A solid real-life, procedural drama, but what makes it standout is Jackman. The steady reveal of the truth of his character is perfect. Reminded me of Jack Black in Linklater's "Bernie"; a revealing and intimate combination of genuine care and unnerving sociopathy.
Wolfwalkers is the most beautiful film of 2020; Moore's unmistakable style is surprising & intricate in ways most animation doesn't even try. Thankfully, it's more than a pretty face; it's a unique vision of narrow-minded bigotry & the dangers of religiously-justified imperialism. The brave grace with which it handles the lack of systemic shifts, instead focusing on the individual changes, is moving & honest. In a year with 2 Pixar films, this is the best family film of 2020.
Even with its thematic predictability, Soul is a beautiful and ambitious celebration of life…however, for 2020 Pixar, I'm #teamOnward, and for theoretical Pixar, I'm #teamInsideOut. Hot takes are MY spark, bishes.
I'm an easy sell on movies about Hollywood, making "Mank" extra disappointing; more self-righteously self-aware Tinseltown tripe, dully highlighting industry corruption…shocking. Mank is far too boringly benevolent; his hang-ups are mentioned, but rarely shown. And for a movie about a screenwriter, the script is remarkably vapid. Fincher leans so heavily on design, performances & the black-&-white visuals he forgets to be interesting. Any small bits of goodness (Seyfried, Howard) are quickly forgotten.
This is a dirt-poor-man's Taxi Driver. Not in content, style, skill, or soul, mind you; just in more surface-y ways. A war vet who drives a taxi deals with extreme PTSD while overbearing narration blankets much of the film. Still, despite some uncomfortably bad moments that you may expect from this kind of ultra-low-budget thriller, there's way more intrigue and dramatic weight than one might expect, especially when focused on the plight and consequences of the all-too-real forgotten servicemen.
