A to Z Challenge 2020 - Films That Begin With “U”

United 93 (2006)
Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: history
Brief Thoughts: A wildly uncelebrated film achievement, and I don’t really know what to say about that. There are wild conspiracies about everything, so of course there are wild conspiracies about “what really happened to this flight,” but regardless, this is a look at what happened without trying to distort anything one way or another. Maybe it’s still too difficult to appreciate.

The Upside (2019)
Director: Neil Burger
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart, Nicole Kidman
Brief Thoughts: We’re at the point where if it’s not a blockbuster, even if it’s a hit film you need some reason to talk, much less care about a movie...other than the movie itself. The Upside was a rare hit drama last year, but because it feels uncomfortably like old school Hollywood it was apparently embarrassing to admit enjoying. Well, not me. Bryan Cranston gained inexplicable fame portraying an asshole (but I guess that answers my earlier question) but has found no real interest in virtually anything else he’s done. Kevin Hart, obviously best known for his comedy, did the Serious Movie thing, but I guess since he wasn’t the unequivocal lead actor it didn’t count? Anyway, both are in top form here. Also features Nicole Kidman in a supporting role, because I guess she’s too old to be a lead now, but great as always. Only realized while I was preparing this that Neil Burger also directed The Illusionist, which might further explain why I liked it so much.