#72: Paddington (2014)

While very charming, I'm not 100% sure how this is seen as one of the crown jewels of cinema in this decade.

As you know, the genre of "British books being made into movies" is not as old as time immaterial, but it has grown in recent years.

It makes me want a decent Madeline movie. The one from the late 90's was fine.

With no history or recollection of reading about Paddington Bear, going into this is a lot different than going into Peter Rabbit or A Monster Calls.

I like the breaks in standard camera work like rapid zoom-ins and sliding shots paired with voice overs.

The comical stuff with the villain (Nicole Kidman, who you will be seeing a lot more of this month) is kind of the downfall. I wish it was just this bear learning things (even if I get a little exasperated by it at times).

Trailer Tuesday: A, B, & Taking No L's

Happy Trailer Tuesday once again.

First up is possibly my most anticipated Disney release of 2019...and I may be the only one who is excited - Artemis Fowl is on the big screen.

I mean - In theory.

#71: Ralph Breaks the Internet

I'm not using the original convoluted title. You can lampshade it, but the title should have been Ralph Wrecks the Internet. I'm this close to typing Wralph Wrecks The Internet half the time.

The first Disney sequel in the Animated Canon since Rescuers Down Under. The next one, Frozen 2, is a sequel as well. I don't think Disney is doing a single original movie next year. It's either remakes or conclusions.

Dumbo, Aladdin, Lion King, Star Wars Episode 9, Infinity War II. Artemis Fowl (which I am very, very excited for) is a long-gestating adaptation of the once-popular book series.

Oh, right. Ralph.

tldr; I really, really loved it.

I did not expect to, I was just happy to see Vanellope again. But Disney movies have an unusual talent of being released when I need to hear the message.

SPOILERS

"The Currency of Human Contact"

AKA: A lovely Supercut;

She Ra and The Princesses of Power by Netflix E1/E2

So, a reboot. I never saw the original.

This is beautiful.

The character designs...it took some getting used to. There are some moments of oddness with movement.

#70: Mandy (2018)

So I have two movies rented here that I simply never started; Mandy and Upgrade.

I decided to go with the movie that was less seen by audience, and I am still not 100% sure which movie that actually is.

The overwhelmingly sad synth-rock score is the last released score by the late Johann Jóhannsson, who scored films like Blade Runner 2049 and Sicario.

Everything about this movie oozes the feeling of it being a late-80's music video about nothing in particular - Fitting, as it does take place in the 80's - but the sweet, lonely sensation of nothing is quickly overtaken by violence and revenge.

For something two hours long, it is very slowly paced, really amping up the anxiety. We see a twisted cult - arguably two. The catalyst doesn't happen until maybe 50 minutes in.

I'm very strongly reminded of Brigsby Bear - Uncomfortable things on the screen you'd rather not see, but you're glad the movie doesn't wimp out on you and shows it.

The movie is awash in completely gorgeous colors, gradients. The shots are lovely.

Trailer Tuesday - From A to T and Sometimes D

Yes it's not Tuesday and yes some of these trailers are old. But some aren't!

A is for Aquaman, which comes out in December.

Dude kicks ass and talks to fish and tells his half-brother to chill the hell out.

This five minute trailer first debuted at Comic Con 2018, and wow what a treat they had. DCEU needs all the help it can get, no wonder this was released to the public. Glad we got to see it, because this definitely gets me hyped.

Starring a bunch of people to the point where I'm not sure who is good and who is bad. Is Black Manta good? I know Orm is bad. What about whoever Willem Dafoe is?