How do you choose between βOppenheimerβ and βKillers of the Flower Moonβ? Both were seminal films done by iconic filmmakers. Both were blessed with performances and technical achievements that will stand the test of time.
In other years, something like βBarbieβ could have been the best film. This year, the bench was deep: βAnatomy of a Fall,β βMaestroβ and βThe Holdoversβ had the kind of hallmarks that could have pushed βCoda,β βEverything Everywhere All at Onceβ and βParasiteβ to second place.
The battle, though, raged between the biography of a man who was a game changer in the race between nations and a look at the greed that fostered a hidden agenda among those determined to get the Osage Nationβs wealth. Both were cautionary tales that let their creators try new ways of storytelling.
Read more from critic Bruce Miller and listen to the discussion on the latest episode of the Streamed & Screened podcast through the audio player above:
Matthew Goode, Anthony Hopkins star in 'Freud's Last Session'
Donβt pay attention to common wisdom. YouΒ shouldΒ meet your heroes, actor Matthew Goode says.
Cast opposite Anthony Hopkins in βFreudβs Last Session,β Goode was unsure how the two-time Oscar winner would receive him. Since Hopkins had already played C.S. Lewis (Goodeβs role), βthis could be a very intimidating job,β he remembered thinking. βHeβs one of the greatest actors of all time.
"Luckily, I had a great experience. He was amazing.β
Hopkins, as you may guess, stars as Sigmund Freud, the acclaimed psychoanalyst. The film suggests what might have happened had the two met and discussed their views of religion.
Movie review: 'The Iron Claw' one of the most revelatory films of the year
Based in truth, the drama leans into those βGreat Santiniβ moments and shows how professional wrestling played with its participantsβ minds. Living under what others said was a curse, most of the Von Erichs met dreadful ends. They werenβt happy celebrities. They were young men who didnβt measure up.
Directed by Sean Durkin, βThe Iron Clawβ gives Zac Efron his best role to date. Heβs Kevin Von Erich, the stable one of the bunch, who tried to play father when their selfish dad couldnβt.
DVD review:Β 'The Exorcist: Believer' could be the start of something new
When you learn βThe Exorcistβ was rebooted by the folks behind the βHalloweenβ remake, you see the game plan. This isnβt a one-and-done venture. Itβs the start of another franchise.
In βThe Exorcist: Believer,β we find TWO possessed teenagers, an ecumenical look at exorcism and a guest appearance by Ellen Burstyn as the actress who had to put up with a head-spinning daughter 50 years earlier.
The changes are slight but theyβre enough to suggest this could be spun into three films.