Daliland (2023)

Young man working in an art gallery ends up acting an assistant to Salvador Dali during his preparation for a gallery show in the mid 1970's. 

Let me say it at the start Sir Ben Kingsley is the reason that DALILAND is worth seeing. Kingsley gives a towering performance  that has him disappearing completely into the role. Watching him early on in recreations of TV appearances I thought they were using the actual footage. This maybe Kingsley's best performance in years. Certainly it's the first in a long time where he is full invested in the proceedings. I would like to think that Oscar will notice.

The film itself is okay. A more or less standard issue biography that hits all the right notes. While there is nothing wrong with the film, there is also nothing exceptional either. It never goes the extra mile to be something that isn't just among the pack of dramas released this year. Blame it on a good cast not being anywhere near the magnificent central performance- kind of like anyone who was actually around the real Dali disappearing within his aura.

My reservation of the film as a whole, Kingsley is as good as he's ever been and as such is worth the time to see the film.

MENUS-PLAISIRS – LES TROISGROS (2023)

Frederick Wiseman's latest is a four hour investigation of the titled Michelin 3 star restaurant in France. It's a look at the the people and farms that help make it run.

Wiseman's films are not for everyone. Some people don't like the  observational style. People either turn off at the the lack of "action" or the fact that Wiseman doesn't judge, he just shows us life and lets us observe. You have to want to people watch and do so in "real" time. Recently Hubert Vigilla and myself had a discussion about Wiseman's films as to what ones worked and what didn't.

Here you need to have to want to see what goes into the running of a restaurant, beyond just cooking the meals, since this isn't about food any more than Wiseman's earlier CRAZY HORSE is about the nude female dancers.  

For me this is a middle of the road Wiseman film. While definitely up to the master's high standards, the film didn't quite click with me (hence the brevity of this review). Blame the fact that the film mirrors a good number of films on restaurants that I see each year. I've seen variations on this any number of time over the last few years so the wonder of seeing anything other than the specifics wasn't there, especially when it runs for so long.  Yes the film is good and yes it brings the best of other films' views together, but it never grabbed me because it was too familiar territory.  

Definitely worth a look if the subject or the filmmaker interests you, but your mileage may vary.

Magnum 578 (2022)

Maybe among the many people in the world my father doesn't stand out but to me he is the greatest - end epigraph

When a long range trucker has to send his little girl to school, he promises to be home every ten days. Unfortunately he quickly regrets doing so when he discovers she has been kidnapped by a rich pervert. He then begins the long battle to find who took her and get her back.

Very messy action film looks great, has kick ass action sequences and gibberish for a script. Seriously the script is really bad. It has a the barest notion of a plot, no real characters just archetypes, and nothing to hang the fights on. Nothing is explained it just happens - often just to keep the film running to its 90 minute run time. I rewatched the first 15 minutes three times just because I was certain I missed something. 

Nope.

If you want a plot you can skip this film.

On the other hand if you like action this film is for you. The fights are really well done and they keep you watching. (and make you wish for the promised sequel)

For me this was a miss. (Though I love the epigraph it ends with)

Anselm (2023)

Wim Wender's returns to 3D film making with a look at artist Anselm Kiefer. More visual record and or essay then straight forward biographical documentary, the film is kind of like wandering through Kiefer's installations as he does the same thing.

I have spent several days trying to figure out what to say about the film. One part of the film is a cursory biography. Another part is staged version of him working on his early works, while at the same time we get to see him working on his current pieces. We go to his workshops which are like installations. We go through the books he has made. And we wander through the "museum" and surrounding lands he works out of. The through line is roughly his life as seen in his art.

It's a work of art about works of art.  How you react to the various pieces of art - and since Kiefer's work changes over time  your reaction will change over the course of the film. Mine did.

I'm not going to pretend to understand what much of the art is. My feelings are all over the place and hindered by not being certain about what some of it is or what exactly he is referencing. I'm going to have to go through the film again once I do some reading. 

And don't let that scare you- just go see the film and experience it with no preconceived ideas. let the art hit you in the face and make you react. I find this is always the best way to experience art since it produces a genuine reaction.

I'm going to be honest and say I don't know if the entire  film needed to be 3D. Yes much of the second half is improved by it since it gives us a sense of space, while some of the first half seems to have been filmed as it is simply because the later part was going to use it.

An addendum is when you see this make sure it's at a theater that knows how to project 3D and has a bright enough bulb. Even though the screening room I saw the film did have a bright enough bulb- the images still seemed a bit dim.

In the end I liked ANSELM, despite the fact I find it truly hard to express my feelings and thoughts since it is so subjective. I liked that it opened up my eyes to an artist I really didn't know about. 

Worth a look.

MAY/DECEMBER (2023)

Natalie Portman plays an actress who goes to visit Julianne Moore, who is playing a woman who had an affair with a 7th grader, and then eventually married him.

High melodrama has thrilled many, but really didn't work for me. I never warmed to the mix of high drama and black comedy. It was much too artificial for my tastes The film is constructed to make us uncomfortable,  but at the same time the construction is so artificial I never connected and I could see the wheels going and director Todd Haynes desire to poke us in the eye. 

What's worse is I don't think Haynes get's the balance of serious and satire right and some of the high drama seems like satiric comedy, we laugh when we should cringe. I think this is the reason that some people I know who saw this in the recent theatrical run said there was inappropriate laughter in places. They were blaming an audience who didn't know how to react to the style Haynes used, but I think it's more he didn't get the tone right.

I should add that what doesn't sit well with me is the intense feeling that Haynes seems to be sitting in judgement on everyone on screen. He is a disapproving god who seems to be making fun of his characters. I dislike the feeling of condescension he has for the people on screen almost from the first frame. Worse Haynes doesn't really want us to feel anything for the characters or the situation but wants us to gawk at the train wreck like it's a circus sideshow.

I dislike this film to the point that I'm glad I didn't see it at the New York Film Festival since I would have walked out.  While I did watch  the film on Netflix to the end, it was simply because I felt obligated to do so because of year end voting and wanted to see Charles Melton's performance.

In the end I was disappointed and I was left wondering what many are seeing in this film.

When Evil Lurks (2023)

Profoundly disturbing horror film concerns two bothers who discover that someone on their land is pregnant with an unborn demon and about to give birth to beast. Instead of dealing with it in the right way, they try to move it off their land and set up an infection that begins to destroy everyone and everything.

This film is a hellish nightmare. Truly a descent into the darkness it is absolute proof the the scariest films are not coming from Hollywood.

I don't want to discuss what happens, all I will say is that pretty much all of it is wrong and will have you talking to the screen. Basically this is an f-ed up film and if you don't want to to know don't go see it.

I loved every minute of the film because it gets you right in the guts from first frame to last.

Highly recommended- this is a must for horror fans.

Help David Bornstein make ZITS

The awesome director David Bornstein is coming back with a new twisted film called ZITS. He’s looking  for some people to help back the film so that it can get made.  If you are fan of twisted horror you are going to want to splurge and throw some money David’s way (and get cat pictures in the process).

The description of the film on the Seed and Spark website is as follows:

“ZITS is a body-horror dark-comedy film about the terrors of narcissism, a throwback to the EC Comics brand of cosmic justice in short-form horror storytelling. This is ultimately a cautionary tale of how an addiction to rage and empty validation leads to a fate of literal destruction.”

(There is a more detailed listing of the plot but I don't want to spoil the surprise)

To be honest I could make jokes about how the money would be better spent on getting David some good therapy, but the truth is I want to see his films so I’m not going to have anything to do with locking him up because his manias are best shared cinematically…

Jokes aside David Bornstein is one of my favorite directors working today. When ever I get an email from him I am delighted because it means he’s made a new film and I’m going to experience something unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. And I do mean they all one of a kind, since other than his films being poisoned confections, he doesn’t repeat himself  which makes him a truly rare filmmaker. David in a man who should be making big ass film or TV series for  huge loyal audience.

You need to back this film- even for a couple of bucks (this is especially true if you like cat pictures since one of the lower tier rewards is getting cat pictures sent to you. Why go on the internet when David will just sent them to you?)

I could wax poetic about his work like THE PERFECT BREAKFAST, THE KING’S BETRAYAL or UNHOLY ‘MOLE, if you’d like, but they are in the past and what matters is the future- David has a new film coming and it needs to be financed.

Please do yourself  me  a favor and plunk some money down we need to see what the next film is.

If you can afford to throw a few bucks down go to https://seedandspark.com/fund/zits#story and you’ll get some more details on the film and a look at the nifty rewards.

Trust me you won’t regret it and David will send you cat pictures.

Invisible (2023) plays Thursday at CCFC x GBFC Film Festivus for the Holidays.

Ryan Nunes' INVISIBLE needs to be turned into a feature. Its a small gem  that has a big tale to tell.

The film tells the story of Riley, a young woman suffering from fibromyalgia. For those who don't know fibromyalgia is a nasty disease that puts those inflicted into terrible but invisible pain. You hurt like hell for no visible reason. The invisible nature of the disease causes many people not to understand what some one is feeling since  they can't see what's wrong. As a result it can be difficult to hold a job since attacks can keep you out for extended periods.

Nunes' film deals with all of that. It's a film that briefly sketches what people with invisible pain go through. Its a moving film that begins with a long monologue that lays it all out and then it goes from there.

The real truth is not only has Nunes made a great little film, but he has the seed of a great feature. Having friends with fibromyalgia I know he has gotten it right, and I also know that people haven't told this story before.And if they have I'm guessing it wasn't this full of humanity. Nunes really should try to expand this.

Until then we have a gem. It's a got a great story and a deeply moving performance from Madison Shmalo who does the near impossible- she makes up feel and understand

See this film.

Your Fat Friend (2023) opens Friday

Aubrey Gordon, who gained notoriety on line anonymously posting as "Your Fat Friend", publishes her first book and  goes out on the road to face her fans and trolls.

I could relate to some of what is in this film. For those who don't know me in real life, I'm a big guy or as Gordon would call me, fat.  I've experienced much of what Gordon talks about regarding how people react to seeing a big person. I've had the body image talks, the helpful friends and the trolls (I actually have, or had, a rude troll who would post comments to "fatso Steve" who would trash my reviews and my person. I know it was someone who knew me in real life because there are very few pictures on me on Unseen, so it was someone who just wanted to be mean...but I digress).

For those who have always been thin this film will clue you in to what it can be like being "fat. Ms Gordon beautifully explains what it's like to be plus sized in a way that will give you real understanding. More than once I said "yup I know from where she speaks".

I should point out that as eloquent as Ms Gordon is her experience is not everyone's. I said I experienced some of what Ms Gordon talks about while I having different ones as well. This is a conversation starter if you want to have one, to the be all and all statement on the subject. 

Personally I'm not as obsessed with my size as a should be or as Ms Gordon is and while I liked the film as a discussion of size, the real joy here is in spending time with Ms Gordon. She is a delightful young woman and is exactly the sort of person you'd want to hang out with and shoot the breeze with. I love that director Jeanie Finlay let's us get to know Ms Gordon as a person. Yes she is some one talking about body image but the the truth of it is that she is such a wonderful person getting to spend time with her is good for the soul - she is a friend.

This was one of the must sees at this year's Tribeca, YOUR FAT FRIEND is an informative delight.

Rustin (2023)

Colman Domingo gives an Oscar worthy performance as Bayard Rustin, the man who changed the world for the better by helping Martin Luther King  and by planning the 1963 March on Washington.

The question I have is why hasn't there been a film made of the life of  Rustin before? I suspect it might have to do with the fact that he was an openly gay man and he didn't fit the Hollywood mold about it being a subject that will play well in Peoria. Rustin was an incredible man who was largely kept to the side of most other films on the Civil Rights movement- and it's high time we get a screen portrait of one of the great men of the 20th Century.

While the film doesn't have many bells and whistles outside of the cast, RUSTIN is still a deeply moving film. More than a trip into the events that lead up to the March on Washington, the film is a portrait of the soul of a good man who wanted to do the right thing, even if it meant he had to heartbreakingly stand in the shadows. Being an out gay man meant that it was used against the the Civil Rights Movement so he repeatedly had to side step the spotlight that should have made him a greater hero.

I was moved.

The reason to see the film is Colman Domingo as Rustin. The performance is alive in ways that you rarely, if ever, see. Domingo disappears into the role leaving nothing of himself behind. I was amazed that anyone could put that much of himself out there emotionally. I watched whole scenes repeatedly just to watch how Domingo brought the man to life through gestures, looks and vocal inflections. This is as good as acting gets. It actually puts Michael Caine's notion of acting being in the eyes and puts it to shame- acting is in the soul.

I loved this film, with my only complaint being we didn't see more of Rustin's life and achievements.

Highly recommended

The Three Musketeers: Part 1 D'Artagnan (2023) opens Friday in the US

Before I get to discussing the film proper there are two things you need to know:

First this really is the first part of a two part film. I say this because there is a cliffhanger ending.

Secondly there is a brief mid-credits sequence that isn't required viewing but simply priming the pump for part two.

With that out of the way.... 

Martin Bourboulon's version of THREE MUSKETEERS has the basic framework of the story and the main characters from the novel, but it radically rewrites the story into less a romance and more a political action film. 

You should be warned that there are lots of changes to the details to the story to the point that the novel's plot has been greatly added to with Athos being framed for murder and an assassination plot involving his brother being shoe horned in. On its own terms the plot mostly works, but if you are looking something as faithful to the novel as the Richard Lester films look elsewhere. If you can just go with it the cast, the look and the incredible action will make your heart sing.

To be honest the problem with the film is that there is too much going on. There are too many plot threads to the point that things frequently feel under explained. The creation of a number of characters wobbles things are well since we really don't know who many of them are or why they are there.  I suspect that they will come to play in the second part (which opens in France a week after this part opens in the US). And because so much of this is new we can't crib understanding from earlier versions or the novel.

Until I gave myself over to the film, about the time of the duel scene ("but I'm fighting him"  "At Noon"), I wasn't sure what I thought of the film. However once the musketeers become four friends I was hooked, I was like "to hell with it" and I just went along  since I effectively had to do that with Paul WS Anderson's and Peter Hyams versions of the story. You simply have to let this film be it's own thing.

As I said above the action sequences rock. The duel sequence is magnificent, as are all the others.They are so good I want to see them on a truly huge screen. If nothing else the action keeps you watching because you want to see the next great fight.

The cast is across the board great with my only negative comment being I think some are under utilized- but we'll see if that's still the case with part 2.

And having to wait for the second part is a problem. Instead of ending in a sequence similar to the Richard Lester film, this film pushes on to end with a kidnapping cliffhanger. We are left hanging, which is fine in that we know part 2 is coming, but is also disappointing because until the second part really arrives we are left twiddling our thumbs to see how this version comes out.

As it stands now I kind of loved this film on its own terms. It is imperfect and not the novel, but that's more than okay.  My feelings for the film may change after I see the second part so expect a review for the second film when I see it and then another piece concerning the whole things. 

Definitely recommended if you like swashbucklers and even more so if you can see this on the big screen.

Poor Things (2023) opens Friday

Yorgos Lanthimos version of Alasdair Gray's novel is the current front runner for the Oscars. Set in a steam punk version of the 19th century the film tells the story of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman who was resurrected by  Dr Godwin Baxter (Wilem Dafoe). We watch a as Bella goes from being a child and turns into a woman. Told with Lanthimos' sense of bent reality and silliness the film is destined to be talked about for decades.

I liked this film. Its a hell of story that seems scattershot for a while until it starts to pull itself together into a deeply moving story. It's also a film that is weakened by some of the choices the director made.

 

The problems with the film are largely do to Lanthimos' choice of always being off kilter. He insists on playing a lot of this for laughs, and while its very funny, it frequently under cuts the emotion. There is a point where the silliness should have fallen away. I should have gotten misty not giggly at the end. It's not fatal, but it is lessening.

Additionally the film has a couple of bumps in it;s construction. There is a tendency to repeat certain tropes over and over (Bella's customers for example- we don't need to see as many as we do) and at other times details are left out or are unclear (Where was the ship going since its headed to Athens, ends up in Alexandria and the couple are dumped in Marseilles) don't get enough time with certain characters- particularly those who knew Bella when she was Victoria. 

Of course most people won't care, they will simply love the certain to be award winning delights.

This film is going to win almost every technical award under the sun. The world the film creates is magical. The costumes and in particular the sets are just pure joy. The moment when we get to Lisbon and see that we aren't in our world is one of the truly great reveals in cinema. 

The performances are going to dominate the acting awards.  Dafoe, Ruffalo and especially Stone are certain to be nominated if not win every award.  Stone's performance is beyond words. It's an arc of a life and I have no idea how she fashioned it, especially if this wasn't filmed in order. How did she know which degree she needed to be at? It's destined to be a career defining performance.

The real reason that the film works is because of the  spine of the script. The tale of a woman growing up and becoming her true self is a strong one. Its one that we can relate to because in its way it is the arc of our lives. The fable like quality to the details (say having people who want us to be something we are no loner) is  what makes it so universal. This is a script whose construction will be studied.

You all should see this film because it;s really good- though be warned it is full of sex and graphic gore.

(Addendum- Hubert Vigilla has suggested that POOR THINGS should be double featured with BARBIE and he is absolutely right)

The Activated Man (2023) Dances With Films 2023

THE ACTIVATED MAN is about a man dealing with the grief of losing his best friend as well as his dog. He suddenly finds that he is being hunted by a mysterious figure known as the Fedora Man.

I'm not sure what I think of this film. One part horror film, one part self-help film, it never gets the balance quite right. The film lifts riffs from any number of mysterious stalker films (Freddy, Candy Man, ect) and mixes them with notions of self-help. The solution to being something to do with finding inner strength. Apologies if I'm not entirely forth coming but I kind of drifted off.

While not bad, the film is more superficially interesting (it looks good, has a great cast and has a couple of good ideas), the reality is film lifts too much from other places from other places and doesn't dress them up enough to seem new.

Worth a look for horror fans.

Zombie Wedding (2023) Dances With Films New York 2023

A New Jersey couple decide to marry despite it being the zombie apocalypse and he is a zombie and she is a human. Of course the tabolids are there and we see everything through the eyes of a film crew from the Weekly World News.

This low brow comedy is either like the humor that you enjoy or you its something that is going to make you crazy. It's the sort of thing that you you know where the jokes are going to land. That isn't always a bad thing but after a while I kind wished it tried to be a little more clever instead of repeating similar jokes about the differences between zombies and humans.

What saves the film is the cast  who play it more or less straight and sell it to the point that you are willing to go with it even though the film isn't doing anything new. Hell, anything that Kevin Chamberlain can never be all bad.

Though thinking about it, I think I would have liked the film more if it was played straighter and less like a live action cartoon.

OUR SON (2023) opens Friday

Long entrenched couple (Billy Porter and Luke Evans) find their relationship cracking over the strain of life and how best to care for their son. As the relationship breaks will they be able to do what is best for their son?

Very good family drama is entertaining despite being somewhat by the numbers. We've been here before any number of times and thanks to a killer cast this film always makes it compelling viewing. Luke Evans and Billie Porter knock it out of the park as the couple at the center of the drama. They are clearly enjoying each other's company so much that it's hard to imagine that they would ever break up. Even during the arguments you see the love in their eyes for each other and you find it hard to see how they would leave each other (Watch the final scene and the way they look at each other).

As much as I enjoyed this film it isn't all that remarkable except that it marks the moment where Hollywood has given us a story of a break up where the fact that the couple at the center is gay and no one anywhere in it blinks. Years ago this sort of film would be Oscar bait and involve lots of hand wringing because it had a gay couple. Here it just is and we are better for it. (And honestly it's such a non issue that I didn't want to mention it, but some of the promotional material mentioned it)

And  please forgive my kvetching, but the film is being inflated for Tribeca. Frankly I just wish I had be able to see it with out the hype and take it for what it is, a lovely tale of family break up

Worth a look

District of Second Chances (2023) Dances With Films New York 2023

This is a look at several people in the District of Columbia who were sentenced to life sentenced at a young age and were given a chance to get our under program to give them a second chance.

Every year I get a offered a lot of films about crime and punishment. There are tons of films on all sides of criminal justice, however this is the first one that I've seen that not only looks at a program to get people second chances and to follow them for more than a short time.  I could be wrong, but this was the first time I really got a sense of the program and the people in a way that no other film ever gave me.  I love that we really get a sense of change that the men made to be able to be released. I really felt as though we were getting a full portrait of everyone.

This film was a joy. It's a hopeful portrait of a program we need to consider across the country.

Recommended 

SPACE BABY (2023) Dances With Films New York 2023

SPACE BABY is a one of a kind film. Seemingly aimed at kids its full of adult notions about life and the universe. It is a one of a kind do it yourself fantasy with more eye candy than ten Hollywood films.

The plot has Sam, a young boy, getting the blueprints for The Holy Grail, a walkie talkie to the universe. Aided by an older ex-baseball player, a six year old girl and a bunch of lady bugs Sam works to save the universe.

Jam packed full of kitsch and whimsy  this film is going to delight many. In its way, it a perfect kids film in that it looks like something a kid might make. The sweetness and saccharine nature of some of it will no doubt turn off neigh saying adults, I think many people, those young at heart, will warm to SPACE BABY’s considerable charms.

Is it perfect. No. It’s a little too sweet, and little too jammed with things and ideas- which while not really bad, does result in a kind of sensory overload.

Worth a look.

TALLYWACKER (2023) Dances With Films 2023

Jeremy Dubs and Chris Goodwin play versions of themselves in TALLYWACKER, the story of two friends in the titled band, who find their friendship is tested when one of them is asked to go on the road with a well known star.

TALLYWACKER is the best film that I've seen from this year's Dances With Films New York. It's also one of the great finds of the year. Full of great music, witty lines and characters you want to give a hug to despite of their being dicks. I smiled from start to finish.

Dubs and Goodwin make a winning pair. They have the ease with each other that only good friends have. You feel it bleeding off the screen. It doesn't seem like acting. Actually the whole cast is that good. Everyone feels like they are the actual people. The relationships feel genuine.

Everything in this film feels spot on. the characters  are people. The wisecracks aren't forced. The music feels organic.  In its way this is the perfect film in that it captures the essence of life even with all the rough edges.

What I love about the film is that you like everyone, even the jerks. Dubs' character can be a dick (there is even a song about it) but you still like him.  In an age where people are trying to make films where we are forced to like unlikable people (I'm looking at you SALTBURN)  but where other films use tricks TALLYWACKER just lets everyone be themselves and as a result we find something to love about them.

This film is an absolute joy.  It's one of my late 2023 favorites.  I can't wait to see it again.

Highly recommended.

FIRELINE (2023) hits VOD December 5

FIRELINE focuses on three firefighters ( Justin, Riley, and Travis) from the Cal Fire Lassen-Modoc Unit of fire fighters in California, and their  experience fighting a megafire for 36 hours. (And the reality is they didn't stop for another 24 making for a 60 hour shift)

Once we get out into the field this is a frightening film. The filmmakers are truly there on the front line and what we see will scare anyone with any sense. Sure it looks eerily beautiful, but at the same time we should not be having these fires happen. Yes there is climate change and it is making things worse.

I was raised as a fire kid. My dad was a volunteer fireman and for many years I wanted to do that for a living. Because of that I was drawn into this film. I wanted to see it because some part of me is still fascinated by those who fight fires. As such this film really impressed me.

Of course if you aren't a fire kid this film will impress you since the images are hypnotic. They are so impressive I wish this was getting a theatrical release instead of a VOD one.

See this film- and try to do so on the biggest screen possible.

First thoughts on Godzilla Minus One (2023)

First thoughts on GODZILLA MINUS ONE which I saw earlier today.

In 1945 a legendary monster   rises from the deep and destroys a base set up to repair broken kamikaze planes.  A surviving pilot returns to Tokyo and tries to get back to life with a woman and baby he meets along the way. When the monster returns in an even more dangerous form the pilot must step up and fight for the future.

Simply put this is one of the greatest films in the 70 year history of the Godzilla series. To be certain the film is overly melodramatic (it's intentional and there to heighten the emotion), but it contains some of the greatest sequences in the series (and thus cinema history)  and it is a kick ass meditation about hope and the future.

I don't know where to begin or how much to say. There is so much here and I am still piecing it all together. 

I have to say that Godzilla's first appearance is the greatest first reveal in the series.

I love how the film plays our emotions. The film is structured as a melodrama. The structure is there to make us hyper aware of the emotion and the themes. Notions of  survival, of survivors guilt, of the role of the Japanese government in the war, the FU attitude of the US government toward the Japanese people,  the notions of the family and the celebration of humanity to fight on when it counts are all rolling around in this film. By increasing the emotion director Takashi Yamazaki forces us to confront more than just the giant lizard. 

In an age where Hollywood makes films that are full of false nostalgia in order to get knee jerk reactions and to fill the box office I love how this film doesn't really use nostalgia until it finally finds the perfect moment and hits the volume level to eleven. Since the film is essentially a stand alone there aren't many references to the earlier films, and almost all of them are fleeting. However there comes a moment when film goes all in, with the score kicking in the door when the final battle between Godzilla and the humans begins in earnest and  the emotion soars as the music of Akira Ifukube fills the speakers.  It is one of the greatest needle drops I have ever seen.

I love this film and I can't wait to see it again.

I will be returning to talking about  this film when I finish processing it.

Until then just go see this film