Rambling Film

Official Synopsis:  Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns for his most dangerous case yet. Back in 2019 Writer/Director Rian Johnson gave us an all-timer character in Southern Sleuth Benoit Blanc. Now he completes his whodunnit trilogy with a harsh take on those who pervert religion as we follow along Jud, (Josh O'Connor) a preacher who is moved to a church run by a man who isn't exactly the most exemplary person of faith. (Josh Brolin) The humor in this films is much more in line with Knives Out than Glass Onion . It's more subtle, but it still hits every mark. There's a sight gag at a morgue that absolutely sent me. But as far as the themes, this is probably the most critical Johnson has gotten yet. He challenges those who use Christianity as a tool to hate, and how easily others can be manipulated by that. I think the film treads very carefully in showing these hypocrisies while also not looking down on anyone who believes in the teachings of Christ. It gave me a lot t...

Official Synopsis:  Famous movie actor Jay Kelly (George Clooney) embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting his past and present with his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler). Poignant and humor-filled, pitched at the intersection of regrets and glories It's only natural that George Clooney play a famous movie star in a flick like this. I wonder how much of it he can actually relate to? Jay is pretty out of touch, but longs to get to know the "real" people (us plebs) and his two daughters, who don't want much to do with him. All while his employees, mainly Ron scramble around him.  I can see why this is popping up on a lot of awards season lists. Hollywood loves "movies about movies" after all, but while I think it's a huge step up from Noah Baumbach's last effort, W hite Noise , I just wasn't that impressed with Jay Kelly overall. It's fine. Clooney is good, Sandler is great, I liked the way we see Jay watch his memories, but the fi...

Official synopsis : After losing their son Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe) to plague, Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) grapple with grief in 16th-century England. A healer, Agnes must find strength to care for her surviving children while processing her devastating loss. Hamnet might be one of the most hyped films of the awards season. I feel like I've been hearing near universal praise for it all year. I'm happy to report it's now my new favorite Chloe Zhao film. Zhao is a very intimate director. Even if I don't completely love a film of hers, I always feel that intimacy. She clearly loves her subjects and this is no exception. Anges makes for a great main character. She's smart, not afraid to be different, and deeply loves her family. She tells us early on the women in her family have visions, and when she sees two children at her death bed, she spends a great deal of time worrying over her surprise set of twins, bringing her total amount of child...

The Golden Globe nominations are upon us! Honestly, I forgot these were being announced today, so this was a nice surprise. Speaking of which, I was surprised by a lot of their choices. Below are a list of nominees, and as always my thoughts.  BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA Frankenstein Hamnet It Was Just an Accident The Secret Agent Sentimental Value Sinners The Secret Agent seems to be surging more and more. I'm going to see Hamnet later today, Sinners is my clear favorite for what I have seen.  BEST MOTION PICTURE, MUSICAL OR COMEDY Blue Moon Bugonia Marty Supreme No Other Choice Nouvelle Vague One Battle After Another I wasn't entirely sure where they'd put One Battle After Another because it could go either way. I'm sure it will be an easy win here. The biggest shocker to me is Wicked II not making it. Not because it's amazing, but because it's very "globes"  I also didn't realize No Other Choice was a comedy, but it's nice to see more foreign...

I'm back with a quick recap of what I've been catching up with on the small screen! Stranger Things Season 5 (part 1) Frankly, I think releasing season 5 in 3 parts is stupid on Netflix's part, but I get why they want to draw this show's final season out. We've been waiting for this for a LONG time. The first four episodes were very action packed, and they end with a pretty big cliffhanger, though it's something I expected to happen for a while now. I am a bit wary of the next few episodes considering a certain character they brought back. The last time we saw them, we had one of the weakest episodes of the entire series, so I'm hoping the Duffers found a way to write them in a better way. I'm still looking forward to them, but I'm cautiously optimistic.  If there's one thing I struggled with in the first four episodes, it's how distracting the recasting of Holly Wheeler is. I knew that was coming, and I didn't think it was going to bothe...

The Independent Spirit Awards announced their nominations today, and the most exciting part...I get to vote this year! I joined Film Independent for the first time and I'm really excited to contribute, even if it's just a little. And of course to see some great movies.(watching all the nominees is required before voting) Below is a full list of the nominees + my thoughts Best Feature Peter Hujar’s Day The Plague Sorry, Baby Train Dreams Twinless So far I've only seen Sorry, Baby (clear favorite) and Train Dreams. Sorry, Baby is currently in my Top 10 of the year. Best Director Clint Bentley, Train Dreams Mary Bronstein, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Lloyd Lee Choi, Lucky Lu Ira Sachs, Peter Hujar’s Day Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby I'm really excited to see if I Had Legs I'd Kick You, again, I've only seen 2 of these.  Best First Feature Blue Sun Palace Dust Bunny East of Wall Lurker One of Them Days One of Them Days being here cracks me up. I was not expecting this film...

Official synopsis:  Phillip,(Brenden Fraser) an American actor in Tokyo struggling to find purpose lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. He rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the beauty of human connection. "Charming" is the first word that comes to mind when I think of Rental Family , and charm goes a long way. The film can introduce an idea that you know is terrible and is going to end badly, but you don't cringe your way through it because the film is just so damn lovely and sincere. That's how I felt watching this. A lesser film would've had me rolling my eyes at some of the decisions made by characters at various points, but I completely understood Phillip's state of mind. I don't think I'd be able to resist a few of these things either.  We meet a lot of lonely people in this film. Writer/Director Hikari reminds us that connections are what make humans thrive. I think...

Official synopsis:  Brave rabbit cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and her partner, the fox Nick Wilde,(Jason Bateman) team up again to crack a new case, the most perilous and intricate of their careers. It doesn't feel like it's been 9 years since the first Zootopia graced our screens. The film became such a staple in our household. It holds a special place in my heart because it was the first time my son asked a lot of questions about the themes of the film. That's why Zootopia excelled. It was a great conversation starter about classism and prejudice for little kids. It spoke to both adults and children equally and not in a way that dumbed it down. Plus, it was just plain old entertaining. Zootopia 2 is the same way. Though my son is no longer a bright eyed 6 year old, his teenage brain makes him ask additional questions like "what did they make the gazelle so hot?" I love that we're still talking about these movies, and I'm never letting him forget t...