Midweek Movie Free Talk

I watched Grave of the Fireflies last night at it made me question why I seek out films like this. Films that creates a tightening knot in my stomach that ends in uncontrollable sobbing. I guess when ones own life is thankfully with few worries or tragedies, then there is something compelling about seeking out strong emotions from the world of film.

There isn't exactly a lack of great films showing the tragedies war inflict upon people. What I think this animated film does that is unique is telling it from a childs perspective. Usually child actors aren't very good or convincing, and if they are, often only in a few isolated scenes. Using animation opens up to make a focus that I don't think could be done the same way with child actors, and even though animation makes for much simpler facial expressions for example, we somehow fill in the blanks as viewers and it feels real despite the limitations.

I can see that the film does pull on ones emotional strings with various effective methods, but I don't think it was too much and it definitely worked better on me than when Hollywood movies is trying to make me feel sad. I am not immune to shedding a few tears, but it often comes from nostalgia - like a particular piece of music in, but it is rare that an ending makes me sob like this. Even though you basically know that this is where the story will end, so it is no surprise, but still effective. Likely doesn't help I had two daughters at a similar age sleeping upstairs.

I am going to put this film in the box of "the greatest films of all time, that I don't want to watch again". I think it is important to at least sometimes watch something like this to set things into perspective and reflect a bit on what to be grateful for.

Saltburn

I’ve been looking forward to this for over a year now. Test screenings suggested it was a modern rendition of Talented Mr Ripley. It was originally supposed to be a big Oscar contender as well, but after it premiered at Telluride to mixed critical reception those awards chances went up in the air.

I started becoming wary of the movie when I noticed the people that were celebrating it are not people who are in line with my tastes. I also did a rewatch of Promising Young Woman recently and liked it less (I had previously had it as my favorite of 2020).

I felt mixed on this. Right after I left the theater I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not. That’s not a common occurrence for me. The last time I felt like this about a movie was Under the Silver Lake four years ago. There’s stuff that I like in it, including the look of the movie, I liked Elrodi and Keoghan, I liked some of the turns the movie takes. It felt like somewhat of an homage to Rebecca at times. But there’s also stuff in it that I don’t like. I don’t mind campiness, but I think this, at times, veers too heavily into bad camp.

It is really not a movie that is made for me, I can see that pretty clear. It’s a movie that will have its fans and I can absolutely see it be a cult classic. I think with a little bit of time and a little bit more thought I like it less and less.

I appreciate though that Fennell decided to make a weird messy movie after winning an Oscar when she could have just played it straight and gotten awards attention again.

And as a side-note, after seeing this and Priscilla Jacob Elrodi is a fantastic actor. And watching Hunger Games and seeing how good Hunter Schaffer was in that. It really speaks to the volume of talent that Euphoria had even if most of the attention went to the weaker actresses of that show (Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney)

Rear Window

I actually started watching this weeks ago but stopped and only finished it recently. I'm glad I did. It was interesting how much one could observe about other people's lives from the rear window of an apartment, but the first half didn't really hold my attention. The mystery and suspense really picked up towards the end, especially the scenes involving Grace Kelly's character.

I think the only other Hitchcock film I've watched is The Birds but I don't remember anything from it. Does anyone have recommendations of other Hitchcock films? Or other films involving few characters in a small setting with a lot of mystery unfolding?