It wasn’t as packed in as I thought it would be, but here’s what made it in during the final hour.
Ferrari – Despite my adoration of Adam Driver, I wasn’t super hype to see this film. I guess I just think back to the fact that we had Ford vs Ferrari a few years ago, but I suppose that was Ford’s story. This instead follows Enzo Ferrari in 1957 as the Ferrari business is flagging, his young son had just recently died, his marriage is failing, and he’s trying to keep a second family under wraps. I will admit that most of the film was just okay for me, but a crash scene late in the runtime was both shocking and gruesome. It’s hard to believe that that actually happened. And to the critics that were shitting on that scene, I echo Driver’s sentiment.
Godzilla: Minus One – Well, this was an unexpected delight! I’m not a diehard Godzilla fan, though I did see Hollywood’s latest take back in 2021. This however, is Japan’s monster and they’ve done it right. This film goes back to when people first encounter Godzilla, at the end of World War II. Failed kamikaze pilot Shikishima fails to protect mechanics on an island and is haunted by the experience ever since. The impact of the war are great, but he ends up taking in a young woman and an orphaned child as he slowly rebuilds his life. He even adds to this second family with his new co-workers, who are endlessly by his side as Godzilla comes back to strike Tokyo. This has a ton of action, but the emotional story is the real punch that matters. Based on the ending I imagine there will be more story to tell in another film, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed anyway!
Love in Taipei – Ah, to me, this was trying to be the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before of Taiwan, and it just didn’t quite work for me. Maybe it’s because everything was a little more grand and shiny than I can relate to, but also the relationship just weren’t that strongly forged. Ever Wong is a premed student at Case Western (a local connection I wasn’t expecting!) who gets sent to a highly sought after school over the summer in Taiwan. She learns the students that go there are more interested in going out and hooking up, so eventually Ever decides to make the most of the experience and joints the party. She makes romantic connections with pretty and successful boy Rick, as well as a troublemaking artist named Xavier. Ever is also torn between her desire to dance and her felt duty towards her parents to become a doctor. It was a nice film, but not one I can see myself remembering a few months from now.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – Love in Taipei prompted me to re-watch this very good young adult film. Lara-Jean is a little more down to earth for me, and I love the premise of this story more. Lara-Jean gets some old love letters sent out, one of which is to her sister’s long-term boyfriend, Josh. In order to avoid insane embarrassment and confrontation, she agrees to fake date popular jock, Peter Kavinsky, as he is trying to make his ex jealous. These two very obviously start falling in love with each other the more time they spend together, but with a plan like this, it’s not all neat and tidy. Some of the most important scenes here take place during the winter, so it makes sense that I round out the year with this film.