Gloria Bell
I never saw the original Chilean film (titled Gloria apparently) so this movie was a real delight for me. I wouldn't be surprised if this movie ends up being one of my favourites of the year. Watching Moore and Turturro was so much fun. I think Moore was in every scene and she was so fearless so I think her Oscar nom is a lock. Turturro's performance wasn't as showy but his character amused me so much because I know guys like this -- all grand gestures on the outside but so small and insecure on the inside. I hope Turturro gets a supporting role nom. Kudos also to the adaptation as movies remade in a different language can often flop. I will have to check out the original.
If Beale Street Could Talk
I had the same mixed reaction to this as to Jenkin's previous film, Moonlight. The highlight of the film for me was the central love story but wished some of the antagonists (the racist cop, Fonny's mother and sisters) weren't so over-the-top and one-dimensional in their villainy. This was my issue with Moonlight as well -- that the convenient and overdetermined plot obstacles are so jarring with the more lyrical parts of the film.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
My wife and I never got around seeing Avengers: Endgame so the new Spider-Man movie starts out with a bunch of surprising spoilers for us. I guess I can check the Avengers movie off the list of movies I have to watch -- I will replace it with that Chilean Gloria movie. Anyway, my wife and I agreed this was probably the most fun we've had at a superhero movie. I think it was because of Mysterio -- such a great character and it was fun watching Gyllenhaal ham it up. Still, I had a bunch of questions I do not know the answers to. Why is it sometimes Spider-Man's mask comes off with a switch of a button like it is projected on his face digitally and sometimes Peter has to physically remove his mask like it is a hood around his head? Why has all the characters changed in this reboot but J. Jonah Jameson is still portrayed by J.K. Simmons? Why do they keep making Aunt May hotter?
Toy Story 4
Saw this with the entire family. The verdict was that my wife and I loved it while my kids were more immune to its charms. One thing I learned from the past couple of years of watching movies with my family is that the theme of nostalgia does not play to young children. I personally thought it was an exellent way to end the franchise and there were several scenes that made be double over in laughter. Not as good as the first two installments but better than the last one. I liked that Gabby Gabby wasn't as villainous and menacing as Lotso in Toy Story 3. I think Lotso is the reason why Toy Story 3 is a much more intense experience than it really needs to be for young children. Also, why do they keep making Bo Peep hotter?
Transit
Similar themes to Petzold's last film, Phoenix, about personal identity and moral courage (and failings) in the face of fascism. Transit doesn't have the killer final scene like in Phoenix although Petzold does take a shot at it. I just didn't swoon as much as I think Petzold wanted me to. Also found all the anachronisms much too distracting. I spent a good chunk of the movie trying to figure out the era the story is set in before realizing the anachronisms were a stylistic choice, to what end I have no idea. Another disappointment: Near the end of the first act, I thought the movie might become a Nazi-era version of Morvern Callar but Petzold didn't end up doing much with that subplot.
I'm taking my wife to see the new Tarantino tonight. Can't wait!
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