Malcolm1980's 2022 Review Thread

[malcolm1980]

12/23


Aftersun (Charlotte Wells) **** - A woman reminisces about the time when she just turned 11 and her father took her on a vacation in Turkey. The film is deceptively simple. We see them hang out, we see what their relationship is like, we see vignettes of scenes typical of a vacation. But as we go along, we sort of feel like there's something going on underneath the sunny atmosphere. Apparently, semi-autobiographical and with a dream-and-memory like feel, writer-director Charlotte Wells created something absolutely beautiful that will both warm and break your heart. I'm going to be thinking a lot about this for a while. Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio both give great performances and this film heralds the arrival of another promising filmmaking voice. Yes, it is indeed one of the best films of the year.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Rian Johnson) **** - Detective Benoit Blanc returns to solve a mystery involving a billionaire gathering his old friends on an island and, coincidentally, to play a murder mystery game. I deliberately avoided watching trailers beyond the first one so I have very little idea of the actual plot and story going in. And I'm glad I did because this is a joy to watch. I'm not sure if it's better than the first one but it's at least as good. The magic of this film is that a lot of the characters are as interesting as the mystery involved and they're brought to life by a game cast who seems to having a ball. I can see why Janelle Monae is the one getting the awards buzz but Edward Norton and Kate Hudson are fantastic as well. The film is still very funny and the mystery just as gripping and engaging. While I'd love to see Rian Johnson do something else, I wouldn't mind if he keeps churning these out every couple of years if they are always this top quality.

[malcolm1980]

12/24

Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (Akiva Schaffer) *** - Famous Disney chipmunk Chip reunites with fellow famous Disney chipmunk Dale years after both their falling out and their TV show ending in order to save one of their former co-stars and friends Monterey Jack. The idea of a feature-length movie reboot of an old Disney series that I used to watch as a kid feels like a really bad idea. But thankfully, the concept of this film is quite creative. It is pretty much a meta neo-noir showbiz satire that's kid-friendly. It's not quite Who Framed Roger Rabbit (far from it) but there are enough fun stuff here that made me laugh and/or smile. Whether or not you grew up with the cartoon, this is an entertaining as heck film for everyone.

The Son's Room (Nanni Moretti) ***1/2 - A psychiatrist living a happy life with his wife and his two teenage children has his life turned upside down when an unspeakable tragedy befalls him. I saw this on the afternoon of Christmas Eve and it's kind of a heavy film to see on a festive holiday. Yes, it is sad and it is a heavy film. It tackles the very real, very human emotion of grief and how people deal with it. But thankfully, there's enough intelligence in the script that it doesn't make it feel too depressing and heavy. There are moments of lightness and humor. It also feels honest but doesn't dwell on the misery. It is also beautifully acted and tastefully directed. No wonder it won the Palme d'Or that year. Overall, an excellent film.

My Father's Dragon (Nora Twomey) *** - The latest from Cartoon Saloon is an adaptation of a popular children's book about a young boy who befriends a young dragon who's trying to figure out to save a sinking island. This film has a lot of things going for it. It's got beautiful animation. The voice cast is excellent. There are genuinely funny, sweet and moving moments all throughout. But unfortunately, I think it is hampered by being a bit too long (I think the script could have used some streamlining) and not being as great as their previous work, the masterpiece that was Wolfwalkers. So it's still a very good animated feature, just not quite as great as it could be. It's on Netflix so you could do worse.

[malcolm1980]

12/25

Black Book (Paul Verhoeven) ***1/2 - A Jewish singer goes undercover for the Dutch Resistance by infiltrating the Gestapo and seducing a high-ranking Nazi officer. Yes, this is yet another World War II/Holocaust/Nazi movie. But it's from director Paul Verhoeven. And, yes, despite it being a period drama set in World War II and is mostly in subtitles, it still manages to feel like the Paul Verhoeven film in not only in its violence and sexuality but also its provocations. It goes in places that few, if any, dramas set in World War II go and it's made all the better for it. Carice van Houten is excellent in the lead. Yes, overall this is actually one of the top-tier Paul Verhoeven films.


Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical (Matthew Warchus) ***1/2 - This is the film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical adaptation of the popular Roald Dahl book about a genius, telekinetic little girl causing trouble in a school ran by a tyrannical headmistress. I'm familiar with the story because I saw the earlier film adaptation of the book. I didn't read the book or saw the Broadway show but I have listened to the cast album. I have to say, this film is simply a delight. Kudos to director Matthew Warchus who despite working primarily in theater managed to create a very cinematic adaptation of the stage piece while staying true to its musical roots. I guess the only drawback is that as I was watching this, I don't know if anyone else feels this way but I thought Matilda is actually the least interesting character here. Miss Honey, Miss Trunchbull and even Bruce have far more interesting arcs. Not a slight on Alisha Weir who was very good. It's just the way the story is, i guess. But yeah, this is an excellent Netflix watch.

[malcolm1980]

12/26

The Winning of Barbara Worth (Henry King) *** - While building an irrigation system for a town in the desert, an engineer competes with a cowboy for the affections of a rancher's daughter. It's been a while since I watched a feature-length silent film as well as a Western. This is a silent Western. It features a young Gary Cooper! The plot is so-so and doesn't break new ground but the craft is impeccable. It also has some of the most stunning photography I've ever seen in a silent movie and contains an unforgettable action sequence involving a flash flood that still holds up. That scene makes this film worth checking out.

Death Laid An Egg (Giulio Questi) **1/2 - A love triangle develops between three people who run a high-tech chicken farm. The man may be a serial killer who kills sex workers. I was looking forward to seeing this giallo film since it stars Gina Lollobrigida and Jean-Louis Trintignant, two actors who are almost always watchable. The concept is intriguing and it does go to some shocking places. But I found myself not caring about these people at one point and when the film becomes really interesting, it becomes too little, too late. Lots of interesting stuff lost in the shuffle. I would recommend this only for fans and completists of the genre.

[malcolm1980]

12/27

Trader Horn (W.S. Van Dyke) ** - Two African explorers go on a journey to find the long lost daughter of a missionary murdered by the Natives. This film was nominated for Best Picture and if you thought films like Crash, Green Book and The Blind Side were "problematic", those films are super progressive after you see this one from 1931. This is of course quite racist and even sexist at times. The entire concept may seem like a good idea for an adventure at the time this was made but now, it's kind of hard to watch, knowing what we know. It is made somewhat watchable by some great wildlife photography and a few good action sequences. This is for Oscar completists only, otherwise, it's not worth it.

Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (Ernst Lubitsch) *** - After finding out she is the eighth wife of the man she was gonna marry, a woman is determined to keep him and tries an unconventional method to do so. This screwball comedy is directed by Ernst Lubitsch and written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett and stars Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert. With a pedigree like that, I expected this to at least be good. And it is! It is quite good. But unfortunately, that is also its biggest fault because with the talent involved it COULD have been great. While, yes, the film is no masterpiece, it is still a lot of fun to watch and there are moments of brilliance. It is definitely worth a look even for the non-completists.

[malcolm1980]

12/28

Deleter (Mikhail Red) ** - A young woman who works as an online content moderator sees a video of a co-worker's suicide then things get weird and scary. This is actually an interesting premise. A horror films about someone whose job is to watch some truly disgusting and disturbing stuff and our first line of defense from ever seeing such things on a mainstream social media platform. There are things you can do with that but unfortunately, this film decides it wants to be The Ring for the internet but the script is such a derivative mess that it can't even do that all that well. Director Mikhail Red is a talented filmmaker and this is still a very slick, well-made film and Nadine Lustre sells it. It's too bad they're saddled with a mediocre at best script.

Prey (Dan Trachtenberg) ***1/2 - A young Native American woman wants to become a great hunter like her older brother. While going out on the wilderness, honing her skills, she encounters of course the Predator. This is the best installment of the Predator franchise since, well, the first one. Granted, that is not a high bar to pass but this one is pretty damn solid. Amber Midthunder is excellent in the lead role. You really get invested in her and root for her. As a Predator film, this film has some gnarly kills and some good scares. I wished I saw THIS on the big screen instead of having to settle for streaming. Oh, well.

[malcolm1980]

12/29

The Bridge (Bernhard Wicki) **** - After being drafted in the final days of World War II, a group of adolescent boys is tasked with guarding a bridge near their hometown. This is yet another entry of that sub-genre of World War II films from the point of view of children and teenagers. And this one is a pretty terrific one. It's one that emphasizes the absurdity of war while never flinching on the tragedy of it. Without spoiling anything, the film really stays with you and gives you a lot to think about in terms of war and blind patriotism. Just as I thought I've seen practically all the great World War II films, I discover one just like that. Highly recommended.

See How They Run (Tom George) *** - A Hollywood film director is murdered in the backstage of a London production of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. It's up to a drunk inspector and female novice constable to find out "whodunnit". After watching Glass Onion, I was sort of in the mood for another murder mystery whodunnit. This kind of pales in comparison to that film but there are still lots to enjoy here. Both Saoirse Ronan and Sam Rockwell are lots of fun in their roles. This has been described as "what if Wes Anderson did a murder mystery whodunnit". I'm not sure I 100% agree with that statement. There are some similarities but the film is not quite as precise and intricate as he would be. But still, it's an enjoyable entry to the genre and in addition to Rockwell and Ronan, David Oyelowo is also a hoot. Overall, it's solid entertainment.

Theodora Goes Wild (Richard Boleslawski) ***1/2 - A woman who lives with her very uptight and prudish aunts and living in a small town ran by people with similar leanings, writes a very objectionable and racy book under a pseudonym. This leads her to meet a free-spirited painter who unlocks something in her. This is an overlooked gem in the screwball comedy sub-genre of the 1930's. Irene Dunne and Melvyn Douglas are both terrific in the leads. This one plays around with the known conventions and tropes of the genre (with Dunne and Douglas sort of switching "roles" mid-film, you'll get it when you see it) and it is mostly successful. It is quite funny and holds up even today. More people should check it out.

[malcolm1980]

12/30


Johnny Corncob (Marcell Jankovics) ***1/2 - A young shepherd goes on an adventure around the world and becomes a heroic soldier but longs to reunite with his first and only love. This is an animated feature from Hungary based on an epic poem. This is an animated film that feature surreal, abstract and very colorful and psychedelic imagery so I can't help but wonder if watching this with, ahem, "enhancements" would help elevate the experience. But with or without those "enhancements", this is a must-see animated film. It features really big emotions, really big swings. But the animation style reflects and highlights making this a truly extraordinary film to see. Despite the animation style, you really get emotionally invested in the story. So, yeah, overall, this is a must-see for fans of animation.

White Noise (Noah Baumbach) ***1/2 - After a train crash causes "an airborne toxic event" in a suburban town, a college professor and his wife confront their fears of their own mortality. Based on a Don DeLillo novel which has been described as "un-filmable", this is writer-director Noah Baumbach's biggest, most ambitious film yet. The first act of this film is quite excellent. It feels and moves like a Baumbach film but with a bigger canvass. But then the second act kicks in, when the film goes into its more heady direction which at times found frustrating and thinking perhaps Baumbach bit off more than he could chew. It was a bit rough. But then he found his footing in the end, culminating in one of the best end credit sequences of the year. So yes, I overall really liked it despite my problems and reservations with parts of it and I can understand some people not liking this one. But the performances of the cast is excellent and holds it all together. So, yeah, I liked this one quite a bit.

The Sun Shines Bright (John Ford) ***1/2 - This is a film adaptation of those "Judge Priest" stories of a small-town Southern judge dealing with things like standing up to a lynch mob and attending the funeral of a "fallen" woman. Yes, this film features some elements that won't fly today: the Confederate flag and how its black characters are portrayed. Despite these objectionable elements, director John Ford's humanism shines through. Charles Winninger is fantastic as Judge Priest here (the ending is particularly moving). Sure, we can decry its problematic Southern aesthetic but the championing of basic human decency is what I personally took away from this film and it is moving and resonant even to this day. John Ford apparently said this is his favorite while I wouldn't rank this that high, I think it's up there.

[malcolm1980]

12/31

Oh, Susanna! (Joseph Kane) ** - Gene Autry playing himself in this film gets robbed and thrown off a train by wanted murderer who looks kind of like him and gets into a case of mistaken identity. Watching this, I honestly don't know who this will appeal to except for people who actually love the music of Gene Autry and that milieu and for film crazies like me who want to see EVERYTHING. I have to say, the musical numbers have a cheesy entertainment value to them but when the plot kicks in and, get this, they actually play it straight and take it seriously, it gets corny. I would recommend this strictly for fans but I wouldn't know any fans who are below 80.

On Golden Pond (Mark Rydell) ***1/2 - An elderly couple goes to their summer house in the titular place, Golden Pond and gets a visit from their estranged daughter and her new fiance and future stepson. These are the final major roles of both Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn. They both won Oscars for their performances and they are actually both terrific here and are so thoroughly fun to watch. They are the reason to see this film (that and Jane Fonda obviously working out her issues with her dad through their scenes together also makes this a fascinating watch). As an adaptation of a play adapted by the playwright himself, Ernest Thompson, the film doesn't feel too "stagey". All in all, it's a fine film.

A Silent Voice (Naoko Yamada) *** - A young boy starts bullying a deaf girl in his class. When he gets caught, his peers turn on him, turning him into an outcast. Years later, he seeks to make it up to the girl. This is my final new film for 2022. And it's an anime film but a non-action-fantasy-science-fiction one which I have to admit I normally am not a big fan of. But it's highly rated by people so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm not exactly converted but this isn't bad. I have to say, it's just way too long and it feels like a bit of a slog. But it does have some moving, resonant moments and the ending hits. It's not bad way to end 2022.