kjproulx

Unique concepts like this will always intrigue me, and I've been eagerly awaiting A Big Bold Beautiful Journey ever since falling in love with Kogonada's previous film, After Yang. While this new outing doesn't reach the same level of nuance or emotional depth, it still made for an enjoyable time at the movies. There's a charm and ambition in its premise that's hard to resist.

The story follows David (Colin Farrell) and Sarah (Margot Robbie), who meet at a mutual friend's wedding and embark on a surreal journey, quite literally, by renting a vehicle from a rental agency, that somehow lets them walk through doorways into their pasts. The film blends fantasy and emotional introspection, as the characters confront their regrets and consider the lives they might have led. It's a touching setup that promises a lot.

Farrell and Robbie are excellent, bringing warmth and sincerity to characters that could've easily felt undercooked. Their chemistry is strong, and I genuinely cared about their emotional arcs. That said, the film never quite digs deep enough into its ideas. It skims the surface of something profound, and I was left wishing it had gone further, perhaps with an extra 30 minutes to let its themes breathe.

Visually, the film is striking and full of memorable moments, but even here, there's a sense of missed opportunity. For a film that leans into fantasy and emotion, it plays things a bit too safe. Still, I liked it. This is the kind of film that's usually right up my alley, and while I think it has some wasted potential, it's absolutely worth a watch, even if it's not essential viewing.

The Long Walk is a film I've been looking forward to all year, and it absolutely delivered. Despite knowing nothing about the original Stephen King story it's based on, I found that going in blind actually enhanced my experience. The concept is brutal. In a dystopian future, boys are chosen through a lottery to participate in a deadly endurance test, but what surprised me most was the heart it managed to maintain even in its darkest moments. It's a film that grabs you emotionally just as much as it does psychologically.

The premise is deceptively simple: a group of young men are forced to walk without stopping, under constant surveillance, with the brutal rule that falling below three miles per hour means immediate execution. As horrifying as that setup is, what lingers isn't just the violence, but the personal reasons each of them has for being there. Their motivations unfold gradually and with deep emotional weight, leaving me in tears more than once. The story explores themes of sacrifice, trauma, and the desperate hope that somehow this suffering will lead to something better.

What makes The Long Walk soar is its dialogue-driven approach and phenomenal performances. Cooper Hoffman leads as Raymond, the character we initially latch onto, but this is very much an ensemble piece. Ben Wang, Charlie Plummer, and Tut Nyuot all deliver compelling work, but the standout without question is David Jonsson. His performance is nothing short of Oscar-worthy, bringing warmth, humour, and devastating emotion to a character that could have easily been one-note. He had me laughing in one scene and completely gutted in the next.

Francis Lawrence directs what I believe to be the best film of his career here. The emotional pacing, visual tone, and restrained but powerful storytelling all come together in a way that's both haunting and deeply human. There were moments that felt eerily possible for our reality, raising tough questions about where our society might be headed. I still have a long list of films to watch this year, but I can already say The Long Walk will be one of my favourites. It's a powerful, unforgettable experience that fully deserves all the praise it's getting. Absolutely fantastic.

Looking back at the filmography of Darren Aronofsky, I realized I've never truly disliked any of his films. His unique style always draws me in, and even when one of his movies feels uneven, there's still something fascinating about it. Caught Stealing is his latest directorial effort, and I had been eagerly anticipating it. Thankfully, it lived up to my expectations and then some.

The story follows Hank Thompson (Austin Butler), a former baseball player whose career came to a tragic end, leaving him aimless and burned out. His life takes a sudden and dangerous turn when his neighbour, Russ (Matt Smith) pulls him into a criminal scheme he wants nothing to do with. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1990s New York, Hank finds himself caught up in a world of crime, betrayal, and survival. It's a simple premise, but Aronofsky uses it to craft something thrilling and a little unpredictable.

What really stands out here is the sharp, witty dialogue and the performances across the board. Austin Butler may have given my favourite performance of his so far, balancing humour, vulnerability, and intensity perfectly. The supporting cast all bring their A-game as well, injecting the story with energy and personality. The film is consistently entertaining, though I do think it leans too heavily into death and darkness at times, slightly dulling the fun energy it establishes early on. That said, it's a small complaint in an otherwise great experience.

Stylistically, the film is a blast. The editing is snappy, the humour lands, and Aronofsky's flair keeps even the simplest moments engaging. The fact that so much of the story revolves around a cat is both hilarious and oddly brilliant, adding a quirky touch to the dark crime tale. With twists, turns, and a strong sense of style, Caught Stealing proves to be another home run for Aronofsky, and one of the more entertaining films I've seen this year.