If you haven’t seen the first part of my catch up that I wrote a few weeks back, go check that out because there are some really cool films on there that are worth seeing that not a lot of people are talking about, especially as we get into the peak of awards season after those Oscar nominations got announced. As I continue to watch some of the films of 2019 that I initially missed, I have a bunch of other films that I think are worth bringing up, and writing a few words on. So, here are some movies that are worth getting on your radar. See if there’s anything that catches your interest.
Buñuel In The Labyrinth Of The Turtles
I’m sadly not as well versed in the works of filmmaker, Luis Buñuel, except for the 1929 short, Un Chien Andalou, and it’s only because of that notorious eyes shot, but I don’t think you have to be to find a lot to appreciate here with this animated film. It’s essentially about how he made his 1933 film, Land Without Bread, but it weaves in aspects of his childhood, along with these surreal digressions that are just a joy to behold. It’s also a surprisingly funny film, with plenty of witty lines and funny gags, but each rooted in character, revealing more about them as the story goes on. The animation is a bit rough around the edges, but it largely uses its limitations to its advantage. I enjoyed it a lot, and it made me want to check out some of Luis Buñuel’s films.
Diamantino
So…this movie is about a disgraced soccer player who decides to adopt a refugee, but it turns out that the refugee boy is actually a lesbian spy, who is investigating him for potential fraud, but it turns out his obviously evil twin sisters are the ones who have his money going to a foreign account. But those twins are also forcing their brother to go visit a doctor, who is actually a mad scientist trying to create clones of the soccer player to create a winning team that will inspire national pride, which will in turn sway public opinion on certain national issues that will hopefully Make Portugal Great Again. And also at one point, he grows boobs. This might seem like I spoiled all the fun, but this movie is so wild and delirious, it is such a blast seeing the filmmakers bring such a strange satire to life. It’s easily one of the most entertaining films I’ve seen in the past year, and it’s one that I would recommend if you’re in the mood for something twisted and funny and deceptively clever.
Chained For Life
This is not the film I would have expected it to be, and it’s all the better for it. What might initially seem like a twee afterschool special about the way we judge people for the way they look, and how those mindsets manifest in the cinema in particular, the film tackles those ideas in ways that are very smart and funny. It can get a bit too meta and overly clever about its conceit at a few points, especially as it gets into that third act, but the rest of it is so well done, I can easily overlook any wonkiness in its storytelling. Jess Weixler and Adam Pearson are extraordinary in this film, and it really brings some fascinating ideas that are worth exploring and discussing long after the film is over.
The Chambermaid
This one will likely be compared to Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, which is understandable, since they’re both slice-of-life dramas that follow the mundane day-to-day of a maid in Mexico, exploring class differences in a soft, meditative manner. The Chambermaid is obviously nowhere near as ambitious as Roma, but I honestly found it just as moving and just as powerful in certain respects. While the leisurely pacing and quiet nature of it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it never came across as an issue or a sense of indulgence by the part of its co-writer and director, Lila Avilés, who I think does a tremendous job at painting a vivid portrait of this woman’s experiences. It’s tender, meaningful, and Gabriela Cartol delivers a knockout performance as the lead.
An Elephant Sitting Still
It’s near impossible to dissect this film without acknowledging that its writer/director/editor, Hu Bo, committed suicide after postproduction. It’s a sad and unfortunate thing, but – at the risk of sounding tasteless – it makes so much sense when you see this film. It’s a film that drowns you in hopelessness, sorrow, and hostility as you follow a day in the lives of several flawed individuals. With its lengthy three hour and fifty minute runtime, it lingers on many moments, but it’s captured so beautifully by cinematographer, Fan Chao. It’s in many of these moments that the film manages to find some beauty, resonance, and even sometimes hope within its dour atmosphere, and it keeps you hooked up until the very end. It’s a shame that Hu Bo isn’t around to explore his craft further, but he has left us something special. It’s destined to be a future “great film you only want to watch once” classic.
Honey Boy
On the surface, Honey Boy explores some pretty well torn territory in regards to trauma, toxic masculinity, fatherhood, etc., but it presents them in a way that is profoundly raw, extremely earnest, and deeply self-reflective. It’s also a gorgeous film, stunningly realized by the director, Alma Har’el, who brings such a tender, human touch to the story and characters. Shia LaBeouf and Noah Jupe are utterly spectacular in the film, and it’s a shame they don’t seem to be getting much recognition this awards season. But this isn’t the kind of film that needs awards to justify itself because its artistic merit does that well enough on its own. It’s a wonderful film, and I think it’s one you should give a chance, regardless of your feelings on Shia LaBeouf and his odd reputation.
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