Kinds of Kindness (2024)

Kinds of Kindness is a triptych drama movie with each having a weird twist and oddity about it.

I knew I was going to see something weird going into a Yorgos Lanthimos movie. The director of The Favourite, The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and most recently Poor Things. He has a weird way of telling stories and knows how to do callbacks. He has an attention to detail that most people would miss. He's got another Emma Stone movie coming out next year called Bugonia which I'll be seeing.

Speaking of Stone, she has to play three different roles in the film and each feels drastically unlike the previous. If people continue to see her in these types of roles they will put her alongside Cate Blanchett, Katharine Hepburn, and Meryl Streep. She started out in comedy but it seems she'll end in drama.

Jesse Plemons is not an attractive man, but he knows how to use his delivery to really sell the character he's playing. He doesn't have much diversity but he can at least make them feel different. You might remember him as Gary in Game Night, or that shaded soldier in Civil War. What kind of American are you?

There are some other supporting characters that all did well, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, and the upcoming star Hunter Schafer. Most people might not know who she is but with her role in Euphoria and the anticipated Cuckoo movie, I imagine she'll become more well known. Margaret Qualley was in a pretty bad movie earlier this year in Drive-Away Dolls but she was much better here.

The film is going to be too weird to recommend it to just anyone. For that it's result is a B+

Comments

Nobody 2 (2025)

Nobody 2 comes with a change in creative leadership, as Timo Tjahjanto takes over directing duties from Ilya Naishuller . The difference is noticeable, with the sequel lacking the same energy and spark that made the first film stand out. The script, written by Aaron Rabin , suffers from uneven pacing and tonal issues. While he avoids some of the pitfalls that bogged down his work on Marvel’s Secret Invasion , his late-game writing choices undercut the story’s tension and credibility. Bob Odenkirk once again commits to his role, doing the best he can with a weaker script. His physicality and dry delivery still make him a compelling lead, but the film doesn’t give him much new ground to cover. You'll remember Bob from Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad . Connie Nielsen is underwritten, with her character lacking individuality or meaningful development. She feels more like a placeholder than a partner to Odenkirk’s character, which is disappointing given her talent. You'll r...

Americana (2025)

Americana (2025) is written and directed by Tony Tost , best known for his work on Longmire . His approach here focuses more on character work than plot, with the script itself being serviceable but not remarkable. Still, it provides a strong platform for the cast to showcase their abilities. Sydney Sweeney delivers an impressive performance as a waitress with a stutter, bringing nuance and empathy to a role that could have easily felt one-note. It’s one of her more grounded performances and a highlight of the film. You'll remember Syd from her American Eagle commercial. Halsey is nearly unrecognizable in her role, playing with a fierceness that stands out and proves her versatility outside of music. Her presence commands attention whenever she’s on screen. I was first introduced to her from MGK 's music video Forget Me Too. Eric Dane takes on a villain role and succeeds at being thoroughly hate-able, leaning into his darker side effectively. His work gives the film muc...

Barbarian (2022)

Barbarian is about a woman staying at an AirBnB and discovers that there is more to the house she has rented than what was expected. Written and Directed by Zach Cregger, Barbarian is the third film behind Miss March and The Civil War on Drugs. Both were forgettable and both were before Cregger knew really how to direct. This change is night and day, almost like how Ben Affleck made the switch over from doing Gili in 2003 to The Town in 2010. The writing is just shy of great. A great horror film will keep you wondering just how things will end. There certainly were moments I was wondering just how Cregger would end this film. There are some predictable scenes and certain directorial choices make you believe for a second that something else is happening entirely. There is one scene of exposition I despised and didn't help the storyline at all except pander to audiences that aren't intelligent. Georgina Campbell plays Tess, the main character. She is expressive and carries the ...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog