Although I personally don’t have a lot of familiarity with Formula 1 racing, I heard about the movie FI and figured that fast cars + Brad Pitt + Joseph Kosinski (director of Top Gun: Maverick) was a winning combination.
This movie was an absolute blast, the perfect summer blockbuster that is best enjoyed on the biggest screen possible with a giant bucket of buttery popcorn. As a viewing experience, it’s like Ford v Ferrari meets Top Gun: Maverick, which is a vibe I was definitely down for.
The cinematography makes you feel as if you’re on the track with the cars, part of the action. I enjoyed the dynamic between Brad Pitt’s no-nonsense veteran driver and Damson Idris’ younger rising star of the racing world. I don’t believe I’ve seen any of Damson Idris’ other projects, but I loved his sense of style and charisma in this movie (hey Hollywood, if you’re still looking for a young actor with a British accent to play the next 007 in Denis Villeneuve’s Bond film, Idris is worth your consideration).
I had lots of fun watching this movie; it’s fast, stylish, and a good time at the cinema.
Loving Andor… But Just Not in the Right Headspace to Watch It Right Now
I finally had a chance to start getting caught up on the second season of Andor, and I believe that:
1. This is one of the best written, directed and edited stories Star Wars has ever produced.
2. It is filled with high quality acting and special effects.
3. It features some of the deepest and most relevant themes Star Wars has delved into yet.
And yet…I feel ashamed, because I have to admit that I struggled to personally connect with this show. I hate saying that, because it feels a little dismissive to respond to such a powerful series with a half-hearted “Eh, it wasn’t for me.”
I feel like I’m not in the best space right now for Andor’s more serious tone and heavy themes. I’m dealing with some personal stresses and pressures currently, and when I finally do get a chance to sit down and watch TV at night, I crave an opportunity to decompress and relax.
So, I don’t feel like I can truly provide an effective review of Andor at this time. I think it’s one of those stories I need to set aside for now, and then return to at another time. Maybe this will be similar to when I first read Dune, and didn’t connect with it at all. Then, I saw Dennis Villeneuve’s first Dune film years later, and I fell absolutely in love with the characters and the universe, and started devouring the book series.
Andor is the sort of Star Wars storytelling that begs for a thoughtful, in-depth analysis, and I hope to return to it again.
Answering the Call of Nostalgia: Taking Flight with the Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon
I know that many of these live action adaptations of animated movies are shameless cash grabs, and yet I can’t seem to resist the siren call of Millennial nostalgia. I took my daughter to see the live action How to Train Your Dragon remake, and I’m still not over the thrill I get every time I watch my four-year-old dazzled by the big screen.
The live action version of How to Train Your Dragon hews pretty close to the animated version (viewers may see that as a plus or a minus). Mason Thames brings just the right sense of awkward earnestness to the role of reluctant Viking warrior Hiccup. And the scenes of Hiccup and dragon Toothless in flight are absolutely magical, especially in IMAX.
Love, Money, and Modern Messiness: Materialists Puts a Fresh Spin on the Rom-Com
I’m not ashamed to admit it; I love a good rom-com. And as soon as I saw a trailer for Materialists starring Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal as dueling love interests, I knew I had to buy a ticket.
Although this ended up being more of a drama than a romantic comedy, I still enjoyed it. It’s a modern, honest love story without being too cynical or depressing.
Dakota Johnson plays a matchmaker caught in the middle of a love triangle with her struggling actor ex-boyfriend (Evans) and a ridiculously charming – and ridiculously rich – financier (Pascal).
If this were a classic rom-com, either Evans or Pascal would turn out to be a villain, and Johnson’s choice would be easy. However, this is a more complex and nuanced story than that. This movie takes a look at the challenges of modern dating, and examines what it takes to build a long-lasting relationship.
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