The Post

OscarBait.exe is a well made movie.  Who knew?

In all seriousness, The Post is exactly what you’d expect from the combined talents of Hanks, Streep, and Spielberg.  It’s a movie that has a high floor value that can’t possibly be broken down easily, and while I wouldn’t say any of the three are at the absolute top of their game, they all deliver on their respective ends.

The fun comes from the cast of supporting players who also show up to deliver terrific work, especially from the ones you wouldn’t ordinarily expect in this kind of fare.  Just check this list of names:

Michael Stuhlbarg
Bradley Whitford
Bob Odenkirk
David Cross
Jesse Plemons
Alison Brie
Zack Woods

It’s a remarkable crew of talent.  The other thing to note about this movie is that it was completed top to bottom in 5 months, and at times during the first act it does seem that way.  Pacing issues and other weird little things are definitely present in the first act, but is anyone besides me going to notice a group of protestors in 1971 using brand new, modern day acoustic guitars?

While heavy handed in its messaging and allusions about the state of modern politics, journalism, and the treatment of women, The Post is a top to bottom solid movie that may not reach the potential of the sum of its parts, but doesn’t just coast off everyone simply showing up.

 

Phantom Thread

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread has to be thanking The Post for existing right about now, because this would be the Oscar bait movie we’d be poking fun of if it didn’t.  And while the script is biting and British and awesome, the story itself is not exactly gripping enough for a 2 hour run time.  You will be bored.

This movie is a masterclass in technical achievement on a small scale.  Unlike Blade Runner 2049 and Dunkirk, Phantom Thread is small in scope and location.  But the set design, the costumes, the score… they’re all phenomenal.  Those are warranted awards consideration.

And on the other hand, this movie takes a small, intimate, self discovery story not unlike that of The Big Sick, Lady Bird, or Moonlight and has its stylistic influence actively work against the tone of the movie.  The twist you might have heard some vague rumors about is not nearly as huge as you may have been lead to believe.

Phantom Thread is beautiful, well acted, well directed, and perfectly scored.  But the story itself will probably leave you underwhelmed.  I’d recommend to huge film buffs and obviously PT Anderson fans, or even if you really want to see all Best Picture nominees.  But it’s not gonna be for everybody.

 

Molly’s Game

In his directorial debut, legendary screenwriter Aaron Sorkin injects as much life as he can into the confusing circumstances, legalities, and stakes that come with what amounts to essentially running an exclusive celebrity casino in a penthouse.  And while it’s enough to keep you interested for the probably too long 2 hours and 20 minute run time, it’s certainly not the awards season buzz movie you’d expect from a limited release in December.

That’s not to say no one showed up to play; Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba have a good rapport and are always fantastic, the dialogue is the patented Sorkin blend of sassy and humorous, and the bits that deal into Molly Bloom as a person, through her upbringing and failures, are really strong.

But the film relies too heavily on using voice over narration to deliver exposition that tries its best to establish just what everything is supposed to mean to the viewer.  In its place could be more scenes related to Molly’s relationship with her father, which feels incredibly under serviced by the end.  It was one Margot Robbie in a bathtub scene away from being a spiritual sequel to The Big Short.  Which, come to think of it, is probably the best way to describe this movie.

It’s good, but maybe not essential viewing for the awards season.

 

I Like Movies

My friends like movies.  A lot of times, friends ask me if I liked a movie.

Thus the long winded and self indulgent blog.