Sympathy v Empathy

Sep 16, 2020

"Just a fly in the ointment, Hans.
The monkey in the wrench.
The pain in the ass.”"

PINNED: this newsletter is supposed to be a friendly recapping of the movies in, and coming to, theaters. But things be real weird right now. So until that changes in earnest, I'll either be suggesting old favorites to revisit, pointing out recent flicks you may have missed or calling out notable new VOD / streaming options.

Another box office update, since we kinda sorta have that going on finally. One would think the intriguing aspect would be the numbers themselves, but ah, this is "the bullshit" and things are never as they seem. See, Tenet is estimated to have made another $6.7 million this past weekend, which as noted previously is neither a lot nor a little given the circumstances (but outside of the context, it's not a lot!). And "estimated" because Warner Bros. is choosing to hide daily numbers from outsiders, or all numbers? Idk. In an industry where basically everyone knows everything (and nothing at the same time), not getting detailed box office data is unusual. But you can understand why. Warner Bros. is putting itself out there by launching a $200 million movie in what is the most tenuous situation for theatrical moviegoing... ever? They want to control the narrative. But sadly, even if they try, the narrative seems to simply be "things, they ain't great."

And because things ain't great, there are more movies that may be moving, including Marvel's Black Widow and Pixar's Soul (which was rumored to be moving to Disney +, but that seems off for now). But movies moving dates at this point is like Nic Cage making this face in one of his movies: inevitable.

This week's theme is... documentaries that remind us there are other stories than the ones we tell ourselves.

THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF
(2020)

Think about something you've created that has lots of meaning to you. Maybe not your child (but maybe?) something that you've spent precious time, effort and money on. Now imagine someone stole it, they're standing right in front of you and tell you they don't know where the special item is now. Would you:

A) punch 'em in right in the goddamn throat

B) curse their name and storm off

C) buy them a coffee

D) try and discover why they did what they did to you, not only forgive / befriend them, but forge a deep personal bond, culminating in them becoming your artistic muse helping you realize they may be broken, just like you, thus setting up an intriguing documentary premise which will ultimately find its way into a scrappy little newsletter

E) be nice to their face and seemingly forgive them, but secretly find out where they live, and when they go to sleep, place baby bovine teeth under their pillow with a note that says "soon" thus letting them know... something?!

Ok, option D got a wee bit specific, and option E got a little bit awkward. But you're no dummy, and you gathered that D is what occurs in this movie.

Give It a Shot If: you want to see that just because people do a bad thing doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad person

Details: 96% on RT (81 reviews)
NR, 1 hr 42 mins, NEON

THE ACT OF KILLING
(2013)

This one will be a tough sell. You should (probably) watch it anyway.

It's a documentary that deals with mass killings in Indonesia of upwards of 2.5 million people, putting it in a category with atrocities like that of the Holocaust, Khmer Rouge slaughter in Cambodia, and the purges in China and Russia under Mao Zedong and Stalin, respectively. You should (probably) watch it anyway.

It follows some of the men responsible, who live a celebrated life and can talk openly about those they killed with pride. The director enlists some of those men to create a reenactment of their killings, sometimes even casting family members of those murdered in often gruesome ways. The killers detail the practical how and why of their slaughtering in almost mundane ways. You should (probably) watch it anyway.

It will likely make you uncomfortable. It will almost certainly make you sad. It may make you question whether those around you, or even yourself, could act in such a manner.

You should (probably) watch it anyway.

Give It a Shot If: you are of sound enough constitution at this moment to consider the wiiiiide spectrum of humanity

Note: there's a companion film that follows a man whose brother was killed and he - delicately - confronts the (now old) men responsible (including his uncle), under the pretense of eye appointments. It's called The Look of Silence.

Details: 95% on RT (156 reviews)
NR, 1 hr 57 mins, Drafthouse Films

THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
(2019)

Phew. If you read the above, this is me giving you a break. Cuz while I know many are unlikely to watch The Act of Killing, even reading about it might have left you a little shook. That's ok. For respite, I have for you a couple that did what some (everyone?) would like to do right now - leave their lives and build a new life on a farm; it comes with the adorable piglet pictured of course.

Now, it ain't all cock-a-doodle-doos and all that cartoony bullshit, it's real work of course. But when we've just discussed mass murder, it's... better?! Yes, of course it's better. It's quaint even. So watch someone do what you sometimes may fantasize about doing, which may leave you fulfilled and inspired, but at the same time enjoying your own quaint little life.

Give It a Shot If: you want some wholesome and aspirational escapism in your day / night

Details: 94% on RT (253 reviews)
R, 2 hrs 6 mins, NEON

Highlights

Freaky - basically Freaky Friday, but as a comedy horror movie. Vince Vaughn is a killer who swaps body with teenage girl. Looks really fun.

Synchronic - psychological sci-fi trip with Anthony Mackie (new Captain America!) and Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades)

Love and Monsters - aliens take over the world, but doesn't stop a kid from trying to find his gf. Looks cheeky and cute

Hubie Halloween - Adam Sandler plays a guy who loves halloween, but the entire town mocks him - until he ends up saving them all. Kinda looks fun?! Note: Netflix flick

What's In Theaters +

Discussion about this post