^ I've been planning on watching that but I might move it to the front of the queue. I didn't realize Dr. Bashir was in it!
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Beastie Boys Story (2020)
Seemingly the only thing that would make it worth having Apple TV+ (if they weren't giving it away) is this Spike Jonze "live documentary" about Beastie Boys. It takes the form of a chronological career retrospective, delivered in the style of a TED talk by surviving members Mike D and Ad-Rock. It shouldn't work but it (almost) does. Sometimes it's awkward but more often, it's a heart warming trip in to the past with plenty of self-deprecating humour, moving discussions about friendship and praise heaped upon departed member MCA. Stick around for the end titles because they're packed with outtakes, that honestly look more entertaining than the main film. Still, if you haven't listened to Beastie Boys for a while, this will definitely have you excitedly reaching for 'Paul's Boutique', 'Ill Communication' and 'Hello Nasty' afterwards.
Sorry We Missed You (2019)
Ken Loach's latest feels very much a companion piece to his previous film 'I, Daniel Blake' but it worked less well for me. Instead of the Orwellian nightmare of a part-privatised welfare system, it's the Orwellian nightmare of the exploitative "gig economy". The use of non-professional actors sometimes makes it visceral and truthful but other times it's just wooden. I know the events are based on the testimony of several real "self employed" delivery drivers but the catalogue of misfortune and disaster felt exaggerated for one guy, in what seemed like a few weeks. On the other hand, the portrait of his wife, a time-managed care nurse, felt completely authentic. The family relationship is beautifully portrayed too. As always, Loach's anger and compassion bursts off the screen.
<hr style="border: 1px solid white;" />
Beastie Boys Story (2020)
Seemingly the only thing that would make it worth having Apple TV+ (if they weren't giving it away) is this Spike Jonze "live documentary" about Beastie Boys. It takes the form of a chronological career retrospective, delivered in the style of a TED talk by surviving members Mike D and Ad-Rock. It shouldn't work but it (almost) does. Sometimes it's awkward but more often, it's a heart warming trip in to the past with plenty of self-deprecating humour, moving discussions about friendship and praise heaped upon departed member MCA. Stick around for the end titles because they're packed with outtakes, that honestly look more entertaining than the main film. Still, if you haven't listened to Beastie Boys for a while, this will definitely have you excitedly reaching for 'Paul's Boutique', 'Ill Communication' and 'Hello Nasty' afterwards.
Sorry We Missed You (2019)
Ken Loach's latest feels very much a companion piece to his previous film 'I, Daniel Blake' but it worked less well for me. Instead of the Orwellian nightmare of a part-privatised welfare system, it's the Orwellian nightmare of the exploitative "gig economy". The use of non-professional actors sometimes makes it visceral and truthful but other times it's just wooden. I know the events are based on the testimony of several real "self employed" delivery drivers but the catalogue of misfortune and disaster felt exaggerated for one guy, in what seemed like a few weeks. On the other hand, the portrait of his wife, a time-managed care nurse, felt completely authentic. The family relationship is beautifully portrayed too. As always, Loach's anger and compassion bursts off the screen.