Sunset Boulevard

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Sunset Boulevard!

Original image located here. Accessed 14th August 2020

Hey, it's the movie based on the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical
But seriously, the musical was how I became aware of Sunset Boulevard - my dad had a CD of Lloyd Webber's best known songs and it contained musical's theme song ("Kiss someone's wife! Kiss someone's ass!"). So it was a surprise to seventeen year old me that there was actually a move that came well before it. A movie that has gone down in history as being one of the greats of cinema.

And they weren't kidding: Photography and set design that would be more at home in a horror movie. A scathing critique of Hollywood that makes me wonder how those involved agreed to do it. And the performance to end all performances from Gloria Swanson. You know how people talk up a movie only for it to turn disappointing? That certainly is the case. A monumental picture that has not been tarnished with age (70 years!).
Funny thing, I've seen this and The Talented Mr Ripley - two films that came up on my radar from the connection to The Disaster Artist/The Room. So has Tommy Wiseau seen this? One can only wonder.....

I Tonya

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....I Tonya!

Original image located here. Accessed 9th February 2018

This is interesting to me as I do remember the media sensation that followed the clubbing of Nancy Kerrigan's knee and Tonya Harding's involvement. Get past the differing stories from the parties involved and we have for a truly bizarre story, right?

We certainly do: This movie presents dynamite performances from both Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, a truly insane story presented in an interesting way, a fascinating commentary on class divide, a swing at the people who ridiculed this strange saga and enough attacks on the fourth wall to make Deadpool jealous. Sounds like a recipe for a winner of a movie
But what i find particularly fascinating is that this movie came out the same year as The Disaster Artist. Both are kind of similar in that both tell an anti-Hollywood style of success story: Whereas Tommy Wiseau chased a dream and succeeded (somewhat), Tonya Harding chased a dream and ultimately failed - indeed, that courtroom scene does indeed stick out in my mind.
Not much else i can say except this movie is great. Go and see it if you can stomach a lot of cussing XD

The Disaster Artist

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....The Disaster Artist!

Original image located here. Accessed 29th December 2017

Well, hasn't this turned out to be critical darling? Apparently, it's the best film of the year, it's a laugh riot, James Franco delivers a mesmerizing performance and he's a shoe-in for the Best Actor Oscar. Is there really anything to add?

Well I loved the book so I was disappointed with the changes (oh here we go!). With the film scenes, they emphasized Tommy's enthusiasm/incompetence and toned down his actual nastiness - which brings forth the question of how much influence Tommy had in getting THIS film made. Also they didn't include the part where Sandy leaves the production which is disappointing - not only is a standout moment in the book but it would've made for an equally powerful moment translated to film.

Other than that, this movie was great. Great performances all around and the movie itself is a compelling watch. The pre-credits recreation of the scenes of the original are also a hoot. Will it win Best Picture at the Oscars? Probably not but here's hoping it does just for the delicious irony.
One question though, with the success of this movie, Tommy Wisseau is going to attract more media attention than ever before. Whilst The Disaster Artist does claim no one knows Tommy's age, country of origin and source of his limitless wealth, i wonder if some determined journalist might see it as a challenge.
I mean we had a determined journalist expose Lance Armstrong for the drug cheat he was....