Skims across the surface of some pretty nasty ideas, but never plunges us fully into the bloody depths of what’s here. The lack of clarity itself is a tool to amplify the fear and anxiety that permeates throughout, so this lack of investigation into the realities at play does ultimately work in its favor. Along the surface, there’s some rather gruesome reflections that leave an itch for internal reflection and I’m always a fan of those sort of quiet horror…
As a story about how far a mother will go for her daughter, it falls flat. As a story about a complicated web of crimes and danger, it falls flat. The whole thing is tepid and droning. I did really like Domhnall Gleeson’s “i’m a bad and dangerous American guy” accent though. That was a lot of fun. A worthy “Motherhood as a Nightmare” addition, despite it all.
“You just gestured to all of me.”
It’s fascinating because you can certainly see some of the budgetary limitations (most notably the heavy use of fog so that backgrounds can remain on the shallower end), but now that we have a live action comparison, it becomes all the more obvious how exceptional a film this is. The use of animation allows for more exaggerated expressions, character designs, and movement and that only adds to the wondrous qualities of the work.…
It’s not just that these type of films devalue animation (which they do, despite also relying on it heavily), it’s that they’re also actively devaluing the experiences that audiences deserve. Recycling the same stories over and over and over again puts us in a cultural loop where the deeper political themes of the art we engage with grows increasingly stale and pushed to the background. Studios don’t need to continue to push the boundaries of storytelling when they can…
The commentary on how women are treated in the industry probably would have landed a lot better if it weren’t for the fact the film also spends a lot of time encouraging unhealthy body image standards in its youngest female character. Pfeiffer and Ronan are a wonderfully engaging pair as mother and daughter and they have delightful back and forth. Or they do until the focus turns towards men and women’s bodies and you can see the cycle continuing without…
Emma is an ultimately lackluster version of this story despite its exceptional cast because it prioritizes the romance so much that all else is squandered. Rather ironic a problem to carry in a film about a young woman so obsessed with finding love for others that she unseeingly causes harm repeatedly. Also… How do you make an Emma adaptation and not include one of the most romantic lines in the world? Bizarre choices. Still had a good deal of fun,…
“I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I’ll never see.”
The novelization made Jyn’s sacrifices heavier. Andor made Cassian’s even more so. Genuinely gut-wrenching work. Not a single inch of victory is made possible without the sacrifice of countless people, some we know and love greatly, even more that we will never know the names of. Their willingness to risk it all for our tomorrow is something that must be treasured and acknowledged every day that we get to carry forward.
I hope I never ever forget the sound of my mom laughing so hard she can’t breathe as Melissa McCarthy shits in a sink. Can properly confirm my previous belief that this movie is way better when I’m watching with her and my sisters. She loves it so much and that makes it way more fun :)
For some unknowable reason, I had the song “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence stuck in my head? Really strange, but the chorus kind of fits perfectly in the stretch of silence right before Sully asks his first officer if he has any ideas… Would be pretty awesome if someone (a comedian perhaps?) did an extensive investigation into Sully’s life and why that song fits so precisely in that crucial moment.
Watched with my whole fam. Big hit with everyone.…
Manages to evoke some really deep-rooted feelings of grief and fear. The gradual decline of Karen Silkwood’s health, community, and stability hits so hard thanks to Streep’s phenomenal performance. Lots of little mannerisms she incorporates as the film progresses that convey so clearly where Karen was at mentally and physically. The Karen at the beginning of the film is essentially a different person than who we see at the end after alls been said and done and that makes the…