Two Nominated Films

Last weekend Alejandro had a cold (which somehow I never caught), so I suggested that we take it easy and go to the movie theater on Saturday and Sunday.

Both of the movies we saw have been nominated for numerous Academy Awards.

On Saturday we saw "The Brutalist", the story of a Hungarian-Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust, comes to the U.S. after the war, and struggles to make a life for himself.  

(image from the internet)

I really did not care for the film.  It's not that it's a bad movie.  The story is interesting and the acting is excellent, but it is TOO DAMN LONG!  Three hours and thirty five minutes!  It frequently falls into artsy pretentiousness, and even after all that time there are still questions that are left unanswered.

The next day we went to see "Conclave".  In this film a fictional Pope has died, and the College of Cardinals meets to select the successor.

(image from the internet)

A movie dealing with a bunch of old men, meeting to vote for the new Pope, may sound like a boring premise.  And I suppose if your taste in films runs to car chases, shoot 'em ups, sex and violence, then, "Yes, this movie is not for you."  This is a very intelligent film, and very suspenseful.  All the political maneuvering behind the scenes keeps you on the edge of your seat as you wonder who will be elected.  The acting is superb, especially Ralph Fiennes, who, as the Dean of Cardinals, is in charge of the proceedings.

"Conclave" is highly recommended.  "The Brutalist" not so much, even though it will probably win a bunch of Oscars.