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“Anora” (2024, Hulu) erotic romantic comedy-drama film written, directed, produced, and edited by Sean Baker. Note: This movie won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing at the last Oscars. Add the Palme d'Or in Cannes, BAFTA awards, and Golden Globe nominations. Etc etcetera. Also, the film grossed $56.5 million worldwide against a $6 million budget, making it Baker's highest-grossing film.



       Which baffles or astounds me. I am not saying that the movie is “awful,” regardless that the first half is all about sex worker sex (I am too old for those). I eventually did enjoy the movie for its comedy and Mikey Madison's performance as Anora "Ani" Mikheeva, a stripper from New York who marries the wealthy son of a Russian oligarch, Ivan or Vanya. But as a Best Picture in a number of awards bodies? Nah ah. Not my kind of “Best Picture.” But then, that's how (the best of) cinema evolved. I don’t know anymore. Should I talk about previous “best pictures,” at least in the last 10 years? 

       Anyways, “Anora” is still a fine lazy weekend watch at home, but with your adult housemates. A fine, easy respite from all the politics. Well, that is, if you don't talk about the Russian thingy. Ivan could easily be an white American brat dude from The Hamptons, you know. It doesn't matter. 🎥💻📽


GAVE UP: <>“Winner” (2024, Hulu) 2024 black comedy drama, based on the life of Reality Winner, who leaked an intelligence report about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. Supposedly, serious stuff. This one is more bubblegum kitsch. Not even funny as comedy.

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