how she relates to it as well as the effect on and perspective of her friends and loved ones namely Farrell(for the purposes of the film). They travel the country and go to small towns, dive bars, and truck stops(places Harper use to love to frequent but now is unsure of her safety in). And mostly its a success, she explores and revels in her new/true identity, her and Will remanence, have adventures, and grow. The trip is not without overt hate and the way the two confront, process, and move through it is inspiring if painfully real. Farrell is more human than perhaps he's ever been, its a doc so one would hope so, but he is actively trying to understand, be compassionate, and show up for his friend which is cool. In some ways it feels like Trans 101 for Cis folks but Harper is incredibly open, vulnerable, and game and her truth especially the more day-to-day struggles and issues- make up, clothes, calmly but reflexively correcting pronouns etc.- elevates it to something intimate and poignant.
If there is a critique it is simply in form. The film feels a bit truncated, by the third act it rushes to wrap things up and provide some kind of conclusionary pathos(which is absolutely earned) and yet the best parts are the various stops along their journey across the country and the challenges they face and fun they have. In the end credits its clear that there is a lot of extra footage and you wish you could see it, it may have been better as a multi-installment show a la Long Way Round.
A funny, moving, powerful portrait of an evolving friendship.
Currently in theaters and streaming on Netflix.
See It.
Saturday, September 28, 2024
'His Three Daughters' A Review
His Three Daughters is a drama about three sisters Christina(Elizabeth Olsen), Katie(Carrie Coon), and Rachel(Natasha Lyonne) who are attending the death bed of their father in his NYC apartment.
All three actors are at the top of their craft and give absolutely captivating performances. Coon is icy, anxious, and controlling, of the three the most grating to watch at the beginning which makes her transformation into a more relatable human that much more impactful. Olsen, after being underutilized for years in the MCU, kind of emotionally explodes in this, not explicitly, but you can just see her talent bursting forth and the gratification she has in tackling this challenging role. Her character is in some ways the most mysterious and idiosyncratic and she takes full advantage. Lyonne doesn't really have the same approach as the other two actors, she's a movie star, but she tamps down and subverts her charisma, channels it into vulnerability and a kind of listless perseverance that is captivating. It cannot be understated how impactful it is to see these three share the screen. The supporting cast is solid but mostly they come and go and the focus is, justly, on the sisters.
The production is minimal, taking place primarily in one location, the apartment, with limited scoring and restrained camera work focused more on capturing the dramatic action rather than visual artistry. As a result it feels intimate and serves the themes and aims of the film and almost surprisingly feels more impressive due to that discipline. Writer/director trusts his story and more importantly trusts his actors, the production fluidly, organically flows around that and all serves to deliver this meditation on family and death that has humor, pathos, and insight.
Three of the years best performances within a moving even inspiring story about grief and connection.
Currently streaming on Netflix.
Don't Miss It.