From the very start, Pablo Larraín's Princess Diana movie steps outside of the realm of biopic. An opening statement tells us the film is a fable, one based on a true tragedy (its words), but a fable none the less. This lets the viewer know that we are entering the realm of the symbolic, a … Continue reading Spencer (Review)
Tag: biopic
Hillbilly Elegy (Review)
J.D Vance's best selling, and deeply controversial, memoir uses his lived experience (as presented by him) as the springboard for a number of conclusions about society and politics. He sees himself as a microcosm and from this projected an assortment of views that many, myself included (though I have admittedly only read around the book) … Continue reading Hillbilly Elegy (Review)
Mank (Review)
David Fincher's Mank is yet another example of Netflix clearly letting a filmmaker make the exact film that they wanted. There is an entertaining irony here, seeing as Mank chronicles the writing of - and inspiration for (in two discrete timelines) - Citizen Kane, focusing on conflicts between filmmakers and executives who all want to … Continue reading Mank (Review)
Shirley (Review)
With Shirley, director Josephine Decker breaks into new territory while covering familiar ground. It is a combination that makes for an interesting film, as it continues the strengths of the director's past work while feeling somewhat bolder and - in ways - more refined. It is also Decker's most conventional and accessible film, which is … Continue reading Shirley (Review)
A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (Review)
With only three films under her directorial belt, Marielle Heller has already become one of the most dependable and interesting names in the business. Consistently, she has shown an ability to make films that enhance and transcend their subject matter - adapting existing sources in fascinating and surprising ways. This trend is perhaps best shown … Continue reading A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (Review)
Dolemite is my Name (Review)
Part way through this film, a writer (played my Keegan-Michael Key) talks about his want to make art that does more than just entertain. Dolemite is my Name is a film that somewhat informs but that definitively entertains. This is fitting, as this film is all about the rise of comedy (and filmmaking) legend Rudy … Continue reading Dolemite is my Name (Review)
Rocketman (Review)
From the first shot, Rocketman establishes itself as strange: a flamboyantly costumed Elton John (Taron Egerton) walks down a nondescript hallway to a meeting in rehab. This is our framing device for the biopic, as Elton looks back on what brought him to this point. The result is extremely entertaining, often emotional and sometimes really … Continue reading Rocketman (Review)
Assorted Opinions 