Welcome back to another Weekly Recap!
I’m still hitting Persona 4 Golden hard. It’s excellent y'all! I also watched, like 15 minutes, of a test stream of Hades II which had me itching to play the original. So I’ve done a few runs and it’s still magnificent.
Let’s dive right in!
FILM
Highlight: The Red Shoes | 1948 | Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In this classic drama, Vicky Page is an aspiring ballerina torn between her dedication to dance and her desire to love. While her imperious instructor, Boris Lermontov, urges to her to forget anything but ballet, Vicky begins to fall for the charming young composer Julian Craster. Eventually Vicky, under great emotional stress, must choose to pursue either her art or her romance, a decision that carries serious consequences.
Stunning doesn’t quite suffice it here. The color pops off the screen! I think the titular red shoes ballet might be the greatest dance sequence put on film. I can only think that Broadway Melodies from Singing in the Rain could beat it. I was rapt. The story is perfectly melodramatic for this story, an adaptation of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Think, a brighter, more beautiful Black Swan. This is a classic that I had put off for so long; a true regret, as this was phenomenal.
The Greatest Hits | 2024 ⭐⭐⭐
This was a possible choice for the Agree to Disagree podcast. But ultimately it was fine. I had no strong feelings either way, so not a great choice for the pod. I think this will be a fun one for teens to find. It’s made competently and has a fun premise, but is very basic and predictable.
The People’s Joker | 2022 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The release history of this film is a fascinating one to read about. I went in fully expecting not to love it, but happy to be supporting true independent cinema. However, it was very poignant and beautiful in a weirdo, oddball way. I loved it. It will not be for everyone, but I urge you to give it a shot.
Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical | 2005 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My pod cohost held his bad movie musical club on 4/20 so you know it had to be this movie. Here’s the thing, though…it’s not a bad movie musical. It’s a great one! There are some elements that wouldn’t fly nowadays — looking at you, animated sequence — but it’s a hell of a lot of fun!
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare | 2024 ⭐⭐½
This will most likely be the subject of a future pod episode. I think it’s too dumb for its own good, and the tension feel so incredibly low for something that should have extremely high tension. I did enjoy some performances, mainly Henry Cavill —who was having so much fun — and Alan Ritchson.
The Princess and the Frog | 2009 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This will be 1/2 of the subject of the next episode of Agree to Disagree. I would’ve said this was a 5/5 movie before, but on this rewatch, some stereotype issues and tropes didn’t quite sit right. I still love the hand-drawn animation and music.
Swing Time | 1936 ⭐⭐⭐
Not the best Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers outing, but still fun. I’m about to start tap dancing classes and I saw this at my local video store, so I watched to hype myself up. I would say just watch a compilation of the dances though, that’s what you’re watching for.
SCAM Girls Movie Club
And the Madeline Goes to…
Sweet Smell of Success | 1957 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love scummy newspaper guys doing anything to get ahead? This is for you! The script is witty, the performances are excellent, and the story is juicy. That’s all you need for a film like this.
TV
Highlight: Fallout | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
I have no real connection to the video games this series is adapted from, so maybe that’s why I loved it so much, but also it’s damn good. The story is funny, and just light enough in its sci-fi-ness that you won’t feel lost. There’s a fun mystery that’s only partially revealed by the end, that’s incredibly engaging. I loved the performances as well, with Walton Goggins’ being a standout. The world is weird and violent, which might put some off, but it’s very cartoonish, so perhaps it will work for you!
In Progress
Shōgun, Season 1, Episode 9
Bartender Glass of God, Season 1, Episode 3
Spring Baking Championship, Season 10, Episode 8
YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, Season 1, Episode 1
Kaiju No. 8, Season 1, Episodes 1-2
Books
In Progress
Fire & Blood | George R.R. Martin — 3%
The Big Read
Jane Eyre | Charlotte Brontë — 32%
The Weathered Tome Society
The Shamshine Blind | Paz Pardo — 56%
Games
In Progress
Persona 4 Golden | PS Vita | Atlus
YouTube
Technically this came out today, so it’s outside the weekly recap dates for this post, but I’m so hyped I couldn't help it. It’s been a long time since a superhero movie has got me this excited. It’s mostly because Wolverine is my all-time favorite, but also the movie looks — dare I say — good?
Thanks for reading, I appreciate it!
Til next time!
— Colton