A Month in Film: November 2024Valkyrie (2008)
It takes way longer than it should to get rolling, but it does eventually get somewhere? There's a HUGE Atmos moment near the beginning (would be a great sound system stress test) followed by a lot of meandering and Tom Cruise scowling, finally leading to what is an expectedly harrowing ending. But it's hard to imagine this subject matter being handled so lifelessly -- maybe it would have been better off solely in the hands of McQuarrie. Branagh was the best fit here, out of a cast that feels almost entirely alien in this context (Cruise included).
Watched on blu-ray, straight from Amoeba SF's discount section. Homemade political double feature alongside J. Edgar.
Watched on blu-ray, straight from Amoeba SF's discount section. Homemade political double feature alongside J. Edgar.
J. Edgar (2011)
Feels weird to say it but this was a lot more tender than I expected. Knowing Hoover's background, I knew what was fair game for this, but I still didn't think it would really laser in on his personal life, rather I thought it would be more concerned with the birth of the FBI à la Killers of the Flower Moon. It's in the title though, and when you have someone like Leo on board, it's worth giving him more character work to chew on. Shoutout to Clint for taking this direction. Beyond that, unfortunately there are some unforgivable missteps here. Namely, the criminal underuse of Naomi Watts, and the genuinely dreary presentation of the entire thing -- a lifeless colour palette and distracting old-age makeup being the most distracting.
Watched on blu-ray -- another one from Amoeba SF's discount section. Homemade political double feature alongside Valkyrie.
Watched on blu-ray -- another one from Amoeba SF's discount section. Homemade political double feature alongside Valkyrie.
Le Cercle Rouge (1970)
Went into this expecting a cool, effortlessly professional take on the heist genre, and got exactly that, so no complaints from me! Delon has such a calm and commanding screen presence, without ever needing to scream for attention. He just does what he does best and lets it all come to him.
Watched on the 4K blu-ray from Criterion, which I picked up during this November's 50% off sale at Barnes & Noble in Seattle. Homemade
double feature with another genre-defining heist film in Heat.
Watched on the 4K blu-ray from Criterion, which I picked up during this November's 50% off sale at Barnes & Noble in Seattle. Homemade
double feature with another genre-defining heist film in Heat.
Heat (1995)
Not my first rodeo with this one, and undoubtedly not my last, so I'll keep it short and spare some words for next time -- it's simply a masterpiece in every sense of the word. Michael Mann at the top of his game, operating right in his element, unlike few before or after him.
Re-watch on 4K blu-ray. Homemade double feature with another heist film in Le Cercle Rouge, one that definitely inspired Mann and co.
Re-watch on 4K blu-ray. Homemade double feature with another heist film in Le Cercle Rouge, one that definitely inspired Mann and co.
To Catch a Thief (1955)
More along the lines of a North by Northwest kind of Hitchcock, with how snippy and sexy it is, but this one feels more breezy. Like the whole cast and crew were on vacation and decided to put together a taught little Technicolor thriller while they were at it. Grace Kelly is EVERYTHING here, in her last go-around with Hitchcock.
Watched on the recent 4K blu-ray from the Paramount Presents line. Transfer looked great! I don't have experience with any of the prior blu-ray releases of this one, but I hear this effort is a vast improvement. And the Dolby Vision really made the all the blues that dominate the film pop.
Watched on the recent 4K blu-ray from the Paramount Presents line. Transfer looked great! I don't have experience with any of the prior blu-ray releases of this one, but I hear this effort is a vast improvement. And the Dolby Vision really made the all the blues that dominate the film pop.
The Straight Story (1999)
I love that this and Wild at Heart both exist as examples of road movies in Lynch's filmography. Significantly different approaches, but both still pouring on the existentialism as expected with Lynch. With this one, you definitely learn a thing or two about humanity and growing older, and I just find it remarkable Lynch was able to tap into that in the thick of his career. Reminds me of Scorsese with The Irishman in that sense, but less personal and more so drawing on the experience of another.
Watched at The Cinematheque here in Vancouver -- DCP of the newly completed restoration.
Watched at The Cinematheque here in Vancouver -- DCP of the newly completed restoration.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
I remember this one scaring me as a kid... and upon re-watch I really don't blame my younger self! It's the uncanny valley aura it has, which I do think works in its favour in building an otherworldly, fantastical atmosphere. I can only imagine what the iconic technicolor transition would have felt like to moviegoers at the time.
Watched on 4K blu-ray in preparation for Wicked! Great transfer, and just another reminder that the 4K format can breathe new life into films of yesteryear.
Watched on 4K blu-ray in preparation for Wicked! Great transfer, and just another reminder that the 4K format can breathe new life into films of yesteryear.
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Bogey at his finest. Put this one down with all the other all-timers set in SF. I should get myself my own Maltese Falcon for my bookshelf.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. I suppose this is my feeble attempt to celebrate noirvember!
Watched on 4K blu-ray. I suppose this is my feeble attempt to celebrate noirvember!
Gladiator (2000)
Larger-than-life performances, breathtaking score, massive world-building... all leading up to what is quite possibly one of the most simultaneously awe-inspiring and heart-wrenching climaxes in film history. Legendary stuff. Long live Ridley Scott!
Watched on 4K blu-ray in advance of Gladiator II. Really impressive presentation here, reaching the peak of what film as a format is capable of.
Watched on 4K blu-ray in advance of Gladiator II. Really impressive presentation here, reaching the peak of what film as a format is capable of.
Moana (2016)
Pua should have went on the journey!
Gladiator II (2024)
I hear the complaints and I dispel all of them... I'm so here for this. Give me more of this epic event driven cinema and I will be a happy man for the rest of times.
Watched at the brand new IMAX screen at the Scotiabank Theatre here in downtown Vancouver!
Watched at the brand new IMAX screen at the Scotiabank Theatre here in downtown Vancouver!
Moana 2 (2024)
Yikes... talk about phoning it in.
Watched at the Park Royal VIP Cineplex in West Vancouver.
Watched at the Park Royal VIP Cineplex in West Vancouver.
Troy (2004)
Great fight sequences (gore!) and solid world-building. I think a bit more melodrama would have served it well, particularly with the odd direction they took with the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. But Brad ate this up every moment he was on-screen. There is one scene where he totally just mogs on everyone... you'll know it when you see it.
Watched the 196 minute director's cut on blu-ray.
Watched the 196 minute director's cut on blu-ray.
