Seed of the Sacred Fig
For the first two-thirds, I was thinking “this is one of the best films I’ve ever seen.” About repressive regimes, loyalties to the state vs the individual, how the innocents are punished. Also how this man’s paranoia about the girls stealing his gun with no evidence whatsoever, was destroying the family. But then at the two-thirds mark, it was revealed, completely out of nowhere, that the younger daughter had indeed stolen the gun! So he was right! Not sure what that does to the metaphor, but soon after that The Fig went completely off the rails. And what happened to the two resisters who were cuffed with zip ties in the middle of the desert? And what of their friend who was disappeared? Another flawed masterpiece.
The Brutalist
A big film with big ideas. A John Galt-like architect, exposition on the immigrant experience, and the class structure. Ultimately a flawed masterpiece (what happened to all the main characters?), but a masterpiece nonetheless. Was not bored at all despite the marathon running time. As Siskel and Ebert used to say, a bad movie can’t be too short and a great movie can’t be too long.
September 5
I’m partial to movies about the media and reporting, so I knew I’d like this one, and I did. Also add in my preference for the “smart people surmounting a challenge” plotline, and the 1970s, and Munich, and it was great. Funny to remember how hard doing one’s job used to be before computers and the Internet.
A Real Pain
I resisted seeing this movie because I find Kiernan Culkan so annoying, and yes I know that’s the point, but was pleasantly surprised by this spare, personal story. Nothing new here — odd couple takes a trip — but the take feels fresh and poignant.
Say Nothing (Limited series, Hulu
Flat out perfect. They captured the complexity of the brilliant book about “The Troubles” in Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe, rare for such an adaptation. Watched over a weekend, was immersed.
Gladiator II
A great time at the movies. A 15-years-later sequel that works. Plot’s a bit overstuffed, but when the men are this hot and the CGI of the city of Rome looks so cool, who can complain.
Anora
I know this is one of the “great” movies of the year, on account of the raw portrayal of a stripper/hooker’s Cinderella week with the spoiled scion of a Russian oligarch. But I hated every minute of it. The sex and nudity flip between vulgar and merely banal. And why the crummy apartment? She’s making bank in that VIP section.
Nosferatu
Saw on Christmas day — sure to become a holiday classic! Somewhere between arch Victorian gothic and campy True Blood. Not scary, not literary, but great art direction and set design.
Babygirl
A masterpiece of erotic tension and obsession. Fierce chemistry between the leads. The rare film that understands that seduction is more alluring than sex. Love the score and song list; every needle drop works. Samuel dancing shirtless to “Father Figure” lives rent-free in my imagination.
Maria
Ah, the soaring arias, the chic wardrobe, that exquisite Paris apartment! Angelina nails the role. Dragged at times, but overall quite lovely.
Conclave
Really enjoyed this film, its plot propelled by a web of whispered hallway conversations between red-gowned cardinals. Happy to see “The Day of Judgment,” one of my favorite paintings, even though it was a Hollywood replica. I suppose the message is that the only way anything female enters the papacy is by subterfuge.
A Complete Unknown
Damn, this was a good film. Launched a week of listening to Dylan, who I admire the way everyone respects Dylan, but didn’t really know anything about.
On Call (8-episode series on Prime)
Excellent new police-on-the-beat procedural set in Long Beach. Gritty, excellent character development. Reminds me of “Southland,” another very cop show set in So. Cal.
Juror #2 and The Order
These two are just OK. Nicholas Hoult stars in both, as well as in Nosferatu. Busy year for that guy, although to me he’ll always be hapless Czar Peter from “The Great.”
The Pitt (ongoing series on Max)
The “ER” thirty years later. Carter, all grown up now, is the attending physician running the ED. Each episode covers an hour in one day at the hospital, and each ep runs for an hour, so it’s a bit meta — we’re with them in real time. Loving it so far.