The CineFiles – Ep. 10

Dear readers,

Episode 10 of The CineFiles is packed with one of the most exciting films of the season and a couple of disappointments—as well as a little trip back to the 1990s for good measure.

We start with Kogonada’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, a romance that blends whimsy and philosophical musings, but it doesn’t make good use of stars Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell.

Next up, Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great. June Squibb gives a sharp performance as a nonagenarian who stirs up trouble by weaving borrowed history into her own life.

Then there’s One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson’s sweeping new actioner. This one floored us—an intense, large-scale clash between rebels and fascistic government figures, anchored by standout performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, Chase Infinity, and Benicio Del Toro. It’s a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.

For CineGift, we had some fun rewatching Hot Shots! and Hot Shots! Part Deux, which sparked a discussion about parody, nostalgia, and whether those spoofs still land today. And I cap things off with my own CineGift pick for the next episode (Baghead, 2008).

Follow the show by subscribing to the KARE 11+ app (available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, etc.) or watch on YouTube. 

Happy viewing!

Brian Eggert
Critic, Essayist, Founder
Deep Focus Review