Four 2022 releases today. All pretty good! Liked one of these a lot.
Brian And Charles (2022)
Directed by Jim Archer
Based on Brian and Charles by Jim Archer
Starring: David Earl, Chris Hayward
Plot Synopsis: (via IMDb)
After a particularly harsh winter Brian goes into a deep depression; completely isolated and with no one to talk to, Brian does what any sane person would do when faced with such a melancholic situation. He builds a robot.
My Opinion:
Liked this a lot, but it’s very much “my thing”. Also really like Lars And The Real Girl so was worried this would be too depressing with its similar theme of loneliness & I need more uplifting films currently. This was bittersweet, but with much more sweet than bitter. A pleasant watch with very likeable characters. A lovely, quirky delight! (My daughter hates my overuse of the word “quirky”).
Charles as a stroppy teenager was the best. Charles Petrescu! Anyone have an old washing machine I can borrow? I could use a new friend.
Have added this to my list of My Top Ten Films Of The 2020s (so far).
My Rating: 7.5/10
Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)
Directed & Written by Cooper Raiff
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Cooper Raiff, Raúl Castillo, Odeya Rush, Evan Assante, Vanessa Burghardt, Brad Garrett, Leslie Mann
Plot Synopsis: (via Wikipedia)
The plot centers on a 22-year-old college graduate (Raiff) who starts making money as a party starter while he also strikes up a relationship with a 32-year-old mother (played by Dakota Johnson, who also produced the film).
My Opinion:
One of those movies I did really enjoy while watching it so gave it a decent rating but am now thinking I’ll probably never give it another thought ever again. Not a fan of Dakota Johnson & feel like she’s played this sort of character loads. But I really liked the character played by Cooper Raiff (who I didn’t realise was also the director & writer). I always think “Why the hell don’t they make more movies with characters who are actually likeable?” so, hey, that’s what we get here! Also thought Vanessa Burghardt was great as Johnson’s daughter and enjoyed her relationship with Raiff‘s character. It was very sweet. I just wanted him to be happy!
Actually, maybe I did quite like this. One of the better Apple+ offerings that I’ve seen. But I still feel like it’s not going to be a very memorable film.
My Rating: 7/10
Causeway (2022)
Directed by Lila Neugebauer
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry, Linda Emond, Jayne Houdyshell, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Harvard
Plot Synopsis: (via Wikipedia)
The film follows a soldier struggling to adjust to her life after returning home to New Orleans.
My Opinion:
Solid performances from Jennifer Lawrence & Brian Tyree Henry. Cared about their stories & was rooting for them & their friendship to succeed. Movie felt a little too short & ended too abruptly. Didn’t feel like we got to know either character well enough so would have liked them to be fleshed out more. Another decent Apple+ film but could have been better with more character development & more of a resolution.
My Rating: 7/10
Bros (2022)
Directed by Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane
Plot Synopsis: (via Wikipedia)
The film starring Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane as two gay men in Manhattan who avoid commitment but are drawn to each other.
My Opinion:
A funny comedy for recent years (which may not be saying much as I don’t think I’ve truly loved a comedy film since the early ‘90s. Why does modern comedy suck?). But I got some good laughs out of this one. The main character just got on my nerves slightly (although I liked his humor). I’d probably rate this more highly if I liked him a bit more. His hot boyfriend was very likeable, though, and their relationship was fun to watch. Loved their fight in the park. And the fake Hallmark type movies. An enjoyable watch.
My Rating: 6.5/10
Cinema Parrot Disco 