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Reviews
Gojira -1.0 (2023)
Flummoxed by the response -- the movie is fine
I go out of my way to watch most Oscar nominated films and generally buzzy movies each year, and almost always I'm either onboard or at least understand the appeal. Godzilla Minus One is the rare exception, particularly considering the *degree* to which it's beloved -- basically universal adoration from critics and laypeople alike.
The script, acting, and character development are just not very good. Frequently over acted, an absolute lame duck hateable protagonist, and a script with so little depth. The effects are very good for a VFX team of 35, but objectively not that good (deep sea dead fish on the wooden boat was quite awful). It reminds me a bit of The Incredibles, which obviously benefitted from being a "pioneer" among animated films by featuring adult themes and was propped up as a serious best picture contender. The passage of time and creation of far superior animated films has calibrated our understanding, i.e. The Incredibles is just fine. Godzilla Minus One is maybe a "pioneer" amongst Godzilla films, but dramatically that bar is low. To be clear, this is nothing close to an art house film.
It's just fine.
Rye Lane (2023)
A modern romcom classic
It's wild this is a directorial debut. The cinematography is stunning, the vibrancy pops off the screen, the pace and tone are effortless, and I cannot remember watching a more likeable leading pair. And what a tribute to London!! Narratively it may be akin to a Before Sunrise-esque "formula", but creatively it still blows the genre wide open. There are also many laugh out loud moments, and a script where two humans actually TALK and share things with each other (as opposed to the frequent wordless exchanges and long looks we as an audience are frequently forced to endure, as if anyone interacts this way). If you like movies, you will like this movie.
Copshop (2021)
Surprisingly fresh and stylish
A rare modern action film that is trying to do *something*, which is more than can be said about most. It doesn't always work, but the commitment to a vision plus the solid execution throughout make this a cut above.