FORD V FERRARI: For the second straight year, I saw every film nominated for Best Picture when the nominations were released. You can probably thank the internet for this, as most of these end up online illegally while still in theaters, although Marriage Story and The Irishman were released on Netflix. I did actually go to a movie theater to see Little Women, 1917 (that was an early, free screening), and Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood. Three of the films that were nominated will end up on my Best of the Year list, which is usually out of the ordinary. The only film I didn't like at all was Joker, which, unsurprisingly, got the most nominations of any film. Ford v Ferrari is probably the slickest, most pure Hollywood film of all the nominees. It's basic, edgeless, and oh-so vanilla. Christian Bale is terrific in it, as he always is, but other than that there isn't much to recommend. The story is interesting, although it's such a good story that I'd actually have rather watched a documentary with the real footage of everything. The film is mildly entertaining but makes a crucial mistake late by ending on the wrong note. **1/2
THE IRISHMAN: At three and a half hours, this feels more like a TV mini-series than a movie (it probably doesn't help that everyone watched it on TV on Netflix). While it is engrossing and a good film, it's no Goodfellas, which was the type of movie that was kinetic and alive and thrilling. This is slow, methodical, though it does have a great performance by Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa and a good performance by the returning Joe Pesci. One major problem is having Robert Deniro play the same character as a young man and an old man with only lame, fake looking special f/x to differentiate his youth. Anyone (and there are a lot of them) saying this is a masterpiece and one of Scorsese's best is either a fool or just has to go back and watch Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, or Goodfellas again to realize how idiotic they are. ***
JOJO RABBIT: I loved this film, but that's not a big surprise as I'm a fan of everything Taiki Waititi does. This film has been loved by audiences and loathed by a number of critics. I guess critics don't like zany humor involving Hitler. Critics want serious, smart humor? I guess those same critics dislike The Three Stooges. Or maybe it is just that this is a comedy romp while also being about Hitler and the horrors of WW2. I don't know...I thought this movie was creative as hell, laugh out loud hilarious, and had a great script. It's super entertaining and made me cry, and I loved the ending. It's one of the year's best. ***1/2
JOKER: I still can't figure out why anyone liked this movie. Maybe it's because I read comic books, so a dark, serious, sadomasochistic Joker without Batman around isn't exactly anything new. It's new to those who found this take fresh and bold, which it isn't. It's The King of Comedy and Taxi Driver combined, that's all it is. And I can't possibly be the only one that thinks a Batman movie without Batman is a dumb idea, right? I think that Joaquin Phoenix is the best actor on the planet but even I thought his performance was forgettable and uninteresting. The movie held my interest and isn't exactly boring, but it wallows in its grimness and story-wise there isn't anything there. **
LITTLE WOMEN: This is a great film, nearly flawless. It was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film, got a Best Actress nomination for Saorise Ronan, and got a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Florence Pugh (who might just be the best actress working today, as she was terrific in Midsommar). So of course Greta Gerwig wasn't nominated for Best Director. Jesus Christ, Hollywood hates women unless they're taking off their clothes, don't they? This film is gorgeous to look at, wildly engaging, funny, heartfelt, and has such a great cast that fits together like a glove. I guess the only real problem I have is that this book has been adapted multiple times and Gerwig is such a creative person, why the fuck didn't she just make something original instead? ***1/2
MARRIAGE STORY: While it's very well done and well written and well acted, it's also super depressing and sad. So probably only watch this if afterwards you want to slit your wrists. The best scene is Adam Driver singing a song from Sondheim's Company in a piano bar...which made me ponder why writer/director Noah Baumbach didn't just make a film adaptation of Company instead. Baumbach and Gerwig have been dating for years and both of their films were nominated for Best Picture but not Best Director. Does Hollywood hate this power couple for some reason? ***
1917: Reviewed. ***
ONCE UPON A TIME...IN HOLLYWOOD: I briefly reviewed this when I ranked it last on my Quentin Tarantino Movies Ranked list. It's not bad, just too meandering and about half as good as Tarantino at his best. **
PARASITE: Finally the best director working today, Boon Jo-Hong, gets his due. This film already won the Palm D'or at Cannes, so I guess he already did (and he ain't fucking winning this). The reason that this film is probably better than anything nominated is the fact that it's original. It's set in modern times, is unique, is definitely of-the-moment, and is chock full of surprises, twists, and turns, and has a hell of great end note. All of his movies are out-of-the-box and feel shockingly alive and new, and this is no different. It's certainly bizarre, but the type of film that, honestly, you have no idea where it's going and you can't wait to see what's next. It's truly surprising that a weird, South Korean movie would ever be nominated for an American best movie award. But hell, it deserves it. ***1/2
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