Last Batch of Goodness!

Movie: Last Men in Aleppo
Nominated for: Best Documentary
How I watched: Amazon rental, on an iPad, in my kitchen
When I fell asleep: I didn't
Thoughts: Documentaries these days can be so brutally shocking. The things we are able to witness, to see, to live with other people on the other side of the world, it's almost more than I can bear sometimes. I am ashamed of myself, for not being more informed about what has been happening in Syria for so long. For knowing as much as I do, and yet carrying on with my life. For being part of a society that simply lets it happen. I also know that this global awareness is still relatively new to us. It is unfathomable. We are wired to deal with the problems in front of us. To help, protect, and support our own families, our own tribes...what do we do about a conflict we can have no control over? Atrocities that are so out of reach? Suffering as far removed from us as it can be? What do we do?  I am sure I can have little effect; I am also sure that at the very least I should sign petitions or write to someone in power. This movie was difficult and depressing and I guess that's what is powerful and compulsory about it.



Movie: Loving Vincent
Nominated for: Animated Feature
How I watched: Amazon Rental
When I fell asleep: About half way in.
Thoughts: This animation is stunning! I just wanted to lay back and let the images wash over me and I had a little trouble staying connected to the story and what was being said. It's the primary tension in the piece: marrying breath taking, vibrant art with a kind of dour and bleak mystery vibe. While the story of how Van Gogh died is interesting, the mystery feels a bit forced because you know they aren't really going to drop new information on you at this point. Once I became acclimated to the beautiful images it was hard to stay invested.




Movie: Marshall
Nominated for: Original Song
How I watched: Amazon Rental
When I fell asleep: Early and often
Thoughts: Look, this week has been tough. I don't get to these movies until 10 or 11pm sometimes, after a full day of meal prep for kids, carpooling, mothering, editing a feature length movie and sometimes writing! So here's what I can say; Chadwick Boseman is a pretty great actor. Josh Gad seemed a strange choice. The production value on this film felt somewhat lacking. I'd like to know more about Thurgood Marshall.



Movie: Victoria and Abdul
Nominated for: Costumes, Make Up & Hair
How I watched: Amazon Rental
When I fell asleep: No! Daytime screening!
Thoughts: This movie was charming! It was so lovely to see a love story between two adults that wasn't a romantic one! I think we ought to have more of those. The acting was great and it was beautiful to watch. A very pleasant final screening.