Beastie Boys Story (2020)

Full disclosure: I’ve been a Beastie Boys fan all my life. For a long time they were my favorite band. I’ve seen them live multiple times and listen to their stuff as much now as I did back then. So yeah, I was pumped for this.

Pumped and completely biased, as I believe all critics and journalists should be. Oh, you don’t like your human journalists to have opinions and biases that trickle into their work? That’s too bad, go get your news from a ferret then.

Back to the movie. It’s an absolute thrill listening to Mike and Adam regale a live audience, and us viewers by extension, with stories from their youth; casually name dropping dope ass punk bands they saw in their early teens like Bad Brains, Misfits, and Circle Jerks. Why didn’t I get to grow up in New York City mom? WHY?!?!

The documentary plays in real time, and was filmed on the last night of their Broadway show. Mike and Adam talk to the audience and then Spike Jonze rolls video clips. Did you know Beastie Boys opened for Madonna on her very first tour? Neither did I. There’s some mind blowing stuff in this thing.

They were just some dumb kids who stumbled into fame and went with it. They made mistakes along the way and learned from them. It's a fun two hour ride. I had a smile on my face the whole time. If you are a fan of the B-Boys, you will too.

Rating: B

It Follows (2014)

Scary movies give me a lot of anxiety, yet still I watch. It Follows is essentially a sexually transmitted curse that follows the recipient in the form of a person who is constantly walking towards them. Get caught--murdered. Intriguing concept. 

I was curious about the rules surrounding this transforming predator that only the cursed can see. Is it simply invisible? Can it hurt others? Can it interact with the physical world? Does the speed at which it walks correspond with the distance and time people are traveling in the movie?

All of these things matter to me because I HATE lazy story writing. Thankfully these questions were answered and I was satisfied with their treatment.

The scares come at you through sneaky jump cuts, disturbing music, and heart pounding attacks. I would have liked a more satisfying ending. A movie can jump an entire grade or more if it ends strong.

Rating: C+

Downton Abbey (2019)

Like most movies released as a bookend to a successful TV series, Downton Abbey appeals to an established fan base; me included. I adored every episode of the British series and the feature film was a fun walk with the characters down memory lane. They mostly kept things light, which was a relief actually. The way a reunion with old friends should be. 

Rating: B

The Mustang (2019)

The film has a silent strength which carries the viewer to the end despite a heavy tone. 

Rating: C+

180 Degrees South (2010)

An adventure documentary that starts out a little slow, but gradually picks up steam. Happy accidents seems to be the theme of the film and with travel in general. The unexpected places you see and people you meet when things don’t go according to plan. 

The indie soundtrack is solid. The cast of diverse characters and personalities that show up along the way will remind you of your fondest trips and make you want to leave home once again. 

Rating: B-