stuie299

Challengers is the type of stylish movie you just sort of have to go and vibe with, and I wasn't really able to do that. Don't get me wrong the cinematography is ridiculously good. It's just after a while it becomes very apparently style over substance. The characters lack any sort of real depth, which really highlights how unlikable they all are. If you're not invested in the characters then the whole soapy menage a trois power struggle becomes tedious, and starts to create pacing issues.

85 _76%

The Outrun (2024) - Rated 02 Jan 2025

I don't personally relate very strongly to it's ruminations on alcohol and addiction, or to it's setting, but I still really appreciate all of the effort put into it. The non linear screenplay is told beautifully with it's realistic and grounded characters. It should be no surprise that Saoirse Ronan is giving 110%, which makes her character very easy to root for. The setting lends itself to some absolutely beautiful cinematography, and the diegetic electronic music is used very effectively.

70 _31%

Maria (2024) - Rated 11 Dec 2024

I'm so glad I was able to see this in theaters, because Maria is a stunningly beautiful work of art. The cinematography, production design, and costumes are all gorgeous. Angelina Jolie gives a great performance. The problem is that as piece of entertainment it falls completely flat on its face. Everything just feels so slow and drawn out. Plus rightly or wrongly the movie portrays he as too much of a crazy, insufferable, bitch to the point that I almost don't feel sorry for her.

75 _45%

A Real Pain (2024) - Rated 03 Dec 2024

I enjoyed A Real Pain well enough, but it's not really the Baumbach level Dramedy I was hoping for. Kirean Culkin gives a phenomenal performance, and his and Eisenberg's characters are very well written. It's just the movie feel a tad slight and hollow. I think that comes down mostly to the tour group being undercast and underwritten. Also while I did like the use of Chopin for the score at first it does get a little repetitive towards the end.

75 _45%

Small Things Like These (2024) - Rated 19 Nov 2024

This is a very well made movie. Cillian Murphy gives a fantastic performance, and a lot of the cinematography is very well done. It's just as an American I think it lacks a lot of context. It seems like a deeply personal film for Irish and UK audiences, but as an American it seemed much more ambiguous than what was intended. This unfortunately made an already slow movie slower. So, if you're not already familiar with Magdalene Laundries it's just going to feel depressing and kinda pointless.

70 _31%

Here (2024) - Rated 14 Nov 2024

I get that the movie is rather flawed. The static nature of the camera at times seem very gimmicky, especially the way it necessitates the screenplay to be overly contrived in places. As much as I like Hanks and Wright the de-aging still isn't there, and as a result they come off far too old. That said the movie had a very nostalgic charm to it thanks in part to the throwback 90's orchestral score. I get that it's not a very good movie. I just for some reason didn't completely hate it.

85 _76%

Conclave (2024) - Rated 02 Nov 2024

Conclave is a middle brow political thriller dressed up in religious garb. It's a gorgeous movie filled with beautiful cinematography and production design, as well as some fantastic performances. At first it appears to be a slow burn, then it picks up significant momentum and intrigue, only to hit a rather clunky wall with the final twist. If you're someone who's not put off by a lot of religiosity, then it's actually a very well made and somewhat engrossing film.

80 _60%

We Live in Time (2024) - Rated 23 Oct 2024

We Live In Time would very much be your typical indie romance/melodrama if not for Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. They're chemistry and frankly borderline Oscar worthy performances elevate an otherwise average film. There are a handful of interesting character moments sprinkled throughout the screenplay, but ultimately the non linear storytelling feels more like a gimmick than any sort of necessary well thought out plot device. It's inessential except for diehard Pugh and/or Garfield fans.

85 _76%

Saturday Night (2024) - Rated 22 Oct 2024

A movie about about SNL in the style of an Aaron Sorkin walk and talk dramedy...um, YES PLEASE. There's really not a lot to complain about here. As of writing this Gabriel LaBelle is now in my top two movies of the year. He's really good in this as well as the rest of the cast. Once you let go of the idea of it being factually accurate it's a really fun time. I will say the ending is slightly unsatisfying, as I was hoping they would splice in clips of the actual show during the end credits.

80 _60%

Wolfs (2024) - Rated 12 Oct 2024

Wolfs is a perfectly average crime comedy elevated by the presence of Brad Pitt and George Clooney (also with a minor appearance from Amy Ryan and a voice only role from Frances McDormand). Jon Watts does a good job balancing the tone between the comedy and more dramatic crime elements. The cinematography is also slightly more elevated than you'd expect. If you're a fan of Pitt and/or Clooney, and just want some fun stylish banter, then this is worth checking out. Otherwise feel free to skip it.