Cinephilia

Covid finally got to me, I thought for a while that so much time had passed that I had to have been one of those asymptomatic cases, but alas, no. It’s snowed at least 3 times in DC already this winter which means between quarantine and everything being closed, I am watching a ton of movies. It’s only the 18th and I’ve already hit 30. It dawned on me after blasting through so many titles that I have very little interest in writing long scathing reviews of things I didn’t enjoy. I can point out a few flaws but I won’t dwell much on what comes down to my gut reactions to creative decisions.

Some things I liked!

Nightmare Alley - I caught the GDT remake in its brief theatrical run and watched the original on Criterion Channel. I had read that the remake was different from the original, but I found them to be almost 95% identical save for a few things that couldn’t make it past the 40s film censors. The ending of the remake is *chefs kiss* perfect.

Crime Wave - This was on the Sterling Hayden Criterion playlist. There is simply nothing more enjoyable than a 70 minute noir, particularly as movies are less runtime conscious with digital releases. Not everything has to be three hours to tell a good story.

The Last Tycoon - I am on a massive Robert Mitchum kick, and this intersects perfectly with my fondness for Fitzgerald and the jazz age. A man that controls everything can’t win the affection of the one woman he truly desires, leading to his demise. I am a sucker for golden era Hollywood, I could watch paint dry set in this time period.

Landscapers - Not really a movie but incredibly cinematic and just beautifully done.

Elevator to the Gallows - I can’t believe the director was only 24, this was such a killer movie. He sets the hook early and it grips you start to finish. No filler.

The Green Knight - I thought I was going to hate this but halfway through I was hooked. Some kinda shitty CGI stuff but an incredibly ambitious achievement, particularly at this budget. Nailed the ending as well.

Puppet - This is far from the best thing I saw this month, but it was the most unique. It really could’ve benefitted from a conclusion.

Noir bin: Where Danger Lives, Crossfire, Laura, The Big Sleep, Double Indemnity, In a Lonely Place, Asphalt Jungle.

Not good:

Macbeth - Some baffling casting decisions, visually stunning though.

Mank - For the subject matter and time period this should have been a slam dunk, but it is a stupid quippy mess.

Hitchcock: Rope, The Trouble with Harry, Marnie. The man has some wild misses.