Another huge month, with 9 films!
Phantom Thread
#FF18 Phantom Thread matches a powerhouse Daniel Day-Lewis performance with an equally great counterpart in Vicky Krieps.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 7, 2018
A tangled muse-antagonist relationship brings forward a number of interesting analogies in the visuals, storytelling, and art design. Genuinely brilliant.
A Futile And Stupid Gesture
#FF18 A Futile And Stupid Gesture is the true-enough story of Doug Kenney. Well cast, neatly directed, and fun, we’re drawn into the weird world built around Kenny to end up writing Animal House.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 7, 2018
The pacing is uneven, and some jokes fall flat, but it’s a decent near-biocomedy.
The Cloverfield Paradox
#FF18 The Cloverfield Paradox is a mixed bag. There are moments where it reminds me of Event Horizon, but that’s undercut by some ropey effects, odd tonal moments, and the lack of coherent threats in the plot.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 12, 2018
Too much rushing from place to place. Not enough structure.
Meh.
Black Panther
#FF18 Black Panther is the most interesting, straight-action Marvel film in a while. Lots of new characters get fleshed out, with only a slight drag in the middle.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 16, 2018
The action has a great kinetic feel, motivated well by the plot. Worth seeing.
When We First Met
#FF18 When We First Met is, at best, a so-so comedy with a time-travel element.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 18, 2018
It’s competently shot and structured, but the moral sits between a sigh and being icky.
Probably avoid.
Irreplaceable You
#FF18 Irreplaceable You isn’t shallow but it’s not particularly deep either. Dealing with a substantial subject, but in a lighter style.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 24, 2018
Gugu Mbatha Raw is excellent, and it’s great to see Christopher Walken not phone in a role. Decent, but not essential.
Mute
#FF18 Mute is Duncan Jones’ sequel to Moon. For a cyber noir thriller, it deals with the power of relationships in ways most films don’t.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 24, 2018
Stunningly shot, but a little loose in the middle. Rudd goes a bit broad, but is a great menace. The cast do well. Worth seeing.
Lady Bird
#FF18 Lady Bird is not as funny as the trailer implied, but it still works well as a light-hearted coming of age.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 24, 2018
Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf nail their familial dynamic, and Gerwig has a promising career behind the camera. Feels genuine.
The Shape Of Water
#FF18 The Shape Of Water has a magical, fairytale quality, despite the 50s setting. The lighting and music set the mood well; colourful, yet dark.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 26, 2018
The performances are top-notch, with Sally Hawkins being particularly charming, while carrying much of the weight. Exceptional.
The February Winner
This is a tough one. The performances in Lady Bird and Phantom Thread are excellent and they’re strong films in their own right, but I think I’m going to give this to The Shape of Water. It has an unusual, magical quality that stuck with me for a fair while afterwards.