Movie Log

 Of course you go to IMAX to see the latest of Mission Impossible movies.  Final Reckoning was in interesting movie but ended up being a curriculum vitae of Cruise and his Impossible films. The big stunt that everyone is waiting for is quite insane bure more for Cruise's sake and less enthralling as I am sat comfortable in a plush cinema seat.  The film looks to be a finale and to that end, if there is another, I imagine that if they do break down and make another, and if Cruise survives the next big stunt, I will just wait for it to come out in the streaming services and watch it at home . . . but who am I kidding!?  We all know that is a bunch of lame lip service and I will hurry right back to the IMAX if another Impossible makes its way into the world.

 Forever a Mad Max fan, I was eager to see Furiosa.  I like the George Miller's dedication to real world stunts and cars, instead of leaning on CG.  The stunts are more exciting know that a crew of slightly crazy people did all of those things for the camera.  The story follows a similar arc to the rest of the Mad Max films, but does drag a bit. After watching any of the Mad Max installments, I am always reminded of the darkest parts of human minds and habits, which I think is the goal - when I am about the invoke the allegory of the Lord of the Flies, I must remind myself that I do enjoy the movies, so it must be a success.

 Out of my blind spot, Bong JunHo released a new film.  Forever an optimist, I went to IMAX 2D for Mickey 17.  The IMAX experience didn't lend itself too much to the film, but is still a movie worth seeing in the cinema.  Just because IMAX doesn't enhance the film much doesn't detract from its quality.  Bong JunHo tends to take familiar concepts and weave uniqueness and intrigue into these common themes.  Some of the acting, although enthusiastic seems to miss the mark, but overall was well done by the entire cast.  Any shortcomings are lessened by the massive scope that the conflicts within the plot subtly summon.  Another beauty form the Korean director.

 Even though I heard on several podcasts that that 2024 The Fall Guy was a real stinker, I was still quite excited to see it. Undeterred, I even splashed out for an IMAX 2D. Underrated! The story was generally predictable but I thought that pas part of the basic paradigm of the movie.  The jokes were genuinely funny and well delivered but the whole film was a back drop for some next-level stunt work! The entire film, even if the tone and story are not to your liking is topped off with a final show stopper stunt that if your paying even half attention is an unbelievable spectacle that is flows with the story and is incredibly framed by the actors.  This is a great movie that goes, "Boom!"

 I quite enjoyed the dystopia and unease that Paquin Phoenix created in the original remake in Joker, so I was keen to see Folie au Deux. I was waiting for plot development to bewilder and confuse the audience, all the while accelerated and enhanced by Phoenix and Lady Gaga's skill as actors.  The film started out well and slowly became . . . a musical - a musical wherein nothing happens.  I suppose this is why I dislike musicals so much; so much energy and potential is poured into a story where so very little happens and the story takes a lonely back seat to tunes and dance numbers.

 Since the original character of Betelgeuse was so marked by the costume and physical affectations applied by Michael Keaton, I was sure the portrayal of the titular character would be unmarred by time since it is the same actor.  Keaton does a great job and the aesthetics are great, and it is a pleasant film.  Therein lays the problem, the original was so great and the tone so unique and enthralling, the makers of this film were chasing thunder.  There were a lot of great gags and humorous nods, but inevitably this long-interval sequel plays second fiddle to the original.