I imagine this is what Cary Grant was like in normal life.

Could use about 80% less focus on the men. I’m only here for Barbara.

Hyper-reflexive film. Genuinely concerned for the script’s spine because of how often it arcs back on itself. Could’ve used a bit more development here and there but 🤷‍♂️ it’s a whodunnit. It’s fun, it’s cute, and Saoirse stares at the camera for most of it. What more could you want?

Takes a bit too long to get into it and those first two songs are 😰 rough. But the muppeteering is top notch (and sooo fuzzy) and that last song is pretty sweet. Love that froggy.

This review may contain spoilers.

When you find someone you love so much, it’s easy to clam up. To become wooden. To have dry lips. To actually tremble at the thought of reaching out your hand to them. In Carol’s early moments, Therese is literally stunned by Carol in this way. Clearly she’s attracted. But she can’t make a move – how could she in her presence? Carol recognizes this and guides her gently along by the shoulder. She makes the moves and Therese follows willingly.

The grammar of the film makes this tension so insanely palpable. The soft focus on the even softer fur of Carol’s coat. The way we watch her fingers depress the buttons on the dashboard. How loud every small sound is in the room with her. Everything works together to beckon Therese to follow.

In the end, Therese doesn’t follow. She rejects Carol’s propositions. Instead, she approaches Carol on her own terms, each on level footing, with an endless sunrise ahead.

Watched on Thursday November 17, 2022.

Watched on Tuesday November 8, 2022.

Watched on Sunday October 30, 2022.

Watched on Saturday October 29, 2022.

Super uneven. Some very cute parts. Several not cute parts. It wants to be a deep and thoughtful will-they-won’t-they romance, but also a cheesy Netflick with canned sfx gasps and an “and everyone clapped” moment.

When we watched the Dear Evan Hansen movie, I thought a lot about how hard it is to write a character that straddles the line between cringey-but-lovable weirdo and sociopathic weirdo. Evan Hansen is a sociopathic weirdo with very few redeeming qualities or reasons to root for him, Ben Platt’s dulcet tones be damned. So it’s hard to watch a film when you don’t buy the lead role. Or in The Half of It, the supporting role. Paul is a moron. Not really a likable moron. Just a moron.

Maybe I’m being hard on him. I thought Daniel Diemer did fine with the cards he was dealt. Actually all the actors were fine, with Leah Lewis really bringing it. But the writing does Diemer’s character especially dirty. Maybe in a dumber high school film his character would shine more. But this is a film that quotes Sartre and Camus, and features a classic film geek dad, rich set design and legitimately gorgeous shot composition. Ellie sets a bar for romancing Aster that Paul could never meet, and the film’s production design sets a bar for quality that the writing could never meet.

Watched on Wednesday October 12, 2022.

This review may contain spoilers.

Feels like it’s gearing up to be a cautionary tale but then isn’t. Fully expected Karol Karol’s luck to abruptly faceplant again. Maybe the fact that it didn’t is a cautionary tale itself? That manipulative, scorned men who hold grudges for years often hold power in the world? I dunno, but everyone else is right, could’ve gone with more Julie Delpy. And more Mikołaj! Just give me a movie with them.

I need to rehydrate.

Lots of movies have come out in the past decade that deal with our aging parents and grandparents, but I think this one hit me the hardest. Things will change.

Was pleasantly surprised to see Disasterpeace did the music. The Fez soundtrack was really formative for me. I wonder if that’s part of why I connected with this so much.

Watched on Monday October 3, 2022.

Watched on Sunday October 2, 2022.

Watched on Saturday October 1, 2022.

Watched on Tuesday September 27, 2022.

The cops in this are incredibly dorky. Recommend a watch just for the cops with ~5 minutes of screen time

Watched on Saturday September 24, 2022.

Pheasants are bred to be shot. If it wasn’t for the guns they wouldn’t be there.

Sometimes takes its metaphors too far / extends its analogies. But overall is a really fascinating depiction of a woman under severe pressure. Can’t help but compare it to Phantom Thread because of Jonny Greenwood and all the beautiful dresses.  💃🏻🎻

Watched on Friday September 16, 2022.

Watched on Thursday September 15, 2022.

Watched on Saturday September 10, 2022.

Observational documentary about women who feel compelled to quilt. Parallels those who are compelled to make documentaries, painstakingly piecing together to create meaning. :) Lovely time machine.

I’m nodding off hardcore rn so I don’t know if I’ll make it to the end of this movie. Some thoughts before sleep takes me away from this trash:
- I love it
- I hate it
- practical effects are glorious for the most part
- NOT the greenscreen falkor scenes :(
- so poorly edited and paced
- these kids are so dumb
- literally falling asleep as I eerie erhis do beiivn