Telluride Film Festival 2019

Overall excellent festival enjoyed with good friends. Below are my takes and opinions from the group and the audience at large including a deep internet dive.

MY FAVORITES

The Report:

Premiered at Sundance (Amazon Studios), starring Adam Driver (who was an award recipient). Strong supporting cast including Annette Benning. True story of a Senate Staffer tasked to investigate enhanced interrogation (i.e. torture). I think this is the most important film of the year. We see what went on behind closed doors at the CIA. This is a very complicated story that was able to be told in 2 hours. Reminds me of what The Big Short accomplished. This by far was the most gripping movie that I still think about. I think everyone should see this movie.

The Two Popes:

This was the surprise at Telluride and if there was an audience favorite this is it. Starring Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina written by Anthony McCarten (Darkest Hour) and brought to us by Netflix. Complex story about 2 different approaches to leadership. These are the two Popes but could be 2 people in any industry. Also there are very good comedic elements. Oscar talk for the stars and possibly the movie. Incredibly interesting. Amazing acting, this is one movie that I will see again. One of Netflix’s hope for Oscar nom. A lot of internet buzz.

Judy:

Renee Zellweger (also an award recipient) who plays Judy Garland at the end of her life. Based on the London Play. This was Mike’s favorite (he also got to talk with Renee Zellweger by chance at the festival, he says really nice. I think this will be the performance to beat for best Actress.

ALSO GOOD MOVIES, IN ORDER OF HOW I LIKED THEM

The Kingmaker:

Documentary by Lauren Greenfield on Imelda Marcos of the Philippines. Fascinating. It is a must see. Also scary because its true and we should know about this. It is a Showtime property but is going to be shown in theaters soon.

Motherless Brooklyn:

Edward Norton has tried to make this book adaptation for 20 years. It has an amazing cast (including Edward Norton who plays the lead, Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, William Defoe, Alec Baldwin). Set in NYC in the 1950s. I really liked it. Overall, our group thought it was good, but the critics are lukewarm. I would see it. Based on real events in NYC.

A Marriage Story:

The newest film by Noah Baumbach starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson with an excellent supporting cast including Laura Dern and Alan Alda. Story of a marriage falling apart and divorce. I see both Driver and Johansson nominated for acting. Heart wrenching story. Somewhat autobiographical of his first marriage. A lot of positive buzz for this movie.

Ford vs Ferrari:

A James Mangold Film starring Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale as the driver Ken Miles. Story of the start of the Ford Motor racing program and their goal to win LeMans. Very good acting. Great Sound. Overall the audience liked it. It still needs some editing and suspect the film that will come out in theaters will be shorter than the one we saw. Buzz for Christian Bale for best actor.

Lyrebird:

Post world war II Holland. The story of the investigation of an artist/art dealer who sold art to Goring and the Nazis. It proves to be more complicated than we think. Based on a true story. I did the deep dive into the internet after and its fascinating. Starring Guy Pearce and Claes Bang. I really liked it. Some critics were lukewarm but I don’t agree.

Pain and Glory:

The newest film from Pedro Almodovar staring Antonio Banderas as an aging movie director. Penelope Cruz plays his mother in flashbacks. This premiered at Cannes won a best acting award for Banderas. Quiet movie. One of the favorites among some of the group.

Tell Me Who I Am:

Documentary about identical twins where one is in a motorcycle accident and loses his memory. He relies on his twin brother to fill in his life before the accident. Of course it is more complicated than we think. Interesting story.

The Aeronauts:

19th century story of 2 people on a hot air balloon starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones directed by Tom Harper. Some people liked this movie but I thought was kind of boring and I did not see the point, it needed more oomph.

Uncut Gems:

A Josh and Benny Sajfdie movie starring Adam Sandler who plays a gambling addicted NYC gem dealer. The movie starts out slow then the second half is much better. The audience at Telluride did not like this movie and people walked out. I and some of my friends thought it was pretty good. It has The Weekend in it and Kevin Garnett (Celtic basketball player). There is some buzz for Sandler for an Oscar. I think its a stretch but time will tell.

Waves:

Movie about an upper class African American family who suffers a personal tragedy with one of their children. I thought the story was good. Acting strong. The 2 most known actors are Sterling K. Brown and Lucas Hedges (who stayed on our floor at the Peaks and is cuter in person than on the screen). There is some buzz for this movie. I found the filming of this very jarring and distracting and subtracted vs added to the movie. Worth seeing.

Parasite:

Korean movie by director Bong Joon-ho (who I love). Won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. It is said to be a masterpiece. Many people really liked this movie. I personally did not vibe with it. I also did not vibe with Shoplifters the movie from last year that this reminded me of. There is talk that this will be nominated for best film along with best foreign film. I recommend you see it and make up your own mind.

The Climb:

First time filmmakers Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin who also star in this film make a modern day bromance movie. It’s a comedy with serious notes. Some of my friends loved this movie. I think it was a good indie movie but if I missed it I would be OK with that.

A MOVIE I DID NOT LIKE

A Hidden Life:

A Terrance Malick movie which was just long and boring. About a Nazi objector. Nice scenery. Acting good. Based on a true story. I just did not connect. Unless you like Malick most people did not like this movie.

OTHERS THAT I DID NOT SEE BUT HEARD SOME BUZZ

Portrait of a Lady on Fire:

French love story set in the late 1700s between 2 women. People who say it really liked it.

Inside Bill’s Brain:

Documentary that will be on Netflix about Bill Gates. Davis Guggenheim and Tara Westover are involved. Everyone loved it.

Country Music:

New Documentary from Ken Burns. Everyone who saw regardless if they liked country music loved it. Will start airing on PBS soon.