acting

Pieces of a Woman

Tour. De. Force. I was glad when Frances McDormand won her Oscar for Nomadland, but at the time I had not yet seen Pieces. I would’ve been rooting for Vanessa Kirby. And it wasn’t until after seeing it that I learned she is British, deepening my admiration for this work.

I also didn’t know that Shia LaBeouf was in this cast, but recognized him almost immediately. He was well-cast and he too was very good.

In should be evident from the trailer that this is not going to be a happy movie. If you are one to avoid watching trailers in order not to spoil a movie – and how is it that anyone would ever choose to watch this without finding out a little bit from a trailer? – consider yourself warned.

Bohemian Rhapsody

As good as advertised. And Remi Malek – even if he didn’t do his own singing (who would want to try to match Freddie Mercury?) – earned his Oscar here.

Also, why do I not listen to Queen more?

Joker

Well that was bleak. Joaquin Phoenix is phenomenal. He’s onscreen in nearly every frame of the film, and it’s a riveting performance. In a can’t-keep-your-eyes-off-the-train-wreck kind of way…

The Stuntman

Somehow I  was thinking that Peter O’Toole played the stunt man, but instead he is Fellini. I can see how this was viewed as ground-breaking in its time, but is not something I’d go back to watch again.