January Meme

( first 19 days of January Meme )

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I'm enjoying Peaky Blinders. I think I've fallen for Cillian Murphy's character, but want to strangle Sam Neil(on the other hand it's hard to hate him - it is same Sam Neil.)

Was thinking about this the other day - and have realized that most of my favorite actors are either British or well, not from the US. I don't why that is.

Peaky Blinders is a BBC/Netflix production.

Menu Film Review

Just finished watching the horror satire The Menu on HBO, it's currently streaming on HBO Max.

This film was critically acclaimed, and highly recommended by Chidi. (Chidi hated both the Glass Onion and Nope. I liked the Glass Onion, have not seen Nope.) Petz on my correspondence list - hated The Menu. So it's gotten mixed reviews.

It's a bit too...clever for its own good? Satire is hard to do well, and American film makers tend to go over the top regarding it. As my Dad used to state - they lack subtlety - instead they punch you in the face with the satire. My Dad hated that. And I take after him in that department.

It's a concept over substance piece. Feels like one of those meta or gimmicky horror films that is kind of self-indulgently clever? Reminds me a little of Cabin in the Woods, except I liked Cabin better. And is bit too on the nose in the satire department. Wouldn't call it scary, nor is humorous, outside of maybe one scene. Just kind of...blah? In short, plot and characterization are sacrificed on the altar of thematic concept. These types of films tend to annoy me for the reasons stated above. I don't like satire that jumps up and down and says, "look at me! Aren't I clever? I'm SATIRE!"

I did laugh once. There's an absurd bit, where he tells all the men to run, so his staff can catch them.

The characters are underdeveloped and kind of one note. They aren't important. Nor is the plot, which is kind of simple. Also, Ana Taylor Joy is beginning to feel very one note in her performances - she has the same wide-eyed angry look in every film that I've seen her in to date. Can't say Ralph Fiennes is much better, not that he has much to work with. Nick Holt and Judith Light, along with some of the supporting cast did the best they could with very little to work with. [The other actors of note in it are Nicholas Holt, Raf Fiennes, Judith McTeer, Judith Light, and John Leguizmo.]

The set-up? A young couple, Margo Mills (Ana Taylor-Joy) and Nick Hoult's character (whose name I forget), travel by boat to a remote island restaurant, the Hawthorn, off the coast of Massachustus. You can only get to this remote and prestigious restaurant by boat. And it's invite only. Many of the guests have been to it more than once. The Chef has been featured on television and in magazines as among the best of the best. Celebrated in fact. Twelve guests are invited to the restaurant. It is post-COVID.

The chef has a special five course meal planned, and the menu is specifically prepared for the guests. Each guest researched and invited specifically for this menu.

It soon becomes clear that the chef has nefarious intentions for his guests, and his staff is in on his plan.

( Spoilers or I watch it so you don't have too )

I found it dumb. I'd skip it. Glass Onion in my opinion was more enjoyable.
This reminded me a little of White Lotus, which I also found boring.