11/26/19 - Knives Out (2019) - 7/10

Pretty darn good, but not quite great. Despite not being the technical, artistic, and storytelling marvel that could explode film-making for the future, it is one helluva fun time at the movies. My expectations might have been too high, for both this film and for Johnson, but I can’t deny the immense enjoyability that Johnson slathers each frame, twist and performance with.

This is the kind of movie that is carried by a great ensemble cast, and boy do they have that covered in spades. It was clever to choose the docile and lesser known Ana De Armas (you might remember her as the cyber love in Blade Runner 2049), as she can absorb the boisterous body blows and intense scene-stealing charisma from the likes of the suave douche Chris Evans, the eye-bulging fervor of Michael Shannon, and the wink-to-the-audience ridiculous(ly fun) Daniel Craig. The surrounding members don’t hesitate to prod the viewer and sprinkle each scene with their magically marvelous dust of awesome.

Strangely reminding me a great deal of the Hayek acting tour-de-force Beatriz at Dinner, this cinematic treat uses the social conscience of our times to stick to the ribs; namely the worth of inherited wealth and denial of Trumpian politics. It is hard not to enjoy the take down of the rich and the hot poker jab at the Red Hats and online neo-fascists. Just brings a smile so easy, which might be unchallenging but it doesn’t mean it isn’t effective.

I don’t know if Rian Johnson will ever reach the glorious heights of Brick or Brothers Bloom again, but this is his best film in years and a damn fun way to spend an afternoon at the movies.