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Reviews
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Masks and walls
All the elements of Greek tragedy, although the seer isn't blind. The pointlessness of war, the small, meanness of existence, and the bleakness of pride are showcased in this gorgeous film through the extended metaphor of a failed friendship. There is no reason for the failure, no shortness of actual love. Two good men, each grasping to define their mid-life identities and justify their purposes cannot work past the inevitability of their mortality on their island home, and remain stuck to live out their fates, even though they are fully cognizant (and indeed informed of by the other in advance) the consequences of their actions. Some things there's no movin' on from.
Archive 81 (2016)
So close to a 9
Such an engaging, entertaining watch. The ending didn't resonate with me. I didn't have specific expectations that were disappointed, it just fell flat. The acting and setting and cinematography were all spot on. I loved the cross genre and open ended possibilities of the set up for many of the characters. I feel like the last couple episodes could have been their own season. The story walked the fine line of pacing very well up until the very end. But I enjoyed every bit of the journey, and that's what I want from a series! The opening scene of each episode created such a great tone for each segment, and the cast of characters were so weird and unique and well played. Not spooky, but definitely moody and thought provoking!
Persuasion (2022)
Absolutely charming
Purists, I feel sorry for all the enchanting loveliness you so determinedly keep at bay while insisting on complete faithfulness to the original source material. This lovely adaptation of Jane Austen's novel pays a sweet homage to setting, tone, and character development. I appreciate the creative directions taken with dialogue and the disappearance of the 4th wall with Anne. This strategy rendered at once less stiff and utterly relatable without turning her into the caricatures meant for the tertiary cast. Clever and innocently titillating!
Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)
That's Right, I Gave It A 10
For the simple reason that it consistently made me smile, it mad me feel good, and who really cares about anything else. I wasn't expecting much after Bogus Journey, but I was determined to see it through, as my 23-year-old asked if I wanted to watch them with him, and that doesn't happen very often. We loved Excellent Adventure as much as I remembered loving it when it first came out back in the day. I'd never seen Bogus Journey and, in our opinion, it didn't stand the test of time like the first one.
But you guys. Face the Music is truly triumphant! Creative, genuinely funny, and balls to the walls craziness plus really clever writing made this a joy to share with my oldest son. Was it a cinematic masterpiece? No! But honestly, were any of us expecting that? Again: NO. If that's why you're here your barking up the tree. Just sit back and enjoy the corniness of this adventure. It couldn't have come at a more opportune time!
Guns Akimbo (2019)
Wickedly fresh and fun
Gross, gory, and outrageously fun, this film hits all the right notes. Starts strong and engages throughout. There was just one moment of backstory that took me out of the narrative, though I get it was necessary for the plot. Otherwise, it was flat-out over the top farce. Expertly acted and written. I was not expecting such laugh-out-loud entertainment.