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Hunt is uniquely trained and highly motivated
A specialist without equal
Immune to any countermeasures
There is no secret he cannot extract
No security he cannot breach
No person he cannot become
He has most likely anticipated this very conversation and is waiting to strike in whatever direction we move.
Sir, Hunt is the living manifestation of destiny
And he has made you his mission.

At this point, what WOULDN’T Tom Cruise do, AMIRITE!?

The stunts are absurdly impressive. 
The plot is simple to follow.
The cast has good energy (Baldwin could have been anyone though, in my opinion).
Rebecca Ferguson was so BAD ASS!
Loved having Benji/Simon Pegg in the car chase scene/action.
I can see why the director has remained Christopher McQuarrie moving forward; he gets that this is a thrill ride that must raise the stakes but have a plot decent enough to be invested.

Eager to continue but also getting nervous that the plots will become recursive … if they haven’t done so already 🙃

P.S. 5 Movies in and you would think by now, I could see the face ripping moment coming BUT ALAS I FELL FOR IT YET AGAIN!

Rapunzel, look in that mirror. Do you know what I see? I see a strong, confident, beautiful young lady.
Oh look, you're here too!

First time I watched this, I was letdown and I didn’t connect to it as strongly as previous Disney movies.

Rewatching it, it’s better than I …but it also could be because Disney movies have fluctuated in quality since. 

I cannot get enough of Mandy Moore’s singing voice. Pure angelic. So happy it’s been captured in a Disney princess. Also, love Rapunzel & Flynn Rider’s character qualities so much. Very vibrant.

The unimpressionable parts could be the songs and the plot. The ending twist made me roll my eyes more than lifted me up. 

It’s one of those movies that I (and my toddler daughter) could take or leave.

OLAF, do every single Disney movie

I 👏 BEG 👏 OF 👏 YOU

Next time, I get to seduce the rich guy.

Things I appreciated:

- Continuing to up the ante on stunts and spectacle scenes
- Making fun of itself
- The cast again, even if some of my favorite faces got swapped out (I’M TALKING TO YOU JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS)

With all that went right, I wasn’t as invested in the mission. The bad guy was so unmemorable. I also don’t think I was a fan of Brad Bird’s direction. It felt too straight forward. The plus side was they did their best to prove to you Tom Cruise did his own stunts. I also wasn’t a fan of how they handled what happened between Ethan and his wife. But I also loved the ending of 3 so much, so I get my frustration. 

Watch the spectacle scenes and leave it at that. Onto the next one, I guess.

A fish out of water dies, huh?

It is abundantly clear pop culture should be classified as BA or AA: Before Akira or After Akira. It’s influence is astronomical.

I am gobsmacked over the quality of the animation. Exquisite. Revolutionary. Stellar. Other-worldly. Constantly throughout watching I was saying WHOA!

Anime isn’t even a genre I’m verse in but I can attest that this is one of the greatest movies of all time. 

P.S. HOW DID THEY KNOW THAT IN 2020 THEY WERE GONNA DO THE OLYMPICS? 32 YEARS PRIOR?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 1988

I’m gonna die unless you kill me

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO COME BACK TO FORM, BABY!

I really loved this!

Brilliant cast (Philip Seymour Hoffman as the villain = Genius, giving my boy Jonathon Rhys Meyers more roles = EXCELLENT, Simon Pegg = EVERYTHING), organic plot, love the emotional depth they added to Ethan’s life with IMF, filming on different locations around the world, STILL SOME GOOD OL FACE RIPPING ALONG WITH INTRODUCING THE RUNNING MAN! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!

I had to hold myself back from rating this higher than the original because I still have so many more to watch in the franchise and the first one just had some jaw dropping scenes. But in of quality, this was PURE ENTERTAINMENT!

P.S. J J Abrams knew how to revive this! And the score was back to being epic. THANKS  MICHAEL GIACCHINO!

My favorite depiction of the “future” in cinematic history.

What a frolic of sci-fi fun!

My ass gave this a 3 before. How cute.

Mission IMPROBABLE is more like it!

It’s terrifically dated. Too much of the plot was centered around the relationship between Tom Cruise and Thandie Newton, which had NO CHEMISTRY and they committed HORRIBLE FLIRTING!

The stunts save this from being awful.

But it is PRETTY bad. ESPECIALLY with how they reworked the theme song to be aggressively rock version. EW!

And I agree with y’all! If I applied the same drinking game I applied to the first Mission Impossible in my review, consider me DECEASED!

One of the greatest horror film concepts of all time and you CAN’T CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE!

A paranoid’s worst nightmare! GENUINELY TERRIFYING!

I still cannot get over how well this was executed and they are still innovative death scenes … except as soon as the blonde girl got hit by a bus, that’s when the camp set in for me. YES UNTIL THAT MOMENT!

I’m also a sucker for puns and forgot how much punnery was going on in the beginning. Final Destination, Terminal, Prepare for Departure - YIKES!

Yes the acting goes off the rails, and the writing/acting nose dives a bit but everything else outweighs the bad. Just sit along for the ride!

I watched this so much when I finally got into horror movies when I was a teenager and with rewatching it now, it truly still stands the test of time as a damn good horror movie.

P.S. these character names really threw me. Tod with 1 D, Agent Schrek (if only they knew what was to come), CLEAR(?!) … what because CLAIRE is too BORING?!

AN EXHILIRATING RIDE!

Happy to wedge this into my Letterboxd 4

I saw this for the first time when I was watching all of the IMDb Top 250 movies at one point many years ago, and it absolutely annihilated so many senses for me. Screaming “oh shit” at so many moments, I was downright giddy! I was hooked from the start and never saw any of the endings coming in each of the stories.

I understand the complaints that it MIGHT be too many stories, but each bring out the most visceral reactions out of anyone watching. Seeing how each character gets the worst brought out of them and the results of their actions/reactions in their own fucked up situations is HIGHLY ENTERTAINING and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

This is a 5/5 for me! Outstanding! WATCH THIS IF YOU CAN AND THANK ME LATER!

Alphabet Challenge - Rewatch Edition: W is for Wild Tales

Danny Elfman worked OVERTIME on this score MY GOD! (Yes, I know the theme was done by Lalo Schifrin but him along with Elfman WHAT A COMBO)!

Even with knowing the highly referenced scenes that made it iconic, I was so blown away how many scenes had my JAW on the FLOOR! Like did they REALLY DO some of those scenes!? Which is EXACTLY how you wanna feel watching a Mission: Impossible movie. 

This is absolutely quality and a great way to set off this franchise.

P.S. Finish your drink every time Tom Cruise rips off a mask of someone’s face off his own face. It’s enough that it would make you perfectly wasted but not blackout drunk.

EDIT: IF YOU HAVEN’T POSTED A MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE REVIEW ON LETTERBOXD YET, DO IT THIS WEEK! The CUTEST MARKETING THING just happened when I posted this review because the new one’s coming out omggggg

Vibrant voice acting
Colorful animation 
I had a ton of fun!

My toddler kept watching clips of this on YouTube so I’ve been itching to show her the whole movie and luckily she LOVED it!

I see many rewatches in my future.

After all, you are my personal saint.
You have to be a very good, and usually very dead person to become a saint. And more importantly, you need to work three miracles. Now, get to work.

This is the level of cheesiness you can expect from this movie.

It’s not BAD but it ain’t GREAT either.
The tone is all over the place.
Some times it wants to be thrilling, other times romantic, at sporadic times funny, and most of the time spy level action. 

Not suave enough to be Bond. Not moody enough to be Bourne.

Val Kilmer and Elizabeth Shue have decent chemistry but in exchange for their characters to be flat in the process.

The most fun I had was watching Val switch disguises. Like your beauty could be covered up, SIR!

I can’t recommend it but I don’t blame anyone for enjoying this.

A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having!

A white boy’s wet dream. 

50% Bad Ass. 50% Stockholm Syndrome.

But seriously, it’s a highly quotable, inspiring, and important piece of cinema that gives the concept that there’s strength in numbers more gravitas.

If you watch this while you’re going through puberty, prepare for your life to change. 

The ending is such a great, satisfying build up. 

Definitely worth watching!

Alphabet Challenge - Rewatch Edition: V is for V for Vendetta

People call me a dumb honky all the time. I don't go round punching them.
Why not?
Because they're usually children.

I’m a fan of Taika Waititi, Michael Jackson, and coming of age movies - so this was bound to be a win-win-win for me. It’s very special.

It’s a 3.75 because while there is charm and humor here, it feels like it hit the usual beats you would expect from absent father plots. The epiphany of the reality of the person you’ve imagined your whole life is a heavy one and Taika does a decent job at coming to with how the characters move forward.

It’s refreshing to see Taika’s early work so I definitely recommend watching this!

You know something strange happened to me this morning...
Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?
No
WHY am I the only one who has that dream?

As if my crush on Val Kilmer wasn’t already strong enough - consider it unreasonable at this point.

This film does a great job at illustrating that intelligence and being cool can coincide. Being a nerdy engineer is a mindset but it can also be fun. Just ALLOW IT to be fun! LET LOOSE!

The first half is stronger than the second half but the finale is superb with a great music montage! Now when Everybody Wants to Rule the World plays, I’ll crave popcorn!

Absolutely check it out for a fun time! 🧠

SOMEBODY HOLD ME

HOLD THE ONES YOU LOVE CLOSE

IT’S NICE TO HAVE A FRIEND EVEN IF ONLY FOR A MOMENT

AHHHHH

Even 10 years later, this is some of the sleekest special effects and the sharpest dialogue about AI.

Thrilling. Inquisitive. Cerebral.

While I still need to see 28 Days Later, I find this to be Alex Garland’s best work. And Oscar Isaac plays this CEO brilliantly. And Alicia Vikander’s Ava is played perfectly.

I really enjoyed how silent the final sequence is. It flowed almost poetically.

Yeah, this is great and highly rewatchable!

You know this guy, right?
Jackson Pollock.
Jackson Pollock. That's right. The drip painter.
Okay. He let his mind go blank, and his hand go where it wanted.
Not deliberate, not random.
Some place in between.
They called it automatic art.
[…]
What if Pollock had reversed the challenge?
What if instead of making art without thinking, he said, "You know what? I can't paint anything, unless I know exactly why I'm doing it."
What would have happened?
He never would have made a single mark.
Yes! You see, there's my guy, there's my buddy, who thinks before he opens his mouth.
He never would have made a single mark.
The challenge is not to act automatically.
It's to find an action that is not automatic.
From painting, to breathing, to talking, to fucking. To falling in love...

Whether you like it or not, you have a gift; and that gift brings light and joy to an increasingly... dark and broken world! And to turn your back on that gift is to turn your back on the... entire human race!

Wholesome with a capital W.

First time I saw this, I LOVED it!
Second time I watched it, it was showing it to my husband for the first time after RAVING about it and I could feel myself shrinking as I realized I overhyped it for him.
This is now my THIRD time watching it and it’s not that it’s a BAD movie … but it grows more stale with each watch.

It’s a real shame because I love what it represents: a deserved appreciation for Nicolas Cage. And with Pedro Pascal partnered in, it warrants a VERY good time!

If you’re looking for a good time, especially if you’re aware of Nic Cage’s greatest hit films, you are in for a treat. But one watch is plenty.

Alphabet Challenge - Rewatch Edition: U is for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Best believe when it ended, I went back to listen to Please, Mr. Kennedy it’s THAT catchy!

Honestly, an innovative musical.

It’s a 3.75 but I bumped it to a Letterboxd 4 because it’s really something special, even if the ending comes to a dead halt. The pacing isn’t consistent and the characters I liked (minus Oscar Isaac, who was great) didn’t stick around long before someone else was introduced. But I guess that is the vibe of the movie. A rolling stone. Always on the go. Trying to survive.

The Coen Brothers are hot and cold with me. And even the cold ones take time to cook into something hot. 
I like this because the musical aspect is so ive. It’s refreshing given most musicals plunge you so deeply into the theatrics and songs.

A folk singer’s life that many will probably relate to. 

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2013

Inherent vice in a maritime insurance policy is anything that you can't avoid.
Eggs break, chocolate melts, glass shatters, and Doc wondered what that meant
when it applied to ex-old ladies.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s L.A. Confidential set in the 1970s

It’s definitely got a groove and it’s authentic to the times.
The dialogue and narrator are endearing
However, I have definitely learned that I might just not be into PTA’s style.
I was lost the whole time.

While the characters had pizazz (Josh Brolin was a standout for me), I didn’t care (???) what was going on?
Fun seeing Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix back onscreen together.
In fact, there is a fun cast lineup here. Just when you try to get comfortable with the plot, a familiar face comes into play. 

Keep in mind, I also was not impressed by Once Upon a Time in Hollywood which this also reminded me of. So if you’re into those vibes, definitely check this out. You’ll have a great time!

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2014

For Paris

Oooooooooo that moment was one of the best “fuck yous” I’ve ever seen!

I’m a sucker for movies with pretty food.

Bradley Cooper comes off more like himself in this, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He still commits to the purpose and moments for the character.

My biggest issue was how convenient the ending was. How things weren’t ACTUALLY what they seemed and the happy ending could still happen. It was so forced, it left an unsatisfying taste in my mouth.

Still worth a watch but letdown by the direction the movie went by the final scenes.

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2015

I know what this is.
This is the moment we are let in on the universe.

Yeahhhhh I don’t know about this one.

It’s clearly the weakest of the 3.
Calling the movie Glass is perfect as it does complete this trilogy as the other 2 movies refer to the characters (David is Unbreakable and Kevin is Split personalities). 
But Samuel L. Jackson isn’t really shining until the second half.
The twist doesn’t nearly land as strongly as in the previous movies.
The script & dialogue was not strong.
Way too spoon fed.
I do love the ing cast that came back, especially Joseph. 
Sarah Paulson was fine. 
You could tell they wanted to flush out more personalities out of James McAvoy and what came off as refreshing in Split is coming off corny in Glass.

Feels like the classic M. Night reality check moment where you’re reminded his filmography has peaks and valleys, and this definitely is a valley moment. Not his worst but not to the caliber of the trilogy’s previous quality.

Maybe it was best for these movies to play alone.

The definition of a rainy day movie.

Watching Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire dance together was as magical as you would hope it to be.

The costumes were spectacular. And the technicolor just pops immensely.

Unfortunately, it’s not like that throughout. Not all of the acts land. And the humor is absolutely grown out. It felt longer than it actually was too.

Still, a variety show with some of the best production design and costuming I’ve ever seen. To make a film like this today would be s’marvelous.

A mild recommendation.

James McAvoy’s performance: 23/10
Anya Taylor Joy’s staring: 8/10
All other characters: 2/10
Premise: 7.5/10
Pacing: 7/10
Ending: 15/10 !!!!

I don’t if they d this as a sequel to Unbreakable when this came out but if they didn’t, WHAT I WOULD HAVE GIVEN TO FEEL THE RUSH IN THE THEATERS WATCHING THE ENDING! THAT’S HOW IT’S DONE, PEOPLE! LET’S goooooooooo!

A solid 4.25. Demands more rewatches! Crossing fingers Glass doesn’t suck!

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2016

Do you think you could beat up Bruce Lee?
No.
I mean, if you knew karate?
Nope.
What if he wasn't allowed to kick, and you were REALLY mad at him?
No, Joseph.

DAMN I LOVE HOW M. NIGHT’S BRAIN WORKS!

This is absolutely a 4.25!

Engaging, mysterious, earnest,
And it’s got a GOOD OL SHYAMALAN TWIST!

The premise is great!
This has the goods to be better with more rewatches.

Wow I CANNOT wait to continue the trilogy!

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2000

Chills the entire time.

As someone who has claimed my whole life that A Goofy Movie is my favorite Disney Movie (next to Mary Poppins), this documentary was going to be right up my alley!

Loved seeing how this was put together and the shared ions that were exhibited due to it’s hurdles and reactions by critics.

Glad that we, the people, pedestaled this glorious film to the revered spot it has in cinema. 

Thank you, Kevin Lima, for everything!

Also, Tevin Campbell is a national treasure.

This is what makes you a man.
When I was growin' up, this was all the protection we needed.
You win some, you lose some, but you live.
You live to fight another day.

Long overdue! I would always see random clips but never the whole movie from start to finish.

It’s a 3.75! Iconic, solid, a good time!
It bumps along towards the end and dies down a bit in the 2nd act but otherwise, definitely a quotable, rewatchable vibes movie.

I also have a MASSIVE crush on Chris Tucker.

P.S. I would watch this for the first time on a Thursday … … I COULDN’T WAIT ONE MORE DAY?! 🤦‍♀️

You're not exactly walking out of here empty-handed. You got your pension and I'll give you this month's gas money.
There's only one more thing I want.
What?
DISABILITY!

Adorable! But did sexual harassment and infidelity have to occupy so much of the story line?

Some really cute funny moments and Michael Keaton was the perfectly balanced man to take this role on. I couldn’t get enough of his and the local moms’ friendship they formed. As much as this is about breaking the gender norms of stay at home dads and working moms, it’s more speaking about a balance and what makes you happy. What to be proud of. I really liked that.

For any parent, I do think this is worth watching for a laugh or for a way to better understand what each parent goes through.

Also, I too would go through all 26 letters of the alphabet to talk myself in and out of cheating.

Not enough Jackie Robinson/Chadwick Boseman.

This was dripping with white savior vibes. Compared to other sports movies, I wasn’t hooked in.
I kept seeing a bunch of Oscar bait plot choices just lumped together.
Harrison Ford was unrecognizable at first. I did enjoy his performance. I also liked Chadwick Boseman but since I’m aware of his capacity, I feel like he was held back by a script dependent on showing us how racist everything was back then. Which of course is an element in Jackie Robinson’s story but does it have to occupy so much of the film? I guess that’s the point, isn’t it? 
A film that promotes allyship. 

Just when it was getting good and somewhere for me to get more of Jackie Robinson’s career, they end the movie. Real shame.

Yeah, not my cup of tea.

Everything?
Everything.

SWIMMING IN TEARS BY THE END OF IT!

I knew this was going to be great but I wanted to wait until I was ready for it.
Timothée Chalamet & Steve Carell give A+ performances. 
The phone call scene towards the end absolutely destroyed me. Steve’s acting was just BEYOND. As a parent, I couldn’t imagine how heartwrenching it would feel to make that decision.
I’m happy this had a happy ending because as it was coming to a close, I thought we would be rocked with a tragic but common ending.
The families go through so much and the disease of addiction is so intense and hopeless for all parties involved. I’m impressed they gave a perspective from the father’s POV because I’ve seen plenty of films that lead with the addict’s perspective.
The end credits also did a great job of expressing that there are resources for all parties involved.

I see this film helping the lives of those suffering. Whether it’s to offer a comionate hand or to provide the encouragement needed to not lose hope.

P.S. The soundtrack is fantastic! Perfectly crafted!

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2018

A horror story for anyone in a secret relationship.

A brilliantly crafted love story that didn’t spoon feed the viewers their history. Imagine being ostracized from the love of your life and they cannot speak for themselves anymore. So you’re fighting against the people around them while also watching the one you love give all the signs that you’re their love too.

Agh. This was stupendous. I am shaking.

Another example of why gay marriage should be (and remain) legal. 

The song “I Will Follow Him” will now be forever changed and I’ll silently weep whenever I hear it now.

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2019

Teetered between great and obnoxious throughout.

I love me some Joe Keery and I really enjoyed his all-in energy. It also doesn’t hurt seeing David Arquette and Misha Barton in this!

I really did enjoy the social commentary of it all. That our society revels in infamy and attention over everything. And it is terrifying to think that with how much we surround ourselves with people looking to get famous quick, we could be putting ourselves in harm’s way and not even realizing it. 

It’s also fun to see this is Not Rated. Makes it feel like it was rushed out to get people to see it or that it was so violent that it didn’t the sensor. 

A movie of the times and if it’s annoying - that’s because the internet and wanting everyone to follow you IS annoying. 

I definitely recommend it and may even watch it again during the Halloween season!

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2020

Where’s that guy with the penis?

Val Kilmer’s commitment to playing Jim Morrison was astounding. Let’s make that clear.

Aside from that, I was lost and bored.
I felt like if I was high, this would mean the world to me.
Oliver Stone is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time so it pains me to it this is my least favorite film of his so far.
It’s a vibes movie more than a linear experience.

And to read that The Doors found too many inaccuracies in the story, especially the way Jim Morrison was portrayed really disappoints me. There probably could have been an entertaining biopic here if the troubled artist trope wasn’t leaned on so much.

Watch for Val but I’m not even sure this will resonate with fans of The Doors or frustrate them because it may be a disservice to such an icon. It’s hard to say. 

I believe in a long prolonged derangement of the senses to attain the unknown.
Although I live in the subconscious, our pale reason hides the infinite from us.

Watching Michael B Jordan fight himself was so hot. 

A super fun ride that breathes new life into the vampire genre.

Michael B Jordan and Ryan Coogler are a bonafide combo. You’re guaranteed an entertaining time with both of them involved.

The cast was good. The action was lively.

I do think it ran a little long and the beginning exposition could have been shaved in some parts to get to the action sooner. But once it gets started, it ramps up very well and the ending was amazing.

Definitely check it out in theaters!

We can get back to our music 
The proof is in the formula 
Like Coca-Cola?
And geometry?
Penicillin and chicks

As someone who is a mainstream low maintenance fan of The Beach Boys and someone who is only vaguely familiar with Brian Wilson, this was super sad!

Everyone acted well, but the script and the flow of the story was just a bummer.

Motivational in a solemn way.

You might call Nick a bastard 
Or a little bastard depending upon how whimsical you feel at the time 

I. LOVE. THIS. MOVIE!

Another one that knocked my socks off during the Best Picture Challenge! Love the premise and I would put money down that Big Daddy was inspired by this - EVEN if it’s only a little bit.

To be another cog in the machine of life really bothers Murray and we all can be comionate to that sentiment. Life should be more than working for the man and when it ends up being so, it can be discouraging. 

The script couldn’t be better. 
Jason Robards was stupendous.
And wait a gosh darn minute - MR FEENY PLAYED ALBERT?! The rude social worker!? That’s AMAZING!

This movie is a 4.75 and a climbing one given if I watch it more but the ending could have been better. Albeit realistic, it makes you feel like Murray lost the battle. But I guess the moral of the story is to not fight the system but to make sure you come out with the right tools equipped to handle life. And Nick (sorry -  Wilbur 😉) showed Murray that his guidance and care did amount to something pretty incredible.

SEE THIS MOVIE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
YOU WON’T REGRET IT!

I just want him to stay with me until I can be sure he won't turn into Norman Nothing.
I want to be sure he'll know when he's chickening out on himself.
I want him to get to know exactly the special thing he is or else he won't notice it when it starts to go.
I want him to stay awake and know who the phonies are,
I want him to know how to holler and put up an argument,
I want a little guts to show before I can let him go.
I want to be sure he sees all the wild possibilities.
I want him to know it's worth all the trouble just to give the world a little goosing when you get the chance.
And I want him to know the subtle, sneaky, important reason why he was born a human being …
… and not a chair.

Alphabet Challenge - Rewatch Edition: T is for A Thousand Clowns

Hey, wait. You're not surprised I'm a talking rabbit.
Little man, my best friend is a talking car.

3 Annual Watches in a row - Tradition ACTIVATED!

Yes, it’s ridiculous and nonsensical but lest we neglect how many genres the soundtrack has:
- Pop Punk
- Alternative Rock
- Glam Metal
- Disco
- Blues
- Dance Pop
- New Wave
- Electro Swing House

One of Illumination’s most unhinged films and I cannot help but have a hopping good time watching it!

This review may contain spoilers.

Has this all been bullshit to you?

YES, PRECISELY! WHAT NAIVE DROLL THIS IS!
BEST BELIEVE AMY IS A VILLAIN!

1. Don’t fall in love with your clients/masseuse
2. Don’t get LIFE ALTERING SURGERY for someone you JUST MET

The ending was the best part because you should love someone for them - NOT SHOVE THEM INTO THIS ABLEIST IDEA OF WHAT LIFE SHOULD BE LIKE! Virgil’s sister is the sanest one in this and yet they paint her at times as this villain. I’m happy they turned it in the end to THANK HER! JUST IN TIME!

Val Kilmer’s performance is notable. He did his best. He is just so handsome. He was meant to be in a romantic movie.
The script was pretty bad.
This ISN’T romantic.
The chemistry is a C+
It’s practically a horror movie. 
Luckily, the ending drove the proper point home: perception doesn’t stop or begin with your eyes! Also, accept people for who they are. 

Ridiculous. This movie was wild. Based on a true story - OF COURSE IT WAS!

Blind as a bat
Actually, blinder
Bats emit sonar
I wish I had that sonar 
I don’t have a sixth sense
I don’t have a fifth one
I never wrote a book like Helen Keller
Wish I could play the piano like Ray Charles
I really wish I could sing like Stevie Wonder.
But I can’t.

World’s a fucked up place, Teddy
You’ll get used to it

I could tag this for spoilers but the trailer does a good job of doing that already 🤣

Honestly, within the first hour it’s brought up the “twist” and then this had more meat on its bones as it went along. I wish it did more societal commentary though because I thought it would have given more depth to the motives and the world they live in. But it focused more on the cat and mouse chase between Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher (both excellently cast by the way). Unfortunately, half of the tension and mystery of “who will prevail?” is also spoiled before the opening credits even start! While it makes for a good bookended kind of story, it sucks a good portion of the interest out and you’re left with a sanitized experience.

It’s definitely worth watching because it’s fun and it poses a warning for intelligent robots and mistrust we should have for the people who can afford these machines. A trope we have seen time and time again in cinema yet our reality yields less and less care for the consequences.

P.S. I really liked how the final death was done. All this time and we have yet to see an electric wine bottle opener be used as a weapon … until now! 🍷

You wanna take me to a kung fu movie?
THREE kung fu movies.

The movie’s cool - let’s get that straight.

However, I wasn’t a fan of the pacing and it really dragged the movie down for me. 
Anyone into drug movies where shit hits the fan and it’s a lot of WHEREDITGO chaotic energy, then boom - True Romance is gonna be golden for you.

In of Quentin Tarantino quality dialogue, it’s nearly there. Some shining moments here and there but not enough for me to be hooked or dazzled.

The cast is amazing! If you don’t know anything about Gary Oldman’s character, WAIT TIL YOU MEET HIM! Proof he is one of the most versatile actors of all time. And yet again, Tom Sizemore blows my mind. It’s a shame what happened to him with his drug addiction because he was so talented.

I will say, while Val Kilmer’s Elvis character was important in the movie, he was underutilized. On the opposite side of the coin: Christian Slater’s finest hour. 

And finally, the aesthetic and fashion were my favorite parts. That turquoise ensemble Alabama wore - ICONIC!

I hate to say that I was letdown but I also understand its appeal. It’s just not my kind of appeal.

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 1993

This review may contain spoilers.

But then came part two of Dad’s plan
He told me to live every day again almost exactly the same.
The first time with all the tensions and worries that stop us noticing how sweet the world can be, but the second time … noticing.

Officially the sweetest story about time travel I can recall.

While the love story aspect is nice, it’s really the father/son relationship that got me choked up. I lost my mom when I was 18. I never got the chance to have an adult relationship with her but I had a whole life of memories with her and to have the ability to travel back and spend time with her would have been incredible. But this film nails the importance of being present and taking life with it’s punches because it’s a trade off at the end of the day and the butterfly effect is inevitable. Where you correct one thing, another new issue arises.

I was convinced this must have been adapted from a book because it reeks of that energy. But ALAS this was written and directed by Richard Curtis. Realizing that makes me appreciate this a little more. It had an organic yet awkward pacing and comedic delivery and I could see people finding it harder to stay onboard. But it’s absolutely endearing as you go.

It definitely made me cry.
It definitely makes me wanna stop and smell the flowers.
I definitely recommend it.

You never mean to hurt anybody
But you do, Alfie

Alfie (2004) > Alfie (1966)

Jude Law is the perfect Alfie. His charm and charisma disarms every woman and the foibles are believable. Michael Caine’s Alfie came off so cold and rude - devoid of all charm. 

But the second half of this film tanks it.
The length is felt and it switches gears into melodramatic territory, almost to bring on all this karma back onto Alfie. But it just ends with him being like, “well what’s it all about?” 
While that’s a cute full circle moment, it definitely feels like it was all for nothing.

Jude Law can break the 4th wall with me anytime though 😘

P.S. was it just me or was Jude Law TOO tan!? Almost late 2000s style.

As you know, everybody here shares in the belief that being deaf is not a handicap.
Not something to fix.
It's pretty important around here.
All these kids... all of us, need to be reminded of it every day.

My FAVORITE Film of 2020

Powerful. Immersive. Emotional.
Introspective. Respectful. Honest.

Our society has been seeped with this idea of instant gratification and fast solutions.
The addict aspect absolutely plays into the urgency of Ruben’s decision but I thought his decision to aim to get the surgery as fast as possible instead of putting in the work for a solution that was going to ACTUALLY help is a decision MANY would choose and regret. We need more films to discourage the fast solutions. To promote hard work. To encourage community. This film does it in spades.

The acting is astounding and the plot walks you through essentially the five stages of grief. It also promotes ASL in many ways. Paul Raci and Riz Ahmed deserved more recognition during awards season. Recognition in sound wasn’t enough.

Rewatching this only cemented my love for it. I’m so happy it’s in the Criterion Collection!

Alphabet Challenge - Rewatch Edition: S is for Sound of Metal

Bashful is my favorite dwarf. There I said it.

Nice to see justice done for Anastasia, one of the wicked step sisters.

Jacque’s human storyline was odd but whatever it takes for you to be grateful to be a mouse.

And Prudence needed to get laid. By the end of the story, it looked like she was heading to make that “dream come true” 🤓

Harmless but pointless.

I'm just no good at doing this on my own.
I'm sorry I'm such a bad mother,
I'm sorry I got caught up with a callow toy boy,
I'm sorry I'm late for school and that Billy's withdrawn.
They're growing up without you.
How is Billy going to understand how to be a man without his father?
How is Mabel going to live her life having never really known you at all?
Please forgive me for being upset about anything which isn't about not having you.
Please help me find a way to do this without feeling like I'm ruining the most important part of my life
The only part that still has you in it.

This is a 3.75! It’s a brilliant continuation of Bridget Jones. I LOVED it!

We FINALLY get a MATURE Bridget Jones! One who is dealing with being a widow while managing it with all of our favorite familiar faces (HUGH GRANT AND EMMA THOMPSON I’M TALKING ABOUT YOU) and bringing in new faces that help challenge and blossom Bridget (hello Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall 😉). Perfect blend of old and new and it’s balance is marvelous. A film I see helping out MANY women. It’s still Bridget Jones messy but messy in a relatable way not a cringey way!

And we still got a stellar soundtrack, which every Bridget Jones movie MUST have.

It felt like a fan of the series was so sour about how it ended up, they made THIS film to give Bridget Jones the due justice she deserves in having a poignant yet fun point of view on life that’s refreshing and not cringe and it was absolutely achieved.

I highly recommend this to anyone into rom coms and this is a gigantic love letter to the fans of the series. This is absolutely worth watching!

Things that are missing though:
1. A scene of Bridget Jones singing “Believe” by Cher at a karaoke bar, tripping in the process
2. An explanation of where Jack/Patrick Dempsey went. THE PEOPLE WANNA KNOW! I AM PEOPLE!

P.S. lemme add the term “fuckwittage” to my vocabulary this very INSTANT!

Okay Bridget Jones, that’s enough outta you…

The top billing should have included Cringe

While I was turned off by a Hugh Grant-less BJ movie, Patrick Dempsey was absolutely game for this. I loved his enthusiasm. And Emma Thompson as the OBGYN was an immaculate casting choice.

Unfortunately, the more Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) I see in these movies, the more I dislike him. It’s not romantic anymore. This on again off again incompatible nonsense has to stop. And yet it DOESN’T. EVERY ENDING IS THE SAME! I WAS ACTUALLY ROOTING FOR DEMPSEY! 

AND NOW WE HAVE BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY TO LOOK FORWARD TO! I’VE GONE MAD ALREADY 🥴

You know what, mate? If you are so obsessed with Bridget Jones, why don't you just marry her? …
… Cause then she'd definitely shag me.

A worthy sequel because it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; it gives you the same experience as the first film.

Nearly a beat for beat repeat. Bridget Jones’s slapstick shenanigans are still there, Cleaver and Darcy are still fighting over Bridget, and the same issues are afoot. And DESPITE IT ALL, still a happy predictable ending.

Anyone that’s a fan of the first one will be happy to continue frolicking with this universe. Therefore, it’s a 2.75 for me.

It’s also aggressively 2000s in the soundtrack. I nearly fell out of my chair when Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love dropped.

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2004

It’s time to cut out the cancer

Really cool! 

I think the concept is gnarly and the twist is great! James Wan was a spectacular director and writer for this. He added a lot of stellar ingredients and it made this an invigorating experience! 

However, I wasn’t a fan of the characters. And they really spoon fed a lot of the plot as you went along and I wish they would have shown more than told a few things. 

Definitely edges out to be something to check out! I may watch it again during a Halloween seasonal watch.

Watchlist Challenge - Chronological Edition: 2021

Can I craft a list from my watchlist of a movie from every year? How far can I go? Let’s find out!

• Mickey 17
• The Last Showgirl
• How to Have Sex
• Cha Cha Real Smooth
• Malignant
• Spree
• Two of Us
• Beautiful Boy
• Stronger
• Split

...plus 76 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Ones I’m always meaning to get around to rewatching it, whether to catch new details, it’s been too long, or because I love it so much.

• Love, Antosha
• Molly's Game
• Adaptation.
• Riceboy Sleeps
• Godzilla Minus One
• Harold and Maude
• Secrets & Lies
• Running on Empty
• Pamela, A Love Story
• The Batman

...plus 87 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

My personal favorites

• Wild Tales
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• Your Name.
• When Harry Met Sally...
• The Butterfly Effect
• North by Northwest
• The Red Shoes
• The Breakfast Club
• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

...plus 128 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Because 4 isn’t enough DAMNIT and it STRESSES ME OUT

• It's a Wonderful Life
• Wild Tales
• Before Sunrise
• The Breakfast Club
• The Red Shoes
• When Harry Met Sally...
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• Mary Poppins
• A Goofy Movie
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit

...plus 2 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

If I’m laying in bed and need a pick me up, these are my get better soon movies. Nostalgic, feel good, or downright silly.

• Singin' in the Rain
• Top Secret!
• George of the Jungle
• Amélie
• The Mummy
• Bring It On
• The Red Shoes
• Into the Wild
• My Date with Drew
• Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

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

The “when I have time let’s watch all the movies I own but I have never seen” list

But also a reminder of any movies that crossover to NOT rent or buy them virtually as we have a physical copy!

• American Movie
• The Circus
• The Gold Rush
• Limelight
• Monsieur Verdoux
• Volver
• Idiocracy
• Tombstone
• Talk Radio
• Wristcutters: A Love Story

...plus 10 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Either it’s about birthdays, has a birthday scene, or someone says happy birthday in it

• 13 Going on 30
• Pretty in Pink
• The Conversation
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Liar Liar
• Parasite
• The Substance
• I'm Still Here
• Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Films that may be too intense for your own good

• First Reformed
• Requiem for a Dream
• Midsommar
• Natural Born Killers
• Oldboy
• Wild Tales
• For Sama
• American History X
• Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
• Dancer in the Dark

...plus 6 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Movies I’ve been meaning to rewatch for one reason or another

• Aftersun

  Amazon Prime Purchased
  
  First time it didn’t get me in the feels - wanna see if it could get me in the feels 2nd time around

• The Brave Little Toaster

  Plex

• Children of Men

  Peacock
  
  While dating a boyfriend this was his favorite movie. But I made too many jokes while watching with him and I “ruined it for him” so I want to watch to see how “good” it really is

• Dick Johnson Is Dead

  Criterion DVD
  
  To make my Criterion Collection purchase worthy

• Elizabethtown
• The Flintstones

  Netflix
  
  Haven’t seen it since I was a kid and I only how hot Halle Berry was 

• Glengarry Glen Ross

  DVD
  
  loved it the first time, wanna bask in it again

• Hoodwinked!

  DVD
  
  One of the funniest animated movies and I wanna remind myself 

• In the Mood for Love

  Max
  
  It’s been too long and I forgot what it’s like

• Judgment at Nuremberg

  hoopla
  
  Want to watch a masterpiece again

...plus 16 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Watch a movie I’ve never seen before of each letter of the alphabet. Do my best to use Kanopy or Hoopla as they’re free library card accessible apps

January 2024

• After Hours

  kanopy 

• Blue Is the Warmest Color

  kanopy

• Captain Fantastic

  kanopy

• Deathtrap

  hoopla

• Empire Records

  Amazon Prime

• s Ha

  kanopy

• Guys and Dolls

  hoopla

• The Handmaiden

  Amazon Prime

• It's All Good

  Blu-Ray (purchased)

• Jacob's Ladder

  kanopy

...plus 16 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

2024

• Happiest Season
• Jingle All the Way 2
• Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
• The Pebble and the Penguin
• The Smurfs Christmas Special
• Scrooge
• A Muppet Family Christmas
• 12 Men of Christmas
• Bad Santa
• Four Christmases

...plus 36 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

According to the Writers Guild of America

• Get Out
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• The Social Network
• Parasite
• No Country for Old Men
• Moonlight
• There Will Be Blood
• Inglourious Basterds
• Almost Famous
• Memento

...plus 91 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

In reaction to my 2017 version 

I had to update it given how many movies I’ve seen since then

STILL in no particular order

• The Breakfast Club
• Se7en
• Inception
• A Goofy Movie
• Angels in the Outfield
• Hardball
• The Mummy
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• Singin' in the Rain
• Oldboy

...plus 240 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Written in a letter on July 5, 2017

In no particular order

• The Breakfast Club
• Se7en
• Inception
• A Goofy Movie
• Angels in the Outfield
• Hardball
• The Mummy
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• Singin' in the Rain
• Oldboy

...plus 240 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

I watched all of the Best Picture nominated films (minus 2 inaccessible ones) and these 30 films made an impact on me and I watched for the first time BECAUSE of this challenge,

I always want to commemorate them leaving an impression on me.

• The Red Shoes
• Secrets & Lies
• A Thousand Clowns
• Z
• Bad Girl
• The Rose Tattoo
• The Adventures of Robin Hood
• The Conversation
• Deliverance
• Ordinary People

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

Films nominated for more than 5 Oscars with 0 wins

• It's a Wonderful Life
• Lion
• The Shawshank Redemption
• Gangs of New York
• In the Name of the Father
• Up in the Air
• Captain Phillips
• Amélie
• The Trial of the Chicago 7
• The Godfather Part III

...plus 26 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Weekend
• Un Chien Andalou
• Romper Stomper
• Natural Born Killers

  Love it. Satires so hard.

• The Lost Weekend

  Perfection 

• Peeping Tom
• Freaks

  Classic

• Dancer in the Dark
• Blue Velvet

  Didn’t like it. But me and DL don’t vibe anyway 

• Taxi Driver

  It’s good

...plus 15 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

According to Christopher J. Olsen 
Released in 2018

• Freaks
• Tell Your Children
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers
• Plan 9 from Outer Space
• The Little Shop of Horrors
• Carnival of Souls
• Shock Corridor
• Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
• Manos: The Hands of Fate
• Night of the Living Dead

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