Conclave (what to expect)
Scorecard, Names for Festivals, Luca's got another movie, HP pod
Halloween and Christmas movies seem to take up all the discourse and debates this time of year. Where are the subreddits on the best Thanksgiving movies?
🎂 Happy Birthday to our Sweet Friend, Chandler (11/3), whose favorite movie is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. 🎂
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: Conclave
Temp These Takes: Imaginary film festivals
Watchlist Worthy: Luca takes Bond to Mexico
Pod Drop: Get ready for Hogwarts ⚡️
This week’s movie - “Conclave”
Letterboxd Description:
What happens behind these walls will change everything.
After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could lead to its downfall.
Best Watched With
Friends and family from across the religious and political spectrum—a thrill for all.
End credit thoughts
We were a house divided going into this. All of us will forever sing the praises of Stanley Tucci, but there was hesitancy going into this one. Our worry was in vain because Conclave proved to be a masterclass in storytelling.
The process of electing a new pope doesn't sound like material for a mystery/thriller, but each word exchanged adds layers of complexity, every action taken adds gravity, and every decision from the filmmaker pulls the tension tighter and tighter and tighter until it snaps; leaving us with more than a mouthful to chew on for the next several days.
We were immediately immersed in the mysterious, ancient ritual. The score and editing pulling us in close, making the death of the pope feel personal to us too. Emotions are high, the grief is palpable, and yet there is work to be done. We are gently led straight into the stress-inducing process that will determine the future of a near 2,000 year old institution.
Stanely Tucci could give a captivating performance watching paint dry, but it's Lord Voldermort himself that carries the burden of being in the spotlight of this dialogue-driven spectacle. Fiennes' performance is firmly held up by every powerful performance of the supporting cast.
With an ensemble cast of this caliber, direction has to be spot on. Edward Berger handled it with precision. It seems he brought the intensity from his previous project All Quiet on the Western Front to the Conclave; packing the discourse with lead and wrapping it in a full metal jacket.
If you're on the fence because this one deals with subject matter of religion and politics, it's a dance that is well worth coming off the fence for. We were captivated throughout, and it left us with an unexpected ending that made it all the more thought provoking.
If you want the immersive experience, as if you are in the Conclave with them, you'll want to see this one in theaters.
Go see it on the big screen.
Watch the trailer here
Make up a film festival only using your first name:
Sarah
Spy Kids (2001)
Arrival (2016)
Remember the Titans (2000)
Air Force One (1997)
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Eric
Evil Dead (2013)
Rain Man (1988)
It (2017)
Cabin Fever (2002)
Josh
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Once Upon A Time… in Hollywood(2019)
Sound of Metal (2019)
Her (2013)
Up in the Air (2009)
A Knight's Tale (2001)
New Mexico Drew
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Whiplash (2014)
What’s your take? Hit Reply or leave a comment below and let us know!
Queer Directed by Luca Guadagnino
I did not have TWO Luca Guadagnino movie releases on my 2024 bingo card, but I am sure as hell not complaining. Guadagnino made me a believer in 2017 with Call Me By Your Name and Challengers (2024) is one of my top 5 watches of the year so far.
Guadagnino has proven himself to be a top tier director in his own right and always chooses stellar actors to work on his projects. Queer looks like it will be no different when it comes to the quality of his work. Uniting with some familiar faces he’s worked with with new ones has my attention.
Writer Justin Kuritzkes, cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, and composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross all worked on Challengers with Guadagnino. So we can bet on the writing being intriguing, the visuals to dialed in, and the score to be moving (the Challengers score is one of my favorites and stuck in my head seven months later).
I am thrilled to see Guadagnino directing Daniel Craig and Jason Schwartzman. I have not seen much with Drew Starkey but in Luca Guadagnino I trust.
Keep an eye out for this one.
-JP :)
Letterboxd Description:
In 1950s Mexico City, William Lee, an American expat in his late forties, leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival in town of Eugene Allerton, a young student, stirs William into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.
Also Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Challengers (2024)
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Bones and All (2019)
Starting this Sunday, November 3rd (also Daylight savings ends 👀)… The Medium Project: Harry Potter ⚡️
We will still be occasionally releasing other episodes during the week, but for the next seven Sunday there will also be a Medium Project episode covering the book to movie adaptation of the Harry Potter series.
If you’re an OG these are re-runs from the other channel but it’s no longer spooky season and we are no into holiday season and, for some, Harry Potter is perfect for Fall/Holiday/Winter season.
We are excited to continue bringing the Medium Project format to this channel! If you’re asking what the hell is the Medium Project?! Check out this post! 👇
Tune in next week for | Heretic
Follow us on:
Instagram: @_sweetandcondensed_
TikTok: @SweetAndCondensed
Youtube: @SweetAndCondensed
Follow us on Letterboxd:
@justjoshperez
@ericharrison
@kellyharrison
@newmexicodrew