MAKSQUIBS CINEMATHEQUE: THE OLD GUARD (2020)

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Like just about everyone with an interest in the movies, I'm watching more films on DVD and going out to movie houses a lot less. Convenience trumps the better experience.
Of course, you lose audience interaction and the poor film now has to compete with all the comforts of home.
It's a bit like seeing Rembrandts & Titians in a book reproduction, or from posters with iffy color values, no texture or weight to the surface and the wrong dimensions . . . all while snacking on chips & soda. (Oops! You get that at your local cinema,too.)
The ease of instant movie gratification risks turning an art form (well, sometimes) into little more than low-grade eye-candy & mindfodder. So, maybe it's worthwhile to write a bit down on what we're all viewing, just to keep fully engaged.

DVDs: the latest opiate of the people meets the internet, where everyone's a critic.
God help us.

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Sunday, May 9, 2021

THE OLD GUARD (2020)

Notwithstanding heavy NetFlix eye-balling and pre-planned sequel, this adapted graphic-novel is plenty dreadful. Charlize Theron, who produced, leads a motley international team of pro bono Special Ops Mercenaries fighting for Truth, Justice & Third World Underdogs. Their latest cause? Themselves! Seems Big Pharma has uncovered the gang’s secret: They’re Immortal! Killed again & again over the centuries, they take a licking & keep on ticking. (Kinda dulls the suspense factor, no?) Kidnap the crew, work up a DNA profile and voila!, a Cure-All Vaccine to end all Cure-All Vaccines. (Good luck getting Evangelicals to take it!) This all might work on screen: fresh dead Black female addition from Afghanistan, courtesy of the U.S. Army; a turncoat on the team; a gay couple* (no, not Ancient Greeks); plus Theron made up to look like David Bowie. If only the script could have bothered with a mission other than their own survival.* (We’re only told of past deeds by newly designated group historian Chiwetel Ejiofor, switching sides in time for a sequel.) Or if Mr. Big Pharma weren’t such a threatless little weasel. Or maybe if Gina Prince-Bythewood megged without discombobulated editing in exposition and action set pieces that look like under-rehearsed Cirque Du Soleil.

WATCH THIS, NOT THAT/LINK: *One of them the astonishing Luca Marinelli, fresh off his breakthru in MARTIN EDEN/’19. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2020/12/martin-eden-2019.html

SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: *Generally speaking, franchise pics only show this level of self-regard by Episode IV.

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ERNST LUBITSCH

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Now Over 5500 Reviews and (near) Daily Updates!

Sunday, May 9, 2021

THE OLD GUARD (2020)

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