What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Nicole was convinced Johnny Depp's hair was a wig. It was not. But we all agree the amber locks were NOT a good look. What an interesting but terrible choice. 

Zero thumbs up - that was neither as sad or as good as I was expecting. Also personal thumbs up to me for an amazing food-club side hustle grape platter. But personal thumbs down to also me for technical difficulties. 

Charlie's Angels

Back at the start of COVID quarantine, I was *THIS CLOSE* to finding and watching Charlie's Angels over Fleabag, just to watch Nicole's head explode. But then she generously shared her Amazon account with me, and I just couldn't risk having that taken away haha.

One thumbs down - it's not good. But it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. BUT, they had an opportunity to put three major drawcard names but you went with two nobodies and Kristen Stewart as the lead?! She was horrendous! And the other girls were actually really cool! Man, this should have been their big break and they got shafted.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

I blame Russell Brand for popularising the manky hair-shit tatts look that is everywhere now ahem Bachie in Paradise ahem.
One and a quarter thumbs up - I always enjoy this. I clearly will never be accused of being a TV/film snob with my lowbrow inclinations.

Grease

I cannot get over how old they all look. Like seriously, you want me to believe this (T-Bird) 40 year old man is a teen?? Cha-Cha looks 45! Are these people supposed to be a rival teenage gang? Because they look more like actual adults harassing some local teens.
One and a quarter thumbs up - and good on ya Olivia Newton-John for beating breast cancer twice according to dad. He also likes your song 'Xanadu', one of the first things he heard coming to Australia.

Magnolia

Fucking tedious. Mostly despicable people that you can't/don't want to empathise for. So much superfluous crap. And horrible use of soundtrack. The score in the second act obviously did its job by making me feel agitated, but have you ever felt agitated but also SO BORED??
Two thumbs down - I HATED IT. Worst film I have seen all year. However it had quite a spread of reactions from "I didn't hate it", "Well THAT was memorable", "I liked the medical details" and "I think I am going to have nightmares". Good movie club discussion. Too bad we didn't sit on the bar stools to officially form the panel haha.

King of Staten Island

So Marisa Tomei is everyone's hot New York mum. That is not a bad thing. She is so endearing.
Three quarters thumbs up - good mix of haha funny and sad/pathetic funny for the most part, but then it loses its pacing towards the end. I also think having already watched his Netflix stand up made me appreciate/like/warm up to it more than if I hadn't. Side note: it was nice being able to be back in the cinema, eating popcorn I didn't have to microwave.

Gattaca

Given I really like this and Minority Report, I think 'murder-mystery-in-a-future-dystopia' might be my version of Yvonne's 'magic-heist' favourite niche movie genres.
One and three quarters thumbs up - however thumbs down for the poster on IMdB. Whoever increased the contrast on Ethan Hawke's face into vampire oblivion is terrible.

The Old Guard

I am at a stage now where if Charlize is in it, I will almost always watch it. She is amazing at action... and comedy. Both of which are categories you wouldn't typically think her beautiful face would find strengths in.
One and three quarters thumbs up - I really enjoyed it, I liked the story, the action and they did justice to flashbacks. But if you don't like superheroes, or realistic fantasy/magic, you might find it a bit cliche. Nonetheless, my top 2020 film so far! However I haven't watched the 'Best Picture' frontrunner 'Bad Boys for Life' yet haha.

Ocean's 8

"Anne Hathaway replaced Jennifer Lawrence in this film... due to scheduling conflicts"
You think Jennifer Lawrence could have done better than Hathaway?? You crazy! NO WAY. I like Anne Hathaway in almost everything she does.
One thumbs up - twas supposed to be an afternoon movie but it got called up last minute tonight because I gave up after an hour into Da 5 Bloods.

In the Mood for Love

I came into this thinking it was going to be a visual feast (figuratively and literally) for the eyes. And it was beautiful, but I was much more taken and moved by the music and score. What sad sexy violin. 

One and a half thumbs up - very good, very beautiful. But can't say I would rush to rewatch it. As Nicole says, rewatch movies tend to be more about comfort. 

Captain America: Civil War

After the Team Captain America vs. Team Iron Man fight at the airport
Daniel: So I guess that was the best part of the movie?
Me: Well it is the iconic fight... but I think the best part is the helicopter and the biceps :p
Daniel: Well it doesn't take much then.
One and a quarter thumbs up

Hamilton

How on earth did Nicole know that I would have a crush on Lafayette?! (Daveed Diggs)
One and three quarters thumbs up - it was very good. But not $10 000 good. I could exist not paying that and having the supposedly crappy bootleg instead haha!

Marie Antoinette

I am pretty certain this scene is what inception-ed my want for champagne flutes and petit fours. Also Reb told me petit four means 'mini oven' and not 'four (4) small desserts' which is what I had assumed for years.
One and a quarter thumbs up - it is not a well regarded movie but I like it nonetheless, mostly for its aesthetic. Also personal thumbs up to me for thinking the soldiers' hats looked like 'Hamilton' hats (because we are watching that tomorrow) and turns out Marie Antoinette and Alexander Hamilton existed at pretty much the same time in history (late 1700s).

One Child Nation

What struck me most was that it was how much it affected people MY age. Like that could have been me. I could have been kept or discarded. Or grow up knowing a second sibling had to be given or taken away. Or your own parents or aunt/uncle forced to do things.
One and a half thumbs up - I especially liked that it was made by an actual Chinese lady who was personally affected and her reflections on it. It is so crazy the amount of stories she could gather even just within her own family.

Three Identical Strangers

I had spoiled it for myself by reading an article about it a while ago, but I was still amazed and I do think they had new information too.
One and a quarter thumbs up - that is so trippy.