Joshua

The idealistic desire to find love amidst the spawn of world war 3. What better time to watch this film?  Absolutely adored the vibrancy of this. Seriously channeling “One from the heart” in every frame. Couldn’t look away. If you aren’t mad enough at modern lighting, watch this movie and you will be. Stop settling for less, especially from movies with 300 million dollar budgets (mcu fans)  Honestly if the characters and central commentary was given more attention, we could be looking at an all timer for myself but alas I found the the script simply too one note with the story barely evolving past its central premise.  I would rewatch this movie for its visuals alone though so yes this was so damn good.

No exaggeration when I say it’s a miracle this movie exists. (Two nickels) I can’t say I particularly enjoyed this film. Behind every frame and line delivery there’s such a scorching sense of justiciable anger that I wish I prepared myself for. The use of long takes and first time actors worked to the film’s advantage because you really do feel the pure authenticity and lack of fiction to this narrative. All the emotions just seep off the characters and onto you. Throughout all the moral dilemmas and poignant conversations the film depicts, I found that even by the end, there’s no clear answer. A powerful final shot that works despite how predictable it is from the start of the scene. I imagine it might have swayed many and I can’t argue with it, but for me, I’m still wrestling with the questions as I’m writing this and that means something.  Brutally snubbed by the Oscar’s. Would have easily taken two male supporting performances from this over any of the nominees this year. Do better.

In the duo of Oscar rewatches my expectations were completely flipped around. Sinners went up and one battle went down. Both sat at a 3 and a half since first watch and both marinated in my mind for a long time.  I really struggle with this film. On one side, it’s such a directorial achievement and clearly worked on by someone who’s at the top of there game artistically. From a technical standpoint, it’s amazing. The performances are all so class and the score is inventive and unforgettable. It’s also generally very well paced. Doesn’t feel like 3 hours but also it really didn’t need to be 3 hours at all, so I’m conflicted. In my mind, if this is the film PTA had to make to win an Oscar and gain recognition by the academy, fair play. But simply put I think this is the weakest screenplay he’s ever written and that’s where a lot of my problems stem from with this film. It desperately wants to be this merger of political depth and familiar drama but holy fuck it falls flat on both fronts. This go around, I listened to what others were saying and tried to not take the movie as seriously since yes, it’s a “satire”. But man this movie has about 3 or 4 jokes that it parades around across 3 hours. Many of the jokes particularly in the first act is Anderson just having his characters speak in millennial/gen z slang with no punch line or actual joke. Stick to writing period pieces little bro, it’s clear this is your first contemporary piece in over 20 years. Everything to do with Lockjaw and the Christmas adventurers is fucking hilarious but man it simply can’t sustain itself for the runtime of the movie. It gets old quick.  Probably my favourite part of the movie is the middle Bob/sensei section. It feels reminiscent of films like Anora from 2 years ago. (Still a masterpiece btw) but unlike Anora this film doesn’t have the character depth to be more than just simple entertainment. Seriously, Bob and Willa are fine characters on their own but as a dynamic it’s so fucking piss weak. They share probably less than 5 minutes of screen time together and you wanna tell me this is a well thought out family drama. Give me a break. The only interesting character who feels more than just a hollow vessel to convey the films themes is Perfedia. Really enjoy everything with her. Lockjaw had potential and again he’s entertaining, but that’s where my love for him ends. Anderson dabbles in commentary about Lockjaw’s views coming from a place of wanting to belong to something or to get ahead in life but (along with all the films other themes) it simply touches upon it but doesn’t dare to actually confront it.  Fun movie, nothing more, nothing less.

I had been away from sinners for too long.  Ever since it I saw it in IMAX, this film  unfortunately fell victim to this feeling of FOMO from myself. I liked it quite a bit but wasn’t over the moon about it like everyone else. It kinda put me in a weird spot where you wouldn’t be silly to think I hated the film based on how I talked about it. Shooting down any praise that i thought was unwarranted, finding flaws I didn’t even feel during the film. Essentially, I’ve been unfair to Sinners and I thank God that I did this rewatch, cause this movie is just damn phenomenal and it really clicked for me here.  It’s completely understandable why a movie like this would create such a passionate fanbase and culture around it. It’s just ozzing with such confidence and enthusiasm throughout its entire runtime. The first half in particular I would argue is damn near perfect film besides the aspect ratio switches (yes I know I’m the only one who gets annoyed by them). I just hate being teased with IMAX, just to go back to the boring wide ratio that it doesn’t even take advantage of during the film. Small nitpick I admit. Honestly I’d say my only complaint that holds up and the one I was most expecting it to is, the action. 99% of the time it felt so choreographed and clumsily filmed tbh.  I can’t believe it took me nearly a year to finally be able to join everyone else in loving this film but hell, better late then never.