Ryan F

On this episode of The Continuously Diminishing Returns of Ari Aster…

This was way more stylistically interesting than I was expecting, and the fact that it can only exist in 480p is the least of it. That fact makes 28 Days Later a really intriguing time capsule and mile marker for filmmaking, but it’s the content itself that makes it a great film.

There really is something so special about watching a movie that’s a favorite of someone you love with them, especially when it’s one as complex yet deceivingly simple as this one. I’m still wading my way through the subtext, but from a technical perspective these are truly time-tested performances elevated further by a surprisingly haunting score. One of the best I’ve heard in a long time!

Happy Juneteenth! Starting off the day with another film by Melvin Van Peebles. It really is ridiculous it’s taken me this long to watch another film by him, considering Watermelon Man was my favorite first-time watch of 2022.  This is a really goofy morality play, and I mean that in the best way. I would love to see a revival of the stage musical, which from my limited research only had one run in 1972?? Bring it back to off-broadway at least! I think it would do really well!! I definitely don’t like Don’t Play Us Cheap as much as Watermelon Man. Not all of the stylistic and artistic choices worked for me, but two movies in Melvin Van Peebles is getting up there as one of my favorite directors.