The Fabelmans

The Fabelmans (2022)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Screenplay by Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner

Stars: Gabriel LaBelle, Paul Dano, Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch, Mateo Zoryan, Keeley Karsten, Alina Brace, Julia Butters, and Birdie Borria

Movie pundits were saying that this movie is on track on winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards next year. I understand that this movie was very personal for Spielberg. The movie is not the best movie of the year.

The movie follows Sammy Fabelman (LaBelle), a young boy that wants to make movies ever since he saw Around the World in 80 Days with his parents, Burt and Mitzi (Dano, Williams). His mother encouraged his passion for movies. His father wants him to be realistic about his job prospects. Sammy's passion for the movie grows, even though his life is less than ideal.

Can I say that the first half of the movie where Sammy wanted to make movies was the best part of the movie? The home movies that hinted at Spielberg's movies like ET, Saving Private Ryan and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Great. Love that for him.

The second half of the movie was where the movie fell apart for me. It became a movie that descended into chaos with the family yelling, the antisemitic bullying, and a weird subplot with Sammy's girlfriend. It did not keep my attention.

I'm sure the movie is going to get at least eight nominations. Dano was adequate. Williams was doing the most. I didn't know what she was doing in the movie. 

I thought the best parts of the movie where Judd Hirsch as Mitzi's uncle that had three scenes. He did better most of the actors in the movie. There is a cameo in the end of the movie that floored me when I learned who they were.

Rating: 8/10

Best Picture Nominee Catch Up Movie: Manchester by the Sea

Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan

Stars: Casey Affleck, Lucas Hedges, C.J. Wilson, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Ivy O'Brien, Gretchen Mol, and Tate Donovan

Going into this unofficial blog-a-thon, I knew that there will be some Best Picture nominees that I would enjoy and not. I loved Lonergan's directional debut, You Can Count on Me very much. It was one of my top ten movies of 2000. This movie is not it.

Lee Chandler's (Affleck) world is turned upside down when news of his older brother, Joe (K. Chandler) dying. While trying to make funeral arrangements, Lee learns that Joe wants him to be the guardian of Joe's teenager son, Patrick (Hedges).

I thought I was being punk'd. The more I watched this movie; the more rage I was building up.

Everybody is this movie was an abrasive asshole. Who was the audience supposed to sympathize with? Lee? A depressed a janitor that have multiple flashbacks with the "good times" with his brother, nephew and his wife-- ex-wife, Randi (Williams). Patrick? An overachieving pompous prick that spouts a million questions a minute to Lee. Who?

I don't understand the praise for this movie. The dialogue. My god. I cannot with it. There is something about actors putting on a Boston accent  irritates me. The characters don't like real people. They act like people for a bad melodrama. Do any of the character ever talk to each other? Ever? That answer is resounding no.

I hated this movie so much that I turned it off. I could not torture myself anymore. The level of fucks I had to give with this movie ran out. Use wikipedia and save the trouble.

Never been more disappointed in Kenneth Lonergan than I have with this movie. Fuck right off with this movie. Insufferable dreck.

Rating: 1/10

Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine (2010)

Directed by Derek Cianfrance

Written by Derek Cianfrance and Joey Curtis & Cami Delavigne

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Mike Vogel, Ben Shenkman, Faith Wladyka and John Doman

I really wanted to watch Blue Valentine for a long time, but I did not get the chance to watch it in the theaters. When I saw that the movie was on VOD, I jumped at the chance to see it. I am glad that I did.

The movie shows the beginning and the ending of the relationship between Dean (Gosling) and Cindy (Williams). The action takes place in flashbacks when the two met and fall in love with each other. On the other hand, it shows in t he present when Cindy is done with Dean who is very lazy and has no ambitions in his life. Her revelation occurs during a seemingly harmless romantic getaway to a space themed motel room.

The movie reminds me of Closer where it dealt with the beginning and ending of the relationships of the people involved, but I think this movie dealt with it in a raw level. Closer dealt with it on the surface.

I think that Gosling should have gotten an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Dean-- he got an Omie Award instead-- for playing a guy that has no clear path to life when he meets Cindy. Everything seemed clear that he wanted to be with this woman forever. The love doesn't last when when you are growing older. Sometimes, the things that you love about that person would get on your nerves.

Williams deserved her nomination for playing a woman that is very driven woman that is sideswiped by the charming Dean, but when she believed that Dean would have some ambition in his life instead of being drunk and painting houses for a living.

Together Cindy and Dean gave every emotion known to man. They were not afraid to look vulnerable onscreen. Their story was life affirming, heartbreaking and gut wrenching. Now, I understand the title after watching the movie. What would you do when the love is gone?

My Rating: