Movies

Begin Again

Directed by John Carney, who also did Once.  This time, it’s Mark Ruffalo and Kiera Knightely who develop an unconsummated bond during the creation of a music album.  Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden, and Catherine Keener fill out the excellent cast, but the movie itself is pretty forgettable.  It fails to capture the emotion of Once, and the songs aren’t nearly as good either.

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: No

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Fine

RRR

Holy shit.  There were multiple times where I literally said out loud, “This might be the best movie I’ve ever seen.”  This is a batshit crazy movie with an audacity and energy that I haven’t experienced in a long time.  It’s so cheesy and campy, but revels in it instead of winking at the audience, and that’s why it succeeds.  The rescue at the bridge, the musical dance number, the bromance montage, the attack of the animals, the musical martyr number, the sniper defense of the village, the rescue at the end…The number of memorable scenes are astounding.  

There’s an excitement here that I would love to see in Marvel movies, a “Fuck it, I’m swinging for the fences” mindset that would inject so much life into what’s become a formulaic slog.

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: Yes

Would buy on DVD: Yes (If I could find it.)

Rating: Really good