Uncut Gems - 4/5

This movie is an expertly crafted cacophony of chaos. There are constantly two or three conversations happening overtop of each other throughout the movie and the ‘80s synth soundtrack revving everything up to frenetic mania makes for a stressful moviegoing experience. This synergizes with the plot and brings the audience in to the world of the protagonist in an very effective way. Unfortunately, by the end all we’re left with is a story of a guy who did some things, and no further substance or food for thought. Adam Sandler gives the best performance of his career, convincingly as despicable as everyone else in this sordid tale of gray market shennanigans. Those who enjoy the ‘bad people doing bad things’ genre will likely enjoy this film more.

Content warning: sexuality, language, Adam Sandler’s colon

Closest comparison: It’s like Taxi Driver by way of Snatch (2000), but with less slick polish.

Setting: Inner City Crime
Plot: Bad people doing bad things
Tone: Thriller

Knives Out (2019) - 5/5

This is one of the most clever whodunnit films I’ve seen, and probably the most intricate. Nevertheless, Rian Johnson makes it straightforward and easy to follow, as all good murder mysteries should. The story somehow manages to escape the tired old formula while meticulously maintaining its trappings, keeping the dialogue snappy and the sordid family affairs more fun than sordid. There is a fair amount of partisan politics in this movie, but it’s pretty evenly split and is relegated to character quirks, refusing to make a definite statement. It’s old and new, clever and simple; it’s Rian Johnson at his best.

Closest comparison: It’s like an Agatha Christie story for a new generation.

Setting: Murder Mystery
Plot: Murder Mystery
Tone: Mystery Comedy