Three 2022 films today & a rewatch from 2007…
Broker (2022) (Korean: 브로커)
Directed & Written by Hirokazu Kore-eda
Starring: Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Bae Doona, Lee Ji-eun, Lee Joo-young
Plot Synopsis: (via Wikipedia)
The film revolves around characters associated with baby boxes, which allow infants to be dropped off anonymously to be cared for by others.
My Opinion:
Liked Hirokazu Kore-eda‘s Shoplifters but feel the same about both. Both are good but didn’t have the emotional impact I was expecting and I didn’t fully buy into the characters. Not sure why. But I enjoyed seeing Song Kang-ho again, the baby was adorable, and it’s still a better film than the majority of current English language films. Certainly worth a watch.
My Rating: 7/10
Watcher (2022)
Directed by Chloe Okuno
Starring: Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, Burn Gorman
Plot Synopsis: (via IMDb)
A young American woman moves with her husband to Bucharest, and begins to suspect that a stranger who watches her from the apartment building across the street may be a local serial killer decapitating women.
My Opinion:
This was decent. I thought Maika Monroe would be a bigger star by now. This had a nice, tense atmosphere that I appreciated but I can see some not liking this as it’s another “slow burn” thriller where absolutely nothing happens until the final act. The tension worked for me, though, so was worth a watch but it’s not one I’d feel the need to ever watch again.
My Rating: 7/10
The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)
Directed by Peter Farrelly
Based on The Greatest Beer Run Ever by John “Chickie” Donohue & Joanna Molloy
Starring: Zac Efron & Russell Crowe
Plot Synopsis: (via Wikipedia)
The film stars Zac Efron and Russell Crowe, and follows the true story of Donohue, who as a young veteran sneaks into the Vietnam War to deliver some beer to his friends, who are serving their duty.
My Opinion:
This is certainly an odd & interesting true story but maybe Zac Efron was the wrong choice to play this role. Russell Crowe really outshines Efron when he appears. The movie picks up a lot at the end with Crowe’s presence – the rest of the movie needed that sort of energy. Not a bad film but I feel like a better one could’ve been made from this outrageous story.
My Rating: 6.5/10
Juno (2007)
Directed by Jason Reitman
Written by Diablo Cody
Starring: Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J. K. Simmons
Plot Synopsis: (via Wikipedia)
Page stars as the title character, an independent-minded teenager confronting her unplanned pregnancy and the subsequent events that put pressures of adult life onto her.
My Opinion:
Felt like rewatching this one that I liked a lot when it came out. Still really enjoyed it but the “Check me out, I’m SO quirky & indie!” soundtrack got on my nerves a bit this time. Still think it’s a well-written film with a great performance from Page, though. Janney, Simmons & Garner are also good. I’m still a fan.
My Rating: 8/10
Cinema Parrot Disco 