The Travels and Rants Journal

Movies I’ve seen recently:

Paris, Texas: I’d seen this not long after it came out (1984), and liked it a lot. It’s one of those films that has picked its speed and isn’t interested in moving any faster. There are definitely things about it that are a little art-house-overdone, but it’s a sweet movie in a lot of ways. And very visual. 4/5.

Venus: Peter O’Toole is, of course, a treasure. The movie is thoughtful, brilliantly acted, and often sweet, and completely depressing. I’m not sure I totally bought the whole relationship (from Jessie’s standpoint), but it’s a good movie. 4/5.

Basquiat: I thought Jeffrey Wright gave a nuanced and rich performance, but the movie is pretty weak. Ultimately, I was never made to care about the story or the characters. A movie as shallow as the New York art world is depicts. 2/5.

Doctor Zhivago: Yeah, I’ve seen it lots of times. It’s still among my top few movies of all times. So beautiful, so epic, so vast, so heartbreaking. 5/5.

The Photographer: Very flawed in a lot of ways, but often still visually stunning - it carries just enough energy to overcome many of its weaknesses. Not great, but worth seeing if your expectations don’t get out of hand. 3/5.

Separate Tables: A winner! This drama from 1958 is filled with well-drawn characters and well-acted performances. 5/5.

Flannel Pajamas: I liked the fairly complicated characters, but it’s too long, too rambling, and, here again, you don’t really care about anyone - you just want it to be over. Of course, having said that, you do get to see Julianne Nicholson naked. 2/5.

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: Yes, yes, yes! Smart, funny, brilliant. 5/5.

Five Easy Pieces: I’d never seen it before. Jack Nicholson is at his best. Subtle, tender, odd. Likable and dislikable at the same time. 4/5.

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And on an unrelated note…