Francis Ford Coppola‘s Megalopolis is an unusual experience. As cinema, or as art, it certainly holds value. As coherent storytelling, however, it leaves something to be desired. Conceived by Coppola in the 70s, and obviously spurred on by recent political events, the director has been toying with the idea for decades trying to make the film a reality. Maybe he should have waited just a bit longer.
…
When 30 minutes into a comedy which has failed to make you laugh, even once, you know you are in for trouble. Quirky, without ever being funny, White Noise is full of supposedly smart dumb people dealing with situations outside their control. Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig star in roles more befitting a stage performance given the unnatural words and candence from writer/director Noah Baumbach‘s script which never once feels anything more than scripted satirical content.
…
The Last Duel offers a medieval he-said/she-said/he-said tale based on the true events involving Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), his wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer), and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) who is accused of raping her. Events leading up to and after the rape are shown from each of the three characters’ perspectives including the trial of Marguerite and the eventual duel between the two men who may or may not have been friends at one point depending on whose account you believe.
Each reciting covers many of the same events, offering more context to their character’s actions and the perspective of themselves and Marguerite who under the laws of the time was Jean’s property damaged by Jacques. Let’s just say it wasn’t the best time to be a woman. Nor does the script look fondly on nobility (Ben Affleck) or royalty (Alex Lawther). It’s as much an indictment of the time period as on the events that occurred.
…
House of Gucci is one of the sillier movies of 2021. Taken from true events of the Gucci family, with some obvious embellishment for effect by screenwriters Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna, it struggles when it needs its more dramatic moments to hit home. With a tone more to parody winking at the camera, and characters who feel ratcheted up to 11, we’re left with an amusing, but largely empty, experience.
The film follows the ups and downs of Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) and Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) after their marriage. We witness how their relationship changes both of them as the reluctant member of the Gucci family is drawn back into the family business. If there’s a point to director Ridley Scott‘s film it might be that despite their troubles and the eventual misery they caused each other, Patrizia and Maurizio appear to have been made for each other.
…
Family was a strong theme in many of my favorite films of 2019. My list includes some famous directors, one super-hero, secrets, mystery and deception, strong ensembles, the search for the truth, and the horrors of war and divorce. Tying for an honorable mention (I couldn’t decide on which to include as #10 on the list) are the equally good, yet very different, Dolemite is My Name and Motherless Brooklyn. Without further ado, it is time to count down the nine best movies of 2019.
…
The Nine Best Films of 2019 Read More »
