Cold War is dedicated to director Pawel Pawlikowski’s parents and left me wondering many things. It a beautifully composed movie* with stunning performances, especially by Joanna Kulig. I was fully engaged the entire movie, and yet, it left me rather cold.**
*It’s good looking in black and white with whatever aspect ratio makes the film square. Plus, there’s a lot of music. **I needed more background on the main characters. And I didn’t so much get the ending. I’ll be googling now.
Work is doing a survey that involves mailing to many Portland residences. A lot of them come back to us as vacant. On this one someone helpfully added “demolished.” It’s not surprising.
Here’s my best guess as to what 3951 N. Vancouver looks like. It’s been absorbed on PortlandMaps.com into 3535 N. Vancouver, which is currently the Brass Tacks restaurant.
This building could have been torn down in the past few years, or it could have been torn down as part of the “improvement plan” in the 1960s that gutted a historically Black neighborhood and resulted in empty lots for decades.
Something will appear here though, and probably sooner rather than later as this area is hip, happening and nearly fully gentrified. We can’t have weedy, empty lots in that kind of neighborhood.
I’m a completist. I watched all the Best Picture nominees. You might not have my level of dedication, or time. If not, here’s a handy guide to help you plan your best picture nominee viewing.
Roma.
You want to watch Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma if you are fan of movies that unfold slowly, are more character driven than plot driven, and are sad and cathartic. Also, if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have a live-in servant.
Green Book.
You want to watch Peter Farrelly’s Green Book if you are fan of excellent performances, pithy things said by lead actors, and if you are not at all convinced by the arguments about white saviors and racism your college-age niece made at the Thanksgiving table.
Black Panther.
You want to watch Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther if you are at least mildly interested in superhero films, like a popcorn movie that actually deals with contemporary issues, and love movies that feature women fighters prominently (though still not in the lead). Also if you are only going to watch one movie in the Avengers universe, this is the one.
A Star is Born.
You want to watch Bradly Cooper’s A Star is Born if you like movies about music, are looking for some killer performances, or are a fan of romantic love. Also, to forever banish the memory of the ’76 version.
BlacKkKlansman.
You want to watch Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman because it’s funny, tense, has a lot to say about race in the USA, and so you can weigh in on the discussions about the final scene.
The Favourite.
You want to watch Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite because you love movies where women get to really act, love movies where everyone is terrible to some degree, and love random weird stuff dropped into the narrative.
Bohemian Rhapsody.
You want to watch Bryan Singer’s* Bohemian Rhapsody because you love or like the music of Queen, want to see some amazing 70s/80s costumes and Rami Malek’s excellent performance, and don’t mind that this movie is a standard draggy biopic that takes no chances.
*IMDB credits Singer as the director. But he only worked on half of it.
Vice.
You want to see Adam McKay’s Vice if you are a fan of actors radically changing their appearance to get in character, if you are an Amy Adams completist, and if you don’t have any lingering feelings about the George W. Bush presidency.
If our movie tastes align.
You want to see: The Favorite, A Star is Born, Roma, BlacKkKlansman, and Black Panther in that order.
You don’t mind seeing: Bohemian Rhapsody
You should stay far away from: Green Book, Vice
If you want to watch the movies most likely to win.
You want to see: Roma, Green Book, Black Panther, and A Star is Born in that order.
