The Big Short (2015)

 

In 2006-2007 a group of investors bet against the US mortgage market. In their research they discover how flawed and corrupt the market is.

Brilliantly staged and cast drama manages to show and explain the reasons for the international financial crisis 2007-2008 and expose its perpetrators, fast-paced and tinged with irony, although it doesn't shy away to reveal the tragic dimensions of this historic event.

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

 

A young blade runner's discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who's been missing for thirty years.

Highly successful sequel to a sci-fi classic, visually stunning and with an even more bleak neo-noir vision of the future, assembles an excellent cast for its complex, a bit overwrought - and overlong - story.

On re-watching: like the original it's simply worth taking in all the visual style. 

First Man (2018)

 

 

A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. 

 

Excellently produced and quite realistic rendition of the first moon landing is fully focused on Neil Armstrong and who he was, very successfully so, enhanced by Gosling's immersive performance, but somehow misses out on giving both the man and the mission any substantial meaning.

The Ides of March (2011)

An idealistic staffer for a new presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.

A biting, but not very original look at US election politics is mainly watchable for its first-rate cast and good direction.

Maltin**: "Purported inside look at backroom politics covers awfully familiar ground and offers no real surprises; with a cast of this caliber it's easy to take but still doesn't add up to much."

Blue Valentine (2010)

The relationship of a contemporary married couple, charting their evolution over a span of years by cross-cutting between time periods.

A feast for the stars who deliver extraordinary performances, but there's not much coherence in the development of the relationship, and it certainly doesn't help by constantly switching time levels.

Maltin***: "Compelling look at the beginning and end of a relationship...Film seamlessly hops back and forth in time...Sparked by striking, emotionally raw performances from its stars in a Cassavetes vein. Longish but well done."

The Nice Guys (2016)

In 1970s Los Angeles, a mismatched pair of private eyes investigate a missing girl and the mysterious death of a porn star.

Entertaining, but superficial reimagination of a 70s buddy comedy thriller works well with period detail and Crowe and Gosling surprisingly are up to the task, but the plot is incoherent and not too interesting; Angourie Rice is the true star of the movie playing Gosling's astute daughter.

La La Land (2016)

While navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.

Meticulously and beautifully crafted reconstruction of a classic Hollywood musical - together with its hollowness, the romance never shows any spark; that said, Damien Chazelle obviously has a serious problem understanding what jazz is.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

A young blade runner's discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who's been missing for thirty years.

Highly successful sequel to a sci-fi classic, visually stunning and with an even more bleak neo-noir vision of the future, assembles an excellent cast for its complex, a bit overwrought - and overlong - story.

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

A motorcycle stunt rider turns to robbing banks as a way to provide for his lover and their newborn child, a decision that puts him on a collision course with an ambitious rookie cop navigating a department ruled by a corrupt detective.

Ambitiously long-spanned drama offers good direction, cinematography and some good performances, but its intention to say something about guilt and fate doesn't quite convince and the narrative is more episodic than epic.

Maltin***: "Ambitious story of fathers and sons, fate and destiny...Deeply emotional story is played with great feeling by a fine cast.what some might see as a series of coincidences is well wrought by director and cowriter Gianfrance into a cohesive and credible saga. Also makes great use of its locations in Schenectady, N.Y."

All Good Things (2010)

Mr. David Marks was suspected but never tried for killing his wife Katie who disappeared in 1982, but the truth is eventually revealed.

A fascinating true story is muddled by indecisive direction and a incoherent plot, although the cast does try to give the movie some substance.

Maltin**. "Well made and well acted, but it's impossible to care much about the central character, an enigma from start to finish who perpetrates some truly nasty deeds."

Drive (2011)

A mysterious Hollywood stuntman, mechanic and getaway driver lands himself in trouble when he helps out his neighbor.

What would have been another (violent) action flic is successfully given an artsy treatment and the feel of an existentialist drama with a tight-lipped, hard-boiled anti-hero.

Maltin**: "What some see as a prime example of postmodern cool strikes us as a pretentious hogwash from the word go. The bursts of gruesome violence are equally hard to swallow. By the way, Gosling seems fully articulate when he sets up his first gig, but spends the rest of the film nearly silent (and striking poses). Only bright spot is a juicy supporting role for Brooks as a savvy gangster."