Garland’s sultry, intriguing atmosphere is all throughout this but this ultimately feels like an exercise in ambiguity. Does this intentionally fail the Bechdel test? Garland is clearly keen enough to add that meta layer but for what real purpose? This feels far more disjointed and less of a cohesive vision than his previous works. Some truly startling body horror moments and terrific sound design crawl under the skin but don’t ever truly linger.
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Drive My Car 2021
A beautifully honest, disarming portrait chronicling the journey that loss and grief inevitably takes us on. This film encapsulates our truly finite nature through a melancholy and often times very introspective lens. A slow cinema revelation, one that at times still does feel rather distant. I will say I preferred Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy over this when it comes to an absolutely stellar 2021 output from Hamaguchi. This is the type of film though that can completely change the way you see the world, and that in itself is such an invigorating prospect worth the price of any admission.
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Please Hold 2020
Conceptually and thematically intriguing but ends up feeling like a B level episode of Black Mirror
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On the Count of Three 2021
Carmichael nails his directorial debut with an extremely fine tuned tonal balance between comedy and the unbearable tragedy and weight of the human experience. Owen Palett’s score although sparse, transcends at exactly the right points throughout. This is one I’m eager to revisit and definitely a diamond in the rough amidst the 2022 catalogue.
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Titane 2021
I’ve been eagerly awaiting a sophomore effort ever since Ducournau’s ferocious debut Raw and it’s finally here. This is an odyssey of metal fusing with flesh, of being re-birthed in literal and figurative fire. Gender fluidity, identity and acceptance are approached in such an alarming yet disarming way that it’s nearly impossible to not be affected in some sort of seismic way.
As grotesque as this at times it’s also wholesome and comically lighthearted to an unmerited degree. Avoiding tonal whiplash…
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The Green Knight 2021
Heavily layered fantasy that showcases Lowery’s visual storytelling ability to a stunning degree. Rich with foreshadowing and allegory this is a tale that requires the protagonist to look deep within to excavate the courage that’s inside us all. Honor is a form of currency to further your own empire or kingdom. This walks a thin tightrope between extremely meditative and outright extravagant, finding its more confident stride in the second half. This will sweep you off your feet one moment…
