Black Box Diaries

Hero.

Movie: Black Box Diaries

Running Time: 1:43

Nominated for: Documentary Feature

How I watched: Prime

When it had me: Right Away

When it lost me: a little around meetings with lawyers

What systems does it challenge: Patriarchy, Rape Culture

This is a super brave film made by a journalist and victim of sexual assault in Japan. I wonder who will watch it? Most men I know are not comfortable watching a woman work through her sexual assault aftermath on film and half of the women I know would be too triggered by this film to get through it. (Loads of triggers! She even acknowledges it in the opening of the film.)

Shiori Ito is SO HUMAN in this piece. That's my biggest takeaway. And she shares all of it with us. The disassociating, the trauma naps, the fear and uncertainty. The break downs that happen when someone is kind to you - oh, that one is so familiar! The laughter about how absurd everything has become. The desire to doggedly pursue justice and the hesitance to reveal something damaging to others.

Her rapist happened to be the biographer for the Prime Minister of Japan so he had so much protection and she didn't have a chance. However, I've looked it up and since the film came out, Japan is now changing its laws surrounding sexual assault, raising the age of consent and establishing wider parameters for establishing consent. So, what a warrior! She had to bare her soul and leave her home country while enduring eight years of battle but she has brought change that will help everyone in Japan (except the rapists). 

Thank you, Shiori.

Nickel Boys

Movie: Nickel Boys 

Running Time: 2:20

Nominated for: Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay

How I watched: AMC

When it had me: Introduction of characters

When it lost me: around 11:24pm

What systems does it challenge: Racism, Incarceration

I had to see this one late at night so unfortunately I was fighting to stay awake. This is based on a book and filmed in the first person; like a video game where you shoot people but this time you more likely to be shot at.

First person filming took some time to get used to (not much, but it was an adjustment) and then you do spend a lot of time asking yourself why this was chosen. That didn't bother me. I still thought it was a worthy story telling device.

The two main actors are completely compelling and you are rooting for them and knowing that things aren't going to go well the whole time, which is automatic tension in a good way.

The editing is so carefully chosen and story driven, feeding you little clues and glimpses along the way, like bread morsels thrown out for ducks. It felt really special and it's too bad the editor didn't get recognized for this effort instead of Wicked.

I'm not sure how long I fell asleep for. Did I miss only a moment or two? Or was there a really key scene that I slept on that might have deepened the whole experience for me? Only a repeat viewing will tell. I still saw the twist at the end coming (was it supposed to be a twist?) Based on my sleep, I'd say it felt a bit too long.

It's definitely worth your time and feels like it will be completely ignored on Oscar night.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Movie: The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Running Time: 2:47

Nominated for: International Feature

How I watched: Prime

When it had me: Protests in Iran

When it lost me: a lot

What systems does it challenge: Extremism, Theocracy, Patriarchy

There's a lot of great stuff going on here. The movie plays with the tension between generations. Parents who are conservative and unquestioning of the society they live in and children who are hungering for more freedom and pushing for rights and progressiveness.

The acting is good, the use of actual footage from protests in Iran is compelling and there is a Checkov's gun that is used to maximum effect as a plot device and motivator.

Can you feel the but coming? BUT, it's so long and overwrought. Many scenes seem to play the same drama over and over and it barely crawls forward when you are aching for it to get somewhere. And in the end, it feels like the characters are eluding to things that we never saw played out. How can this be when we sat through so much?

Tighten this up by 45 minutes let it really drive forward as this family unravels and then I think it could be even more compelling. That's my take.

No Other Land

Sometimes the camera allows you to witness in a way that 

gives you separation from the terror.

Movie: No Other Land

Running Time: 1:35

Nominated for: Documentary

How I watched: Laemmle

When it had me: The Plight of Palestine

When it lost me: It didn't

What systems does it challenge: Israel, genocide, colonialism

I have this problem of being sickened by the erasure, slaughter and forced expulsion of the Palestinian people from their own lands and simultaneously being overwhelmed by my powerlessness to do anything about it. I can participate in boycotts and re-post stuff on social media but beyond that I am a useless human being on the other side of the world. I had big plans to fight fascism here at home too, but now I am working through the trauma of a national disaster and long term displacement. Nothing compared to the people of Gaza but just enough to distract me.

In fact, the first thing that made me break down bawling after the night of the fires was a video of children in Palestine holding up signs and sending their support to the people of Los Angeles. What? How do they have time to even know about our problems or bandwidth to care?

Anyway, this documentary follows the work of a Palestinian activist trying to bring attention to the expulsion of his people from their ancestral lands in Massafer Yatta. He is joined by a Jewish journalist who wants to spread the truth about what its happening to the people of Israel and the world beyond.

The film consists of seemingly endless footage of Israeli bulldozers ripping through the modest homes of families who do nothing to fight back but try to hold on to their possessions when they can. Interspersed are many dark nights of the soul where the two young men sit by a fire or over coffee or a hookah and talk about life. They talk about what things could be, how they might bring attention to their plight and the stark reality they face. It's a good balance between witnessing and reflection, giving the viewer time to process what they are taking in.

The men even acknowledge my own feelings at one point. Saying some people will fell for them, but what can they do about it? And all the while I am looking at these two kind, passionate men and wondering why they don't get to just have a regular life? Bad luck has dealt all of the Palestinians into a time and place where they can know no peace and I wish the world were a more just place.

A good and sad watch.

Sing Sing

This man right here survived incarceration at Sing Sing through working on plays and then continued to help mother people and then wrote a script about it and is now nominated for an Oscar! I can't wait to see him at the awards.

Movie: Sing Sing

Running Time: 1:47

Nominated for: Actor, Adapted Screenplay

How I watched: Prime

When it had me: Shakespeare in prison!

When it lost me: It did not

What systems does it challenge: Prison Industrial Complex

You guys, Sing Sing is a really good movie and it makes me wonder why I only hear about Emilia Perez and The Substance.

This is about a Theatre program in Sing Sing prison that provides an activity for the inmates but also provides a way to manage emotions, be vulnerable and, in the words of one character, become human again.

If that's not cool enough the story is by several of the former inmates that went through the program and many of the roles are played by them as well. All of the acting is captivating and real. The whole ensemble provides so many different textures that add to a whole that is dynamic to watch.

And Colman Domingo? This guy just gets better and better with every role I see him in. So different from Rustin and so deserving of another nomination.

Better Man

You guys, I don't even think Eddie Vedder was in this movie.

Movie: Better Man

Running Time: 2:16

Nominated for: Visual Effects

How I watched: YouTube

When it had me: Nooooooo!

When it lost me: Never had me

What systems does it challenge: My Last Nerve 

I'll be typing this review live because I really DON'T want to watch Better Man. So this should be fun. I've got a Jack and Coke next to me so I can drink whenever I REALLY want to turn it off.

I've never heard of Robbie Williams. Is that weird? He sees himself as a very creepy monkey. In a world of humans. Why? The young boy monkey version doesn't even look that good to me and now I'm supposed to feel bad for him? ugh. drink.

He and his dad like Sinatra. So unique. His mom hates them both. Classic. Good for her. He's decided not to be good at what he does but just to be cheeky. Great. His dad left and he's singing in tiny sad monkey voice. drink.

(I recognize that a lot of people put a lot of effort into making this film. They did their best and critics like this movie! I'm sorry, guys. I know it's not for me; normally I just wouldn't watch but I have to, so...)

Audition scene with tension: monkey song! When is something going to happen? Ok, we're starting a boy band now with a scammy Nigel. Song and dance break like a musical. Why is he a monkey again? drink.

His mom hates his success. Apparently he is bad at singing. And no one likes him. So he gets kicked out. Let's have another self pitying song sequence. Was there a real car crash? Is this all metaphor? Who knows? drink.

At this point I got treated to a Martin tirade: This is the like the movie that nobody asked for. I mean, like why? Is this...was this made in America? Who the hell is this guy to an American audience. Why?

In the middle of a ballroom dance sequence, they cut to a couple quick shots of an abortion clinic. Strange way to introduce that topic. and, you guys? The monkey has bleached hair now!

At this point the TV gave up on life and reset itself to factory settings. I'm not even kidding. That is a BLEAK reaction to this movie. I'm fine. I'm not considering self harm and we are getting the TV the care it needs. But we are going to make it finish the movie anyway.

This monkey is a dick. I don't know what's going on. I think we're montaging. If we could just sort of speedball montage the rest of this story we'd get through it faster. So many daddy issues. drink.

Ok. Big concert. How have I never heard of this guy that thinks he's the biggest star in the world? A video game broke out! All the monkeys are fighting now. I want to go to sleep so bad! I'm all out of drink and he's about to sing again, damnit.

Now I have the hiccups. Maybe I do need a factory reset. He shaved, but only his head. Weird, right? You're covered in hair but your head is bald. oh, we're making monkey amends now.

Oh my gods I think it might be over! Did I make it? Shit, no. He's going to sing again. And also? Planet of the Apes looks better than this. I'm out! I can't believe I had to pay for this. And they never once played Pearl Jam's Better Man. So dumb.

A Complete Unknown

Actual footage from the movie! You see it, right?

Movie: A Complete Unknown

Running Time: 2:20

Nominated for: Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Directing, Costumes, Sound, Adapted Screenplay

How I watched: AMC

When it had me: Nice cut on the opening song

When it lost me: It didn't

What systems does it challenge: Acoustic Music

Ok, so I don't care for biopics. We know this by now. But this one stood out for me. I wasn't annoyed so it must have been good writing and editing. I'm a music dummy so I never get the impact of certain artists. I don't feel anything one way or the other about Bob Dylan even though I know I'm supposed to feel that he is an awesome genius. Even so, I was interested and invested in the story and feel like I came to like him a bit more.

Weird Alert: Early in the film Timothee Chalamet made some cute little noise and it reminded me of a muppet and then I couldn't stop feeling like he was playing muppet Bob Dylan instead of real Bob Dylan and it made me giggle in a lot of scenes and it absolutely increased the delight factor of the whole movie tenfold.

Even though I thought he was playing a muppet, I still thought Chalamet did a great job and Monica Barbaro did an even better job at playing Joan Baez and singing her songs. Wow! Edward Norton and Boyd Holbrook did their best at throwing some muppet energy (maybe it was all the particular voices?) into the mix as well. (Note: Monica Barbara was NOT playing a muppet. She was the one human character trying to interact with all the muppets while being slightly bemused by them.

The movie was well-paced (my favorite compliment to pay) and I stayed invested even though Bob Dylan feels like one of those artists that is good but also such an insufferable jerk about it that if you knew him you'd be like, "ugh, this guy! Whatever.)

There's a great scene between Dylan, a drunk Johnny Cash, a badly parked car and some Bugles that I can't wait to watch on repeat. Was that scene improvised or what happened there? It felt too real. Also, watching fans of folk music riot over amplification is so freaking adorable! I'm glad that's what you guys were focused on worrying about. 

I liked this far better than I anticipated and would give it serious consideration for best picture. I think Best Picture might need to have Timothee Chalamet in it this year.

The Six Triple Eight

Movie: The Six Triple Eight

Running Time: 2:07

Nominated for: Original Song

How I watched: Netflix

When it had me: Humiliation of racists

When it lost me: melodrama

What systems does it challenge: Racism, War

The Six Triple Eight is a Tyler Perry movie and I always feel like he is making movies for a very specific set of aunties that have no overlap with me. I just don't get his movies and this started out similarly for me; it was a lot of melodrama about whether a young woman could date who she wanted and worries about throwing away your future and young love vs. old wisdom. 

But this is also a true story of an army unit in WWII of all black women that was given an impossible task (of delivering a massive backlog of mail) in order to watch them fail. And once it got around to the second act and the real meat of the problem that they faced, it started to win me over. I was invested in the action and trusting the performances and film making.

It's only here for a song so it's not the greatest thing I've watched all year but it wasn't the worst thing either!

Conclave

They call it an "adult-skewing" film, but really, how boring does this frame look?

Movie: Conclave

Running Time: 2:00

Nominated for: Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actress, Costumes, Editing, Score, Production Design, Adapted Screenplay

How I watched: AMC

When it had me: Italy! Yay!

When it lost me: Catholicism. Boo.

What systems does it challenge: Politics, Organized religion

This movie left no mark on me whatsoever. It was well made and enjoyable for two hours. It had some intrigue and mystery which I enjoyed but I also couldn't find myself deeply invested in who ends up as the Pope. 

Sitting down to write this I am shocked by how many nominations this got for a film that felt so regular, I guess. It is very competently made but surely we need more than competence for right nominations? Then again, I think I'm asking too much. If you need a good distraction on an airplane, go for it. But I'm interested to see if wins anything beyond best in-flight movie.

Inside Out 2

Movie: Inside Out 2

Running Time: 1:36

Nominated for: Animated Feature

How I watched: Disney+

When it had me: 

When it lost me: 

What systems does it challenge: Puberty!

This was a cute extension of the first film. More adventures for our emotional buddies. Anxiety, Ennui, Envy and Embarrassment got added into the mix. Anxiety felt a little bit evil but I guess that tracks. There was a fantastically complex journey into some kind of memory island or something but none of that stuck with me.

It was a fun watch but it doesn't really set itself apart from the first one.

Memoir of a Snail

Movie: Memoir of a Snail

Running Time: 1:34

Nominated for: Animated Feature

How I watched: Amazon

When it had me: nah

When it lost me: so many times

What systems does it challenge: Foster Parents, Religion

This movie is very bleak and depressing and slow. I get the feeling it’s autobiographical because who would write something that makes you feel this down otherwise.

I’m very bored watching it right now. I stopped for a while and started checking Instagram. Then I went back to it but tried texting some friends. It’s just really not hitting for me. 

This is one of those animated movies not for kids that includes topics such as masturbation and swinging. And a claymation depiction of a gay child being tortured and murdered. I can’t convey how much I hate this. At least I have a cat curled up on my lap. 

I'm sorry for this film maker who lived this life and needed to express their truth. I'm on their side, I just didn't enjoy watching this.

Gladiator II

Movie: Gladiator 2

Running Time: 2:28

Nominated for: Costumes

How I watched: A theatre

When it had me: ?

When it lost me: many times

What systems does it challenge: I give up

What a colossal disappointment. Remember last year, Ridley Scott bragging about getting movies like Napoleon made in one year? I do. You can stop bragging dude.

This was a long time coming to bring back the fervor we once felt for Gladiator. Even Pedro Pascal couldn't keep me interested! I do think I fell asleep and missed the flooded colosseum scene. They even teased me with Denzel Washington's same sex kiss that apparently didn't even happen. Complete let down!

Dune: Part 2

Just the look of the film makes it stand out!

Movie: Dune Part 2

Running Time: 2:46

Nominated for: Best Picture, Cinematography, Production Design, Sound, Visual Effects

How I watched: AMC

When it had me: Dune Part 1

When it lost me: so loud!

What systems does it challenge: Extremism, Colonization

This cinematic world is so large, and so stunning and so perfect. The story continues and I'm still into it. I can't wait for Part 3!

The first time I saw this it was so loud that it was vibrating my seat and giving me a headache. I was physically covering my ears! I don't know if we were sitting in the sweet spot for super loud or if they just turned the dial to 11 but I was uncomfortable and unhappy for 3 hours.

I had to talk myself into going back so I could focus on the film and actually enjoy it. All the acting is great, it all looks so real and mind-blowing. It's truly great cinema and probably won't win anything.

It's hard to keep the feel of watching this fresh in my mind but maybe this is really my pick for best film of the year.

Alien: Romulus

Movie: Alien: Romulus

Running Time: 1:59

Nominated for: Visual Effects

How I watched: Hulu

When it had me: Andy the robot guy

When it lost me: I don't recall

What systems does it challenge: Space Colonization

I tapped out of watching Alien movies years ago. The first two are so great and then it just becomes a glut. But this one was a very enjoyable space horror movie and it felt like it essentially worked as a self-contained piece.

I appreciated the writing very much. The problem was set up succinctly. The relationship between the two main characters was simple but drew you in. And everyone else was there to die. 

They all did some stupid things but not so dumb that you had to turn the movie off. We thought about seeing this in 4DX but I was really worried about what the chestburster scenes would feel like! It was an enjoyable at home watch.

The Girl With the Needle

Movie: The Girl With the Needle

Running Time: 2:02

Nominated for: International Feature

How I watched: Amazon

When it had me: Immediately

When it lost me: I fell asleep briefly but got back on track

What systems does it challenge: Patriarchy, lack of health care, industrial revolution, Capitalism

This film had an eerie and beautiful German expressionist-inspried style; stark and uncaring. It drew me in as did the performance of the lead actress, Vic Carmen Donne as Karoline, who has a piercing stare and a barely contained feral quality about her.

The movie is set amid the beginnings of the industrial revolution and modern day capitalism in a time where no one had any protections whatsoever. A widow has a hopeful affair with the factory manager that ends in her pregnant and rejected as a potential wife. She can be discarded, fired, evicted or made to pay for abysmally unhealthy living conditions. We see all of it; it's bleak and not ideal living conditions.

Enter Dagmar, the only helpful or caring soul in the entire landscape who offers to find a home for the baby Karoline cannot care for. They strike up a friendship, work relationship and drug habit and strive to find some happiness doing the worthy work of getting good homes for babies.

Only everything is not what it seems and it turns out they are really living in a hell, as Dagmar claims. It feels timely to take a look at the necessities of labor unions, women's health care, protections for renters and other kinds of oversight. The movie carefully does not blame men; only a few male characters are present are they are powerless, and inconsequential. The issue is an uncaring societal structure and women being denied any and all resources.

Editing, cinematography, production design, costumes are all on point in creating a world that feels far away even as the struggles are so recognizable.

This movie stuck with me. I kept asking myself who was wrong, if anyone. I kept looking from the beginnings of Capitalism to the end stage where we are now and marveling at how little has changed, though it all looks different now. This movie feels weightier and more relevant than all of the other nominees to me.

Anora

Movie: Anora

Running Time: 2:19

Nominated for: Best Picture

How I watched: YouTube

When it had me: Neck Biting!

When it lost me: More like it was a slow start

What systems does it challenge: Romance Movies?

A movie in three acts and three genres!

The First act was the romance. I don't know if I'm telling on myself, but this was my least favorite of the genres. A good portion of the first act of this film is just montages of strippers (with a heart of gold) and parties. I get what they were setting up but it really pushed the boundary on how much of that I could watch.

The Second Act was a comedy of errors and this was my favorite genre of the film. Here we got into a little bit of absurdity and a whole lot of Murphy's Law. I like characters that surprise me with their reactions and I like to see how characters respond to everything going wrong. This part of the movie was super fun.

The Third Act is where the drama kicks in. Romance and hijinks aside, there are going to be consequences, some of them at least a little tragic and here we get to stop and reflect on everyone's choices and lifestyles. There's a pretty disturbing transaction in the final act that leaves you on a down note but also really thinking and trying to process what you've been through.

This felt like an unusual piece with its own storytelling style. It doesn't feel like it fits with the other nominees but also, maybe none of them fit together.

A Real Pain

Movie: A Real Pain

Running Time: 1:30

Nominated for: Actor in a Supporting Role, Original Screenplay

How I watched: Hulu

When it had me: Does his cousin live at the airport?

When it lost me: Blandness

What systems does it challenge: Family Reunions

Watching this movie, it is very clear that it is autobiographical in nature. Sometimes you can just feel that it wouldn't have been written this way unless it was staying true to real events. I liked that feeling of authenticity to a point. More specifically right up to the point where I felt bored.

Both actors were great in their roles. While they were both sort of playing what they play, Kieran Culkin brought an extra helping of chaotic danger to the movie.

There's an almost cute scene of the two cousins trying to leave a token in remembrance of their grandma, but it fell really flat. It wouldn't have taken much to add some more absurdity and comedy to the scene, without seriously altering the events. I like how I'm trying to give writing notes to someone who just got nominated for an Oscar for screenwriting. Maybe I should go back to writing mediocre reviews and mind my own business.

Elton John: Never Too Late

Movie: Elton John: Never Too Late

Running Time: 1:42

Nominated for: Original Song

How I watched: Disney+

When it had me: Music to sing along with

When it lost me: Boring Presentation

What systems does it challenge: Cocaine

I do not care for documentaries like this one. It's a chronology and a behind the scenes tell-all and a stitching together of old footage. I have trouble staying interested. In fact, I'm writing the review while I'm watching it because I'm too bored to stay focused.

I usually learn some cool tidbits when I end up watching one of these but I guess I'd rather just read them in an article or something.

After you sit through the whole thing you get to hear the nominated song over the credits and it is underwhelming.

Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat

Movie: Soundtrack to a Coup D’etat

Running Time: 1:30

Nominated for: Documentary 

How I watched: Prime

When it had me: Great Music

When it lost me: Confusing multi media

What systems does it challenge: Colonialism

First of all: This movie highlights my American education in an embarrassing way. I know nothing about Belgian colonialism in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was glad to learn more about this history, but:

Secondarily: the style of this documentary made it a lot to take in. There is archival footage of both the unrest in the DR Congo and also many musical acts. Words on the screen introduce people, time periods, music artists, historical events, subtitles and references. Each book referenced gets an entire citation, including page numbers. Not to mention subtitles to cover several different languages. It's just a lot of reading and trying to watch footage at the same time. 

It was fascinating to see how integral music and recording artists were to the ongoing fight for freedom in Africa. That really gave this doc its own personality.

I didn't always feel like the people, locations and time periods were adequately introduced so I was confused many times throughout. I also  sort of wanted them to link to the ongoing crisis in DR Congo today but I can't be too mad that that lies outside of the parameters of the doc. It felt like a adequate way to dip my toes into the history of a new group of people but it's only an introduction.

The Apprentice

Movie: The Apprentice

Running Time: 2:19

Nominated for: Actor, Supporting Actor

How I watched: Prime

When it had me: Right Away

When it lost me: It didn't!

What systems does it challenge: DJT, MAGA

I put off watching this because who wants to watch a movie about Donald Trump? Well, the answer to that is that I want to watch it! And you do too!

I like the style choices from this film maker right from the start. He is nailing a cheesy, classless 80s vibe. In the first scene I sort of felt sorry for DJT and I was ready to turn the movie off but then I realized the film makers were just setting up what a weak and empty person he is, devoid of original thoughts or a personality of his own.

Which brings me to the question, who doesn't want you to watch this film? Donald, himself! He tried to ban this move from being released so you know it is hitting too close to home. What you will get to see if you watch this movie today are dramatizations of the following:

-Fred Trump hating on his son

-Roy Cohn being the puppet master of DJT's entire personality and life

-DJT assaulting his wife

-DJT experiencing erectile dysfunction, a lot

-DJT lying on operating tables while getting liposuction and bald scalp removal (ew, more body horror!)

-and much more humiliation!

Sebastian Stan does a really nice job of playing the monster. He doesn't nail the voice in an uncanny SNL comedian way, but he actually has the exaggerated facial movements and tics down to a tee. He almost humanizes him early on so that you can really watch him turn himself into an unfeeling, disgusting villain by the end. I don't know Roy Cohn as well, but I hear Jeremy Strong has got that bad guy down too.

My favorite tidbit was that DJT didn't do a bunch of coke in the 80s like I thought (if this movie is correct). He was far less cool than that. He was simply unknowingly taking amphetamines because his doctor said they were diet pills and he was worried about his weight.

I think we should all play this movie on repeat whenever we aren't actively watching TV. It is straight up humiliating for the Commander-In-Chief. Do you know how angry it would make the president that we are all watching it all the time? Who's with me???

Sugarcane

Movie: Sugarcane

Running Time: 1:47

Nominated for: Best Documentary

How I watched: Hulu

When it had me: Indigenous Culture

When it lost me: It did not

What systems does it challenge: Residential Schools, Abuse, Colonization

This doc is about Reservation Schools in Canada. Those are the schools that indigenous people were sent to in order to destroy their culture and their spirit and make them more useful and controllable for white people. If you think it might be gut-wrenching, you are correct.

I think the structure of this doc is very smart. We follow a father and son trying to learn the father's history while attempting to reconcile their own interpersonal issues. We follow a half indigenous, half irish man trying to grapple with his identity and his catholic faith. And we follow a team of investigators trying to uncover the systemic and perpetual cycle of sexual abuse and infanticide at on such reservation school. Many angles are covered in many ways through this method and the editing is top notch, weaving together stories in a way that is both easy to follow, artful and respectful.

The film makers treat each subject with grave respect and discretion, cutting away when the stories are too tough to tell onscreen, and giving us time to see them joyful and not just victimized. I appreciated how all of the characters were portrayed and the tougher moments were addressed.

This was a great subject, well handled and artfully presented!

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Movie: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Running Time: 2:25

Nominated for: Visual Effects

How I watched: Hulu

When it had me: Eagles!

When it lost me: Talking Monkeys

What systems does it challenge: I really couldn't say

Somehow I believed this movie was from 2023 and I thought I had already dodged it and now here it is haunting my blog. Guys, I tried, ok? I absolutely hate these movies. The originals always felt racist as hell to me and I'm not into talking animals so I'd just rather avoid this entirely.

But I tried to watch, ok? This takes place in LA; you can tell by the lavish waterfalls on the cliffs above the city. As we know, LA is naturally a jungle. A human-made virus has made people lose their language, smarts and sense of style, while making primates gain language, use of weapons, horse-back riding skills, sweaters and most importantly falconry.

Hold up a minute! One human has resisted the virus. She is the pretty one. In the first scene she is feral but don't worry by scene 3 she has amazing posture and personal pride.

There is a journey for falconer monkeys to rescue their family and neighbors from warring monkeys and then you know what? I fell asleep. And I can't be bothered to try again. This movie is nominated for Visual Effects and so they have already been honored! I'm out.

Maria

Movie: Maria

Running Time: 2:03

Nominated for: Cinematography

How I watched: Netflix

When it had me: Style

When it lost me: diva-ness

What systems does it challenge: Reality, Nazis, marriage

Biopics are typically clunky and unbalanced. But Maria had a more pleasing structure to it. The last week of Maria Callas' life is chronicled in a dreamy, drug induced sort of pastiche of memories, hallucinations and a constant attempt to grapple with reality. I appreciate that Larrain doesn't try to pack in every moment of her life or weigh us down with chronologies. Instead we feel the sort of emotional tapestry of her days as her life draws to a close, visiting key moments, people and experiences both good and bad.

Nominated for cinematography, this was very beautiful and a sense of magical realism helped showcase that beauty. An orchestra suddenly appearing on a walk through Paris in the rain; romantic stuff like that.

Angelina Jolie learned to sing opera for this! Some of the vocals you hear are her own, many are a mix of her and Callas. Like Bradley Cooper making Maestro last year, this heroic feat has mostly been met by Hollywood's silence. I think the other actors don't like a show off. 

This was a tough screening. I had to turn it off during my husband's work call. We are renting a big echoing house while our home is the ongoing site of a national disaster clean up. And the sound mix was rough here, too. I missed a lot of dialogue trying not to get blown out by the orchestral bits. But all in all, I enjoyed this film and the cool, dreamy vibes it had to offer.

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Movie: Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Running Time: 1:19

Nominated for: Animated Feature

How I watched: Netflix

When it had me: at Hello

When it lost me: It didn't

What systems does it challenge: Artificial Intelligence, Policing

Perfect Movie! 10 out of 10! No notes!

If your neighborhood ever burns down and you become displaced, this is the movie you need. Writing: great. Messages: On point. Running time: beautiful. 

After several Wallace and Gromit movies, I would think I would just be over it and wonder what was the point, but no. This film is relevant and so enjoyable. I'm sorry this isn't up for Best Picture although I realize that sounds insane. Go watch it!

Nosferatu

Just look at this beautiful shot of a crossroads! So many yummy visuals! I was under a spell.

Movie: Nosferatu

Running Time: 2:12

Nominated for: Cinematography, Costumes, Hair & Make Up, Production Design

How I watched: Imax

When it had me: Robert Eggers!

When it lost me: It didn't

What systems does it challenge: Vampires!

Hold on to your ancient, wrinkly, old man butts, because I loved this movie!

It is creepy, it is dark, it is taboo and victorian and weird and that's everything I need!

This movie is not for everyone! This includes most people I know and Gen Z as well. I recognize that most of you don't like it dark and scary and I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, that Oscars is giving this movie any attention at all. Two horror films in the mix; is the tide finally turning?

The cinematography is gorgeous! If you don't like horror, maybe go look at some screenshots because it really is noteworthy. Even when the creepy shadow of the Vampire starts to feel almost silly it still just indulges a kind of childhood fear of monsters in me in the best possible way. 

Robert Eggers knows how to evoke a mood. He conjures, dread, delusion, terror, nightmare and despair with a virtuosic skill. And horniness. He definitely included the horny (um, also rapey) aspect of vampires.

The performances are great, the costumes make me want to forget that Victorian times were terrible and music was excellent as well. In almost all aspects, this film played perfectly to all of my sensibilities.

What's not perfect? Nosferatu and Dracula are basically the same tale and this retells what we all know already. I guess I was looking for some new twist or take? I didn't get that but it's ok. Gen Z has been ripping on Count Orlac's mustache and they're not wrong, it's ridiculous. It didn't stop me from being in love with so much of what was on the screen.