Best Movies of the Decade Pt. 3: Her 📱❤️
Also, a review of the Mr. Rogers biopic 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood'
💥 Happy Friday! Thanks for coming back.
I’m talking about my favorite movies of the decade all month long. ICYMI, here are my other recommendations from this week.
What is your favorite movie of the 2010s? Let me know by replying!
Also, a review of the Mr. Rogers biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and my take on the new Mulan trailer.
Okay, here’s day three.
Today's Movie // Streaming on NetflixHer
It’s the classic boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love story — just replace the girl with Siri. In the not-so-distant future, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a writer going through a divorce, purchases an operating system that’s designed to meet the user’s every need — and what he needs is a romance. (Trailer)
Why you should watch it: Her is a great encapsulation of the 2010s in film. It’s one of the early examples of genre lines being blurred and world-building feeling engrained in the story. Spike Jonze’s vision of the future is sleek and subtly advanced, but also close enough to our present that it feels completely within reach.
However, what makes it one of the best of the decade is his screenplay. Without a flashy narrative, he delivers a poignent exploration of lonliness and relationships. In particular, he explores what it means to love and reminds us to accept when it’s time to let that love go.
Directed by Spike Jonze
Runtime 126 minsYear 2013Genre Sci-fi, Romance
📺 Buy or rent:Prime Video//iTunes//YouTube
In theaters nowA Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys), a ruthless investigative reporter, is assigned to write a profile of Fred Rogers aka Mr. Rogers (Tom Hanks). However, what starts as a standard interview quickly turns into a life-changing conversation. Based on a true story. (Trailer)
My review: Between documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor? and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood it's clear that Fred Rogers is exactly who you think he is: the nicest man to ever live. So, instead of exploring his life, director Marielle Heller focuses in on his lessons. In particular, that it's okay to feel and face negative emotions.
She does this by disguising a character study about childhood trauma as a traditional biopic — though this is anything but traditional. Telling the story as a meta, surrealist version of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is going to be divisive, but it absolutely worked for me. Don’t be fooled. This isn’t a sweet, charming movie about a beloved children’s show host. It’s a reminder that we all need to go to therapy — and that’s okay.
Directed by Marielle Heller
Runtime 107 minsYear 2019Genre Drama
📺In theaters nationwide.
One trailer you should watchMulan
You know the story. But in case you don’t, Mulan follows the titular character (Liu Yifei) as she disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father’s place in the Chinese army. Adapted from the 1998 animated film of the same name.
My take: This. Looks. Terrific. At the very least it’s not a shot-for-shot remake like past Disney live-action remakes Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. It even takes it a step further and darkens the tone, adds futher action, and even changes the story. I should have learned my lesson with these remakes, but I’m optimistic.
Directed by Niki CaroYear 2020Genre Action-adventure
📺In theaters nationwide on March 27, 2020.
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Have a fun and safe weekend! See you next week.
Karl (@karl_delo)