VICE - Review
Feb. 2nd, 2019 09:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatJust got back from seeing the film Vice with movie buddy (cjlasky) at the new Nighthawk Cinema in Park Slope. Of course the trains were screwed up this weekend so we both had to sort of go around robin hood's barn to get there. (Frigging MTA and their constant and seemingly endless weekend track work and signal work during the weekends.) Also, the same thing happened with cjl that had happened with Wales...which means I have to really clarify to folks where I am when I get to the theater before they arrive. (ie. I'm in the bathroom.) Because he said he was rounding the corner. I went outside, couldn't find him. Desperately had to pee. Me and my stagefright bladder -- had to pee twice before I left. So, ducked into insanely tiny stalls -- that were built with skinny stick figures in mind. Which took more time -- getting into and out of stall than peeing. Only to exit and still no cjl. Do I buy ticket? What? I find out he's bought his ticket and is on the fourth floor at Theater 4. I quickly buy mine (worried it will sell out since the 10 AM and 7PM did.) But I'm safe. Note to self -- text message that you are in the bathroom and will be out shortly next time.
First a review of the cinema. The cinema is one of those new dining cinemas that are all the rage at the moment. I admittedly was curious how this was going to work. Did they set up little seating enclosures, that were tiered, sort of like a dinner theater? Where you'd order the drinks and meal before the movie started, get your order, and pay, then the movie? And maybe have an intermission - where you could either get it removed and a dessert, then pay at the end?
Uh no. Instead we had typical movie seats. Not recliners. With little tables -- about cocktail size, sprouting between every two seats. With a built in light underneath -- ostensibly to see the little menus in the dark. You do need reading glasses. There's little pieces of paper in which you can place your order any time during the movie and the waitress will pick it up and deliver it. You will also pay during the movie. So, you are watching a movie. The seats are not tiered but sloped.
Which means if the idiot in front of you decides they can't bear to take off their comfy knitted winter hat with the ball on top, that will obstruct the bottom of the screen until they finally sink down into their seat. (As an aside, do not wear a hat that is obstructing someone else's view in a theater. It's rude and selfish. And the Universe will find a way of punishing you for it, preferably by making you lose said hat. (OR at least I hope). )
During the show, the waitress would walk down each aisle every 15-20 minutes. It may have been 20 minute intervals. (It was a long movie). Every time she did it -- my eyes would follow her down the aisle. It was highly distracting. Neither my movie buddy nor I ordered anything during the movie. We did order a hot spiced cider with rum before -- it cost 13.95 with a 2.40 dollar tip, so about 15 dollars. (I gave her a tip because I felt sorry for her. (This is not a job I'd want. Can you imagine? Having to crouch and meander through the theater aisles (basically in front of each row, trying to avoid obstructing the screen, and collecting food, delivering food, and collecting money? Ugh.) Anyhow, I kept watching her do it. Because I found the whole thing patently absurd.
The food was pricey. We went to a Thai Place after and got much larger meals for far less. My Pad Thai was the same price as the spiced cider with rum.
[As an aside, my father once did a consulting gig with AMC Theaters -- regarding compensation and how people are paid etc. He told me that the theaters make all their money via concessions. Nothing on tickets. Want to know why? Because they have to pay the distributor a fee for the right to show the film. That fee is covered by ticket prices. So the money they make on the film such as it is -- is on popcorn, soda, candy, etc. Which is probably why Nitehawk and Alamo Drafthouse came up with the idea of selling drinks and food during the showings. But as mother my put it, if I wanted that, I'd wait until the movie became available for me to watch on my television screen at home.]
So, we unilaterally agreed to see Captain Marvel at a regular movie theater with a huge screen. The whole appeal of the dinner movie theater was lost on us. We found it distracting. I guess some people don't want to be entirely immersed in the movie? I do. That's the whole point of going to the theater. Hello.
On to the review...
One thing the theater did that was different -- was instead of previews or other news items. We had news items, footage, and movies related to VICE, including SNL skits, news footage, etc. I found it confusing at first, and wondered if the movie had started. I've no clue if this was specific to the theater we saw it in or specific to the movie.
Vice directed by Adam McKay, produced by Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, and various others. Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carrol...
Is it good. Yes. (Although in desperate need of a good editor. I liked The Big Short much better. Also the Big Short was a bit more even-keeled and less politically divisive in tone.)
It's very similar to the Big Short, which is a weird hybrid of documentary and fictionalized bio-pic, with various in-between little explanations on things. If you didn't like how the Big Short was done, you won't like this. I happened to LOVE how they did the Big Short. Also it reminded me a little of how they do "Legion", and if you had issues with that -- you won't like this. (I loved it -- that sort of thing really works for me. As does the Good Place which sort of does the same thing. I find it hilarious and highly informative. If only this were the way they did lectures in school -- I'd have learned a lot.)
Another problem with the film -- if you are conservative and a fan of Bush, Regan et al -- you most likely will hate this movie. [ETA: I read some reviews last night -- and everyone universally agrees that Christian Bale and Amy Adams were amazing, but that the film is rather biased against conservatives and Republicans in particular.) I honestly cannot imagine many of my co-workers watching it and/or various extended family members. It deftly and with an insane amount of detail eviscerates the Republican Party from Nixon through George W, Bush -- the only one who sort of gets off unscathed is HW Bush. I think, not sure, Mckay respected Bush Sr. It speaks a wee bit too much to the choir, and not enough to the congregation -- the Big Short was better in this regard and a tad more objective.
Also apparently Lynn Cheney went to my old alma matter, Colorado College. Although McKay ditches CC -- by stating it's no Yale. (It started out life as a Women's College, it's not any longer.) I found this hilarious, I think cjl had no idea why I was amused. (I laughed at a lot of things in the film that no one else did.) Both Cheney daughters went to CC -- I already knew that. Liz Cheney was a year behind me apparently. No, I never met her.
But it is not really a satire. I thought it was going to be a satire. But it's not really. It's more of an unauthorized and heavily slanted mockumenatry bio-pic hybrid. It does do an excellent and somewhat chilling job of explaining what the Unitary Executive Act is and how it came about (another thing to leave at Justice Antoine Scalia's door.) This grants the executive branch unlimited power in war time, the ability to do what it wants. What Cheney figured out is that the Vice President has power in the Senate and House -- in that he can break a tie in the Senate. He can float between the Executive Branch and the Legislature. Basically as VP, with Bush Jr as President, Cheney was able to effect a lot of policy as a ghost -- add to that his ties to corporate America, such as Haliburten Oil.
The movie didn't tell me much that I didn't already know from elsewhere. And for the most part the information it provides is factual. McKay did his homework. Much like he did with Moneyball and the Big Short. In fact he did so much research and homework that he felt the need to wedge it all into this movie. (I felt overwhelmed with information at one point, most of which I already knew.)
The cast is amazing. Christian Bale loses himself in this role and manages to convey the wicked intelligence of a man who is vastly underestimated by everyone around him, along with his vulnerability and the deep affection and love he felt towards his family. Amy Adams as Lynn Cheney is his equal and partner throughout. She too disappears in the role. As does Sam Rockwell -- who really does channel Bush Jr. You forget it is Sam Rockwell after a bit. Steve Carroll is the one weak link as Rumsfeild, who he plays with a bit too much mockery -- I was aware that I was watching Carroll throughout.
And while the movie was spot on at times, and highly entertaining at others...it meanders. I wanted to edit it. I remember thinking at one point...how long is this movie? It's taking forever. There's one too many references to fly fishing. Yes, yes, we get it -- he's reeling in the catch. And a wee bit too much focus on the early years. Also some confusing jumping between segments. Also we get the credits four times -- LOL. Once in the very beginning in a sort of psuedo 1960s style old movie reel version, then at the end of the first half -- which is rather cool actually, and would have fooled me if I hadn't already seen the trailers, and then at the end, with a brief bit after, then at the end of that. By that point I had to pee again and left cjl to watch all of them in peace.
Overall -- it's a good flick. I do recommend seeing it. I wish that it was a little less pointed in it's point of view -- in that I would live conservatives to see bits of it, and maybe change their minds. But it's not going to change any conservatives minds, piss them off, yes, change their minds, no. And afterwards, it reminded me of how divisive the United States has become over the years. There's mock focus group on the film showing just how divisive.
Would I have nominated it for an Oscar? Maybe. I haven't seen that many great movies this year. But I don't know...I find it difficult to rank movies or give awards to them. They are their own thing.
Vice - B+ or A-
Nighthawk Cinema - C-
First a review of the cinema. The cinema is one of those new dining cinemas that are all the rage at the moment. I admittedly was curious how this was going to work. Did they set up little seating enclosures, that were tiered, sort of like a dinner theater? Where you'd order the drinks and meal before the movie started, get your order, and pay, then the movie? And maybe have an intermission - where you could either get it removed and a dessert, then pay at the end?
Uh no. Instead we had typical movie seats. Not recliners. With little tables -- about cocktail size, sprouting between every two seats. With a built in light underneath -- ostensibly to see the little menus in the dark. You do need reading glasses. There's little pieces of paper in which you can place your order any time during the movie and the waitress will pick it up and deliver it. You will also pay during the movie. So, you are watching a movie. The seats are not tiered but sloped.
Which means if the idiot in front of you decides they can't bear to take off their comfy knitted winter hat with the ball on top, that will obstruct the bottom of the screen until they finally sink down into their seat. (As an aside, do not wear a hat that is obstructing someone else's view in a theater. It's rude and selfish. And the Universe will find a way of punishing you for it, preferably by making you lose said hat. (OR at least I hope). )
During the show, the waitress would walk down each aisle every 15-20 minutes. It may have been 20 minute intervals. (It was a long movie). Every time she did it -- my eyes would follow her down the aisle. It was highly distracting. Neither my movie buddy nor I ordered anything during the movie. We did order a hot spiced cider with rum before -- it cost 13.95 with a 2.40 dollar tip, so about 15 dollars. (I gave her a tip because I felt sorry for her. (This is not a job I'd want. Can you imagine? Having to crouch and meander through the theater aisles (basically in front of each row, trying to avoid obstructing the screen, and collecting food, delivering food, and collecting money? Ugh.) Anyhow, I kept watching her do it. Because I found the whole thing patently absurd.
The food was pricey. We went to a Thai Place after and got much larger meals for far less. My Pad Thai was the same price as the spiced cider with rum.
[As an aside, my father once did a consulting gig with AMC Theaters -- regarding compensation and how people are paid etc. He told me that the theaters make all their money via concessions. Nothing on tickets. Want to know why? Because they have to pay the distributor a fee for the right to show the film. That fee is covered by ticket prices. So the money they make on the film such as it is -- is on popcorn, soda, candy, etc. Which is probably why Nitehawk and Alamo Drafthouse came up with the idea of selling drinks and food during the showings. But as mother my put it, if I wanted that, I'd wait until the movie became available for me to watch on my television screen at home.]
So, we unilaterally agreed to see Captain Marvel at a regular movie theater with a huge screen. The whole appeal of the dinner movie theater was lost on us. We found it distracting. I guess some people don't want to be entirely immersed in the movie? I do. That's the whole point of going to the theater. Hello.
On to the review...
One thing the theater did that was different -- was instead of previews or other news items. We had news items, footage, and movies related to VICE, including SNL skits, news footage, etc. I found it confusing at first, and wondered if the movie had started. I've no clue if this was specific to the theater we saw it in or specific to the movie.
Vice directed by Adam McKay, produced by Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, and various others. Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carrol...
Is it good. Yes. (Although in desperate need of a good editor. I liked The Big Short much better. Also the Big Short was a bit more even-keeled and less politically divisive in tone.)
It's very similar to the Big Short, which is a weird hybrid of documentary and fictionalized bio-pic, with various in-between little explanations on things. If you didn't like how the Big Short was done, you won't like this. I happened to LOVE how they did the Big Short. Also it reminded me a little of how they do "Legion", and if you had issues with that -- you won't like this. (I loved it -- that sort of thing really works for me. As does the Good Place which sort of does the same thing. I find it hilarious and highly informative. If only this were the way they did lectures in school -- I'd have learned a lot.)
Another problem with the film -- if you are conservative and a fan of Bush, Regan et al -- you most likely will hate this movie. [ETA: I read some reviews last night -- and everyone universally agrees that Christian Bale and Amy Adams were amazing, but that the film is rather biased against conservatives and Republicans in particular.) I honestly cannot imagine many of my co-workers watching it and/or various extended family members. It deftly and with an insane amount of detail eviscerates the Republican Party from Nixon through George W, Bush -- the only one who sort of gets off unscathed is HW Bush. I think, not sure, Mckay respected Bush Sr. It speaks a wee bit too much to the choir, and not enough to the congregation -- the Big Short was better in this regard and a tad more objective.
Also apparently Lynn Cheney went to my old alma matter, Colorado College. Although McKay ditches CC -- by stating it's no Yale. (It started out life as a Women's College, it's not any longer.) I found this hilarious, I think cjl had no idea why I was amused. (I laughed at a lot of things in the film that no one else did.) Both Cheney daughters went to CC -- I already knew that. Liz Cheney was a year behind me apparently. No, I never met her.
But it is not really a satire. I thought it was going to be a satire. But it's not really. It's more of an unauthorized and heavily slanted mockumenatry bio-pic hybrid. It does do an excellent and somewhat chilling job of explaining what the Unitary Executive Act is and how it came about (another thing to leave at Justice Antoine Scalia's door.) This grants the executive branch unlimited power in war time, the ability to do what it wants. What Cheney figured out is that the Vice President has power in the Senate and House -- in that he can break a tie in the Senate. He can float between the Executive Branch and the Legislature. Basically as VP, with Bush Jr as President, Cheney was able to effect a lot of policy as a ghost -- add to that his ties to corporate America, such as Haliburten Oil.
The movie didn't tell me much that I didn't already know from elsewhere. And for the most part the information it provides is factual. McKay did his homework. Much like he did with Moneyball and the Big Short. In fact he did so much research and homework that he felt the need to wedge it all into this movie. (I felt overwhelmed with information at one point, most of which I already knew.)
The cast is amazing. Christian Bale loses himself in this role and manages to convey the wicked intelligence of a man who is vastly underestimated by everyone around him, along with his vulnerability and the deep affection and love he felt towards his family. Amy Adams as Lynn Cheney is his equal and partner throughout. She too disappears in the role. As does Sam Rockwell -- who really does channel Bush Jr. You forget it is Sam Rockwell after a bit. Steve Carroll is the one weak link as Rumsfeild, who he plays with a bit too much mockery -- I was aware that I was watching Carroll throughout.
And while the movie was spot on at times, and highly entertaining at others...it meanders. I wanted to edit it. I remember thinking at one point...how long is this movie? It's taking forever. There's one too many references to fly fishing. Yes, yes, we get it -- he's reeling in the catch. And a wee bit too much focus on the early years. Also some confusing jumping between segments. Also we get the credits four times -- LOL. Once in the very beginning in a sort of psuedo 1960s style old movie reel version, then at the end of the first half -- which is rather cool actually, and would have fooled me if I hadn't already seen the trailers, and then at the end, with a brief bit after, then at the end of that. By that point I had to pee again and left cjl to watch all of them in peace.
Overall -- it's a good flick. I do recommend seeing it. I wish that it was a little less pointed in it's point of view -- in that I would live conservatives to see bits of it, and maybe change their minds. But it's not going to change any conservatives minds, piss them off, yes, change their minds, no. And afterwards, it reminded me of how divisive the United States has become over the years. There's mock focus group on the film showing just how divisive.
Would I have nominated it for an Oscar? Maybe. I haven't seen that many great movies this year. But I don't know...I find it difficult to rank movies or give awards to them. They are their own thing.
Vice - B+ or A-
Nighthawk Cinema - C-