One Day in Edinburgh!

In 2014, I spent one extremely busy day in Edinburgh while visiting my cousin, who was living in London at the time. I could have spent significantly more than one day roaming around the streets of this beautiful Scottish city. Thankfully, the city is configured in a way that makes it quite easy to get to major sites.

FAST FACTS

HISTORY: There is a long history of tension and hostility with their neighbors to the south. Scotland remained politically independent until 1707 when they combined with England to form Great Britain.
POPULATION: ~5 million people
LANGUAGE: English. Scots and Scottish Gaelic are also spoken in Scotland
RELIGION: Christian (59.5%), Muslim (4.4%), and Hindu (1.3%) are the three predominant religions.
CURRENCY: British Pound (GBP). As of this post, 1 GBP = 1.29 USD

TRAVEL

I wanted to maximize my single day in Edinburgh, so I made sure to get an overnight flight from Chicago. I arrived around 6am, affording me the perfect opportunity to fight off jet lag by tackling this wonderful city head on. 

Usually the first thing I do when I land is find the nearest ATM to withdraw some local currency. I find that ATMs have a better exchange rate than airports, banks, currency exchanges, and hotels. Plus, they're easily accessible and convenient. 

The next thing I look for is the best mode of transportation to where I'm staying. In Edinburgh, this meant finding the bus that took me to Waverley Train Station, located a short walking distance from my accommodation.  

ACCOMMODATIONS

I stayed at Castle Rock Hostel (fun fact: this was the first hostel I ever stayed at). It's highly rated on both TripAdvisor and HostelWorld. You cannot find a better location for a hostel. As the name suggests, it sits right next to Edinburgh Castle. Being near the castle means you are at one end of the Royal Mile. This main thoroughfare in the Old Town section of Edinburgh offers numerous shopping and dining experiences. At the opposite end of the castle sits the Scottish Parliament building. The hostel is also within short walking distance to a number of pubs and restaurants. 

As far as the sleeping arrangements, I was in a dorm with seven other individuals. Castle Rock provides a small locker for storage at the end of the bed. The bed was comfy and my roommates were respectful. It was extremely cheap ($14.25) considering the phenomenal location. 

FOOD

 

After arriving at my hostel and storing my luggage until my bed was ready, my attention turned to breakfast. There was only one place that I considered: The Elephant House (pictured above). Harry Potter fans will know it as the birthplace of Harry Potter since this is where JK Rowling is known to have penned the classic series. She was inspired by the Edinburgh Castle, which can be seen through a window in the back dining room. The food consisted of the usual breakfast items, but the real attraction is the view of the castle from potentially the very same seat that Rowling used as she wrote her masterpiece. 

My other major meal of the day came at the Hard Rock Cafe (pictured below) for dinner (I know, I know. Not the most Scottish meal). I actually met a fellow traveler from Illinois earlier in the day during my adventures, and we decided to stop there for a drink. I also make it a point during my travels to frequent Hard Rock Cafes so I can collect their uniquely painted, guitar-shaped magnets. 

Later in the evening, I made a point to do some pub hopping around Grassmarket. The World Cup was going on, so it was a wonderful opportunity to experience the passion for football in a European setting. Note that I said "football" in that previous sentence. I learned very quickly to not say "soccer" in Europe. You will be ridiculed thoroughly, and any opinions you may have had about the sport become quickly invalidated.


EDINBURGH CASTLE

Edinburgh Castle was my first stop on my Scottish adventure. Originally thought of as a strategic stronghold, Iron Age peoples claimed the spot. Since then, it has been home to armies and monarchs. You are able to walk around the castle and see many of the places where soldiers have fought and died, as well as places where kings and queens have occupied. 

The castle still functions as a military location, which means there will be parts of the castle that are off limits. You'll also see active Scottish military around the castle. There is a cannon firing (see below at 2min mark) every day (except Sundays, Christmas, and Good Friday) at one o'clock. I spent about three to four hours here roaming the castle grounds. If you're interested in history, then I'd plan on no less than three hours.

HOLYROOD PARK

Arthur's Seat is the name of the peak atop this surprisingly formidable hill that is a short walk from the castle. The challenging part of this hill is the sharp increases in elevation. There is also a fork in the path: left is more challenging while the right has a simpler slight incline. At the top, you are treated to incredible views of Edinburgh. You might want to bring a jacket, as the top of the hill can be very windy!

BEST PLACE TO REFLECT ON YOUR TRAVELS

Even during my busy twenty-four hours in Scotland, I was able to find two main spots to reflect on this amazing city. The first was during my hike, looking out over the city and all of the wonderful history that has taken place on this land.

The second was in a pub while watching Costa Rica play the Netherlands in the World Cup. It was quite an environment! Dutch supporters were cheering loudly while wearing their customary orange clothing. While watching the game, I was approached by a couple my age who struck up a conversation. It began by them complimenting the United States' football team for advancing in the World Cup, but I couldn't help asking a question about the Scottish state of affairs at the time.

In 2014, just months after my visit, Scotland was set to vote on a referendum that would enable them to break from the United Kingdom and become an independent nation again. I took this opportunity in the bar to ask someone my own age about their thoughts regarding this political situation. The resulting discussion became one of the best conversations I've ever had in my life. He went on to describe the complicated nature of being a Scotsman working in England and the challenges that presents. Ultimately, he came to the prediction that Scotland would vote 52% NO to 48% YES for independence. The final vote was not far off at all. Scotland voted 55% NO to 45% YES.

Learning from a local about their country was a formative moment in my traveling life. I strive to have meaningful conversations with locals, keeping an open mind to their points of view and earnestly learn about where they're from.

Downhill - Movie Review

While watching this movie, I came to one unquestionable truth in my life: elderly people are decidedly worse in theaters than young children (who answers their phone mid movie?!? Rude!). Despite the rough theater experience, I put that aside to give this movie its due attention.

FACTS FIRST

Reported Budget:  N/A

Opening Domestic Box Office: $4.6 million (4 day total)

Opening Worldwide Box Office: N/A

Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score: 40% / 11%

Cinema Score: D

End Credit Scene: No

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

Directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash bring this R rated comedy/drama remake of Force Majeure to theaters. The movie focuses on the strained relationship of Pete (played by Will Ferrell) and Billie (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus). A traumatic event during the family ski vacation causes a rift in the couple that makes everyone around them (including their kids) very uncomfortable.

This movie falls somewhere between a comedy and a drama, which hurts the film in my opinion. The comedy never really hits and ultimately distracts from the serious tones the movie tries to establish. I feel like most people come into this movie expecting pure comedy because the two leads are talented comedic actors. If you're expecting Elf or Veep performances, then you will be disappointed.


OVERALL RECOMMENDATION

This film was less than ninety minutes long but felt like it was over two hours. I would have liked them to stick more to a serious tone, challenging the more comedic nature of the leads. I think Julia delivers the best overall performance of the movie by fully committing emotionally. There are some wonderful shots of the Alps. My favorite part of the movie might have been a quick cameo by Kristofer Hivju (Tormund from Game of Thrones) who plays a safety officer at the ski resort.

My Rating: C-

SPOILER REVIEW

I'm not really sure whether they wanted to make an Alps version of Marriage Story or a family version of Eurotrip. Early in the movie, they establish an uncomfortable tension between our featured couple by having Billie tell Pete to get off his phone and be more present in the moment. This is immediately followed by them meeting Charlotte (played by Miranda Otto) who, I guess, works for the resort. Maybe? It's never really established what her role is, other than an eccentric, very liberal, and very comfortable-in-her-own-skin European stereotype. She constantly brings up being nude in hot tubs and various sexual experiences.


I could maybe let one caricature of a typical European slide, except later in the movie we meet Guglielmo (played by Giulio Berruti). Guglielmo ends up giving Billie a private ski lesson that inevitably ends up with him seducing her in a secluded cabin. 


The main point of tension in the movie comes when there seems to be an avalanche rushing toward a restaurant where the family is sitting. Billie puts her arms around the children as Pete grabs his phone and runs from the table. She believes that he abandoned her and the kids to die so he could save himself. In reality, the avalanche was a controlled measure by the resort that results in a dusting of snow on the tables of the restaurant.


Pete attempts to avoid talking about the matter by either deflecting or inviting a work friend, (who happens to randomly be traveling through Europe at the same time) to dinner. The tension builds to a moment when Billie (in front of the work friends and his girlfriend) explodes on Pete. Billie even brings the children into the middle of the conflict so she can prove her point. 

Billie and Pete decide to spend some time apart over the next couple days. Billie has her excursion with the attractive European ski instructor while Pete has an awkward day with the kids who feel he abandoned them. Pete takes his solo day to ski with his work friend, resulting in an afternoon of drinking heavily. 

Ultimately, the movie ends with Billie faking an injury on a ski slope, enabling Pete to play the hero. Billie does this so the children will see him in a better light going forward, but she warns Pete that he needs to be a better husband and father. Right before the end of the movie, as they're packing a car outside the resort, some snow from the roof falls, splitting the couple. There's an intense stare between the couple before it cuts to black.

That's it. That is the movie. Outside of the Americans-abroad-dealing-with-wacky-Europeans comedy, there really aren't many laughs to be had. As I left the theater, I heard several people say how disappointed they were with the film, which is reflected in that 'D' Cinema score above, as well as the horrific audience score. Personally, I wanted more from this film and was left quite unsatisfied.

Sonic the Hedgehog - Movie Review

Sonic and I go way back. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of me playing the old SEGA Genesis games with my dad. Since it began my love of gaming, I had to check out the movie.

FACTS FIRST

Reported Budget: $90 million (original budget)

Opening Domestic Box Office: $68 million (4 day total)

Opening Worldwide Box Office: $111 million (4 day total)

Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score: 64% / 94%

Cinema Score: A

End Credit Scene: Yes (See Spoiler Review)

NON-SPOILER REVIEW

Not a lot to review here as the movie was barely over an hour and a half long. I put "original budget" in parenthesis because the movie overhauled the animation of Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) after the first trailer came out. Fans of the popular video game character were not happy with the original design, but seem much happier after the redesign, as evidenced by the A Cinema score. Some estimates have the redesign inflating the budget to as much as $125 million! 

The movie itself is rated PG and definitely caters to a family crowd, especially if you have young children. The movie follows Sonic and small town cop, Tom Wachowski (played by James Marsden), as they spend most of the movie on the run from Dr. Robotnik (played by Jim Carrey). Carrey brings his usual quirky style of physical comedy, along with some sharp tongued word play, to this role. If you're a fan of Carrey, then you'll enjoy watching him work in this film. The movie does have nods to the video game franchise, which I can get into more later in the spoilers, but I think they'll please a lot of fans.

OVERALL RECOMMENDATION

Is the animation great? No, but it is good enough to not distract me throughout the movie. The plot and dialogue are definitely geared more towards a younger audience, but the nostalgia from the games will win over a lot of older fans. My rating falls in line with the Critics/Audience score. Critically speaking, not the best movie, but very enjoyable from a fan's perspective.

My Rating: C+

If you're a fan of Jim Carrey, the Sonic games, or have young children, then I'd recommend the film. If none of those apply to you, then I'd pass on it.

SPOILER REVIEW

The movie begins with a young Sonic having to flee his home world (that looks familiar to gamers) by using a golden ring, which can teleport the user to new locations. You see him struggle with loneliness as his need to keep himself and his powers hidden competes with his desire for companionship. Eventually, his frustration boils over, and he lets off a massive electrical blast that alerts people to his existence. 

Dr. Robotnik attempts to capture the rambunctious hedgehog for his own sinister goals. Sonic's ability to generate energy (giving him incredible speed and the electrical discharge potential) can sustain Robotnik's army of machines, enabling them to go faster, longer. While trying to escape Robotnik, Sonic loses his sack of golden rings. Tom finds Sonic and eventually agrees to help save Sonic from the evil doctor.

One of my favorite scenes in the movie happens towards the end when Sonic uses his golden rings to escape from Dr. Robotnik, teleporting to different locations around the word. Sonic running through the Great Wall of China evokes memories of special stages. There's also a point where Sonic runs up the side of a pyramid in Egypt toward a golden ring at the pyramid's point. I also enjoyed the scene where Sonic effectively ends a bar fight by racing around at super speed, disabling every combatant as they seem frozen in amusing positions. 

The final showdown certainly brings back memories of those SEGA boss battles: Robotnik in a large flying drone and Sonic aggressively spinning while hitting the drone repeatedly. That's not where the game similarities end though. The two credit scenes really hit the nostalgia hard.

There's a pre-credit scene that happens right after the title card at the end of the movie. It features Dr. Robotnik abandoned on a mushroom planet, finally beginning to look like the iconic crazed super villain we've come to love. The mid-credit scene features another familiar Sonic character, Tails, who comes to find the iconic blue hedgehog. 

After a mediocre movie that barely registered any level of real interest or enjoyment, the ending and the credit scenes had me leaving the theater actually wanting a sequel. Apparently I wasn't the only one. The cinema score and the box office numbers indicate people are leaving the theater very pleased. I'm sure Paramount is thrilled since they spent all the money redesigning. Hopefully, for Sonic fans, the success of this movie means a sequel is sure to follow. 

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn - Movie Review

What would have surely been one of the top ten longest movie titles of all time recently just changed its name to Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey. Regardless, here is my full review of the latest DC movie.

FACTS FIRST

• Reported Budget: $84.5 million
• Domestic Opening Box Office: $33 million
• Worldwide Opening Box Office: $81 million
• Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score: 79% / 80%
• Cinema Score: B+
• End Credit Scene: Yes (See Spoiler Section)

NON-SPOILER REVIEW!

Director Cathy Yan and Producer/Lead Actress Margot Robbie bring the latest installment of the DC universe to theaters with a R rating. The movie isn't a hard R like Deadpool or Logan. There is some language and lots of violence (though not much blood or gore). This could have easily been a PG-13 rating and stayed largely the same movie. 

The story follows Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie) after her breakup with the notorious clown prince of crime, the Joker. She narrates portions of the film, filling in backstory on characters and places. Harley eventually becomes the target of a wealthy Gotham crime lord named Black Mask (played by Ewan McGregor), leading her to enlist the help of fellow female powerhouses: Black Canary (played by Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Huntress (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Cassandra Cain (played by Ella Jay Basco), and renegade cop Renee Montoya (played by Rosie Perez). 

Full of color, spectacle, and bombastic performances by Margot and Ewan, the movie doesn't cheat you on entertainment value. Where it might mislead is the "Birds of Prey" part of the title. This is largely a Harley Quinn film; while the rest of the ensemble is obviously a part of the movie, I left the theater wanting more of their stories and team up moments. 

In regards to some of the more technical aspects of the film, the movie itself looks very similar to Suicide Squad. It can be dark and gloomy at times with Harley providing the burst of color and personality. If you remember, Suicide Squad, somewhat controversially, won an Oscar for Makeup and Hair in 2017. We're only in February, but I wouldn't put this movie in the awards hunt for any Oscar category.

 
OVERALL RECOMMENDATION

Since the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight series, DC has struggled to consistently produce quality movies. Sure, standouts like Wonder Woman exist, and Aquaman made over one billion dollars, but these tend to be outliers. Movies like Batman v Superman, Justice League, and this particular movie's predecessor, Suicide Squad, have all fallen well short of expectations. 

That means there are a lot of viewer assumptions and preconceived opinions to hurdle. However, it also provides for a lower bar of excellence to clear. Ultimately, this movie achieves what Suicide Squad should have been: a grounded, street-level look at the city of Gotham while simultaneously poking fun at itself. 
 
My Rating: B-

This movie is definitely worth a look, but you could probably wait for Redbox or streaming.


SPOILER REVIEW!

Bruce the hyena was awesome! That's it. That's my spoiler review.


In all seriousness, Bruce the hyena does provide the most emotional moment in the movie; when Harley's apartment gets half blown up, Harley grieves for what she believes is her dearly deceased pet (fret not! Bruce lives!).

As for the rest of the movie, we learn very early on how Harley is dealing with her breakup from the Joker (not well). We also learn that by dating the Joker, she had a certain level of invincibility which has now completely diminished. The rest of the movie is then a cycle of people attempting to harm Harley, only to have Harley find some inventive and chaotic escape. Except when it comes to our main villain - Black Mask.

Black Mask is introduced as a caricature of a villain. He is eccentric, seemingly aloof, and really hates snot bubbles. Yet there is a dark, controlling, malicious side to him as evidenced by when he believes a woman is laughing at his failure to strike a deal. He then makes her dance on a table as her boyfriend is forced to rip her clothes off of her in the middle of a crowded night club. This is the first time where female direction shines through by showing just how disturbing this male driven humiliation can be. 

The Black Mask is after a particular diamond that was once owned by a prestigious mob family in Gotham and is the key to their fortune. Harley is forced to find the diamond (which was swallowed by Cassandra Cain after stealing it) or meet the unenviable fate of having your face carved off by Victor Zsasz (played by Chris Messina). This is a much better premise than that of Suicide Squad, where they needed to somehow inexplicably beat a supernatural witch. 

Through Harley's adventures of trying to get the diamond, she begins meeting those who inevitably become the Birds of Prey. This is where I begin to have some issues with the movie. The characters themselves are fascinating, but we barely spend any time with them. Huntress gets the worst end of screen time; she only has brief and sporadic scenes through the first two-thirds of the movie.

Cassandra Cain is also a point controversy, as her character gets reduced to a young, but skilled, pickpocket. Cassandra has appeared as Batgirl in comics, making this quite a demotion in abilities. If I had to edit down the film, it'd be the scene of Harley walking through the police station, blasting officers with canisters of confetti in order to free Cassandra. It goes on for a bit longer than you really need. 

The final fight scene is excellent, taking place in an abandoned amusement park full of fun and quirky obstacles. Each member of the team is FINALLY allowed to showcase their full abilities in a team setting. Cathy Yan creates a nice, unique break in the fight so Harley can give Black Canary a hair tie. 

The end credit moment in this movie isn't a "scene." It's a Harley Quinn voice coming over the Warner Brothers logo. She acts surprised that you're still here in the theater, then decides to make it worth your while by telling you a story about Batman. However, the story gets cut off halfway through her first sentence, leaving you desperately wanting to hear the rest.  

Overall, this runs into some of the problems that Suicide Squad has in regards to building a team. in my opinion, Guardians of the Galaxy has been the prime example of how to construct a team from a bunch of virtual unknowns. This may be why DC decided to hire James Gunn to direct The Suicide Squad coming out in 2021. 

I think the poor box office is indicative of low audience expectations heading into the film due to the lack of success elsewhere in the DC movie universe combined with an unnecessary R rating. Lots of Harley Quinn fans are teenage girls who are unable to see it on their own. Despite Harley being a character of questionable moral integrity, it is important for those girls to see a team of strong, independent women fight for equality and respect in a male dominated world.  

DC may have beaten Marvel to a full length feature film involving an all-female super group, but even in the minimal time Marvel dedicated to their heroines in Infinity War and Endgame, there was a higher emotional impact, done in a significantly more organic way.

Three Days in Singapore!

Three days in Singapore is NOT enough time to fully explore this amazing island city off the tip of Malaysia. I recently visited during July 2019 while in route to my friend's wedding in the Philippines. Here's my breakdown of this small and thriving nation.

FAST FACTS

• HISTORY: Former British trading colony that became part of Malaysia in 1963. Singapore then gained independence from Malaysia two years later in 1965.
• POPULATION: Roughly six million
• LANGUAGE: English (37%) and Mandarin (35%) are the two predominant languages
• RELIGION: Buddhist (33%), Christian (19%), and Muslim (14%) are the three most common among  Singaporeans.
• CURRENCY: Singapore Dollar (SGD). As of this post, 1 SGD = 0.72 USD

 TRAVEL

I don't do well with long flights anymore, so my solution (coming from Chicago) was to spend a few days in Hawaii on the way to Singapore. Even from Hawaii, it was a long day of traveling. It was about eight hours to Tokyo and another six to my destination. While in Singapore, my main mode of transit was using the app Grab (the country's version of Uber). Grab was  consistently reliable in Singapore without any issues. The drivers were generally very kind and helpful with suggesting local spots.

The picture above is the world's largest indoor waterfall located at the Jewel in Singapore's Changi airport. The massive airport have been ranked as the best airport in the world for seven consecutive years!


ACCOMODATIONS 

Since I had a long flight to southeast Asia from the United States (including the rough time change), I made sure to arrive in Singapore at night so I could appropriately sleep off any jet lag. I stayed at the Rendezvous Hotel Singapore, which is centrally located for a reasonable price. The hotel itself was great! It had a pool (pictured above) that was never busy, which made it perfect to cool down during the humid southeast Asian summer. They also had a  7-Eleven just outside the lobby, which made it super easy to grab snacks or cold drinks before my adventures.

FOOD

I'll keep this very simple: eat local! Hawker centers like the one I've featured above are the best places to find cheap and excellent food. They tend to be more lively at night (there are also more food stalls open in the evening), but you can find some great Indian, Chinese, and southeast Asian cuisine in these food centers. 

TREE TOP WALK

When I woke up refreshed the next morning, I decided to tackle the Tree Top Walk hike at MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park. The hike was about four miles roundtrip and not very difficult. The Tree Top Bridge (pictured above) offers a wonderful view. Keep your eyes open for monkeys as they're quite common in the park and not very shy around humans.


SINGAPORE ZOO

Singapore Zoo is one of the top ranked zoos on Trip Advisor and definitely earns that distinction. The zoo offers a wide variety of animals combined with stunning jungle-like scenery. My personal favorite attraction was the sea lion show that they had, which was highly entertaining. Crowds can be an issue, especially for some of the specialty attractions that the zoo offers. For example, the Night Safari attracts large numbers of people, so get your tickets early, and be prepared for long lines.

SENTOSA ISLAND

Sentosa island can be a crowded tourist nest full of chain restaurants, hotels, and shops, unless you know where to escape for some relaxation. There are three main ways to get to Sentosa: by car (use Grab app), walking the long bridge from Vivo City (large shopping mall), or taking a monorail from Vivo City. I took the monorail to and from the island; while it wasn't very pricey, it was quite crowded. 

If the beach life is what you're after, I visited both Siloso Beach and Palawan Beach. Although it's smaller in size, Siloso tends to be more populated since it's closer to all the restaurants and shops. However, there are cheap lockers conveniently nearby. Palawan Beach (pictured above) is a larger beach with beautiful scenery and would be my personal recommendation.

GARDENS BY THE BAY

Next to the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel sits an expansive park that is a prime example of green reusable energy. The most recognizable image from the park is the SuperTree Grove (pictured above). These epic towers of greenery also serve as solar power conductors, helping to power the magnificent light shows that take place every night! If you don't fear heights, you can walk among the tops of these magnificent structures along a narrow bridge. 

Also in the Gardens by the Bay are the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest (both pictured below). Stunningly arranged floral displays amaze in the Dome while a towering man-made rainforest takes center stage in Cloud Forest. One could easily spend a full day exploring the photography paradise that is the Gardens by the Bay.

BEST PLACE TO REFLECT ON YOUR TRAVELS

The bridge directly next to the famous Merlion fountain in Singapore was my choice to settle down. As I looked out on the bay and the magnificent Marina Bay Sands, I thought about how lucky I was to be able to see such a wonderful place. The Marina Bay Sands has a light show as well on the weekends. It's a great location for looking over the water while the city sits behind you. As you gaze, you can't help but revisit the adventures you've experienced in this wonderful country.


If you like my photography in this post, check out my Instagram: @Daniel_Allen44

Your Guide to the Oscars!

The Oscars are rapidly approaching, and there are so many wonderful movies to catch up on before the awards are handed out on Sunday, February 9th! Luckily, I've seen all of the best picture nominees, as well as some of the other movies that garnered nominations in other categories. Here's your non-spoiler guide to the Oscars!

1917 

Following two young soldiers through the fog of war, you are transported to the World War I front lines. Director Sam Mendes and Cinematographer Roger Deakins immerse you in the world of our leads Blake (played by Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (played by George MacKay).

The biggest strengths of this movie are the outstanding cinematography and editing, which creates the illusion of being one continuous shot. The set designs are intricate and fully engulf you in the harsh realities of trench warfare.

As I watched the movie, I was astounded by the look of it and how it impacted me emotionally. It put me on the ground with Blake and Schofield, allowing me to feel their anxiety and fear that, at any moment, a new adversary would appear. Definitely a movie best suited for a theatrical visit. 

Ford v Ferrari

Professional driver Ken Miles (played by Christian Bale) strives to compete in the legendary Le Mans and works incredibly hard to realize this dream. Meanwhile, two great car companies compete in an epic automotive rivalry.

Don't be discouraged by all the car terms. The movie contains all of the nuts and bolts talk that will make car buffs happy, yet still is able to make the car novice feel welcomed as well. The racing scenes are wonderfully shot, showing the power of the cars as well as the skill of the drivers. 


I was skeptical of this movie initially because I am not knowledgeable about cars. As the movie progressed, I found myself buying into the story of Ken Miles and enjoyed seeing his character on screen more and more. The technical bits about cars was balanced by truly stunning visuals of the racing, making it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

The Irishman

Martin Scorsese delivers another exquisite film featuring some of Hollywood's greatest names: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. The movie details the life of a hard working man (played by Robert De Niro) who is courted by the mob to do their dirty work. He eventually befriends the teamster union's head, Jimmy Hoffa (played by Al Pacino).

Scorsese expertly navigates the life of a normal man through the less-than-glamorous ranks of the mob, while giving each of his major three actors adequate time in the movie to make their impact felt. Pacino specifically is magnetic while on screen.

Due to the overwhelming acting and directing talent involved with this movie, I thought this was a must watch, despite the 3.5 hour run-time. The movie definitely felt it's length at times, but it did captivate me as well. Al Pacino was electric each time he was on screen. For me, he definitely stole the movie. Overall, I didn't feel there was anything special to it. Just another excellent Scorsese film.

JoJo Rabbit

A young boy (played by Roman Griffin Davis) dreams of being part of the Hitler youth and frequently speaks of his desires to his imaginary friend, Hitler (played by director Taika Waititi). Through interactions with the people closest to him, he begins to doubt whether allegiance to the Nazi party is really as glamorous as he was lead to believe. 

JoJo Rabbit walks a thin line of being a comedy about Nazis and a drama about the atrocities of the Holocaust. I went into this movie expecting pure comedy but was stunned by just how hard it hit me emotionally. Taika strikes this balance perfectly. Thomasin McKenzie who plays a young Jewish girl hiding from the Germans (Elsa), is magnificent in her role. Scarlett Johansson also shines as JoJo's mother, grounding the sensationalist imagination of a child into a more relatable motherly love.

I can't find anything bad to say about this movie. Taika inserts his unique sense of humor throughout, but it never takes away from the emotional impact. I laughed. I teared up. I actually audibly gasped at one point. If that doesn't fully explain how great I thought this movie was, I don't know what will.

Joker

A man in need of help slowly descends into madness as he is continuously neglected, discarded, and beaten down by society. 

Joaquin Phoenix mesmerizes as the Joker, creating a dark, disturbing role that is meant to make you uncomfortable. He is about as close to a lock as one can get for Best Actor. Joker also shines in cinematography, as well as score, ensuring that this is one of the better movies of the year.

I felt deeply disturbed watching this movie. During multiple points, there was a sense of great discomfort watching Joaquin on screen, which is a testament to him as an actor. If you're looking for an uplifting movie, this is not it. It leans into darkness and despair, which I'm assuming is what makes it an apparent Oscar darling this year.

Little Women

A group of talented sisters try to find their place in the society while fighting the inequalities and stereotypes placed upon them by a male dominated world. Through the eyes of Jo (played by Saoirse Ronan), the importance of family is made apparent.

The true strength of this movie is the wonderful chemistry of this extremely talented cast (Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, and Laura Dern) . Director Greta Gerwig fosters an environment that allows a sense of comfort among the women. Greta adapts the well-known novel in a new way, incorporating a non linear style of storytelling that drives home the growth of all the characters.


This was another film that I was initially wary about, foolishly thinking it was a boring book report brought to life on screen. Instead, I was treated to a charming tale about an incredibly close family of women trying to do the best they could while their father was away at war. At multiple points throughout the film, I was struck by how utterly delightful the character interactions were. If you're looking for a movie to counteract the lows of Joker, this might be the best choice.

Marriage Story

Nicole (played by Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (played by Adam Driver) struggle through the process of divorce, illustrating the difficulties of communicating effectively with the added complication of a child who gets caught in the middle. 

Obviously the two leads are phenomenal in this movie, making their arguments, disagreements, grievances, and points of view so realistic and heartfelt that, depending on the moment, you find yourself in agreement with either of them. Another strength of this movie lies in the supporting cast, who equally matches the intensity of the leads. Laura Dern (Nicole's lawyer), Ray Liotta and Alan Alda (Charlie's lawyers) are scarily accurate versions of divorce lawyers.

I was immediately hooked from the opening lines, but the rest of the movie never let me down. I was enthralled by how realistic the dynamics of this relationship seemed. They love each other, but somehow that love has faded. I think most people, whether they have been through a divorce or not, can relate to such a feeling. I enjoyed going on this roller coaster of emotions with the characters.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino once again delves into an alternate version of history as he explores the lives of fictional actor Rick Dalton (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), and his stunt man Cliff Booth (played by Brad Pitt) during a time when Charles Manson was gaining a cult following. 

Tarantino leads a star-studded cast in his ninth film, transporting the viewer to 1969 Los Angeles.  Tarantino's masterful ability to convey a story, combined with the stellar yet understated acting of DiCaprio and Pitt, take this film to an Oscar worthy level. 

I was captivated by DiCaprio and Pitt's acting in this movie, as they were both playing washed up Hollywood hacks, which of course is far from reality. It's hard not to get caught up in the story-telling, even when it takes very Tarantino-esque twists and turns. For me, it's not on the level of Inglorious Bastards, but certainly an interesting alternate history take.

Parasite 

The foreign language representative in the Best Picture race from South Korea. Director Bong Joon-ho highlights a universal struggle: the widening gap between rich and poor. Kim Ki-woo (played by Choi Woo-shik), living in the slums of South Korea, gets an opportunity to work for a rich family. Slowly, the rest of Ki-woo's family gains employment for this rich family, hence the name Parasite.

Bong Joon-ho creates a story that transcends cultures and language barriers. The one inch barrier of subtitles, as he called it, truly does limit one's ability to see amazing films. This cast, led by Song Kang-ho, Cho Yeo-jeong, Park So-dam, and Jang Hye-jin, among many other fantastic performances, draws you into their lives and their struggles. 

I am a perfect example of someone who struggles with that one inch subtitle barrier. This is why Parasite was the last of the Best Picture contenders that I saw. I heard the buzz. I heard the hype. I was just scared that I couldn't get into the movie. I could not have been more wrong. The subtitles were just a minor part of the movie since the actors and story were so clear, despite the fact that it was in Korean. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and encourage anyone who may be fearful of subtitles to see this movie!

OTHER MOVIE QUICK HITS

Uncut Gems

Adam Sandler dazzles as a lowlife jewelry dealer in New York, getting into trouble with sports gambling debts. The Safdie brothers keep you on the edge of your seat with an anxiety driven masterpiece. In my opinion, it should have been nominated for Best Picture and Best Actor. 


Dolemite Is My Name

Eddie Murphy charms as a down on his luck comedian convinced that he is destined for fame and stardom. A hilarious yet poignant story about someone working hard to put themselves onto the world stage. At the very least, this movie deserved some set or costume design love from the Academy.


Two Popes

Two leaders of the Church discuss the biggest issues Catholicism faces today. Jonathan Pryce plays the more liberal Pope Francis, and Anthony Hopkins plays the more conservative Pope Benedict. Both lead actors were nominated for Oscars, but the movie was left off Best Picture.


Endgame

I wrote an entire post about Endgame being snubbed for a Best Picture slot. You can find that post here. 


PREDICTIONS! 

The Academy chooses their winner based on a preferential ballot, so I'll do the same here. This is my Oscars Best Picture 2019 ballot:

1. 1917 (My pick for Best Picture winner)
2. Parasite
3. JoJo Rabbit
4. Marriage Story
5. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
6. Joker
7. Little Women
8. The Irishman
9. Ford v Ferrari

What would your ballot look like?




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