Bohemian Rhapsody

Plot:

Based on the “true story” of  rock group Queen from their formation to their legendary performance at Live Aid in 1985. 

Pros:

•First let me start off with the positives. I wasn’t sure if he could pull it off but Rami Maleck was brilliant with his performance as Freddie Mercury. He really put his heart into it. 

•It was really fun hearing all of the classic Queen songs that I know and love. Unfortunately I never got to see Queen in concert (I was still a kid, maybe 6 or 7, when Freddie Mercury died) but thanks to this it felt like I was there. 

•I really loved the last third of the movie.  It almost felt like it had a completely different director. 

•There are some genuinely heartfelt moments here. Like the relationship between Freddie and Mary. 

•The recreation of the entire 20 minute Live Aid performance is worth the price of admission alone. 

Cons:

•Most of the movie felt so fucking rushed with very little character development. If you’re like me and hoped to learn more about Queen watching this then you’re going to be disappointed. That’s the best word to describe this movie- disappointing. If anyone can recommend a good Queen documentary I’d love to watch it. 

•Very weak script. 

•Queen deserves way better than this. 

•I understand most “based on a true story movies” take dramatic licensing but they really do straight up lie a lot of the time. 

My Rating: 6/10

Halloween (2018)

Plot:

Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) confronts Michael Meyers after narrowly escaping his killing spree 40 years earlier. 

Pros:

•I’ve only seen two movies in the Halloween franchise- the original (but it’s been years since I watched it), and H2O which I don’t remember but from what I hear that’s probably for the best. When I heard they were making this I rolled my eyes but decided to give it a chance after the positive reviews. I’m so glad I did. Halloween 2018 is a very worthy sequel to the classic original. 

•I love how they’ve chosen to ignore all the other sequels and remakes. This is a direct sequel to the 1978 movie. 

•Director David Gordon Green does a great job making a genuinely scary movie that doesn’t rely heavily on blood and gore. Make no mistake, those moments are definitely there, but he never lingers on those shots for very long. I will definitely be adding this my list of movies I watch every Halloween. 

•Jamie Lee Curtis is absolutely amazing here. She really nails down just how devastating PTSD can be and how it effects someone even years later. You really feel for her character. 

•It’s always great to hear the Halloween theme again. 

•There’s a child actor in this whose name I don’t know and while his role is very small he’s quite the scene stealer. So hilarious! Those who’ve seen the movie know who I’m talking about. 

Cons:

•The ending felt a little too abrupt. 

My Rating: 9/10

Film Columbia 2018

The Carer

Brian Cox shines as a legendary actor now suffering from Parkinson’s. I thought the actress playing his caretaker was good as well. The movie itself felt rushed and the editing was a bit odd at times but overall a decent start to the festival. My Rating: 7/10

L.I.E.

I feel super uncomfortable and a little nauseous after watching this. And not in a good way. While the performances by Brian Cox and a young Paul Dano (the movie was made in 2001) the story itself... all I’ll say is I feel like Chris Hansen is going to show up at my doorstep just because I watched this movie. Plus it looks like it was made for about $5. Definitely wasn’t for me. My Rating: 4/10

The Other Side of the Wind

Legendary film by Orsen Wells that was never completed until recently. Not really sure what to make of it and had a hard time following it but that’s to be expected given that they had to piece it together as best they could. At times I found myself nodding off. It’s great that they were able to release it finally but I can’t say I recommend it. My Rating: 4/10

They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead

Documentary about Orsen Wells and the making of The Other Side of the Wind. Far more interesting than the movie itself. My Rating: 7/10

Non-Fiction

Beautifully made and Juliette Binoche was great as always. But the story itself felt repetitive after awhile. My Rating: 6.5/10

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Melissa McCarthy completely transforms herself with this performance. I really hope she does more dramatic roles (although there’s plenty of humor sprinkled throughout) like this because she’s really good at it. Very fascinating story that until recently I had never heard of. Highly recommended. My Rating: 8/10

The Hate U Give

Powerful, well made movie starring the amazing Amandla Stenberg as a young woman who witnesses the murder of her childhood best friend by a police officer. One of the best I’ve seen this year and definitely one that everyone should see. My Rating: 10/10

Burning 

Not really sure to make of this South Korean drama/mystery. It’s well made and it was nice to see Glenn from TWD but it was a little too slow paced. And they could’ve trimmed a lot off. Now need for it to be two and a half hours. My Rating: 5.5/10

En El Séptimo Día

Small yet well made film about the week in the life of a Mexican immigrant working in NYC. Good acting and perfectly paced. My Rating: 7/10

Wildlife

Considering this is Paul Dani’s directorial debut I think he does a pretty decent job. He nails down the look and feel of the 60s. Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal both give good performances but it’s the young actor that plays their son who really shines. 

My Rating: 7/10

The Invisibles 

Part documentary, part docudrama about four Jewish survivors who were hiding in Berlin during World War 2. Of you’re interested in World War 2 definitely see this compelling movie. My Rating: 8/10

Ash is the Purest White

A Chinese romance/gangster movie taking place over the course of 17 years. It’s well made and the acting is fine, but I kind of lost interest after awhile. Also could’ve used some tighter editing. My Rating: 6/10

Chef Flynn

Lots of food porn! Don’t watch on an empty stomach. The food this young chef makes looks pretty but he makes those type of meals that are a huge plate with only the tiniest bit of food and charges a ridiculous amount for it. I hate places like that. He also comes off as a bit of a brat at times. My Rating: 6/10

The Children Act

I found it very interesting to see how the British Family Court system works as well as the issue of someone refusing a life saving medical treatment for religious reasons. Emma Thompson was brilliant as usual. Stanley Tucci is sadly wasted and not given much to do here. My Rating: 7.5/10

The World Before Your Feet

Fascinating documentary about Matt Green, a man who has spent years on a quest to walk every street in all five boroughs of NYC.  Watching this I learned a lot about the city as well. I think it’s a great thing what he’s doing. Check it out. My Rating: 8.5/10

Bad Times at the El Royale

Plot:

Seven strangers, each with a secret, meet at the El Royale- a hotel with a dark past. 

This is one of those movies that you really need to go into knowing very little. All I’ll say is this is definitely one of the most unpredictable, unique movies I’ve seen in a long time. With a great cast (Chris Hemsworth and Jeff Bridges were the highlights for me) and a kick ass soundtrack, you’ll definitely want to check this out. The only reason I’m not giving this a perfect rating is it did drag a little in spots. 

My Rating: 9.5/10

The Cakemaker

Plot:

A German pastry maker named Thomas (Tim Kalkhof) travels to Jerusalem in search of the wife and son of his dead lover. 

Pros:

•Beautifully shot with nice locations. 

•Lots of good porn! Don’t watch this on an empty stomach. 

•The performance that really stood out to me was the actress that played Thomas’ lover’s widow. 

•Simple score that never once overpowered the movie. 

•Slow paced but I wasn’t bored at all. 

Cons:

•While the movie is well directed for the most part, there were times I felt the director would focus either too long on a shot or on something that in the ending added nothing to the story. 

•I found myself not caring about the main character. 

•The movie ends on a rather unsatisfying note. 

My Rating: 6/10 

Venom

This is going to be super short. Mainly because I’m exhausted and an emotional mess after watching the amazing A Star Is Born (feel free to check out my review of it). 

Bottom line- Was it bad? Yes, yes it was. The special effects are terrible most of the time. Like, almost Gods of Egypt level bad. Oh yeah I went there. The dialogue is cringeworthy, the third act is a mess (literally, there were times during some of the action scenes I couldn’t even make out what was happening on the screen), and overall the movie is pretty forgettable. 

That being said, I didn’t think it was Catwoman/Fantastic Four level bad the way many have been saying. Tom Hardy is the saving grace of this movie. And no I’m not just saying that because I’m obsessed with him. He does the best he can with the material he has to work with. And I liked the whole dynamic between Eddie and Venom. I got some genuine laughs out of it. 

Would I recommend it? Ehhh, not really. Certainly not in theaters. If you insist on seeing it wait until it comes to Netflix. 

My Rating: 5/10

A Star Is Born

Plot:

Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper, also making his directorial debut) discovers and falls in love with struggling young singer Ally (Lady Gaga). As Ally’s career takes off, Jackson’s struggles with alcoholism puts his in a downward spiral. 

Pros:

•Wow!!!! I’m blown away by how amazing this movie is. Not that I had any doubts. I’ve been looking forward to this since I saw the first trailer months ago. 

•Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga just radiate chemistry. I like how their relationship in the movie felt well developed and natural. So sweet. Had it been lesser actors this definitely wouldn’t have worked. I hope they get recognition come award season.

•Not only is Bradley Cooper a talented actor but he’s actually a pretty good director. I’d love to see him direct more movies. 

•The music will definitely be playing repeatedly on my Spotify list. SO good! 

•Make sure you bring tissues. I’m not kidding. I thought I was prepared but nope. I was a sobbing mess by the end. Even now a few hours later my eyes are still red and puffy I was crying so much. 

Cons:

•There are none. This movie is going to be a big hit I know it. One of the best movies I’ve seen this year. I know it’s still early but this definitely has earned a spot on my top 10 list. Please go out and support it. 

My Rating: 10/10