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December 31, 2019 By iluvcinema 4 Comments

2019 in Film: A Look Back

2019 was an interesting year in film to say the very least. Overall, I enjoyed the films I saw this year. This in large part is due to a more deliberate self-selection on my part. In other words, I am more likely to go see a film I feel I am more likely to enjoy.

A lot of it is also down to timing and my own shifting priorities. In addition, the shifting landscape of content distribution and consumption allows more flexibility regarding the how’s and when’s of watching the latest feature film.

Case in point, more than a few movies released this year came and went before I could snag a ticket. Films such as Midsommar, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Yesterday, Blinded by the Light and Parasite piqued my interest at various points in time, but before I fully committed to seeing them – they were out of the movie house. But lo and behold, they are now readily available to view in the comfort of my living room, on demand.

blinded by the light 2019

Speaking of the convenience of home cinemas, there were other films, namely The Irishman, Dolomite is My Name (Netflix) and The Aeronauts (Amazon Prime) which had a limited theatrical run shortly followed by a release on a streaming platform. Alas, my patience is rewarded! Out of these films, I will admit that the one that I am most disappointed in not seeing on the big screen is The Aeronauts. More on my thoughts on this film in the next week or so.

the aeronauts 2019

Here are four other themes which emerged from my movie going experience in the year of our Lord, 2019.

Kind of MARVEL-ous.

Often on this blog, I have bemoaned the fatigue I was feeling with the superhero movie genre. Sure, I am not Scorsese, but this collection of films has often felt like a symptom of a deficiency of ideas prevalent in major studios’ executive suites. But now, here I am, finding myself at the end of the decade-long Marvel Cinematic Universe feeling pretty darn satisfied. Mind you, of the three Marvel films released this year (not counting Dark Phoenix for many, many reasons), Captain Marvel felt the most inconsequential. A perfectly serviceable film, mind you, but ultimately, it felt like a placeholder for the events of Avengers: Endgame, a film for which my feelings have largely remained unwavering.

avengers endgame 2019 film

On the other end of the spectrum is Spiderman: Far from Home officially concludes Phase 3 of the MCU in great style. So imagine my bewilderment when the whole messy saga of the Sony/Marvel dispute took place. Neither here nor there, but still it was a rather clumsy way to wrap up a pretty consistent and enjoyable period of time.

What the future holds, only time will tell – but there is promise yet for a few more rides at the Superhero amusement park.

Star Wars: When Nostalgia Meets Cinematic Reality

Those of you who visit this site probably were wondering, have I seen The Rise of Skywalker? The short answer is yes! But the experience was such that I could not gather the strength to provide my standard-issue review which usually proceeds from blockbuster releases.

Main reason? Whether in print or on YouTube, I soon realized everyone had a “hot take” on the destructive forces unleashed for this final chapter in the Skywalker story. I genuinely felt there was nothing else of value to add to the discussion beyond my own personal insight and hindsight. While not always reflected in my many recaps of the Star Wars films released since I launched this site, I am ambivalent about the majority of the films gifted us over the past twenty-plus years. If anything, I realized that overall, the DNA of the Star Wars Universe is absolutely phenomenal and limitless, its future is probably in multiple “smaller” stories from a galaxy far, far away.

There is Still a Market for “One-Off, Original Stories

Speaking of smaller stories, two of my favorite films in 2019 fit that bill to a tee – Us and Knives Out. What made these films good watches was the sense of familiarity with each story’s theme (The Twilight Zone and The “Mansion Murder Mystery,” respectively) as the basis of my enjoyment. Apparently, several people felt the same way. Granted how much you make is not an indicator of quality. But in this case, I would say that it shows that outside of the loud and bright blockbusters, folks are more than willing to pay and see an entertaining film at their local. Take note, Hollywood producers.

knives out 2019 film

Festivals are Fun!

In my yearly recaps (when I bother to do them), I tend to commingle those films I pay for with those screened at film festivals I attend throughout the year. But it is worth noting that attending these festivals is not just about getting an early peek at a yet-to-be-released feature. It also grants me the privilege of screening some lesser known creative works. So while many of these films may be absent from a “best of” compilation, it is still a pleasure to see what is out there, from Tribeca to London.

And let us not forget what is perhaps my favorite festival – the annual TCM Classic Film Festival. It’s the best of both worlds – I can re-watch films I hold near and dear (Sunrise), but I also have the chance to see a previously overlooked/newly discovered gem for the first time on the big screen.

Your turn – what is your most notable film memory of 2019?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 2019 in film, tcm film festival, tribeca

April 24, 2019 By iluvcinema 2 Comments

The Day is Upon Us. But first, let’s talk “Captain Marvel”

It has not escaped my attention that I have failed to share my thought(s) on Captain Marvel, or as it revealed itself to be, “the backstory of the Infinity War post-credit pager.”

Captain Marvel
Photo: Film Frame©Marvel Studios 2019

Note: I did see this film opening weekend, but with each passing week and with no plans to post in sight, I decided to hold off and wait until right before the highly-anticipated Avengers: Endgame.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: In Theaters, Reviews Tagged With: captain marvel, comic book movie, marvel cinematic universe, mcu, rogue one, star wars

December 19, 2017 By iluvcinema 2 Comments

Oh Yeah … I Saw “The Last Jedi” This Weekend (No Spoiler Reaction)

So I joined the hordes and masses this past weekend to watch the latest installment of the Star Wars franchise The Last Jedi.

Post-screening I tried to talk minimally about my reaction to the film for fear of taint in developing my assessment. That said, I am plugged in enough to be aware of the ‘buzz’ surrounding what is by and large seen as a mixed bag of responses.

It was something of a mixed bag for me too …

First to the things I did not particularly take to:

  • Kylo Ren – I have no time for Emo Sith lords. He is a bit of an emotional mess, isn’t he? I get that is the point of (he’s conflicted!), but it often comes across as a bit bratty-boy for my liking.
  • Snoke – Who Dis? I mean not to be TOO spoiler-y, but really? What was that all about?
  • The shifting perspectives – there is a part of me which commends the writer/director (Rian Johnson) for being able juggle multiple stories and settings, but at times it was jarring to the point of unsettling and distracting. In the best instances of ensemble pieces that I have watched, there is usually a central focal point that ties everything together. At least in the immediate aftermath of watching, this is how I felt. But now, in hindsight and with a few days to process, one can see where they are going with it.
  • The Mighty (Useless) Adventures of Finn – although it was fun to watch (mostly down to the performance of John Boyega), Finn’s storyline felt a bit aimless to me. It’s like the producers realized they had to make use of him and his character so they cobbled together some random, tangential journey for him that would eventually tie back to the main storyline, possibly.

Dang, as I write these words, they seem very harsh. I guess they are – to a point.

Because, with ALL that, I actually ended up enjoying the film, and here is why:

It is Star Wars – so of course you are going to get some pretty awesome space ‘plosions and various other special effects. Honestly, that is pretty good enough for me.

I mean there were some really exciting moments that left me with my mouth wide open and clapping for joy. And sure, maybe there were a twist too many, but the plot twists and shifts were mainly executed on point.

But I get it – especially if you are a fan who is wed tightly to canon and the established rules of the Star Wars universe.

This last statement got me thinking about a comparison to another box office busting Disney property (Marvel) and fans’ reaction to the cinematic interpretation. With the MCU, the creators seem to take several liberties with characterization, setting and plot points. And while some fans may not like every detail, there does not seem to be the same furor/outrage as I have seen in the reactions to The Last Jedi.

I have my own theory on that – and it goes all the way to the source, or at least my understanding of how each of the sources are managed. In the Star Wars universe (cinematic, televisual and literary) the rules are clearly outlined. In contrast, in the comic-based world of Marvel, there are various takes and incarnations on many of the characters we have to come to know and love. As a result, there is an artistic liberty that the filmmakers have here that they do not have in the galaxy far, far away. Just a hunch. Obviously this does not apply to all the folks that have been critical of the film, but for die-hards it is a distinct possibility.

I will leave you all with one more thing – at the conclusion of the film, I felt like a whole lot of story was resolved almost to the point of wondering what ground will be covered in Episode IX. I guess that is part of the mystery and surprise we have in store for us in a couple of years’ time.

So in summary, not the best in the series, but certainly not the worst. If you haven’t seen it already, I am sure you will enjoy it in some measure.

That’s all I have to say for now …

What did you think?

 

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: the last jedi

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