The Brutalist (2024)

A Hungarian architect displaced by the war struggles to make the American dream when he comes upon a wealthy family looking to commission an ambitious project. This is an incredibly gripping drama for sure, but for a nearly four hour epic, I almost wish I came away with a better understanding of the characters and themes. It all feels like a hodge-podge of ideas at times. I didn't experience any grand epiphany or an intimate sense of character; it's more about the hardships and the massive undertaking at the center of it. While it's not necessarily what I was expecting, there's no denying the quality of the craft involved: Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones are at the top of their game, Brady Corbet's direction feels assured, and the stark score by Daniel Blumberg is apropos. Also, I'm proud of myself for making it to intermission without needing to take a pee break. It certainly gives you plenty to think about in the margins.

4 unfulfilled handjobs out of 5

Summer of Sam (1999)

Set in a NYC  borough during the sizzling summer of '77, when the 'Son of Sam' serial murders were happening (in real life, too), Spike Lee's fictional drama focuses on how the murders affect a group of friends/associates on an intimate scale and how they affect a neighbourhood on a wider one.
John Leguizamo plays Vinny, married to Dionna (Mira Sorvino) but happy to put his cock in any female that looks his way; it's perhaps the best work I've ever seen by Leguizamo. Adrien Brody, on the other hand, as Ritchie, a fan of British punk music, isn't at his best. But the real star of the show is Spike – not his acting, that's for sure, but his ability to indulge his passions as a filmmaker without losing sight of the bigger picture. There's also some very memorable pairings of audio/music with the shockingly violent imagery.

3½ dog collars out of 5

Dragon Blade (2015)

On paper (or onscreen) the premise of DB is kind of interesting: in 48 BC a Roman leader marches his army into China in an attempt to conquer the Silk Road trade routes that connected the West to the East. The trade routes are historical fact, but seeing Roman centurions in China is something uncommon in film. Sadly, the result is another modern 'epic' bore-fest that excels in its beautiful costumes while failing at almost everything else.
Really, why must we have three-hundred people in a scene that realistically only needs a few? More does not equal better. I used to consider Chinese action cinema as some of the best in the world, but dross like this has none of the vibrancy and distinctiveness that once made Asian movies so special.

1½ homemade flags out of 5

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL [2014]

When speaking of a Wes Anderson film it becomes redundant to gush over the beautifully colored and framed visuals, but I'm going to anyway because The Grand Budapest Hotel is all that and more.
With it's delightful miniature sets, hilarious camerawork and dollhouse-esque set decoration a film-lover is sure to be in hog heaven.  Not only that but the off-kilter but humorously precise editing, character quirks & movements and all around zaniness had me giggling and chuckling from beginning to end.  Heavily inspired by Austrian writer Stefan Zweig, Hotel never takes itself too seriously but has enough substance to make you love it's characters and where the story will eventually end up.
Juggling silly and sophisticated at the same time, Anderson's latest is simply a delight that's ever so sweet.

4 bisexual, fucking faggots out of 5

THE THIN RED LINE [1998]

Director Terrence Malick's adaptation of James Jones' WWII novel The Thin Red Line loosely follows the savage Battle Of Mt. Austen in the Pacific Theater.
It explores the beauty of life, earth and love and completely contrasts that with insanity, destruction and unexplainable hatred.  It shifts between startling beauty and frenzied ugliness through it's stunning photography, wonderful acting, thoughtful monologues and what I'd consider some of the best work composer Hans Zimmer has ever written.  It doesn't serve the viewer a standard story like Saving Private Ryan did the same year but instead asks the audience to search their hearts for the emotional core of the narrative.

5 flickering flames out of 5

DETACHMENT [2011]

Not since American History X has a film left me feeling so horrible, so it came as no surprise when I found out Detachment's director Tony Kaye is the same guy.
It's a stark look at the youth of today and they way we as adults tend to forget our responsibility towards them.  It's wonderfully acted by a talented ensemble cast, filmed with thoughtful intimacy and aided by some interesting animation to tell the story that rips out your heart and stomps all over it.  Unfortunately it can be a bit too much at times and takes you out of the harsh reality that it's trying to portray.  Still by the end of the film it leaves the impact it's meant to make, meaning it made it's point with success.

3½ sad cupcakes out of 5

Predators (2010)

Using a plot device that every sci-fi TV series in the history of ever has used, sometimes more than once, means Predators feels like it’s been made hundreds of times before. Swap crab-face out for some other alien and it would play out exactly the same.
Adrien Brody was miscast. The remainder of the team were stock types, especially token female. Michelle Rodríguez must've been busy elsewhere.

2 nobody ever needs to piss out of 5

THE BROTHERS BLOOM [2008]

Director Rian Johnson brings us the quirky and charming caper comedy The Brothers Bloom.

All four leads are fantastic, particularly Rachel Weisz who steals your heart with her social awkwardness  & childlike innocence.  It's a brightly colored & beautifully shot film that had me in awe from start to finish.  

It's not perfect but it's harmless good fun that had me grinning the entire time.

3½ "Brick" bars out of 5

THE VILLAGE [2004]

M. Night Shyamalan knows how to create creepy moods and atmosphere with great effect and that's pretty much what saves The Village from being a complete disaster.

It has moments of strained and awkward dialogue, silly plot elements that are handled poorly and an "surprise" ending that I saw coming from about 20 minutes into the film.  However the photography, music and performances are wonderful and make it all the worthwhile.

3 bright red bad out of 5

Splice (2009)

Two geneticists splice some human and animal DNA together to help further the cause of medicine and their own egos. When the moral shit threatens to hit the fan they take matters into their own hands.
The film was shot in 42 days on a less than perfect budget but still looks fantastic. The story is good for the first hour. There are some nice parallels that I can’t mention because of spoiler, but it’s a shame that the last 20 minutes don't keep that momentum. It ceases to be social commentary and turns to shock crap. The middle is the strongest part and makes it worth watching at least once.

3 grey areas out of 5

Midnight in Paris (2011)

A simply delightful fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The less you know going into it, the better. I didn't think Owen Wilson could pull off the Woody Allen role, but he manages to slip into it rather effortlessly. Reminded me a lot of the fancifulness of Stardust Memories and Purple Rose of Cairo. About as good a recommendation as you're going to get from me.

4.5 whimsical strolls along the Seine out of 5

WRECKED (2011)

Adrien Brody crashes his car and is confused.
Is he in The Canadas?
Who is he? Where is he?
Why did the trailer give absolutely EVERYTHING away?
Use The Jaws Of Life to cut this car wreck in half and Adrien Brody wouldn't have been so bored.

2 Car Wrecks out of 5