Film Diaries: February 2019
The best of what I’ve watched this month (not including the Academy Awards nominees). Basically, what this has made me realize is that I watch way too many movies. So is the life of a film student, I guess :)
Punch Drunk Love
Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
I had been meaning to watch this for a while and finally got around to it on a whim because, well, it was on Netflix. I was pleasantly surprised – I love Adam Sandler in his more serious roles. I especially love the scene between him and his brother-in-law (“I don’t like myself sometimes. Can you help me?” “Barry, I’m a dentist…”). I am constantly astounded by the variety in topic in Paul Thomas Anderson films. This story was so special and unique. No one could have written it but PTA and I am so glad that he did.
Brokeback Mountain
Directed by Ang Lee, Written by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana
Watched this with my friends on Valentine’s day (ha) and it was the second time I had seen it. For some reason, it affected me a lot more the second time around. There is no weak link to the performances in the film. They are all incredible – Heath Ledger’s character remains on my mind a week later. And the dialogue is some of the most beautiful and heartbreaking in all of 21st century film. Brokeback Mountain sticks with you for days after. I find myself thinking about it all the time. I also 1000% recommend the short story of the same name by Annie Proulx. I read it after watching the movie and they adapted it extremely well. You can read it here: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1997/10/13/brokeback-mountain
The Central Park Five
Directed by Ken and Sarah Burns
I watched this for “Race, Class, and Gender in American Film” and I knew almost nothing about the story of the Central Park Five going into it. The story is as gut-wrenching as documentaries get. I appreciated the filmmaker’s efforts to allow the falsely accused men the opportunity to share their own story unhindered by the media. A quote from the film: "I want us to remember what happened that day and be horrified by ourselves because it really is a mirror on our society." It really is.
The Fighter
Directed by David O. Russell, Written by Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, and Scott Silver
Again, the performances in this film were mesmerizing. In every Christian Bale role, you believe his characters to exist in a world outside of the film’s end. Amy Adams and Mark Wahlberg’s scenes together were human, raw, and real.
Bao
Written and directed by Domee Shi
Cue the waterworks.
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