Posted on 04/29/2022 7:49:36 PM PDT by sphinx
The summer season is upon us and, per each year, we’ve dug beyond studio offerings (though a few potential highlights remain) to present an in-depth look at what should be on your radar. From festival winners of the past year to selections coming straight from Cannes to genre delights to some high-flying spectacles, there’s more than enough to anticipate.
(Excerpt) Read more at thefilmstage.com ...
Before I forget: On behalf of those who haven't seen a movie they liked since The Godfather and who only come to movie threads to complain that there are no good movies anymore: $&^#%$ Hollywood. Now that I've got that out of the way, let's look for the good stuff.
From the attached list of 40 films, I've seen five and am happy to recommend three. (Sundance was online this year and, never having done the film festival thing, I took a walk on the wild side and got a head start, seeing ten films in a week. That was an overdose for me, but it was fun to get a taste of the festival and see some good films six months to a year before release.) Several others look interesting but I've not seen them and won't comment. If you have seen any of them, let us know if they're worth watching.
Montana Story. Montana Story trailer This has been available online at several festivals and will be in theaters (limited release) and on Showtime on May 13. It's a classic indie "small movie:" a low budget; character driven family drama; very theatrical, in the sense that it would transfer easily to the stage (provided that one wrote out the horse). The writer/director team whose movie this is -- and they're as indie as indie can be -- were deep into another project when the covid shutdowns hit. Unable to film that project, they decided to regroup and see if they could figure out something doable under the circumstances. The film is set on a ranch in Montana primarily to facilitate social distancing both on and off set. The movie was written from scratch in five-six weeks and planned from the beginning for the smallest possible cast and crew. It depends entirely on excellent writing and superb acting. These are likeable, approachable characters who behave with dignity and restraint. No sex. No nudity. No sexual innuendo. You will be rooting for everyone in this film. If you think this sounds like too much indie navel gazing, it may not be for you, but it is very well done. Some critics think there should have been less narrative exposition and more "show, don't tell." The covid protocols ruled out a lot of what might otherwise been done, but in this case, "show don't tell" would have mostly involved flashbacks of an eighteen year old girl being severely beaten. Personally, I don't need to watch that to validate a film as "art;" I'm happy with leaving that in the shadows. The film is not about domestic violence in real time; it's about two now-adult siblings dealing with events that are now seven years in the past -- a movie about PTSD, if you will, and about finding the grace and courage to move on. Morally conservative? Heck yes, even if no one involved with the film thinks of it in those terms.
Montana Story is a lock for an Oscar for Best Use of Dante's Inferno in a Feature Film. Yes, they make it work. I told you it was theatrical. Both lead actors have commented in interviews about how much fun it was to deliver real speeches -- you know, like in a real play -- instead of short soundbites for modern editing that ping pongs back and forth every couple of seconds. And you thought they don't make movies like they used to. Yeah, it's a slow burn. Watch it anyhow. The first 17:30 is a prologue that establishes the situation and the supporting characters. Then the long-missing older sister shows up. Boom. Well, a quiet boom, because these are dignified, self-disciplined people that you would like to know. You know -- normals.
Watcher. No trailer yet; will release June 3. A genre film? Yes. You think you have seen it before? Maybe, sort of, in parts. You think you will be able to guess the ending? Maybe. Maybe not. You will not see the twists coming. Genre films become genre films because they tell archetypal stories that bear retelling. If they are well done, they are worth watching. This one does an outstanding job of creating and sustaining tension, even if you think you know where it is heading. Hitchcockian. I'll leave it at that.
Emily the Criminal. No trailer yet; releases August 12. Aubrey Plaza is quirky and sometimes a bit too edgy for my taste. But sometimes she's terrific, and she's a repeat winner of Sphinx's Carol Burnett Trophy, awarded periodically to an actress who is willing to walk the tightrope of making herself absolutely, ludicrously, hilariously ridiculous to stick a comic role. If you need an example, watch Life After Beth. Emily the Criminal is a bit of a departure, at least from her work that I've seen. It's a straight dramatic film about a smart, damaged girl with a knack for making bad decisions.
To broaden the perspective, another list: IGN: The Best Reviewed Movies of 2022 I've seen eight, mostly at Sundance, and will recommend two:
Dual. No trailer yet. This is a dystopian dark comedy, not a great movie but briskly presented, well acted and an enjoyable casual watch. Karen Gillan is terrific in playing both the lead roles. Yes, there is an absurdist premise, but the film handles that in the classic way, by punching right through it and inviting you to come along for the ride.
After Yang. After Yang trailer Now on Showtime. This is Kogonada 2.0 and, like Columbus, it is thoughtful and meditative, basically a meditation in a soft sci fi setting. It asks big questions, and Kogonada has the sense not to try to answer them; he challenges the viewers to think for themselves. Best film of the year. See it.
Last but not least: RT Top Rated Films of 2022 (so far) Different source, different list. I'll recommend two off this list:
The Lost City. The Lost City trailer This is a straight, silly, action/adventure romcom: no serious purpose other than easy entertainment; a film that looks like everyone involved had a blast making it; a throwback film. If you liked Romancing the Stone, you will probably like this, even though you are a little bit older now.
After Yang. Again. Still the best film of the year.
This is an RT list and leans more into the big studio films than the Film Stage and IGN lists; I could call out a couple more, but I'll leave that to you.
See, this is easy. I've given you six to watch, with not one spandex or franchise movie among them. I hope you'll supply a few more suggestions to get us to a Top Ten for the "there are no good movies anymore" crowd.
I've limited this to movies because series usually don't hold my interest beyond the first few episodes. That said, I am interested in Pachinko.Pachinko trailer I've not watched it yet because I don't have Apple TV+. I'm waiting for Apple to stack up a bit more content that I'm interested in so that I get maximum mileage when I take out my one month free trial subscription. I'll clear the backlog and then quit; I don't anticipate paying Apple anything. If more of us did this, we could break the streamers, which would be a good thing.
Anyhow, suggestions? My hope here is that we can talk about good films and shows, not just dump on the bad ones.
Movie Ping list. Looking for recommendations, especially of NEW or UPCOMING films or series that you are willing to recommend.
If you want on or off the movie ping list, freemail me.
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The dystopias I really can’t get excited about anymore.
Reality is now a dystopia. I watch movies to take a break from reality.
Ping for later
I think I will pass.
Afterall, I have already seen Shane, The Searchers and Tombstone. Not much left to see after that.
None I know of offhand. Maybe this link will help.
https://trailers.apple.com
Movies have ratings like G, PG, R, XXX
They need to add a ‘W’ for Woke so you know to avoid it.
Never heard about any of these movies.
Dog is the only one I am likely to see before I Rust out
The Wild Bunch and Blazing Saddles.
> think I will pass. <
Me too. There wasn’t even one Three Stooges film on the list. And not even a Stooges short. So I gotta wonder about the guy who put this list together.
bfl
Appreciated, FRiend!
…we could break the streamers, which would be a good thing.
If the streamers are gone where are we going to conveniently find these films?
2000 Mules. Dinesh D’Souza RULES!
“Dual...a dystopian dark comedy”
I get enough of that watching Biden & Co. every day of the week.
Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday is the best character ever.
“This is an RT list”
Really, you are posting a “Russia Today” list? No thanks.
Rotten Tomatoes
Respectfully disagree. Humphrey Bogart as Rick in Casablanca.
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