While not as ambitious as last holiday weekend, I still got a fair share of films in! Some were deserving repeats (in my opinion) while the remaining went back in time a little bit. Also, I’m pretty sure I found a new movie to add to my all-time weird list! That’s seriously quite an honor, because it’ll probably get brought up in conversation at least a few times a year. Anyway, let’s go!
Army of the Dead – It might be too early to call, but I think this zombie heist action flick might be my 2021 comfort film. Meaning that when I just want to have a good time and watch something I’m familiar with, then I’m putting this one on! I don’t know that this type of film has ever been that for me before. It’s usually a light rom-com like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or Work It. That’s high praise! Sure, the film isn’t perfect, but it really doesn’t need to be. I think enough of the cast has awesome chemistry, there were truly some sweet action sequences, and it’s in Vegas, so there’s really nothing there for me not to like. Also, since my first viewing I’ve found an interesting fan theory stating that this film takes place in a time loop. Naturally, I looked for clues of this and I’d say they’re right! So in that case, sign me up for the sequel! But before all that happens, at least there’ll be an animated prequel and Army of Thieves focusing on my favorite character, Ludwig Dieter. Obviously, I say watch this!
Plan B – This was another new release that was just a really pleasant viewing experience. I also laughed hard enough that I figured my sister would appreciate it, and she did. Her and I did agree that there were parts that maybe seemed a little long-winded given the length of the film, but you can’t deny its strengths. Again, this is something that probably happens more often then I am aware of, but I just hope those people have a strong of friendships as Sunny and Lupe did in this film. That was my major takeaway both times watching it. With this strong of a directorial debut, I look forward to what actress Natalie Morales has up her sleeve (also really bummed I missed out on Language Lessons at South by Southwest).
Mulholland Dr. – Good grief. I knew this early 2000s drama was going to be a ride when I saw David Lynch was the director (never really knew that until the film started), but it was also a bit confusing! Betty is a happy-go-lucky girl who’s just moved to LA to hopefully make it in acting. Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets a woman who’s got amnesia after a car accident in her aunt’s apartment. Calling herself Rita, the two spend time trying to figure out who she is and what happened to her. Ultimately, it leads them to a strange talent show, and then all of a sudden it’s like I’m watching a totally new movie! Suddenly Betty is now a depressed woman named Diane, and Rita is Camilla, although the two women still have a relationship of sorts. Before reading reviews, I was really reminded of the 2020 film Black Bear where there were basically two different movies in one and there was no real answer to what was reality of not. Reviews I found did think that maybe Diane and Camilla were the real characters and that Betty and Rita were Diane’s psychological manifestations of a better life together. Who knows. It sounds like Lynch doesn’t want anyone to know either. Watch at your own risk.
The Wizard of Lies – Oh, you know I love a good movie about the financial crisis of 2008! Well, I suppose this story is a little bit adjacent to that whole event, but it involved money, or lack-thereof I suppose. This story focuses on Bernie Madoff right as he fesses up to his sons that investment fund was a big scam. Smartly, the sons report him to the FBI and the rest is pretty much history. Madoff pled guilty and got sentenced to 150 years in prison, his eldest son committed suicide two years after the ordeal, he youngest son died of cancer, and his wife cut off all contact with him not long after their first son’s death. This HBO film played everything pretty much how I’ve seen events laid out, although do I necessarily believe that his family didn’t know anything? Maybe they didn’t, but shouldn’t you be asking questions even if you’re a little bit suspicious? They tried to tamp that down by showing (I assume) fictionalized conversations Bernie had with his eldest son about who’s taking over eventually. Overall this was a really compelling story, and you can only imagine how pleased I was seeing Alessandro Nivola in a leading role here. Hank Azaria was also pretty great playing Madoff’s right hand man in all the scheming. If you like this kind of stuff then watch it for sure!