Yes, it is now the year 2021, and with it lots of new movies are on the horizon, and while I could have watched some new ones, I really only watched older ones.
Vacation – This isn’t necessarily a remake, but more of a reboot, or continuation of the original film. Ed Helms plays Rusty Griswold all grown up and decides to try and become closer with his family by taking them to Wally World. As expected, there are many detours along the way and a lot of hilarious things happen to them. Truthfully, I’ve never seen any of the original Vacation films, so I have no valid comparisons to make. This movie was raunchy and graphic, but so, so funny. The best part has to be when the younger brother tries suffocating the older brother with a plastic bag.
Archenemy – This was a very neo-noir but modern take on superheroes, except you are not to call Max Fist that. Fist is a being with powers (flight, super strength, etc.), but is stuck in our world, which an alternate universe similar to his own. Only difference is that he can’t really use his powers here. Fist reluctantly teams up with a local kid who’s trying to become a journalist, and the two of them team up to fight local crime. Fist starts to blur the lines between universes when he thinks a drug boss called The Manager is teaming up with his arch nemesis, Cleo. This was definitely not my cup of tea. Very original idea, but just didn’t click with me.
Isn’t It Romantic – Oof, the second time through seeing this I have to reply with, isn’t it corny? I understand the point of the film is to make fun of romantic comedy tropes by actually putting Natalie through it and she’s aware of it, but this meta film stills falls prey to all the clichés it’s cracking jokes about. Rebel Wilson, Adam Devine, and Betty Gilpin are all quite fun in the film, but it doesn’t make the story better. Also, can we get more Betty Gilpin in films?! She’s fantastic. Look, if you like romantic comedies, this is still something you should check out. There are plenty in this world that are far wrose.
Drive – I’m almost ashamed that it’s taken me ten years to this this highly praised film starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan. Gosling plays the driver, who does part time stunt work, mechanic work, and heists! He’s got a very strict set of rules and is therefore never in harms way. That is until he decides to help Irene’s recently released from prison husband, Standard, rob a pawn shop for a million dollars. So many wires get crossed after the heist goes bad, and the driver barely makes it out alive. This film was shot beautifully, and I didn’t know I was going to fall in love with a song about Sully Sullenberger. An almost perfect movie that you should definitely take the time to watch (as long as a little gore doesn’t bother you).
Piercing – This film was so strange! But so good? Very original, regardless. Reed is a man who is trying to curb his murderous impulses by hiring a sex worker to kill at a hotel instead. Turns out though, she’s got a pretty psychosexual agenda herself. The rest of the film is bloody and full of misread intentions which almost makes it comical at times. If you’re looking for a lot of action then this probably isn’t for you, but Christopher Abbott and Mia Wasikowska are too perfect opposite each other.
Climax – Another really strange but original film. This follows a group of primarily French dancers as they party after a rehearsal. Pretty soon someone thinks they’ve been drugged and mass carnage ensues. What makes this really unique is that it almost looks like one continuous shot, but skipping around to different subjects as they pass by one another. Again, the violence and gore in this means it’s not for everyone. So does that fact that it’s subtitled, but it’s worth checking out for the choreography!