Michael Keaton is back. Or was, in 2023 for a shining moment, in a crime/thriller film which he directs and stars in, and which debuted on Max (think: HBO) a few weeks ago.
I have no idea how I had never even heard of Industry until you posted this. I started watching season 1 and I'm hooked. As you know, I watch slowly, meaning I don't binge, so we'll have to discuss season 3 at the old-folks home over some strawberry jello at my pace.
I was a big fan of the original Time Bandits and am a Taika Waititi fan, so I'll likely give it a shot, but at the same time... (see above comment about TV viewing speed).
I did read Where'd You Go Bernadette? and Richard Linklater is in my top 3 favorite directors, yet somehow I never saw the film. It got fairly negative reviews, but I want to be a completist so I'll see it eventually. I listen to a podcast called The Big Picture and they recently discussed the films of Sidney Lumet, who is another favorite director. Lumet directed something like 50 feature films and the hosts had all seen more than 40 of them and could discuss them in detail! I wanted to punch them in the face! To make matters worse, they all have kids and mortgages and other podcasts -- how the fuck are they finding time to watch 20 feature films scattered across 20 streaming services? No, I'm not jealous. I'm exhausted. Okay, and jealous.
A little sneak peak: You include a wonderful Mazzy Star clip in your post. I'll be featuring them in my next post, so stay tuned!
My dad has had dementia for the last couple of years, but his neurological condition recently fell off a cliff. Shortly after his most recent hospitalization, I watched Knox Goes Away, and, well, it hit home. Michael Keaton does an incredible job showing how high-functioning but declining adults (for lack of a better term) put in a tremendous amount of effort keeping up appearances to hide their deficits from those closest to them. Mr. Keaton hasn’t been this vulnerable in a movie since Clean and Sober. Why did we let him disappear from movies for twenty-some-odd years? Regardless, we need him now.
Andrew, thx for sharing. Sorry to hear about your dad. Dementia is incredibly hard and taxing on family members. The ♥️ breaks.
It’s so fascinating to hear that Keaton’s portrayal is so accurate. I imagine since this film was directed by him too it was a subject he felt passionately about. I’ve missed him. There’s something so honest and smart about him in all his work.
As quickly as it was on the Prime queue it was off. I had to search for it when I watched it. I find some of these streamers to be baffling in “user first”’or user centric experience but I’m reminded that it has more to do with the distribution companies and studios having control of the prioritization of films and shows vs the users! If it were up to me “continue watching” would always be accessible “above the fold” content as it’s the thing I want to do when I come in and second to that recommendations of new things I’d watch based on my behavior.
I might watch Knox Goes Away just for the character of Suzy Nakamura now with that character description!
For the weirdest film I ever watched:
1) Happiness by Todd Solondz comes to mind. Especially that I saw it without knowing anything about the plot with some friends in a bar that was showing movies for free every week. I remember I convinced a few new people to join us and their reaction after the movie was everything.
2) I used to attend a short film festival in my home town and they always had those experimental showings. I still remember this one short film that was just following a squirrel with some pop Thai music in the background. It wasn't the weirdest film of the showing by any means but it was just hilarious for some reason. I've been looking for this film for years and have been unable to find it.
These are awesome weird choices. Thx for sharing Aurelie!
I didn’t even remember “Happiness” but yeah what a weird movie !! I’ve been in the situation before of dragging friends / family to films. My little sister still hasn’t forgiven me for all the Austen fare of the 90s I made her watch
This is so good, and not just because you mentioned me! I look forward to seeing this Michael Keaton film. For father/daughter films, have you seen "Gifted" with Chris Evans? And another film featuring a misunderstood, but ass-kicking middle-aged woman: "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri".
Thanks! I haven’t seen “Gifted” but it’s Chris Evans so that needs to change. I loved “three billboards” - recently saw a scene from this film come up on my Instagram feed because you know, algorithms!
I have no idea how I had never even heard of Industry until you posted this. I started watching season 1 and I'm hooked. As you know, I watch slowly, meaning I don't binge, so we'll have to discuss season 3 at the old-folks home over some strawberry jello at my pace.
I was a big fan of the original Time Bandits and am a Taika Waititi fan, so I'll likely give it a shot, but at the same time... (see above comment about TV viewing speed).
I did read Where'd You Go Bernadette? and Richard Linklater is in my top 3 favorite directors, yet somehow I never saw the film. It got fairly negative reviews, but I want to be a completist so I'll see it eventually. I listen to a podcast called The Big Picture and they recently discussed the films of Sidney Lumet, who is another favorite director. Lumet directed something like 50 feature films and the hosts had all seen more than 40 of them and could discuss them in detail! I wanted to punch them in the face! To make matters worse, they all have kids and mortgages and other podcasts -- how the fuck are they finding time to watch 20 feature films scattered across 20 streaming services? No, I'm not jealous. I'm exhausted. Okay, and jealous.
A little sneak peak: You include a wonderful Mazzy Star clip in your post. I'll be featuring them in my next post, so stay tuned!
Yay to all of this and the “industry” stuff!! I wrote more about it in today’s post. So excited for this season!
And can’t wait to hear more about Mazzy Star and your story. What happened to her is why I want to know
My dad has had dementia for the last couple of years, but his neurological condition recently fell off a cliff. Shortly after his most recent hospitalization, I watched Knox Goes Away, and, well, it hit home. Michael Keaton does an incredible job showing how high-functioning but declining adults (for lack of a better term) put in a tremendous amount of effort keeping up appearances to hide their deficits from those closest to them. Mr. Keaton hasn’t been this vulnerable in a movie since Clean and Sober. Why did we let him disappear from movies for twenty-some-odd years? Regardless, we need him now.
Andrew, thx for sharing. Sorry to hear about your dad. Dementia is incredibly hard and taxing on family members. The ♥️ breaks.
It’s so fascinating to hear that Keaton’s portrayal is so accurate. I imagine since this film was directed by him too it was a subject he felt passionately about. I’ve missed him. There’s something so honest and smart about him in all his work.
Had never heard of Knox Goes Away until now! I’m going to check it out 😊
Will be watching Knox! Also thanks for the Space Cadet reminder. I remember seeing the trailer, but then somehow losing track of the film.
I’m not surprised.
As quickly as it was on the Prime queue it was off. I had to search for it when I watched it. I find some of these streamers to be baffling in “user first”’or user centric experience but I’m reminded that it has more to do with the distribution companies and studios having control of the prioritization of films and shows vs the users! If it were up to me “continue watching” would always be accessible “above the fold” content as it’s the thing I want to do when I come in and second to that recommendations of new things I’d watch based on my behavior.
I might watch Knox Goes Away just for the character of Suzy Nakamura now with that character description!
For the weirdest film I ever watched:
1) Happiness by Todd Solondz comes to mind. Especially that I saw it without knowing anything about the plot with some friends in a bar that was showing movies for free every week. I remember I convinced a few new people to join us and their reaction after the movie was everything.
2) I used to attend a short film festival in my home town and they always had those experimental showings. I still remember this one short film that was just following a squirrel with some pop Thai music in the background. It wasn't the weirdest film of the showing by any means but it was just hilarious for some reason. I've been looking for this film for years and have been unable to find it.
These are awesome weird choices. Thx for sharing Aurelie!
I didn’t even remember “Happiness” but yeah what a weird movie !! I’ve been in the situation before of dragging friends / family to films. My little sister still hasn’t forgiven me for all the Austen fare of the 90s I made her watch
This is so good, and not just because you mentioned me! I look forward to seeing this Michael Keaton film. For father/daughter films, have you seen "Gifted" with Chris Evans? And another film featuring a misunderstood, but ass-kicking middle-aged woman: "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri".
Thanks! I haven’t seen “Gifted” but it’s Chris Evans so that needs to change. I loved “three billboards” - recently saw a scene from this film come up on my Instagram feed because you know, algorithms!
Great round up. I need to save this for reference. 🥰
I’m looking forward to watching “Knox.” I love Michael Keaton, and had no idea Al Pacino is in it too. Hoo-ah!
Thx Chris! It was a welcome surprise seeing Mr. Hoo-ah himself in it. Love Pacino.