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RedForest4200
Reviews
M*A*S*H: Sons and Bowlers (1982)
Moving and Genuine
There's two stories at play in this late season 10 ep. Firstly, a 10 pin bowling tournament in which the 4077th try to get one back on the Marines of whom have the wood over them in the competitive games department. This features some extremely funny Potter/Houlihan moments, even if the story is not that outrageous.
What sets this episode apart though, is the relationship development between Pierce and Winchester as a result of Hawkeye's dad going into surgery. Charles provides support in both a genuine and gentle way, and the respect the two have for each other is more than evident. Seasons 9 and 10 feature a lot redeeming Charles moments, with the depth given to his character one of the highlights of the latter seasons.
The episode finishes with one of the most moving quotes of the season; Charles toasting 'to our fathers', and Hawkeye replying 'and their sons'
True History of the Kelly Gang (2019)
This film is a masterpiece. Wow.
This blew me away, like a film rarely does. A lucid, rich, aggressive take on the Kelly story. Begins in a barren landscape filled with trechory and sin and builds into one of the most beautiful meditations on life and family Ive ever watched. I've just sat for 20 minutes contemplating the last 2 hours, and I think I'll watch it again tomorrow.
George Mackay is fast becoming my favourite actor, and there is some decent performances throughout. Stylistically you could say it borrows from Guy Ritchie or early Danny Boyle. Either way, I strongly recommend you watch it. My favourite film of the last year or so
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)
Potentially the best 80 minutes of film I've seen
This film is astonishing. It serves as a greatest hits of Attenborough's career, featuring some of the greatest wilderness shots ever put on camera. It doubles as a powerful statement about the direction we've taken our planet, and examines the choices the human species has to make. I've never felt such awe, sadness and hope in the space of minutes, or sometimes simultaneously.
This is Attenborough's most powerful film because it examines the very essence of humanity, and our unbreakable relationship with the world he has spent his life researching. A must watch
Mulan (2020)
Soulless and Forgettable
I tried to go into this with an open mind but the fact is, it's just not good. Some nice scenery, but the world building was just not there. It tries to distance itself from the animated film which is fine, even good... but in its place is a lack of character development or depth. If you're not going to cultivate a new worthwhile narrative than you need to replicate the story or the original, this does neither. It's like they couldn't decide which to do.
The biggest problem with this film though was just that the payoff was so lacklustre. Seemingly small scaled and uneventful, I can't remember watching a 2 hour movie before where every single person in the room was like 'was that it?' when the credits rolled.
Maybe this movie is just meant for kids, maybe my view is irrelevant. But for me, this movie joins the rest of the Disney remakes I've seen as soulless corporate filmmaking that adds absolutely nothing to culture. A movie that won't be talked about every again. There are better ways to spend $30, and there are a lot better ways to spend 2 hours.