First Time Viewings: August 2023
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9 titles
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsJason SchwartzmanScarlett JohanssonTom HanksFollowing a writer on his world famous fictional play about a grieving father who travels with his tech-obsessed family to small rural Asteroid City to compete in a junior stargazing event, only to have his world view disrupted forever.Viewed: 15-08-2023
Wes Anderson takes some inspiration from the Covid-19 pandemic and 1950's sci-fi films to make yet another uniquely original absurdist slice-of-life. Another big name cast who perfectly embody Anderson's characters with predictably impeccable production design to flesh out the visuals. The clever rapid-fire dialogue with some wonderful narrative devices kept a smile on my face the whole time and the humour is some of the funniest Anderson has ever written. This is easily right up there with his best films and I cannot praise it enough. Highly recommended if you like quirky but clever comedy.
10/10 - DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsBrendan FraserSadie SinkTy SimpkinsA reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.Viewed: 21-08-23
Powerful drama featuring Brendan Fraser as a morbidly obese man who doesn't have long to live so he decides to reconnect with his daughter he abandoned several years ago. Sadie Sink plays the daughter and Ty Simpkins plays a religious missionary and are both wonderful in their roles but it's Hong Chau that really steals the show as Fraser's nurse / friend. All of the characters are richly drawn and endlessly fascinating. Its origins on the stage are obvious, almost every scene is set in Fraser's apartment, but I personally love movies based on plays when they are this well written (screenplay by original playwright Samuel D. Hunter). Darren Aronofsky already has a very strong filmography, but this is right up there with his best work.
10/10 - DirectorNeill BlomkampStarsDavid HarbourOrlando BloomArchie MadekweBased on the unbelievable, inspiring true story of a team of underdogs - a struggling, working-class gamer, a failed former race car driver, and an idealistic motorsport exec - who risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world.Viewed: 22-08-23
Interesting real-life concept of a Gran Turismo video game racer entering a competition to become a real racing car driver. The bare bones of the story is a fascinating idea but the contrivances and cliche riddled script almost bring it all undone. I'm not sure why they have to mess with the facts to make an artificial "feel-good" movie. While it's certainly disappointing, there are still many exciting racing sequences, as unlikely as they are, and David Harbour is great as the chief engineer / mentor of the young driver. I liked it overall, but I was hoping to like it a lot more.
6/10 - DirectorAri AsterStarsJoaquin PhoenixPatti LuPoneAmy RyanFollowing the sudden death of his mother, a mild-mannered but anxiety-ridden man confronts his darkest fears as he embarks on an epic, Kafkaesque odyssey back home.Viewed: 24-08-23
Beau is paranoid and anxious and as the title suggests, afraid. He also has serious mummy issues. One day he has to take a journey home for his mother. From his apartment to his mother's house becomes a nightmarish odyssey with a decent helping of humour sprinkled in to make this quite a unique film. Writer and director Ari Aster goes all out with creating this version of the world through Beau's eyes, it's all pretty crazy and messed up, but it's also very funny. If you try to watch this in a serious mind-frame, then you'll be missing out. You may love this film, you may hate it, but you won't be able to forget it.
9/10 - DirectorGerard JohnstoneStarsAllison WilliamsViolet McGrawRonny ChiengA robotics engineer at a toy company builds a life-like doll that begins to take on a life of its own.Viewed: 25-08-23
Modern horror film with a nice 80's vibe to it. Obviously there's a nod to Child's Play, but also The Terminator during the final moments. It's not as good as either of them but it's a very enjoyable film that has a lot of fun with the concept of a killer doll.
7/10 - DirectorOlivia WildeStarsFlorence PughHarry StylesChris PineWhile her husband leaves home everyday to work in a top secret facility, a young 1950s housewife begins to question her life when she notices strange behavior from the other wives in the neighborhood.Viewed: 26-08-23
Florence Pugh is simply one of the finest actresses of the last few years. Another powerhouse performance from her as a stereotypical 1950's housewife in an idyllic small company town where things aren't quite as they seem. The intrigue increases scene after scene, until the final reveal couldn't quite live up to expectations. The end makes sense, but they don't do anything with it, they just leave it hanging there but that just created more questions than answers. But I had a helluva ride getting to that moment, so all is not lost. Very impressive overall.
8/10 - DirectorVirgil W. VogelStarsMarjorie MainParker FennellyGloria TalbottMa and Pa do their bit to hook lumberman Brad Johnson up with spoiled socialite Sally Flemming. Ma teaches Sally how to behave like a hick so she'll be compatible with Brad.Viewed: 27-08-23
The final entry in the Ma and Pa Kettle series. Percy Kilbride, who played Pa Kettle, is replaced by Parker Fennelly who does a surprisingly great job. The film has plenty of laughs, and the bear gag is one of the best in the series. It's all a bit of silly fun and I'll miss Ma and Pa Kettle but they go out on a higher note than what could have been.
7/10 - DirectorJim SheridanStarsDaniel CraigRachel WeiszNaomi WattsSoon after moving into their seemingly idyllic new home, a family learns of a brutal crime committed against former residents of the dwelling.Viewed: 27-08-23
This thriller has plenty of twists and turns, but they are all presented rather blandly. It feels like it should be better, but everything just feels a little flat. Acclaimed director Jim Sheridan takes the reigns of this film, but never got the chance to put his cut together, and even wanted his name taken off of this so maybe there's a better film out there that we may see one day, but I honestly don't see how this could be made much better. It does have the bones of a decent film but it completely misfires.
5/10 - DirectorJosh GreenbaumStarsWill FerrellJamie FoxxIsla FisherAn abandoned dog teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner.Viewed: 29-08-23
Foul-mouthed and laugh-out-loud funny as long as you're not easily offended. Some of the gross-out gags do become repetitive but when the jokes land, they land with a thump. The CGI to make the dogs look like they're talking was well done and never distracting. As a dog lover, the old heart strings got a workout toward the end, so it manages to have a heart while being as crude as possible. Despite the title, it never strays too far from a talking dog movie formula, but it's certainly one of the more enjoyable ones.
7/10