nebulawriter

[nebulawriter]

So much for my weekly goal...still gonna try and make it up.

What I know: It’s about Martin Luther King, and a church blows up in the beginning.

General Thoughts: I have issues with a lot of historical movies in that I am usually distracted constantly trying to figure out what’s been emphasized for movie drama and what’s real, and this definitely did that for me. It’s a necessary part of the genre, but also why I don’t tend to watch these. Still, I could tell it was well done, and seeing John Lewis made my heart squeeze.

Also seeing this in 2021 is a TRIP.

Main Character: MLK was a very charismatic leader put in an impossible position. I’ve seen it happening with modern day social leaders and it is heartbreaking.

Side Characters: Like I said, John Lewis warmed my heart. Everyone else i didnt know as much but seemed to be there as foils for King. I was not overly attached to any of them individually.

Other Characters: Oprah!!!! Also, damn, so like everyone was really trying to get in on this movie in minor parts, huh?

Plot: Getting operational voter rights in Georgia. Whoa nelly does that sound familiar.

Story: Nothing will happen unless you make it happen. Also America is really racist.

Cinnamontography: Obviously beautiful. The reason I knew about the girls in the beginning was because it was cited in a screenwriting class I took. Wonderful stuff, especially King parting thought the crowd of marchers, that felt powerful to me.

Design: I think they did well recreating photos of the time and the feel of it. was a little devoid of color for me but fit the tone.

Other: The notes at the end were a lot, huh?

#Selma #movie review

[nebulawriter]

Hopefully by April I’ll be doing this once a week again instead of just chaotic whenever.

But I wanted to do actually black history and important civil rights movies, since I did romance for February. Plus I like the pun of “March to freedom.” So watching several classics of cinema for black civil rights, and just movies that I should have seen before. This time is Blackkklansman, because my roommates were up to see it with me.

What I know: It is supposed to be very good, the story of a black guy who joined the KKK or something? IDK, I saw David Duke was a character so THAT oughta be interesting.

General: Very good, though some interesting messages for a black social justice film. There was some nuance though, but I worry that white moderates seeing it will be like “see cops are good actually and the black justice movement and the kkk are the same.” which is categorically untrue. Are the creators responsible for them seeing it that way? Difficult to say and a topic way too big for this review.

Main Character: Ron was very interesting as a black police officer having to stand the injustices of the system and trying not to betray his community. I do think what was left in question was like, more of his story of why he wanted to be a cop? I know there are black police officers but obviously were less in this town at this time. I feel like thats an important part of his character we dont get, but I don’t want to just complain, he was very fleshed out and the conflict of his character was what made him interesting to watch.

Side Characters: Phillip Zimmerman was fascinating to me because I think hate is hard to really comprehend. Judaism wasn’t a big thing for him, but he is Jewish, and thats enough for him to be hated. I think that encapsulates the KKK. You had better be white. If you’re white, you’d better be Christian. If you’re Christian, you better be Protestant. If you’re protestant, you better be a man. It divides and divides and divides until you have a reason to hate everyone.

Other characters: The other cops were either less defined or just racist, but I think they were weirdly divided into ‘ok’ and ‘overtly racist’ which is not quite right. The black movement I feel like was supposed to be seen as unreasonable in some sense, but like they weren’t at all? The girlfriend was right every time. Every single time. The kkk were assholes and thats all I’ll leave them with. I could barely understand the one guy who was drunk all the time.

Plot: A black police officer calls the KKK and helps infiltrate them and makes several calls to David Duke. manages to expose a few members of government and stop an attack.

Story: Racism is a fucking rot that needs to be taken out.

Cinnamontography: whooo nelly was it beautiful, especially at the beginning as it took us into the story. I don’t have anything more, it’s just great.

Design: So many Afros. not a criticism, just damn.

Other: The end seemed a bit self-congratulatory, which I guess makes a good story. The last scenes of the 2017 white supremacist forces were very powerful, all the more so because I knew it all. I wonder if this movie would have been the same if it came out now, after George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. There were plenty of black people killed by cops before, but I think the sentiment has been leaning more that cops are fully bad. Very curious.

#blackkklansman #movie review

[nebulawriter]

I was struggling for what to do with this last movie of February. I wanted some kind of rom com, because while the Big Sick was great, it wasn’t altogether funny all the time as much as heartwrenching. I wanted something classic. But I’ve already seen things like When Harry Met Sally. It’s tricky, because Romcoms are generally seen as a “trashy” kind of genre so there aren’t that many “Classics” that are romcoms. So, after a bunch of googling, I decided on 50 First Dates, which I’ve heard vague things about, and despite I’m not a huge Adam Sandler fan, I AM a Drew Barrymore fan, so, here we are.

what I know: Drew Barrymore has amnesia or something so they keep repeating the same day.

General: I think it was overall sweet. There were definitely some of what I’ll call Sandler Humor that was not? Great? It’s a tricky thing because there are definitely some comedies that I have enjoyed that are at that level or worse, but maybe it just sticks out to me more now.

Main Character: If comedians keep wanting a main character with commitment issues, I wish they’d have them be honest. Really, I don’t mind a character that’s not interested in a relationship, but stop having them be women manipulators. like. Sigh. the aquarium thing was a nice touch.

Side Characters: I’m glad Lucy was given more personality than her condition. I think manipulating her like her dad and brother did was...not great. Sean Austin was VERY different than anything Ive seen him in.

Other Characters: The Best Friend was interesting. IDK more than that. the people at the restaurant were very cool though. And hey, Dan Akyroyd. Sure.

Plot: Noncommittal guy finally is interested in a woman who’s short term memory is gone. he attempts a relationship with her anyway.

Story: People can be worth the effort. I was really worried she was going to overcome her mental injury for the power of love, but it makes more sense to me that he started to come into her long-term memory.

Cinnamontography: Pretty classic Sandler comedy, I think the one moment that stuck out is when they woke up together and it played this sweet music, and I was just thinking ‘shes gonna scream’ and then she did.

Design: Seriously the jokes about Sandler’s coworker and “is she a man or woman” jokes got Real Old Real Fast. booo.

Other: Convenient they skipped over how they got the child. I know they probably didn’t mean it, but I’m going to assume she was adopted. although how they were cleared for adoption when she has brain damage I don’t know. but eh.

#50 first dates

[nebulawriter]

Its the last bit of february but I’m GONNA catch up on the movies before its over. The reviews you’re reading now may be sometime in March. So. Sorry ‘bout that.

So, This movie came out a couple years ago and I heard very mixed reviews of “so precious! so beautiful!” and “Why is this adult with a TEENAGER” which, fair. So, now to see for myself.

General: I think it’s a very well written and well done film…..right up until this one part in the end. I think I’ll get to that in Story. The point being, I thought that the love interest was a guy like, the kid’s dad’s age. While he’s definitely older….ehhh? we don’t have a confirmation on Oliver’s age, and, I think the dynamics are more complicated. I DO think (spoilers) the age difference affected why they didn’t last. But uh….well, we’ll get into that.

Main Character: Elio is a sensitive and very sexual 17 year old boy (well have no way of judging HOW sexual he is compared to most sexual teen boys, given my own sexual proclivities are way down and buried but anyway). This story also functions as a coming of age for him, as he sort of grows up and starts to become comfortable with the most vulnerable parts of himself.

Side Characters: Oliver is a history (?) student here just for the summer, and….seems to be exploring himself too. We don’t know much about his past, really. He’s careful, not manipulative, and working on his career, as well as experiencing the local culture.

Other Characters: I liked the Dad, I think he was shown different than other film dads, very supportive and kind to his son. Although, they were WAY more open than I feel like I would be with my Dad, and I get along great with my dad. The women in this story seemed….set dressing more than anything.

Plot: An American student comes to stay with a professor and his family in Italy over the summer, and eventually starts a summer fling with the Professor’s son. Pretty simple, overall.

Story: So, theres a line that Elio’s Dad says to him at the end, once Oliver’s gone, that “what you two had was rare.” and. I disagree.

I think special would be a good word. Important. A good thing not to be ashamed over. all that. But….to me it didn’t seem like more than a summer fling. It barely breached the threshold from Sex into Romance. I think it could have. I think the both of them were compatible and interesting. But I don’t know about ‘rare’

It’s sad for Elio that Oliver has gone and gotten engaged, to someone he knew nothing about. But I think that proved to show he didn’t really know much about Oliver. I think this was an important story for Elio as he progresses through his life and continues into adulthood. But he’ll be ok. He’ll find love again that’s different, but could still be good.

So. yeah, I fight the term ‘rare.’ Dude, sir, you are MARRIED, and you think your son’s secret sexual affair is more than what you and your wife had??? Sir. I worry for you sir.

Anyway, I think its a story about loving yourself through another’s eyes. Hence, ‘call me by your name.’

Cinnamontography: Felt very Indie, long stretches of no dialogue, which are different than what I’m used to. I don’t even know if this was indie, just had that feel to it.

Design: The city and architecture and all that was gorgeous

Other: What is it about Indie filmmakers and masturbation scenes? I mean. I kinda get it. but feels uncomfortable. which they’d probably tell me is the point, just. dudes. dudettes. please stop.

#call me by your name

[nebulawriter]

The Big Sick

After my own brief sick spill (yay pandemic) I am back and ready to finish off february, and in doing so trying to play catch up. Lets see if I actually do it!

What I Know: Its apparently based on a true story. Uhhh, when I typed ‘romance movies’ into google it came up? Seemed cute and hopefully less racist than Gone with the Wind. Low Bar, I know.

UGGH my first review of this disappeared but here we are.

Main Character: Kumail Nanjiani understands romance in a way I haven’t seen many straight men do. His personality in the movie is in general typical of a stand up comedian, self depricating but plucky. He’s very sincere and tries, though, even when all his lying comes back to bite him. But the audience can understand WHY he lies. which is why it makes such good conflict.

Side Character: I wonder what Kumail’s in laws think about being played by Holly Hunter and Ray Romano. But really, while I think Emily was great and played off Kumail well (and their love was so cute!) Most of the ‘seduction’ as it was, was of her parents. They reminded me of my parents, not in personality, but in imagining how they’d care for me if I was in that situation (did I MENTION I had covid when I wrote this?) And it was wonderful and funny seeing these people stick out the worst part of their lives.

Other Characters: It was great seeing Bo Burnham and Aidy Bryant as the side characters! And I think they did a wonderful job with Kumail’s family by making them obstacles to the story, but not villains. I do wonder how they eventually made up, but I understand that wasn’t necessarily part of the story.

Plot: Kumail falls in love with a white girl and doesnt tell his parents (for fear of being kicked out). This leads to them breaking up, but soon after Emily is sick and Kumail is called in to sign papers to put her in a medical coma. Soon her parents come and they get to know each other as Kumail refuses to just let her go. Beyone that, I will not tell you, go watch it.

Story: Love takes work, Love is community, Love is messy, Love is complicated. I could go on.

Cinnamontography: I didn’t catch anything that was incredible, but it told the story well and thats all I can ask for.

Design: Those messy apartments were so solid.

Other: I don’t usually like ‘based on true stories’ because I’m constantly wondering how much was changed, but like, if any of it is true, I get why it was made into a movie.

Also, I love how when Kumail is rejected he always accepts it and waits for her to come.

Also Also, who the HELL is ready to move in a WEEK. Like didn’t you have to give 30 day notice???? Or I guess you just paid for that. But thats insane.

#The Big Sick

[nebulawriter]

Tis the start of a new month! I have a theme for this one, which is Follow your Heart. Its. Its romance stories. So, we’re starting with Gone with the Wind, which is apparently a classic.

What I know: Racism? The way I’ve heard it described is “longing for the ideas of slavery.”

Not really, uh, Leaning into Black History month are we. Don’t worry, next month is about Social Justice stories so. We’ll just get through these....

HOLY SHIT

No, I'm not going to do my categories of "oh the cinematography was...." or "I thought this character arc was..." FUCK THAT

THAT WAS SOME OF THE MOST RACIST BULLSHIT I'VE EVER SEEN, AND I'VE GONE TO BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS BABY.

(edit: I do want to emphasize there were people being racist to the protesters there, not that the protests themselves are racist. Just covering my bases)

So the whole point of me doing these '1 movie a week' things and then reviewing them is because I never went to film school and yet I'm doing all these film-y things and trying to be in the industry and I'd like to have a decent understanding (Also because I'm in the industry I'm surrounded by movie nerds and I want to know what they're saying) SO I want to catch up on some "Classics" (classics being loosely defined) and judge them myself. See what the fuss is.

WHY IS THIS A CLASSIC

In my cultural lexicon I always thought the movie was like one of those great romances and it's not even That. It starts off on all this bullshit about "oh the romantic Glory Days of the south are gone" which is by the way, inherently racist when what you're talking about is SLAVE PLANTATIONS.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT. ITS NOT THAT EITHER.

For all their talking about How Great Tara was, we barely spend any time there. And while Scarlet returns at the end, Again, we dont SEE IT. And it's not about 'oh its a great place' its to try and get her abusive husband back.

AND DONT THINK I'M SKIPPING OUT ON THE SEXISM EITHER

The Madonna figure of Melanie was about as subtle as a textbook to the head, all the judgement about Scarlet and how she deserved what she got, falling in love with her husband after he RAPED her I--

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I was expecting sexism, really. I was expecting racism too, hard to avoid when you're talking about the south during and post civil war. And I know this was old. but we knew SLAVERY was bad by then. We had a whole WAR about it. I know this because its IN THE MOVIE.

But no. This movie is just about creating a selfish, vain woman so it can punish her over and over again and have us expect it to be deep or something, while also being set in a time where every racist thought about every racist turns out to be true.

I guess the costumes and sets were nice? But we can go to other movies for nice sets and costumes. Take this off your classics lists, there is nothing good here that can't be gotten from another movie. And even if it WAS the only movie to get these things from?

Well, frankly my dear, I don't give a damn,

#gone with the wind #gone with the wind hate #movie reviews

[nebulawriter]

The Silence of the Lambs

I am going all out on this creepy one. 

What I know: Hannibal gives weird clues to Jodie Foster who’s trying to find a serial killer and he’s a problematic character from a trans lens. “it puts the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.” I think thats this one. 

General: This movie didn’t scare me so much as make me uncomfortable. Which in many ways was the point, although I was also frustrated because many things that the movie depended on are just...so fake. That’s not how being trans works. That’s not how psychology works. That’s not how etc. etc. etc. But I think it preys on people’s fear that it’s what it’s like. Like, psychologists use their skills to know things about people and so they’ve sherlock holms’ed themselves into your brain. So that was frustrating. But as a movie it was well made.

Main Character: Jodie Foster is Adorable. A great deal of my watching this was people’s sexualization of her and the other female characters, which, again, I know is the point, but having that feeling turned on ME as a watcher was. Not the experience I go to the movies for. I didn’t like to see it, and felt more like the filmmaker’s were inflicting it on me. But I didn’t really get a sense of relief from it, so I just sat with the discomfort.

Side Character: Hannibal was a much better villain than Buffalo Bill, which, kind of the point as well I guess. I did enjoy a villain where you’re wondering how he’s going to do a thing, like, I believe he can escape with just a pen, but how? So that was interesting to watch. A Cannibal is so far removed from my sense of self that it wasn’t even really scary to me, but allowed for all the gory shots which aren’t my thing, but like, I get it.

Other Characters: They weren’t going for something between Crawford and Clarice were they? because I thought it was a well portrayed relationship. He listened to her and understood. It was interesting. Buffalo Bill is such a fantasy I can’t even diagnose him as a human character, he’s more of a creature from sci fi. Again, I know they tried to step around it with “he’s not a REAL “””transexual”””” but eeek. Everyone go watch Disclosure on Netflix, a documentary on trans visibility in media.

Plot: Trying to find a serial killer, Crawford elects a FBI student to help bring in the serial killer Hannibal Lecter. Hannibal capitalizes on a series of simple mistakes and gambles to get free, but does help Clarice psychoanalyze the killer enough to find and catch him.

Story: Maybe it’s about trying to ease your own guilt with the world. Or your own psyche. Or maybe about how difficult it is being a woman in the world (knew that already thanks movie). I think really delving into it requires me to put more energy into it than I’m maybe comfortable with if I’m not getting a grade or some financial compensation for this review.

Cinnamontography: This really is where the story shines. This is how they bring about that uncomfortable feeling so well with so many close up shots of people’s faces, staring straight into the camera. Like they’re addressing you. Like they’re bringing you into the movie. Especially Hannibal.

Design: Hannibal was quite the drama king huh? Very into aesthetics.

Other: As soon as I finished this movie my roommates were like “now you can watch the sequels!” and I went “.....sequels?”

I’m so far removed from horror franchises.....

#the silence of the lambs #movie review

[nebulawriter]

The Godfather

In my quest to catch up with classics, I am watching this movie which is normally outside my scope of interest, fully so I can prove to my friends that I am in any way cultured.

What I know: I mean, the general things from cultural osmosis “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse” “You come here on the day of my daughter’s wedding” and like, the horsehead. I’m probably forgetting a bunch. Oh, I also DO know the big moment towards the end with a lot of killing of a lot of people but I don’t know who they are or why or what’s going to happen to them so. There’s that.

General: DAMN THAT MOVIE WAS A LOT LONGER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. It’s also not as much about the Don as I thought which makes sense given I think the second movie surrounds his son, and, well I guess this one does too. I can understand on a character level why this movie is such a classic as it really is a villain story, to put it in comic book terms, and a villain origin at that. I can approve of that.

Main: Michael is different from the rest of his family, and it’s a little unclear to me how much even he believes that. He doesn’t have the rage of Sonny or the weasel-yness of Fredo. He starts as a war hero! A civilian! And that’s what people know him to be. But as he starts to indulge in more of the “family business” he becomes steadily more like his father: Cold, vengeful, and businesslike. Or so he says to some extent. He treats a lot of his life like business, including his marriage(s). He clearly has rage, but he holds onto it, and takes care of it slowly unlike Sonny. This allows him to be the Don’s true heir.

Side: Don Carleone is the falling star to Michael’s rising. He is right, always. And in the end, his enemies are taken care of, and he lives a long happy life for the most part, dying while playing with his grandkid. I think it’s always interesting to see how highly dignified characters, especially villains take to other parts of their life. Outside of the rampant killing, Don Carleone may be a reasonable and kindly grandfather.

Other: I honestly didn’t get enough sense of the other families as being more than pawns in the whole thing, which I would say is my only negative. They didn’t feel like opponents to Michael or the Don, they felt like obstacles they just needed to get through. The women are really just sexy lamps in this whole thing, huh? Apollina didn’t even speak until she was married.

Plot: Way too long for me to condense, but suffice to say, the Don pisses off some guys, which causes them to take out a hit on him, his family hits back and starts a war which Michael Ends. There is a lot I’m skipping over in that but that is the basic gist which I think is fairly succint.

Story: The corruption of a man? IDK. I think weirdly what made me realize how far Michael had fallen was when he lied to his wife. He had always been respectful to her. But she was no more than a pawn to him like everyone else, to make and care for his children. What an asshole. I mean that in a very intriguing way.

Cinnamontography: I don’t have a lot to discuss here though it was done very well. I’m not analyzing this too much like a film student so there was nothing that in particular stuck out to me, but it was nice.

Design: There was one moment, where after Michael had been beaten by the police officer, his mouth is swollen, and I think that was a wonderful forshadowing as he started to talk literally like the Don.

Other: So he became the Godfather at the same time he became a Godfather, huh? I get it. I understood that. I thought that was clever.

#the godfather #movie review

[nebulawriter]

The Goonies

I dont remember why this movie came up in conversation, but my writers group was astounded that I hadn’t seen it. So, here we go. 

What I know: There are kids in it doing Shenanigans?? A pirate ship? Maybe its like Hook or something. The promo image looks like a young Sean Austin. 

It WAS Sean Austin!!!

General: It was cute certainly, and I think maybe important on the idea of like, kids going on an adventure following clues since this is the prime example of it. It has certainly aged, in some ways poorly, but that tends to happen.

Main Characters: I’ll put the 4 kids in this section: its an interesting arrangement of The Leader, the Perv, the minority genius and the fat clumsy kid. All of these are not....the BEST tropes but I thought it was fun seeing Short round in something else. 

Side Characters: So the short haired girl was a lesbian, right? she oughta have been. But I guess instead we can have Josh Brolin trying to win a girl. and isn’t it funny, Andy kissed a young kid. Hilarious. (sarcasm). It was generic but not really bad. 

Other Characters: The bad guys were interesting with their family dynamic. Mama bad guy feels like some kind of sexist trope but not sure. And then WOW the “brother” was such an ableist sterotype, huh??? Yowza that was uncomfortable. That’s a full human!!!

Plot: A solid story with good stakes, kids trying to find Pirate Treasure after they find a map in the attic and try to find it to save their homes from evil rich people. Very good. 

Story: I suppose it’s about taking control of your life? Especially for kids who feel out of control based on the machinations of Adults, it’s really nice. 

Cinnamontography: I did feel a lot of the scenes were very busy but that may be because all the kids were Yelling over each other ALL. THE. TIME. Eek. but otherwise its fine and has fun fantasy elements to it. 

Design: I did love the pirate ship towards the end, really filled the mind with wonder and adventure potential. Very cool. 

Other: Convenient that the spanish translations rhymed in English, huh?

#The Goonies #movie review

[nebulawriter]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Holy Moly I’m posting again. I know I said that last year. But ya know the world....*gestures vaguely* but lets try it one mo’ time. Since movie theaters aren’t open, I have a goal to watch a movie every week that I haven’t seen before. This week is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, because it’s my roommates favorite movie and she has like, all the movies, so this one must be special.

What I Know Going in: Jim Carrey recently had a bad break up so goes through a procedure to forget about his ex. He at some point decides he wants to stop it and continue but its too late and he eventually forgets.

General reaction: Very good! It was an excellent premise that they explored very well and creatively.

Main Characters: ...I admit Joel and Clementine as characters initially turned me off. They were fine, I thought, but I didn’t really feel like I knew them. Joel was boring and Clementine was interesting as their character traits, but....Hmm. Joel is so OVERLY normal that it actually kind of puts me off? Not a huge amount, and not to distracting levels, but everyone has SOMETHING in them that interests them or is different, so the fact he had nothing made him feel empty. And Clementine was designed to be quirky, but again we didn’t see much of what her quirks are. There’s potatoes and hair dye, but like....what is she interested in? what is she passionate about. She feels quirky for the point of being quirky. I do like her telling Joel she wasn’t there to fix him tho, that was great.

Side Characters: So I get that the people working at the company were kind of SUPPOSED to be jerks, but? Hm. I was really thrown by Mary’s character I think the most. She was supposed to be in love with Howard, and thats important to the plot, but I didn’t get why? In the recording she said she liked that he didn’t hit on her which is a low bar. But anyway. They did well with the roles, it just put me a bit off.

I swear I like this movie.

Other characters: Ummmm I guess there was the friends? They were fine. They need therapy tho.

Plot: I think it works very well as a small window of the story that probably falls apart when you look too much at it, but I honestly don’t care because it works so good as a small isolated story. It was just so nice as a backwards thing, telling their love story in reverse from the worst times to the best. Very sweet.

Story: SO I think the story really all comes together with one word at the end: Okay. It just, really shows how: So, if this technology existed, would you use it? Would you regret using it? This movie says yes. This movie says you’ll want those things back. That’s how Mary felt. And if it could all happen, if somehow you found out you’d had this relationship that failed and would still have bad things. AKA if you knew all the bad things that would happen if you started a relationship, then....would you still do it?

In this case, this movie says yes. and that’s beautiful.

Cinnamontography: Oh clearly beautiful, all the disconnected shots all together and just—showing you all these confusing nonsensical things in Joel’s mind as his memories are erased.

Design: I do like the character designs of bright and dreary colors all mixed together. Or rather, bright colors shown in a dreary light. Gives a good bittersweet feel to it all.

Other: I thought this was like, Jim Carrey’s drama break away from comedy, but that scene of him as a 4 year old was really something, huh?

#eternal sunshine of the spotless mind #movie review

[nebulawriter]

Classic Reviews: Howl’s Moving Castle

So its been a stressful few months, but I am Determined to actually make this a review blog again. However, since the world is currently shut down, I’ll just be reviewing older movies, and since I also feel bad, those movies will be Studio Ghibli, since I haven’t seen many of those. (I’ve seen Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and the Secret Life of Arietty.)

I know this one involves a guy named Howl who has a Castle (I assume) that moves. Lol, I know a couple other things? I know its based on a book which is very different, and I know Sophie is the main character, and she...we see her old at some point. and thats like. A thing. 

I have to admit, and please dont come after me with pitchforks: I was a little disappointed by this movie. I think it’s still GOOD, but just maybe not my favorite of miyuzaki’s work. 

Main Characters: I liked Sophie honestly best when she was old and sassy. I got that her aging and unaging had something to do with how she felt about herself, but, it’s interesting. 

Howl...confused me. I honestly never got a full sense of his character. he was anti-war, and he wanted to...end his curse? But his heart was still there, and the demon was right there, so i didn’t understand why he didn’t take it back, nor why Calcifer didn’t give it to him. 

Side Characters: TURNIP HEAD!! Best character! Before he turned human, of course. Then he was boring. But Calcifer was very fun, and very put upon. Marukuru was so cute! And I was glad the Witch of the Waste wasn’t ultimately the Bad Guy, she suffered along with everyone else. 

Other characters: Sophie’s mother and sister were fine. Madame Sulliman wa very interesting as a ‘villain’ trying to take in Howl. very good representation of the system and war and stuff. 

Plot: Didn’t seem fully straightforward, but Miyuzaki films aren’t about being straightforward. It’s more about Sophie’s self-actualization to counter her own curse. 

Story: War is Bad. I know there is probably more in it than that but without going full film student, thats most of what I had. 

Cinnamontography: The animation, like usual, is lovely. This style is very nice. 

Design: is it just me or was Turnip Head’s human form a re-coloring of Howl. Like just. A lot of the characters looked similar to me. 

Other: I’ve heard in the books Sophie is more snappy at Howl. I think I could have used that. 

#howl's moving castle

[nebulawriter]

1917

EDIT: I have had this in my drafts forever and i dont remember why I never posted it, but I’m gonna POST IT NOW

ah, it feels good to be back doing reviews. 

So I was bullied into seeing this because while I had heard good things, I am not much of a war movie kind of person. Everybody’s got tastes and this is mine. But I admit, I was really struck by this film, and they did a very good job. Also, of course, if you didn’t know this was a faux-one-take movie, where they do very clever cuts to keep the story going, but it only once ever actually cuts away. very good and very interesting to think about how they did it. 

Main Character: Will Scofield isn’t really someone we know too much about by the end. His story is never laid out fully, just given in hints. He likes kids, he’s tired of war, he cares little to nothing for glory and medals. He wasn’t supposed to be chosen for this assignment, and didn’t care too much about it. But by the end, he does everything in his power to see it to it’s completion, for his friend, and for all the people of the world who suffer in war. 

Side Characters: Blake is the counterpart to Scofield, someone who isn’t as horrified yet by all that war takes. He wants some food. He wants a medal, and honor, and most of all he wants to save his brother. He’s young and innocent, and has a good heart, for which he is killed. Because that’s what war does, and that’s what war destroys. 

Other Characters: alot of famous actors filling out the sidelines, with Colin Firth, Marc Strong, and Benedict Cumberbatch among them. They add great flavor as the story goes, Colin Firth as a distant general who maybe doesn’t understand being on the front lines, Marc Strong who plants a seed of doubt as to whether or not the colonel will even take his orders, and then, Benedict Cumberbatch, who reveals that after everything Scofield went through, it might be for nothing in a few days. There is also the innocent french woman, showing the civilian casualties, and the other soldiers packed in a truck, proving that the movie cared more about historical accuracy than someone’s white-washed all male version of what it would be. 

Plot: so the story is pretty simple in theory: get these orders to the line to save a lot of lives. And it is, which allows for every pitfall that Scofield and Blake have to step through on their way. 

Story: This is what really struck me. At the beginning, for maybe the first hour, it just seemed to me “war is bad.” It showed horrific and ghastly images of war that, well let me just say, if you have a weak stomach, this movie may not be for you. Then in the middle there was a lot of action, running, gunshots, explosions, what you’d expect from a war movie. It was only later I realized this was the ‘during’ part of war, the cause of the destruction and the horrors that come with it.

And then, as he’s so close to his goal, Scofield sees a field preparing for war, but has not quite started yet. The trees are still grown, the grass still green, the people...the people still alive. And in my head I heard the movie tell me that all that I had seen before was about to happen in this place too. And it asked me, if you had the power, what would you do to stop it?

In this movie they answered by having Scofield run, no helmet, no weapons, through a battlefield, against a line of soldiers all on his own to get his message to Benedict Cumberbatch. And tomorrow it might not matter because there will be new orders. But Scofield saved that day. What will we do to save the future? 

Cinnamontography: Obviously this was the highlight of the film, the staging alone was amazing and there were hardly any hints towards when the camera might have cut away. Those must have been some intense shooting days, all the praise to everyone involved.

Design: I mean, that was some grody stuff. the bodies and the tight spaces and the filth. honestly, there was probably even more so, given the amount of illness and dysentery probably going around, and the fact dead people expel their bowels. but we don’t like to think about that, so here we are. 

Other: The music was very good as well, I don’t often talk about music, which is odd considering how much it impacts my life, but it was beautiful

#1917

[nebulawriter]

Most Anticipated of 2020

So this will obviously change as we learn more about these movies and other movies that will come out, but here’s what we got now.

#10 Raya and the Last Dragon

I know nothing about this movie, but that’s a cool name. So nice!

#9 Eternals

MCU continues their hold on me. But here we are.

#8 Soul

Am....curious? Will see. Is pixar, so. It’s pixar.

#7 Black Widow

I think I would have looked forward to it more if she wasn’t like. Dead. But here we are.

#6 Bill and Ted Face the Music

If you haven’t seen Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure....go do that, it’s hilarious. It’s biggest flaw (that I remember) is treating Freud like a legit therapist. But its not exactly meant to be taken seriously so eh.

#5 In the Heights

Look. I don’t like Celebrity aggrandizing because they will inevitably disappoint you, but I would super like to meet Lin Manuel Miranda. He’s an amazing person and creator and I am happy to see this creation.

#4 A Quiet Place 2

As I gently explore watching horror films, I was delighted to see A Quiet Place, and I look forward to seeing this next part and see where this world goes.

#3 Birds of Prey

I like Harley Quinn, specifically from the animated series (where she was originally from) and like her as an anti-hero (one of the few anti-heroes i like, probably because of the comedic angle on her.)

(((((((((((((((((((Also I’ll have something to post once it’s out so stay tuned for that))))))))

#2 Wonder Woman 1984

I still really liked Wonder Woman 1, though I know it’s flawed in the 3rd act, so all my film friends can SHOVE IT. But I’m interested in seeing how they do this thing.

#1 Onward

Look I just REALLY LIKE Suburban fantasy, ok? I like fantastical things with modern technology. It’s good and I am curious about it and look forward to seeing it! Because Bright was a huge disappointment.

#raya and the last dragon #Eternals #Soul #Black Widow #Bill and Ted Face the Music #In the Heights #A Quiet Place 2 #Birds of Prey #Wonder Woman 1984 #Onward

[nebulawriter]

Posted this to the wrong blog! Whoops.

Worst of 2019

I’ll start with this right now: I haven’t seen Cats yet. I probably will, but I couldn’t morally watch it opening weekend, and then there were just....other better ones.

I’ll also say, not all of these are BAD movies, and none (well maybe a couple) shouldn’t be shamed by the creators. This is determined by my own personal enjoyment, and until someone wants to pay me to do reviews, meh.

So, 5 that didn’t make the list (most of which I actually did like, but were just ok) Tolkien, Late Night, Spies in Disguise, Charlies Angels, Ready or Not.

#10 Frozen 2

THATS RIGHT I”M COMING AT YOU DISNEY. While Frozen 1 I considered good but overrated, this one....alright, it looked beautiful, and most of it would be harmless fun, but...IDK. The story seemed weak to me, the humor mostly came from things that I don’t like (Olaf can MELT) And just. I don’t know, it didn’t work for me.

#9 The Addams Family

This one hurt because I was really looking forward to it, but it was kinda just....blah. It had some really good bits in it. What really hit me was....when you make villains so incredibly...I don’t know the word, but like, they specifically and used words to say ‘conformity is good’ or something....it bugs me. I know there��s a necessity to make things clear to kids, but I worry that children will see this and think that’s what it looks like in the real world and like. Not recognize actual bullying and pushes to conformity when they see it. IDK.

#8 Godzilla King of Monsters

So this was the first Godzilla Movie I had ever seen? And like. It was ok, I think? It had some cool shots in there, and I loved Mothra, but I think it didn’t have the heart I look for in movies. Am I expecting too much from a movie called Godzilla King of Monsters? Probably. But anytime humans were on screen I was just tired. Honestly, if they had done a dialogue-light movie focusing on the monsters, that might have been more interesting.

#7 X-Men Dark Phoenix

I actually didn’t see this when it came out, I saw it on a plane a few days ago, and I’ll be real, wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. They backpedalled the biggest thing from X-men 3 of “Charles Xavier: mind manipulator” as a thing that was unequivocally wrong, but like. Meh, it was fine. Didn’t make much sense. But fine. Jennifer Lawrence finally got out of there, bet she’s happy.

#6 The Lighthouse

This one wasn’t bad, and some people would put it on their best of list. I think technically speaking (as in, the techniques) its very well done. But I. It was hard to care about it. But it’s fine.

#5 Missing Link

I keep rooting for Laika because I WANT them to do well and I can see it’s a crazy amount of work but. Oh god was this boring. Just...just so boring. I was hoping I’d fall asleep. Also they narrowly avoided that bland romance bullet, but it was still too close. Also the main character is terrible.

#3 Alita: Battle Angel

This looked really pretty, but was clearly a manga that had been adapted and didn’t feel like a cohesive movie. If they could get the budget, it might have been a better TV show. IDK. They thought they were getting a sequel which was cute. Oh well.

#3 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Boring until I physically couldn’t watch ‘cause of the violence. Felt like....bad taste. I can’t pinpoint it. I didn’t know much about the Mason family, but after watching, it feels like. Like Tarantino was purposefully making them bad guys ‘cause they were hippies and not racist cultists. This seems....REALLY bad coming from a guy who is often critiqued for not being progressive. Eek.

#2 Isn’t it Romantic

Oh man, I had hopes for this movie, to show the actual good and bad of Romantic Comedies. But instead the whole thing was “hey you know this trope? It sure is a trope.” And despite what it thinks, it’s not the first to show the ‘i just need to love myself and I’ll find love’ idea. Meh.

#1 Ugly Dolls

I watched this movie because of a dreadful mistake. But I did watch it. This goes back to the idea of conformity I mentioned with the Addams Family. This one had a very “I don’t care if you’re black, white, or purple owo” kinda vibe and reeked of capitalism. Eeeeeeek.

[nebulawriter]

Best of 2019

Holy Moly Me-Oh-My, I’m alive.

So a lot of life and....I guess life covers it, had me stop giving movie reviews and this blog has been kind of dead. BUT with the new year, I am determined to start reviewing things again, and we’ll start off with my best and worst of the year. This is the best list, as you could guess.

Also, 5 that didn’t make the list: Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, Doctor Sleep, Booksmart, How to Train Your Dragon 3, The LEGO Movie: The Second Part.

#10 Jumanji: The Next Level

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was a surprise delight when it came out, and so I was absolutely thrilled these actors would be doing another. As with many sequels, this one fell into some pitfalls, namely doing the same as the first but adding some factors. I think it was ok though, I just would have done a few things different. Still, though, Jack Black deserves some damn awards and I won’t hear different.

#9 Rocketman

I’m not much one for bio pics, but this was such an intriguing story, especially as they took it more in a fantastical direction which showed this wasn’t the events as they happened, but Elton John’s view of it. I’m also weirdly glad the parents and him never had a reconnection? It’s rare to see stories of someone just, throwing away their family’s opinions and finding their own self worth. It’s a beautiful story that made me appreciate Elton John more.

#8 Detective Pikachu

This could have been an absolute mess or a thing of beauty. So we’re lucky it erred more to the second side. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a great way for people who like Pokémon to see their game in ‘realistic’ fashion, while people who didn’t know much were introduced to it. As someone who thinks of Pokémon as a second-hand fandom, it was a lot of fun with a lot of heart.

#7 Us

I don’t think I liked it as much as Get Out, but I thought it was really nifty with a lot of cool directional details in it and great statements for the world in a scary sci-fi way. It probably breaks down the more you think about the world, but that feels like missing the forest for the trees. It’s a what if kinda thing, and it plays through nicely. Though it was scary as hell and I can’t watch it again.

#6 Avengers Endgame

I know there are people who have problems with this plot line or that character, and I feel it, but it is inherently impressive they managed to tie together all these characters and stories together into something cohesive. Overall, I felt satisfied and was happy to see the different characters interact. I still look forward to more mcu movies.

#5 Spider-Man Far from Home

So I have some problems with the villain and some of the story elements, but I love the character of Tom Holland’s Spider-man so much, along with Zendaya’s MJ and Ned, Happy, and other characters. I love them so much it overwhelms my problems with the movies and just....makes me happy.

#4 Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit wins my Underrated Movie of the Year award. I can’t widely reccommend it because yeah it is some Scary Shit so I totally get why you wouldn’t want to watch it, and the main character starts as a straight up Nazi, but honestly if you can handle the imagery and the Gallows Humor, this a super poignant piece on fascism, moral purity, and brainwashing. I wish it was more popular.

#3 Shazam!

Found! Families! Are! My! Shit! This was a fun superhero movie. In this day and age where most superhero movies are about...superhero movies.....this was a nice take to show what makes a hero a hero. My love for this hero and the Shazam/Captain Marvel in cartoons like Young Justice and Justice League Unlimited is very different, but its still very good and I do like it.

#2 Knives Out

This was my years Biggest Surprise, because I only really saw it because my friend wanted to, but Guys, it was so good. I can’t even talk about why it’s good because it would be a spoiler and this is one of those where the spoilers can affect it, but it takes great murder mystery plots and twists them so they actually are unpredictable and interesting. I love it.

#1 Captain Marvel

If you had told me at the beginning of the year this would be my favorite movie of the year.....I would have totally believed you. Captain Marvel is my favorite superhero (maybe tied with Spider-Man) and this was a great piece that truly showed off her power both internal and external. So happy.

So yeah! Stay tuned to see my least of 2019 and most anticipated of 2020

#Jumanji: the next level #Rocketman #Us #Avengers: Endgame #spiderman: far from home #Jojo Rabbit #shazam #Knives Out #Captain Marvel

[nebulawriter]

Classic Reviews: Pulp Fiction

There wasn’t a lot movie wise that I wanted to see this week, so I watched an old one instead.

So, to get some bias-es out of the way, I am not a fan of what I’ve seen of Quentin Tarantino, mostly in interviews. What I’ve seen is someone who gets offended if you accuse him of wrongdoing. Now, my scope is very limited as these are just what gets most reported, I don’t follow him much otherwise, and don’t know much about him. 

I haven’t seen any Tarantino films, mostly because I am a delicate little flower who is not a huge fan of sex and/or violence. That’s not necessarily about morals, that’s about my own personal comfort, so not a judgement on those who enjoyed it. But I thought I’d actually WATCH one of these movies to do a good judgement. 

My main three reactions to all of this movie were “What?” “EW!” and “I’m bored.” There actually wasn’t a whole lot of violence as I was expecting, which maybe thats just a time thing. I’d seen a couple scenes from it before. it was clever, i think, but I hesitate before I say that translates to ‘good.’

Characters: I’m foregoing main/side/other because ???? how do you determine that. 

Vincent-sure was John Travolta with weird hair. a lot of his job was balancing being cool with...idk panic? Getting everything wrong? danced w/ bosses wife, got her to od on his drugs, shot a guy in broad daylight....idk. 

Sam Jackson: Hell I decided to write a review on a day i can’t use imdb...sigh.... i forget his character name, but his religious awakening was probably one of the most interesting of the movie. But I don’t have a great sense of what it meant other than it sounded important.

Bruce Willis: Makes a good antihero. but damn were those scenes uncomfortable. 

Boss guy: very boss-like. 

Boss’s wife: MM VER UNCOMFY WITH THE PORTRAYAL OF LADIES IN THIS FILM. Like, this was a classic Sexy Lamp, but with a drug overdose.

Plot: I like the non-linear timeline, it did make sense without being confusing. It made sense, and did feel like a comic book jumping around to different events. It was also very focused on ‘coincidence’ which makes up a lot of pulp fiction, so. I get it. it was clever. 

Story: Here’s where I fall off the rails. Maybe it’s because I’m not the target audience, maybe its cause this film is as old as I am, but I just...didn’t understand the purpose. What were we supposed to be looking for, or understanding. Hmm. 

Cinnamontography: Yeah, is real good. No getting around it. 

Design: I have no useful comments in this section. 

Other: The dialogue was good, but long. I think thats supposed to be a staple of Mr. Tarantino. And that’s fine, and is entertaining for a bit, but quickly becomes not entertaining and I get bored. 

Also jeesus there were some things that did not need to be in this or any movie.

#pulp fiction #Classic Reviews

[nebulawriter]

The Killers

This movie was recommended to me by a friend because I’m writing a Noir-parody comedy with one glaring problem: I don’t know a HECKuva lot about Film Noir. so gonna check this out and maybe it’ll give me some inspiration. 

Considering I haven’t HEARD of this film before she recommended it, I’m just gonna go with it is film noir and I think it has cops. Lets do this. 

Yeah, pretty classic noir story, am happy with it overall, not REALLY what gets me goin, but I appreciate it and it did in fact give me ideas, thanks!

Main Character: I guess either Reardon or the Swede could be the main character. The Swede we don’t get a personal account from, but everyone’s impressions are of a decent guy who got obsessed with the wrong lady. So its all the woman’s fault. Reardon we also don’t actually get much of his personal character other than his determination for finding the truth to a strange insurance case. And he gets the grand reward of a weekend off. 

Side Characters: Pretty classic trope with the Femme Fatale Kitty. I was interested in the mystery as a bunch of suspects popped up, Kitty, Dum Dum, Colfax, etc. They were all generic bad guys, but it was interesting to see HOW they were bad guys. Colfax in particular was interesting as he faked getting cucked essentially, when he was working with his girlfriend/wife the whole time. 

Plot: Killers arrive to kill a Swede, and they do just that. An Insurance investigator thinks there’s more to the story and is determined to find out what, interviewing people about the Swede’s life. Pretty classic mystery, but I admit, I didn’t guess it.

Story: Woman are either Loyal Wives or Evil Temptresses, huh?

Cinnamontography: I don’t know enough about this period in time to do a lot of judgements, and I dont remember enough from my film classes. I will say the opening scene with the actual Killers was amazing, and I’m almost disappointed the rest of the movie wasn’t really about them. 

Design: I mean.....it was a classic trope, but this is from the era where the tropes of pretty blonde Good Wife and dark haired Femme Fatale come from, right? so it’s hard to judge it on that. 

Other: My problem with Noir stories is that I like stories that subvert the Noir tropes, but those tropes need to exist in stories like this for them to be subverted.