February movie mix
Bohemian Rhapsody: I am not one of the devoted fans of Queen who compare the movie scene by scene with documentary footage from concerts and interviews. For me the move is exceptionally well made, and the role of Rami Malek is inhumanely difficult and perfectly played given the vast admiration for Freddie Mercury. In the interviews from the movie release interesting facts ‘from the kitchen’ came up, for example, that the first shot scene was the Live Aid concert (!), the work with movement couch, details on make-up and costumes. I would watch it for the second time, so I am looking forward to the 5-hours directors cut. absolutely deserved Golden Globe and BAFTA.
Green Book: brilliant, truly brilliant. Both Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali have achieved that chemistry on the screen that makes the pleasure from enjoying the actor’s play indescribable. The movie is based on the true story of Tony Vallelonga’s encounter with the pianist Dr. Don Shirley. The dialogue is brisk and fun, the ideas behind the humor – too serious, the characters – there is no way they could be more different in every respect, but where their worlds meet, they have a lot to give to each other.
At Eternity’s Gate: I appreciated the acting, but I was not able to appreciate the move. undoubtedly, William Defoe makes an exceptional role. And the approach – seeing the events through the artist’s eyes – is strong and original. but perhaps Van Gough’s life is too much scrutinized and somehow I am losing interest. Oppressive, slow, depicting the suffering, the misery and the madness to perfection. As well as the insurmountable striving for the beauty that borders on eternity.
Roma: this movie is called a visual masterpiece and maybe it is. For me it was a section of a particular moment of the reality of a particular woman in a particular family. And all the accompanying daily joys and problems, colorfully embedded in the big picture. An interesting fact is that Yalitza Aparicio, who plays the protagonist, is not an actress. The casting was very long until they found her almost by accident. Anyway, the Spanish language was a pleasure for me.
The Old Man and the Gun: if it really is Robert Redford’s last movie as an actor, he chose it with finesse. Retro, calm, even leisurely, like a wink at a time past, which carries specific gentleman’s romance.
Downtown Abbey: maybe I am getting hopelessly old, because I fell in love with this series. I took in greedily the six seasons and the Christmas episodes and now I am waiting for the big screen version. Maggie Smith. oh, this wonderful Maggie Smith. And everyone else. pleasure under the blanket in the snowy weather.
