What I Watched in January

As a rule, I'm not a fan of the Hollywood produced biopic. I find them all to follow the same general formula regardless of the actual facts leading those with some knowledge of the subject to be frustrated by the liberties taken. But, as a lifelong Queen fan, I was excited to see a feature film about the band's legendary lead singer Freddie Mercury and the various trailers showing the amazing Rami Malek taking on the central role made at least one viewing a requirement. Malek has been a favorite of mine for a few years now because of his excellent lead performance in the addictive USA Network television series Mr. Robot. His skill is often breathtaking on TV and I wondered if he had the ability to translate to the big screen, especially playing someone with so large a stage persona as Mercury. I didn't need to worry. Even if the rest of the film was a waste BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY would be worth seeing for the fine performances of the entire cast with Malek only being the one with the most screen time.  Indeed, the film succeeds as a fictionalized version of the story of Queen and a 'hit the highlights' tale of the rise of Mercury from working stiff to rock god.

As with all biopics there is a lot of fudging of detail,streamlining of circumstances, warping of timelines and smoothing out of events to create a more conventional narrative and emotional third act but it works. I think all fans of the band still feel that Freddie was taken from the world far too soon. His ability to touch the most human part of us with his beautiful soaring voice made him a beloved music icon who seemed capable of nearly anything. His death still hurts and this film knows that, in a way, we all still miss him. I'll admit I cried watching this movie as I watched the arc of his life move toward it's early end. I loved Freddie Mercury and I still regret that he's gone. If nothing else, BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY allowed me and a roomful of strangers to weep for our loss. To mourn for a friend we never met but who lives forever in our hearts. I'll accept the historical inaccuracies to be able to feel his talent vibrate off that screen and be reminded that once, for about twenty years, such a person shined and I was lucky enough to live at the same time as he did.

The List 

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (2018) - 8
WAY OUT WEST (1937)- 6
I AM SARTANA, YOUR ANGEL OF DEATH (1969) - 7
WHITE FIRE (1985) - 4
IT'S ALIVE III: ISLAND OF THE ALIVE (1987) - 6
THE EXORCIST III (ORIGINAL CUT) (1990) - 8
TEACHING MRS. TINGLE (1999) - 4
SYMPTOMS (1974) - 8 
RED SPARROW (2018) - 6
HOUSE OF TERRORS (a.k.a. Kaidan semushi otoko) (1965) - 7 
THE CANADIANS (1961) - 5 (gritty Mounted Police tale)
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND (2018) - 9 (Welles' finally completed final film)
THE TWO WORLDS OF JENNIE LOGAN (1979) - 6 (TV  movie by Frank de Fellita)
TWILIGHT PEOPLE (1972) - 4 (poor Dr. Moreau rip-off)
DINNER AT EIGHT (1933) - 8 (smart drama amongst the wealthy)
FAIL STATE (2018) - 8 (documentary on the for-profit school loan scam)
SINFONIA EROTICA (1979) - 6 (Jess Franco de Sade tale) 
SNOW DOG (1950) - 5 (Canadian Mountie tale)
THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS (2018) - 9
MAN MADE MONSTER (1940) - 6 (rewatch)
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (1983) - 8 (rewatch)
THE MINOTAUR (1960) - 6 (I'd love to see this restored and widescreen)
RAW DEAL (1986) - 4 (flat, silly Schwarzenegger crime film)
JOE KIDD (1972) - 5 (mediocre western - feels like a lot of it is missing)
THE INN ON THE RIVER (1962) - 7 (krimi goodness)
PHARAOH'S CURSE (1957)- 5 (mostly dull)
ROB ROY, THE HIGHLAND ROGUE (1953) - 7 (Disney's version of the tale)
DAUGHTER OF DRACULA (1972) - 6 (rewatch)
UNBREAKABLE (2000) - 9 (rewatch)
THE BODY DISAPPEARS (1941) - 4 (silly, obvious attempt at an invisibility comedy)
KRULL (1983) - 4 (rewatch) 
ATLAS (1961) - 4 (Corman low budget sword & sandal 'epic')
THE DIABOLICAL DOCTOR Z (1966) - 8 (rewatch)
CHARLIE CHAN AT THE WAX MUSEUM (1940) - 6