Michael Foster
mfosterj
Plex PassJoined 2014Los Angeles
- Star Wars
It’s a perfect movie. The only way to see it is finding the original theatrical versions, which is put together by a team called 4K Project. Pre-CGI added and yes, Han shooting first. Plops you into 1977 and gives you the experience of how audiences viewed it— when interest in space was at its peak. 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968 just before the moon landing showed audiences the mystery of space travel and time on a cinematic scale. Almost a decade later, George Lucas crafted something that was going to rock the industry and change how movies were made. His experimental ‘space opera’ called Star Wars would explode into the cultural zeitgeist like a sonic boom.Star Wars - The Substance
This lady can direct... and this is only her second feature. Her concepts. Her symbolisms. This is a visual feast with every frame painted first then left to dry and crack. Some of the best modern practical effects and make up I’ve seen in a long, long time. Final act I would have trimmed a bit but it doesn’t take away what you’re left with— which you’ll never forget. This is a story of beauty, age, and the fight within to still be loved.The Substance - The Monkey
Very Final Destination. Very Child’s Play but without the backstory of Charles Lee Ray. Wall-to-wall gore kills, trying to be shocking and funny. I would say this is more comedic than horror but even with that intention, The Monkey lacks any depth, feeling, or even explanation— leaving you with lots of cheap jokes.The Monkey - The Rule of Jenny Pen
Wow. You won’t look at a senior living facility the same. Some sequences will really throw you— what’s real and what’s being hallucinated constantly pushing this nightmare. Lithgow and Rush both light it up!The Rule of Jenny Pen - Thank You Very Much
Really really good, sad, touching, and informative most of all. Gave me a lot of insight into his past and why he went ‘his way’. I had no idea how deep his opposition went— the wresting with women and on-set melt downs. Audiences eventually got so annoyed by his personas and style, which only excited him more and more. His interests flew way above entertainment. Clearly many have the sprinkles of Kaufman and influence like Nathan Fielder and others, but no one as daring with a complete disregard of normal success. One of a kind, whose story is only being better understood with Thank You Very Much.Thank You Very Much - Smile 2
Smile 2 scared the crap out of me with its turns that I didn’t see coming even though there was homages of the first— Writer/Director Parker Finn achieved something that is very rare here, unraveling more frights in this very dark place while still keeping it fresh. Naomi Scott’s performance of paranoia can be placed next to the very best in this genre such as Mia Farrow in ‘Rosemary’s Baby’. I encourage a second viewing if you roll your eyes at all. Nothing is missed here. Very impressive sequel. You’ll be wrapping your mind around it hours later if you pay close attention.Smile 2 - Suspicion
Hitchcock really earns his metals the more you watch of his filmography. This slow burn thriller carefully leaves breadcrumbs of an ending he envisioned but wasn’t allowed to make. To get around the studio’s restrictions he used techniques and choices of mere suggestion to make you think twice— which only reinforces the film’s title ‘Suspicion’ along with further proving he is indeed the undeniable Master of Suspense.Suspicion - Hitchcock
Really loved this. Anthony Hopkins infused a soul beneath his eyes that we were not ever offered in public. While this isn’t a documentary, the filmmakers told a story that rides along side the truth. Hitchcock was a complicated and flawed man, who had the talent to thrill us, and a life worth learning about.Hitchcock - The Electric State
Deserved the big screen. Great performances, a visual treat, and killer 80s soundtrack. Very much enjoyed.The Electric State - Repulsion
The first Roman Polanski film of what later became known as ‘The Apartment Series’— Repulsion, which preceded Rosemary’s Baby, I just love. The grainy 16mm black/white shots, the staging, the music, the editing, specifically the sounds that are highlighted like a ticking clock or church bells, all to be tied-in later to trigger trauma. Today this would be completely scored over. Her hallucinations and dreams are so well constructed. If you’ve ever had night terrors where your surroundings are familiar but out of proportion, it’s spot on. The final film in the series is The Tenant, which stars Polanski himself. All three films tell the story of a character going mad within the confines of an apartment.Repulsion - Apartment 7A
Going in I didn't know this was a prequel to Rosemary's Baby but a continuation. I did not 'feel' the late 60s here, when the first film took place. This felt like maybe the 80s but with modern day cinematography on Julia Garner, a great actress, who's following a script that's literally lifting from the classic— page to page. I understand the neighbors were cast to emulate the performances of the original, which I'm sorry to say, just cannot be done. This isn't a homage but an impressionist exercise that's only bought by audiences who have never seen the 1968 film. Just another example of an uninspired Hollywood that refuse to take risks on new ideas so instead hire Michael Bay to grab at our beloved masterpieces. The silver lining is his attempts and others are instantly foregettable. Next.Apartment 7A - Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm - Tetris
Tetris - Fargo
Fargo - Black Christmas
Black Christmas