Part of the problem with a lot of spy thrillers is that the films lean much more into the action fantasy than the actual tradecraft of espionage, for fear that the actual nuts and bolts of an operation would come off as boring. A couple of films over the past decade plus have given it … Continue reading The Tale of the Moscow Mule – The Courier
Now that the Oscar nominations are out, the annual Blitz is on in full effect. From the moment they were announced, I already had 13 of the 23 categories sewn up, enough for me to plan out my coverage on a tentative basis. I'll go over all that tomorrow, but suffice to say, when all … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Blitz Catch-up, Part 1
Welcome to the first review for the official 2021 cinematic canon! Yes, I've been doing reviews ever since the calendar turned over nearly three months ago, but all of those were 2020 movies that had delayed releases (strategically and by circumstance) and/or are competing in this year's Academy Awards. If 2020 had been normal, they … Continue reading A Grand, Mystical Fetch Quest – Raya and the Last Dragon
It's been a few days since I watched Hillbilly Elegy, and the bad taste in my mouth still lingers. The idea that a white guy at Yale is supposed to be an underdog who overcame the odds because he escaped a stereotypical redneck family, and that it's supposed to be inspiring, still feels disgusting because … Continue reading It Would Thrive Anywhere – Minari
In the 30+ years of Paul Greengrass' directorial career, he's basically done two types of movies - action films (particularly the Jason Bourne series) and 21st century geopolitical intrigue (United 93, Green Zone, etc). Now, with his latest film, News of the World, he's beginning a third motif - Tom Hanks rescue films. It started … Continue reading This Just In… A Passable Western – News of the World
In July of 1995, the Bosnian city of Srebrenica was invaded by a Serbian militia, despite it being declared a "safe zone" by the United Nations and despite the threat of airstrikes from UN Peacekeeping Forces. The resulting genocide saw the massacre of over 8,000 ethnic Muslim men and boys, and tens of thousands more … Continue reading Loss in Translation – Quo Vadis, Aida?
Back in December, an episode of Family Guy entitled "Pawtucket Pat" ends with Peter musing about whether or not there's ever been an award-winning movie where the protagonist becomes more conservative over the course of his story, and having that be seen as positive growth. The joke is that no one can think of one, … Continue reading A Colossal Cinematic Hick-Up – Hillbilly Elegy
I love a good revenge fantasy. When done properly, it can produce righteous rage at the issue at hand, pulse-pounding thrills as the wish fulfillment is choreographed, and a sense of catharsis through the voyeuristic lens of the execution. When done poorly, it can simply come off as gratuitous. More often than not, Emerald Fennell … Continue reading The Doctor is Sin – Promising Young Woman
Taiwan's entry for the Academy Awards, A Sun (literal translation from Mandarin is Sunshine Illuminates Everything) is an interesting attempt at a poetic tale of a fractured family plagued by karmic tragedy. Directed and co-written by Chung Mong-hong, the film won the top prize at the Golden Horse Awards, which is the Chinese diaspora equivalent … Continue reading Throwing Shade – A Sun
Like the Simpsons episode that bears that title, you will not find this review on Disney+. I felt the need to do one super lame joke because by the time I was done watching The Father, I was desperate for any degree of humor. Directed and co-written by Florian Zeller adapting his own stage play, … Continue reading Stark Raving Dad – The Father
I Actually Paid To See This 