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I played drums/percussion for dozens of community theater productions for years up until a few years ago (big lore drop I know) so this was both a throwback to that scene and a really delightful and quite silly breakdown of the stakes of community theater, the stakes of which are cleverly toyed with here to mostly great effect. Something's missing in terms of its long-lasting impact on me, but nevertheless enjoyed!

Moore and Gianatti are legends, both deserve Oscars I think.

That's a wrap on PFF35!!

4 / 5

70mm projection. PFS Film Center.

No words 🥹

5 / 5 ⭐️

OK I usually ruminate on a film for at least a day before writing an educated review but wtf man I need to write SOMETHING down while I sip on this Sazerac to take the edge off you know what I'm saying?

This really is something. A stone-cold, haunting, terrifyingly disturbing, but also darkly funny piece of work that goes places I never imagined it would go, the tone is very similar to Tar, with obviously different circumstances regarding the situation that the characters, and thus Russia, were in at the start of their invasion of Ukraine. What a weird and wild film. Good lord.

Zvyanginttsev pulled though. Keep makin movies man.

And yeah as much as I love Fjord, this should've won the Palme.

4.5 / 5

After watching Burning (twice and not yet completely understanding it) and then this, I'm slowly learning that Lee Chang Dong is an undercover assassin by means of evocative storytelling that let's you ruminate on the emotional impact long after his films are over. His filmmaking style is very simplistic, matter-of-fact, and understated, sometimes to a fault, but the emotional weight and impact of it is felt in the big picture. It doesn't fully resonate with my tastes personally, but I'm starting to highly respect this style of filmmaking.

Possible Love is no exception. This is a capital S slow burn for sure, it's incredibly patient with it's novelistic structure and storytelling, especially in the first half, but once it all comes together, it's poetry. You just feel it. And sometimes that means more than understanding.

We all share the same moon. 🌚

4.4 / 5

Game changing. I truly can't talk about this film without spoiling it, which people are unfortunately quick to do, so just see it as soon as you can.

Transcending.

4.9 / 5

Exceeded my expectations! I can see why some may have trouble with this one, whether it be about the subject matter, the ethics in question, or the lack of answers or even explanations. But I think that's the point.

Less of a dissection and more of an examination of 2 extreme opposites of a coin. Its very thoughtfully and tastefully done, through the direction, the setting, the compositions, and the great performances from the 2 leads. Challenging without being too confrontational. Will think about this one for a while.

4.4 / 5

Woah! A sweeping queer epic that tells a beautiful, thoughtful, albeit scattered story about retaining your identity against all seemingly impossible odds. It's told throughout 3 separate timelines to both successful and middling effect, but the film's direction, attention of detail and great performances from the ensemble elevate it.

It took a little bit for the film to build its pieces together for me, but once it got there, it mostly worked. This movie will do just fine this awards season, especially with that TIFF win.

Also, did we NEED the Penelope Cruz sequence (great as she is)? Not so sure. It was giving Blitz 🫣

4.1 / 5

This film is what we need right now. A truly empathetic portrait of people trying to make the impossible possible in a system that is doomed to close in on itself. Instead of sulking in the dread and pessimism, the film is a warm hug of hope and optimism where it seems impossible and succeeds in all the right ways. Being human is a beautiful thing and should never be taken for granted. There were some sequences that were a bit heavy handed in its exposition and I can mostly let it slide.

It didn't quite reach the level of Drive My Car or even Evil Does Not Exist for me, but it's still a Hamaguchi home run.

4.6 / 5

Real cute! Hilarious, heartwarming, crowd pleasing in all the right ways. A bit predictable as far as the story beats go and the pacing was a bit scattered, but care was taken with the way this was shot and the performances were spot on and authentic.

The clubbing scene gave me nice Anora flashbacks. Great to see Diego Calva back on screen

4.1 / 5

Forgot to log this and I've ruminated on it for a week lmao

Man I really liked this! It's very disjointed, the tone is scattered, and it doesn't know when to lean into the surreal and when not to (I wished it did more if you ask me). It also feels a bit exploitative of the entire spectacle of the show too. The film is a spectacle of the spectacle if you will; it doesn't always work, but when it does it REALLY does.

But I absolutely loved the direction and visual style here; damn it looks nice. I wouldn't say it's style over substance though, as the substance is there, it's just a little unfocused is all. Also, I would be surprised if I hear a better film score this year, and no one is talking about it. Wtf man?

Pattinson is obviously great, but is it too much of caricature? Maybe. Nevertheless he commits hard. Also Skyler G almost stole the movie, and goddamn Merrit Wever terrified me in that one scene when Chris is on the floor. Wasn't sure whether to laugh or be scared. That's a great performance 👏

4.3 / 5

How fun and delightfully gross! This should probably be the new template for VG adaptations. Just letting the director knows the source material cook and create something unique.

The overtly comedic tone sometimes took me out of it, but it was entertaining nonetheless!

Never work overtime.

4 / 5

Wile Coyote = Sisyphus
Roadrunner = The rock
Will Forte = Funny
WB = Pricks for trying to cancel this film

Go see it!

3.8 / 5

I really really really really really wanted to like this more than I did. I've never given Talking Heads their proper shot, outside of a few of their major hits, until now. I went into this knowing it's considered the greatest concert film of all time, and I left quite underwhelmed. Am I an asshole? lmao

I will say that Demme shot/made this very nice. Most of the presentation, set design, and logistics of the concert itself are pretty outstanding. David Byrne is unarguably a great performer and has fantastic stage presence and commitment. But the music didn't connect with me really at all and the musicianship even felt a bit lackluster for me, and I'm still trying to figure out exactly why.

Just didn't vibe with it. Please dont kill me 🫣 If someone wanted to put this on, I'm not gonna complain; just know that I won't be having as much fun as you. Perhaps I've stopped making sense myself so I there ya go lol ok bye!

3.2 / 5

RIP to the goat 🐐

3.6 / 5

4.3 / 5

3.9 / 5

3.7 / 5

So deep. Perhaps too deep for its own good; the "dreams" in this film are quite esoteric and difficult to interpret unless you're hip to philosophical concepts. But like Lynch before him, Bi Gan can make his films FELT to the same effect.

If there's one last film for humanity, might be this one. What a statement.

Also, still the best one-take sequence I've ever seen.

4.8 / 5

"You gonna shoot me?"
"That depends. Do you see me?"
🥶🥶🥶

4.6 / 5

Nobody does it like Sean Baker. Telling simple real-life stories through meta-neo-realism almost guerilla style. And endless sea of a canvas to work with. Bravo.

Karren let's be friends.

4.2 / 5