4v291o

I love the dog related literature in these Wallace and Gromit films. In this case it’s Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dogstoyevsky. One of my favourites has to be The Republic by Pluto, in The Wrong Tros.

Put the 5 stars in the bag.

(At the time of rewatching this I’m not sure I had and idea of an feature film for the all time greatest duo, this was the start of a totally random rewatching of these films)

I recall that suspense from years gone past watching Gromit stare at the new lodger wondering what it was that seemed so off about him, and that’s never left. This is the perfect combination of comedy and suspense in film.

This blew my expectations out the water. Maybe I shouldn’t have doubted Spielberg? When properly executed the theme of fate is one I find incredibly compelling. In Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ marquee novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude” with every character introduction we also learn their fate and ultimate demise, a motif established in the iconic opening line: “Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.” Every narrative thread and character arc is constantly barrelling into a “predetermined” conclusion, and it creates this ever-present feeling of anticipation and at times anxiety at the known future. The colonel will face the firing squad, but what exactly does that mean? We can’t know for sure whether it’s a kink on the road or a bleak vision of the end, either way that sense of foreboding remains. A prophet comes to King Laius to tell of a dark future: your boy will grow to kill his father and marry his mother. That’s fate, that’s destiny and it’s depicted incredible in “Minority Report”.

A dark dystopian world where the police force communicate with oracles of sorts to witness crimes before they happen and stamp them out. What happens when the oracle shows a pre-crime cop something they really don’t want to see, and even less want to accept? That’s what’s in store for Tom Cruise’s character who sees himself murdering someone he doesn’t even know.

Oh and I believe this was my final film watched in 2023 (344 films logged, 448.1 hours watched)

{91%} 🏅

(This review reflects my initial thoughts and rating. Which were altered after a rewatch in March 2024)

I was unable to be in the cinema for the Barbenheimer phenomenon due to an injury, but regardless this film remained atop my list of most anticipated films. I’ve grown up with Nolan’s works, and I’ll be there for each of his projects. This was great, but fell slightly short of his masterpieces, that extra something wasn’t quite there. But so much else is there, the incredible score, cinematography, ensemble cast. I was absorbed within Oppenheimer’s narrative, and utterly gripped during the key moments of spectacle. 

{83%} ✅

Fincher doesn’t disappoint, but nevertheless I would love to see him return to major Hollywood productions. He’s a filmmaker who suits the big budget projects. 

This has a very novelistic feel to it, and I’m fully here for that. We follow a single major character during his life as a hitman, with chapters all over the world. It’s small scale, unlike Fincher’s typical works, but tense and engaging in many similar Fincher ways.

Excellent finale as well!

{84%} ✅

I loved this film when I first watched it. But my rewatch revealed just how masterful this is. Makes me wonder do we even need live action superhero films? And I say this as a massive fan of Raimi’s and Nolan’s superhero films.

Previous review

First review

{100%} 💯

For years these films have been on my watchlist but I kept dismissing them when it came time to pick something to watch. How wrong was I?

There’s a certain matter of fact presentation to everything in this “superhero” film. It’s a great thriller that happens to be a superhero origin story. 

Sam Jackson and Bruce Willis are charismatic as ever. 

Nolan is referenced constantly as the filmmaker who brought superheroes into the real world. But M Night did it earlier, and in of “realism” (not to say that’s the end all be all) did it better.

Watch this if you like thrillers, superhero films, the lead actors, the director or a unique drama with a well worked gimmicky plot.

{84%} ✅

Severely underrated and over hated. It’s a crime that this film has been an example for almost two decades of an underwhelming garbage sequel. That’s a mile away from the truth. This is chaotic and baggy, but it’s damn entertaining and has some incredibly exciting moments and plot threads. The core idea of the symbiote was fascinating, and I think was initially done incredibly well in the film, but its development and conclusion was rushed, a little out of the blue and underdeveloped. That’s the case with a number of plot threads in the film, and that points to the major issue here that the script is carrying and needs to shed. It’s one of those cases where “it could’ve been a great novel but the writer was too arrogant to be edited”, in that certain major plot points need to be excised from the script and the few that are chosen need to be fully fleshed out. Maybe there could have been a Spider-Man 4 to explore some of those ideas, because there’s enough there to warrant another sequel without it being just a “cash-grab”. I know people love The Sandman narrative, but oddly that’s one that never quite worked for me, but I’ll it the “transformation” scene was done well. James Franco’s subplot was likely a subplot too many. But there’s positive to be found in every aspect of the film, it’s just a shame there’s also negative to be found in most of them. Ultimately, despite its many misgivings there’s far too much here to consider Spider-Man 3 anything less than a good experience. I’ll take it one step further and say it’s a great deal of fun, with a lot of missed potential.

{74%} 👍

The greatest Spider-Man film of all time, and a contender for the greatest superhero film ever.

Sweeps me up everytime.

{100%} 💯

It’s a breath of fresh air going back to the originals. The only superhero films that sit on the table with these are Nolan’s Dark Knight films, the Spider-Verse films and maybe a couple of odd ones like Mask of the Phantasm and Tim Burton’s Batman. 

We all know it gets even better from here, but that shouldn’t take away from this film’s greatness. Not much new to add to the conversation. It’s a nostalgic rewatch spurred on by my completion of the Spider-Man 2 game (when I say completion I mean it, platinum trophy).

{94%} 🏅

This was a major disappointment for me upon release. Am I wrong in recalling this creeping into Letterboxd’s Top 250 for a brief time? I was bored for large stretches, the plot did nothing for me, the action flew by in all the wrong ways, just a total blur. 

But on a rewatch I enjoyed it a bit more. No it’s not a very good film, will the MCU make a very good film again? However, on a rewatch I enjoyed the experience for what it was. Some nice action set-pieces, the crossovers with the Spider-Man films of my childhood etc… all of that was pleasant.

I rewatched this after a withdrawal from finishing the PS5 Spider-Man 2 game (which is incredible).

First review

{64%}

Fincher’s films are so addictive. I rewatched this hoping for a 5-star upgrade but I’m afraid my initial rating must stick, (stick to the 4.5 stars it was it for years, but I’m noticing that my original review was a 4/5 so in that respect the rating has risen between reviews. I just thought it could be a 5 star.) but that’s not to say it wasn’t a great rewatch of an incredible film. This is a staple for modern thrillers. Fincher has truly set the standard for each decade recently. In the 90’s he gave us Se7en, The Game and Fight Club. In the 00’s we got Zodiac, and this is his 2010’s instalment in the thriller canon.

It’s one of those films that’s fun and gripping from start to finish.

First review

{94%} 🏅

Spooktober 2023 #14

I started a Saw marathon with TheSeventhPersona about a month ago but stopped watching after Saw III. I happened to be free when this watch party came around so I ed in, and I’m glad I did since it ended up being a decent horror film. 

There’s a major role reversal here putting Jigsaw in the “victim” position early on which makes for an interesting experience. 

This is only the 4th Saw film I’ve seen but based on the ratings my friends have given the rest of the series I’d wager this is one of the better instalments, so check it out. And no you don’t have to watch them all in order. Certainly watch the first 2 or 3 though at least.

{64%}

Spooktober 2023 #adjacent

ElCochran 90 Discord Server Watch Party recommended by Ollie

Friedkin’s a GOAT. And his films have such an incredible energy to them, maybe this most of all!

Pacino an NYC detective has to go undercover into the hardcore gay leather-wearing clubs to hunt down a gay-targeting serial killer. The longer he stays undercover the more he changes.

What more could you ask for?

{100%} 💯

Spooktober 2023 #13

ElCochran 90 Discord Server Watch Party recommended by the man himself!

This film is electric! An insane odyssey across Madrid through the night with all manner of wackiness. 

This is a horror film, but it’s also an incredibly enjoyable thrill ride. It’s in the mould of those great “night odyssey’s” like “Naked” and “Eyes Wide Shut”, but with a more humorous twist. 

Just glance at this film’s “blurb”, whatever those couple of lines make you feel trust that it will not deceive you. It delivers in every way. 

{89%} 🏅

Wonderful and certainly the most vibey of these films I’ve seen so far!

The pizza cutter was animated PERFECTLY! But seriously… only one slice?

Another beautiful film. My favourite aspect was the felt fire lighting when the gas was turned on for the stove

Rewatched but this time I saw it was on Netflix. Actually hadn’t noticed the wonderful tv pixelation grain that is much clearer on the Netflix release!

Pasta with red sauce is a go to for me. Maybe next time I’ll try it with wool!

Everyone on letterboxd using this to review the show… and then there’s me who’s just reviewing this segment from the show introducing a show within the show.

Bojack Horseman is a show I often regret not sticking with. I watched the first few episodes and was on the fence, but then again I felt the same way with Breaking Bad (not quite on the fence because the opening is rather explosive, bur certainly not HOOKED). Hopefully one day I’ll give the show another chance as it seems to be amongst the most loved.

In fact my Netflix profile picture is of Bojack. My sister selected it years ago…

Spooktober #12

The classic.
Terrifying everytime.

I’ve always wondered about the ending. Cyclical?

{100%} 💯

Spooktober 2023 #11

Re-Animator (Extended Cut) <— watch this one

A radical young medical student develops ideas of “re-animating” the dead, ideas which startle his teachers leaving him ostracised within the university and pushing him to explore his theory in secret.

The “gimmick” was interesting to me from the beginning, but it’s the mystery and intrigue within the film which kept me watching as the protagonist probed further and further with his dark experiments.

There are great memorable set pieces within this film with incredible practical horror effects which will certainly startle you, and a generally gripping albeit pulpy sci-fi/horror plot. 

Add this to the top of your horror watchlist because it’s a breath of fresh air in the genre and an incredible film!

{98%} 🏆

Malcolm X is a classic novel that’s sat on my shelf for years. I finally picked it up, and it’s every bit as good as I’ve heard. 

Is this Spike Lee’s masterpiece? Who knows… I’ll still take “Do the Right Thing”, but this is certainly Spike’s biggest film. A work of epic proportions following the life of a legendary public figure across 3 hours. His exuberant crime-filled youth, his imprisonment, his religious transformation, his rise as a public figure and his untimely end. With none other than the mighty Denzel taking on this major role. We don’t need to ask if he delivers…
he always does.

Different reviews of mine serve different purposes, today I mostly want to do away with any preconceptions you may have of this film being a long boring trudge that whose appeal ends with your history teacher. It’s above all an exciting and gripping journey, and one of the greatest bio-pics of all time. Spike Lee’s shown us how it’s done.

{100%} 💯

I have rewatched this film since my initial viewing in October 2023 and my rating changed slightly. This review will reflect the initial rating.

This franchise continues to top itself, now with their finest instalment yet. There aren’t many blockbusters that entirely consume me like this film did. I was transported into another world for two and a half hours, and the moment I was forced out of its world I desperately wanted to be cast back in. Has Tom Cruise become a real-life superhero? Maybe… and I’m here for it!

We’re initially introduced to a Russian submarine (with a special key) which gets “hacked”. Now the whole word is on alert. This key gives access to a weapon of sorts which has the power to takeover the world (of course). Cruise’s Ethan Hunt is thrown into an adventure to to recover a half of the key and save the world. Filled with face swaps and international chases this adventure is the biggest yet.

I truly feel this franchise is wildly overlooked, and this film is a rare example of a series which continues to top itself, instead of wallowing in its own success.
Part Two of this film (because it does indeed leave you hanging…) is one of my most anticipated films ever. I will be there!
I’m hoping it isn’t the final film ever in this franchise though… but if it is I’m confident it’ll go out with a bang.

P.S has the title of this film been changed to remove “part one” because I see also that the sequel is now named “Final Reckoning” instead of “Dead Reckoning Part Two”?

{95%} 🏆

It’s a travesty then I’ve never dedicated the time to writing a proper essay about the greatest film of all time. But I’m afraid this won’t be that loving dedication either. 

It’s important not to less inspiration dictate whether you work or not. BUT in the case of “2001” I’d like to wait for that inspiration before I write something special about it, since it means so much to me.

This was a great rewatch on the 4K Blu Ray.

{100%} 💯

Apologies for skipping over Quantum of Solace… I’ll watch it one day.

As for Skyfall, it’s simply put, an incredibly enjoyable experience. I’m not sure anything was going to reach the heights of Casino Royale, let alone sur it, but Sam Mendes does a good job in bringing quality back to the series after what I’ve heard was a very disappointing entry in QoS.

Let the sky fall…

{82%} ✅

Spooktober 2023 #10

Nothing special and not much to say. It’s nice to see the duo from The Conjuring here. I was fairly engaged during the runtime and that’s about it.

{54%} 🫥

I feel like this underseen even amongst Arabs who like Chahine, let alone the entire world. But that’s a travesty because this a special masterpiece! 

For those of you who aren’t aware this is a sequel to “Alexandria Why?..” set a couple of decades into the future as the character who stands in for Chahine himself has become a stressed middle aged director who finds himself in need of heart surgery. In the operation theatre he dreams up a judicial court composed of his own organs which try him for his many mistakes during life as he attempts to reconcile his life as an artist. 

This is the second in what I believe is a four-part film series focused around this Chahine stand-in character. But I’m yet to see those final two.

This in many ways is Chahine’s 8 1/2
I’m not sure if I also said that for “Alexandria Why?..” Both films have a case for that tagline, but this one most of all due to its immense sense of introspectiveness and this wonderful balance of painful regret and youthful nostalgia we see as Chahine dissects his own life and connection to filmmaking.  

This is a special work of cinema and one which so many can find so much from. I implore all of you to not only explore the works of Chahine but to experience his Alexandria saga.

{100%} 💯

P.S Criterion when will you start adding Arabic cinema to the collection? “Bab el Hadid” (Cairo Story) would be a great start!

I’m afraid I can’t review this one properly since I was struggling not to fall asleep throughout this viewing. Not because it’s a boring film, just my own circumstances and it was a watch party viewing so I couldn’t just pause it and come back.

One day I’ll rewatch it and give it a proper review. For now it may be my only film watched without a rating.

Congrats to Wes Anderson’s for his first ever Academy Award. Long overdue and not for one of the 2 or 3 films he’ll always be ed for, but that does seem to be a regular with the Academy. This is a fantastic anthology of films and one I’ll certainly revisit.

P.S this is an official film listing and has a 2024 release but I just watched the shorts on release and counted this listing as the totality of that which I watched in 2023.

I loved all the Wes Anderson shorts. But this is probably slightly worse than the others. I’m over a year late with this review so I’m afraid I don’t have much else to say, except I’d love to see more of these shorts from Wes.

Got to respect it from Wes. This ability he possesses to tell brilliant stories with any length of time is remarkable. This is potentially the best of the lot, at least of the short films, I probably prefer the much longer “Henry Sugar”, but nonetheless this was a quirky sharp work with a great ending and brilliant tension throughout that made me think “Why don’t we see more Wes thrillers?”

The ending to this short is extremely disturbing and I love it!

This Wes Anderson short film collection is a blast. A fun nightly viewing experience with my sister who’s also a fan of Wes’ work, and like myself a Roald Dahl fan.

Dahl telling stories about rats is always a blast 😂

Spooktober 2023 #9

David Lynch really gets me.
I’m seeing something that was always hidden. I’m in the middle of a mystery and it’s all secret.

The emptiness of wealth is a tale as old as time, from King Midas to Citizen Kane and here we have Wes Anderson’s extra quirky examination of the classic theme. 

This is the “show-piece” of Wes’ recent collection of Roald Dahl adaptations. The longest, grandest and rather conventionally the best. 

I think amongst the multitude of universes you’d be hard pressed to find one where a combination of Dahl’s wacky, and at times macabre, childhood tales and Wes Anderson’s eccentric and loveable filmmaking style wouldn’t work on me. 

Not to ruin your immense anticipation for the Dahl/Anderson reviews but I loved them all and the experience of watching one even night with my sister who fits in the same category as myself when it comes to loving Dahl and Wes Anderson. 

Wes’ first Academy award was incredibly overdue. I’m glad he’s finally got one, regardless of the fact that it wasn’t for any of his major theatrical works.

This is funny but it doesn’t hold a candle to any of the great works from Georges Méliès

A greater crime than the plethora of mafia murders Scorsese depicts is how I’ve allowed myself to go over four years without rewatching this masterpiece. A work that’s been so incredibly formative to, and influential on, my cinematic journey. As far back as I I always loved mafia films… that’s true if I can only as far as my first viewings of The Godfather films and Goodfellas.

Um yeah some thematic spoilers and stuff…

Don’t get high on your own supply 

As critic Tim Pelan puts it this is

the Seinfeld of gangster films, with “no hugging, no learning.”

Of course there’s plenty of hugs, and a great deal of talk about learning. But like we find in the worlds of Larry David, everything is insincere.

All we have is guilt and regret. We enter deeper and deeper into Vertigo-esque spirals of dread. We crash into this terrible pit of paranoia as the dream realm we once aspired to reach reveals itself as a facade. The skin peels off and the nightmare stands before us.

“Now it’s dark.”

I never wanted to leave the dream, never wanted to trade spaghetti for noodles and ketchup. But Scorsese and Thelma force my eyes open.
VIDDY WELL! 

I a lovely stroll through the Copa Cabana. Never again.

It had been a long while since my first viewing of potentially Wes Anderson’s most critically acclaimed film in his iconic career, so it was nice to just confirm my absolute adoration of the stories and settings of “The Grand Budapest Hotel”.

There’s an incredible rhythm constructed through the edit of Wes’ films which maintains the exciting pace throughout the different chapters and eras of the story. This film just works in every way, everything’s come together to create something perfect. I’m sure the production was a struggle, I guess I’ll find out when I buy the Criterion…

Only Fantastic Mr Fox trumps this as my favourite Wes Anderson film.

So this is what inspired Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul…

It’s a charming film and the first of a series which I’m sure I’ll be dipping into over the coming years whenever the mood strikes me for a light family comedy filled with every sort of struggle possible.

I must say however, the situation with the dog was extremely disturbing. Even if it is just fictional and described. 

{74%} 👍

Even at 0.5 pace I can’t discern much… still interesting from what I can see.

Audio commentary by William Friedkin RIP
Informative and entertaining

At the time of writing I have been to and fallen in love with San Francisco, but that wasn’t the case at the time of this viewing so I’m excited for the next time I watch this film because I’m sure I’ll feel something a little extra having been to the city.

I’ll link my previous review which is actually of the film.

It’s becoming rather difficult to recall my feelings on these films I watched about a year ago, but I’ll do my best. I the incessant swearing, the comically stupid scenarios and dialogue, the oddly likeable gangsters and the quaint but increasingly tense narrative. Ralph Fiennes is generally an incredible actor and his role here is no exception. The film is initially intentionally aimless and light as were introduced to our two main characters. The driving force of the plot is revealed later on in the film in a shocking moment which plunges us into a pit of dread which only grows more substantial as the film goes on, despite its darkly comedic tone. 

It’s a film for all moods and times. 

{83%} ✅

ElCochran 90 Discord Server Watch Party recommended by me!

Spooktober 2023 #8

A folk horror masterpiece. We fly with our detective to an isolated Scottish isle with nought but a picture, a missing young girl. Disappeared. But the white picket fences swiftly give way to the underground darkness. “I’m seeing something that was always hidden. I’m in the middle of a mystery and it’s all secret. “The owls are not what they seem”. Secrets and lies everywhere we go. What do we believe in and how far are we willing to let those beliefs go? 

Christopher Lee delivers yet another performance combining absolute terror and captivating charisma. This is after all, Count Dracula. How much harder could the job get? 

OH GOD!! OH JESUS CHRIST!!!

There is no greater adaptor of Shakespeare than Akira Kurosawa. Nobody has ever managed to capture the impact and artistry of Shakespeare in cinematic form like Kurosawa.

First was “Throne of Blood”, Kurosawa’s “Macbeth”.
Then came “The Bad Sleep Well”, Kurosawa’s “Hamlet”.
And finally Ran. Did Kurosawa do Shakespeare one better?

An adaptation of King Lear combined with a classic Japanese parable of the warlord and his three sons. With a splash of Macbeth through the insertion of a “Lady Macbeth” type character. You can clearly tell this isn’t a 1:1 adaptation of the classic play, but there’s no shame in innovation and modification. I’m yet to read King Lear but the first comment I hear regarding its qualities is its strong, visual cinematic nature. In fact Shakespeare is typically rather cinematic in his style, conjuring incredibly powerful and vivid images throughout his body of work. And I feel that no filmmaker has come as close to capturing this quality of Shakespeare’s work as Kurosawa. There are images in this film I will never forget. The plethora of power dynamic images illustrated by the height of the character’s seat are ingrained in my mind. The burning castle, “Hell’s Picture Scroll”. The Buddha in the chasm. 

This is “Shakespearean”. 

Exploring the context behind this work proves to be rather illuminating. Without it one may be left questioning the major tonal shift to absolute darkness and despair in Kurosawa’s cinema when they’ve come to view him as an exciting filmmaker often focused on ideas of hope. With it one comes to understand the suicidal and depressive state of mind our filmmaker was in during the latter part of his career where he made films like “Kagemusha”, “Ran” and “Dreams”. It’s true Kurosawa had made numerous “despairing” films during his “golden era” but they were mixed in with plenty of hopeful or “fun” films, or themselves weren’t entirely dark. Ran is entirely different to the works of Kurosawa’s “Golden Era” in every way. We still have the grand battles of “Seven Samurai” and the Shakespearean connections we had with his previous adaptations but there’s a nameless quality here which makes this an entirely different experience. I think this needs to be watched towards the end of your Kurosawa exploration. I’m in the fortunate position of having seen each of his 30 films and I really feel that all of his colour films should be left until later, especially the bitter and cold experience that “Ran” is.

The spectacle in this film is unlike anything else in cinema, especially considering the year of release. Only works like “The Lord of the Rings” captured similar epic battles with such power. This feels theatrical in every sense of the word, it feels like a masterful opera. This colourful nightmare truly does feel like Shakespeare’s ultimate dream for his work.

The simple yet dark truth of human nature is clear to us all. 

“As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; They kill us for their sport.” - Shakespeare

“Enough! Do not blaspheme! It is the gods who weep. They see us killing each other over and over since time began. They can't save us from ourselves.” - Kurosawa

The Raid 1 and 2 are very different yet both equally as impactful.

The original film is a far more focused and condensed experienced in which we follow a detective squad attempting to takedown a corrupt agency in one single apartment block. The filming style is most akin to “cinema-verite” which makes for an extremely raw and brutal experience. There is no real story, only survival.

The sequel however opts for a complex undercover gangster storyline filled with tons of characters and numerous storylines and many different sets each with increasingly intense action sequences. This film is MAJOR, and it feels very different from its predecessor. But I’m glad of that. Not because change was needed, but just to provide a distinct cinematic experience, something entirely individual.

Each of us will have a different favourite. Mine is likely the first film, but they’re very close. I can’t understand a total bashing of either film however since I find them both to be brilliantly refreshing additions to the action cinema canon.

{95%} 🏆

Nothing new to add.
This is always a blast.
What an epic documentary mini-series!

I’m torn on the rating here.
100%?
I think I’ll keep it there. I really do love this film. 

I enjoy the controlled chaos of the constantly unravelling narrative. And I always enjoy an exciting exploration of obsession in cinema and literature, certainly this is no exception. Here we follow multiple obsessive personalities which makes the dynamic much more interesting.

Rewatching this is always a pleasure.

{100%} 💯

It’s been a long time since I last watched this film which used to be a favourite but faded slightly in my memory over time. I used this viewing as both a way to relive the experience and to reconfirm my rating.

In parts, I see a masterpiece, namely those spectacular moments where the sound design, music and cinematography combine in the most powerful way to convey elements of the core journey or just to explore a particular emotion of the characters. However, in parts, Nolan resorts to heavy exposition which certainly isn’t “boring”, but pails in comparison to many of the magical and spectacular scenes we are treated to during the rest of this film.

It's a mixed bag but one which is consistently positive, just not always as positive as I would have hoped.

{84%} ✅

Some films

• Devil in a Blue Dress
• Babylon
• Exiled
• A Touch of Zen
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• The Martian
• Total Recall
• Sexy Beast
• To Die For
• Lady Vengeance

...plus 40 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

A watchlist of feature films under 100 minutes I’d like to watch... this is really a personal list since I won’t be including any films I’ve seen, it’s just ones I haven’t seen... if you have any recommendations let me know and I’ll add them to my list if I haven’t seen them.

• The Wild Angels
• Rancho Notorious
• , Year Zero
• Dante's Inferno
• Journey to Italy
• About Endlessness
• The Man Who Sleeps
• The General
• Laugh, Clown, Laugh
• The Blackbird

...plus 962 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Get to work…

• Mickey 17
• Black Bag
• Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

• Ping Pong the Animation
• The Penguin
• BLUE LOCK
• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
• Vinland Saga
• Berserk

Maybe this will be a better year for me…

• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
• Sinners

• Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
• Challengers

1. Dune: Part Two
2. Anora
3. Conclave
4. Memoir of a Snail
5. Megalopolis
6. Snack Shack
7. The First Omen

Pending addition of The Boxer’s Omen…

1. The Wicker Man

   Recommended by Meeeeee

2. Terrorism and Kebab

   Recommended by MEEEEEEE!

3. Cruising

   Recommended by Ollie

4. Eega
5. Wild at Heart
6. PTU

   Recommended by Ollie

7. Bound
8. Mikey and Nicky
9. The Day of the Beast

   Recommended by Edgar Cochran

10. Interstate 60

...plus 8 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

1. The Brutalist
2. The Substance
3. Nickel Boys
4. Wicked
5. I'm Still Here
6. A Complete Unknown
7. A Real Pain
8. The Wild Robot
9. Emilia Pérez
10. Sing Sing

...plus 4 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Challengers
• SPERMWORLD
• Civil War
• Love Lies Bleeding
• The Fall Guy
• Abigail
• I Saw the TV Glow
• The Substance
• Sing Sing
• Joker: Folie à Deux

...plus 5 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Directors working today who could have me waiting in line to see their new film

• Oldboy
• GoodFellas
• The Dark Knight
• Fantastic Mr. Fox
• My Neighbor Totoro
• There Will Be Blood
• Parasite
• Heat
• Dune: Part Two
• Zodiac

Average Rating As A percentage: 95%

I recently began my journey through the world of Studio Ghibli and I've loved it! Since Miyazaki is coming out of retirement this year I'll be watching all of the Studio Ghibli films before then. Hopefully, the Coronavirus won't impact his film.

1. My Neighbor Totoro

   100% 💯

2. Grave of the Fireflies

   100% 💯

3. Princess Mononoke

   100% 💯

4. Spirited Away

   100% 💯

5. Kiki's Delivery Service

   100% 💯

6. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

   100% 💯

7. The Wind Rises

   100% 💯

8. Whisper of the Heart

   100% 💯

9. The Tale of The Princess Kaguya

   100% 💯

10. My Neighbors the Yamadas

    100% 💯

...plus 8 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

If I’ve rated the film but the note doesn’t say “watched” that means I watched the film before buying the criterion disc and I haven’t then rewatched it.

• Stalker

  Watched

• Solaris

  Watched

• The Tree of Life
• Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
• Tampopo
• Tokyo Drifter
• L'Avventura
• The Music Room
• Eraserhead

  Watched (many special features unwatched)

• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

  Watched (many special features unwatched)

...plus 37 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

On the Contrary - The 100 Horror Watchlist

My all time favorite horror films ranked from best to least best. And I DECIDE what is horror and what isn’t not TMDB

1. The Shining
2. Eyes Wide Shut
3. Mulholland Drive
4. The Exorcist
5. Blue Velvet
6. Rosemary's Baby
7. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
8. Psycho
9. Videodrome
10. Monster

...plus 90 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Did a 2024 rewatch of this series from my childhood which I’ve gone back to millions of times and had altered opinions on each time. What’s always fixed is just how exciting this series is. The particular rankings however, are always subject to change.

I find I’ve gained a much greater appreciation for these films on this most recent rewatch.

1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

“Man isn't a noble savage, he's an ignoble savage. He is irrational, brutal, weak, silly, unable to be objective about anything where his own interests are involved—that about sums it up. I'm interested in the brutal and violent nature of man because it's a true picture of him. And any attempt to create social institutions on a false view of the nature of man is probably doomed to failure.” - Stanley Kubrick


Average rating as a percentage: 90%

Stanley Kubrick is my favorite filmmaker of all time without a doubt! And this is every Stanley Kubrick film I’ve seen ranked.

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey

   100% 💯

2. Barry Lyndon

   100% 💯

3. A Clockwork Orange

   100% 💯

4. The Shining

   100% 💯

5. Eyes Wide Shut

   100% 💯

6. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

   100% 💯

7. Paths of Glory

   100% 💯

8. Full Metal Jacket

   100% 💯

9. The Killing

   100% 💯

10. Lolita

    100% 💯

...plus 3 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

I’d love some recommendations for more great animated films to watch! I’m excluding any series’ that are logged here on letterboxd like Neon Genesis Evangelion or Monster. This is just my personal ranking.

1. My Neighbor Totoro
2. Grave of the Fireflies
3. Princess Mononoke
4. Spirited Away
5. Kiki's Delivery Service
6. Perfect Blue
7. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
8. Watership Down
9. Paprika
10. Millennium Actress

...plus 40 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Average rating as a percentage: 100%

1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

   100% 💯

2. Once Upon a Time in the West

   100% 💯

3. For a Few Dollars More

   100% 💯

4. A Fistful of Dollars

   100% 💯

5. Once Upon a Time in America

   100% 💯

• The Seventh Seal
• Bicycle Thieves
• In the Mood for Love
• Phantom Thread
• Police Story
• Decision to Leave
• Being There