The Post
Steven Spielberg 2017
This isn't a bad film. It almost can't be with all the talent involved that has been around the block a time or a hundred. It's also a film that will be kind of hard not to bring some baggage too if you have any political leaning at all. I wouldn't call it particularly preachy but I wouldn't be surprised if some would feel that way.
My particular issue with it is that lately it has become unclear to me when exactly the media became the moral high ground. The posturing in this movie drove me nuts, but rang so true as to how the press uses information as weapon. Everything is about getting there first and getting it out into the world as quickly as possible. There is no time to study the information properly or give any kind of nuance to what is being reported. The reporters here are not interested in a job well done, just a job done. What bothers me so much is that I am not projecting that on the film, it is right there in the text. It is obvious Spielberg doesn't see that as a problem though. It is as that is how things are supposed to work. These are our heroes while the politicians are the evil and untruth. I have felt for a long time we are basically being fed as much crap from the media as we are politicians. This film confirms that even though its intention is the exact opposite.
That's the political side for me. The technical aspect is that this film is competently made and performed across the board. Hanks and Streep have a good amount of screen time where it is just the two of them and it is wonderful to watch. It almost wouldn't matter what the film was about, these two actors could make it compelling. There are a ton of recognizable faces among the supporting cast and they all do a great job. Special shout out to Odenkirk whose character I found delightful. Certainly channeling some of that Jimmy/Saul magic.
I have to mention the printing presses as well. It is almost worth the price of admission to see the scenes with them, even though it is only a couple minutes worth of time. Really cool to see the detail of how the old machines run.
Spielberg and Hanks got me in the mood to rewatch:
Catch Me If You Can
Steven Spielberg 2002
I hadn't watched this in quite a few years. Simply put, it charms the hell out of me. There is so much fun in this film. Starting with the old school romantic comedy credits which are amazing. Not a sub-par performance in this film. Hanks in his prime and DiCaprio showing why he is about to become the biggest movie star in the world. Walken in a role he was made to play. I love every single character.
The story just feels made for film. Such an unbelievable story that has all this drama and humor baked right into it. The cat and mouse game never grows stale for me. The film is over two hours and I could have watched two more.Just an absolute pleasure.