Ladies! Today is your day and you deserve all the best that’s on this planet (and beyond). So in order to sweeten your holiday, I’d like to recommend you a short documentary that’s nominated to Oscars, which, in my humble opinion, is a beautiful 22-minute-long wish to you all. It’s a story about two lovely elderly women, who share their everyday life with us. They live together as best friends and their house couldn’t be happier. Despite their age, they know how to have fun and they don’t slow down, oh no. They play, they dance, they fart loud and nobody is allowed to change that. They are a human form of “you only live once” and to me, this short documentary is filled with inspiration, love and warmth. Since the film isn’t long, I won’t keep this post long either. I believe this nominee is a winner (at least my personal), because it’s unique, funny and tells an incredible story, which seems so common, yet eye-opening. I wish you all such friendship and so much joy in life. You already have this joy – all you need is to spot it. Sometimes it’s hidden in your morning coffee or favourite armchair you like to sit in. So it’s time to notice such joy and your life will be sweeter. Stay lovely, stay strong and watch wonderful films!
Boy we needed such film so badly! If you’ve seen this title among the nominees and thought “mhm whatever, something else will win”, you’re probably right, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see this one. Since I try to see as many nominated productions as possible before the big night, I obviously watched “American Fiction”. Simply because it was on the list. And you can’t even imagine how glad I am it’s there, now. We get to meet Monk (Jeffrey Wright), a writer and professor. He’s incredibly intelligent and whatever he writes is appreciated by the academic society, but the man has bigger ambitions as wishes to be seen as a great novelist all over the country, or even the world. A lot happens in his personal life, but you’re not here to read about that, you will see everything in the film, so I’ll get to the most important part – Monk decides to write a satirical novel. Why? Because he’s Black. I know, you’re probably wondering what’s going on here, but it’s true. He’s Black and whatever he does, all those common stereotypes are following him everywhere, so he decides to write the most Black-ish novel by a “very Black author”. Since this stereotypical narration about the Black is so popular, why not mocking it and earning some extra money, right? And how surprised he is when the book turns out to have a huge potential for a bestseller… And now, what is this film about? I feel like each person that has seen it and talked to me about it has a totally different opinion. But since it’s my blog, I’ll gladly share my own: to me, this film is about the ridiculous social situation we’re living in. Monk is a guy, who could embarrass you with his knowledge, yet he cannot get rid of the label purely based on his skin colour. Even though times have changed, certain behaviours haven’t. I believe this story shows something that has been bothering me (and hopefully not only me) for a long time – stigmatisation of people. Here, we’re focusing on a Black character, but we could really make a similar film about millions of other people. Why can’t we just appreciate someone for what they do and who they are? But not “who they are” meaning where they’re from, what colour their skin is or who they like dating in their free time. Who they are as a person. And I have a small task for you – mention one book or film which tells a truly positive story of a Black person. Not a success story where the main character has to go through hell in order to reach their goal. I’m talking about an honestly positive or at least neutral story where the main Black character isn’t presented as miserable and unprivileged. None? Well, no surprise. This film points that out, in my opinion. That’s exactly what Monk is mocking in his book and what he’s tired of. And you know what? That’s exactly what’s happening with Oscars. We force ourselves to diversify the nominees just for the sake of diversity. Are those people good artists? Of course, no doubt. But are they all that great and there aren’t better ones who got disqualified simply because they are too “ordinary”? Answer yourselves. And the fact that this film is nominated as the Best Picture is such a beautiful roast The Academy has done to themselves. Congrats. I’m glad, because it’s authentic and of good quality, so no matter what pushed them to nominating this production, in the end, it was a surprisingly marvellous decision. Applause!
Do you recall those family lunches during which there’s a comedy/drama from the 70s playing in the background? So imagine going to the cinema, sitting in a dark room with a huge screen and feeling exactly the same as during those lunches. At least that’s how I’d desribe my experience. Everyone was telling me what an adorable film that is before I decided to see it myself, and I’m here to share a different opinion: it’s dark humour, cynicism, depression and trauma covered in snow and glitter. Excited to read more? I hope so. The main character of today’s film is Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), a grumpy and extremely demanding professor at a boarding school. You know such kind of teacher for sure – the one that is hated by everyone yet there’s no chance for getting rid of them, so they basically enjoy torturing their colleagues and students without a pinch of hesitation. That’s Paul. Anyway, the Christmas break is coming and not all teenagers are getting back home, so there has to be a professor to stay with them during this time. That’s also Paul. As you can imagine, the students aren’t thrilled to know who their guardian will be, but it is what it is. At this point we also get to know Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a boy who was supposed to spend the break with his mother, but the woman has changed her plans and told Angus to stay in the school. As you can guess, Paul and Angus dislike each other, but they will have a wonderful opportunity to either change their minds or one of them won’t survive till January. Anyway, if you’re wondering whether this film is worth seeing in the cinema – my answer is “YES!”. Why? Since the story is set in the 70s, the crew has stylised the film so it actually looks like one from the 70s. They even made an old-looking title card with logos of Focus Features and Miramax, so from the very beginning you feel as if you moved back in time. It was a really cool experience in the cinema, which allowed me to completely forget about the reality for those around 2 hours. Besides, the story sounds like a silly comedy about a conflict between a teacher and a student, but it’s just the first half of the film. The longer you’re watching, the darker it turns, because you get to know the characters from this less shallow point of view. You’ll understand why Paul is so stubborn and cynical, and why Angus is so angry and rebellious, because their characters are the consequences of certain events. There’s also a lovely lady named Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), who’s a cafeteria manager and takes care of their tummies during the holiday break. I’m a huge fan of her facial expressions, which are hilarious at some points, but in fact, she’s a tragic character just like Paul and Angus, but that’s for you to discover. Generally, I see this film as a story about the power of superficiality. At first you may see Paul as an annoying teacher, Angus as a spoilt kiddo and Mary as a standoffish cook, but then you realise that there’s a reason why they are seen this way. Sometimes it’s worth giving the other person a chance to open up and reveal what’s hidden deep inside. And perhaps you can support each other, even though both sides might be in need of help themselves. I know this sounds like a story you’ve heard many times, but there’s something extraordinary about this film and I really fell for it. When it comes to acting – chapeau bas. In my personal opinion, all three actors should be awarded, because they presented a fresh versions of well-known kinds of characters. Unfortunately, unlike Paul and Da’Vine, Dominic Sessa hasn’t received a nomination for an Oscar, but I’m giving him all my personal awards. In fact, I’ve seen something even more interesting in Angus, which is perhaps my interpretation, but I believe that Angus is neurodivergent. As a representative of the group, I loved those little moments where we could see Angus’ perspective (for example the scene when he spaced out during the party when he spotted a snow globe). Maybe it’s just my overthinking (which is also common for neurodivergent people btw, so now you know where all my interpretation theories come from), but I believe Angus was an example of such kiddo, whose life was even more miserable back then. In the 70s, neurodivergent children would be called “naughty” and they’d have to be living with such label. Now, we give them a chance to understand why they see the world a bit differently than their peers, which can really change their lives. And I believe that Dominic did a magnificent job in this case. So, to sum up, three amazing actors, a time machine to the 70s and lots of sarcastic lines that will make you laugh for sure. One of the best productions of 2023 – consider it a must-see.
If you’re single, I’ve got something for you. Today is the day of people in love, people in couples, people in other romantic combinations. And today is also the day when singles may feel even more single, so I’d like to recommend a film to all the individuals who have nobody to give an overpriced box of chocolate to. Even though it’s also labeled as a romance, it’s not what you might be expecting. Indeed, we have two main characters, yet they are not a couple and they don’t even know each other. Rémy (François Civil) is a rather shy and introvert man doing a simple job, which he loses due to the modernisation of the working process in the company. When that happens and his routine is ruined, he starts realising how lonely he is. In the meantime, we get to know Mélanie (Ana Girardot), who’s a scientific researcher and very passionate about what she does. So much she’s kind of forgot to take care of her love life. Therefore, she starts using a dating app, but each date is an even deeper level of hell. If you’ve ever used a dating app, you know what I’m talking about. If you’re too picky, you don’t match with anyone, but then if you lower your standards, you waste your time with people asking you about your favourite colour for several hours. Or you just hook up with a person whose name you don’t even know and then never see them again. I’m not religious, but I do believe in hell because using dating apps is exactly that. Anyway, those two characters don’t know each other and we’re just following two separate stories, which have three things in common – the guys are both in their 30s, both single and both depressed in their own way. If you think it’s one of those film where such characters ACCIDENTALLY bump into each other and fall in love at that very moment, then no worries, not happening here. As I said, this is not really a romance, unless you count those awkward dates Mélanie goes to, then call it whatever you want. But generally, it’s a very peaceful comedy about being single. Personally, I had a pleasant evening watching this film and I feel that if you’re single, you’ll appreciate it. Especially today, when everything is focused on happy couples. And here’s a story of two depressed singles that reminds us they also have the right to be happy. So does you. Now go get yourself a box of those overpriced chocolates and enjoy. At least you don’t have to share them with anyone, more for you.
One day you’re a drama queen of Wisteria Lane, another day you’re directing your debut about a man who went from “zero to hero” thanks to Cheetos. Welcome to the world of cinema, take a seat and enjoy. Today’s recommendation is based on a true story of Richard Montañez (played by Jesse Garcia). He grew up in southern California, yet he’s of Mexican origins, so from the very beginning he felt somehow excluded from society. I bet you know what kind of exclusion we’re talking about here. Since he wasn’t taken as seriously as white citizens, he decided to stay in a gang and do all those illegal stuff that let him survive. However, when he gets married and has children, life becomes more complicated for a criminal, so Richard finds a simple job at Frito-Lay factory. He’s not paid well, but it’s a chance for him to change his reality. Still, from the very beginning, he cannot understand why employees are so divided into specific groups, based on their status. Curious about all the machines in the factory, Richard starts talking to an engineer maintenance leader (Dennis Haysbert), who finds Richard quite clever and is willing to help him learn. In the meantime, Richard is slowly working on an idea that may revolutionise the world of crisps and also let him become something more than just a criminal or a janitor. As I said at the beginning, it’s a success story about a man who managed to significantly change his life despite difficult beginnings. And if you don’t know Richard’s story, you will see what he finally achieved. I didn’t have high expectations and I rather thought it’d be just a silly comedy, but in fact, Eva managed to do something extraordinary with this film. I mean, it’s still simple and funny, but not ridiculous and it doesn’t give you parody vibes at all. In fact, the comedic atmosphere made me sympathise with Richard even more. He was a good guy who wanted to do great things, but due to his origins, he was constantly considered a loser, a criminal, a guy who’s not allowed to dream big. And that’s all a huge bullsh… This film is a real empowerment story reminding us that no matter who you are, you can work hard and reach your goals. Don’t listen to others who label you without hesitation. Let them create those labels while you’re climbing to the top of that mountain, honey. I had a lot of fun and I feel inspired, so no reason to dislike this film. Congratulations to Eva and the crew, it’s a good production right there.
Another production by Yorgos Lanthimos and I’m still not sure what to think about this director. On the one hand, he’s very original, controversial, not caring about taboo topics, so I enjoy how unexpected his films are. I never know whether I’d cry, laugh, worry or vomit. Never know. On the other hand, he likes to prolong the duration of certain scenes that even if I liked them at the beginning, next several minutes are boring me. Besides, his films are his. I believe that he doesn’t make films for people, he makes them for himself. And just by the way shares them with us, the audience, to perhaps join his extraordinary world. To me, that’s a huge plus, but I don’t always want to accept the invitation. Still, I believe that “Poor Things” is his best production so far, so if you didn’t like the previous, perhaps you’d like to try this one out. Yorgos is taking us to Victorian London, where we meet Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), a surgeon with a complex life story and quite original ideas. He asks one of his students, Max (Ramy Youssef), to assist him during his home experiment. When the young man arrives, he finds out that the said experiment is a young woman, Bella (Emma Stone). She’s acting unusually and is considered retarded, which seems fascinating to Godwin, because he can observe her reactions and very slow development. He asks Max to constantly follow Bella and take notes about her, especially when the surgeon is busy. As the woman is progressing, at some point she wishes to leave the house and explore. But Godwin is a bit worried because, in the end, Bella is an experiment and she’s not accustomed to society. I tried my best not to spoil too much writing this fragment, so I still hope you’ll get surprised when you see the film. Especially about how Bella was “made” (don’t watch trailers, let it be a surprise, trust me). As I said earlier, this film is definitely my favourite by Yorgos, but I cannot explain you why. Perhaps it’s because of the idea, which is ridiculous and disgusting, but at the same time fresh and unusual. Personally, I’m tired of copy-paste productions, so I definitely appreciate such creativity. Besides, Emma Stone is marvellous as Bella. Generally, she’s a great actress, but in this film she had a very difficult job and she needed to present various faces and skills of hers, which I watched absolutely amazed. She’s so raw and authentic in this fantasy world that I’m not surprised she’s appreciated for the role. Then, there’s the message coming out of the film and I believe that’s a mystery for viewers to solve. Yorgos likes to play with surrealism, so we cannot take everything we see in the film just as it is. To me, this is a story about female oppression and how they’ve developed in society to be seen as equal or sometimes even more competent than men. Bella is surrounded by very different men and at first, she considers them as mentors who surely want all the best for her. At some point, she realises, that she can make much better choices on her own. I recommend you to observe and analyse Bella’s relations with each man and each woman in this story. That may give you an interesting perspective. Perhaps you’ll find it mind-blowing, but I’ve read somewhere that this is a perfect film to present what it is to be an autistic woman. I cannot really confirm whether it’s true or not, we would need to ask such woman, but there’s a lot of points that support this theory. Bella sees and experiences the world differently, which is nothing wrong, but still it’s unusual to most people. I am very happy Yorgos made this film and I hope that he’ll keep on progressing as a director as well. Perhaps one day I’ll be more sure about my opinion on his filmmaking style. But for now, I’m very much positive.
Surprisingly, I’m starting this post telling you about another film: I’ve just seen “Nimona”, one of the animations nominated to Oscars this year. I’d love to write about it, but unfortunately I’m incredibly disappointed. The screenplay is messy, the introduction is unclear and way too short, the animation style is not my cup of tea, and I felt like the message they were trying to share within is actually too hidden in this fantasy world, which looks like a combination of several stories. So it’s a “no” from me. But, while I was watching, I couldn’t stop thinking about the two characters – there are two knights competing with each other. And I had this feeling as if I’d seen them somewhere else. At some point, a lightbulb over my head shone and I realised that the knights might be a cheap copy of Sinbad and Proteus, who are the characters of the film I’ve decided to recommend you today. If 2023 doesn’t give us quality animations, let’s get 20 years back, shall we? Sinbad is a pirate who does rather pirate kind of things – travelling and robbing, simple as that. His life seems peaceful, if being a thief can be considered peaceful, until he decides to steal the Book of Peace. It’s a magical book that protects the world, so if he manages to rob it, the authorities will pay all money possible to get it back. So, the plan is to grab the book, exchange it for lots of gold and spend the rest of the life in Fiji. Unfortunately, things get complicated. The pirate meets Eris, the Goddess of Discord, who offers to pay him even more than any human for the Book of Peace. Sinbad obviously agrees, but when he attempts to steal it, he changes his mind seeing his old friend Proteus, whose life would change drastically if that book went missing. So when the pirate gives up, Eris impersonates him and steals the book herself, but in the body of Sinbad, so now everyone blames him. When Sinbad is sentenced to death, Proteus tells him to find the book and if the pirate fails, Proteus volunteers to be killed for him. Will Sinbad ignore the fact that his childhood friend might die? Or perhaps he will save him? That’s for you to see. Watching those two knights from “Nimona” I just saw Sinbad and Proteus. In fact, they even looked the same… Call me a grumpy old cinephile, but I appreciate the old animation much more. It used to be one of my beloved films, because it’s adventurous, funny, exciting, surprising and moving, so while watching, you’re riding an impressive rollercoaster of emotions. Besides, Proteus’ fiancée Marina joins Sinbad’s crew and we get one of the coolest female characters. She’s such a badass, I swear! Not only she’s stubborn and brave, but also horribly smart and mentally strong. All characters in this film are well-written, but Marina is that cherry on top. When I was a child, the animation was just fun, but as an adult, I see much more in the story. To me, this film is not only about true friendship, but also about staying yourself. You may be a fair person no matter if you’re a prince or a pirate (although that may seem strange to read), so don’t let others tell you how to live – experience, learn, discover and then you’ll know. Could there be a better message to share with children? And that’s the kind of animations I miss the most. Feel free to see it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it very much.
Since Hollywood has recently started noticing Bollywood a bit more, then I should Bollywood the week a little bit as well. I’m actually glad their productions are being appreciated in other countries, because I truly like watching them. Yes, they are overacted. Yes, they are often naive. Yes, lots of scenes are unrealistic. But that’s the charm of Bollywood and if you accept their rules, you’re gonna open the door to numerous very entertaining stories. However, except seeing impressive choreography and bouncing to cheerful music, each Bollywood film comes with a certain message/lesson, so you always end up a bit inspired. Today, I’m recommending you a comedy/drama, which let me relax after a long day, but which also covers an important social topic. Mimi (Kriti Sanon) is a beautiful young woman who’s dreaming of making a career in Bollywood. Unfortunately, except an astonishing body and dancing experience, she also needs money to cover all the necessary expenses. Here comes Bhanu (Pankaj Tripathi), a taxi driver, who has met an American couple trying to find a surrogate in India. The lady cannot have children, so they decided to ask another woman to help them. When they mention their plans and how much money they’re ready to pay for this whole process, Bhanu immediately introduces them to Mimi. The couple are very picky when it comes to choosing their surrogate, but Mimi seems to be a perfect candidate. The woman is a bit shocked, but knowing how much she’d earn on helping the Americans, she agrees. Unfortunately, when Mimi gets pregnant, it turns out that the child will be born with Down syndrome, which terrifies both the surrogate and the couple. In order not to spoil what happens next, I’m warning you that SPOILERS are coming. It’s impossible for me to address the problem presented in the film without telling you what happened, so I hope you’re reading this part after watching. So, to me this production presents how irresponsible people are when it comes to having children. It’s wonderful when people have healthy sons and daughters, when they share adorable family photos and look so satisfied with their parenthood. However, being a parent is a huge responsibility before even having a child. That is why, before making this huge life step discuss with your partner whether you’d be ready to bring up a child no matter what they’d be like. It’s not about having some dark thoughts – it’s about being realistic. Just like you cannot choose their character, you cannot choose their health problems. This film reminds viewers to have children if they are ready to have “imperfect” ones. I’m putting the word imperfect in inverted commas because this is just how the society sees children with any kind of disability. Still, despite such heavy lesson, this production may really make you laugh, so Bollywood yourself and discover more of Indian cinema.
Let’s start this year with cinematographic fireworks, shall we? Yeah! So, fasten your seat belts, because I’m going to recommend you a film I rated 9/10. If you know me, you’re probably shocked right now because it’s not that often I give a film more than 7/10. What can I say, I’m a picky creature. But this one made the beginning of the year a lovely surprise. So, my dear, I’m taking you to England, where we get to meet Oliver (Barry Keoghan). He’s a scholarship student at the University of Oxford and is struggling with getting on with others. Since it’s a prestigious and, let’s face it, incredibly expensive university, most students come from disgustingly wealthy families. But not Oliver. One day, he spots Felix (Jacob Elordi), a popular guy, and accidentally manages to help him. This act of kindness isn’t forgotten and Felix starts treating Oliver like one of his closest buddies. They get on with each other so well that Oliver gets invited to spend the summer at Felix’s parents’ mansion in Saltburn. At that point of the film I was worried it’s another “Call Me by Your Name”, which, in my personal opinion, was horribly overrated. And I do admit that at the beginning I was expecting another “difficult love between two young men” kind of story. But that was just a trick to distract and lull us all… I really feel like whatever I say about the plot, it’ll ruin your experience. I simply played the film after being recommended to see it. And all I got from the recommending person was “it’s on Amazon Prime, go watch it”. Honestly speaking, couldn’t imagine a better text. I swear, the magic of this production is the surprise you will have in the second half of the film. So please, no matter how much the beginning might disappoint you (not my case, but I’m aware it might), the ending is absolutely worth it. Without any cloth… I mean doubt, without any doubt. But to somehow motivate you to see the film, I can say that it presents a rather classic scenario from a different perspective with the roles turned upside down. Also, the camerawork is fascinating and is a crucial reason why this film idea is so consistent with the form. Another element worth appreciating is music. They managed to remind me so many great songs and they used them in such unexpected moments that I was vibing long after finishing the film. Last, but not least – Barry. Oh Barry. We got to see you in “The Banshees of Inisherin”, where you played a magnificent role for which you haven’t been praised enough. This time, you had to become Oliver and I can just sit in disbelief… I simply cannot believe one can be so talented. What I love about his acting is the fact he can expose the authenticity of his character. And that’s something only few can achieve, even those much older than Barry. So chapeau bas, I’m crossing my fingers for all possible statuettes this year. Anyway, to me this film is an absolute diamond and I couldn’t imagine a better start of the film year. So chop-chop, go see it!
Can you feel it’s Christmas time? I have to say that despite my positive energy this month, following a tea advent calendar, decorating my place with way too many gnomes – I can’t feel this Christmassy spirit. Maybe I’m getting old and Scroogey, or maybe it’s because there’s no snow outside. No idea. So since I’m in such not-sure-what-is-going-on mood, I believe recommending you this comedy will be the best choice for today. Perhaps you’ve seen it or you even watch it every year (like me), because it’s an adorable comfort film for Christmas. And for those who haven’t had a chance to see it, let me introduce you to the story. We get to meet a couple, Luther and Nora Krank (Tim Allen & Jamie Lee Curtis), whose adult daughter Blair (Julie Gonzalo) is not about to be home for the upcoming Christmas. She joins Peace Corps and decides to go to Peru for a year. For the Kranks it’s the first time they won’t be together and both parents are a little bit lost. As Nora is rather feeling blue, Luther tries to look at the bright side of the situation and he comes up with an idea – instead of celebrating Christmas, the couple should spend ten days on a Caribbean cruise. At first, Nora is definitely against because she simply cannot imagine skipping Christmas, but the more they talk, the more they feel like it’s actually an interesting alternative. Unfortunately, they’re not the only ones involved in the decision process… Their whole neighbourhood consider Christmas celebration an incredibly important community tradition and when they find out that the Kranks have other plans, they simply cannot accept it. Everyone shows their disapproval and tries to make the couple change their mind, very often in a hilarious way. When I think of this film, I always remember Christmas dinners at my Grandma’s, because it’s always on TV around this time, so I basically know it by heart, even if I don’t always watch it carefully. It’s one of those films that are great for a family gathering, a lunch with friends, or as a comforting background for cooking. And even though it’s just a silly comedy to make us laugh, I also see a good lesson hidden there. No matter if you celebrate Christmas or not, no matter if you stay at home, go visit your distant family or you’re currently sunbathing in the Maldives – I hope you do it in accordance to your own will and you’re accompanied by someone important to you. It can be your partner, your family member, your friend, beloved pet or even yourself. Spend this time the way you want and then it’ll be truly jolly and bright. And don’t forget good food, because food is happiness in all circumstances! Cheers!
I have nothing to watch 