Triangle of Sadness

It was free on Hulu, so I gave it a chance. Its first two thirds are slow-going, and I only half-watched. But the last third got surprisingly compelling.

First third: a couple, both models, bicker a lot. Really annoying.

Second third: they voyage on a luxury yacht with various rich people, ranging from a "shit seller" (made his fortune selling fertilizer) to a weapons manufacturer. After pirates throw a grenade on board, the wife sees it and asks her husband, "Is this one of ours?" with the tone of voice you might use seeing your book in a bookstore or your face on a poster. The husband sees that the pin has been pulled.

Third third: survivors from the explosion end up on a deserted island, where social assumptions are quickly undone.

Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time

 By Wendy

Excellent, very moving documetary.

From Here to Eternity

By Holly

Manly men. Damaged women. Good script, excellently executed. Tragic flaws galore. Beautiful black & white with tons of wacky day-for-night shooting.

I like Deborah Kerr a million times more than Joan Crawford, who desperately wanted the part of Karen. I think Crawford would've been better. Kerr is good, but working hard to do stuff Crawford could do in her sleep. Watch Kerr "smoke". It's like she's never put a cigarette between her lips before. She and Burt Lancaster do have good chemistry, though, and BOY goes he have MAN MANLY MACHO MANLYNESS!

[SPOILER]

At least two people die who absolutely didn't need to die. It wasn't the Japanese that got 'em, it was their own stupidity.

A Date with Judy

By Holly

This 1948 MGM relic is kinda stupid, but entertaining and harmless. It's worth watching to see how ridiculously, unbelievable gorgeous 16 or 17 year old Elizabeth Taylor is. The funny thing is, she seems much too old and mature to be playing a high schooler, but she WAS! 

The film boasts an interesting cast of leads and character people: Jane Powell, Wallace Beery, Leon Ames, Robert Stack, Xavier Cougat, Carmen Miranda. 

The plot? Who cares. Don't ask.

The Road to Utopia

 By Holly

I watched this because Tom felt like seeing it. I'm not a Road fan, as Bing Crosby and Bob Hope are so rotten to each other. I know it's supposed to be funny, but it isn't to me. However, there are some very clever moments in this film, breaking the 4th wall. I imagine audiences seeing it the 40s would have loved it.

It's also interesting to see just how misogynistic the film is. I certainly did not enjoy those aspects but it was what it was and I'm glad it's changed/changing.

If I never saw another Road movie again... fine!

So I'm Retiring "Lame"

By Wendy

I referred to Tenet as lame. I certainly didn't mean offense to anyone. But I've been reading about ableist language, and I realize that I should no more use "lame" in this way than I should use "gay" as in "that's so gay." (Though I do call things "gay," but I'm allowed to because I'm gay and you can't, nah nah nah NAH nah.)

Anyway, I'll miss "lame" in this sort of usage, but there are many other options. 

The Mask of Zorro

 By Holly

Anthony Hopkins is beautiful Antonio Banderas is beautiful. Catherine Zeta-Jones is beautiful. The action sequences were really well done, and the sword fights believable and thankfully not cut too quickly.

I liked the humor. I liked that "the woman" had spunk and could sword fight and was smart. 

The white English guy with the blue eyes saving the brown people was icky, but this film was made in 1998 when films didn't care as much. It worked better when Banderas became Zorro, taking over for Hopkins.

All in all, a lot of fun!