Another brief break from Japanese film:
Rocketman (2019)
I love when people criticise Bohemian Rhapsody for being a by-the-numbers wankfest that tells a very specific, limited version of the true events...and then praise Rocketman. While the first 15 minutes of this film are the worst part, it really becomes clear how much of a puff-piece John and his hubby produced if you keep watching. Actually made me like his music less. Full thoughts:
https://letterboxd.com/nottheacademy/film/rocketman-2019/
The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
You ever tune in late to a basketball game, and the score is like 120 to 110, and then you watch the last 5 minutes and the team at 110 comes back to win? And you're thinking "Huh, I guess I could've just watched that last 5 minutes since I guess nothing before that really mattered,"? Yeah, that's the feeling they're apparently going for in this film. And really, only for Rey. More so than ever before, it's really only what Rey does that makes any difference to anything. I mean, insulting enough that they have brought all the old cast members back for a series of macguffin roles that only help the young cast accomplish things. As if all the movies you saw before and all the decades after that, none of them accomplished anything that lasted or mattered. But don't worry, Rey is here to pick up where they left off, simultaneously filling the roles of Han, Leia, Luke, and Vader/Anakin. Oh, and there are other characters who are all given something to do to keep busy while she saves the universe.
More of my epic rant on the wrap-up of the sequels:
https://letterboxd.com/nottheacademy/film/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/