Ryan Gosling: Still Got it After Four Years of Paternity Leave!
*Special* Friday Movies Reviews - The Gray Man & NOPE
While we all emotionally process Beyoncé’s new album that dropped at midnight last night, I’m over here clanging my bell begging for attention!!!
Like Instagram, I am trying out something new — an occasional extra post that’s a little shorter and just focused on a “review” or two! [“Review” in quotes just like crypto bros should put “investor” in quotes!]
You can see my regular weekly post HERE—where we break down JLo’s wedding, Bradley Cooper’s girlfriend, and a TON of exciting new trailers. But today, there’s no “In the News,” no “Listening,” no “Reading.” Just two movies that I really enjoyed that I think you might, too. :)
First, though, I have a movie question for all of you, dear Readers. I watched The Gray Man on a recent flight after trying for the umpteenth time to get through Mamma Mia—to no avail. [I am sorry to say that, ABBA bangers and Christine Baranski notwithstanding, it’s honestly horrific!]
But here’s the question: Do you guys have any go-to airplane movies? Are you a New Releases person or more drawn to the familiar comforts? Is there a movie you’ll ALWAYS watch if it’s available?
On that same flight that I watched Mamma Mia and The Gray Man, Ben watched Ratatouille, Rush Hour, and Casino Royale—in that precise order! Choices were made!
Leave a comment and let us know your personality via airplane movies. 🎥✈️
Now on to the “reviews.” [Not to jump the gun, but NOPE was mind-boggling!!]
THE GRAY MAN on Netflix
This is a Man’s Man’s version of a rom-com between Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, and I am buying!! It’s also a movie about how people who went to Harvard are d*ckheads! Again, definitely buying!
[Sorry to all my Harvard-grad Readers, of which I am sure there are MANY.]
Is this an “excellente filme”? No!! This is a world where text messages can be deciphered from a reflection on a pair of reading glasses six feet away! Where you can get hit by a speeding train and then run a mile with your hands cuffed! Where twelve-year-olds say with a straight face, “You’re the only family I got”! I loved it!
Should they kill dozens, if not hundreds, of civilians to save one teenager’s life? Honestly, no. But Ryan Gosling sure will! And he will say funny quips while he does it!
Also, Chris Evans as the most gross-o villain is doing it all: too-tight clothes, no-show socks, Harvard assholery—he is chewing up this role, and we love to see it. Dare I say, a better villain than the *other* Chris in Spiderhead??
If you like the familiar tropes of a big action movie + great actors at the helm, you’ll have fun with this. Nothing more, nothing less.
Thank you to Ryan Gosling’s children for giving him back to us after four long years.
NOPE in theaters (aka KEKE PALMER PREEMINENCE!!!!!!!!)
*NO SPOILERS*
The Gray Man is a fun caper you can have fun with.
NOPE is ✨FILM✨ WRIT LARGE. *extremely Nicole Kidman voice* This is what we come to the cinema FOR!!!
If you love a cinematic experience, you ABSOLUTELY must run-not-walk to go see this in theaters and honestly in IMAX if you possibly can. Because, yes, this is the first “horror movie” shot in IMAX, and it’s S - T - U - N - N - I - N - G. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The vistas, the imaginative *things* they created, the Western aesthetic in a modern movie. Truly, I feel like I visited a new world, and it stuck with me.
ALSO: I put “horror movie” in quotes because I feel like the main hesitation about this movie is that it might be “too scary” — which I respect because my mind is a TEMPLE.
But y’all. We live in a post-Game of Thrones world! If you watched Game of Thrones, you can handle Jordan Peele. Trust me, I think. This movie, more than his other two, is very reminiscent of a Steven Spielberg or an M. Night Shyamalan. Pure invention, delightful bits of humor, and incredible performances from award-winning actors.
Lastly, I hope that Keke Palmer wins every award. If you think you’re not familiar with Keke, you are! She’s been acting since childhood and played the titular character in Akeelah and the Bee. She also went viral when she didn’t recognize Dick Cheney (start video at 3:10) and said, “Sorry to this man,” which is now American vernacular.
She’s a superstar, and this movie is her superstar vehicle. Thank you, Jordan Peele!
If you, like me, love scrolling fabulous outfits, please join me on her Instagram feed to enjoy all her press tour fashion.
Love, love your reviews always!
Still haven't seen NOPE because of my anxiety buuuuuut I'm being slowly convinced and will absolutely message you if/when I do. Nicole Kidman's soothing voice beforehand may help me.
The Gray Man sounds completely up my alley how have I not watched yet?? Give me all the action movies that are absurd yet work.
At the risk of sounding like a total asshole, I usually read on planes instead of watching anything. Lemme catch up on the library book I've renewed six times now.
Crazy Rich Asians ! It's perfect because if I can't hear it (because of loud flying reasons) I know the words. And if I fall asleep (always a goal while flying) I know how it ends (happy!).