Log: week 32 / 2021

I don't think Nicolas Cage was a very smart cast, the rest of the actors aren't much better. The comedy is lame, the soundtrack is horrendous, and the action isn't too impressive. A few scenes stand out, but mostly because of the budget. I think we can all be happy the no doubt planned sequel never got made.

Ôbayashi does what he does best. A light rural drama is mixes with quirky comedy and light fantasy elements. It's a fun, lively film that never bores despite it's rather long runtime. The lush black and white cinematography certainly plays a part in that (beware, there's also a color version), but it's really Ôbayashi's splendid direction that ties everything together. Very nice.

Performances are a little flaky, the film could've been shorter and the anthology setup doesn't really add that much. But man does it look beautiful again. Lovely contrasting black and white cinematography mixed with dynamic camera work and superb angles make this a true looker. Not quite as consistent as I'd hoped, but certainly worth a watch.

Hoffman is more than a little annoying, though part of that is just his character. The action scenes are too cheesy, the Hollywood bloat is considerable, and the second half is a bit of a disappointment. That said, the spread of the epidemic is well covered and COVID-19 still plaguing our planet does give this film an extra dimension. Not great, somewhat amusing.

The rebellious side of the film isn't great, but it's at least somewhat entertaining, with the cliff scene being a clear standout. The dramatic side is pretty poor though. Performances are weak, characters are one-dimensional, and two hours is a bit much for a simple film like this. Far from good, but I guess its reputation is deserved.

Performances are solid and seeing these rather dull housewives trying to handle an unfortunate murder is amusing. The cinematography is pretty grim and the score just a little too dramatic, the film also tilts a bit too much to the drama side, but Hirayama keeps it interesting throughout and the film never bored me. It just wasn't as edgy as I'd hoped.

Ecstatic accounts of flaky subjects, ethereal background music and broad statements seem to underline the need for the health warning at the start. Ultimately, this was a very disappointing film. Apart from some pretty photography, there's really nothing of interest here. Guess I'll have to commit and watch The Creeping Garden now.

I'm not a John Cusack fan, which may have something to do with my apathetic reaction to this film. He's annoying, has no charm, no chemistry with Driver either. The crime and action elements are bland and negligible, the romance is a complete dud and the comedy rarely hits the mark. As for the direction, Armitage is completely invisible. A pretty bad film.

The Unholy is a pretty simple religious horror film. Performances are decent, the visual effects are solid, and the technical qualities are on point. The film simply isn't very scary, tense or moody though. It's just a predictable narrative that lacks highs and lows, stand-out moments and memorable scenes. Basic but expensive filler.

Jordan is pretty decent, Stallone is passable (which is a big win). Other than that, there's really not much to say about this film. If you've seen one boxing film you've seen them all, and apart from a more hip-hop inspired soundtrack and a slightly blacker cast, Coogler does very little with the material. Creed is way too long, doesn't offer enough excitement and chokes on the more dramatic parts, but boxing fans should be happy that this contemporary update is on the same level as the original.

Stewart is a terrible actor, he didn't magically get any better here. At least he fits in with the rest of the cast, who are equally disappointing. The soundtrack is terrible, the cinematography is bland and the plot is predictable. Add some cliché characters and a sluggish pace, and you have something that is hell to sit through. Unless you love westerns I guess.

Harada proves himself a capable director. The film isn't as experimental as Anno's, but the overall quality is higher. The performances are strong, the camera work is vibrant, and the characters are an interesting bunch. Harada blends the culture exploration well with the narrative and delivers a warm, captivating, slight disturbing drama.

The overbearing soundtrack is a real nuisance, the plot is basic, and the characters aren't very likeable. I really didn't feel for them, which is tough for a romance. On the upside, it's nice to see them traversing Venice, a lovely setting for a film like this. Other than that, not a very successful film.

The build-up is slow but deliberate, the shift from family drama to horror is subtle but noticeable and around halfway through the film's true intentions should be clear for all to see. Performances were solid, the mood was dark and uneasy, the finale pretty cool. An impressive horror film, but not for everybody.

It's a rather absurd premise, especially for people not familiar with Japan's kaiju history. Iwai's deadpan approach is delightful though and the DIY vibe works in favor of the film. There are some more arthouse-like moments (the modern dance sequences - beautifully realized) and the message at the end is a bit heavy-handed, but overall this was a very light, fun and inventive little film. Comes well recommended for fans of Iwai's work, but some familiarity with kaiju culture is necessary to enjoy this film to its fullest.

The plot is pretty bland and the performances aren't strong enough to carry the film. Furman tries to add some glitz and cool, but it's all pretty superficial. The pacing is solid though and while the film is extremely predictable, it's not the worst way to spend 90 minutes of your time. Simple filler in other words.

The first half hour is a little stiff. The characters aren't that interesting and the extended introduction of the setting is rather pointless, since we've seen this thing so many times before. The killer is pretty cool though and the murders are pleasantly violent. Contenti knows what makes these films tick, so it shouldn't be a surprise that the finale is a blast. No masterpiece, but good stuff nonetheless.

How schmaltzy drama and a cast of irritating Italian-American stereotypes are to combine into a fun romcom is beyond me, but that's what Jewison attempted here. The performances are terrible, the drama is overdone, and the soundtrack is simply grotesque. Either this is the thickest pastiche I've ever laid eyes on, or it's just plain crap. I'm betting on the latter.

Roberts does a fairly decent job building up the tension. The creature effects/design are pretty crummy though, which makes it difficult to really get into the film. Performances are basic, and the plot is really thin, but the film does have a handful of decent moments. Not great, but not entirely worthless either.

For the most part, this is a pretty basic western, only everyone is speaking Italian. It's a bit odd at first, but I got used to it soon enough. The finale had some quirkier elements, not something I'd expected, but they certainly brightened up the film. Not enough to make it a truly enjoyable experience, but it certainly made it less boring than other westerns I've seen.

The cinematography is nice, though not up to Zhang's usual standard. The plot and acting are decent enough too, but the film's a bit slow. There's really no reason why this couldn't have been finished 30 minutes sooner, even so Zhang draws it out to hit the two-hour mark. If you love a good spy thriller though, this film has you covered.

Gunn's comedy is pleasantly blunt and stupid, which goes perfectly well with the comic book vibe. There are several stand-out scenes (Quinn's flower battle is amazing) and some very cool jokes, the action scenes are a tad dull though and there's a bit too much empty filler to keep it engaging all the way through. Still, I hope Gunn can have another go as this was so much better than the first one.

Performances are rather poor, the soundtrack is beyond cheesy, the plot far too pedestrian. It's a pretty run-of-the-mill and unambitious film that overstays its welcome, but at least the pacing is somewhat decent. Hard to recommend and easy to skip, unless you're a fan of 80s American B-thrillers.