FilmsFillMyHoles

Lavish! I'm an absolute sucker for production design and some of it's absolutely marvellous here (especially the introduction to the Realm(s)). Hallström knows how to make a pretty movie, Johnston knows how to make 'em fun, and with their powers combined you get to watch money burn in a beautiful (CG) bonfire.

I really don't understand how could anyone call this "lazy", "lifeless", or "soulless" even. There's clearly so much imagination and work put into creating this world (even if it doesn't reinvent the wheel), and there's plenty of sincerety from the cast. Keira's having so much fun chewing the scenery. She's deliciously over the top! There's nothing cynical about The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (maybe from the suits behind the curtain). It's just a simple classic tale overblown to unnecessary proportions.

Ain't a hill I'm willing to die on, but (yet again) generic does not equal bad... The magic wears off after a while, but it's perfectly fine 'lullipop' (lullicane? no, that doesn't really work) entertainment for the Holidays.

...but like some contractually obligated encore from a once great band on their second revival tour. They're playing hits from all over their discography, yet the audience, whilst having proper fun, are simply tired of clapping, and just want to go home.

With such a distasteful promotional campaign (ranging from off-putting to repulsive), it's hard giving props, it is, but credit where credit's due. The Rise of Skywalker went to some rather unexpected (and many familiar) places, with a breakneck pace (for better or worse), tied up some loose ends nicely, and was filled to the brim with action. So you do get a bang for your buck in that way - fan service and all - if that's what you're looking for. To me it was perfectly fine popcorn entertainment, that did manage to move me, once almost to tears, yet for all of his Spielbergian efforts, J.J. couldn't really make me care all that much. It's over. It's over. It's over. That's what kept on echoing in my head after tonight's premiere, and I'm still not sure what to make of it. I think I'm more or less satisfied, but there's an overbearing sense of emptiness to it as well... That's conclusion for ya, I guess.

It was a rather strange feeling btw, leaving the theatre. Nobody seemed to know exactly what to say. I saw many confused faces: a middle-aged guy adamantly voicing his disappointment to his family, some teenagers making snarky remarks amongst themselves, but I also heard a little kid joyfully telling their parents how awesome it all was.

One thing's for sure, every generation will get a little something out of it, and that's not a bad thing. This new "conflict" trilogy as a whole, as imperfect as it is, thankfully is quite watchable.

Honestly never seen her in anything where she wasn't - at the very least - simply wonderful.

A comedy from a bygone era, yet a tale of romance, which is timeless. Now, before you roll your eyes back into your head, when I say "timeless" I mean Woody has basically made this film, I don't know, ten times already, but for me the message hits a little different and still resonates each and every time. And I just love the man's writing. I also watched a couple of Éric Rohmer's early works this year, and A Rainy Day in New York reminded me of them in a most pleasant way.

And I probably had the most ideal viewing experience imaginable as well: a steady rain outside the theatre, the film shown in a rather small room, with a senior crowd (old ladies letting out hearty laughs left and right), me and my nice cup of green tea in one hand and a pretzel in the other.

It truly was one cosy afternoon. I look forward to repeating it once it hits VOD.

P.S. (on the behind the scenes stuff): I get why people wouldn't want to watch/support Woody's work. I myself am quite iffy about watching Polanski films. While I'd question the integrity of certain cast members, donating their income to charities is ultimately a good thing. So at least that shines through the stormy release of A Rainy Day.