Watching - March 2024

Finding Dory (2016)

A slightly lowest common denominator choice of family movie time on a Saturday evening (I think we got Google to choose a random letter and then this was the only film we could all agree on), but everyone enjoyed it, there's lots going on and the animation is, as always, incredible. Probably wouldn't feature on anyone's list of favourite Pixar films (it is, after all, a sequel) but still fine.

Love Again (2023)

This romcom is either cheesy or tongue-in-cheek - or perhaps both. It was primarily made in London and features mostly British actors (albeit nearly all doing US accents), which makes me hope that it's the latter, because if it's serious then it misses the mark. That said, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is very good and the fact that one scene features her husband Nick Jonas in a cameo as a vain, hookup-obsessed bro is also a little sign that maybe it's not taking itself too seriously. Factor in the entertaining supporting cast, and, despite a somewhat predictable plot, I found myself laughing a lot more than perhaps it deserved - enough that I can even forgive it featuring Céline Dion (who in fairness seems entirely in on the joke and well up for gently mocking herself ... probably).

Fast & Furious (2009)

Obviously, ludicrously excessive, but surely that's the point. Vin Diesel broods nicely; presumably he's contractually forbidden from smiling, or maybe it just doesn't suit him. The cars charge around excitingly; there are noticeably more US models this time, mostly 70s muscle cars, improbably capable of keeping up with modern Japanese hot-rods. And there are scantily clad women randomly dotted around; the producers know their market! The plot's not terrible, the acting's OK and there is real suspense even though obviously everything is going to work out. Brainless fun for the fifteen year old in me.

Dash & Lily (2020)

Having enjoyed the book, I started the series a bit before Christmas but haven't finished until now - which, given that it is very much seasonally-themed, makes it a bit odd now it's spring. The plot device is the same, of course, but the series doesn't follow the book much at all - but that doesn't detract from the overall sweet feel. What does, though, is the fact that the two main actors are clearly in their mid-to-late twenties, playing seventeen year-olds. Still cute and watchable though. (side note: the second thing I've watched this month to feature Nick Jonas in a cameo. What are the odds?)

Notting Hill (1999)

I love this film - I've seen it many, many times, first in the cinema of course (although I have no recollection of this), then on VHS, then on DVD and now streaming - but that's despite its many flaws. Mostly, it's the loose ends that annoy me. Why does Tony crop up occasionally for no reason? How come Honey and Spike suddenly end up together? What's Martin's story? Why does Bella suddenly mention that she and Max can't have children? I have the book of the script (which includes a hilarious afterword from Hugh Grant) and these are all explained (apart from the really weird thing with Honey and Spike) by the deleted scenes that are included; it's all background that was cut, for time, pacing or other reasons. So the question is: what the fuck is it still doing in the finished film? Even the author admits that Bella's admission "does rather leap out of nowhere". Oh well. It's still a modern fairy tale, as Curtis describes it - or, more accurately, a modern, male fantasy.

Apollo 13 (1995)

Hard to believe this film's almost thirty years old! Because of its setting, it doesn't date in the same way that, say, Notting Hill does, and of course it's brilliantly made. There's a few minor changes in the name of fitting everything in just over two hours, but I've read Jim Lovell's book Lost Moon and this is pretty close. A classic.

Baby Driver (2017)

I don't follow film news or pay much attention to what's out, so I only learned about Baby Driver about a year after it came out, while reading an old Empire magazine at the doctors. I think the fact that it is directed by Edgar Wright is what really grabbed my interest, otherwise I'm not sure I would have been bothered about a fairly standard heist movie. It's gripping though, particularly the first two-thirds or so, and the music is wound into the action very nicely. The overall ending is a bit anti-climactic, although it's nice to see Baby (Ansel Elgort, very good) and Debora (the divine Lily James) meet up again at the very end.

Barbie (2023)

The concept of mixing a fluffy Hollywood comedy with a feminist polemic must have been a hard sell but it's a winning combination. The points about the unrealistic expectations imposed on women and the role of patriarchal institutions in upholding that are a bit sledgehammer but obviously needed. What's surprising is the way that Mattel have allowed Barbie, and themselves, to be identified as culpable for this. Anyway, there's reams and reams of commentary available online if you want better informed opinions. I thought it was lots of fun and very, very clever, albeit slightly uncomfortable watching while sitting in the same room as my teenage daughter shouting "that's right, that's what all men do!" (I've tried telling her that she doesn't understand what "mansplaining" actually means but she won't listen for some reason.)