A Month in Film: December 2024

Alex BisaillionSoftware developer, music enthusiast, film buff, and sports fanatic!

Rocky V (1990)

Definitely a disappointment coming off of Rocky IV. I get that they were almost certainly running out of ideas at this point, but the Creed movies run circles around this in regards to portraying Rocky as a hardened vet, making it feel like this one really doesn't serve any particular purpose in the franchise.

Watched on 4K blu-ray. Presentation is through and through early 90s -- it's pretty clear the 80s are behind us at this point, both stylistically and thematically.

Hanna (2011)

Inoffensive little thriller. Could have done with a bit more urban globetrotting. I'm not sure if the Chemical Brothers were watching the same movie as me, but at least it sounded like they were having fun!

Wicked (2024)

Mannn I wanted to like this more, but it just don't think it retains the sense of wonder and magic that I would have thought would come for free from the land of Oz. The colours, particularly in the landscapes, felt so muted, and the set pieces reeked of artificial CG slop. A lot unlike Barbie, which completely nailed the tangible and practical aspects of set building. I guess my disappointment is mostly rooted in my expectation that this would be a big screen spectacle, when in reality I could have watched it on an airplane without having lost much. I'm willing to reserve complete judgement until part two comes out, as I do think the scope of this story does warrant having two films. And that in itself is a good sign, as Hollywood far too often milks franchises for more than what they are worth. The characters are compelling and are already pushed through interesting developments in this one, poising them all for fascinating redemption (or corruption?) arcs in the follow-up.

Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver in AVX.

Alexander (2004)

It's bookended with two remarkably shot and presented battles, but a whole lot of what is in between does little to expand on Alexander's legacy as a military commander and elects to meander on his personal affairs. I suppose it's arguable that either aspect of the man could be more compelling depending on who you ask... but I mean the guy was undefeated in battle! You would hardly know that from watching this! Some cool location shooting and costume design though.

Watched the 213 minute ultimate cut on blu-ray.

On the Waterfront (1954)

Absolute powerhouse performance from Brando, worthy of all the praise it's been showered with over the years. Really, all the performances here are spellbinding, with great chemistry all around.

Watched on the new 4K blu-ray from the Columbia Classics Volume 5 boxset.

Bringing Out the Dead (1999)

It's often forgotten within Scorsese's oeuvre, understandably so given just how many classics the man has put out, but this one is still well worth your time. This is Scorsese right in his element, prowling the derelict streets of early 90s New York City. Each act, if you can call it that, can honestly stand on their own with how memorable they all are individually.

Watched on the new 4K blu-ray from the Paramount Presents line. Great seeing films like this hit the format. This one particularly shines in the HDR department.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

It's a little slow to get going, and certainly not as gripping as a lot of Hitchcock's other work in the thriller genre, but it's still fun! Honestly, I think it's missing out on the playful romantic angle that I've come to really appreciate with other films from Hitchcock. Loved the Albert Hall sequence and the totally unsubtle appearance from Bernard Herrmann.

Watched on 4K blu-ray, from the Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection Volume 3.

From Here to Eternity (1953)

I happened to watch On the Waterfront very recently, and I feel like these two would be a great double feature. They are similar thematically, exploring ideas around taking a stand against corrupt authority. Not to mention the odd shared vein in that they both have leads that struggle to reconcile with past demons associated with boxing. And both happen to be Best Picture winners, go figure! I think this one functions best as a hangout movie -- a lot of classic movies tend to be super unshy about operating within the same setting. Everything just starts to feel like home, and you start missing it by the time it's all said and done.

Watched on the 4K blu-ray from the Columbia Classics Volume 3 boxset.

Rocky Balboa (2006)

The sentimentality in the first half of the film wears thin, but of course as soon as it hits the training arc, it starts to find its stride. It's a nice effort overall, but of course doesn't evoke the same unhinged machismo that I've come to equate with the franchise as I've made my way through the films. Might be one that I grow to appreciate more as I get older, but I'm still rocking most with the Rocky of Rocky IV on a personal level, and hopefully so for many more years to come, if that makes any sense!

Watched on 4K blu-ray, completing the Rocky collection. Happy to say that the Rocky and Creed connection is now fully formed in my mental model of all of this.

Bad Boys for Life (2020)

It's no Bad Boys II, and frankly nothing could achieve that nowadays, but it surprisingly amps up the character development pretty effectively in favour of Michael Bay debauchery. Did appreciate the John Wick-esque digital, neon-washed presentation -- perfect for the Miami cityscapes.

Watched on 4K blu-ray. Glad to have finished two franchises I started up this year in one night, with this and Rocky Balboa. Time to start brainstorming mostly new (to me) franchises to tackle for next year... Rambo would be a logical next step if the rumoured 4K boxset from Lionsgate comes to fruition. Lots of opportunity in horror as well.

Oh, Canada (2024)

It's a more nuanced, ambitious offering from Schrader compared to his other more recent portraits of troubled men. But I think it's just a touch too abstract for me to take much home from it. Gere and Elordi deliver formidable performances in a vacuum, but lack consistency when viewed as a whole. I will always have time for anything that unapologetically reps Canada (see BlackBerry).

Screened at the VIFF Centre's Vancity Theatre here in downtown Vancouver.

Army of Shadows (1969)

As a portrayal of wartime paranoia and cynicism, I really don't think it can get much better than this. Truly upsetting witnessing a system built on trust fracture under the ever looming shadow of a regime that was crooked in the worst ways possible. Every shot in this is an unsettling but picture-perfect portrait; a glimpse into a myriad of perspectives that are all tragically ill-fated in their own way. Melville is a master.

Screened at The Cinematheque here in downtown Vancouver as part of their Essential Big Screen 2024 programming.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

I’ve often felt that a big part of Tarantino’s legacy is his ability to get the masses excited about movies that are genuinely well-crafted, exciting, and consequential. This might be his best example of that; it’s serious stuff we’re dealing with here, and Tarantino’s relentless, no holds barred approach sets up a cathartic moment that will etch itself in your brain. And I love Tarantino’s approach to filmmaking that honours all the classic films he’s so fond of.

Watched on 4K blu-ray. I’ve heard some criticisms of the transfer, and while it’s not anything mind blowing, I still think it gets the job done!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

No more appropriate time to watch this than after getting put through the wringer myself to get home for the holidays.

Watched on DVD (!) at my parents’ place. I know it’s a Thanksgiving movie, but Merry Christmas anyways!

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024)

A bit more compelling than I expected, at least story-wise, but it marks itself with cheaply earned (or hardly even earned) developments for some of its characters.

Watched at Landmark Kanata, back in Ottawa for the holidays with the fellas.

Nosferatu (2024)

It’s another formidable take on the classic story; a perfect one for Robert Eggers to take on. He’s got gothic horror in a stranglehold. I appreciate how it sets itself apart from other iterations, especially with its handling of the character Ellen and Lily-Rose Depp’s standout performance.

Watched at the Cineplex on Carling in Ottawa.

The Brutalist (2024)

Above all else, I can’t overstate just how cool the presentation is here — shooting an entire feature film on VistaVision in 2024 and screening the film in 70mm is truly some sicko shit. You could probably take any still from the film and it could be a painting. But I can’t help but feel that it’s in a bit over its head narratively speaking. The first act breezes by and sets up some compelling storylines, but I really think it falters in the second act with some bizarre character introductions and plot twists, if you can even call them that. It’s expecting you to read between the lines to absorb its overarching meaning, but looking strictly at what’s presented, I’m not getting much out of it.

Watched in 70mm at the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto. Great crowd; everyone was locked in for the entire runtime. It probably helped that everyone knew there was an intermission.

A Complete Unknown (2024)

I enjoyed it! I’m not super familiar with Bob Dylan’s career, so I can’t really comment on how effective it is at portraying his legacy. But it felt well grounded; it forgoes swinging for the fences to get a cheap rouse out of people, which is commonplace in a lot of other recent musician biopics (thinking Elvis mainly). Though maybe its reserved nature makes it a bit less memorable, I still feel like I came out of it knowing more about the man. Timothée Chalamet was great and probably should get just as much recognition for this, if not more, as he did for Dune: Part Two earlier this year, à la Zendaya with Challengers.

Watched at the Scotiabank Theatre in downtown Toronto.

Babygirl (2024)

Buddy was just trying to get a return offer — can’t blame him with this 2024 tech job market.

Watched at the Scotiabank Theatre in downtown Toronto.