pennyjune

I did not intend to watch this movie anytime soon, but while briefly checking it out, I became mezmerized by Julianne Moore's lipstick color and decided to stay for the show. Death is not a subject I am fond of, so how did I get sucked into a movie that is about nothing else? The acting! Julianne and Tilda Swinton are consistently good throughout this odd, colorful film. I only wish it had been made with more relatable characters, but then I had not read the book upon which it is based. What I mean is, who isn't bored and tired of the rich, artsy, pretentious New Yorkers who name drop obscure writers, put odd art on their walls and all seem to know each other? It has the feel of a Woody Allen movie without the humor. Well, I didn't expect to be entertained, really. I just couldn't take my eyes off the actors. Recommended if death doesn't bother you. Was.

I'm giving a high rating based on how much I enjoyed both the first and the second films. I wouldn't give either a ten, but the excitement, suspense and tension kept me glued and are about equal for both. What I liked about both films mainly is the relationship between Nick, the cop, and Donnie, the thief. In the first film, Nick is rather hard to like. In the second film, Nick seems to have softened somewhat and seems less like the quintessential hard-boiled tough-guy cop he was in the first film, which came across as a bit clichéd. Despite the predictability that other reviewers have claimed, I never saw the end coming in either film. I like surprises. Watch for great action, scenes full of suspense, good writing and acting. I'm not one for car chases but I didn't mind these.

I had the same problem with this series that I had with 1917 (although they are nothing alike storywise). Yep, it's that darned single-shot cinematography. While others like it, I very much dislike it. It is gimicky, tedious, distracting and adds nothing to the story. I see no reason for it other than to show off. Ask yourself, how is this story made better by filming each episode in one take? It isn't. Filmmakers, please don't do it anymore. That said, watch this amazing series for the acting. Every actor is spot-on. There is not one false note. The series left me wondering if I even understand this new generation of children whose daily reality is so far removed from my own upbringing years ago, that we may as well be separated by lightyears. Highly recommended.