ONE || Hereditary
Considered by many as “scarier than The Exorcist,” Hereditary seemed like a can’t-miss horror film, so it was on my list. Let me preface this review by admitting Brian and I disagree whole-heartedly.
I did not like this movie, and while it is very difficult to watch, it isn’t necessarily scary. Disturbing, yes. It’s not meant to be “enjoyed” per se, but the acting is phenomenal. Toni Collette, in particular. The last half of the movie goes off the rails and into strange territory.
Definitely go see it, if you’re into that sort of thing.
TWO || Ocean’s 8
I was so excited for this and had such high hopes.
They were dashed, unfortunately.
This A-list cast never gets to grow as characters or even portray their individual personalities. A movie that manages to take Sandra Bullock, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, and Cate Blanchett and turn them into boring, one-note characters is not a good movie. They all have zero charisma. And I just wanted to shove Sandra Bullock’s hair behind her ears the whole movie.
Anne Hathaway steals the show without a doubt. Her character is horrible and hilarious.
The movie itself is very slow, and for a heist movie, there’s very little drama or suspense. It kind of hangs at one level throughout, and there’s this big reveal at the end that falls flat.
I loved Ocean’s Eleven growing up, and this just isn’t as strong.
THREE || A Long Day’s Journey into Night
Featuring Jeremy Irons and Lesley Manville, this Eugene O’Neill play is deep and dark. It is a 3-hour, four-act play that just digs in and keeps going.
FOUR || They found the next Janis Joplin
This 13-year-old performed on America’s Got Talent, and she’s basically Janis Joplin reincarnated. Her name is Courtney Hadwin, and you better learn it, love it, remember it because you will hear it again.
FIVE || SAMAN með Coca-Cola
It’s World Cup time, y’all! I don’t really care about all that, BUT Coca-Cola approached Iceland’s goalie, Hannes Thor Halldorsson, to direct a commercial for the brand (apparently tiny Iceland drinks more Coca-Cola per capita than any other nation).
To my knowledge, this commercial is this professional athlete’s first crack at directing.
It gave me chills. For reals.
What you need to know going in: Iceland has been a soccer minnow since they have a small population of just 325,000, but a decade and a half ago, the country decided that wasn’t going to stand in their way. Cut to 2018, and they’re in the World Cup. The team has been winning games and produced some of the best players in the sport. Thus, the “Viking Thunder-Clap” was born. It’s what the fans do in the stands (and probably at home and around the world). It’s a boom boom clap sort of thing (think Queen).