Category: Indie

“The Room Next Door”

6.8

Still on the fence if I would be honored or appalled if a friend roped me into this situation…

Both Tilda and Julianne rock it, but the movie is such a strange execution of a touchy subject that it’s extremely difficult to make it approachable. They do their best, though. Trying to find meaning in a tough spot. There are indeed moments of beauty in the darkness here, but you have to really focus in. It’s easy to get lost in the ethical dilemmas or in one of the weird sidetracks into a rambling tirade about climate change. Intriguing…

“Anora”

6.9

So… this thing turns into a comedy in the second half. I did NOT see that coming!

There are many lessons here… don’t marry an exotic dancer? Don’t marry an heir to a Russian mob fortune who didn’t get permission to get married? Don’t untie your hostage early? Make sure the mom likes you?

Whatever the takeaway, the fun remains. This was an incredibly unexpectedly funny one that left me befuddled from beginning to end, in a good way. Well worth a watch, for the plot.

“A Real Pain”

7.7

One of those perfectly cast films that you can’t imagine anyone else starring in after viewing. These two play off each other so well it’s like they actually are related.

A film about wearing masks, told in a highly creative fashion that leverages the talents of all involved to the absolute limit. With laughs that feel so very genuine because of the emotional depth of every other feeling felt along the way with our faithful companions.

So good I watched it twice!

“Babygirl”

6.9

The audacity… telling her boy toy to break up with his girlfriend… tsk tsk tsk

All of the heat the “Fifty Shades” trilogy was missing? I found it! Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson really have a great camaraderie in this one. When Antonio Banderas is your odd man out… sheesh.

A lot of rules being broken here… most importantly, you NEVER drink water from a stranger at a rave! What is this? Amateur hour?

Definitely not for the faint of heart… or the photosensitive. Said rave scene is a doozy.