chris smith – I have nothing to watch

Tell me baby, do you recognise me? “Wham!” (2023)

December 27, 2023 SashLeave a comment

directed by Chris Smith

X-mas 2023 officially checked, but since I still have lots of food left in the fridge, my belly won’t know it’s over, so maybe I should also trick my mind about that. And if you’re in a similar position, then my recommendation will be a great encore. Today, I’d like to recommend you a documentary about one of the most popular (if not the most popular) bands in December every year. The reason why these two guys get so much attention only once in a year is because of their huge hit song called “Last Christmas”. I feel strange writing about the song because I guess there’s no person on this planet that doesn’t know it, yet I do know that for many it’s a song that warms their hearts while feeding consumerism in a shopping centre. Perhaps for native English speakers this will be a surprise, but as a representative of people speaking other languages I can tell you that we don’t know what “Last Christmas” is actually about. I bet any random person would sing it to you, but somehow they don’t understand the meaning of the words. So how surprised people get when they realise this song is actually about a cheated man, not a cute Christmas love story. Still, the melody and the way George is singing in this one make us feel nostalgic about X-mas, so why should be complain, right? “Last Christmas” have become a true icon of December and, in fact, this year (to save me from tears…) it has finally reached Christmas number one, after 39 years! Perhaps you didn’t know that, but despite their huge success the song has never been number one. Until now. So George, if you see us now, I hope you’re dancing happily like you do in “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”. Anyway, this is a film blog so let’s get back to talking about the film. I’m recommending you an adorable documentary about Wham!, which truly surprised me with its content. What I mean is that I knew a bit about the band before watching and I was worried that they would show lots of conflicts between George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, but it’s nothing like that. Obviously, we never know how true films are, even if they are labelled as a “documentary”, but according to this one, the men shared a wonderful friendship. At first they were having fun and enjoying music like most young people do, and then, when popularity hit, they stayed great friends, which is something difficult to keep in such circumstances. As a band, they went through some troubles, like all bands do, yet they are still associated with uplifting songs and positive energy. This documentary is literally hugging you, that’s how sweet it is. So if you want to stay in the X-massy mood, listen to some good songs and watch a story about a beautiful friendship, then grab a blanket and press play. And just a reminder – you can listen to “Last Christmas” all year round. Don’t let people make you feel bad for that. And if they complain, especially in December, just shush them with turning the volume up.

My rating: 6/10
S.

The greatest party that never happened. “Fyre” (2019)

March 5, 2020March 22, 2020 SashLeave a comment

directed by Chris Smith

Today’s post will be short, because I literally have nothing much to say about this film except the fact it’s worth seeing. I spotted it one day and thought the description was tempting. “The greatest party that never happened” – sounds like a good sci-fi production. Surprisingly, it’s not fictional. “Fyre” is a documentary about Fyre music festival that was supposed to take place and become the most wonderful festival on this planet. However, the people responsible for organising it were not very much bothered by the fact that… well… they can’t really do it. This film shows how ignorant people can be. I know, I know, most of us want to have money to live a better quality life, so obviously we care about how much we earn. And I’m aware that there are plenty of those guys doing fake businesses to steal from others. It’s clear, I wasn’t born yesterday. But what the Fyre people have done is totally impossible for me to get. Basically, they asked people to pay lots of money for a very luxurious and fancy party, and all they got in return was literally nothing. Some of them didn’t even manage to reach the festival place. And, as I said, money rules the world, I get it. But how can you be such an ignorant and (excuse me my honesty) a total asshole? You’re not playing just with money, you’re playing with human beings. I was honestly shocked and this documentary has reminded me that social media is so full of manipulators that sometimes it’s better to scroll faster.

My rating: 7/10
S.

I’m great. That’s great. “Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond” (2017)

November 10, 2019 SashLeave a comment

directed by Chris Smith

Actually, the full title of this films is “Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton”, but I thought that WordPress may block my post if I decide to put such a long title, so I sticked to the shorter version. Since yesterday I recommended you “Man on the Moon” (1999), I think it would be logical to write about an important documentary about the production of that film. The whole story is told by Jim Carrey, who played the main role of Andy Kaufman. He tells us step by step how the preparation and the shooting went. But it’s not just an ordinary film about an actor sharing his memories. It’s an incredibly heart-breaking almost 100-minute story of a man who has lost himself in order to do his job right. Jim Carrey didn’t only search for videos and materials about Kaufman to copy his behaviour, moves and the way of speaking. Not at all. He actually became Andy for the time of the shooting (well… maybe even longer). You may think that he was just being very realistic when the camera was on. But when they shouted “cut”, nothing seemed to be different. There was no longer Jim Carrey standing in front of them. He absolutely erased his mind to exchange it with Kaufman’s. He would fight with other actors, make inappropriate jokes and hurt people’s feelings and at the same time they knew he’s not being himself and they shouldn’t be mad with the actor. What I saw in this documentary made me feel both concerned and full of respect towards Carrey. He got rid of his own personality, of himself in order to be a better actor. And when he did that, suddenly people got interested in him. They knew he’s on the edge, but he was a fantastic material to work on. He was even told “not to get well for the next year” because they needed him in such “shape” for another production. If you thought that Jim Carrey is just a funny guy on the screen, you’re wrong. He’s one of the most incredible actors still (hallelujah!) walking on this planet. We should really appreciate such people, because one day they may just “get too lost.”

My rating: 8/10
S.