The Dissident

I wondered if F1 had a Saudi course (they do), and if I would be terrified to enter Saudi as an F1 driver, and if you could boycott (probably not eh). Nothing to do with the doco, just thoughts. 

One and a half thumbs up - on the matter of audio, the trolling hacking was very scary and also, how did Turkey get the recordings??

Parasite

Always remember it is movie club first, food club is the side hustle.

Two thumbs up - now that the anxiety is reduced in a repeat viewing, I appreciated just how FUNNY it is even in the tense moments (peaches in your face!)

All The President's Men

I've said it before but will say again, Robert Redford is the vintage Brad Pitt. Gorgeous HOT men with hair as golden as mustard (and peppercorn eyes hehe). 

One thumbs up - by halfway I got really confused with all the names and kind of lost it, but that wasn't their fault. 

Collective

The footage from the nightclub was just horrific. 

One thumbs up - I am not so naive that Australia is perfect, but I am grateful we don't have that level of deceit and corruption here. Also interesting with all the talk about medical care abroad, but that it really not a thing here for us. 

The Lives of Others

Got a bit sleepy in the middle (chomped on ice to stay alert), but they got me back with the end. Good finish, good finish.  

One and a quarter thumbs up - not movie related, but meat salad (Fleischsalat) was fun however I don't need it again. Those pretzels though...!

Superbad

"Shall we put something on (the TV) while we rest?"

Eyes dart between the three, glances are exchanged, giggles start. It is unspoken, but it happens.

Two thumbs up - and personal thumbs up for the delicious mushroom pancetta black garlic pasta we whipped up!

 

Bridget Jones's Diary

 

I literally had this dilemma two weeks ago. The Spanx won (they work WONDERS!)

Two thumbs up - but oh fuck my life is Bridget Jones now (down to the age and weight!). Except no Hugh Grant or Colin Firth :(

Ammonite

Instead of putting in a score/music for mood, they decided to keep everything silent but blast up the volume for ocean or pencil noises. Good call... NOT. 

One thumbs down - that was so boring. And what a shame because on paper it had a lot going for it (Saoirse Ronan! Queer relationship! Period piece! Fossils?). Not enough relationship OR rocks!

I Care A Lot

Immaculate hair and sunnies.

Half a thumbs up - didn't like her (obviously) but still interesting enough. 

Top Gun

A forgettable diner scene vs (Grey) Goose and Ice Man?! This is not even a competition.  

One and a quarter thumbs up - "Top Gun" is not afraid to use the same two songs ('Danger Zone' and 'Take My Breathe Away') over and over again, and I really admire that. 

Space Jam

I cannot believe it was just one game. Minimal training and adversity montage. Just straight into it!

One and a quarter thumbs up - also personal thumbs up to Nicole (TNT!) and personal thumbs up to me for my late night epiphany (brulee torch!). Pretty chuffed with another good movieclubfoodclub special session. 

Judas and the Black Messiah

Barely a spoiler, but I can't believe how young they all were. To be that influential is amazing; to be considered a national threat is kind of insane. 

One and a half thumbs up - despite dozing off for a few minutes, I was really amazed by the true story of it, and learnt a lot. Also I like 'undercover agent' plots, and I really like Daniel Kaluuya.

Nomadland

I have decided I enjoy some 'fun' in my movies. Even if it is more serious, or dark, or violent, I need even just a small moment of 'fun'. This did not have much or any fun. 

Half thumbs up - it's not bad but just not my type of movie. It is visually affecting and I see why it is critically acclaimed but not a style I enjoy (and that is okay too). 

Superbad

In the background whilst we played "Bang!" and I made cookies (passionfruit melting moments). 

Two thumbs up - yes again and always.

Malcolm X

Never did I think my favourite thing in a Malcom X biopic would be zoot suits and swag. 

One and a quarter thumbs up - that did not need to be 3.5 hours long. He wasn't even Malcolm X at our forced intermission/bean pie time! 

The Green Mile

Daniel and I had a debate about whether 'weasel' was the correct descriptor for the douche-bag character (he thought I meant sneaky and evasive, whereas I meant little-evil-man with a weasel face). Either way, of course his name was Percy haha. 

One and a half thumbs up - but trivially disappointed to find out Mr. Jingles didn't actually do the trick (the spool was pulled with string)

JoJo Rabbit

Two thumbs up - I love this film. It's so funny but also moving. 

Minari

DON'T: Have a couple of beers before the movie. The seal will break. 

DON'T: Try to reason that salty popcorn can help osmosis the pee-pee back. You will go again, 5 minutes into the movie. 

DO: Delight and relate in the little Asian quirks. Lined drawers! Earwax time! Korean Paris-by-Night! Too real. 

One and a half thumbs up - "Korean dude comes to America, is not Eddie Murphy" - Daniel. 

True, and while it didn't live up to my over-estimated expectations, it was still very good. Not great.

Moulin Rouge

Didn't know it at the time, but this was might have been an early start of the Nicole Kidman and Elton John love. 

Two thumbs up - not a perfect movie but it gets full marks because nostalgia and because it is so funny at times (Like A Virgin!)

Promising Young Woman

So that Paris Hilton song scene just started a small crush on Bo Burnham now. Despite that he kind of lacks shoulders... and... that I did not care for the first 10 mins of his Netflix comedy act. But yeah crush!

Two thumbs up - first thought was 1.75 thumbs but then I couldn't fault anything. Banger soundtrack, great visuals and topics to make you uncomfortable. This is not a girls' movie; everyone should see this.