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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

May 16, 2016 By iluvcinema Leave a Comment

TCM Film Fest 2016: A Sublime Experience

My TCM Film Festival experience is best summed up in one word – sublime. In the three years I have attended the festival, I can say that without question this was the most enjoyable experience cinematically.

In total, I saw about ten (10) films — all enjoyable in their own way, but without question there were some that stood above the rest.

In this post, I will provide a quick recap and/or reaction to five films, and in subsequent days, I will spotlight three particular films of note: Cinema Paradiso, The Kid, and The Passion of Joan of Arc.

But for now, let’s get on with the business of me sharing a few thoughts on some of the other highlights from TCMFF 2016:

 

One Potato, Two Potato: Introduced by film historian Donald Bogle and the film’s director Larry Peerce, this movie from 1964 is an examination of an interracial relationship and its consequences. I had seen this before but really wanted to catch it on the big screen.

I loved the backstory that Peerce provided the audience, from the limited budget and the challenges they had shooting and distributing the film.

One Potato. Two Potato (1964)
One Potato. Two Potato (1964)

 

Los Tallos Amargos: Who knew there was a film factory down Argentine way, cranking out some pretty good film noir? Thought to be a “lost film,” this gem from 1956 is a restoration made possible by the UCLA Film & Television Archive with funding from the Film Noir Foundation and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Reporter (Carlos Cores) and a Hungarian ex-pat (Vassili Lambrinos) come up with a scheme that they are sure will make them rich. Well, it works until it doesn’t – soon suspicions arise leading down a path that possibly has no return.

los-tallos-amargos-11
Los Tallos Amargos (1956)

 

He Ran All the Way: I decision to watch this film noir from 1951 was inspired by a podcast I had listened to weeks prior – Karina Longworth’s You Must Remember This is currently in the season of discussing Hollywood during the era of the HUAC Hearings and The Blacklist. This particular episode from March 14th, talked about John Garfield and his run-in with the Hollywood establish as well as government officials who were hell-bent on rooting out the “red menace” from Hollywood. It was a great episode and I suggest you give it a listen.

One of the films discussed in this ‘cast was Garfield’s final film, He Ran All the Way, which see Garfield portray a petty thief who takes a family hostage. The screening was introduced by director John Berry’s son, Dennis, this film read as a Who’s Who for the infamous Hollywood Blacklist. Not only was Barry forced into exile for alleged communist ties, but the co-screenwriters, Dalton Trumbo (uncredited) and Hugo Butler were also victims of the paranoia sweeping Hollywood.

Also in attendance for the screening was 101-year-old Norman Lloyd, who had a small role in the film.

Overall, it is a pretty solid picture – with a palpable sense of urgency in the performances, especially that of Garfield, who of course in the film and sadly outside the film was a man on borrowed time.

He Ran All the Way (1951)
He Ran All the Way (1951)

 

Band of Outsiders (Bande à part): Jean-Luc Godard’s 1964 film starring paramour Anna Karina (who introduced the film with TCM host Ben Mankiewicz) was once described as  “Alice in Wonderland meets Franz Kafka.” In this film, Karina plays a student conspires with a couple of n’er do wells (Sami Frey and Claude Brasseur) to steal a stash hidden in her aunt’s house.

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Band of Outsiders (1964)

 

The Fallen Idol: Director Carol Reed’s 1948 adaptation of Graham Greene’s short story “The Basement Room,” The Fallen Idol is an adult story, filled with suspense and a bit of levity, all seen through the eyes of a child (Robert Henrey, who was there for a post-screening discussion). It was quite a treat for an early Sunday morning.

fallen idol
The Fallen Idol (1948)

Filed Under: film festival Tagged With: tcm film festival, tcm film festival 2016

April 30, 2016 By iluvcinema Leave a Comment

Checking in with …. the 2016 TCM Film Festival

Sure, there is a full day and a half of programming to look forward to, but I had a little bit of downtime and I thought it was as good a time as any to check in and let you know I have been having an AWESOME time out here in Hollywood at the 7th Annual TCM Film Festival.

This year I really made it a mission of mine to more or less check out screenings for films I have not seen (big screen or small screen). So far the experience has been wonderful and I cannot wait to share with you some of my thoughts and commentary on films such as:

  • The Passion of Joan of Arc
  • One Potato, Two Potato
  • Los Tallos Amargos
  • Never Fear

tcmclassicfilmfestival

In the meantime, checkout my Twitter handle, @iluvcinema for periodic news, commentary and other good stuff!

Filed Under: film festival Tagged With: tcm film festival, tcmff 2016

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