I'm just a few days away from finishing up my Christmas Catch Up, and my Top 10 is really starting to take shape.
I find myself wanting to either hate or be blown away by what I'm watching, mostly because it's going to make choosing those top 10 films much easier. Interestingly enough almost everything in my top 10 could have at one point or another been considered for that top spot. And honestly, the first 5 or so still is.
Once the Christmas Catch Up is over it will be time to rewatch some of my earlier faves ("Final Portrait," "Annihilation," "Lean on Pete") as well as a few question marks ("If Beale Street Could Talk," "The Favourite") and those few films vying for the top spot. And if "Ben is Back" makes it to Memphis or Oxford (not looking likely) I'll give that a shot as well.
Yesterday and today I watched two spectacular films. The first is "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." I am not opposed to animated films, but I rarely make much effort to see them until Oscar nominations are announced. Back when I used to wait to publish my top 10, a few animated films made the cut. "The Secret of Kells" and "Princess and the Frog" made it in 2009 and in 2008, "Les Maison Petits Cubes", an animated short film landed in the top 10. In 2015, "World of Tomorrow" came close.
The buzz for "Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse" was last minute, sudden and loud. To think that I might have gone to see "Mary Poppins Returns" instead of this! I would suggest going into this "Spider-Man" knowing absolutely nothing, because the biggest surprise for me was that the people behind the film were willing to take their safe bet protagonist and give us something completely new and much needed. The voice actors area all phenomenal, the animation is top notch, and the story is very, very compelling. I left the theater with my heart racing, believing this film to be a serious contender for my favorite film of the year.
This morning I watched "Vox Lux." This is another incredible film, and one I'm so glad I took the time to watch before the end of the year. From what I was hearing about it, I thought this was going to be some wild, over the top fantasy, but it actually plays quite realistic. The opening scene is tragic, and also quite honest for a film that is going to lead us into the life of a broken glitter, Bowie-esque pop star.
Both Raffey Cassidy and Natalie Portman are fantastic as Celeste. Although Portman is spectacular, I can understand why she isn't a serious contender for Supporting Actress. It's such an interesting character study, I can see how the art of what she and director Brady Corbet have created could be lost on some people.
After watching an all too realistic decision by Celeste and her Manager (Jude Law) to use drugs before her big concert, we witness a lip synced spectacle to which Celeste (and maybe Portman?) can't quite rise to the occasion. But somehow, in the end, she wins us over. Which must be why after all the tragedy and drama, audiences keep showing up for her. It's a really interesting film.
With 3 days left, let's look at the list. Interestingly enough, when I take out "Ben is Back" and "Mary Poppins Returns" I ended up with 12 after all.
Happy As Lazzaro
A Kid Like Jake
Vice
We the Animals
Vox Lux
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
You Were Never Really Here
Colette
Free Solo
Burning
Burning
Three Identical Strangers
No comments:
Post a Comment