Nightcrawler. Third viewing. (First, second.) What a creep. Not sure if it's coincidence or foresight, but this movie anticipated so many of today's headline issues – journalism and technology, display over discernment, race, class, economics, sexual misconduct in the workplace, narcissism, freelance desperation, moral compromise. It's all there. And Bill Paxton is so great. RIP.
Noah
Noah. I didn't know much going in (except for, you know, one of the most famous Bible stories). There was a good bit of fantasy-type and action-hero stuff that, uh, I wasn't anticipating. Overall, pretty darn good. The flood scene juxtaposing the Ark and the small spit of land – completely gutting. And I don't know how that Creation scene works so well, but it's such a genius interlude...
The Two Faces of January
The Two Faces of January. I watched it the same day I finished the book. I should double-up like that more often. (I liked the movie more.)
End of Watch
End of Watch. A+, four stars. Blown away with how unexpectedly great this was, and how much I loved it. Start with something like Miami Vice, but dial back the moody cool and swap in more humor and camaraderie. Loved, loved, loved this movie.
Run All Night
Run All Night. Second viewing. (The first.) Not sure why I gave it another shot. There's not enough running! I like the looks at the various intra-gang relationships here and there.
Sicario
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road. Second viewing. (The first.) Felt a little drawn-out this time around. Still a visual delight and I love how they fleshed out this insane world.
Allied
Allied. Oh man. I fell in love with it within a few minutes. I wish we had more movies like this. Old-fashioned glamorous romance, melodrama. Sweeping but intimate. The stakes are high because the relationships matter.
The Departed
The Departed. Third, maybe fourth viewing. Somehow it's compulsively watchable but I don't actually like it that much? I like the Japanese original Infernal Affairs more, I think. Filed under: Martin Scorsese.
