Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

It's not a great biopic but it's good fun. The movie shines in the musical sections, especially the Live Aid performance (which would've been really cool as a single shot if they had the ambition and money for it). But the story is lacking. The biopic is an inherently flawed genre and it shows in this movie. Freddie Mercury had an interesting and troubled life and I don't think the movie does it justice. Take his relationship with Mary for instance. She was his one true friend. She was the subject of Love of My Life. But we don't really see how their relationship evolves. After the first third of the movie, we hardly see them interact at all. And what right does she have to define him as gay? The central conflict in the movie is driven Mercury's relationship with Paul Prenter, who is blamed for driving the band apart. But I think it really should have focused on a man vs self conflict because Freddie was a complex guy. Rami Malek is phenomenal. Freddie Mercury was quite the character and Malek's interpretation of him is engrossing. And the costumes are great.

Sing Street (2016)

John Carney is really just magical. He knows how to make charming musicals about making music. They're always really touching. His depiction of love is beautiful and real. It's about hope and joy and taking chances and being young.  And the original music is genuinely good. "Drive It Like You Stole It" is in my playlist now. The cast is lovable, their 80s Dublin costumes are hilarious, and you really root for them. At the end, I found myself inexplicably attached to these characters. I must admit that I wasn't even really paying much attention while watching this movie, but somehow they still hooked me.