The Amateur (what to expect)
Scorecard, Wes Anderson, IYCMI Pod
There were so many trailers and movie premiere announcements, and Sinners (next week’s scorecard movie 👀) debuted at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes this week?! Maybe the Cinema gods are giving us a little extra to keep our spirits up as the wide, wide, wide world of planet Earth seems to be in a never-ending state of flux. And maybe the arguably best two performances of Michael B. Jordan has ever given will bring stability. Let us know your favorite Michael B. role in the comments!
Here is what we got for you today:
Concession Stand Scorecard: The Amateur
Watchlist Worthy: Wes Anderson is at it again
ICYMI: The White Lotus & Other TV Shows #053
This week’s movie - The Amateur
Letterboxd Description:
Don’t underestimate him.
After his life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack, a brilliant but introverted CIA decoder takes matters into his own hands when his supervisors refuse to take action.
Best Watched With
Your quiet friend who is probably capable of a lot more than they let on.
End credit thoughts
We would have loved more action for a spy/action/thriller, at least more than what we get from the trailer. It watches like a toned-down Jason Bourne meets Law Abiding Citizen. The Amateur focuses more on the character of Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) and his inner turmoil than the external battle. The movie does get the mind spinning as the story unravels, but don’t think too hard about it as it starts to fall apart. We enjoyed it more by letting it be what it is rather than thinking ourselves into a corner to nitpick what doesn’t make sense.
Rami Malek is no stranger to the tech-computer-hacker world and offers a good introverted decoder turned assassin. He knows his limits when it comes to cold-blooded killing, so he stays within his wheelhouse of tech, science, and intellect when it comes to hunting down his wife’s killer. Charlie Heller (Malek) is easy enough to root for; they get you emotionally involved, keeping you invested in the story.
Lawrence Fishburne is always a powerful presence regardless of the role or the movie, and Jon Bernthal has been appearing everywhere (ironically named “The Bear” in this one).
The locations are a highlight of this movie. As Charlie progresses in his vengeful plan, he takes us through the UK and Europe. Filming on location in England, France, and Turkey elevates and adds authenticity to scenes. What’s a spy movie without traveling to at least three other countries and hearing a minimum of five languages?
We always want to see an underdog fight for an unexpected win, and while The Amateur does have the structure and elements of a good spy movie, something is missing to make it a must-watch in theaters. By the end of it all, the juice does not feel worth the squeeze.
Enjoy this one when it comes to streaming.
The Phoenician Scheme by Wes Anderson
Look. Have I 100% loved every Wes Anderson movie since The Grand Budapest (2014)? No. Some even not really at all (maybe I need to give them a second chance with a second watch?). Will I watch every single Wes Anderson movie ever made, regardless? Abso-freaking-lutely.
The man is a genius and one of the great modern auteurs. If I don’t enjoy a movie of his, that’s my problem, not his.
And have we ever gotten a drunk Michael Cera speaking with an accent in a Wes Anderson movie before?! Even if the rest of the cast weren’t so STACKED, imbibed Norwegian Cera would be enough to have me seated for this one.
-Jp
Letterboxd Description:
Dark tale of espionage following a strained father-daughter relationship within a family business.
Also Directed by Wes Anderson:
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
The White Lotus & Other TV Shows #053
🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube
Eric, Kelly, and Josh dive into chaotic discussions about various TV shows, including 'Yellowjackets,' 'White Lotus,' 'The Studio,' and more. Key highlights include debates over the quality of 'Yellowjackets' seasons, detailed breakdowns of White Lotus plot intricacies, speculative theories about upcoming episodes, and humorous tangents about movie editing processes and character arcs.
The episode is filled with impassioned opinions, humorous disagreements, and light-hearted banter as they cover multiple storylines and predict dramatic conclusions.
Tune in next week for | Sinners
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