Auto-imported from derpibooru.org (2370317)

This was something that both me and Charon pulled out of our respective asses the moment we realized that self-isolation meant that guest characters weren't going to be able to show up at the theatre. Social distancing and all that stuff, you know? So instead we're doing a Star Wars and featuring them anyways except in the form of holograms (or you can pretend they're all dead and they're now Force Ghosts, regardless). Once we figured out that problem we just ran with it and did everything we felt like with the guests. See it as Equestria's own version of Discord, or Zoom, or whatever system you use to do video calls with your friends. Besides, playing with the transparencies and the effects was a lot of fun, some of the pictures done for this event were fun just for that effect alone.

"The Two Popes" is a movie that, by all means, shouldn't really work for me. It covers an event that I was well aware of, followed closely, and the subject matter didn't really interest me. It was also directed by Fernando Meirelles, whom for me is either hit or miss in regards to his movies. That and a general feeling of "Oh this is thrown on Netflix, I will check out whenever" made me put back checking out this movie until actually doing this event. Well I feel like I have so much egg on my face for having this mentality that I should change my name to James Omelette, because this movie is absolutely wonderful. If I were to do like Yahtzee Crossaw and criticise by omission I think this space should be completely blank.

There's little flaw I can find within this movie. The subject matter isn't so much about religion but about the unprecedented event of a Pope stepping down to let another candidate take his place, and the toll it takes on both of them. Meirelles approaches this really tastefully, seeing it more from the point of view of the people in all their glorious mundane lives, but it never gets boring or preachy (ironically). While the framing device to keep cutting back to Francis' revolutionary past might be seen as too on the nose to some, it helps articulate his inner conflict, seeing how the entire world was condemning Benedict for his past while he was getting scot free, going to a position he didn't think he deserved.

And what could I say of the acting? Perhaps nothing because they would be mere words to describe the uncanny portrayals from Jonathan Price and Anthony Hopkins as the titular characters, who were both born to play these roles. They're so good it's scary, and their conversations are so good, and natural, it gives you that "fly on the wall" feel of being there.

While it has a lot against it right out the door, "The Two Popes" proves to be one of the best movies available on Netflix, a film that goes past its subject matter and focuses on the people behind the story, or rather history in this case. Absolutely delightful from start to finish.

Upvotes at import: 57 | Stars at import: 35
Posted previously at: 2020-06-09T16:26:16