Log: week 41 / 2023
Not many people seem to know this, but Tadanobu Asano (everybody's favorite Japanese actor of the 00s) also directed a film. It's an experimental anthology project based on some of his own dreams. Most of the shorts don't have dialogue (apart from one segment - a bit of manzai comedy), so even when you don't speak Japanese there's no real reason not to watch it. The shorts don't have a clear narrative and there's no real point to any of it, but as a mood piece, it's a lovely bit of cinema that shows Asano is more than just an enigmatic actor.
The best (and longest) of the four new Wes Anderson shorts that are based on the work of Roald Dahl. These are cute little stories, executed in a very peculiar (and similar way), pretty much in line with Anderson's other films. They do feel like a bit like filler though, which is why they can't really compete with his feature-length films. The thing with short films is that they present a unique kind of freedom. There's more potential for experimentation, for doing things differently, without burning through the budget of a full-length feature. In the end, Henry Sugar (and the other three shorts) are just regular Wes Anderson films, which is why they feel a little underwhelming. Good fun, but he should've done more with them.Read all
A fine Belgian drama. The setup of the story is rather convoluted, but it creates an interesting tension that works as a solid foundation and helps the characters thrive. It's nothing too unique or exceptional, there are plenty of other dramas like it, but slightly more contemporary touches helped it stand out. The performances are fine, the cinematography is pleasant, the characters feel lived in. Once you accept the setup of the film, the drama and relationships feel genuine too. It could've used something extra to set it apart from other dramas, but I was pleasantly surprised by Cools' first feature film.Read all
I've been checking out some of Lucrecia Martel's most lauded films these past few years, and while she isn't even close to a favorite of mine, her films do have a clear and unique style and rhythm to them, which isn't without merit. I will say though that I feel her older work is slightly more interesting. The Holy Girls is a relatively basic arthouse drama. The performances are decent and the editing and camera work give the film its own flow, but the cinematography is pretty basic and the characters weren't all that interesting, neither was the drama set up between them. Decent, but not that notable.Read all
Much like the superhero films, James Wan's cinematic universe is on its last legs. The films still draw crowds, but they've become very stale and generic and the hype is mostly gone. The Nun II is simple horror fodder, a sequel with no real purpose beyond serving familiar scares and horror concepts. The finale is pretty cool and there are some decent build-ups throughout, but the titular character isn't too scary and the jump scares are pretty boring. The plot isn't all that interesting, and so you have to wonder why this film takes almost two hours to finish. Passable horror fodder, but not all that great.Read all
Another entry in the endless string of Chinese fox spirit fantasy films. It's impossible to keep track of them, they all look alike too. The good thing is that most are pretty short and are still enjoyable little fantasy films. They make good filler, if you can handle their obvious shortcomings that is. So yeah, nothing too out of the ordinary, plotwise. The CG is not great, the cinematography and costumes on the other hand are lovely, which is par for the course. With less than 70 minutes on the clock, the pacing is slick, and even though the film isn't all that memorable, it was fun spending some time with the fox spirits again.Read all
A solid Hollywood romance. Thanks to its nice setting, some decent performances, enjoyable cinematography, and a touch of mysticism, this film rises above the rest. There's a layer of cheese that's laid on a little too thick. It kept me from fully enjoying it this time around, but it's still a pretty warm and cozy flick. Norton and Biel are fine, Giamatti is the best addition to the cast. The sepia coloring gives the film some extra flair, the illusions sprinkle some extra mystery on top of the romance, and even though the runtime gets close to the 2-hour mark, the film never loses steam. Good stuff.Read all
A fairly typical horror film, where the monster has more psychological significance than it is actually scary or creepy. Appendage is nice enough for what it is, but these horror films never quite seem to get it right. The balance between drama and horror is difficult to maintain, and one or the other ends up suffering as a result. The monster looks cheesy and the horror half of the film could've used a little extra bite. The performances aren't too bad though and the cinematography is decent too. It's just that the film is never more than the sum of its parts, and because neither drama nor horror manages to stand out, it feels a little lacking. Still, decent horror filler for this time of year.Read all
The Pangs remaking their own breakout hit with Hollywood money. The result is a film with Nicolas Cage in the lead, while still set in Bangkok (with a title like that, what did you expect). It's a film I liked a lot when it was first released, but watching it now, it clearly lost some of its original appeal. The film has plenty of flair and Cage is a pretty decent lead, but the remake misses the heart of the original and the plot is more action-oriented. There are still some cool action scenes scattered throughout and it's a good film in its own right, but between the two, the original is by far the better version.Read all
A pedestrian drama about growing up. The themes are somewhat interesting, but the lack of cinematic qualities is hard to overlook. The Big Chill looks and feels like a TV project. It's a drab and dreary film with very little appeal beyond its characters and the drama they are facing. Looking back at where your life disappeared to, is a subject worthy of exploration, but you need more than that to make a good film. The performances are a little bland, the presentation is droopy and the mix of comedy and drama doesn't work too well. There are way better films about this subject.Read all
A frilly musical. The musical genre remains somewhat awkward, but after 30 years of silent cinema, it's maybe not that strange that directors saw a lot of potential in films featuring song and dance. Love Me Tonight isn't the worst of its kind, as long as you're willing to accept the rather cheesy execution. The opening scene is pretty fun, but the songs are cheesy, the accents are terrible and the plot is light as a feather. There's little here for people who aren't taken by songs and basic comedy, but at least the light mood makes it an easy film to stomach. Not a bad musical and actually better than most talkies of its era, but it's not really my genre.Read all
A pretty sweet romance that packs quite the twist. The End of the Pale Hour is a comfortable, well-executed, quality Japanese drama, only about halfway through the story makes a full 180. It's quite mean-spirited if I'm totally honest, but it gives the film that little extra edge that sets it apart from many similar films. The performances are great, the cinematography is delicate and the drama/romance is poignant. An easy recommendation for fans of Japanese cinema.