Tag: ryan gosling
First man (2018)
An interesting take on Neil Armstrong’s personal life and the challenges he faced makes for an interesting back drop of the technologically challenged 60s moon landing.
Conspiracy theories aside, the film explores Neil’s family life and his inability to communicate his feelings with his wife and family. Played brilliantly by Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy, it speaks volumes for the man sent into space and his mental strength despite what he had been through.
The 60s were a decade filled with many advances, a political climate that used Cold War, where NASA was at the forefront of achieving what no other space program had.
A creative balance is achieved as director Damien Chazelle captures the mundane, the despair, the wondrous, and the human elements in an unknown side of a historic story.
3/5
Blade runner 2049 (2017)
Blade runner 2049: Director of Arrival, Denis Villeneuve brings us the sequel of Blade runner, 35 years later. I have a vague memory of the first one but seeing this was a wonderfully reflective experience.
Set in 2049, the film continues its basic premise from the previous one. Almost allegorical, it weaves in a modern version of an age old theory in the world of replicants. The background score is haunting, the lack of emotions is stifling and the art direction is mind blowing.
A true science fiction film, the perfect symmetry and minimalism is unique. No unnecessary blinking lights and technical jargon, here life in the future spells out where the human race is headed, albeit not in the next 32 years perhaps. Technology and it’s advances are so poetically placed, that you feel sad, rather than enthused.
Ryan Gosling’s dead pan expression is perfect for his role. Ana de Armas is enchanting, Jared Leto is quietly menacing and Sylvia Hoeks leaves a lasting impact. Harrison Ford is still rocking at age 75, a true legend.
There are many sequences which leave you dumbfounded. How history, artificial intelligence and the modern ruin of society are woven to paint a morbid and dark picture of the future is fascinating. Long at 163 minutes, it’s worth it!
3.5/5
La La Land (2016)
A musical set in the modern day, merged with Jazz music, dapper dressing and brilliant editing, it was an anticipatory watch.
We waited for something to happen. Yes a ‘seasonal’ journey was unfolding on screen, but it was nothing we hadn’t seen before. The only difference was, the occasional retreat into an imaginary world (hence the title), enjoying a dreamy state of affairs.
Performances are of high quality, Emma Stone is exquisite. Layered and nuanced, with her emotions on the surface, she keeps it real. Ryan Gosling looks the part and is an all rounded musician who plays the piano brilliantly. They both sing well and are complete actors, perfect for their roles.
The film has a style that weaves in and out of reality, with abrupt jolts to keep the audience sufficiently engaged, but I didn’t connect to it. While I enjoyed the feel of the movie, and the philosophy of choice, their romance or struggles didn’t move me.
Young director Damien Chazelle’s film has garnered great reviews and awards buzz, leading the Golden Globes nominations, but it fails to create a bond with the viewer.
2/5
Movies&Musings 