The Conversation (1974) - 3/5

This movie is a slow but competent thriller centering around sound recording that has a few good scenes of tension. The plot ambles around distractedly, manages an explosive but jumbled discovery, then wanders off aimlessly. The core conceit is well executed, if a bit long and redundant in the protagonist’s search for clarity, but he doesn’t have nearly as much character depth as the film seems to think he does, so the ending falls flat.

Content warning: brief female nudity

Closest comparison: It’s like Blow Out by way of Taxi Driver.

Setting: Corporate Drama
Plot: Corporate Espionage
Tone: Depressed Thriller

The Devil's Own (1997) - 4/5

This is a meaty, slow-burn drama that really delivers on its complex moral narrative. Where many films try to convey the complex nature of morality and only end up becoming messy themselves, The Devil’s Own very cleanly demonstrates the complexity if its point. Although there are several action scenes it’s solidly in the drama genre, with most of the runtime simmering in the subtleties of a lie in the family dynamic. It’s riveting to watch the story unfold with actors whose presence alone chews the scenery with the best of the best.

Closest comparison: It has the undercurrents and style of Patriot Games with the down-to-earth simplicity of The Irishman.

Setting: Thriller
Plot: Crime
Tone: Drama

Blade Runner 2049 - 2/5

It has great cinematography, but way too much nudity. There's a lot of grit, but with no payoff. You know there's a problem with a movie when you can completely remove the main antagonist without changing the plot. There are several plot points brought up that made me ask, "This is interesting. How is this going to resolve?" The answer was invariably, "It won't".