Blade Runner 2049

Go see this movie.  It is absolutely worth your time.  You also don't need to have seen its predecessor, and you don't need a plot summary or spoilers to help you decipher the film; you can follow the story.

In fact, the less you read in advance about Blade Runner 2049, the better your movie-going experience will be.  Yes, that includes this blog entry; feel free to read the rest of this piece after you've watched the film once.

As strong as that endorsement is, let's be clear:  this picture has a lot of problems.  Some involve science, some involve story structure, and some involve its treatment of women; no woman here is ever far from the stereotype you will immediately be able to associate with her.

Despite all of that, though, you should watch the movie.  Visually, it is stunning, absolutely gorgeous, a ride through a future that is constantly overloading us on multiple levels.  It also asks great questions, important questions, and ones we cannot contemplate too much. 

The acting is uniformly strong.  Ryan Gosling's frequently unemotional performance style meshes perfectly with this role, but everyone in the movie plays their character well. 

Go see it.

I already look forward to watching it a second time.

Do we really need

a sequel to Blade Runner?

No, we absolutely do not.

That said, will I go watch Ryan Gosling try to fill Harrison Ford's shoes in this sequel, Blade Runner 2049?

Yes, yes I will.  I just can't stop myself; I don't even want to.

The Nice Guys

is that rare film that has an amazingly funny set of trailers and yet manages to be funnier when you watch the whole thing.  The movie has an engaging and complicated plot, wonderful performances, great dialogue, and so many laugh-out-loud moments you can't count them all.

Shane Black is at the top of both his writing and his directing games in The Nice Guys.  The shots love the sets and the 70's setting.  Yes, it's a violent film, but it manages to be both funny and at times touching in the violent moments.

All of the actors turn in strong performances.  Russell Crowe is funnier than I thought he could be, and Ryan Gosling delivers one wonderful moment after another.

I don't want to tell you any of the plot, because the trailers have already given away enough.  Wait until you need a fun-filled two hours, and get to the theater to see The Nice Guys.  You'll be glad you did.

Drive

Critics love it. Rotten Tomatoes has it at 93% fresh as I write this. The 79% audience rating is worse but still respectable.

The movie certainly looks the arthouse part. The shots almost scream, "Look at me: I'm art!" Though it tries too hard to be cool, I still liked its look.

Ryan Gosling showed that it's possible to go an entire film employing fewer facial expressions than Steven Seagal or Jason Statham. He had two expressions: blank, and blank with a creepy smile. In one flashback, he actually yells and shows emotion, a moment so jarring with authenticity that you can't help but wonder if it was an accident.

Almost all the actors were so muted that you had to believe that the dead emotions were the director's intent.

The film makes sure you know that it has things to say about life. I get the meanings. I really do. I appreciate the value of bringing cool style to action flicks. I see the film's appeal.

Which brings us to the problem.

I didn't care at all.

Not once, not for one second, did I give a shit about any of these characters.

Go see this one for its look, but don't expect to walk out touched or moved.

Drive is all art and no heart.