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Reviews
Bacurau (2019)
One of the last films in theaters before lockdowns was 2020s best film
2020 has certainly been the year of streaming films and there is nothing that's going to change that this year and probably going forward. However, films are truly classic films like Bacurau stand alone even over the streaming films which I loved. It's is a curious film with amazing symbolism set in the historically impoverished Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Norte in "the not to distant future". It took some some time me to figure out what is happening here, but with the story of slowly leaks out through the roles of each townsperson, whether they are loved or hated, and it becomes more evident what the world has become and what sorts of people these folks really are. The movie takes a sudden turn as the English speaking cast are introduced (must be watched with Portuguese subs!) and suddenly this Werner Herzogesque slice of existential dread suddenly makes a 90 turn to Tarantino. To say any more would give too much away but I was not expecting this film to be what it was and it delivered both a deep message-rich chain of events that set up acts 2 and 3 that were riveting as well as vaguely mystical. The movie had a tone that was honestly unlike anything I've seen in a while. It truly stands alone.
So while Netlfix got all kinds of awards for some good streaming films this year almost out of there being such a wasteland of other options (some truly terrible films came out this year) this film is brilliant by any standard, not just with the 2020 advantage of have little competition. Unlike "Vast of Night" which got all kinds of buzz when it otherwise would have been forgotten (which would have been sad because I did like it) this film stands tall and on its own. You just have to see it.
Racket Girls (1951)
"Strut Pout, Put it Out, That's What You Want from Grandma"
As Trace said it best, "I feel so wrong that this movie has stirred my loins for women who are long dead..."
Ronin (1998)
Best Car Chases EVER
This movie is a huge homage to The French Connection, if not just for the car chases. This movie IS the watermark of this genre. The cast is fantastic: DeNiro proves he far from washed up cliché you see in Casino, Reno is brilliant as always, McElhone comes off sharp yet brittle, just to name a few of the great people in this flick. This is action/intrigue/heist at its best and sets the standard, showing exactly what Hollywood can't do in what should be their bread and butter. The story of the 47 Ronin is a compelling metaphor within the film, but most of all, the personalities of the characters are beleiveable and interesting. Actions movies get a bad reputation for being bone-headed and implausible goof-offs, but again, blame Hollywood for that.
And the car chase scenes, particularly the Paris one, are far and beyond the best driving and stunt work I have ever seen. Forget pyrotechnics, bullet time, and guys taking 87 bullets without going down- seeing things that obey the laws of physics is refreshing when they can do so much within those constraints.
"The ticket covers the entire seat... but you're only going to need the edge!"