1.)Bohemian Rhapsody:
The Hollywood biographic film about the the legendary lead singer of the band of the 80’s, QUEEN.
The film is a very well executed and emotionally driven movie powered by some of the music from QUEEN’s catalogue. A lot of pseudo critics on other industry sites have complained about lead actor Rami Malek lipsynching the vocals rather than attempting to sing himself. Which is ridiculous to even entertain the thought of anyone just suiting up and trying to replicate one of the greatest front men in rock history so easily. The nerve of such thinking shows the lack of pop-culture knowledge a lot of higher paid bloggers have these days.
The film is exquisite and a joy to watch and ends at the appropriate crowning moment on a life that was larger than life.
2.) Mandy:
You all already know how I feel about MANDY from my NewRetroWave review a month ago.. It’s a METAL and Psychedelic wet dream with one of the best Nicolas Cage performances of his career. MUST SEE!
3.)MID 90’s
Jonah Hill’s directorial debut Mid 90’s (also written by Hill) is the nostalgic injection of morale that a lot of us in our thirties needed. It’s a simple straight forward story about being young and finding your place in the world. A journey of friendship that reminds us all of our best of times even when they may seem like our lowest. A gentle mix of Dogtwon & the Z Boys with KIDS. I would even say that lead actor Sunny Suljic will be one to watch from here on into the future.
4.)Suspiria
I know I know. I can see what a lot of people are jeering about with this film. How dare they try to inject an actual plot into Suspiria and change certain things about it.. I mean that is a recurring complaint from the internet about films right? How dare they change things? “oooooo, my childhood”. Well here it is, IT’S NOT the fairytale you remember, much. The time period is different, there’s some subplots that may or may not hurt the pacing and the ending isn’t what you remember.. Tilda Swinton is awesome as always. Dakota Johnson is lovely and in my opinion is a better actress in any film other than that 50 shades. Go Rent it or Buy it.
5.) OVERBOARD
I have reviewed this film already but, you know what I still like it. It’s not perfect with its recurring attempts to recreate the original film (if not refilm). But, I still like the changes it did make and appreciate the bilingual scenes. It’s campy, cheesy and something you can definitely watch during the holidays.
6.)Ready Player One
This film although flawed in some ways deserves to be on the list for its unapologetic fanservice to film audiences obviously older than the intended target demographic. It sounds mean but, how many thirteen year olds are really going to recognize the godzilla theme or point out the AKIRA bike? The effects are great – it is a Spielberg film after all. But, it is one of those Spielberg films were he pretty much just called it in.
7.)White Boy Rick
It’s the story of a SNITCH. A hollywood story about a real life snitch. Can’t sugar coat it. It is what it is. Ruste Cohle is still awesome in anything he’s in (I know that’s not his real name).
8.)ACTION POINT
The boys from Jackass returned to theaters in this comedic production based on the real life New Jersey theme park ACTION PARK. ACTION PARK was notorious for it’s amazingly dangerous rides and attractions that claimed the lives of a few people. Action Point has most of your familiar favorites performing real life stunts and acting as best as they could. It’s actually a shame that Knoxville doesn’t do more serious films. RENT IT.
9.)HOT SUMMER NIGHTS
I love Maika Monroe. Ever since I saw her in ‘IT FOLLOWS’. Set on Cape Cod 1991, the film tells the story of another young white kid getting caught up in drug dealing. Although this film is more or a teen neonoir in the vein of Brick however, Brick was more film noir leaning. There is a very well played scene that is acted against David Bowie’s ‘SPACE ODDITY’, I just really like music and scene mashups. If you liked it then I recommend you also watch Harmony Korine’s BULLY for a full on assault on your moral compass.
10.)Summer of 84
The Canadian film that was advertised as another Stranger Things like thing wasn’t so much Stranger Things but instead Hitchcocks ‘Rear Window’ and ‘Fright Night’. Dark Secrets hidden behind the veil of a sweet little town; sounds like a Hainesville story don’t it? The film won Best Screenplay for Matt Leslie and Stephen J. Smith at Cinepocalypse festival in Chicago. It should be on NETFLIX right now as well as some of these other films. Be sure to go and give them a viewing.
Stay chill during the Holiday season and keep your fingers on that rewind button.
