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Reviews
Amsterdam (2022)
A-list Star Studded Film doesn't alway equal the sum of it's parts.
I have enjoyed nearly all of David O Russell's film quite a lot but this is a colossal misfire. This is probably the biggest star studded dud I have seen since Cats, Downsizing and The Monuments Men. The slow meandering story which takes almost to the last half an hour to get the point was a real chore to sit through. I didn't believe one moment in the Three Amigos relationship and while Margot Robbie is luminous and definitely a Manic Pixie Dreamgirl in the story. You could also add the most tiresome war movie trope where the two heroes get wounded and meet the prettiest nurse on the front who of course falls for one of our heroes even though there must be hundreds of wounded coming in daily from combat of WW1(yet she has all day for these two) and probably fighting PTSD from caring for maimed and dying all day. I would say this isn't really much of a comedy despite Bale's pratfalling and Myers' doing M and Q in one performance and the mystery is a let down.
Plus to add more injury Bales narration was interminable in the climax and epilogue of the film and shatters the film rule of show don't tell which a master filmmaker should now better. It actually goes beyond treacle to almost Hallmark film level simplicity which probably why it works for many viewers. The lecturing and yammering tone of that section I completely tune out and sighed out loud in pain. New Hollywood TedTalk model sucks. Though I was confounded by the whole speech finale which made literally zero sense. The General would not repeat the hit and run story as the real Gen Butler was arrested and courtmartialed in 1931 for gossiping about it and would not repeat it again in 1933 after giving an official apology. Next the reason no one was arrested was because the whole plot didn't go past a $100 a week bond salesman and fabulist on Wall St named George C McGuire. In reality there was no serious plot or big players making the film misinformation in a way.
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. Said in 1958, "Most people agreed with Mayor La Guardia of New York in dismissing it as a 'cocktail putsch'"In Schlesinger's summation of the affair in 1958, "No doubt, MacGuire did have some wild scheme in mind, though the gap between contemplation and execution was considerable, and it can hardly be supposed that the Republic was in much danger." Historian Robert F. Burk wrote, "At their core, the accusations probably consisted of a mixture of actual attempts at influence peddling by a small core of financiers with ties to veterans organizations and the self-serving accusations of Butler against the enemies of his pacifist and populist causes.
Father Stu (2022)
Father Stu an emotional rollercoaster.
I guess a lot of the movie critics were left a little bit cold by the film yet myself and the audience I was in had quite a different reaction. Most recent films I have watched seem to unspool with mostly indifference and forgettablity but this film evoked quite a bit of real heartfelt emotion and feeling that lasted long after walking out of the theatre. The difference here compared to other faith based films where the acting and direction is wooden and stilted with heavy handed didactic writing, this film seems grounded and utterly believable which gives it emotional heft and verisimilitude. Jacki Weaver and Mel Gibson are perfectly cast as the parents. It was quite refreshing to see working class people shown in a film without mockery,condescension or derision for a change. The one critique I have of the film is about the sound and the actors mumbling their lines where I think I missed maybe 30% of the dialogue. I was relieved when Malcolm McDowell showed up with his perfectly clipped British elocution.
Mark Wahlberg usually only plays a version of himself in most films and here he is perfectly typecast in the early portrayal of the charismatic wastrel and jailbird failure that is a disappointment to his family Then he literally has a transformation with a Road to Tarsus incident becoming a new man that no one believes in or take seriously. Wahlberg here really lifts his game and showed me layers that I didn't think he was capable of in showing us the change in his character making him empathetic and moving. This film very much reminded me of the film from Poland called Corpus Christi where an exconvict on parole impersonates a priest in a small town. Where the young man learns he has gifts he didn't know he possessed and townspeople some forgiveness they had forgotten to give. Father Stu is an excellent film about how it is never too late for redemption, transformation and forgiveness. I would show this in a double bill with Martin Sheen's The Walk about a group of modern pilgrims doing the pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)
Another bad comedy from people who should be funny
I was kind of gobsmacked at how unfunny this film was right from the opening scene and just got worse and worse. I have a 6 laugh test for films where if it manages to make me laugh at least that many times I would say it is a good comedy. The score I give here is zero laughs for nearly two hours. Kristen Wiig and. Annie Mumolo banter back and forth like 12 year olds who never grew up and is somehow even more grating than Will Ferrell(who unsurprisingly is a producer) and John C Reilly in Step Brothers. It was literal torture to listen to them. They say drama is hard to write but comedy is even harder and it shows that Wiig and Mumolo need to switch to drama for all our sakes.
The Irishman (2019)
The Forrest Gump of Gangster Films.
There has been some debate whether the story in this film is actually true or accurate or if Frank Sheeran was just a fabulist. Martin Scorsese says that is beside the point as he wanted to tell a story about men who live by a violent code of honor that may not be the most productive thing they could have done with their lives. Frank Sheeran like the eponymous Gump seems to be at the center of so many historic events in the 60s and 70s that it has a bit of an epic historical feel to it. Scorsese adds a surprising bit of humour throughout the film especially with pop up captions telling us the fate of minor characters throughout the story. Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro have actually put in a real set of performances in contrast to the lazy efforts and phoning it in for paycheques they have done for the last few years with less talented directors. It was great to see Joe Pesci again on the screen and he plays against type where instead of his trademark volatile and manic performance he gives one that is quiet,chilling and cunning. The period detail and music is first rate and the direction is practically perfect. If you could point to one flaw it would be the length. It seems that lately instead of getting theatrical cuts,more directors are giving us their directors cut which runs 3 hours+ in theaters. There were times I wished in the auditorium that there were still 10 minute intermissions like back in the day to get up and take a break or hit the washroom. That aside I would say this is another classic film that will be added to Scorsese's filmography and a great swansong for him,DeNiro and Pacino and a note taking exercise for everyone at the MCU on how to make a real film.
The Wild Hunt (2009)
Typically Bad Canafilm
This film seems to fullfil all the clichés of a low budget bad Canadian movie.Bad writing,poor photography,bad acting and incoherent directing.I am not sure what tone the director had in mind.Drama,comedy,horror or suspense but he doesn't succeed in any single one.If anything he has nothing but contempt for the individuals who spend their time doing a harmless but nerdy hobby of reenactment.He even exploits the old saw of the evil nerd who can't tell reality from fantasy.Yawn.Having met people who work in a real life armoury.I am amazed by their skill,attention to detail and the passion for their occupation.Have not met a crazy yet but instead pretty smart and imaginative people.The real psychopaths seem to be more interested in mainstream activities like professional sports,night clubs,corporate boardrooms and film and art school.Just skip it till Canadian artists learn how to do a real narrative.