A Month in Film: September 2024To Have and Have Not (1944)
The Bogart and Bacall onscreen combo is undeniable -- the real treat here is the incredibly sharp banter between the two, with Bacall shining in particular. But the surrounding conflict felt oddly tame, more like a sideshow. Intentional or not, it didn't quite hit the dramatic beats it had in reach.
Screened as part of the Film Noir 2024 programming at The Cinematheque. I imagine it's the last one from the programming I'll get to. I wish I could've caught more of the series, but it was nice to "ditch the sunscreen", as they've been putting it, and indulge in a genre I have a great appreciation for.
Screened as part of the Film Noir 2024 programming at The Cinematheque. I imagine it's the last one from the programming I'll get to. I wish I could've caught more of the series, but it was nice to "ditch the sunscreen", as they've been putting it, and indulge in a genre I have a great appreciation for.
The Player (1992)
I've had this on my watchlist forever, but it's certainly for the better that I only got to it now! It's chock-full of movie nerd tidbits, so much so that there's probably not a perfect time in one's movie watching journey to watch this and ensure you pick up on everything. I imagine it'll only grow in esteem when I inevitably re-watch it, but I recommend to go in as blind as possible for the first watch.
Screened as part of the Total Cinema programming at the VIFF Centre. Also, admission was discounted, since apparently it's national cinema day, so there's that!
Screened as part of the Total Cinema programming at the VIFF Centre. Also, admission was discounted, since apparently it's national cinema day, so there's that!
Rocky (1976)
As good as it gets when it comes to the classic American something-from-nothing story, both in the context of the film itself and Sly’s career. People love what others are passionate about.
Logical starting point with the new 6-film 4K boxset from WB. The transfer is quite good — film grain seems intact and I didn’t notice any distracting DNR. I’ve not seen any of the sequels (save for the Creed films), so I’m very curious to see what direction the franchise takes from its humble beginnings.
Logical starting point with the new 6-film 4K boxset from WB. The transfer is quite good — film grain seems intact and I didn’t notice any distracting DNR. I’ve not seen any of the sequels (save for the Creed films), so I’m very curious to see what direction the franchise takes from its humble beginnings.
Rocky II (1979)
Not bad! I was anticipating it hamming up the sport or action aspect of the boxing, just because that's what we're conditioned to expect with popcorn movies. So I was surprised to see it continue to focus on the man that is Rocky and his relationship with his family and the sport. But ultimately, it lacks something notable to set it apart from its predecessor. The final fight is quite a noticeable step up though!
With the 4K blu-ray, it's generally providing the same presentation that its predecessor boasts, though it feels less gritty -- more likely that's just a stylistic difference, considering the films were released only 3 years apart.
With the 4K blu-ray, it's generally providing the same presentation that its predecessor boasts, though it feels less gritty -- more likely that's just a stylistic difference, considering the films were released only 3 years apart.
Amadeus (1984)
A lot more playful in tone than I expected, at least early on in the film. Definitely twists into something darker as it progresses, but I still appreciate the more modern, less snooty vibe it has as you would expect from a period film. Great performances all around.
Screened at the VIFF Centre as part of their ongoing Total Cinema series. This was the new 4K remaster that released this year. Looked decent, though the colours didn’t pop as much as I thought it could.
Screened at the VIFF Centre as part of their ongoing Total Cinema series. This was the new 4K remaster that released this year. Looked decent, though the colours didn’t pop as much as I thought it could.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Coen brothers are among the all time great American filmmakers and this is arguably their magnum opus -- it does not miss a single beat. The derelict and vastly empty neo-western surroundings just compound the overwhelming sentiment that you can try to run, but you can't outrun your fate.
This was a re-watch for me. Days later, a new 4K release from Criterion was announced and I could not be more excited for that.
This was a re-watch for me. Days later, a new 4K release from Criterion was announced and I could not be more excited for that.
In Time (2011)
The whole premise oozes potential, but it's failed by some shockingly weak execution. Half baked script with poorly written characters -- I can't blame those involved for some of the stiff performances. Teetering on so bad you have to laugh territory, but I give it points for some of the sci-fi creativity in the movie world it's trying to build.
Watched on streaming.
Watched on streaming.
The Piano Lesson (2024)
It's like it couldn't pick a direction to commit to -- the supernatural angle to it felt pretty out of place. The family drama side, however, had potential, but I wish it spent more time developing those characters, maybe leveraging more flashbacks and relying less on everything taking place in the present. Tight performances all around -- the cast was given a TON of dialogue to work with, and while it was a bit tiring to consume at times, it did feel like they gave it their all. And it might be just my reservations towards any film with the Netflix logo plastered onto it, but it felt claustrophobic in its approach, rarely building onto much more than the set pieces within the family's home. I would have loved to see more on-location filming to develop the movie world and the family's place in the community and the country, particularly to give it a grander, more filmic approach, rather than a rehash of the play it's based off of.
My first film at VIFF 2024, and actually my first film at a film festival of any kind! Screened at the Vancouver Playhouse in downtown Vancouver.
My first film at VIFF 2024, and actually my first film at a film festival of any kind! Screened at the Vancouver Playhouse in downtown Vancouver.
