Film Fight 2023: January

#FF23 The Pale Blue Eye is a decent enough thriller, following a bizarre crime and threads that don't quite match up.

The last act doesn't work, and is on the long side, but the rest is solid enough. The leads put in good performances selling the faux-supernatural elements

Okay

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 22, 2023

#FF23 Empire Of Light is a love letter to the cinema experience, the racism of the 80s, mental health issues...

Its biggest problem is that it has way too many plot threads. Colman and Ward are both very good, but nothing gets a chance to breath. No subtlety either.

Fine.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 22, 2023

#FF23 Tár is an excellent film styled as a biopic of a masterful, but deeply flawed, conductor.

Blanchett puts in an incredible performance, even by her own standards, with direction to match. The oner at Julliard is jaw dropping. Worth every minute of the lengthy runtime

Great

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 22, 2023

#FF23 Babylon is a mess of a movie.

There are fun, big, extended sequences, and solid moments throughout, but nothing holds together. The cast are having fun, and it's an interesting period, but there's no real story here.

There might be a film in here if you cut an hour.

Skip

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 22, 2023

#FF23 M3GAN is probably exactly what you expect if you've seen a trailer.

A fun, light horror about an increasingly dangerous doll, like Child's Play. It's entertaining, well made, and more than a bit silly. Williams does well in finding the right tone.

Fun.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 29, 2023

#FF23 The Fabelmans is a light biopic of Spielberg's barely-disguised upbringing.

The cast are excellent, particularly Monaghan as the artistic, flighty mother. Throughout we see the awe Sammy does in the world of film, but without much weight.

Okay, but toothless.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 29, 2023

#FF23 Aftersun follows a father and daughter on a 90s holiday.

Its true marvel is there's no dark narrative drama. It just shows an honest slice of a relationship, with great, naturalistic performances. It captures the feel of a home movie, intercutting DV footage.

Very good.

— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) February 5, 2023