I spent most of today sitting in my car outside various doctors, waiting on my uncle who got cataract surgery today. The locations were just far enough away from our apartment that it didn’t make sense to go back home while I was waiting on him. I also didn’t want to potentially bring something home to Mom, so staying away until we were entirely done made more sense. (Also, there were delays, so what should have been four hours total stretched to nearly seven).
I ended up watching a couple movies I had pre-downloaded while I waited. Three that I had already seen, one that was new to me. All were Matthias Schoenaerts’ films.
I started with Far From the Madding Crowd, which is a adaptation of the novel of same name by Thomas Hardy. It’s a period piece, one that served Schoenaerts’ talents of long looks and quiet acting, while also giving him the ability to show some of his range. I happened to watch it a few weeks ago with my mom, and it was spectacular. I am not someone who particularly enjoys period pieces, preferring to stay within the modern settings if possible. But something about this movie made me watch it again. I’ll be started the book in the next few days, once I can get it from my mother’s grasp, so I’m curious to see how well the adaptation is.
The next film I decided to watch was A Bigger Splash, also starring Ralph Fiennes and Tilda Swinton. Wow, I should not have been watching this one in public. I’m actually very glad that I was in my car with the windows up, because there are a few scenes that I wouldn’t want to watch around people I don’t know. It’s a good little film, with some problematic themes and making me want to punch Fiennes in the nose for reasons. I am glad that I watched it though, because it’s fun watching Matthias get to act in a modern setting. Also those blue shorts. Why.
For the new film, I ended up watching A Little Chaos, directed by Alan Rickman. Another period piece, the film takes place in the 1680s and tells the story of one of the designers of the gardens of Versailles in France, as commissioned by King Louis XIV. While I enjoyed the film overall, I will say I had trouble with Kate Winslet as the lead. Nothing against her acting, I just felt that the role just didn’t do her justice. A minor complaint against a stunning backdrop and halfway decent story. Also, there were springer spaniels, which makes the film perfect for the two seconds they are on screen. (Let’s just not talk about Matthias’ wig for this one. No offence, but they could have done more. Or better. Or… anything.)
And of course, for the final film I watched. Ok, I watched a bunch of scenes from The Old Guard. In my defense, I couldn’t get my Youtube downloads to load, and I had no wifi. It was the last movie I still had downloaded. I didn’t have time to watch the whole film (less than an hour actually), so instead I just skipped around to my favorite scenes, or scenes I really watched to watch again. So, the hotel scene, the kill floor, Nile vs Andy on the plane, the campfire cave talk (which Matthias is in full form, fight me), Andy’s capture and Booker’s betrayal (… I want Oscar nods for them. If only for that scene. There is range.), and the third act. I know that I have an almost unhealthy obsession with this film, but I was having too much fun watching the actors that I’ve grown to like.
If you’re curious, I’m starting to watch the filmography of the five main actors. Not everything, due to me being a selective brat, but a good selection. I think I have like five of Matthias’ films left on my list, a bunch of Luca’s, and too many to name for the other actors. There are some films I’m having trouble getting, but we shall see what the next day brings.
Now I’m going to bed. Sitting in a car for like seven hours is boring as all get.
Until next time!
