#005 May Movie Recap & Recs
Big month for movies!
Hellooooo. This guy is back on the AMC Stubs list. So I’m taking advantage of that, and the fact that I’m not working right now, to see lots of movies in the theater.
As usual, I’ve tried to diversify my viewing portfolio, with a mix of genres and release years. We long to be well-rounded.
A few quick recs/takeaways below!
Challengers - Luca Guadagnino
Huge Luca fan, so no surprise that I very much enjoyed this one. We love some Luca homoerotiscm.
The one thing that felt so non-Guadagnino in Challengers was the pacing. I’m used to his slow, steady pace of story, and this one was [literally] a techno-paced back-and-forth.
Zendaya can do no wrong. Josh O’Connor is as loveable as always. And I’m so excited that Mike Faist is getting his footing in Hollywood.
The Fall Guy - David Leitch
Wasn’t expecting to like this one as much as I did! Because A) we’re MAD at big-budget blockbusters and B) I’m not typically an “action” gurlie.
But this was so truly fun!
Yes, the stunts and the effects were epic, but it’s also genuinely funny. Thank you Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. It felt like a rom-com trapped inside an action thriller. I did think it could have been about two action sequences shorter, but all in all: a happy surprise.
The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something has Passed - Joanna Arnow
This film. Incredible narrative feature debut from Joanna Arnow. It’s deadpan pace and non-traditional structure were perfect. The fact that she wrote, directed, acted, and edited it— it’s just wholly hers and her voice is so singular.
I saw the first LA screening with a Q&A with Joanna. She’s described the story as auto-fiction:
“Because it’s a film that draws on personal experience—not autobiographical, but I call it auto-fiction—in the writing, and acting of it, and even editing, I hope that it becomes more specific and personal.” Joanna from Defector
The cringe comedy, the unapologetically long takes that linger a minute or two longer than they really should. Superb!
And as a writer/director there is a vulnerability that comes with telling an auto-fiction story like this, but to strip down and bare it all, literally and figuratively, on camera as well— so much respect. Can’t wait to see what Joanna does next.
I Saw The TV Glow - Jane Schoenbrun
I saw this a few weeks ago, and honestly I’m still processing.
I wasn’t familiar with Schoenbrun’s previous film We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, so I went in not really knowing what to expect. And boy, was it a wild ride.
I won’t say too much as to not spoil anything, but I will say that Justice Smith is a star. Cast him in everything!
I am a huge fan of non-traditional structure in film, and this one definitely plays into that. I think my biggest qualm with the movie was the pacing. It starts slow, and the pace builds as the film progresses—which, yes I understand (those who have seen the film will understand why too)— but I just wish the middle didn’t lose so much steam.
Passages - Ira Sachs
I had been dying to see this one. Stellar performances from Franz Rogowski and Ben Wishaw. Intensely character driven, great direction and cinematography. Would recommend.
Querelle - Rainer Werner Fassbinder
I didn’t go to film school. I haven’t seen a lot of the classics. I’ve heard of Querelle and Fassbinder so I gave it a watch. And I think I need to see some of Fassbinder’s other films and then give Querelle a re-watch.
The set design is incredible. The men are incredible. The story, I did not fully follow. To be fair, I was a little stoned and lacking in the attention department.
But the more I look into Fassbinder, his movies, and the actors, I’m more interested in knowing more about him and the behind the scenes. He had a very tragic life that tangentially seemed to effect everyone near him. A lot of lovers, drugs, and suicides/deaths.
I’m definitely curious to watch more.
How to Have Sex - Molly Manning Walker
2023 Cannes winner and BAFTA nominee.
Follows three British teens on a holiday. Lots of clubbing and drinking, and you guessed it: sex.
I was surprised at how much I was able to connect emotionally to this movie, being a 35 year old guy, my high school escapades are long behind me, but Walker manages to tap into that universal adolescent feeling.
I think especially as a closeted gay teen, I experienced a lot of yearning from a far— not so much jealousy of my peers, but more in their freedom to express themselves and hook-up and have relationships.
Looking forward to see what director Molly does next! And also actor Mia Mckenna Bruce!