1091. Drive

Drive
2011
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

Continuing our theme this month of movies featuring brooding leading men, we come to Drive. I have never been into cars, and I must once again plead for your discretion when I tell you that; I don' want any men I date to learn about my ignorance and insist upon correcting it. Anyway, I was concerned by the title that I would be bored by prolonged chase scenes, but luckily that wasn't the case.

The main character is never named, which I think is worthy of an eye roll, but it's Ryan Gosling so I'm forgiving. He is a Hollywood stunt driver by day, getaway driver by night, laconic Adonis by all the time. He becomes attracted to his neighbor, Irene, and attached to her adorable son who rivals the kid from Jerry Maguire in terms of pure cuteness. He decides to protect them, by any means necessary.

I think this movie wanted to be a lot edgier than it was, so it overcompensated with gratuitous violence. That being said, there were many talented actors involved, so they manage to do a lot with very little. Also, another bitching soundtrack.

If only all our movies could involve moping hotties, and not, say Christian Bale in a wig.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The Driver only has 116 lines.

Albert Brooks was in character when he met Refn, and pinned him up against a wall.

Refn has failed his driver's test eight times.

1090. Hell or High Water

Hell or High Water
2016
Directed by David Mackenzie

I needed something more fun to watch during my isolation, more fun than say, a documentary about an expedition to Antarctica where everybody dies. This seemed like a worthy entry for that purpose: a neo western featuring bank robbers and a bearded Chris Pine.

Toby, played by Chris Pine, is a divorced father desperate to save the family ranch which is in danger of foreclosure. For some reason, he doesn't just become a model and instead starts robbing banks with his wild card of a brother. They are pursued by two Texas Rangers, one of whom is on the brink of retirement. I feel like at this point, announcing your intentions to give up the badge is a form of suicide and we should get these people help.

I actually liked this movie for a few reasons that had nothing to do with Chris Pine's blue eyes. The film had a rich setting that convinced me I never want to go to Texas, and the plot took unexpected turns when it needed to. This is a riveting script, and of course, it never hurts to have Jeff Bridges mumbling in the background.

Also, the soundtrack was bitching.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Shot in New Mexico.

Chris Pine shot his scenes in two and a half weeks.

1089. Great White Silence

Great White Silence
1924
Directed by Herbert Ponting

Before we talk about the movie, I would love to hear how any or all of my readers are doing. I am an introvert, so I am holding up reasonably well under lockdown. I suspect I'll get some writing done, but that's what Jack Torrance thought too so make of that what you will.  I definitely want to hear how everybody else is holding up, so be sure to leave a comment.

Now to this 1924 movie, which wasn't on my edition of the List and I had never heard of before. I also didn't know anything about the Terra Nova Expedition, so had no idea that I was watching footage of a doomed mission. For those of you who, like me, have trouble earning the yellow wedge in Trivial Pursuit, the Terra Nova Expedition was an attempt by the British Empire to place the Union Jack on the South Pole. Everybody on the expedition died, except Herbert Ponting, apparently. He shot some footage of Antartica and the explorers and then peaced out of there.

So obviously a very chilling (pun not intended, but always celebrated) documentary once you realize the circumstances, which might take some of us, ahem, longer than others. Of course, that doesn't add a whole lot to the enjoyability of the movie, it just makes the whole experience morbid.

I will defend its place on the List, but definitely not the movie I would recommend to make this whole lockdown thing go faster.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Read about the Terra Nova Expedition here.

1088. Vice

Vice
2018
Directed by Adam McKay

I have been paying close attention to US politics lately, which naturally has paralyzed me with overwhelming despair. I thought it might cheer me up to see such an easy target gleefully skewered for a couple hours. Unfortunately, it wasn't an entirely satisfying experience.

The film tells the story of Dick Cheney, narrated by Kurt, a veteran whose relationship with Cheney isn't revealed until the end. Cheney is aided in his quest for power by his ruthless wife, Lynne Cheney, who is basically Lady Macbeth in an ugly wig.

I will start with the positives by giving the obligatory praise to the cast. Christian Bale nailed Cheney's mannerisms perfectly and he gained weight for the role, which in Hollywood makes you eligible for knighthood. Sam Rockwell was possibly even more impressive as Bush and I suppose Amy Adams was great as well, although I wasn't as familiar with Mrs. Cheney, so it left less of an impression.

But does that make it a great movie? I often felt like the filmmakers were dumbing it down for us, and trying to draw a few connections that just weren't there. That, in turn, made the stylistic choices seem less artistic and  more like insecure tics intent on hammering home points the audience had already grasped.

At least it is an equal opportunity offender. Republicans will be outraged by its flaying of Cheney and liberals will feel uncomfortable that their cause is being championed by people who seem to be severely missing key points.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Amy Adams stayed in character throughout the filming process.

The cast filmed a musical sequence that was ultimately cut. Praise Xenu.

Trump and his posse attended a screening of Vice but walked out halfway through. Did it really take him that long to realize it wasn't Gone With The Wind?