Matt at the Movies: Black Bag Review & Oscars Recap
Matt attends Oscar Night at the Independent Picture House as Dana "The Movie Muse" Gillis picks more winners. Also, Matt reviews "Black Bag," "a fast paced, thrilling, sexy, and acerbic spy thriller."
“Black Bag” was easily the most fun I’ve had in the theater since last year’s dramedy “Challengers.” - Matt at the Movies
Oscar Night at the Independent Picture House
Oscar Night at the Independent Picture House drew a record attendance and raised a staggering $41,000 from ticket sales and a silent auction. These funds will directly support IPH’s mission to educate, engage, and enable community members through the power of film.
I can’t say enough about the wonderful staff at IPH, who put on an amazing event that brought both the Charlotte film community and cinephiles together. Drinks were flowing, music was in the air, and wonderful conversation accompanied a premium setting to watch Conan O’Brien expertly guide the three hour and forty-five minute night.
My fellow Oscar partner and guest contributor Dana “The Movie Muse” Gillis once again beat me with her picks, but what else is new? (Editor’s Note: ICYMI during our Twitter coverage of the Oscars, Dana won with 16 correct picks to 14 for Matt. Matt guessed Conclave would win Best Picture, while Dana correctly picked Anora)
So what can we take away from the results? Anora and Sean Baker reigned supreme as he tied Walt Disney for most individual Oscar wins in a single night (four). The Brutalist took home three awards (Best Actor, Score, and Cinematography) while Wicked (Costume/Production Design), Dune: Part Two (Visual Effects/Sound), and Emilia Pérez (Supporting Actress/Song) each came away with two.
The biggest surprise of the night (besides small-budget Anora taking top prize) was his anti-ingénue lead Mikey Madison winning Best Actress over Demi Moore (The Substance). This was absolutely the correct call as she carried every scene of the movie, similar to fellow winner Adrien Brody for The Brutalist.
Flow had a mini upset over The Wild Robot for best animated feature that had me standing to applaud. Smaller feature films and independents won the day as production companies like Neon and A24 found the right mix of artistry, original stories, and well-budgeted marketing campaigns that play to Oscar voters. I hope big studios take notice and greenlight more new directors who have their own distinct visions.
Moving away from sequels and regurgitated intellectual property is a welcome change for this movie lover.
Matt at the Movies Review: Black Bag - 9.0
One of my biggest gripes about Hollywood and the movie industry writ large is that they don’t make movies like they used to.
Original stories have taken a back seat to squeezing every last dollar out of IP with remakes, prequels, “reimaginings,” and sequels. In 2024, of the top twenty highest-grossing films, only three were non-sequels and a total of ZERO were completely original stories not based on previous IP or novels.
This week's Black Bag is an old school throwback spy thriller that makes for a surprisingly great adult date night. It rips through its tight story at a brisk ninety-three minutes, and Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh makes every stylish and tense minute count.
Without giving too much away, let’s dive a little deeper in my favorite film of the year so far.
In a Nutshell
George and Kathyrn Woodhouse are a couple who work for British intelligence in the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) division in partnership with MI5/MI6. They work in different departments, and the term “Black Bag” is often used in their conversations for a taboo subject that one person doesn’t have clearance to discuss.
George (Michael Fassbender) is cool, calculated, and reserved in the most gentlemanly Englishman trope imaginable. He is always playing mind games, observing his surroundings to gather an angle, and completely devoted to his wife, who rules the roost in their ultra sleek townhome.
When we are dropped into the story, George has received intel about suspected moles who betrayed their country by selling secrets. Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) is on the list and the hunt begins.
George decides to invite all of the people on the list to a dinner at their home, and starts with a fun game. With them are two other couples who also have different roles in the agency (and are also suspects). To add to the drama, everyone present has an axe to grind with the hosting couple, another dinner party member, or their current partner.
From here the real fun of weeding them out one by one begins. There are backdoor deals, double crossing, and spycraft that will keep you guessing until the end.
Time Is Money, Why Should I Go?
This film made me feel like I was watching a cross between Clue and a John le Carré novel. The dialogue between the couples was biting in the most sinister way. There were several unpredictable moments and tense crescendos in the conversations, and the story was as much an examination of domestic relationships as it was an exploration of loyalty to one's country.
Writer David Koepp keeps us on our toes, and the prolific Soderbergh churns out his best feature since 2013’s thriller Side Effects. The set design is posh and sleek while the camerawork flows seamlessly from scene to scene. The staging and costume choices set the tone as much as the concise “whodunit” storyline.
I was locked in from the opening nightclub scene, and it did not let up for a minute until the final credits. Black Bag was easily the most fun I’ve had in the theater since last year’s dramedy Challengers.
Star of the Show
Michael Fassbender is the focal point of the film, and all scenes run through his character George. Black Bag features a stacked cast with the likes of two-time Oscar-winner Blanchett, as well as steely performance from ur-spy Pierce Brosnan.
Fassbender went on hiatus from acting to pursue his love for motorsports, including competing in the Le Mans Series, and to raise his children with his Oscar-winning wife Alicia Vikander. He took some small parts along the way, including an extremely fun role as an assassin in David Fincher’s 2023 Netflix film The Killer. You will notice a lot of crossover traits from that film and Black Bag, but the role of George feels even more analytical and calculating. Fassbender has cornered the market on stony callousness, which makes him perfect for the film's tone.
Don’t Sleep On
The strong supporting cast features many up and comers. Naomie Harris has been on the scene for years with roles in Moonlight, 28 Days Later, and as Moneypenny in the Bond franchise. She plays the NCSC therapist who knows where all the bodies are buried.
Tom Burke (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga & The Souvenir) is a lightning bolt as Freddy, who is dating fellow dinner guest Clarissa (Marisa Abela). Abela is a rising star from her time in my favorite current HBO show Industry, and she uses her seductive charm like a weapon in the film.
Lastly, Regé-Jean Page, who most will know from the first season of the Netflix smash hit Bridgerton, plays a shadow-like asset under the umbrella of George’s spy network. The actors dance expertly with each other, and their camaraderie sets the stage as George attempts to decipher who the mole is.
Breakdown
Where we piece together the overall “vibe” this movie brings from other releases.
Best Ten-Minute Stretch
As more secrets and relationships are revealed from George’s findings, we watch a climax at the dinner table with original suspects. It’s a high-tension moment where you’ll be guessing until the last second.
Could Have Used More
Cate Blanchett. It’s obvious why they chose to keep her at arms length as a suspect, but she absolutely crushes every scene she’s in as well as being a perfect counterpart to Fassbender’s stone cold demeanor. It’s far too early for her to diminish, and go into the West.
Matt at the Movies Score: Highly Recommend - 9.0
A fast paced, thrilling, sexy, and acerbic spy thriller.