‘Tony’ Review

Key Points:

• The author is rejoining Mona’s book club to discuss various versions of the Odyssey, including Emily Wilson’s translation and Christopher Nolan’s adaptation, with a livestream scheduled for September 16.
• The author reviews Matt Johnson’s biopic "Tony" about Anthony Bourdain, expressing initial skepticism about the cult of Bourdain but ultimately praising the film’s craftsmanship and its exploration of redemption and grace through the protagonist’s journey.
• "Tony" is described as a standard but high-quality biopic that portrays Bourdain as a religious figure and emphasizes the importance of living life authentically to produce great art, contrasting youthful pretensions with real-world experience.
• The author highlights strong performances in "Tony," particularly from Antonio Banderas and Leo Woodall, and notes the film’s thematic focus on honesty, hard work, and personal growth.
• In a separate review, the author critiques "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma," finding its ambitious meta-slasher elements confusing and inconsistent, ultimately viewing it as a disjointed attempt at parody, homage, and critique that fails to cohere.