On the Basis of Sex (2018)

On the Basis of Sex is a fine biopic with solid acting. It's a pretty ordinary telling of an extraordinary life. It focuses specifically on one case in Ruth Bader Ginsburg's illustrious career. The movie does not benefit from choosing to spotlight a tax case. Yes, obviously it is the case that "topples the whole system" but even she knew that there is nothing interesting about tax law. The courtroom scene, I presume, is dramatized. I'm not going back to the court transcripts, but I have to imagine that Ginsburg, the brilliant perfectionist she is, didn't botch her submission. Like many biopics, it ends with words on the screen detailing what happens next. It ends with a short sentence on her confirmation vote of 96-3. But that's of little significance. Ginsburg is a pioneer in the women's rights movement. Who cares what the confirmation vote was? It really detracts from the theme of the movie.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Did we need this Star Wars movie? No, not really. It comes between Episodes III and IV. The question it answers is "Where did the so-called New Hope come from?" It tries to distinguish itself from the Star Wars films, establishing itself without the trademark Star Wars opening crawl, iconic music, and even without light sabers. Here's my question though: is it really still Star Wars without these things? I say no. Disney is taking advantage of us, passing this off as a Star Wars movie while denying that very thing. There is no emotional investment in these characters that we know will only be around for this one film within the Star Wars universe. And consequentially, there isn't too much character development. I like Diego Luna. I like Felicity Jones. But the rest of the characters seemed rather pointless to the story. 

Inferno (2016)

We saw Inferno at the Cineteca di Bologna, because unlike in the rest of Italy where they dub foreign films, they show films in their original language there. They have some respect for movies there. The Cineteca is world renowned for its film restoration and its rich film archive. It's also really cheap to see a movie there. Even though it's clear on the other side of the city, it's worth going there.

Inferno opened in Italy before it opened in the US, presumably because it was all filmed in Italy. And it is very evident. The movie is basically an extended tourism commercial for Florence. And when I went to Florence a few weeks ago, I was walking around recognizing places from the movie. And it's beautiful and lovely. So...it worked!

The movie itself was alright if you can get over the whole product placement thing. I felt like there was some inconsistency with the plot. The treasure hunt clues were certainly not as airtight as National Treasure. I haven't seen DaVinci Code or Angels & Demons, but I'm going to assume those have consistent treasure maps too. Who left these clues for whom and how did we find them? Did we really need that middle clue? Then without spoiling too much, there is a big reveal at the end of the book (according to Will) that does not play out in the movie, though it is sort of hinted to if you've read the book and can pick up on it. And that reveal sort of gives some reasoning and thoughtfulness that was otherwise missing.

They also must've wasted a hell of a lot of money on special effects for the opening scene depicting Inferno. It is wholly unnecessary and adds absolutely nothing to the plot. 

The Theory of Everything (2014)

The most memorable part of this movie is the incredible performances from the two leads, Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones.  Everyone will refer to this as the Stephen Hawking biopic, but do not forget that the screenplay is adapted from Jane Wilde Hawking's autobiography.  Stephen Hawking's ex-wife is just as important and Felicity Jones holds her own.  She plays a strong woman under a lot of pressure tasked with caring for not only her children but her husband requiring all of her attention.  Redmayne transforms into Stephen Hawking, and as his health deteriorates, his speech becomes more difficult to understand.  Eventually, he becomes mute but still communicates his feelings to the audience.  He walks crookedly (which is not easy for a mobile person) up till the point that he requires the aid of a wheelchair. And in the wheelchair, he convincingly plays a man who has lived with ALS for decades.

The adaptation does a good job of explaining the scientific theories to a general audience.  These are not easy concepts, and Stephen Hawking understood that.  His magnum opus "A Brief History of Time" made his ideas accessible for an audience without a scientific background.  The movie has some really beautiful scenes thanks to superb cinematography.   Footage from the early years appears as authentic as possible.   Complementing the cinematography is a lovely score.  Altogether, a tremendous movie.