THE DANMAN CAN

Focus On Film   Episode 59  is up! This month Dan & Ryan are both let down by films whose titles start with the letter “S” and both fall in love with films whose titles start with the letter “L” + more! Download the MP3  HERE In this episode: February 2018  Criterion Collection  Titles Announcement Criterion Most Wanted Best & Worst Of The Month   – Suburbicon   (2017), The Snowman  (2017), Lady Bird   (2017), Lucky  (2017)

The Snowman (2017) is definitely a waste of a lot of talent, but not quite as abysmal as it's being made out to be. I went in with low expectations, due to the poor reviews, and I got what I expected—essentially a giallo lacking any tension. If this had gone really pulpy/campy it could have worked in its favor and been a fun ride, but as it is, it's pretty forgettable. I hope Alfredson  can bounce back from this—I  love   Let The Right One In   (2008) , but found Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy   (2011)  ( review ) to be a snoozefest (though I want to give it another shot). The Snowman  isn't really worth paying for, but it's not a truly awful potboiler, just very subpar.

I'm having a hard time even giving Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy  (2011) ***. I'm also having a hard time wondering why this film is being praised so highly. I guess I can sort of admit that I just didn't "get it". I went into this film only with the knowledge that  Gary Oldman was in it, that it was directed by Tomas Alfredson ,   and that it was about spies. That was enough for me. I had no idea that John Hurt , Ciarán Hinds ,   and Tom Hardy , all actors that I enjoy, were in it. I like slow burn films. I don't need lots of action in a film to enjoy it. I don't even necessarily need lots of dialogue either. But there was almost NO action in this film and the majority of the dialogue was just not interesting. I also felt like I paid attention throughout and I still didn't understand exactly what happened to these characters, and why, nor did I really care. There is a lot of intelligence jargon going on. I honestly found this film to be a snoozefest...