Month in Sound: Jan 2020

#4: Rocknrolla

I don't normally post the synopsis to movies here, but:

In London, a real-estate scam puts millions of pounds up for grabs, attracting some of the city's scrappiest tough guys and its more established underworld types, all of whom are looking to get rich quick. While the city's seasoned criminals vie for the cash, an unexpected player -- a drugged-out rock 'n' roller presumed to be dead but very much alive -- has a multi-million-dollar prize fall into his hands.

TLDR; A painting goes through several criminal hands, from someone who could probably be your local government representative, to the underground with criminals, to a drug addicted rockstar who faked his death.

Why did I do this?

A Twisted Tale: "Conceal, Don't Feel", "A Whole New World", "Reflection"

The Disney "A Twisted Tale" book series are reimaginings of the popular Disney stories.
They've been a thing for a few years now, with a "Cinderella" and "Peter Pan" one coming out in Spring.

But now I read 3 of them -

#3: Missing Link

Eternal Bridesmaid LAIKA finally became the bride at the latest Golden Globe's ceremony. Despite being nominated and invited constantly to lose to Disney around every turn ("Paranorman" was better than "Brave" and you can't change my mind), finally got the better of the Sequel Station by having this movie win over "Frozen 2" and "Toy Story 4".

It's remarkable how similar Lionel Frost looks like his voice actor Hugh Jackman. Just saying.

The first 15 minutes are like...backwards "Smallfoot".

Of course, at heart it is a children's movie, but it's refreshing to see the main character be an outright jackass. A conniving person who wants his own ends. And have the other one essentially be a crass, literal animal. Frankly, everyone's pretty unlikeable or irritating at first, and I don't have a problem watching them.

It's a bit of the same "It's...fine." Vein as "Klaus", though I admit to having a lot more and bigger laughs here. ("Now...hold onto me tightly!" "Are you sure...Adelina's watching.").

It's certainly ambitious visually and Laika's biggest, most creative effort. I just wish it was a little more creative with its story.

#2: Klaus

So #2 was going to be something completely different until Oscar noms hit and I had seen a whopping...0/5 nominees.

Good on Netflix for getting two submissions in, Laika, Dreamworks, and Pixar with 1.

And nothing but "Into the Unknown" for Frozen II...when we all know it should have been "Show Yourself". Whatever.

Onto "Klaus"

My biggest issue with this is that the story is really nothing special. It's the art style and animation that makes it a delight. Sometimes you'll get these bits of super contemporary music that are at complete odds with the actual setting and tone of the story, and I don't care for it.

So much about this reminded me of the underrated modern classic "Arthur Christmas", a movie which never fails to cheer me up, and I wish that had been animated like this.

There really is not a ton to say about this movie besides "it's fine" and "the ending is very sweet." and "Hey J.K Simmons isn't shouting all the time."

I don't dislike it! Though knowing the differences in lighting darker skinned people in cinema, I wonder how this art style would look like with a diverse cast with variations of lighting techniques. 

#1: Dolemite Is My Name

A man steals stories to finally hit the big leagues with a Blaxploitation movie after creating a character.

(Well, yeah, he steals them)

The production value and design of the homes reminds me greatly of my own family when I was a little girl visiting relatives that never updated their interior decorating from the 70s when I was born in the early 90s.

I'm not one to be prudish about crass humor but some of this was quite shocking. The film is rated R though. The jokes aren't even funny, they just rhyme and are crass.

Maybe it's a cultural context I'm missing.

There's a really nice segment where Toney tells Rudy "You can't will yourself into being a moviestar." and Rudy says "Well, I did it to become a comedy star."

There's also a moment where a character goes "I've been directed by Roman Polanski!" and yeah, imagine watching that in a crowd of cinemaphiles. The looks!

But a lot of cinemaphiles value art over humanity so they'd probably clap and applaud. Be better, ya'll!

It's all about a man's determined innovation. Imagine how easier it is in the modern day.

Also, I had no idea this was based on real events or a real story until the end. Maybe it was mentioned at the beginning and I spaced out but I was super surprised to see actual footage from the film.

How About Them Globes? (Golden Globes 2020)

New year, new movies, new award shows, new surprises!


I feel that I heard vague things about "1917" and then it came out of nowhere to win Best Movie, Drama. It seems genuinely interesting, for a war film, and would shake up the other bland offerings on display during the Oscars (Let's be real, a lot of innovative films are not being chosen for Best Picture).


One film that may be nominated is "The Farewell" - After all, the HFPA did give Nora "Awkwafina, blaccent in the streets, Normal Voice on the Stage" Lum the award for Best Actress in A Comedy.