Finally caught Rogue One on my laptop. Probably would have been better in the theater but I still liked it. Wasn't too spoiled, so a few nice surprises, and sad ones.

Just came back from watching Dunkirk. I don't think I breathed for the entire running time. Goddamn that was some amazing film-making and I speak as someone dubious about most of Nolan features, even the acclaimed ones.

Just saw Dunkirk also. One review said it does the best job of any movie in letting you know what it feels like to be a sitting duck. I think that's really true.

This is one movie that you really want to see on a big screen.

Some preliminary lineup for Toronto International Film Festival 2017 is out: [link]

I had such a great time doing this last year, I'll probably do it again this year (it helps to have family in town). Right now, I can't see anything past Guillermo del Toro's genderflipped mermaid fairy tale, The Shape of Water, which I have been dying to see ever since I knew such a thing existed. PLZ BE AS AMAZING AS I HAVE IMAGINED YOU TO BE

Edited to add a link to the trailer: [link]

I keep meaning to set aside time/money to go to TIFF and keep forgetting. Next year.

I loved Dunkirk. I was tense for the entire film, and overwhelmed by the visuals. One thing I liked was that Tom Hardy basically just...flew a plane. He did it skillfully and excitingly, but he had no dialogue that was not him doing his job. he was wonderful at that part, but the thing that makes him a great actor is that when he decides to go ahead and shoot down those fighters, even though he doesn't have the gas and will likely die when he has to land, he conveys his whole thought process with just his eyes showing behind goggles.

I saw a screening of The Dark Tower tonight, and really enjoyed it! Did it make any sense? Maybe not. But it was short, starred Idris Elba, and the sequel could also be good.

I'll be interested to see what reviews say.

Interesting, Jesse. I decided not to see it tonight because it sounded like a mess (and also because I saw both Dunkirk and Kidnap yesterday, and I was a bit movied out.)

I liked Dunkirk fine but don't think the execution lived up to the promise of the concept and format. Kidnap was certainly better than I thought it would be, but I didn't have high hopes going in. It's definitely more interesting than the trailer makes it out to be.

Honestly, just the fact that it was relatively short left me with such a good feeling! When the big final battle started, I thought, oh, here comes the second half of the movie... and then it was over!

Edit: Needless to say, the reviews are terrible. [link] But I basically agree with the Owen Glieberman blurb:

It's a highly competent and watchable paranoid metaphysical video game that doesn't overstay its welcome, includes some luridly entertaining visual effects, and -- it has to be said -- summons an emotional impact of close to zero.

And, Idris Elba.