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| Myke Simon from Upsplash |
It was a weak year for films—at least that was my feeling.
Even the newest Star Wars saga was just good…not really up to the standard I
expect. But, hey…it was fun at least. However, the three films accorded the
most nominations by the Oscar voters were anything but fun. I’m referring to The
Joker, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Irishman.
With these films, the Academy has rounded up the usual
suspects (and directors). These were films that often bomb in the box office (Once
Upon a Time) or barely/ never show up at the box office box—only on
Netflix. (Irishman/Marriage Story.) And the thing is…I
had no interest in spending hours watching them.
That’s right. I didn’t see Joker, Hollywood or Irishman. Why? Because I don’t want
to see madness, murder, and mayhem—(if I wanted that, I turn on the news), nor
do I care about much about Hollywood’s male actors (Pitt and DiCaprio) who feel so bummed
out because their ‘good ol’ days of yesteryear’ in westerns just don’t play in
1969. Perhaps the portrayal of Native American Indians back then was…um,
despicable. I’d be more interested in seeing films about women who have been
screwed by the Hollywood establishment…see Greta
Gerwig.
As for Joker, I know there are many stories
of people dispossessed and disturbed—real people who feel hopeless. But a comic
book villain! Seriously? The Washington Post’s critic Ann Hornaday did see the
film and wrote, “A grim, shallow, distractingly derivative homage to 1970s
movies at their grittiest, ? Joker? continues the dubious darker-is-deeper
tradition.” So that’s a no in my
book. Heath Ledger’s portrayal was enough madness for me.
The Irishman is about a ‘guy’—as in ‘I know a guy’ who
does not paint houses but rubs people out for the mafia. Maybe he killed
Jimmy Hoffa—but ‘what’s it to ya?’ I know the folks involved are maestros of
the cinema, but I have had enough of Italians or Irishman being murders. For
three and a half hours, yikes! I just wonder: does this have any value to me? But
in the end my reaction to each of these films is best summed up by Rhett Butler, “Frankly, Scarlet, I
just don’t give a damn.”
So now that I got that out of my system, here are some films I really enjoyed.
I loved Yesterday, a fantasy that asks a
profound question: what if the Beatles never were? It makes one wonder what if:
Kennedy had not been killed in Dallas or Buddy Holly’s plane hadn’t crashed?
I thought Blinded by the Light was terrific. (Disclaimer: I am a
hardcore Bruce Springsteen fan.) It was a coming of age film that crossed
racial and cultural barriers about how music can speak to teenagers in a way
that empowers them to find out what their verse* could be. (*A nod to John
Keating of Dead Poets Society)
Little Women is the fantastic flashback-flash forward view of
the limitations and ambitions that women faced as America reached the 20th
century. Greta Gerwig’s vision, casting, and writing transformed a classic into
the artistic standard for the year.
Harriet, the
historical drama of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and her leadership in
the Underground Railroad, is a saga worth
my time and worthy of more award
nominations than a singular one for best actress in a leading role.
It’s a Beautiful Day was a gentle reminder that just one person
can truly make a difference. Fred Rogers is not the focus of the film, but he
is the force that changes the dynamic
of the cynical journalist who simply cannot believe that forgiveness is one of
the highest virtues a human being can display.
Marriage Story was
gripping—kudos to both lead actors. If its goal was to show how destructive
divorce can be for the children, former lovers, and families, then it hits its
mark. (Spoiler Alert for the next few sentences!) These characters are
protected financially with second mortgages of family and a MacArthur Grant
that just happens to pop up conveniently. Nevertheless, it is gut ranching to
see them tear each other apart. I cannot speak to the reality of this picture,
having never been in this situation. However, with divorce now the norm rather
than the exception, I am sure many couples see similar pitfalls just lurking in
their homes. (Too bad it never was on the marquee of a movie theater as Netflix
had a monopoly on its distribution. )
American Factory, a documentary co-produced from the Obama Foundation, was a thought provoking look at today’s blue collar workforce in the America’s heartland and how it is juxtaposed with a Japanese company’s desire to make its values and traditions harmonious with American workers.
Western Stars, the Springsteen concert film, does not fit in
any category, but the 13 songs paint a vivid picture of what life is like for
so many who yearn for love and meaning as the years zoom past and the dreams of
yesterday seem just out of one’s grasp. (Remember—I am an unabashed Springsteen
fan…so I am so biased.)
1917 is one I have not gotten around to see yet, but a film
that depicts war as gruesome, and does so with unique realism, reminds us of the unimaginable horror of war.
Once upon a time, the Academy
of Motion Pictures seemed to be moving forward acknowledging people of
color, women and films that really meant something; instead of making a joker,
an assassin, and some pretty boys the focus of the evening. Well, as they say
in baseball, there’s always next year.
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