What movies are you watching?

[Anders]

Watched Dirty Harry tonight with my parents. Honestly, I was expecting better. I'll probably watch Magnum Force soon as I've read it adds a different dimension to the character.

Think Dirty Harry is one of those movies that are better when seen at least twice. Magnum Force is good as well.

[tree_]

batman begins begins... now

[Anders]

Saw Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri for a second time, and loved it. Fantastic cast, excellent script, directing and everything is top notch. Moved into my current top three of the year.

Also saw The Rider. A fine low key drama from Chloé Zhao, about a cowboy searching for a new identity. Fascinating. Also a beautifully shot film.

[tragabigzanda]

Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

[Strat]

Ugh three billboards is awful. Liberal click bait in movie form. Reminds of Juno in a lot of ways.

You hate liberals

[tree_]

that's like saying the barbie movie is bad just because of its weird political agenda

[tommy]

that's like saying the barbie movie is bad just because of its weird political agenda

Or Dirty Harry

[tragabigzanda]

Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

[tragabigzanda]

Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

[tommy]

I think Dirty Harry and the like were good reflections in their era of fears about crime, but it plays more like MAGA revenge fantasy today.

I agree. I understand that the sequel adds some nuance to the character so maybe I'll rewatch Dirty Harry after watching Magnum Force.

[tragabigzanda]

Whenever there's active promotion on the part of somebody else, whenever I see somebody all dolled up for a fancy photograph and someone's handing out flyers or whenever there's active promotion for something like that, as an imposition on my day, I hate all those people and I want them to fail. I have a visceral reaction to advertising and promotion. There's just something about salesmanship that grates on me on a very base level and I react very negatively towards it. I want those people to suffer and I want their enterprises to fail.

[tree_]

In his film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, writer-director Martin McDonagh creates a
compelling parable regarding suffering, justice and solidarity. This unfiltered and witty, dark comedy
examines the interlaced connections between humans and non-human agents during periods of anguish.
Frequently, the ensuing communication includes abusive or belittling language and violent physical
attacks. These extraordinary assaults are then contrasted with small gestures of kindness. While the film
has faced various critiques, this piece of cinema creates a dynamic narrative to consider the human
experience of grief and experiencing grace from one’s enemies. In doing so, Three Billboards paints an
inclusive message of solidarity with its exaggerated characters and offers insight into audience
expectations of heroes and villains.

[Jorge]

Haven’t seen Barbie so I can’t comment.

I generally hate movies that are so obviously catering to one political viewpoint or another; thematic ambiguity serves our political times much better, IMO.

Promising Young Woman
Stillwater
Zero Dark Thirty
Parasite

These are examples of movies that tackle the questions of our time with nuance and ambiguity. Three Billboards, Nomadland, stuff like this is crappy.

What is ambiguous about Parasite? or Promising Young Woman? They both seem extremely explicit in their stance. And I love Parasite.

I don't like Three Billboards but not because of its supposed political stance (which I'm not convinced is as clear-cut as you're painting it -- doesn't this supposed "liberal clickbait" movie also espouse the idea that deep down racist cops are capable of redemption?); I just think it's an awkward and very tonally uneven movie with some very cringy moments

[tree_]

yes i agree with jorge, though i remember enjoying some of it

[tree_]

I wonder if trag also has a problem with Aesop's Fables

[Anders]

In his film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, writer-director Martin McDonagh creates a
compelling parable regarding suffering, justice and solidarity. This unfiltered and witty, dark comedy
examines the interlaced connections between humans and non-human agents during periods of anguish.
Frequently, the ensuing communication includes abusive or belittling language and violent physical
attacks. These extraordinary assaults are then contrasted with small gestures of kindness. While the film
has faced various critiques, this piece of cinema creates a dynamic narrative to consider the human
experience of grief and experiencing grace from one’s enemies. In doing so, Three Billboards paints an
inclusive message of solidarity with its exaggerated characters and offers insight into audience
expectations of heroes and villains.

Good post.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Haven’t seen Barbie so I can’t comment.

I generally hate movies that are so obviously catering to one political viewpoint or another; thematic ambiguity serves our political times much better, IMO.

Promising Young Woman
Stillwater
Zero Dark Thirty
Parasite

These are examples of movies that tackle the questions of our time with nuance and ambiguity. Three Billboards, Nomadland, stuff like this is crappy.

What is ambiguous about Parasite? or Promising Young Woman? They both seem extremely explicit in their stance. And I love Parasite.

I don't like Three Billboards but not because of its supposed political stance (which I'm not convinced is as clear-cut as you're painting it -- doesn't this supposed "liberal clickbait" movie also espouse the idea that deep down racist cops are capable of redemption?); I just think it's an awkward and very tonally uneven movie with some very cringy moments

100% agree on all counts

[epilogue]

Three Billboards is maybe my least favorite McDonagh work. But I still think it's good. Flawed, sure, but there's a lot to like. Especially in the performances. I wonder if the issue isn't the US-ness of it, honestly. My second least favorite McDonagh work is A Behanding in Spokane. Maybe it's a coincidence (or maybe it isn't) that both take place in the States.

[Anders]

The only thing I thought of in a political sense, was that the possible killer, which bragged openly about raping and burning women, supposedly had been in Iraq during the murder that led to the story in Three Billboards. He didn’t really strike me as someone from the military, or somebody that had recently been to war.

I though Frances McDormand was amazing. Both her dramatic and comedic timing is second to none, and her supporting cast did an admirable job keeping up with her.

It’s my favorite Martin McDonagh film, but I have not yet seen his newest one.

[Anders]

Closing out the day with The Zookeeper's Wife. Can always count on Jessica Chastain.