Michael

Match Cut: An editing technique in which cuts are made between frames that have visual similarities. Another Fun™️ movie. It’s as charming as it is messy, and it’s pretty messy. Struggles to match its tone with its urgency; if *The Martian* (another Andy Weir novel-turned-movie) is a sci-fi comedy, then this is a comedic sci-fi. Visually pretty, funny, last leg drags and tries doing too much, majority of it is pretty much just this [SpongeBob clip](https://youtu.be/k4C5LPi8oTY?si=Ch6aW8kyET57ccIv). Good movie theater movie

The Academy does a lot of annoying things. They have a tendency to snub male actors when they’re younger and female actors when they’re older. They give a lot of “legacy” wins for roles/movies that aren’t necessarily that winner’s’ best but as a repayment for an earlier missed work. They completely skip over genres, and in this instance, they simply don’t see foreign movies on the same level as American ones. They’re two main issues with the Academy’s views on foreign films. The first is that they really only have scope for one real awards getter. There may be one movie in Best Picture, two if you’re lucky, but only one of them is going to get Best International Film or have a chance at anything it’s nominated for. Then the second issue is that they really only consider a certain crop of countries when dealing with foreign films. Largely Europe (really just France, Germany, UK, Sweden, and Denmark), Brazil, and South Korea. All really western countries, or western-adjacent (in culture). I’ll admit this is one of my blind spots but it is kind of insane to think someone like Panahi is making work like this and can’t get any Best Picture or Best Director attention. The Middle East and African cinema will probably continuously be overlooked as a tier below the tier below. However, this still is the best movie of 2025. Just like how *I’m Still Here* was the best movie of 2024 (and Fernanda Torres gave the best performance that year!). Movies are an avenue for the exploration of the world, and it’s kind of a shame we don’t appreciate more of it.

A very layered movie examining the intersection between gender and sexuality, which is so impressive for the 60s. Framing all the homophobes as absurd (cause they are) through some kinda funny performances (just in the way of how over the top they are) while keeping everyone that doesn’t do things “traditionally” as well-adjusted and grounded. Shirley MacLaine, wow; my heart breaks for Martha, what a performance. A message that no matter how you live your life, whether that’s being gay, not getting married, or existing out of gendered expectations, you’ll never be “unnatural” Usually I support women’s rights and wrongs but Mary is genuinely devil-spawn. I don’t condone violence against children but if she has no haters then I’m dead

These guys have the most roundabout conversations ever, it’s no fucking wonder they can’t get any deals done.