2021 Oscars

 OK.  So this is way late I know.  But, with COVID, and several other factors, films haven't been made available as in the past.  Since I refuse to "rent" (stream once) a movie for $20 on pay per view, I am just now able to watch the last few films from last year.  Since I already know the winners, you will have to trust my picks aren't made factoring in said outcome.

Without further ado, here are my reviews for the films of 2020; the 2021 Oscars.  I will review them in roughly the order I saw them.

Sound of Metal:  This film followed a drummer in a punk/ metal/ hardcore band as his hearing gives way due to the destruction his eardrums take night after night while on tour.  Riz Ahmed plays the drummer flawlessly and you really feel his emotions as he goes through the trauma of hearing loss.  His bandmate/ girlfriend checks him into what is essentially hearing loss rehab where Ahmed's character (a former addict) must go through a basic 12 step program to learn to live without being depressed or angry all the time (and possibly relapse).  The guru of the program, played by Paul Rici, eventually convinces Ahmed's Ruben to slow down and enjoy life as a deaf person; but not before Ruben tries to earn money back so he can get a surgery to restore his hearing and get back on the road.  

After Ruben learns that his dream of playing music again probably isn't going to happen, he is faced with the task of adjusting to life as a deaf person.  He eventually does and tracks down his old girlfriend.  Finding the years since they saw each other too much to overcome, he leaves and the movie ends. 

As a fan of movies that require empathy, this movie was right up my alley.  The experience of going deaf was brought to life completely and the overwhelming loneliness that must go along with it was brought to the forefront as well.

Overall, I enjoyed this movie; Riz Ahmed was amazing; Paul Raci was very good as well.  See this if you haven't already.

Rating 4/5.

The Trial of the Chicago Seven:  This film tells the story of the violence in Chicago in 1968 at the Democratic National Convention and the trial of the 7 alleged organizers of the violence.  With a screenplay penned by Aaron Sorkin (who also directed), the story is engrossing from beginning to end.  

The ensemble cast is impeccable and the standout, Sacha Baron Cohen, was nominated for best actor.  The technical aspects of the film were flawless as well.  The pacing was good, camera work was excellent.  This film was just about perfect... until the last scene which fell apart.  In an effort to give us a happy ending, Sorkin films the sentencing of Eddie Redmayne's character, Tom Hayden, as a Twisted Sister video.  Remember the "We're Not Gonna Take It" video where the old guy was running around yelling and spitting everywhere?  That's who the judge (who before this scene had taken nothing from anyone) turned into at the end of the movie as the people in court ran amok and it turned into a circus.  As I watched that, it felt so contrived and forced that I was disappointed with the film overall.  What a shame.

Overall rating minus the last scene would have been a 4.75.  Up to that point, it was my no-doubt best picture.  After the ending, I'm going a 4/5 with all points removed for the last scene going off the rails.

Mank:  This film follows the Orson Wells/ Herman Mankiewiecz story as the screenplay for Citizen Kane was being finished.  Critically acclaimed as a serious best picture contender, I couldn't get into this.  It took me several tries to make it through and by that point, I couldn't follow the story or get into any part of it.  I realize I've never been to Hollywood nor am I a historian of the film industry so maybe I was missing the prerequisite knowledge to appreciate this film.  That being said, if you aren't a Hollywood historian or a huge Orson Wells fan, you could skip this film and not miss a thing.

Overall Rating: 1/5

Nomadland:  As you know, this story about an older single woman selling her home and living out of a trailer on the road full time won Best Picture last year.  Frances' McDormand's portrayal of a widow who was unable to find full time employment in her home town portrays life in America as a nomad who goes from job to job and locale to locale with her new trailer.  

She makes friends along the way and is pursued by a man she meets in a few different places but she chooses to live out her days single and alone on the road.  While I found this film interesting, I didn't find it to be a compelling story that was head and shoulders above the rest of the films this year.  McDormand was outstanding as usual and David Straitharn was fantastic as usual in the role of her friend and possible romantic partner.

Technically, the film is outstanding.  Great cinematography and set design are highlights of the film.  The score is just enough to remind you that McDormand is all alone.  

See this one if you haven't.  It isn't my best picture of the year but it is worth watching for sure.

Rating 3.5/5

Promising Young Woman:  

After hearing so much hype about this movie, I was excited to finally get to watch it.  Carey Mulligan plays a young woman who's best friend was raped while they were in school.  We don't know the details but her friend is now deceased.  Mulligan's character, Cassie, sets out to avenge the wrongs done to her friend and her method is somewhat questionable.  She pretends to be superdrunk until a guy inevitably tried to take her home.  After it becomes obvious the man wants to have sex with her despite her lack of permission, she lets them know she is stone cold sober and they could be charged with attempted rape at that point.  She keeps track of her "kills" in a notebook at home.

After seeing in several scenes how addicted to this behavior and how miserable it makes her, she arranges to pose as a dancer at the men's bachelor party that raped her friend.  I won't give the ending away but it has more twists and turns than a bowl of spaghetti.  

While my hopes were high for this film, I was slightly disappointed at the ending.  I understand the impact it has and that the message is that revenge won't make the original sin disappear, yet it seemed to be a crappy way for it to end.  I can't say anything else without spoiling so we will have to continue to discuss after you see it.

Rating 3.75/ 5

Judas and the Black Messiah:

This film tells the in-septh story about the assassination of Fred Hampton, leader of the Black Panthers in Chicago at the end of the 60's.  This story also was included in the Trial of the Chicago 7 which happened at the same time as this film did.  

Technically, the film was excellent.  The screenplay, acting, and direction were top notch.  This film won the Oscar for Best original song.  The production design and cinematography were all flawless as well.  It was a deserving nomination for best picture.  LaKeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya were excellent in the two main roles and the supporting cast was superb.

If you have any interest in this story, watch this film.  It more accurately potrays what the Black Panthers were about and their anti-establishment attitude is justified after seeing how the Government treated Mr. Hampton.

Rating 4/5

Minari:  This film follows a Korean immigrant family who decided to buy a farm in Arkansas and try to grow Korean vegetables to supply Korean grocery stores in the midwest.  They move their because the father wants to start something he can be proud of and call his own.  The film chronicles their problems making this happen including marital issues, a mother in law who has a stroke, and the usual farming issues.

Taking this film as an allegory for Korean immigrants' struggle as a whole was a little hard for me to swallow as I doubt the majority of Korean immigrants A. went to Arkansas, or B. bought a farm anywhere.  So, I approached the film from a singular point of view which raised many issues as well.  Digging a well by hand in today's day and age seemed somewhat out of touch.  Burning trash in the middle of a drought within 20 feet of the house seemed quite questionable as well.  Either these were the world's dumbest farmers or this movie took a lot of liberties in order to prove a point.  I am assuming the latter was the case which lead to the payoff.  Did the family turn out OK?   Were they able to reconcile their differences and earn a living?  The film ending leaves this open to interpretation although they lean toward the outcome we are supposed to favor.  Relying heavily on symbolism to answer the end questions, I found it a little foggy on the first watch through and until I rewatched the last 15 minutes again, I wasn't sure of the outcome.

What I haven't mentioned yet was the fantastic acting from the children and grandmother.  Their dynamic held this film together and kept my interest.  The grandson and grandma's interactions represented modern society conflicting with the grandmother's old school upbringing and showed the humor between the two.  But beyond their dynamic, their relationship made me hope for the family's success because by the time the movie was 3/4 over, I wanted the Mom and Dad to go to divorce court, sign the papers, and move 12 states apart so I wouldn't have to watch anymore.

Overall, this movie was flawed in many places but had redeeming qualities as well.  Your interest and opinion will probably be heavily influenced by which had the bigger impact on you.

Overall Rating 2.5 

The Father (Haven't Seen Yet)