I am so sorry that these are technically late. By technically I mean they are, but what can I say, the holidays are kind of a strange time for movie reviewers. Between normal holiday festivities and the huge influx of new movies around this time I can see why some year end lists and reviews get stalled. Luckily though, after this, I can get straight into the year end lists, admittedly one of my favourite things to do. Will any of these films be on them? Let’s find out together shall we?
All the Money in the World Review.
Plot Summary - Based on the true story of the 1973 kidnapping of J. Paul Getty III, grandson of J. Paul Getty, who at the time was the richest man in the history of the world.
Pros - Addressing kind of the big elephant in the room (and admittedly the most likely reason why people know about this movie) is the fact that Christopher Plummer, the man who plays J. Paul Getty, was not only not the first choice, he wasn’t even in the movie until a short while ago. Don’t really want to get hung up on the details, look it up if you want to know, but the question is how well do these scenes of him mesh with the rest of the film? Quite well actually.
The cast is great in their respective roles, the films has this menacing look throughout that really matches the tone, and it’s quite a fascinating tale.
Cons - I knew about this story long before seeing the film, so the details didn’t surprise me. That being said, the film never really manages to grab you. All the right parts are there, but the sum of it is just never anything beyond something to watch.
Final Score - 5/10
It’s a film that whether or not you’ve ever been interested in seeing it, your opinion will probably not change.
The Greatest Showman Review
Plot Summary - Based on the true story of how P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) started his circus and changed the lives of those around him.
Pros - Jackman is great as Barnum, and the supporting cast all do a great deal of good as well. The songs, while not my favourite, are still good and the choreography is actually solid.
Cons - The story itself has way too familiar plot points, and it’s also paper thin in that regard as well. There are some interesting side stories, but they mostly are either predictable or fizzle out. The plot structure is also odd as well.
Final Score - 7/10
If the story itself was better thought out, this could’ve been a lot better. I also still find it a bit puzzling that it is a musical, but in that aspect it actually could’ve been worse than it was because of it. I hope that makes sense.
The Shape of Water Review
Plot Summary - A mute woman named Elisa (Sally Hawkins), who works at a high security government facility, befriends and then tries to free, an amphibious fish creature (Doug Jones).
Pros - Hawkins is spectacular as Elisa, managing to express a lot of emotion through body language alone. Jones not only looks great as the amphibian, but also does a great job as well in his mannerisms and expressions. The supporting cast is quite varied, and that does help aid the story in a few surprising ways. The overall look and tone of the film is quite stylish, and does have a huge dark emphasis.
Cons - The film suffers from heavy handed subtlety. You have to pay very close attention to the details whenever they rarely, clearly, appear. If you’re also not a big fan of nudity in films, or are really not sure how you feel about woman and fish man love, go in with caution.
Final Score - 9/10
A fascinatingly unusual film, but can be frustrating for people who aren’t great at details.
Molly’s Game Review
Plot Summary - Based on the true story of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) as she gets charged by the FBI for running a popular underground poker club.
Pros - The cast is phenomenal. Chastain is on point as Molly, Idris Elba as her lawyer has the best monologue in the film, and a brief appearance by Kevin Costner has probably the best scene in the film. The story is told in a terrific fashion, it has dozens of great moments throughout, and is overall it not only follows my most basic qualifications of a good film, but exceeds them by a great distance.
Cons - If you don’t like bio pics or Molly Bloom and what she did. I personally have no complaints about the film.
Final Score - 10/10
Another instance of saving a great film for last, definitely see it if you can.
Next: The Worst Films of 2017 - The most fun list to start off with, get your bets placed now as to who's going to win the title.
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Until next time, I’ll see you folks at the movies.
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