What I watched this month: April 2023

Death Race 2000:

Now, the usual trend for these monthly catch up is for me to open with a terrible entry. I am excited inform you that the trend has stopped! This is one of the campiest movies I have ever seen, the cars are literal buggies with body kits that move like go karts. Each car is themed to the driver with one even being kitted out like a bull. The concept is that in a dystopian future there is a coast to coast race across America where the drivers get bonus points for murdering civilians. This leads to set ups such as human bowling with old aged hospital patients, a matador sequence, and even an explosive fake baby. This film is ridiculous and so over the top in every way, but it is so much fun and I challenge you to not have a great time watching this.

3.5/5

Triangle of Sadness:

This was a high ranker in my end of year list last year and it was still a great time on the rewatch. This is a slow burner of a film that builds and builds with such an incredible pay off, it really requires your full investment in the story. Furthermore, along the way you are going to get some incredible moments, the storm scene had me in tears on first watch and was still absolutely hilarious on rewatch. I have said a lot of what I want to say about this film in my end of year ranking, so check that out here, and definitely check out this film!

4.5/5

Moonlight:

This is one of the most important films of the last century and should be a must watch for anyone. Everything about this film is incredibly beautiful, the story, the cinematography, the performances, and especially the chemistry between the cast. The development through Chiron’s life and the impact on his development from a fear of expressing his true self due to his treatment from bullies at school, mixed in with his relationship with the only positive male role model in his life and the complexities there, create such an interesting third act. The display of the persona Chiron projects as a result of all these factors is challenged by his true innocence, brought out by his feelings for another man is so expertly crafted and handled. I was in awe at the power of the storytelling in this movie. The casting also deserves a special mention, each actor to play Chiron feels like a cohesive and natural progression that combines the characteristics of the actor before but developed in a seamless and believable manner. If you are to watch only one film from this list, it has to be this one. This is already a classic in my eyes and deserves all the praise it gets.

5/5

The Elephant Man:

I watched this back to back, straight after moonlight, on a Sunday evening… And let me tell you I was an emotional wreck after that. This is probably Fincher’s most accessible work, it is a linear story that lives predominantly in the real world, allowing still the abstract dream world to bleed in at the perfect times to develop the story in a more conceptual manner. The focus on character building and story telling is perfect. All the problems I have with the Whale, everything I felt was missing there is here and delivered to perfection. At no time did I feel like John Merrick’s disfigurements were exploited by the story, in fact his character is given so much room to shine and the performance of John Hurt is heart-breaking. This is a beautifully tragic tale that brought me to tears

4.5/5

Licorice Pizza:

A film that has been referenced a lot on this blog, but I do not think has ever been discussed in any real depth; only brief comparisons. This is a controversial film owing to the dynamic between the two main characters, but I think the focus on that is missing the point. I do not think the story here is meant to be literal, I think it’s a fantastical ode to be young and fearless in the 70s, not all the story is real. Am I meant to believe that this 15 year old boy is a child star, business owner, man around town and expert water bed salesman? Who is renting this commercial space to a child? SO I think there is a lot that is left up to interpretation and metaphorical leanings within the dynamic and story here. Anyway, now for what makes this film great. Readers of the blog will know of my love for hangout films, and this is a fantastic entry into this genre. All the shenanigans that Gary and Alana get into are hilarious, well written snippets of a time gone by and the chemistry between these two first time actors is impressive. A special mention has to go to the Bradley Cooper section which might be my favourite sequence in a film of all time, certainly within comedy. From the second he arrives in the scene, up to the climax of that sequence, I had the biggest grin on my face. That sequence alone should have won the Oscar for best short film that year. This film is Paul Thomas Anderson just stretching out his creative muscles and seeing what he can do, and let me tell you, he did a wonderful job!

4/5

Matinee:

And thus begins the start of my Mubi month. We re kicking it off with a bang with Gremlins creator Joe Dante’s Matinee. After finding out this guy made Gremlins, this film made so much sense. This is an ode to and somewhat satire of B movies, in particular cheap horror films from the 60s. Unlike most satirical stories, this comes from a place of love. It is well known that B movies are cheap, silly efforts with low budgets and hilarious special effects. This story does not mock the poor effects and limited budget, but rather shines a light on the love of movie making and the desire to thrill audiences. Chuck in a wholesome adventure for some school kids and you get a wonderful film. You can yell that Dante was heavily influenced by these kinds of films and that love is translated into one of the best fake films within a film I have ever seen, he clearly did his homework!

4/5

Shiva Baby:

A claustrophobic, uncomfortable cringe worthy disaster of a story, in all the right ways. So much goes wrong in this film and it is hilarious, incredibly stressful, but so, so funny. It feels like a snowball slowly picking up speed and size as it barrels down a hill till suddenly it has built up into this unstoppable disaster. Every unbearable, groan inducing conversation intertwines to build up to the eventual breaking point; and what a breaking point it is. The payoff to this film, the climax, is paid off to perfection. An incredible feature length debut from Emma Seligman and I am very excited to see her and Rachel Sennott teaming up once again with Bottoms.

4.5/5

Betty Blue:

This is a film that has me very torn. In many ways, this is an incredible film, but in others it is exploitative mess. Potentially the most stereotypically French film you may ever watch, it is full of nudity, whimsical love, eccentric characters, and a loose plot tied together with some beautiful cinematography? Is it Avant Garde? Or is it just pretentious, undercooked story telling. I think that all comes down to your patience and willingness to buy in to this story. And boy oh boy will you need a lot of patience. The directors cut runs in at 3 hours in total and the many loose ends take a long time to be tied up. However, the story does have some stunning shots and sequences that really tell a fantastic story and the eventual turn that the story takes wonderfully contrasts those whimsical early scenes. The major problem here is the exploitation of mental illness and the portrayal of a seriously ill woman as a lovesick plaything that just needs the love of a man. Betty’s character is mishandled and abused by the story in a way that feels wrong. The final climax loses a lot of its impact on me because of the mistreatment of the character hold this back from being a potential masterpiece.

3.5/5

Paris Texas:

If I had to pick one movie to justify the existence of cinema, it would be this one. This film represents everything that is so wonderful about the art form. The story wanders and meanders throughout the film as the viewer learns with Travis about his life, before culminating in one of the most powerful endings I have ever seen. I was moved incredibly by how this film concluded and so very impressed with how effectively a story that began on one huge loose end, wrapped up so satisfyingly. Harry Dean Stanton’s performance is one of the most remarkable I have seen. His ability to convey the pain, confusion, and regret with very few words is second to none and elevates this film incredibly. The name Paris, Texas is sort of a reference to the forgotten reality that is the American Dream. The opening shots of the dazzling, Southern American desert and the worn down, forgotten towns that inhabit it. The long shots, rambling through town to town is very romantic in a certain ironic way. There is a lot of heart in this film, and it results I a very special piece of cinema. A must watch for anyone in my opinion.

5/5

Reprise:

The first entry in the Oslo trilogy and a great one at that. I watched ‘The Worst Person in the World’ last year and absolutely loved it. When I heard there was a loose trilogy involving the Director and the male actor I was immediately invested. This definitely feels like a film made early in a Director’s career but in all the best ways. It is rough around the edges but ultimately that adds to the charm. The film certainly wears its heart on its sleeve; it feels like an artsy Guy Ritchie film with the fast cut sequences and voice over, but it works and adds to the enjoyment of the film. It’s a fascinating look at male friendship and how such a strong bond is impacted by life events and sadness or unfulfillment. The raw emotion in this film is fascinating to watch and I am very excited to see the other film in the trilogy.

4/5