#won: editing

[theoscarsproject]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988). When a cartoon rabbit is accused of murder, he enlists the help of a burnt out private investigator to prove his innocence.

This is just so much better than it has any right to be. Such a terrific homage to Hollywood subgenres - animation and noir - that work together in unexpectedly perfect ways. This was magic to rewatch. 9/10.

[theoscarsproject]

The Killing Fields (1984). A journalist is trapped in Cambodia during tyrant Pol Pot's bloody 'Year Zero' cleansing campaign, which claimed the lives of two million 'undesirable' civilians.

There's a lot to like in this harrowing film about the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, from the friendship between Sydney Schanberg and Dith Pran's to the sublime cinematography. I particularly appreciate the way the film used the American journalism angle as an entry point but stayed with Dith's journey in Cambodia afterwards. It felt almost like a way to trojan horse a broader audience into the story, and it's particularly compelling given that act is by far the strongest of the film. Pretty solid, albeit also pretty flawed. 7/10.

[theoscarsproject]

Witness (1985). While protecting an Amish boy - who is the sole witness to a brutal murder - and his mother, a detective is forced to seek refuge within their community when his own life is threatened.

This is one of my mum's favourite movies, and I still remember her finally deciding I was old enough to watch it with her (when I probably wasn't, haha) and feeling every way this movie sings. And man, it holds up. Peter Weir really is THAT director, an uncanny touch with both the feminine and the masculine, with tenderness and violence, with languid lyricism and brute, effective punctuation. It's kind of insane to me that his body of work isn't given the same bated-breath treatment as some of his contemporaries. Anyway, this might just be a perfect romantic thriller, and far and away Harrison Ford's best work. 9/10.

[theoscarsproject]

The Right Stuff (1983). The U.S. space program's development from the breaking of the sound barrier to selection of the Mercury 7 astronauts, from a group of test pilots with a more seat-of-the-pants approach than the program's more cautious engineers preferred.

Really wasn't expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did (especially given the run time), but god, it really works. Leaning into the brutal sacrifice and the lack of support in the aftermath, it still somehow never manages to lose a sense of wonder, discovery and connection. Plus some pretty amazing flight sequences - just, yes. Really enjoyed this one. 8/10.

[theoscarsproject]

Z (1969). Following the murder of a prominent leftist, an investigator tries to uncover the truth while government officials attempt to cover up their roles.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I started this odd little satirical thriller, but man, it’s good! Compelling and witty and genuinely tense in places. It’s a thoroughly modern-feeling film, and one that explores political corruption in a way that feels especially topical in this era. It’s very, very good, and well worth checking out! 8/10.