Jason Wilder

We recently ditched Criterion for Mubi. Nothing against Criterion but I wanted to mix it up and Mubi has the kind of movies I’m craving. Plus Mubi has some 80s Godard films I wanted to rewatch. So, here’s some reviews of the movies I watched the past week or so.

The Mastermind

Inspired by French new wave heist films, but in America. In 1970. Living legend of cosmic jazz, Rob Mazurek, did the score. What little dialogue was poignant. Beautifully shot, written, and dressed. Every detail put into this movie is impressive. This is also coming to the Dryden on January 7th. See it.

Christmas, Again

Finally a moving Christmas movie without corny dialogue and ideology. The ending is sad too. Portrays the existentialism this time of the year of over thinking beaten down loners like me.

Invention

Kind of a low budget, but not terrible, after midnight movie on a community television station. If these things existed anymore. It’s about paranoia, conspiracy theories, science break thoughs and the human condition wrapped into one movie.

Fragments for Venus

I will not attempt to try to find words for the deeper meaning of this film, but what I understood of it makes me want to watch it again. I can relate to the two main characters, two black women, in a personality way, especially the second woman to be shown. I love how quiet observers can be worthy of artistic representation instead of the doers.

Shithouse

I wish I had a movie like this in my formative years.

Louder Than You Think

This is about Pavement’s first drummer, Gary Young. This is a very sweet bio pick about the drummer and a natural accompaniment to the movie Pavements.

Moor Mother: Jazz Codes

All emotions potentially possible in this short that has a sweet cosmic/spiritual jazz soundtrack.

Two Days, Two Nights

To keep her job a woman has a weekend to convince her coworkers to forgo a bonus so she can stayed employed. I really enjoyed the ending.

Festen

Like watching a family movie of a disturbing rich family where everyone gathers for the patriarch’s 60th birthday. Never had the opportunity to get into the Dogme 95 movement so this is my first introduction.

Not Mubi stuff:

Stranger Things. The Christmas and New Year Eves finales were entertaining. I feel if you nitpick it you probably are a blast at parties.

Frankenstein. Guillermo del Toro usually does not do much for me but I liked this one. Nature vs nurture. Be careful what we create and how we treat it because it could not lead to an undesirable ending.