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I think that Zhao’s films present their characters’ experiences in a fairly nonjudgmental way that invites viewers to draw their own conclusions and create their own version of reality. The conclusions drawn are sometimes more a reflection of the viewer’s perspective and attitudes to the collection of scenes that are presented

Both the films I watched (“Nomadland” and “Songs My Brothers Taught Me”) have stories that are fairly circular: The main characters end up pretty much in the same place as they were when the film began. I think that invites the audience to create their own ideas of what might happen after the films’ stories leave off.

Because I’ve had several periods in my life when I was basically nomadic, I can understand Fern’s sense of freedom, despite the sacrifices that she has to make. That is also tinged with her deep sadness from the loss of her husband and home. I was always fortunate that my bouts of homeless wandering pretty much always had a fairly set end date when I would return to a more conventional job/rent/house payment sort of life.

At the end of “Nomadland,” I was content to just let Fern be Fern; wishing her the best, but still a little sad for her. “Songs My Brothers Taught Me,” set on the Pine Ridge Reservation, left me far more depressed by the circular plot line because I was hoping for some positive change.

Because Zhao’s style in these two films had one foot in “reality,” using people portraying aspects of their own lives for some of the actors, it will be interesting to see what she does with “Eternals,” a Marvel comic. I think that she’ll have to leave a lot of that style behind. I also think that Marvel fans might expect a film with a plot that is a bit more linear instead of one that just sort of wanders from Point A to Point A.

 

We have already seen some directors leave Marvel projects because Feige and the powers that been exerted too much control. You would think both sides would have the sense to figure out how they will adapt to one another going in. I have no idea what to expect with Eternals. Then again, I had no idea what to expect of Guardians of the Galaxy, either, and that worked out well. At some point, Marvel is going to have to allow directors to take more risks or people will lose interest.

 

I wanted to shoot myself after, but the bullet went back in the gun.

 

Saw Spiral in the movie theater tonight. Heavy on the police procedural this time around. Lighter on the traps.

This is a film that could've used the power and majesty of a Costas Mandylor.

 

Had a discussion with a friend at work as to what the bigger "movie crime" is for an Oregonian - to have never seen "Goonies," "Animal House" or "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Though Animal House wasn't "set" in Oregon, I posited that its impact on the cultural landscape and that it was filmed ON the UO campus, made AH the bigger crime. Any other "movie crimes" out there?

 

95% of the movies set in Alabama?

 

"Layer Cake" 2004 Daniel Craig, Michael Gambon, Sienna Miller, Colm Meaney, Tom Hardy

Pre-Bond Daniel Craig as a coke dealer who is ready to cash in his chips and get out. He goes from a guy in control to watching everything around him crumble to shit, over and over. Semi-standard but stylish Brit gangster movie with a number of nice twists. Kind of a downer but interesting plot and characters. Netflix and more.

 

Solid flick. Saw it shortly before Craig got picked for Bond. Interesting that Q is also in it.

 

same guy, the deputy sheriff in First Blood (Rambo) and Gabby in Blazing Saddles.

 

An underrated Daniel Craig film.

Another underrated role is him playing a chemist-turned-safe-bomber on Logan Lucky.

 

Another one of my favorites from the past few years. Dwight Yoakam also hilarious. And a prominent big screen role for Jerry Gergich!

 

Inherit The Wind
This movie couldn’t be made today. It would be too controversial and the Christian extremists would burn down the movie theaters if it played.