FIRST MAN, BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE, and THE HATE U GIVE musings
FIRST MAN
After directing two of my favorite movies ever (WHIPLASH and LA LA LAND), Damien Chazelle follows those efforts up with another movie about obsession and the toll it can take on someone’s life outside of that. It smartly frames Neil Armstrong’s motivations around his recently deceased daughter. While the movie is very low-key, I loved how quietly focused it was on its protagonist. Ryan Gosling delivers another stellar performance, conveying his emotions with slight facial movements. Gosling is at his best during the pre-Apollo 11 launch scene with his family.
This is Chazelle’s first film that has a big ensemble, and each of those actors does a great job with what they’re given. Chazelle is great at constructing and orchestrating sequences that grip you, mainly the Gemini 8 launch and the Moon landing. (Watching it in IMAX when the screen expands as they open the door was a sight I’ll never forget.) Composer Justin Hurwitz delivers again with a beautiful score, really landing the Gemini 8 music cue, cuing all the feels as well. FIRST MAN is an intimate (and with all of the close up shots, a little too intimate at times) film that indulges itself at times, but had no problem gripping me.
RATING: PURCHASING FOR MY COLLECTION
(Refer to my ratings system HERE!)
BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE
Influenced by the same type of movies that Tarantino was, BAD TIMES is quite the throwback to an idyllic late 1960’s setting that instantly became one of my favorite movies of the year. Movies that have amazing tracking shots (one-takes) have an easy avenue into my Best of the Best category, and this movie had it in spades. Tracking shots can easily communicate space and create tension, since there’s many moving parts to them. The shot as Jon Hamm explores the sinister hallway is so well done and creates tons of mystery, hooking me into its story.
BAD TIMES also lets its ensemble stretch their acting muscles, as they’re given some meaty things to dig into. Relative newcomer Cynthia Erivo and Jeff Bridges shine bright from the ensemble, with Chris Hemsworth and PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING standout Cailee Spaeny doing great work as well. Each actor is individually great, and they’re helped out by a very pulpy, Tarantino-esque script by also-director Drew Goddard.
It’s a smart, great time at the EL ROYALE, although it loses some steam in its third act. That doesn’t ruin the fun I had with it and my fascination with the filmmaking and direction made me absolutely love this movie.
RATING: BEST OF THE BEST
(Refer to my ratings system HERE!)
THE HATE U GIVE
There’s been a lot of movies about black and white racial tension that have come out this year, and each one tackles the subject in a unique and hard-hitting way. THE HATE U GIVE takes the perspective of a black girl named Starr who lives in the ghetto but attends school in a mostly-white private school. In the opening scene, Starr’s father teaches his children what to do when cops pull them over. It’s stunning to get a haymaker this early on, and the movie never pulls any punches throughout its runtime. When Starr witnesses a cop murdering her friend she was with, her whole life is turned upside down. Amandla Stenberg is so damn charming and charismatic, and has talent that bursts through the screen as she navigates her new world. I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets nominated for awards, or picked up to do more great roles like this. The ensemble around her is also great, with Russell Hornsby and Regina Hall giving powerful performances as Starr’s parents.
There’s only one moment that took me out of it, but mainly because I was expecting so much more from what it was building up than what we were given. But its large, beating heart and unwillingness to let anyone off easy is what makes it one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. For this to be a relatively Young Adult (YA) adaptation/oriented movie gives it more power. It really made me examine my life and ask myself where do prejudices exist and what they are, and for a movie to hit you like that is a wonderful feeling.
RATING: BEST OF THE BEST
(Refer to my ratings system HERE!)
