Blade Runner 2049
Erm. Yeah. Big ideas, bold filmmaking - but it often felt really overwrought. The film was often hampered by trying to appear self-consciously cool. This often came at the expense of truthful world-building (e.g. the set designs being SO COOL but not really stacking up to much, ideas-wise) and this is further manifested in some snarky jokes about AI (e.g. when his GF said ‘did you know this song was number one in 1966’ - she’s meant to be the equivalent to being a human, so, although this was funny, it didn’t really make much sense). Jared Leto’s performance was nails-on-a-chalkboard bad. Total turn-off. Hated the music/score when they could’ve done something way more interesting. Too long. Not a big fan.
Lean on Pete
I liked this a lot, relentlessly bleak and way less sweeter than I was expecting. Still my least favourite Andrew Haigh film/show. Felt a bit rushed, could’ve been longer. Generally love his sensibility though, quickly becoming one of my favourite directors.
Dark River
Not a big fan. Barnard evokes place in the same way she did in The Selfish Giant/The Arbor and I love her style BUT the writing was way too melodramatic - full of stock characters and events, extending to a ‘hidden family secret’ which resulted in a few audible groan moments.
Suntan
I liked this and its lingered in my mind. Character study about a Greek doctor who moves to an island and ends up living a hedonistic lifestyle when Summer rolls around. Really, really dark and strange and goes to places you don’t want it to.
