In a festival where philosophizing hitmen have revealed the tedium and current poverty of the subgenre, leave it to Richard Linklater to make the ultimate philosophizing hitman movie (the protagonist is literally a philosophy teacher) and somehow end up with a masterpiece.
Full review: www.vulture.com/2023/09/richard-linklaters-hit-man-will-make-glen-powell-a-star.html
Seen at Sala Grande, Venice Film Festival
I loved it. I cried like a baby. Full review: www.vulture.com/article/ava-duvernay-origin-review-devastates-audience.html
Seen at Sala Grande, Venice Film Festival
Terrific movie that feels quiet and small until it gathers force to become about...everything. To call it a political film, however, would be reductive. It's kind of about the human condition. Really, quite remarkable. And wonderfully acted -- one of Farrell's greatest roles, certainly.
I did somehow wind up at the one Venice screening of this film without English subtitles, so I think I understood maybe 60 percent of what was said. Looking forward to seeing this again, many many times. Rating may rise as I do so.
Seen at Sala Grande, Venice Film Festival.
Umpteenth viewing. One of the greatest films ever. Decided to give the director's cut another go after multiple recent re-viewings of the theatrical cut, as well as all of Mann's other films, while writing my profile of him for Vulture.
Here's the thing: While the theatrical cut might be "canonical," I really really love the director's cut as well. Yes, losing the cold open in the club is wrong, but other than that, there's a lot of stuff here that…
