The Cormier Chronicle (2024)

10/03/2024

Poor Things by Yorgos Lanthimos
4/5
“The incredible tale about the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.”

Yorgos is hit or miss for me, but I enjoy watching his movies because he challenges me. I didn't 'get' Dogtooth or The Killing of a Sacred Deer, but I enjoyed trying. There was no trying with Poor Things; this was my favourite movie of the year, at least of the nominees. The story was great, the acting was great, I don't like the fish bulb effect but it works here, I loved the cinematography, the effects were great. I know it has no chance but this is my sleeper pick to win Best Picture and sleeper to win Best Director. I also think it will win Best Adapted Screenplay, but that won't be a shocker. I think Stone should win Best Actress, but I don't think it'll happen. I think Ruffalo has a serious shot at Best Supporting Actor.

2h 21m | R

10/03/2024

Past Lives by Celine Song
3.5/5
“Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrested apart after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.”

An interesting story about Korean and American ways of life. I thought the cinematography was great. A lot of cool shots. The acting was very good.
Recommend.

1h 45m | 12A

10/03/2024

American Fiction by Cord Jefferson
4/5
“A novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from Black entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him into the heart of the hypocrisy and madness he claims to disdain.”

Wow! What a great movie. Reminiscent of Spike Lee's Bamboozled (my favourite Lee film), this movie is hilarious and thought provoking. It's amazingly acted (Sterling K. Brown could win Supporting Actor) and well-written. If I were ranking these, this would be my number 2; it's fantastic!
Highly recommend.

1h 57m | R

10/03/2024

The Holdovers by Alexander Payne
3.5+/5
“A cranky history teacher at a prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a grieving cook and a troubled student who has no place to go.”

Reminiscent of Outside Providence, the movie starts a little slow but quickly finds itself and is pretty entering. The acting is great and the story, though basic, is well-executed. It's very enjoyable.
I'm not commenting on the plagiarism accusations because I only know that they exist and only found out today (Saturday, when I wrote this).
Recommend.

2h 13m | R

10/03/2024

Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet
3.5*
“A woman is suspected of murder after her husband's death; their half-blind son faces a moral dilemma as the main witness.”

This movie probably gets 4/5 if the camera work was better. I found it to be inconsistent and unnecessarily shaky (yes, I am super harsh about shaking cameras but it's become a trend and it's terrible). Other than that, the film was fantastic. I thought the presentation was excellent. I thought the acting was great. And I think Triet deserves her Best Director nomination. It should win Best Screenplay.
Definitely recommend.

2h 31m | 15

10/03/2024

Oppenheimer by Christopher Nolan
4/5
“The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.”

An interesting story told in an interesting way. Great performances all around. Great visuals. This is the Best Picture front runner, and rightfully so. This is likely to land Nolan his first Best Director, as well.
Definitely recommend

3h | R

10/03/2024

Killers of the Flower Moon by Martin Scorsese
3+/5
“When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one - until the FBI steps in to unravel the mystery.”

The real mystery is when Scorsese will make an enjoyable movie again. Anyway, what a boring film. The cast is obviously fantastic and Fat Matt Damon always brings it (though I don't like him), but can't you present this movie in an interesting way? This story was an interesting one and a very important one, but it just felt like this could have been presented in a more interesting way. It's almost like Scorsese is done taking chances. This film felt very safe, like he made all his decisions based on what would be the safe approach. Maybe I just have unrealistic expectations of the King . . . but he is the King.
I think there is a Best Actress award going to be given to Lily Gladstone.

3h 26m | R

10/03/2024

Barbie by Greta Gerwig
3+/5
“Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the [sic] colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.”

I have been dreading writing this from the minute Barbie opened.
Okay, so the set designs are fantastic, and I appreciate the amount of work put into this film, but that's where it ends. I didn't enjoy it. At all. I didn't find it funny. I thought the tone to be uneven with them switching back and forth from screaming messages to slapstick. I'm not saying the movie isn't important or didn't have a great and necessary message, I'm saying I thought the screaming messages and the uneven tone made it difficult to watch and impossible for me to enjoy. I don't think it deserves to be nominated for Best Picture. And not to hurt anyone's feelings, but there wasn't a 'Director Snub'.

1h 54m | PG-13

10/03/2024

Maestro by Bradley Cooper
3+/5
“This love story chronicles the lifelong relationship of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein.”

Honestly, everything about this movie screams OSCAR BAIT! Everything! No disrespect to Mr. Bernstein.
The acting was obviously the strength of this film, as it is an acting piece. While the acting was strong and the older makeup was great (whatever they did to de-age him looked bad), it really didn't seem like this was a Best Picture candidate. I think Cooper is the front runner for Best Actor.

2h 9m | R

10/03/2024

OSCARS Night!
Here are my rundowns of the Best Picture nominations.

The Zone of Interest by Jonathan Glazer
3.5+/4
“Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife Hedwig strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden beside the camp.”

This movie is very interesting because it's a war movie that doesn't feature any war. Spoiler! I'm always interested in movies like this that change perspective (Editor's note: Nazi's are bad: always and forever). Apparently, Höss was quite apathetic to war and simply wanted to do his job well. Like . . . really well. Like, he wanted to the best at his job. So, this film looks at a man who is trying to balance his work and his life, it's just that his work was . . . let's call it 'horrific'. This film focuses on his need to be the best and not the horrific consequences of it.
Recommend.

1h 45m | PG-13

21/05/2023

Movie of the week is The Super Mario Bros (2023) by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, and Pierre Leduc.
4/5
"The story of The Super Mario Bros. on their journey through the Mushroom Kingdom."
Great movie. There are a lot of great things about this movie.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie: Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc, Fabien Po**ck. With Kevin Michael Richardson, Jack Black, Khary Payton, Chris Pratt. The story of The Super Mario Bros. on their journey through the Mushroom Kingdom.

16/04/2023

Movie of the week is The Dark Crystal (1980) by Jim Henson and Frank Oz.
4/5
"On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal, and to restore order to his world."
If you watched this movie as a child, you're a better person for it.

Den sorte krystal: Directed by Jim Henson, Frank Oz. With Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz. On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal, and to restore order to his world.

01/04/2023

Movie of the week is 5-25-77 (2022) by Patrick Read Johnson.
4-/5
"Alienated film-maker hopeful Pat Johnson's epic story of growing up in rural Illinois, falling in love and becoming the first fan of the movie that changed everything."
I love these types of movies.

5-25-77: Directed by Patrick Read Johnson. With John Francis Daley, Austin Pendleton, Kevin Rosendo, Colleen Camp. Alienated film-maker hopeful Pat Johnson's epic story of growing up in rural Illinois, falling in love and becoming the first fan of the movie that changed everything.

11/03/2023

Tar 3.5+/5

Directed by Todd Field

A Cate Blanchett film about orchestras. Oh, and it’s 2 hours and 38 minutes long. Off to a really bad start. Fortunately, this movie is great. It’s Cate Blanchett being the most Cate Blanchett ever, but that works for the movie. The script is very solid, and the cinematographer was excellent; Todd Fields knows how to film a movie (shout out to Tar’s cinematographer Florian Hoffmeister). This is a top 5 movie.
“Set in the international world of Western classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár, widely considered one of the greatest living composer-conductors and the very first female director of a major German orchestra.”

Tár: Directed by Todd Field. With Cate Blanchett, Noémie Merlant, Adam Gopnik, Marc-Martin Straub. Set in the international world of Western classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár, widely considered one of the greatest living composer-conductors and the very first female director of a maj...

11/03/2023

Elvis 3.5/5

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

Honestly, the film felt a bit rushed; it felt like watching Straight Outta Compton (2015). I felt like they glossed over some stuff or fast tracked it, and it felt like they didn’t do full justice to the story. It was enjoyable, looked good, and was acted well; but it still felt like the story was incomplete. This is in the bottom 5.
“The life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.”

Elvis: Directed by Baz Luhrmann. With Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson. The life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

11/03/2023

Avatar: The Way of Water

Directed by James Cameron

I haven’t seen this; therefore I cannot rate it. However, based on what I’ve heard and the original, it doesn’t deserve a Best Picture nomination. But again, I haven’t seen it.
“Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na'vi race to protect their home.”

Avatar: The Way of Water: Directed by James Cameron. With Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang. Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri a...

11/03/2023

All Quiet on the Western Front 4-/5

Directed by Edward Berger

Not to be confused with the 1929/30 Best Picture winning film of the same name, or the 1979 TV film of
the same name, this film, based on the 1929 novel . . . of the same name didn’t intrigue me at first. Though it was recommended to me by a friend, it was just another war movie. I’ve seen the 1929 version, so my desire to watch this was low. And I’m glad it was. This movie was fantastic. Berger made a movie that really puts you in the war. It felt like Saving Private Ryan (1998). This is a top 5 film.

“A young German soldier's terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.”

All Quiet on the Western Front: Directed by Edward Berger. With Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer, Moritz Klaus. A young German soldier's terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I.

11/03/2023

The Fabelmans 3.5/5

Directed by Steven Spielberg

It must be hard being so rich and famous that you make a bio pic that no one wanted and that doesn’t stand up to like half the films you’ve made. I don’t kid. I love me some Spielberg, but he’s gone 0-2 with his last two films in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, the film itself is fine. The problem is that it’s just flat. There are very few Spielberg moments in it. It felt like Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) in that it was a big let down after watching the documentary. This is in the bottom five.
(Author’s note: as much as I’m trying to change as a person, I generally don’t like change in my things. I want movies from my favourite directors to stay the same. I didn’t like it when Fincher made Ben Button because it wasn’t another Fight Club. But I’m trying.)
“Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.”

The Fabelmans: Directed by Steven Spielberg. With Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle. Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the p...

11/03/2023

Triangle of Sadness 3.5/5

Directed by Ruben Ostlund

It starts off rough. At least for me as an out of date, non-ticky tocking man. It picks up in the middle, but it’s another movie about class, and I’m a bit classed out. The third act was great. The Donna De Leon character was great, really great. The overall movie was well done and it’s enjoyable. And that’s what really matters.
“A fashion model celebrity couple join an eventful cruise for the super-rich.”

Triangle of Sadness: Directed by Ruben Östlund. With Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Dolly de Leon, Zlatko Buric. A fashion model celebrity couple join an eventful cruise for the super-rich.

11/03/2023

The Banshees of Inisherin 3.5/5

Directed by Martin McDonagh

You won’t like this film; it has a very niche market. Martin McDonagh does bleak like no other. He’s one of the few that can be bleak and entertaining. This story takes place during the Irish Civil War in 1923. Which is a nice fact to know before the movie. This is an acting piece, and everyone is at the top of their game.
“Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.”

The Banshees of Inisherin: Directed by Martin McDonagh. With Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Pat Shortt. Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.

11/03/2023

Everything Everywhere All at Once 4/5

Directed by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert

The movie Marvel has been trying to make! Everything in this movie is top notch. The script is great, the acting is great (Michelle Yeoh is a strong contender to win Best Actress), the set design is great, and the editing is fantastic. The Dans put a lot of effort into this film, and it shows. This was made with love. This the favourite to win.
“A middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.”

Everything Everywhere All at Once: Directed by Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert. With Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong. A middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the li...

11/03/2023

Women Talking 3.5-/5

Directed by Sarah Polley

I hope the title is designed to scare men off because that would be hilarious. All joking aside, the movie is exactly what it advertises: women talking. Why they’re talking is the reason you watch the film. The story is sad and brutal, and then you realize it’s based on a novel that’s based on a true story . . . and then it becomes a horror film. It’s a very good film, but it’s minimalistic approach may prevent it from having widespread success, which I know isn’t its purpose.
“Do nothing. Stay and fight. Or leave. In 2010, the women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling a brutal reality with their faith.”

Women Talking: Directed by Sarah Polley. With Rooney Mara, Judith Ivey, Emily Mitchell, Kate Hallett. Do nothing. Stay and fight. Or leave. In 2010, the women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling a brutal reality with their faith.

11/03/2023

The Oscars are tomorrow, which means we're giving you our thoughts on the Best Picture Nominated movies.

Top Gun: Maverick 4/5

Directed by Joseph Kosinski
Honestly, I’m not a Top Gun guy. It’s a good movie, but I’m not crazy about it; I’m also not a fan of Tom Cruise; I’m not excited to watch his movies, though they are generally enjoyable (I love the Mission Impossible series). So, I wasn’t excited to watch this movie. Good thing I wasn’t because this movie blew me away. It looked great, the script was very good, the acting was good . . . it was on a different level from the original. There aren’t a lot of surprises, but the ex*****on is so well done that it doesn’t need surprises. It’s in the top 5.
“After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN's elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.”

Top Gun: Maverick: Directed by Joseph Kosinski. With Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly. After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN's elite graduates on a mission that demands the....

25/02/2023

Pitch Black (2000) by David Twohy.
3.5+/5
"A transport ship crashes and leaves its crew stranded on a desert planet inhabited by bloodthirsty creatures that come out during an eclipse."

Pitch Black: Directed by David Twohy. With Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Keith David. A transport ship crashes and leaves its crew stranded on a desert planet inhabited by bloodthirsty creatures that come out during an eclipse.

12/02/2023

Movie of the week is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021) by Dean Fleischer Camp.
3.5+/5
"Marcel is an adorable, 1-inch-tall shell who ekes out a colorful existence with his grandmother, Connie, and their pet lint, Alan. Once part of a sprawling community of shells, they now live alone as the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy. However, when a documentary filmmaker discovers them, the short film he posts online brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new hope of finding his long-lost family."

Some of the set pieces are crazy. Very sweet movie.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On: Directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp. With Jenny Slate, Dean Fleischer-Camp, Isabella Rossellini, Joe Gabler. Feature adaptation of the animated short film interviewing a mollusk named Marcel.

21/01/2023

Movie of the week is Johnny Got His Gun (1971) by Dalton Trumbo.
3.5+/5
"During World War I, a patriotic young American is rendered blind, deaf, limbless, and mute by a horrific artillery shell attack. Trapped in what's left of his body, he desperately looks for a way to end his life."
It's based on the book and directed by the writer of the book.

Johnny Got His Gun: Directed by Dalton Trumbo. With Timothy Bottoms, Kathy Fields, Marsha Hunt, Jason Robards. During World War I, a patriotic young American is rendered blind, deaf, limbless, and mute by a horrific artillery shell attack. Trapped in what's left of his body, he desperately looks for...

14/01/2023

Movie of the week is Charlie Barlett (2007) by Jon Poll.
3.5+/5
"A rich kid becomes the self-appointed psychiatrist to the student body of his new high school."

River Phoenix . . . sorry, Anton Yelchin's charm is dialed up to 11 in this great film. I think the name probably hindered people from seeing it, but this movie is fantastic.

Charlie Bartlett: Directed by Jon Poll. With Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis, Kat Dennings. A rich kid becomes the self-appointed psychiatrist to the student body of his new high school.

08/01/2023

Movie of the week is Remember the Titans (2000) by Boaz Yakin.
4/5
"The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit."

One of the greatest sports movies of all-time.

Remember the Titans: Directed by Boaz Yakin. With Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst. The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit.

31/12/2022

Movie of the week is Life is Beautiful (1997) by Roberto Benigni.
4/5
"When an open-minded Jewish waiter and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor, and imagination to protect his son from the dangers around their camp."

La vita è bella: Directed by Roberto Benigni. With Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano. When an open-minded Jewish waiter and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor, and imagination to protect his son from the dangers aro...

22/12/2022

Movie of the week is Bones and All (2022) by Luca Guadagnino.

Bones and All: Directed by Luca Guadagnino. With Kendle Coffey, Taylor Russell, André Holland, Ellie Parker. Maren, a young woman, learns how to survive on the margins of society.

The Cormier Chronicle

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