Nebraska

The movie Nebraska doesn’t hit like a ton of bricks. Almost everything about it, from the title sequence to Bruce Dern’s performance to the final scene, is subtle. And it wasn’t until the day after watching it, as I was explaining the movie to my family, that I really felt the total impact of the film.

The underlying premise of the movie is the strained relationship of a son (and his mom and older brother) with his elderly father who is battling ‘old age’ (whether it’s dementia or Alzheimer’s, we’re never quite clear) and a life-long drinking issue – which he doesn’t think is an issue. “Beer ain’t drinkin’.” As family members talk about the dad like he’s not there, I couldn’t help but think about my own dad, who is mentally and physically healthy but turned 71 the day I saw the movie, and my father-in-law who died from complications due to dementia in 2012.

Watching the family’s struggles made me think, “How would I handle this?” Would I think it a nuisance? Or would I take some sort of action, like the compliance of Will Forte’s character? It also made me wonder how much the father really was there, as he seems to get what he actually wants by the end of the film.

Two things from the movie were not subtle: the cinematography, and the one-liners from supporting actress, June Squibb… both nominated for Academy Awards. The black and white scenes showing the contrast between the beauty of the countryside and the starkness of the town play a big part in the film. And June’s straight-talking character of Kate Grant adds comic levity and color to a bleak situation. In the end, even the love she has for her husband is shown in a subtle gesture.

Gravity, Dallas Buyers Club

with the future and outer space represented, it was nice to settle into good ol' texas. Gravity is obviously an effect landmark. it was interesting how un-3D the 3D looked. and i liked that. it was subtle and did not get in the way of the action or be the action. nice how water on earth became her space and nearly took her out. it should have. rising from the ashes was a little much. meanwhile, mcconaughey seemingly dropped in from outer space and carried a reasonably good movie on his back. but it wasn't just the weight. it was his energy and recklessness, and the subtle ways in which his character and his prejudices evolved. he deserves all of the accolades. jennifer gardner was out of place here. the pleated pants were not enough to frump her down.

Her

I saw it a week ago, and Her gets better with age. it has hung with me. the inventive next logical steps in what we have embarked upon keep me thinking and wondering how close we are to that reality. and the 30 minute segment where Phoenix and samantha are becoming friends, where she best him out into the world, talking, laughing, smiling,  is the best part of the movie. to me more affirming than anything at the end. and Jonze's creation of the future world was beautifully analog, no CGI. the more i think about it the more i feel that S Johansson as the voice was the wrong choice. we all know that voice and what that voice looks like and to me that confuses the questions of attraction, friendship and love.