@nickycinema #1
(Originally Published in 2022)
The King (2019)
I’ve realized I need to accept the fact that I’m a huge Timothee fan. I’ve watched all his movies out of order so don’t have a good grasp on his character development/arch but that face he always does when his eyes are filled with tears but a tear hasn’t fallen yet and you can almost feel his pain through the screen is consistentttt (and gets me every time). In this movie, he plays Henry V, a defiant young king trying to manage the kingdom and its endless politics after the death of his tyrannical father. Throughout the movie, he struggles to really find his place but is well supported by his bff/drunkard (peasant?) but also ex-war vet. I really enjoyed their dynamic together and Henry’s leadership altogether, despite all the pushback. My fav scene is towards the end when he’s talking with his prospective wife, Lily-Rose Depp, about war, in the scene she’s so painfully honest but clearly everything he needs. Also, apparently, they were(are?) a couple which is kinda cool given their interactions in the movie. Overall I loved the movie, there were moments where it was clear this was earlier in Timothee’s career, but he still did a phenomenal job.
Don’t Look Up (2021)
Honestly and truthfully this movie is the only movie in a very very very long time that has reshaped my perspective on all things life and America. Disclaimer that I am pretty impressionable, especially when it comes to a good movie, but gotdamn this wrecked me. I felt like it lit a flame inside of me that can never die out lol (it also made me slightly nihilistic and depressed.) The lineup alone is incredible, but surprisingly no one really outshined over anyone else and the roles everyone played were so fitting but also so different than what I expected? Everything about this movie just felt so perfect to me, the lineup, the story, the dialogue, the ridiculous- ness of the plot and how everything was carried out, and the timing of the release, etc. It’s extremely fatalistic and satirical and honestly depressing but also so funny and this dichotomy parallels nicely with the state of the world right now. I’d highly recommend watching if you’re not sensitive to how tragic life is and likely will continue to be.
The French Dispatch (2021)
For some reason I feel like the film community collectively hates on Wes Anderson for his textbook indie movie vibes and his particular focus on colors, aesthetics, and cinematography, but every movie is so good. I don’t think I can even rank them because they all feel so unique and perfect. The French Dispatch was no different and it doesn’t make it any better that the lineup was sooo good with Timothee, Frances, Jeffrey Wright, and the classic Anderson lineup. The storyline was perfect and the French sprinkled throughout also helped. Definitely worth the watch and special shoutout to the last two stories but esp the middle one. I could write more about it but really I’ll let it speak for itself.
The Batman (2022)
I have never been into superhero movies unless they’re showing they’re focused on the grunge dark and emo side of the character so of course I loved this movie. I’m a big fan of Robert Pattinson, I think they could’ve added a bit more depth to his character though, although even without I think the message got across well. He was portrayed as this misunderstood recluse who had some character development throughout but mostly not. Robert did a great job portraying this side of Batman aka an emotional and tormented little boy. Zoe and Paul Dano were incredible too. The Riddler perfected the “white school shooter” aesthetic and Zoe was a star as well. My absolute favorite scene was when they first played “Something in the Way” as he rides off into Gotham – truly set the tone for emo Pattinson and was just a perfect creative decision/scene.