Two-Movie Tuesday: Nomadland of the Lost

The land on which we live is inextricably connected to our past, our present, and our journey into the future.

---

Nomadland (2020)

Exquisite slice-of-life cinema: thoughtful camerawork, editing, and music, along with natural performances (the excellent McDormand blends in seamlessly with the non-actors) showcase the subtle beauty of weathered landscapes and faces, of aching reflections on the past and tender moments of small joys in the present, of both the practical and spiritual aspects to settling in and moving on. Either the hints of more pointed character work or those of corporate critique could’ve been expanded upon.

9

---

Land of the Lost (2009)

I think it was when Rick, Will, and their ancient primate friend Chaka are chilling in a motel pool in the middle of a dinosaur-populated desert getting high off a weird jungle fruit that I realized this movie was actually kind of good, with its zany mix of campy 50s-esque sci-fi (see the actors in alien suits) and raunchy comedy (Ferrell’s pee-drinking scene had me in stitches), not to mention a few instances of surprisingly appealing visuals (the “cosmic lost and found” scenes especially).

5

---

Our journey through space and time in two movies on a Tuesday has landed. See you when and where I see you.