Seven films this month, most of them in the last week or so.
Killers Of The Flower Moon
#FF23 Killers of the Flower Moon is slow story about creeping violence and cultural erasure.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) December 18, 2023
Gladstone is strong and quiet, while DiCaprio plays a man far out of his depth. The languid pacing is forgivable, given the beautiful cinematography and pervading darkness.
Good.
Godzilla Minus One
#FF23 Godzilla Minus One is an excellent take on the original material.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) December 18, 2023
A metaphor for the horrors of nuclear war, backed by a story about post-war Japan's place in the world, with a redemptive hero arc? It's a busy two hours. Cheesey moments are forgiven. Solid action.
Good!
Napoleon
#FF23 Napoleon is a pretty straightforward biopic of the man himself.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 1, 2024
The leads are solid, the battles epic, and the visuals are fine, but it lacks any real arc; doesn't really go anywhere. Entertaining enough, but the extended runtime is straining.
Fine.
Silent Night
#FF23 Silent Night is a surprisingly solid action film.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 1, 2024
I didn't know going in that it was a John Woo film, or that it was essentially dialogue free: both are delightful. Don't get me wrong, it's very much silly action, but it does that very well. Kinnaman is solid too.
Good.
Maestro
#FF23 Maestro is a stunning biopic.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 1, 2024
It features performances both powerful and subtle (Cooper and Mulligan), shot after shot that is beautifully composed, and camera moves that give life to the action, all backed by joyful music. Cooper's directing is incredible.
Excellent.
Saltburn
#FF23 Saltburn is self-assured and pointed in all the right places.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 1, 2024
It has some great shots, with Keoghan excellent as always. Feels a little long, but the biggest issue is that the "surprises" are always what you assumed was happening (and some moments just don't add up).
Okay
Ferrari
#FF23 Ferrari doesn't show us the passion that film tells us it has.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) January 1, 2024
Adam Driver has moments where you see it, too infrequently. Mann's grounded and motivated camera work brings excitement and involvement but it's not enough to raise the film. One scene will stick with you
Okay
The December Winner
The winner for December is Maestro - just brilliantly shot and performed throughout.