Film: Conclave

 

GENRE: Dramatic Thriller
RATING: PG for thematic material and smoking
RUNTIME: 2 hours
PLATFORM: Movie Theatre
STARRING: Ralph Fiennes (The Menu, Grand Budapest Hotel, Harry Potter)
Stanley Tucci (Spotlight, Big Night); John Lithgow (Cliffhanger, Footloose)
DIRECTOR: Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front)
WRITER: Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Goldfinch)
PLOT: The selection of a new pope leads to power struggles and secrets.   

FULL DISCLOSURE: The trailer and high Tomatoes score interested me.

STORY STUFF: I found myself pretty intrigued with the story. The setting was fascinating as the conclave begins to elect a new pope. The sequestering and the process kept me interested. While I expected some power shifts among the cardinals, I was surprised at how relevant it was to current national politics. The pacing is respectfully slow but that is to be expected; it’s not like this is Angels & Demons. There is a great twist that I did not see coming. This film is not for everyone but I certainly enjoyed it.

ACTING STUFF: Fiennes is perfectly cast as Lawrence, the one in charge of the conclave. Tucci & Lithgow also are treat with their feigned righteousness. Another standout for me is the quiet Carlos Hiehz as newcomer Benitez. Great acting all around.           

ARTISTIC STUFF: While I love the Italian architecture of the cathedrals and the eerie claustrophobic residence, it was the cinematography and sound that impressed me the most. The camera glides beautifully along the marble steps and perfectly captures moments of intense scrutiny. The music adds a slightly hair-raising tone with its high-pitched violins. There is also the amazing sound of air swooshing when some doors are closing to signify the sealing in of the cardinals. I love a good restrictive situation (see Die Hard).

VERDICT: Four and half stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You are patient for an interesting twist 
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Here

Film: Saturday Night

 

GENRE: Bio-Comedy/Drama
RATING: R for language, sexual references, drug use
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 49 minutes
PLATFORM: Movie Theatre
STARRING: Gabriel LaBelle (The Fabelmans, Snack Shack)
Rachel Sennott (newcomer); Cory Michael Smith (Gotham, May December)
DIRECTOR: Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You For Smoking, Up in the Air)
WRITERS: Reitman & Gil Kenan (Ghostbuster: Afterlife & Frozen Empire)
PLOT: It’s an intense 90 minutes before first Saturday Night Live.   

FULL DISCLOSURE: Love SNL. Love behind the scenes. Like Reitman.

STORY STUFF: I am completely biased. (It’s in my full disclosure.) I love this stuff. I have read a lot about the beginnings of SNL. I have done loads of research. And while there are a lot of liberties taken, outright contradictions and ludicrous moments, I loved every minute of it. Reitman has said this is not a documentary. Sure, he is cramming a lot of stuff in a short, time-ticking countdown to the first taping. I forgive it because I know he is going for the chaos, emotions and tensions that go into a live show. As a theatre director, I a feel a smidge of Lorne Michaels’ feelings and this need for a live show to go on, no matter what. I will say the brick laying is a tad much but I get the metaphor. Reitman & Kenan load the script with Easter eggs of future sketches, mostly given to Dan Aykroyd. (The Colon Blow cereal is pretty premature though.) The pace of this film is electrifying and I would love to watch it again to catch more background shenanigans.

ACTING STUFF: It is hard to single out the acting performances. I am extremely impressed with the casting of this film. From big names to no names, I enjoyed everyone’s embodiment of the real people behind Saturday Night Live. Honestly, I would list practically the entire cast as standouts.         

ARTISTIC STUFF: The countdown updates are well utilized. The jazzy music underneath keeps the flow going. The filming style reminded me of Birdman without the pretentiousness of trying to do it all in one “long take”. The make-up, costumes and set design are incredible and make me feel like I’m there, back in 1975.

VERDICT: Five stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You love SNL and enjoy the chaos of opening night.   
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Conclave? Red One?

Film: Joker: Folie a Deux

 

GENRE: Drama/Musical
RATING: R for strong violence and language and brief nudity
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 18 minutes
PLATFORM: Movie Theatre
STARRING: Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line, Gladiator, Napoleon)
Lady Gaga (A Star is Born, House of Gucci); Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges)
DIRECTOR: Todd Phillips (Joker, The Hangover, Old School, Due Date)
WRITERS: Scott Silver (The Fighter, 8 Mile) & Phillips (Old School)
PLOT: Harley Quinn inspires Arthur Fleck while he is on trial for murder.  

FULL DISCLOSURE: Was pretty conflicted after seeing the trailer.

STORY STUFF: While the first Joker film was filled with dramatic contemplation and flights of fancy, there were also some good action sequences and humour. This one it pretty void of action and humour. The prison stuff is dark as it should be, but this is also a courtroom drama and with the exception of Gary Puddles on the stand, I was completely bored. I love courtroom stuff but this just didn’t work. The flights of fancy are musical numbers but they had no life to them. Give me a showstopper. I understand what Phillips was trying to do with this film but I didn’t enjoy the experience.  

ACTING STUFF: Phoenix continues the crazy and calm he brought to the first film. I thought Gaga did a good job as Lee Quinzel but I wanted more crazy from her. I enjoyed Gleeson as one of the guards, I found him captivating. I did not like Harry Lawtey (Industry) as Harvey Dent. What a boring DA. Show me some life. He’s supposed to be Two-Face eventually. Leigh Gill returning as Gary Puddles made the most of his screen time and created instant empathy for his character.        

ARTISTIC STUFF: This film is beautifully shot. It is the biggest highlight of the film for me. The images, the lighting, the movement, the colours all work in tandem to create amazing tableaux. I understand that lyrics and time period dictated the song choices but I was not a fan. Give me something bombastic. These a probably the saddest musical choices I have ever heard.   

VERDICT: Two stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You want a slower version of the first film.  
UPCOMING REVIEW:  Saturday Night