My friends, has it really been two months since we last talked? I get it. With the end of the fall semester and the holidays, it is easy to lose touch. Look, my bad, I didn’t call you either. But how about we get back in the swing of things with two more movies?
And what better way to get back in your good graces than with two movies I stand a good chance of disagreeing with you about? I promise I’m not trying to be difficult, folks. But isn’t that part of the beauty of cinema? That two people (or one person and one cougar) can watch the same film and have two different opinions. Then we can sit down, eat some nachos and talk it out. That’s what life is about folks!
Just one thing… can we do black beans instead of re-fried on the nachos? Summer is coming and I’ve gotta get ready for swimsuit season.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019) [R]
I should probably start by telling you that I was told by multiple people that this was the best movie they have seen in years, which certainly upped my expectations. Maybe a little too much.
But before we get to that, let’s talk plot, shall we? Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (let’s call it OUATIH for now to save some room) tells the story of Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who has worked his way to the top of the TV Western world throughout the 60s. But his career takes a hit when he tries to transition to movie roles. The film follows Dalton and his stunt double / best friend Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt, as it slowly dawns on them that Hollywood is changing and leaving them behind just as newcomers like Sharon Tate, played by Margot Robbie, are rising.
I didn’t dislike OUATIH. And it is certainly very well made. But I can’t help feeling like this was made for Tarantino himself and his fans. After it was over, I found myself wondering if I hadn’t in fact missed part of it. It is funny and technically sound. Pitt and DiCaprio deliver fine performances. But I feel like Margot Robbie was underused (as were all of the female characters, really). The pacing is good. The soundtrack is great. But I still felt like it was missing a little something.
In a way, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood feels like an excuse for Tarantino to talk about old things that he likes. Which he does well. And maybe that’s why I felt it didn’t quite reach the levels it could have. Maybe you should go into this as if you were spending an evening hanging out with Quinton Tarantino talking about things he is obsessed with.
He does a good job telling the story of Hollywood’s transformation from the “system” days of old to the more free-style, rebellious 70s and 80s, and he does it in his typical Tarantino style. If you like that style, you’ll no doubt love OUATIH.
7.5 paws out of 10
Uncut Gems (2019) [R]
I’m not going to lie and say this is an easy film to watch. The poster there to the left does say “Adam Sandler” at the top but don’t expect any sort of light-hearted comedy.
Uncut Gems is the story of Howard Ratner, a diamond dealer in Manhattan (played by Sandler). Howard’s addictions and pattern of gambling have left his life in tatters. He believes he is right on the cusp of setting everything straight, however, when he finally receives a stone with several Ethiopian opals trapped within it. Fortune smiles upon Howard again when an unexpected visitor becomes a highly-motivated buyer. But Howard just can’t seem to get out of his own way.
I’ve heard people complain about the loud and disconcerting soundtrack. I’ve seen reviews that don’t like all of the characters yelling over each other. Folks, these are features, not faults. The Safdie’s are brilliant in their creation of tension. You aren’t meant to feel comfortable. Like the title of the movie itself, Uncut Gems is both startlingly beautiful and incommodious. I really enjoyed it and I think, if you know what you are getting yourself into, you will too. It was certainly one of the best movies of last year and could easily replace a couple of the Best Picture nominations at the Oscars this year.
8.5 paws out of 10
As always, if you have a movie you think I should check out or you want to talk further about one of these reviews, drop me a line on Facebook.