4v291o

Brian and Tanner were having a wild 2001.

Wanted to catch this after seeing the trailer at a revival screening of THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS last week. I didn't expect much, but it's another movie with Paul Walker driving a car and has some early 2000s scuzz to it. Turned out to be a surprisingly fun thriller.

ittedly, this feels like a trashier noir that's had some of its edges sanded off. And while Walker and Zahn are fine in this, their performances feel like they're pulling punches on their character's worst qualities. Solbieski doesn't have much to do, but her actions in the final set piece indicate the potential for a brassier character.

Still, there are some scenes of tightly-built tension throughout, and even if it misses some swings, it's nice to see some effort at low-hum sleaze. It feels like it could be one of those low-level studio releases Vinegar Syndrome has been releasing lately (it would be funny to see them cover this, since they've already put another movie called JOYRIDE).

I want more FAST & FURIOUS movies with lower budgets, higher amounts of bromance, sweeter liveries, and extra kisses on Vin Diesel's bare noggin, and I'm not kidding.

Watched at The Academy Theatre for a revival screening. They showed some trailers for movies that would make for a pretty FAST-tastic triple-feature:
- GONE IN 60 SECONDS (2000)
- JOY RIDE (2001)
- MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II (2000)

I normally wouldn't be that excited about a remake of 1975's THE BULLET TRAIN, but hearing that it was directed by Shinji Higuchi had me curious. It did win me over with its thrills, and I thought it was interesting to see how social media and modern tech may affect the conflict from the original 70s movie.

Similar to that first movie, it' was interesting to see the crisis from the point of view of the railway workers, seeing the tech and knowledge they use to tackle the situation. No lie, I did some fist pumps when I first saw the control room, which only had sparse updates from the '75 film.

Sadly, this almost lost me in the final half, once certain twists come to light. It takes the story from a somewhat grounded thriller into ridiculous soap-operatics. As much as the film tries to justify the narrative turn, it was hard to regain my investment.

I also have a weird issue with the presentation of the t effort of the railway and government. I like the collectivist solutions, but something about it possibly rings false for me. One of Higuchi's earlier films, SHIN GODZILLA, took fierce critical aim at the bureaucracy that EXPLOSION holds up as a shining example of heroism.

Maybe the satire of the latter movie came from Higuchi's collaborator Hideaki Anno. I'll also it that I don't have intimate knowledge of Japanese government and work culture, so maybe I'm making hay out of nothing. For some reason it stuck in my craw a bit. Maybe I just wanted a little more out of something that eventually spiralled into cheap melodrama.

Tom Riley buys a house which turns out to be haunted, and reacts to it way one would to stubbing their toe or banging their elbow on a door frame. Instead of getting spooked, Tom gripes at his invisible tormentor to knock their shit off. Top coot energy.

This should be worse, but its charm is reflected in its dogged protaganist. Nigel Bach may lack the skills and resources to make a movie, but like cranky old Tom he doesn't let the odds get him down. Despite meandering scenes and tacky props, Bach's dedication to the project makes it endearing.

Letterboxd Season Challenge X: 3/33

Feels good to cross Jackass marathon off my list after starting to watch through these movies three years ago. Damn my cinematic ADHD.

Enjoyed that this felt more high concept than some of the previous movies. Hard to watch some of these dudes trying to still take the abuse of their younger days. Watching Knoxville getting tossed by a bull in the first movie compared to this one was sobering.

I wonder if the young cast they brought in will do anything with the franchise. It was fun watching these folks have the vibe of "I can't believe I get to be in a JACKASS movie!"

100 Minutes or Less Challenge: 2/24
CineChallenges 2025: 11/52

Almost threw up during "Sweatsuit Cocktail", which is probably the closest I'll come to experiencing this in 3D.

Hums a bit when it's being goofy and setting up gags, and gets boring when there's actual plot. Some charming musical numbers, but nothing that really bops.

Finally, the underwater treasure hunt is a fun premise, but all creativity seems to be spent on slagging hippies. It doesn't help that I saw this so soon after watching the inspired underwater fight in TOP SECRET!

Watched on Sunday April 6, 2025.

I didn't realize until recently that this was Val Kilmer's first movie role. Not only did he have the Elvis swagger down, but his charmisma and acting chops were already jumping off the screen. RIP, and keep skeeting.

Watched on Thursday April 3, 2025.

I'm super down with Ayer/Statham's Dumb Punching Renaissance, but to me, this movie commits two big sins:

- We spend the most amount of time with the least interesting of the dirtbags.
- All those shots of a giant full moon, yet nobody's secretly a werewolf.

That said, there's still enough gonzo energy and brutality to make for an entertaining romp. Ayer and Statham are elevating each other's art, and here's hoping they continue making stuff together for as long as they both can stand.

While not really fair, the fact that this movie has a pickle maker as an ignored romantic interest reminded me of CROSSING DELANCEY, and I couldn't stop making comparisons to this film throughout the runtime. While very different plot-wise, DELANCEY creates a richer sense of its New York community and characters than this film manages. Even without comparing the movies, just about everything in this feels perfunctory, and the people here don't seem to have much depth beyond their basic characteristics.

I wonder if part of that is due to budget; with a sub-90 minute runtime, there are few characters and locations used throughout. There are scenes that hint at a wider life outside of the main story, but they're rarely add to the proceedings. It's a shame, as I really love some of the cast involved, nobody's phoning it in, but the effort still can't elevate the material.

Not sure if I'm being too uptight in my thinking, or if this got too overhyped for me. I liked it, there are several bits that I can point at and yell, "YES!", but as a whole this wasn't gelling in some way. I could definitely use less actors improving in a two-shot scenes.

Best inclusion of a sword outside of a samurai flick though.

CineChallenges 2025: 6/52
Honey, I Shrunk the Watchlist! 2025: 2/35
Letterboxd Season Challenge X (Bonus): 1/10
100 Minutes or Less Challenge 2025: 1/24

- Love Bong Joon Ho's willingness to go silly, but a lot of this didn't hit for me.
- Not saying Steve Yuen with a moustache looks like an scumbag, but Steve Yeun with that moustache is a perfect scumbag.
- Envy that South Korean view that you can prosecute tyrants with due process.
- Macarons are not a sin.

Comedy 52x25: 2/53

Hearing about this, I was really curious how Robert Altman would handle an 80s teen comedy. Honestly, it seems like the genre is almost an afterthought for him. The focus is more on satirizing conservative American values and consumerism than teenage hijinx. Sprinkle in some BREWSTER McCLOUD/M*A*S*H*-level absurdism.

It's mostly fun, though some dated homophobic/racist humor makes watching this a bummer at times. Extra frustrating is that the filmmakers bring in this bigotry to show how terrible certain characters are, but still peddle in these stereotypes for laughs.

I love me some PWSA schlock, but this felt like it had less of a script, more of a Pinterest board. At least the production design (when not being hidden in murky CG) is pretty rad. And I can never fully hate a movie that has Milla Jovovich doing flip kicks. Viva cinema!

Watched on Wednesday March 5, 2025.

Shimao is a former racer, now driving instructor, who runs into a former student on a seemingly calm night. Soon he learns that she now runs with street racers who take their sport to deadly lengths in search of thrills. Night driving and jazz score ensues.

This made me think of 50s American delinquency movies shot with the coolness of French New Wave. Most of the youth in this flick come off as counterculture caricatures, but the filmmaking style and intensity of the races helps to ground it (some moments make this feel like it was made before the days of "let's plan things out and get train professionals to do these stunts").

While the jazz score for this gets some well deserved adulation, the sound that sticks with me is the near omnipresence of growling car motors. They seem to follow Shimao through the film, both calling to him and reminding him of his tragic racing past.

This review may contain spoilers.

A few days on, the critical side of my brain is still trying to figure out what juice is missing that keeps this from living up to the previous movies for me. Not that it's a real problem; this was still freakin' delightful! Can't wait to see it again. Just can't help but wonder what I'm not getting from this cinematic marmalade.

One "prop": There are fewer satisfying pleasures than watching Paddington humble fools with a Hard Stare.

One "slop": There was a perfect spot for a late (-ish) title drop, but unfortunately they chose the Coward's Way.

ittedly came to this curious about Moroni Benally, a gay, Mormon, Navajo first-time political candidate, and how he may possibly square these seemingly competing identities. Unsuprisingly this is more about his campaign for president of the Navajo Nation, and it was just as interesting to see that political world and sad to learn in more detail how badly the U.S. has screwed over Indigenous people.

Ultimately, it feels like this film sleights all of these interesting subject matters, giving a basic overview of each that doesn't feel fully satisfying. I'm not sure how much extending the run time could help; really it feels like there's enough in here to fuel multiple documentaries.

Letterboxd Season Challenge X: 1/33
Indigenous Cinema Week

Given the early tension this, I expected this to go in a more uneasy direction. Not to say it didn't have those moments, but the ultimate destination was much different than I expected.

Well done depiction of the liminal time and feelings between childhood and budding adolescence.

Japanuary 2025: 3/8
CineChallenges 2025: 3/52

Watching this reminded me of the TRUCK YARO series. It has some of the elements (a South Asian version of decorated trucks, truckers vs. cops, racing to places against impossible odds), but a lot more family friendly.

Ken is salaryman trying to get to the wedding of his estranged daughter in Malaysia. When his plane is grounded in a remote area, he happens upon a trucker, Mary, who offers to give him a ride. Hijinx ensue.

Overall this is a fun trip, even if it's sometimes too broad and predictable. One of the bonuses is seeing a glammed up Naoto Takenaka in the opening credits. I wish the film had shown more of his free-spirited past and transition to dedicated company man. That, along with his relationship with his daughter is glossed over to focus more on his character's "wacky" journey.

Comedy 52x25: 1/53
(late) Japanuary 2025: 2/8
CineChallenges: 2/52

Before I lamented the lack of Etsuko Shihomi karate thrillers; now I lament the lack of Etsuko Shihomi thrillers where she goes undercover in increasingly ridiculous outfits. This shoulda been a series!

If I have any complaints, it's that some of the wilder elements from the beginning of the movie get lost by the end (more Mach Fumiake, please!), as well as the lack of car-based action (she is a race car driver after all). It would also be nice to watch a seventies martial arts flick that doesn't have a pointless scene of sexual assault.

Otherwise, this may be a top three Shihomi film to check out if you've not seen her brand of ass-kicking. Put this on with SISTER STREET FIGHTER and DRAGON PRINCESS, and you'll have a fun night in.

Japanuary 2025: 1/8
CineChallenges 2025: 1/52
HISTW! 2025: 1/35

My least favorite movie where an elephant gets eaten by a giant vagina-mouth tentacle monster?

One star for tiny Rock.
One star for the creature make up in the Krampus castle. Why did we need a CG polar bear again?
I'd probably add a half star if this wasn't too underlit to make out most of the movie.

Obsessed that Dwayne Johnson got Rock'em Sock'em Robots on to the big screen before Vin Diesel. Did he do it out of pettiness, or did Vin suggest it as part of the mea culpa to get him back in the FAST franchise?

Barely watching movies this year. ☹️
Ignoring my growing watchpile to rewatch beaver shenanigans 😏

More proof that Edison was a real sicko.

Continuing The Randy Cut. twitter.com/2Fast2Forever/status/1837152937056829474

Putting bits from this, 7 and 9 in chronological order got a bit messy pacing-wise, but still a lot of fun nonetheless.

The Randy Cut continues... twitter.com/2Fast2Forever/status/1837152937056829474

This review may contain spoilers.

Gut Reaction:
Down with Francis' "destroy cinematic language and rebuild it" ethos, but felt like I needed a roap to follow most of these characters and their motivations, particularly anyone who wasn't Adam Driver or Giancarlo Esposito. I'd watch it again, but I'm not in a hurry...?

Stray Thoughts:
- As someone who barely thinks about the Roman Empire, I wonder if some of my plot confusion would be solved with knowing that history better.
- In general, this feels like there's maybe another hour of movie that was cut out that would explain/bridge gaps between disted scenes.
- Not sure what I'm supposed to make of megalon and Cesar's dead wife subplot. I thought at first she might be in another dimension, which would another wrinkle to the command of time/string theory being tossed around. Ends up seemingly being nothing though.
- Got a laugh that one of Cesar's big innovations was reinventing airport moving walkways.
- Nobody expects the suprise bow and arrow!! ("boner"-arrow?)
- Trying to imagine which would be a better double feature with this, FERRARI or SOUTHLAND TALES?

Hooptober Xi: 1/31

Not the weirdest movie ever, but it pointed its nose toward bat country often enough to be entertaining.

If it had about a tenth of the budget, it may have been a masterpiece.

P.S. Growing up in Maine, this barely s as a snow storm.

P.P.S. Holy shit, I just realized Donnie Wahlberg played adult Duddits. I'm not sure if that makes this better or worse, but it adds to the baffling nature of this enterprise.

Watched as part of "The Randy Cut".
twitter.com/2Fast2Forever/status/1837152937056829474

Watched as part of "The Randy Cut".
twitter.com/2Fast2Forever/status/1837152937056829474

Watched as part of "The Randy Cut".
twitter.com/2Fast2Forever/status/1837152937056829474

Watched as part of "The Randy Cut".
twitter.com/2Fast2Forever/status/1837152937056829474

Watched as part of "The Randy Cut".
twitter.com/2Fast2Forever/status/1837152937056829474

Watched as part of "The Randy Cut".
twitter.com/2Fast2Forever/status/1837152937056829474

cw: Sad cat 😿

This had horses, explosions, and Wilford Brimley, but nobody had the foresight to have Wilford Brimley ride away from an explosion on a horse.

At least this wasn't totally boring, and had more stop motion creatures and sci-fi action than the last Ewok flick. Has Disney brought back any of the D&D nonsense here into any of their Star Wars shows?

These Ewoks have no luck with ropes.

I liked it when they fought a stop motion Snorthog. My cat went nuts during the dancing lights scene.

This review may contain spoilers.

I see all these reviews talking about Elvis singing "Old McDonald", but nobody mentioning his version gleefully details a bloodthirsty McDonald who will carve up any animals that won't follow his unwritten, capricious laws.

As weird as the LIVE A LITTLE, LOVE A LITTLE, except this has a proper caper and plot. Not the most thrilling of thrillers, but "Elvis having an adventure" is doing it for me more than the recent hangout vibes of some of his later movies.

I expected wacky slapstick going in, but not so much that it would use the concepts and storytelling stylings of video games so heavily. If LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM got drunk on animal costumes.

Shout out to the filmmakers for resurrecting the TRUCK RASCALS "falling in love" shot.

Unexpectedly upsetting a series of diamond heists is an interesting wrinkle for a kaiju film, and I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had focused on that aspect of the story. Instead it follows about four separate groups reacting to the monster (the thieves, the cops, the scientist, and the military), and it seems to lose some steam as it switches between perspectives.

I read how Toho had hoped this could be the first in a series of films starring the Mark Jackson character. I would have watched them, but I'd hope they'd continue to star Komei, Mark's inspector frenemy who has a habit of free climbing into places he's unwanted. The two have good chemistry, even when they're trying to out-judo each other.

Watched on Friday August 2, 2024.

Al Ruddy's return to mafia pictures didn't work out so good.

Watched this at Academy Theatre with some folks. One of the movies that got me into Japanese film, samurai films, and Kurosawa.

Scattered thoughts:

• Watching a movie about an elderly lord losing himself to dementia doesn't feel relevant at aallll right now.

• Having seen this so many times, it's like watching the machinations of the plot stacking dominoes just waiting to be toppled over (and when they do... boy howdy!)

• I know it's cliche to say good movies in the realm of three hours seem to fly by, but I was really surprised how breezy the pacing felt. Even crazier when so much of this features long takes and characters slowly moving through empty/desolate scenery.

• The pageantry of the battle scenes is amazing in this, moreso on a large screen.

• I don't so many scenes with echo-y sound, They're used to great effect though.

• Tatsuya Nakadai is an obvious Kurosawa G.O.A.T., but Mieko Harada deserves her flowers for Lady Kaede alone. One of the most cunning and ruthless characters I can think of.

A day later, I'm still not sure what I think of this movie's final act.

I enjoyed this overall though, and appreciated it as a character study.

Decent fun, but I have the suspicion I'm mainly going to the helicopter scene.

This review may contain spoilers.

I feel like I hear a lot of shit talked on this movie, and while it's no masterpiece, I thought it was pretty fun. Maybe it's my recent movie drought? Whatever!

I'll get my two biggest gripes out of the way. First is the lazy plotting of this. As I get deeper into the Elvis oeuvre, a lot of these movies have potential to be a lot better if they weren't being churned out conveyor-style alongside his music career.

Second, I think this needed to choose between either more racing or more clambakes; for some reason, I didn't picture the high-speed, bouncing-against-waves nature of the race we got at the end, and I would have liked to see more of that.

I don't have much of an argument for more clambakes other than it's the title of the movie, we only get one, and everyone seems to mostly be eating chicken. Pretty fun scene though, and the general vibe seems to be adult version of a PEANUTS dance party.

I did get nervous when Elvis started singing to a group of kids... I've heard SPEEDWAY isn't the only time he sings about kids growing up to be hot. Fortunately he just sang about believing in yourself, but it's still a little creepy to have children fawning over him.

On a random note, my dad's usually listening to old radio shows when we hang out, and I had some recognitional whiplash when I heard the hotel's doorman speak. Was that THE GREAT GILDERSLEEVE yelling at Elvis to move his motorcycle? Yes, yes it was.

This review may contain spoilers.

Sigh... All the casual racism and redface makeup really brings down what was otherwise a kinda fun hangout movie. Beer, dancing, fisticuffs, horseplay, schemes, and rodeos, just to name a few of the more delightful bits in this movie.
(Bonus points to the climactic finale, which featured a shotgun wedding, a house destroying brawl, and a jilted fella winning back his girl, all pretty much happening simultaneously.)

It seems to have a looser feel than other Elvis flicks I've seen with similar qualities, which I appreciated. Add to that some gorgeous cinematography of the Arizona desert, and this manages to be pretty decent despite its low points. If I had any criticisms beside its poorly aged elements, is that it can be too ramshackle, leaving some plot points barely explored.

Finally, this features what may be my favorite Elvis trope to emerge from these movies; Presley singing to dogs. Here he croons to pooches in the rain, a scene with a weird cinematic florish which seems out of place among the rest of this movie.

Compiling a list of movies I watch for CineChallenges 2025. Each week's theme is in the notes. Updating weekly (or as I have time to watch a movie for that week's challenge).

Previous Years:
2024 | 2023 | 2021

Challenges Completed: 13/52

⏹️⏹️✅⏹️⏹️ ✅✅⏹️✅✅ ✅✅✅✅✅ ✅✅⏹️⏹️✅ ⏹️⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛
⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛

• The Great Chase

  Week 3: Watch a movie that has a relation or connection to the number five.

• Ken and Mary: The Asian Truck Express

  Week 6: Watch a movie that uses roads as a setting.

• Monster

  Week 7: Watch a movie that center on a couple, a duo, or the evolution of a relationship/friendship.

• Hairpin Circus

  Week 9: Watch a movie somehow related to "accessories" (ie. name in title, featured in a costume, etc.)

• O.C. and Stiggs

  Week 10: Watch a movie featuring the talents of someone from the Oscars' In Memorium list, or someone they missed off the list.

• Bottoms

  Week 11: Watch a movie by female filmmakers/actresses in honor of International Women's Day

• Maggie's Plan

  Week 12: Watch a movie featuring math, mathematicians, or math concepts in the title.

• The Fable

  Week 13: Watch a movie related to birds.

• Dragons Forever

  Week 14: Watch a film related to fire.

• Easy Come, Easy Go

  Week 15: Movies about inanimate objects or reference one in the title.

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

New year, who dis?

• Paddington in Peru
• A Working Man
• Bullet Train Explosion
• Mickey 17
• In the Lost Lands

Letterboxd Season Challenge?! Ten Years?! Holy moley!!

The oldest Letterboxd activity I take part in? Crazy to think about. This year is 33 movies, plus ten bonus challenges, and I've given myself possible alternatives for challenges that have more than one list or criteria to choose from. All details are in the notes.

Thanks to Wade McCormick, 𝖘𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖎𝖓, and Adam Graff for keeping the fire.

PROGRESS
Challenges: 3/33
Bonuses: 1/10
Possible Alts: 0/22

TOP FIVE (tk)
1. Bad Ben (2016)
2. Dragons Forever (1988)
3. Bottoms (2023)
4. Moroni For President (2018)

1. if....

   Week 1: September 2nd-8th
   The American History of X Week

   Watch a mainstream (non-pornographic) MPAA X-rated film.

2. Nope

   Week 2: September 9th-15th
   Anxiety Week

   Watch a previously unseen anxiety-inducing film.

3. 20th Century Women

   Week 3: September 16th-22nd
   Nicecore Week

   Watch a previously unseen Nicecore film.

4. Sugar & Spice

   Week 4: September 23rd-29th
   Her Dark Material Week

   Watch a title from Kevin MJ's The Best Female-Led Dark Comedy Films list.

5. Asteroid City

   Week 5: September 30th-October 6th
   Anders(s)on Week

   Watch a previously unseen film by Roy Andersson or Paul, Wes, Paul W.S., or Brad Anderson.

   Wes Anderson

   Possible Alts:
   Roy Andersson: A Swedish Love Story
   Paul Thomas Anderson: Licorice Pizza
   Paul W.S. Anderson: Death Race
   Brad Anderson: The Call

6. Godzilla vs. Hedorah

   Week 6: October 7th-13th
   Strange Beasts Week

   Watch a movie listed in David Haddon's What’s That Coming Over The Hill? - Kaiju Films list.

7. Moroni for President

   Week 7: October 14th-20th
   Indigenous Cinema Week
   Watch a film from degelle's Native, Indigenous, & Aboriginal Cinema list.

8. Voyage of the Rock Aliens

   Week 8: October 21st-27th
   Alien Encounters Week

   Watching a movie featuring aliens.

9. Bad Ben

   Week 9: October 28th-November 3rd
   Found Footage Week

   Watch a previously unseen found footage film.

10. Russian Ark

    Week 10: November 4th-10th
    The Long Take Week

    Watch a film from kevinandrewrea3's One/Long take movies list.

...plus 33 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Ending the year just making lists. Maybe this one will go well since it prioritizes shorter films?

Original List/Challenge by Brandy Bell: boxd.it/Bfmw8

PROGRESS: 2/24

TOP FIVE:
1. Jackass Forever (2022)
2. Bottoms (2023)
3.
4.
5.

1. Paperboys

   1. Watch the shortest feature length film on your watchlist.

2. Wild Strawberries

   2. Watch the highest rated film on your watchlist that is 100 minutes or less.

3. Sweet Smell of Success

   3. Faster than a New York minute. Watch a film that takes place in New York.

4. Bottoms

   4. Not a minute too soon. Watch a film you've been anticipating seeing.

5. Future Cops

   5. A laugh a minute. Watch a comedy.

6. Carts of Darkness

   6. A mile a minute. Watch a film about something or someone that goes fast.

7. Last Night

   7. Last minute. Watch a movie about the end of the world.

8. Reservoir Dogs

   8. Talk a mile a minute. Watch a dialogue driven movie.

9. The Producers

   9. There's a sucker born every minute. Watch a movie about a con artist or someone trying to trick someone else.

10. Pretending I'm a Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story

    10. Changes from one minute to the next. Watch a movie about technology.

...plus 14 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Movies where a main character starts a career or hobby. Usually we learn the intricacies of their particular vocation, and/or it leads to them growing and finding a ion in life. They tend to be comedies, though some listed have dramatic elements, or eschew comedy altogether.

This is a trend I've noticed as I've watched more Japanese cinema. I'm not sure if there is a proper term for this particular genre. Also, this is so far a list of movies I've personally seen, so I'm sure I'm missing plenty. If you have any suggestions, I'm more than happy to hear about them!

• Tampopo

  Ramen Chef.

• Fancy Dance

  Buddhist monk training.

• Sumo Do, Sumo Don't

  Sumo wrestling.

• Shall We Dance?

  Ballroom dancing.

• Supermarket Woman

  Supermarket management.

• All About Our House

  This movie's inclusion is debatable; it's about an established architect and carpenter, but we learn a lot about the process of their jobs.

• Waterboys

  Synchronized swimming.

• Swing Girls

  Big Band Jazz.

• Linda Linda Linda

  Rock 'n' Roll band.

• Departures

  Cello playing and funerary services.

...plus 14 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

I've said action is my favorite genre, but then again, it could also be comedy. So I found this similar challenge to scratch that itch. 52 comedies in 52 weeks. Will I watch 'em all or pie trying?

Original list and rules by nathan: boxd.it/AchFu

Progress: 2/53

TOP TEN
1. Mickey 17 (2025)
2. Ken & Mary: The Asian Truck Express (2013)

1. The Inspector Wears Skirts

   1 | Watch a comedy film of your choice.

2. Dudes

   2 | Watch a comedy film directed by Penelope Spheeris.

3. Show Me Love

   3 | Watch a Swedish comedy film.

4. Little Voice

   4 | BLINDSPOT: watch a comedy film you haven’t seen that is not on your watchlist.

5. Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game

   5 | Watch a historical comedy film.

6. A Cock and Bull Story

   6 | Watch a comedy film based on a book.

7. The Long, Long Trailer

   7 | Watch a comedy film starring Lucille Ball.

8. Sidewalk Stories

   8 | Watch a comedy film featured on 'Black Directors: The Official Top 100 Narrative Feature Films'.

9. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

   9 | Watch a surrealist comedy film.

10. Dazed and Confused

    10 | Watch a comedy film that largely takes place at night.

...plus 43 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

As it stands, I would need to repeat this challenge 7.17 times to shrink my watchlist by 10%. For now I'll settle on trying to get thru it once.

Original challenge by Nina: boxd.it/AiCfE
Prompts for each movie are in the notes.

PROGRESS: 2/35

TOP FIVE:
1. The Great Chase (1975)
2. Bottoms (2023)

1. The Homesman

   1. Watch the movie that was added first.

2. April Story

   2. Watch the movie that was added last.

3. War and Peace

   3. Watch the movie that is the longest.

4. The Final Exit of the Disciples of Ascensia

   4. Watch the movie that is the shortest.

5. Memories of Murder

   5. Watch the movie that is rated highest.

6. Jiu Jitsu

   6. Watch the movie that is rated lowest.

7. The Quatermass Xperiment

   7. Watch a movie from the 1950s.

8. Quatermass and the Pit

   8. Watch a movie from the 1960s.

9. Radio On

   9. Watch a movie from the 1970s.

10. The Inspector Wears Skirts

    10. Watch a movie from the 1980s.

...plus 25 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

My favorite month-long movie challenge: Japanuary! Pick eight Japanese movies to watch during the month. If you'd like, tag your posts/reviews with #japanuary.

Previous Japanuary Challenges: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024

My List:
The Bad Sleep Well
Wolves, Pigs & Men
The Great Chase ✅
Yokohama BJ Blues
Beijing Watermelon
Down the Drain
Ken and Mary: The Asian Truck Express ☑️
Monster ☑️

1. The Bad Sleep Well
2. Wolves, Pigs & Men
3. The Great Chase
4. Yokohama BJ Blues
5. Beijing Watermelon
6. Down the Drain
7. Ken and Mary: The Asian Truck Express
8. Monster

The last of these year long challenges, I swear! Attracted to this by my interest in East Asian cinema, and I look forward to exploring movies outside that region.

Original List by revchu: boxd.it/zCtgO

Progress: 0/52

• The Lady and the Beard

  Week 1 - Silent Film From Asia

• Tora-san's Cherished Mother

  Week 2 - Shomin-geki: Japanese Home Dramas

• The Wedding Banquet

  Week 3 - Asian Cinema With International Awards Recognition

• Peppermint Candy

  Week 4 - Korean Film Archive Top 100

• The House of No Man

  Week 5 - Made in Vietnam

• 6ixtynin9

  Week 6 - Southeast Asia Top 100

  Available as 'The Black Box' on Amazon Prime.

• Offside

  Week 7 - Iranian New Wave

• Wadjda

  Week 8 - Middle East Top 100

• Omar

  Week 9 - Cinema of Palestine

• The Namesake

  Week 10 - Indian Experimental/ Alternative Cinema

...plus 42 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Original challenge by Kynky: boxd.it/1HtxO

PROGRESS: (2/44)
10/16/22 - ??/??/??

TOP TEN:
1. Tora-San's Love In Osaka
2. The Incredible Shrinking Woman

1. Possession
2. Blow Out
3. Mad Max 2
4. Halloween II
5. Das Boot
6. My Dinner with Andre
7. Body Heat
8. Excalibur
9. Chariots of Fire
10. Son of the White Mare

...plus 34 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Inspired by Joshua Dysart. Original list and challenges by StormofCuteness

Films I most want to see off my watchlist from each year represented (1918-2023).

I was keeping this low-key as a private list, but thought why not make it public since I'm in a films challenge mood tonight?

PROGRESS: 14/99

A LOOSE RANKING:
1. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
2. The Great Chase (1975)
3. Party Girl (1995)
4. The High Sign (1921)
5. Miracle Mile (1988)
6. Wrath of Man (2021)
7. Run Lola Run (1998)
8. Inspector Ike (2020)
9. I Don't Want To Be A Man (1918)
10. Deathtrap (1993)
11. Demolition Man (1993)
12. Cats On Park Avenue (1989)
13. Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974)
14. Isolation (2005)

• I Don't Want to Be a Man

  ✅

• The High Sign

  ✅

• Häxan
• Our Hospitality
• Seven Chances
• The Wind
• Pandora's Box
• Jirokichi the Rat
• Jewel Robbery
• Smarty

...plus 89 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

My annual attempt to make a tiny dent in my ginormous Watchlist.

Original challenge list by Nina: boxd.it/qyYtA (thanks as always for hosting!) Challenges in the notes.

PROGRESS: 3/35

1. Force Majeure

   1. Watch the movie that was added first.

2. Soulmate

   2. Watch the movie that was added last.

3. Belfast, Maine

   3. Watch the movie that is the longest.

4. Save Ralph

   4. Watch the movie that is the shortest.

5. The Handmaiden

   5. Watch the movie that is rated highest.

6. Jiu Jitsu

   6. Watch the movie that is rated lowest.

7. Nights of Cabiria

   7. Watch a movie from the 1950s.

8. Mandabi

   8. Watch a movie from the 1960s.

9. Dersu Uzala

   9. Watch a movie from the 1970s.

10. Dudes

    10. Watch a movie from the 1980s.

...plus 25 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Compiling a list of movies I watch for CineChallenges 2024. Each week's theme is in the notes. Updating weekly (or as I have time to watch a movie for that week's challenge).

Previous Years:
2023 | 2021

Challenges Completed: 20/52

✅⏹️✅✅✅ ⏹️⏹️✅✅✅ ✅✅⏹️⏹️✅ ⏹️✅⏹️⏹️✅ ⏹️⏹️✅⏹️⏹️ ✅
✅✅⏹️✅ ✅✅⏹️⏹️⏹️ ⏹️✅⏹️⏹️⏹️ ⏹️⏹️⏹️⏹️⏹️ ⏹️⏹️⏹️⏹️⏹️ ⏹️⏹️

TOP FIVE:
1. Godzilla Minus One (2023)
2. Hundreds of Beavers (2022)
3. Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)
4. Yes, God, Yes (2019)
5. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

• The Oyster Princess

  Week 1: Watch the oldest movie in your watchlist.

• The Scarecrow

  Week 1: Watch the oldest movie in your watchlist.

• The High Sign

  Week 1: Watch the oldest movie in your watchlist.

• Cats on Park Avenue

  Week 3:
  Watch a movie with a Japanese theme (production, location, actor, etc.)

• The Street Fighter

  Week 4: Watch a movie celebrating it's 10th (2014), 25th (1999) or 50th (1974) anniversary this year.

• Godzilla Minus One

  Week 5: Either watch a movie nominated for one of this year's award ceremonies (like the Oscars, BAFTAs etc), or watch a winner from a previous year.

• Drive-Away Dolls

  Week 8: Watch a movie featuring shapes in the title/plot.

• Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

  Week 9: Watch a movie with money in the title, or a money centric plot.

• Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

  Week 10: Watch ANYTHING that has ANY connection to Willy Wonka.

• Miracles: The Canton Godfather

  Week 11: Watch a movie featuring someone on the 2024 Oscars In Memoriam list (or ed away in the last year).

  Richard Ng

...plus 14 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Movies I watched for @CineChallenges' Weekly Movie Challenges for 2021.

The challenge for each movie is listed in the notes, but for fun (for myself) I arranged this list in a loose order of favorites rather than numerical order.

1. Minding the Gap

   Week 38: Watch an unseen feature length documentary.

2. Devils on the Doorstep

   Week 7: Watch a Chinese film or movie starring a Chinese lead actor.

3. Assault on Precinct 13

   Week 22: Watch a movie that has a number in the title, but isn't a sequel.

4. Rumble Fish

   Week 45: Watch a black & white movie.

5. Let the Corpses Tan

   Week 46: Watch an unseen movie with a color in the title.

6. The Master

   Week 35: Watch a movie starring an actor you like/ire who is no longer with us.

7. Song Lang

   Week 23: Watch a movie that includes a LGBTQIA+ character.

8. Drunken Master

   Week 39: Your challenge this week is to watch a movie where food or drink plays a role in the plot.

9. A Man Called Adam

   Week 26: Watch a movie with a character whose name appears in the title.

10. Sound of Metal

    Week 6: Watch a movie from this year's Golden Globes nominees, or a previous year's winner (any category)

...plus 42 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

52 action movies in 52 weeks. Sounded like a fun way to try to tackle one of my favorite genres for the year.

Original list and rules by Michelle (Guyver Spawn): boxd.it/x4hTe

1. Fearless Hyena

   1. Go to your watchlist, filter the genre to action and sort by "Shuffle". Then pick one of the first five films that appears.

2. Sicario

   2. Find the most popular action film on your watchlist.

3. Jiu Jitsu

   3. Find the lowest rated action film on your watchlist.

4. Brutal Tales of Chivalry

   4. Watch an action film from the 1960s or earlier.

5. They Call Me Trinity

   5. Watch an action film from the 1970s.

6. Solarbabies

   6. Watch an action film from the 1980s.

7. Double Impact

   7. Watch an action film from the 1990s.

8. Vengeance for Sale

   8. Watch an action film from the 2000s.

9. Den of Thieves

   9. Watch an action film from the 2010s.

10. Baby Assassins

    10. Watch an action film from the 2020s.

...plus 42 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Original list by TajLV: boxd.it/pqQPI

A film challenge dedicated to rewatching movies. Watch at least 20 movies based on 30 different prompts by 21 Dec. I listed movies for all prompts, but as always, I never know how far I'll get.

PROGRESS: 1/20 of 30

• Rhapsody in August

  1. Revisit a film with a three-word title.

• Wonderful Days

  2. Rewatch a film from the Science Fiction genre.

• Monster Hunter

  3. Have another look at any film you previously rated five stars (★★★★★).

• GoldenEye

  4. Rewatch a film from the James Bond (007) franchise.

• God of Gamblers

  5. Go back and see a film starring one of your favorite actors or actresses.

  Chow Yun-fat

• Venus Wars

  6. Rewatch a film you have see at least twice before.

• The Godfather Part II

  7. Have another go at any film you've seen on the revised AFI 100 List (2007).

• The Beekeeper

  8. Pick a film you saw for the first time earlier this year and watch it again.

• 2 Fast 2 Furious

  9. Revisit a film directed by a Black Filmmaker.

• Ninjababy

  10. Have another look at a film by a female director.

...plus 20 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

I've had 49 lists in my for a while and I wanted to come up with something interesting for the big five-aught.

I've shied away from doing a list of favorites/personal canon before, but thought I'd give it a shot for this one. A 50th list of a Personal 50. Not the 50 best films by my estimation, but ones that have stuck with me, that reflect my taste and love of the movies.

Notes, because of course it's me.

• Seven Samurai

  My gateway into Japanese cinema. Dripping with humanity.

• Rio Bravo

  Who knew a film with singing cowboys could be so tense?

• Lawrence of Arabia

  I can never get over how every shot in this film is perfectly composed.

• A Hard Day's Night

  An old man tries to enjoy his holiday, but his grandson and three other snot-nosed youths keep spoiling his fun.

• Trinity Is Still My Name

  A goof on Italian westerns, while also being a fine example of the genre. Hill & Spencer make a great team.

• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

  I'm not usually down for horror, but I can't look away from this movie's visceral scares.

• Quadrophenia

  Feels more like a documentary of the Mod Scene than a dramatization. Except that Sting's there for some reason.

• Rock 'n' Roll High School

  I never got to see The Ramones perform. Their concert in this movie is the closest thing I've got.

• Local Hero

  Hecking sublime.

• Repo Man

  A perfect intersection of Sci-fi, punk rock, weirdness and Harry Dean Stanton.

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

A rough ranking of 1999 films, a film year which seems to have grown in esteem in recently. It's been a while since I've seen most of these, so I wouldn't say it's totally accurate.

SOME NOTES:

54-58: Films I know I've seen, but barely . Would need to rewatch to give a proper ranking.

59-60: Films I loved back in the day, but have likely aged like milk. Would need to rewatch to give a proper ranking, but I'm not in a hurry to do so.

1. Magnolia
2. The Insider
3. Drop Dead Gorgeous
4. The Matrix
5. The Talented Mr. Ripley
6. The Limey
7. Titus
8. Wild Zero
9. Kikujiro
10. Fight Club

...plus 50 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

I wasn't gonna (too busy), but I caved after seeing so many cool lists on my activity feed.

Original: boxd.it/tYxXW

Progress: 1/31

TOP FIVE
1. Dreamcatcher (2003)

THEM SPOOKY RULEZ:

There must be 31 horror films
6 countries
8 decades
ALL of the films from a horror franchise with at least 4 entries (if there is a hard reboot, you can choose whichever has 4+ that you prefer)
1 film by Wes Craven
1 film caused by/worsened by weather
1 film starring a Black woman
1 Donald Sutherland film
3 films from New World Pictures.
2 Indian films.
4 Italian films
2 Horror comedies
2 films made primarily or entirely in Texas
1 film that exists in at least 2 available cuts (you just have to watch one. Bonus if you watch them all.)
1 Robert Wiene film
1 Michele Soavi film
1 film from 2011
1 film from 1984

And 1 Tobe Hooper Film (There must ALWAYS be a Hooper film)

• Handsome Guys
• Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
• Alison's Birthday
• Shadow in the Cloud
• Longlegs
• Twixt
• Dreamcatcher
• It Comes
• Little Monsters
• Transylvania 6-5000

...plus 21 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Original List and Rules by Nina. Challenges are in the notes.

I'm doing too many movie challenges, but I have too many movies in my Watchlist, so...

PROGRESS: 4/35

TOP 10:
1. Rad (1986)
2. Fast X (2023)
3. Fanny: The Right to Rock (2021)
4. Titanic: The Legend Goes On... (2000)

1. Force Majeure

   1. Watch the movie that was added first.

2. Born to Race

   2. Watch the movie that was added last.

3. Belfast, Maine

   3. Watch the movie that is the longest.

4. Puparia

   4. Watch the movie that is the shortest.

5. The Handmaiden

   5. Watch the movie that is rated highest.

6. Titanic: The Legend Goes On...

   6. Watch the movie that is rated lowest.

7. Some Came Running

   7. Watch a movie from the 1950s.

8. Point Blank

   8. Watch a movie from the 1960s.

9. That Sinking Feeling

   9. Watch a movie from the 1970s.

10. Streets of Fire

    10. Watch a movie from the 1980s.

...plus 25 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Original List by TajLV: boxd.it/nTa20

A film rewatch challenge; Out of 30 prompts, rewatch 20 films by Dec 21st. I picked 30 films to be a completist dork, but no idea how many I'll get around to!

PROGRESS: 2/20 of 30 💩

TOP F̶I̶V̶E̶ TWO:
1. The Bullet Train (1975)
2. Innerspace (1987)

1. Innerspace

   1. Revisit a film you enjoyed in your youth.

2. The Lost Boys

   2. Rewatch a Horror Film.

3. The Nice Guys

   3. Have another look at any film you previously rated four stars (★★★★) or higher.

4. Bound

   4. Rewatch an LGBT-themed film you've enjoyed.

5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

   5. Have another go at any film you've seen on the revised AFI 100 List (2007).

6. Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway

   6. Go back and see a film that featured an animal in an important role.

7. Cloud Atlas

   7. Revisit a film that the Catholic Church has condemned as Morally Offensive.

8. Silver Linings Playbook

   8. Rewatch a film that features dancing.

9. Jupiter Ascending

   9. Give another look to a science fiction film.

10. Shakespeare in Love

    10. Rewatch a film that won an Academy Award for Best Picture.

...plus 20 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

I was intrigued by Turd Crapley's Whenever Challenge (https://boxd.it/1gjdK); 100 movies in one year. I like lists and challenges, so why not?
Film prompts are in the notes.
Thanks TC!

4 June 2018 - 4 June 2019 (Progress after one year: 10/100 😥 )

In the spirit of "Whenever", I'll keep watching movies from this list and tallying my progress, and make a note of how long it actually takes me to get through this challenge.

4 June 2019 - 4 June 2020 (Progress: 17/100 😬 )
4 June 2020 - 4 June 2021 (Progress: 21/100 🤡 )
4 June 2021 - 4 June 2022 (Progress: 26/100 😭 )
4 June 2022 - 4 June 2023 (Progress: 28/100 💨)
4 June 2023 - 4 June 2024 (Progress: 30/100 💩)

PROGRESS: 30/100

TOP TEN
1. Ikiru (1952)
2. Let The Bullets Fly (2010)
3. t Security Area (2002)
4. Casablanca (1942)
5. Red Beard (1965)
6. All That Jazz (1979)
7. Jaws (1975)
8. Love & Basketball (2000)
9. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
10. Peter Rabbit (2018)

• All That Jazz

  Watch a movie that was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

• The Ladykillers

  Watch a movie that was nominated for the BAFTA award for Best Film. Bonus points if the film is British.

• Memories of Murder

  Watch a movie that won the Grand Bell Award, the Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year, or the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Film.

  (Grand Bell Award for Best Film 2003)

• Wolf Warrior 2

  Watch a movie that China submitted for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

• The Vertical Ray of the Sun

  Watch a movie that a country in Asia besides China, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong submitted for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

  (Viet Nam)

• Grigris

  Watch a movie that an African nation submitted for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

  (Chad)

• The Cranes Are Flying

  Watch a movie that won the Palme d'Or.

• Fireworks

  Watch a movie that won the Golden Lion.

• Wild Strawberries

  Watch a movie that won the Golden Bear.

• Girlfight

  Watch a movie that won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (Dramatic or Documentary).

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

Letterboxd Season is upon us (or at least me)! Cheers to Adam Graff, Wade McCormick, and 𝖘𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖎𝖓 for keeping the tradition alive.

Original Prompts.

PROGRESS: 10/33

TOP FIVE:
1. Cooley High (1975)
2. The Street Fighter (1974)
3. Yes, God, Yes (2019)
4. Between The Lines (1977)
5. Vibes (1988)

1. Vibes

    Week 1: September 4th-10th
    99 Minutes Week

   Watch a film from 𝖘𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖎𝖓's 99 minutes ⏲️ No more, no less list.

2. Dual

    Week 2: September 11th-17th
    Lo-Fi Week

   Watch a "Lo-Fi" film.

3. Rent-a-Cat

    Week 3: September 18th-24th
    Letterboxd List Battles!: Litterboxd vs. Letterbarkd

   Watch a film from Q Pumpernickel's Letterbarkd list (movies featuring dogs) or Hollie Horror's Litterboxd list (movies featuring cats).

4. The Working Class Goes to Heaven

    Week 4: September 25th-October 1st
    Palme d'Or Week

   Watch a Palme d'Or winner.

5. Belle

    Week 5: October 2nd-8th
    Visual Insanity Week

   Watch a film from Emma Tolkin's 🐉🎭✨ 𝕍𝕀𝕊𝕌𝔸𝕃𝕃𝕐 𝙸𝙽𝚂𝙰𝙽𝙴👹🧞‍♀️👁️ list.

6. Mandy

    Week 6: October 9th-15th
    Art Horror Week

   Watch an avant-garde or art-horror film.

7. The Quatermass Xperiment

    Week 7: October 16th-22nd
    Hammer Horror Week

   Watch a film from Hammer Film Productions.

8. Possession

    Week 8: October 23rd-29th
    Body Horror Week

   Watch a body horror film (or a body swap film if yer squeemish).

9. The Invisible Man

    Week 9: October 30th-November 5th
    Horror Revival Week

   Watch a horror remake, reboot, reheat, etc.

10. The Jesus Trip

     Week 10: November 6th-12th
     Nun for You Week

    Watch a movie featuring a nun as a main character.

...plus 23 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Over the years, I've seen many versions of a "Japanuary" challenge pop up. I subscribe to the one I originally found, which is pick and watch eight Japanese movies for the month of January. Review or post about them on social media and tag your entries with #japanuary.

My main goal is to see if I can finish the TRUCK YARO series.

Previous Japanuary Challenges: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023

INITIAL LIST:
Truck Rascals VI: Momojiro, The One and Only ✅
Truck Rascals VII: Close Encounters of the First Star ✅
Truck Rascals VIII: Ichibanboshi Returns North
Truck Rascals IX: A 5000 Kilometer Blast
Truck Rascals X: Hometown Express
13 Steps of Maki: The Young Aristocrats ✅
Cats On Park Avenue ✅
Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2020)

EXTRA:
The Street Fighter (1974) ✅

• I Am A Man of Honor
• Truck Rascals: Another Odyssey of Momojiro
• The Truck Rascals Go to The North
• A 5,000 Kilometer Run under The Scorching Sun
• Run Truck Rascal, Run!
• 13 Steps of Maki: The Young Aristocrats
• Cats on Park Avenue
• Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
• The Street Fighter

It's that time a year again: Watch eight Japanese films for the month of January. Tag your reviews #japanuary on your social media of choice.

Not the most exciting list; I mainly want to get through my Battles Without Honor & Humanity box set that's been collecting dust for too long.

ORIGINAL PICKS:
High And Low (1963) ✅
Battles Without Honor and Humanity (1973) ✅
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Hiroshima Death Match (1973) ✅
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War (1973) ✅
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Police Tactics (1974) ✅
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Final Episode (1974) ✅
The Hidden Blade (2004) ✅
We Are Little Zombies (2019) ✅

CRUD CHALLENGE:
Good Morning (1959) ✅
Lady Snowblood (1973) ✅
Sister Street Fighter (1974) ✅
My Neighbors The Yamadas (1999) ✅

EXTRA:
One Cut of the Dead - Mission: Remote (2020) ✅
Asakusa Kid (2021) ✅

Previous Japanuary lists.

• Lady Snowblood
• Sister Street Fighter
• High and Low
• The Hidden Blade
• We Are Little Zombies
• Good Morning
• Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
• Asakusa Kid
• Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Final Episode
• Battles Without Honor and Humanity

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

Some people make resolutions. I make Japanuary lists. My life continues to spiral, but I (hopefully) have some good movies to watch along the way!

The concept: Watch eight Japanese films for the month of January. Tag your reviews #japanuary on the socials. Easy Breezy.

My previous Japanuary lists

INITIAL PICKS:
Down The Drain
Our Little Sister
The Sword of Doom
Ikiru ✅
Gu Gu, the Cat ✅
Sukeban Deka: The Movie ✅
A Colt Is My port ✅
Sumo Do, Sumo Don't ✅

• Down the Drain
• Our Little Sister
• The Sword of Doom
• Ikiru
• Gu Gu, the Cat
• Sukeban Deka: The Movie
• A Colt Is My port
• Sumo Do, Sumo Don't

Got excited and made my Japanuary list early this year. It's a film challenge where you pick eight Japanese movies to watch in January. If you wish, you can post reviews or reactions and tag them with #japanuary. It's a good old time.

Previous Japanuary watchlists: 2018 | 2019

My Initial Movie Picks:
100 Yen Love ✅
The Bad Sleep Well
Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji
The Family Game ✅
Fish Story ✅
G.I. Samurai ✅
The Mystery of Rampo ✅
Weathering With You ✅

Bonus Movies:
Shall We Dance? (rewatch) ✅
Robo-G ✅

• The Bad Sleep Well
• Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji
• G.I. Samurai
• 100 Yen Love
• Shall We Dance?
• Fish Story
• Robo-G
• Weathering with You
• The Mystery of Rampo
• The Family Game

I fell off doing CineChum's weekly movie challenge last year, but decided to participate this time in a more casual manner. If I had time to watch, cool, but if not, I wasn't sweating it. Here are the movies I saw with associated challenges in the comments.

Previous Years: 2021

TOP FIVE:
1. RRR (2022)
2. Barbie (2023)
3. You Can Succeed, Too (1964)
4. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

• The Pacifier

  Week 2: A film titled "The [Insert Single Word]".

• Tora-san's Love in Osaka

  Week 3: Watch a movie which features a director/actor combo who have worked together at least 3 times.

  Yoji Yamada/Most of this cast.

• My Brother's Wedding

  Week 7: Watch a movie which features a wedding as a plot device.

• Metalhead

  Week 12: Watch the favourite movie of someone you care about.

  My buddy MK recommended this to me forever ago. 🤘

• Steve Jobs

  Week 16: Watch a movie about an obsession.

• Blind Fury

  Week 23: Watch a movie about the senses.
  👀

• Tommy

  Week 23: Watch a movie about the senses.
  👂

• Fast & Feel Love

  Week 24: Watch a movie about friendship.

• Oppenheimer

  Week 29: To celebrate this weekends release of #Barbenheimer, watch a movie that shares a connection with either Barbie or Oppenheimer. Director, stars, plots etc. the more inventive the better.

• Barbie

  Week 29: To celebrate this weekends release of #Barbenheimer, watch a movie that shares a connection with either Barbie or Oppenheimer. Director, stars, plots etc. the more inventive the better.

...plus 11 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.