The Last Showgirl

The Last Showgirl

A Brisk, Sympathetic Character Study of Erasure

★★★☆☆

A surprising career-best for Pamela Anderson that navigates the merciless reality of aging.

Directed by Gia Coppola, The Last Showgirl is an entertaining character study of a performer past her prime, forced to contemplate her life choices after the closing of her long-running Las Vegas show. The film features a surprisingly strong and sympathetic performance from Pamela Anderson, who taps into the inherent difficulties of aging in the entertainment industry and the sacrifices made to maintain a chosen lifestyle.

"It’s a relief that the material doesn’t overstay its welcome or create additional unnecessary drama to pad the running time like many award season films are apt to do."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Gia Coppola
• Starring: Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis
• Supporting: Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka
• Runtime: Brisk (under 90 minutes)

Female Perspective on Stardom

While movies like The Wrestler or Bull Durham have explored similar themes of the "washed-up" professional, Coppola offers a necessary female perspective on these tropes. The entire ensemble delivers solid work, particularly Jamie Lee Curtis and Dave Bautista. The film succeeds by remaining tight and focused, avoiding the bloated melodrama typical of prestige cinema while allowing Anderson to deliver what is undoubtedly her defining career achievement.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• The "Pamelaissance": This film is widely considered Pamela Anderson's dramatic "breakout" role, leading to significant Best Actress buzz during the 2024-2025 awards circuit.
• Coppola Legacy: Director Gia Coppola is the granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola and niece of Sofia Coppola, continuing the family's tradition of intimate character dramas.
• Vegas Roots: The film captures the specific, fading glamour of "Old Vegas" showgirl culture, a world that has largely been replaced by modern residencies.

✅ Pros

• A career-defining, breakout performance by Pamela Anderson.
• Lean, brisk pacing that avoids unnecessary "awards season" padding.
• Solid ensemble work across the board from Bautista to Curtis.

❌ Cons

• Navigates some very familiar and inevitable genre tropes.
• Lacks the raw grit found in similar films like The Wrestler.

🏆 Final Verdict

A piece Pamela Anderson can be deeply proud of. The Last Showgirl is a poignant, well-acted reminder of the human cost of show business. Hopefully, Hollywood allows her to explore more characters of this complexity in the future.

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September 5

September 5

A Riveting Procedural in the Eye of the Storm

★★★½☆

A brisk, high-pressure newsroom drama that captures the collision of sports and tragedy.

Directed with impressive precision by Tim Fehlbaum, September 5 depicts the infamous Olympic Village hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Unlike Spielberg's Munich, which focuses on the aftermath, this film captures the frenetic pressure faced by the ABC Sports team as they were thrust into a global news story. It is a masterful look at how camaraderie and capability shine under unusual, demanding circumstances.

"Proving that an effective award season drama doesn't have to be 3 hours long... September 5 is a brisk, well-paced hour and 35 minutes."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Broadcast Details

• Director: Tim Fehlbaum
• Starring: Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Leonie Benesch
• Setting: ABC Sports Broadcast Center, Munich 1972
• Runtime: 95 Minutes

Technical Immersion

The film expertly flips between authentic vintage news footage and cinematic re-enactments, providing audiences with a "behind-the-lens" perspective of iconic historical moments. While the entire ensemble is strong, Leonie Benesch stands out as a German translator whose character embodies the hopes of a post-war generation seeking to overcome national stigma. The film juxtaposes the news team’s professional triumph against the tragic, overwhelmed efforts of the local police, creating a gripping tension throughout.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Real-Life Inspiration: The film is heavily based on the experiences of Geoffrey Mason and the legendary Roone Arledge, who revolutionized sports broadcasting.
• Historical Accuracy: The production meticulously recreated the 1970s ABC control room, using period-accurate technology to enhance the "procedural" feel.
• A Newsroom Classic: Critics have hailed it as a modern companion to All the President's Men for its focus on the ethics and mechanics of breaking news.

✅ Pros

• Expertly paced and brisk runtime (1h 35m).
• Impressive blending of archival footage with new scenes.
• Standout performance from Leonie Benesch.

❌ Cons

• Received minimal awards season recognition despite its quality.
• The procedural nature may feel clinical to some viewers.

🏆 Final Verdict

A riveting, top-tier newsroom drama. September 5 deserves far more recognition than it received during its initial release. It serves as a perfect companion piece to Munich and is a must-watch for fans of historical thrillers.

View origninal review on Letterboxd

The Brutalist

The Brutalist

An Ambitious Deconstruction of the American Dream

★★★½☆

An intriguing yet uneven spectacle that aims for the grand scale of Hollywood’s past.

Directed by Brady Corbet, The Brutalist is an intriguing yet uneven cinematic spectacle. It aims to deliver the large, epic mature storytelling of big Hollywood films of the past, even featuring an Overture, an intermission, and the VistaVision widescreen format. The actual story is an ambitious deconstruction of the American Dream told through the character study of László Toth (Adrien Brody), a broken yet talented architect struggling to exist in a post-WWII society.

"The film like its protagonist is disjointed and uncomfortable. Which is by design and often challenges the audience with presenting fleshed out characters who are messily, flawed and unabashedly human."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Epic Credentials

• Director: Brady Corbet
• Starring: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce
• Format: 70mm VistaVision
• Runtime: 3 hours 35 minutes (with Intermission)

A Monumental Scale

Director Brady Corbet effectively juxtaposes the beauty of nature with the turmoil and brutality of society. Some of the imagery and visual set pieces are truly awe-inspiring. However, as admirable as it is to present realistic and fully dimensional characters, the film lacks a powerful narrative driving force to ascend the storytelling to the next level. It results in a fascinating but not exactly engaging experience that falls just short of greatness.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• VistaVision Revival: This is the first film in decades to utilize the high-fidelity VistaVision format for its entire production.
• Award Pedigree: Adrien Brody has been widely praised for this "career-best" performance, marking a significant return to leading man status in prestige cinema.
• Venice Success: The film received a 12-minute standing ovation at its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.

✅ Pros

• Jaw-dropping visual set pieces and technical ambition.
• Fleshed out, messily human characters that feel uncompromisingly "adult."
• A massive, epic tone reminiscent of Hollywood's golden age.

❌ Cons

• Lacks a powerful narrative emotional through-line.
• Disjointed and uncomfortable pacing may alienate some viewers.
• Ambition doesn't always translate into a rewarding experience.

🏆 Final Verdict

There is a lot to like in The Brutalist, but unfortunately not much to love. While its technical mastery is undeniable, the lack of an inspiring story to match the epic tone makes it an experience more to be admired than enjoyed.

View original review on Letterboxd

Captain America Brave New World

Captain America: Brave New World

An Interesting, Exciting Ride in a World of Heavy Expectations

★★★☆☆

A serviceable entry that shines when it stops trying to be a franchise-altering event.

Directed by Julius Onah, Captain America: Brave New World carries the heavy burden of succeeding the massive Deadpool & Wolverine and the critically acclaimed Rogers trilogy. While the production's reported "creative chaos" is visible in some rushed character injections, the film remains an exciting ride. It successfully introduces high-stakes political threads, specifically the global scramble for Adamantium mined from the Tiamut Celestial.

"I believe we, as viewers, should just go back to our initial expectations for Marvel films. Which is just to have a little fun for awhile while watching a story with friends and family."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 MCU Intel

• Captain America: Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson)
• President Thaddeus Ross: Harrison Ford
• Key Support: Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly
• Legacy Tie-in: The Eternals (Tiamut Island)

The Weight of Legacy

Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford both shine, providing the necessary gravitas for a story grappling with the rebuilding of the Avengers. While the military's logic in facing the Red Hulk is questionable, and some supporting characters like those played by Giancarlo Esposito feel underwritten, the film finds its heart in the relationship between Sam and Joaquin Torres. It’s an interesting ride that succeeds if taken at face value rather than as a cinematic masterwork.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Adamantium Debut: This film marks the official MCU introduction of Adamantium, the metal traditionally associated with Wolverine.
• The Leader Returns: Tim Blake Nelson reprises his role as Samuel Sterns for the first time since 2008's The Incredible Hulk.
• Ford's First Flight: This is Harrison Ford's first appearance in the MCU, taking over the role of "Thunderbolt" Ross following the passing of William Hurt.

✅ Pros

• Strong lead performances from Mackie and Harrison Ford.
• Compelling political world-building regarding Adamantium.
• Emotional core provided by Isiah Bradley and Joaquin Torres.

❌ Cons

• Evidence of "creative tinkering" and awkward plot points.
• Telegraphed "mind control" plot that tests character intelligence.
• Antagonists presented in shadows and quick cuts.

🏆 Final Verdict

Captain America: Brave New World isn't the best in the MCU, but it is certainly not the worst. It’s a fun, exciting blockbuster that rewards those who set aside insurmountable expectations for a simple, solid Marvel story.

View original review on Letterboxd

The One Armed Executioner

 

The One-Armed Executioner (1983)

A Standard-Bearer of Filipino Exploitation Excellence

★★★☆☆

Watched 01 Feb 2025 — A passion-fueled revenge flick that proves limited resources are no match for pure cinematic ingenuity.

Directed by Bobby A. Suarez, The One-Armed Executioner is a definitive 80s Filipino revenge exploitation film. While working under substantial deficiencies compared to big-budget Hollywood fare, the film leans into its limitations with admirable professionalism. Starring Filipino icon Franco Guerrero, the production treats its simple revenge plot with the reverence of a passion project. It’s a film that survives the test of time not through polish, but through the palpable "blood, sweat, and tears" ingrained in every frame.

"The fact that it's an exploitation film isn't a weakness but actually a strength... The best exploitation films don't view limited resources as a detriment but lean into it by doing the best they can."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Bobby A. Suarez
• Starring: Franco Guerrero
• Supporting: Jodie Fisher, Mike Cohen, Pete Cooper
• Genre: Martial Arts / Exploitation

The Vision

Suarez’s vision aims for the height of Shaw Brothers martial arts epics, even if the resources aren't quite there. The result is a fun, creative "popcorn movie" that benefits from Guerrero's affable lead performance. While the choreography isn't as physically gifted as its Hong Kong inspirations, the vision is grounded in a "reverence" for the genre. Suarez and Guerrero overcome obstacles through sheer effort, making the film's "unintentionally funny moments" part of its enduring charm rather than a detraction.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Cult Restoration: The film gained a second life among Western cult film fans after being featured by [Vinegar Syndrome](https://vinegarsyndrome.com) and other boutique labels specializing in genre cinema.
• The Suarez Signature: Director Bobby A. Suarez was known as the "Master of Filipino Action," often co-producing his films for international markets to maximize his limited budgets.
• Stunt Realism: Despite the lack of formal training compared to Shaw Bros actors, many of the stunts in these [Filipino action films](https://en.wikipedia.org) were performed with very few safety measures, adding to the raw "visceral" energy mentioned in the review.

✅ Pros

• Infectious passion and ingenuity on display.
• Exceptional direction for a low-budget production.
• Highly enjoyable as a "group watch" with friends.

❌ Cons

• Choreography is unpolished compared to Shaw Bros classics.
• Features some unintentionally funny "amateur" acting.
• Requires a specific "exploitation prism" to fully appreciate.

🏆 Final Verdict

A hidden gem that turns its deficiencies into strengths. If you appreciate the blood and sweat of independent genre filmmaking, this executioner is worthy of your time. Check it out when you want some pure, unadulterated fun.

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