Babylon

I have a handful of one liner openers I thought of for this one but I decided on this: I really saw Avatar 2 4 times instead of this?  This is such a hard movie to rate. Because there’s really two big things I take into account when I rate movies: how much and I enjoyed the movie, and how well crafted the movie is outside of my enjoyment. This is a movie that is admittedly way too long (but also not long enough somehow?), with too many characters, themes, with repetitive scenes and really dumb/cliche character decisions at times. At best, this is a 6/10 movie quality wise.  But then there’s my enjoyment of the film. This movie aims to explore the debauchery of 1920’s Hollywood, the transition to “talkies” and the effect on the industry, as well as a general commentary on the film industry up until modern day. There’s also commentary on the hypocrisy of the elites in Hollywood, the value of movies as true art, and what it means to have a place in history. Interwoven with this are 3 main rise and fall narratives, a number of side characters that go through their own little arcs, and so many memorable scenes. It’s got fantastic music, excellent editing and stunning cinematography. There’s so much going on in this movie, and I loved it.  Yeah it’s repetitive where it doesn’t need to be, and doesn’t explore certain themes as much as it should, but I don’t care. I had a blast. Why did that mediocre All Quiet on the Western Front remake win best music over this?? It legitimately makes no sense. That movie has one half decent main theme that they blast repeatedly. Every single song in this movie is an absolute BANGER. I do not understand.  And if it wasn’t clear by Whiplash and La La Land, man does Damien love jazz. Like he’s absolutely infatuated with it and I’m all here for it. Ladies, find yourself a man who loves you like Damien loves jazz.  This movie absolutely isn’t for everyone. I understand a 1 or 2 star review for this movie just as much as I understand a 5 star review. This is just one of those flawed movies that really works for my tastes.