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Depressed at the thought that I will never go through the 1,000+ movies on my watch & re-watch list in this lifetime, unless the immortality serum is invented.
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TiMER (2009)
A minimalist sci-fi concept in a rom-com package
TiMER has an intriguing premise that is not as sci-fi as it may initially appear. With okcupid match percentages and other forms of rating and quantifying romance, are we really that far off from our own transdermal love timers? Some reviewers criticized TiMER's plot holes and unconvincing character development, particularly in light of the unexpected and unsatisfactory ending. But really, what kind of ending did you expect? For a film that critiques the impact of technology on human agency --which extends to larger discourses regarding fate and predestination -- I found the ending to be appropriately bleak. It seems to be that Oona and Dan are trying to convince themselves that the timer is accurate...trying to reason their way into falling in love because the odds are on their side.(And by the way, I do not buy Oona's "independent woman" routine of superficial empowerment at all). If we see the ending as Oona and Dan's way of slowly fulfilling the timer's prophecy, then paradoxically they are using their new-found agency (i.e. ignoring the timer) to get closer to each other --whether by coincidence or "fate." This might be intended to make viewers question the other timer matches in the film; is love just something that you fall into because a higher power --in this case, biotechnology -- compels you to? This puts into question other ordinances of predestination and our compulsion (whether it's peer pressure, a desire for a higher purpose, etc) to put blind faith into them. TiMER is not a cinematic masterpiece, nor is it striving to be. Regardless, it really made me reflect on notions of human agency, biotechnology, fate and predestination the way any impactful film should.
The Ranch (2016)
Bring Back That 70s Show
I wanted to like this show, despite the terrible promotional trailers, because 2 of my favorite actors from That 70s Show are on it. Unfortunately, The Ranch just made me crave a real 70s show reunion even more. I couldn't sit through this show. I kept fast forwarding to get to the "good parts", but can't seem to find many. Why not put all your skills and resources into reviving a hugely successful show? Very disappointed :( Nothing will beat Kelso and Hyde. That's all I have to say, but IMDb keeps telling me I need to fill 10 lines of text so here goes. Danny Masterson and Ashton Kutcher were at the height of their career when they played Hyde and Kelso...they should capitalize on the success of those characters rather than try too hard to bring to life 2 dimensional shows like The Ranch. Sorry to have to give this a low rating, as I was really excited to see both these actors together again on the big -erm, small, netflix, computer - screen.
Straight Story (2006)
Thoughtful and Entertaining
Despite its technical flaws, this is a daring and clever addition to contemporary Greek cinema. What I like about Straight Story is that there is no clear message other than what the viewer chooses to project onto the movie. Nevertheless, this film inevitably critiques the xenophobia and homophobia that underlies the new, supposedly more progressive Greek society. As a story, it has its narrative flaws, but I don't think that's the point of this film. The point is to critique certain aspects of Greek culture without getting too preachy, and also providing entertainment. Nevertheless, Straight Story has a unique narrative premise, and a twist at the end that might make you frustrated. For me, though, that frustration and disappointment is indicative of how far (or not) we have progressed as a Greek society.
Le bonheur (1965)
An Open-Ended Exploration of the Human Condition
Le Bonheur is, in my opinion, one of Varda's most underrated films, partially due to the fact that it was not distributed in the USA until the 1990s. Another reason is that Le Bonheur potentially contradicts --or at least complicates -- Varda's legacy as a feminist New Wave filmmaker. This film is about the human condition... a condition as elusive as the film's underlying message. One of the most unique features of Le Bonheur is its ability to implicate the viewer into the interpretation of the film. In other words, how you react to this film depends on your own, pre-determined values and morals. Varda's narrative is open-ended enough to allow for a variety of interpretations. Even the film's lyrical and poetic treatment of the story could be interpreted as either an act of bitter cynicism, or as a matter-of-fact statement about the cyclical nature of life.