The Brown Note Movie Review

Black Country, New Road - Ants from Up There (Album 2022)

I'm now including the odd album review - not everything but anything I think is worth talking about. This second release from the British indie band, in an era where British indie guitar music has risen out of nowhere. Even among the slew of great releases from likes of Squid, Black Midi, Dry Cleaning and Working Mens Club, this album stands tall. Like its totemic biggest inspiration, Arcade Fire's Funeral, it ranks as one of the finest indie or alt-rock albums this century.

Narcos: Mexico - Season 3 (2021)

A belated review of one of the only TV series I've consistently followed this last decade, the always excellent Narcos Franchise. One of the most dramatically exciting, dynamic and rock n roll shows since Breaking Bad. This, the 3rd iterations of Narcos: Mexico and the sixth and final series (for now) overall, doesn't reach the incredible heights of the brilliant Diego Luna starring first two installments, but is very very close.

The Matrix Resurrections (2022)

Underappreciated and definitely hamstrung by the streaming release - as far as box office and the likely sequels go. It's not great but certainly decent and Keanu gives a much stronger performance than he was capable of when the iconic original was released. Flawed but still worth your while.

Nightmare Alley (2021)

Del Toro's best written film and significantly better than the wildly overrated Oscar winning Shape Of Water. As Martin Scorcese has stated, one of the only true film noir's of the modern era - not relying solely on wearing the clothes of a private detective and moody lighting - but truly desperate people on the margins, doing desperate things and paying for it. It's brutal stuff. Massively underrated, this was a real gut punch that sticks, and for once in Del Toro's filmography, the stunning production design is in the service of the screenplay, not the boss of it.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

The best reviewed film of 2021 is, frankly, a bit of an empty let down. A compellingly intense and awful opening gives way to a rather unexpectedly neutered melodrama that wastes the potential of Cumberbatche's malevolent potential. It goes nowhere and ends unsatisfactory, though beautifully made.

Spider-Man: No Way Home

SPOILER HEAVY REVIEW. Truth is I've never been a fan of either Spiderman's teen angst and jokey tone or most of the actors to play him, Tom Holland included. This is certainly better than the awful second Holland installment though still very overrated. I get the excitement over the fan service and it's half great. It's also extremely padded out through the middle and the hero's actions and motivations are infuriating.

The Beatles: Get Back (2021)

Peter Jackson's 'found footage' documentary of The Beatles at a most pivotal point in their history has only one flaw, its length - which does make sections repetitive. It is still completely surreal to spend so much time as a fly on the wall with the most famous band in history and see them in a way that almost no one outside their friends and family ever has. It doesn't even seem real half the time. The guys are completely self aware and often meta about their existence, whilst pummeling through music, arguments, soulful observations and most importantly, reconnecting as friends. Awesome unforgettable stuff riven with magic.

Don’t Look Up (2021)

I've long championed Adam McKay since I made The Big Short my film of the year, now he has definitive works on the GFC, the destruction of American democracy (Vice) and climate change. He's the most important director in America. This film is polarizing, not because it attacks politicians and the media, but the public too - and none of them like it. Flawed but unflinching and brilliant, it's empowering to see such an acidic film become the most watched in Netflix history.

The Eternals (2021)

After starting last year giving Chloe Zhao my first ever 10/10 for a new release for my film of the year, Nomadland, the opposite end of the scale for one of the limpest ever Marvel movies. A perfect embodiment of the Star Wars/Phantom Menace paradox. That 40 years after Star Wars release, Hollywood still doesn't understand that the number one factor in the public loving a big budget blockbuster is not the special effects but the cast.

Billie Eilish Is The Worst Music Star This Century

Popular opinion #947. In light of Damon Albarn (whose music I don't really rate either) and his nuclear attack on saint Taylor Swift and her writing her own songs, he used Billie Eilish of all people as an example of her opposite. Garbage. Billie Eillish is the most fabricated star this century, a corporate hack who met with both Apple and fashion house Channel to define her image (like all natural bedroom indie breakout stars do...) before releasing any major music. Her maudlin croak, mediocre music and force heroin chic look could exist without comment were it not so relentlessly over promoted.