Took my daughter to the drive in to see Empire Strikes Back last night - not a pristine picture/sound experience but nice to have an excuse to get out of the house and see a movie I’ve loved since I was her age. She dug it, too. Also watched two films on the Criterion Channel - Tati’s Playtime and Bullitt as part of my “watch one movie from each of the past 100 years” project.
Only new release that I watched this weekend was The Old Guard, which was directed by a friend of a friend...so I had to check it out. Great chemistry, and -- like most graphic novel stories -- I'm excited for the world that is being built (but I'm left at the end wanting more). Like you, however, I felt that the story itself didn't bring anything new to the table. I have enjoyed that director since Love & Basketball, and she did a fine job here, but the spark was missing...even though the chemistry amongst the cast was great. And those action sequences...love your comparison to John Wick. The director -- in some interview I read -- had mentioned that she was pulling back a bit so that we could see the wonderful physicality of the leads in those fight scenes...but I didn't see it that way: it was too perfectly choreographed.
Also, one of the problems with protagonists who can't die: there's not a lot of suspense.
I’ll never forget seeing blackhawk down at a theater near usc right when I started film school there. I was the only white guy in the theater. I was sinking in my seat bc the way Ridley Scott depicted the Somalis in that film. It was so uncomfortable. I’ve never revisited it and have no real desire to. But I randomly was thinking about gladiator this weekend. I have been watching Buffy for the first time, and I find the action so satisfying. I’m not sure why gladiator is my counter example, but during every action scene I think “damn this action is better than Fucking gladiator”
I agree entirely on Greyhound. Extremely well made. The effects work was quite good and Hanks gives a stellar performance. I think there's something to be said for it's brevity as well. Hanks wrote a tight script with engaging characters. Enjoyed the supporting cast as well.
I was surprised to see so few people singing its praise this weekend on film Twitter. There seems to be a land rush to fall all over Palm Springs, which I did enjoy, but it feels twee. I feels 100% like a Hulu original. Cristin Miloti was great, but the rest of it seemed a bit playbook.
Went to see Empire last night as well at the drive in....magic. They don't make it like that anymore.
Took my daughter to the drive in to see Empire Strikes Back last night - not a pristine picture/sound experience but nice to have an excuse to get out of the house and see a movie I’ve loved since I was her age. She dug it, too. Also watched two films on the Criterion Channel - Tati’s Playtime and Bullitt as part of my “watch one movie from each of the past 100 years” project.
Only new release that I watched this weekend was The Old Guard, which was directed by a friend of a friend...so I had to check it out. Great chemistry, and -- like most graphic novel stories -- I'm excited for the world that is being built (but I'm left at the end wanting more). Like you, however, I felt that the story itself didn't bring anything new to the table. I have enjoyed that director since Love & Basketball, and she did a fine job here, but the spark was missing...even though the chemistry amongst the cast was great. And those action sequences...love your comparison to John Wick. The director -- in some interview I read -- had mentioned that she was pulling back a bit so that we could see the wonderful physicality of the leads in those fight scenes...but I didn't see it that way: it was too perfectly choreographed.
Also, one of the problems with protagonists who can't die: there's not a lot of suspense.
I’ll never forget seeing blackhawk down at a theater near usc right when I started film school there. I was the only white guy in the theater. I was sinking in my seat bc the way Ridley Scott depicted the Somalis in that film. It was so uncomfortable. I’ve never revisited it and have no real desire to. But I randomly was thinking about gladiator this weekend. I have been watching Buffy for the first time, and I find the action so satisfying. I’m not sure why gladiator is my counter example, but during every action scene I think “damn this action is better than Fucking gladiator”
I agree entirely on Greyhound. Extremely well made. The effects work was quite good and Hanks gives a stellar performance. I think there's something to be said for it's brevity as well. Hanks wrote a tight script with engaging characters. Enjoyed the supporting cast as well.
I was surprised to see so few people singing its praise this weekend on film Twitter. There seems to be a land rush to fall all over Palm Springs, which I did enjoy, but it feels twee. I feels 100% like a Hulu original. Cristin Miloti was great, but the rest of it seemed a bit playbook.