Any expectations above 'fun, dumb, popcorn-flick' here should be dulled. I think those descriptors suit this film well, with maybe a bit more emphasis on dumb, and a little bit less fun.
5.75/10
Dean
A charming little film that surprised me with some things, but overall felt fairly inconsequential.
6.5/10
6.5/10
Rough Night
Moderately funny with some fairly interesting set-ups, but nothing really cleared the bar of "medium" for me.
6.25/10
6.25/10
Hell or High Water [Revisit]
One of 2016's best, with beautiful shot after beautiful shot, a great narrative that keeps you engaged throughout, and a handful of charming performances.
9/10
9/10
Wind River
The cinematography here is absolutely jaw-dropping. The narrative is paced well and interesting throughout, and Renner's performance is absolutely fantastic.
9.25/10
9.25/10
Brigsby Bear
A wonderful meditation on fandom, on finding your place, on rebuilding after a drastically world-changing event, and on relentlessly pursuing your dreams, all wrapped up in an incredibly unique package.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Beatriz at Dinner
I found the pacing to be a bit slow, and the film was quite repetitive. That being said, the things they were repeating were done quite well. All in all, I found the film to be solid, if unexciting.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Lemon
All of the characters in this film acted so awkwardly, as if the filmmaker was working towards a darker NAPOLEON DYNAMITE. Unfortunately, very little of this worked for me at all.
4/10
4/10
Logan Lucky
A southern-flavored heist film that was a lot of fun. I didn't love the end of this film, but the characters were such a delight to be around.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Dave Made a Maze
This film is would be the result of a Michel Gondry-made cross-section of Cube and Labyrinth. So, so weird, but in all of the best kinds of ways.
8.25/10
8.25/10
The Hitman's Bodyguard
Reynolds is toned down a bit from DEADPOOL, and Jackson is turned all the way up to 11. The action is solid and the chemistry is apparent.
7.5/10
7.5/10
Role Models [Revisit]
Rudd and Willam-Scott are great here, and the narrative is equal parts hilarious and uplifting.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Being John Malkovich [Revisit]
A wildly inventive and unique film with some fantastic performances from all involved.
9/10
9/10
Accepted [Revisit]
I think this film is appropriately funny, and also has a great message that I think more people should take to heart. I've always liked Justin Long, and he is great here.
8/10
8/10
Shanghai Knights [Revisit]
This film took the previous, made everything just a little bit worse, and added in a few more anachronisms for flavor.
5.5/10
5.5/10
Shanghai Noon [Revisit]
This film feels a bit too much like a cartoon come to life. The stunts are as good as always, but there aren't enough set-pieces and too many jokes that don't quite hit the mark.
6/10
6/10
Rush Hour 3 [Revisit]
The third installment is certainly lacking in many areas, and feels like a shadow of the first two films. Still, the stuntwork is there, and the chemistry is still present.
6.25/10
6.25/10
Rush Hour 2 [Revisit]
The team is back for more of the same. Everything that was enjoyable in the first is present here as well, without too many deviations. If anything, the two films are a bit too similar, but they're certainly entertaining enough.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Rush Hour [Revisit]
A fun take on the buddy-cop film, filled with all of the excellent stuntwork one would expect from Jackie Chan.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Pan's Labyrinth [Revisit]
A gorgeous, layered narrative filled with some of the most creative and beautiful imagery I've ever seen.
9/10
9/10
The Glass Castle
The darkest-timeline version of CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, this film gets wrong most of what FANTASTIC got right. The child lead, Chandler Head, is the biggest selling point, delivering a fantastic and difficult performance. The third act is wholly unearned and feels very fabricated, even though this is "based on a true story". In the end, though, the parents come across as deplorable monsters, without any sort of vindication or reasoning for their choices and behavior, and the film never really addresses that.
6/10
6/10
Supercop
This film stands out less for me, both in terms of stunts and plot, but Michelle Yeoh is absurdly great here.
7/10
7/10
Who Am I? [Revisit]
The plot is somehow much sillier than RUMBLE IN THE BRONX, but the stunts in this film reminded me that, until things like THE RAID came along and changed the game, the Chan stunt team was simply unrivaled in their expertise.
8.25/10
8.25/10
Rumble in the Bronx [Revisit]
An old favorite of mine. Sure, the dialogue and dubbing are cheesy at best. But the action is great, and what else are you watching a Jackie Chan movie for!?
7.5/10
7.5/10
The Shining [Revisit]
A superb classic, excelling in any way a suspense-filled thriller can. Fantastic performances all around, and just about perfect cinematography.
10/10
10/10
Barry Lyndon
I found this film to be difficult. I was reminded a lot of THERE WILL BE BLOOD, which is one of my favorite films, but this film was very deliberately paced and quite long on top of that. It's clearly a great film, but it wasn't quite right for me.
7.25/10
7.25/10
You're Next
A very solid horror film with some inventive scenarios and some great, tension-filled sequences.
7.5/10
7.5/10
The Dark Tower
I found Elba and Taylor to be great, and really enjoyed most of the things they did here. Conversely, almost everything McConaughey did came off as cartoony and silly. The film has big flaws, to be sure, but I still found enough to enjoy here. I think if the expectations are significantly low going in, most people will find enough to like.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Phoenix Forgotten
This was a barely passable found-footage film that left me bored most of the time, and didn't have a great payoff to make that worth the time spent.
3/10
3/10
Wilson
This film came off to me as old-people propaganda. Harrelson's titular character was entertaining at times, but more often I was bothered by his actions. The conclusion felt mostly unearned, as well.
4.5/10
4.5/10
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
The trailers for this film made it look like Guy Ritchie had a fever dream about King Arthur. Somehow, it was even crazier than that. I enjoy Ritchie's style and flare enough that I found this film enjoyable, but I suspect it won't be for everyone.
6.25/10
6.25/10
To The Bone
A really great film about a topic that doesn't get much attention in film. The team behind it lovingly crafted this film, and it shows with small details that aren't plot points or mentioned at all, but feel true to the situations.
8/10
8/10
Snatched
Amy Schumer's character is relentlessly annoying, which is the point to an extent, but I couldn't stand it. Worse than that, is that this film simply wasn't funny. At all.
3.5/10
3.5/10
Detroit
This experience was one of the most tense, visceral, and horrifying experiences I've had in a theater. The story is told expertly, and the guerilla-style camera adds to the frantic and unnerving aspects of the narrative.
9.25/10
9.25/10
The Way Way Back [Revisit]
A contender for my favorite all-time film, this one just resonates with me in a way that most films don't. Sam Rockwell shines as usual, but the whole cast is wonderful, especially the young lead Liam James, who completely nails a tough role.
10/10
10/10
Atomic Blonde
I loved the visual aesthetic this film presented, and the action scenes were really great. I found the spy narrative far too convoluted and overly-complex for it's own good, though.
7.75/10
7.75/10
The Lost City of Z
This adventure film, beyond being gorgeously shot, tells a great true story that probably isn't very widely known. The pacing was a bit on the slow side for me, but otherwise a very enjoyable film.
8.25/10
8.25/10
A Ghost Story
An phenomenally gorgeous film that takes a somewhat silly premise and carves out a tremendous work of art that tackles some gigantic themes. It has stayed with me for some time since watching it, and I can't wait to fall into it again.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Going in Style
This heist film manages to have some fun, but lacks any real depth or substance.
6/10
6/10
Monty Python and Holy Grail [Rewatch]
An endlessly quotable comedic classic that is just as funny today as it ever was.
9.75/10
9.75/10
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
The lead here is woefully miscast, and the narrative is vomited upon you with scene after scene of exposition dumps. The film really shines when nobody is delivering the nonsense dialogue, as it truly is visually stunning. The incredibly cool sci-fi concepts that the film litters all over the movie are wonderful, but they don't salvage the narrative mess.
5.5/10
5.5/10
Kingsmen: The Secret Service [Revisit]
Riotous fun with great action, an engaging narrative, and colorful charismatic characters.
9/10
9/10
Dunkirk
While technically dazzling, the narrative is framed in a way that creates unnecessary confusion. The film did a great job of delivering a harrowing experience to the audience, but it turns out that isn't very enjoyable. I'm also finding myself less and less interested with every war film as they're released, so take that for whatever it's worth.
7.25/10
7.25/10
Charlie Bartlett [Revisit]
RDJ and the late Anton Yelchin deliver some great performances, but the film suffered from a lack of subtlety. Everything felt a bit too dialed up and on-the-nose to me.
7.75/10
7.75/10
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
I really enjoyed this take on an alien invasion film, despite it's troubling and unfortunately prescient themes.
8.5/10
8.5/10
It Follows [Revisit]
A clever, endlessly interesting and unique premise for a horror film that sets clear rules and sticks to them.
9.25/10
9.25/10
Starship Troopers [Revisit]
Campy and goofy fun, with a light bit of military commentary to boot. The acting hasn't aged well, but the visual effects are still work pretty well.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Kubo and the Two Strings [Revisit]
The narrative in this film has a lot of really interesting takes on the adventure genre, and it's backed up with fantastic stop-motion visuals and touching emotional core.
10/10
10/10
War for the Planet of the Apes
The conclusion to this series met every expectation I had, and then some. It was a pitch-perfect finale with some stunning visuals. WAR closes out one of the very finest trilogies of all time.
10/10
10/10
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes [Revisit]
Everything that is great from the first film is expanded upon here, and a gorgeously Shakespearean narrative is added to the mix. The characters in this film all exhibit growth and depth, and this series continues to blow me away.
10/10
10/10
Rise of the Planet of the Apes [Revisit]
This film is breathtaking, and the relationship between Caesar and Franco's character is beautiful and absolutely devastating. All of the motion capture performances are also top-notch.
10/10
10/10
Moonrise Kingdom [Revisit]
I'm a huge Wes Anderson fan, and this film is among his best works. It's a beautiful coming-of-age tale with some truly great performances and Anderson's trademark style.
9.5/10
9.5/10
The Bad Batch
I was really on-board with this film's aesthetic, but the plot was insufferably paced and I found most parts of the film really unsatisfying.
4/10
4/10
The Other Guys [Revisit]
Will Ferrell is on point, and little is more hilarious than a comedic Mark Wahlberg performance. The supporting cast is also uproariously funny.
8.25/10
8.25/10
Spiderman: Homecoming
Spiderman films have always gotten the character wrong in my mind. This is the first that finally realized that they should have always been Peter Parker films first. There are so many wonderful little details and set-pieces from this film, I'm not sure what to highlight. Tom Holland and Michael Keaton are sublime casting, and RDJ delivers as always.
9.75/10
9.75/10
The Big Sick
This film is nothing short of stunning. It is a true work of art that transcends genre, while simultaneously being equal parts devastating and hilarious. It is a masterpiece, and an easy front-runner for best film of the year.
10/10
10/10
The Sitter [Revisit]
This was a surprising little film that had more charm and genuine comedy than I had expected. Hill does his usual shtick, and the supporting cast is a lot of fun, including the kids.
7.25/10
7.25/10
Horrible Bosses 2 [Revisit]
This plot is missing a bit of the creativity of the first, but picks up some superb new antagonists for the guys to clash with.
7/10
7/10
Horrible Bosses [Revisit]
This comedic team really worked for me, and the plot was unique and intriguing, with a large cast of colorful support characters.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Pump Up the Volume
The plot isn't much more than a typical 'small guy against The Man' story, but Christian Slater is great in the 'small guy' role, and delivers some fantastic monologues throughout the film.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Hot Tub Time Machine 2 [Revisit]
The lack of Cusack's character is really felt here, as much of the depth and heart is missing. That being said, this film functions as an above-average R-rated comedy, and is worth checking out if you enjoyed the first.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Hot Tub Time Machine [Revisit]
This film has all the charm and hilarity that you'd expect from a solid R-rated comedy, but also has a lot of heart and some great takeaway messages.
8/10
8/10
Amelie [Revisit]
A wonderful, quirky film with a genuine, heartfelt message that everyone could stand to see a bit more often.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Personal Shopper
I found this to be a wonderful slow-burn of a unique ghost story. It is far from the 'jump scare'-fest we are used to from this genre, and instead a gorgeous reflection on loss and letting go.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Okja
Although the message is very heavy-handed here, the film is touching and surprisingly exciting at times. The protagonist is fierce and fearless, Gyllenhaal is great in another weird, over-the-top role, and the titular super-pig is charming and adorable.
9.25/10
9.25/10
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl [Revisit]
I had forgotten how impactful this film was. The performances from the young leads were all incredibly demanding, but they rose to the challenge. The film is quirky and fun at times, but it certainly packs a huge emotional wallop.
10/10
10/10
Baby Driver
This film is simply incredible. Edgar Wright brings every element of film-making together in a glorious, exciting, and beautiful demonstration of his prowess. It's part musical, part heist film, part car chase action, and all tremendous.
10/10
10/10
The Transporter [Revisit]
I remember really enjoying this film when I bought it on VHS from Target for ~$2. There is some solid action choreography here, but the rest of the film is pretty thin, unfortunately.
6/10
6/10
Major League [Revisit]
A classic sports-comedy that hasn't aged tremendously, but is still quite funny and enjoyable.
8/10
8/10
To Kill a Mockingbird
One of the truly great book adaptations that continues to be extremely effective and prescient to this day. I was especially enamored with the performances from the children in the film.
9.75/10
9.75/10
Berlin Syndrome
An extremely tense film with that rare 'the protagonist is trying all of the things I might try in that situation' quality that modern-day films so often seem to lack.
8.25/10
8.25/10
CHiPS
Dax Shepherd and Michael Pena outshining The Rock and Zac Efron was not something I was expecting, but that's where I landed on this year's classic TV show revival films. Still, the film wasn't that much better than BAYWATCH.
4.75/10
4.75/10
Shimmer Lake
A fun little heist/murder mystery film that unwinds its plot much like MEMENTO did.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Idiocracy [Revist]
Another diabolically clever film from Mike Judge that unfortunately becomes closer and closer to our reality every year, it seems.
9.25/10
9.25/10
Office Space [Revisit]
I had forgotten how funny this film was! It's an old favorite, with razor-sharp writing and endlessly quotable lines.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Chef [Revisit]
Energetic, vibrant, and gorgeously shot with a narrative that is a joy to behold.
10/10
10/10
The Animatrix [Revisit]
This anthology film provides more opportunities to play in the incredible world built by the Wachowskis. Some of the shorts are better than others, and the same goes for the different animation styles on display.
7.75/10
7.75/10
The Matrix Revolutions [Revisit]
Watching the dominoes set in place by the first two films begin to topple is a blast. This film is almost entirely action set-piece after action set-piece. They're grand and ambitious, and I've enjoyed it quite a bit each time.
8.75/10
8.75/10
It Comes At Night
This film was a masterclass in building an atmosphere, as well as using lights and shadows to present gorgeous shots. The narrative left a bit to be desired, but I was definitely thoroughly unsettled for most of the film.
8.75/10
8.75/10
The Matrix Reloaded [Revisit]
My personal favorite of the series, and not coincidentally the film with the best fight choreography. The CGI is fairly dated and silly-looking at times, which is unfortunate, but looking past that leaves a very solid follow-up to the first.
8.5/10
8.5/10
The Matrix [Revisit]
Despite the numerous parodies and jokes, this remains a top-notch sci-fi film that builds an incredible world in which to play.
10/10
10/10
Drive [Revisit]
A tremendous story dripping with style as evidenced by the outstanding cinematography and phenomenal soundtrack. Ryan Gosling delivers a sublime, subdued performance and the film is peppered with some tremendous supporting characters and actors.
10/10
10/10
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping [Revisit]
A truly underrated gem that far too many people missed altogether. The Lonely Island and a huge host of incredible cameos all work together to provide an absolutely hilarious 90 minutes.
9/10
9/10
Wonder Woman
Oh boy, here we go. I'm going to start with what I liked. Gal Gadot is pitch-perfect, which makes the second DCEU film in which she was basically the only stand-out part. Chris Pine was good, but his character was part of a deeply flawed third act. The second act action set-piece was wonderful in every way, with gorgeous shots and really fun fight choreography. In fact, the opening action sequence was quite solid as well.
Unfortunately, from literally the first line of dialogue, I knew we were in a lot of trouble. That started a trend of, every 20-25 minutes or so, a character spouting something so offensively stupid that it ripped me out of whatever hold the film had on me. At least one of the characters in the film does literal zero relevant things. The third act final fight is beyond lifeless, and I couldn't believe that this film ended on such a weak confrontation.
I love that the film tried to do some great things; a strong female-led superhero film, an anti-war, pro-peace-and-love message, etc. Any time Gadot was ignoring the fools trying to control her, magic happened. But the events that occurred in the back half of the film between Gadot and Pine were largely unearned, and undermined some crucial themes of the film in my eyes. All of this culminates in easily the best film of the DCEU, but WONDER WOMAN only barely limps over that very, very low bar.
3.75/10
Unfortunately, from literally the first line of dialogue, I knew we were in a lot of trouble. That started a trend of, every 20-25 minutes or so, a character spouting something so offensively stupid that it ripped me out of whatever hold the film had on me. At least one of the characters in the film does literal zero relevant things. The third act final fight is beyond lifeless, and I couldn't believe that this film ended on such a weak confrontation.
I love that the film tried to do some great things; a strong female-led superhero film, an anti-war, pro-peace-and-love message, etc. Any time Gadot was ignoring the fools trying to control her, magic happened. But the events that occurred in the back half of the film between Gadot and Pine were largely unearned, and undermined some crucial themes of the film in my eyes. All of this culminates in easily the best film of the DCEU, but WONDER WOMAN only barely limps over that very, very low bar.
3.75/10
Saw 3D [Revisit]
I loved the premise for the main set of traps in this film. In the world they've constructed over the past six films, of course there would be a joker trying to profit by claiming to have survived a trap. Although this film continues the trend of mostly weak games, the narrative continues to be the most compelling part of the franchise.
7.25/10
7.25/10
Saw VI [Revisit]
This film was the low point of the series for me. At this point, the main game of the film has such a small, tangential relation to the key characters of the story, and none of the traps are particularly interesting. The plot developments are similarly tame, as they're mostly setting the board for what was to be the final installment.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Saw V [Revisit]
This film is almost an inverse of the fourth; the main game is probably the most interesting from a game theory perspective, even if the individual traps are a bit weak. There are important plot developments here, to be sure, but one of the weaker films in that series in that regard.
7.5/10
7.5/10
Saw IV [Revisit]
At this point, the series has settled into a main set of traps surrounded by precious new insights into the intricately constructed narrative. This films main game is on the weak side, but the film makes up for it with a great third act for both elements.
7.25/10
7.25/10
Saw III [Revisit]
The game is a bit less interesting, and the dialogue takes a pretty significant dip. Still, this film continues to build the best part of this series by delving deeper into the interesting characters and weaving a narrative that incorporates all previous films.
7/10
7/10
Saw II [Revisit]
This film does what any good sequel should: take the concepts and ideas that were effective in the previous film, and build upon them. The twist to the "game" only adds to the interesting game-theory decisions the characters face, and begins to build the intricately layered narrative that endeared this franchise to me.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Saw [Revisit]
A surprising, unique twist on the horror genre that has an extremely effective third act. It was doubly interesting revisiting this film after participating in so many escape rooms.
8.25/10
8.25/10
A Clockwork Orange [Revisit]
Kubrick weaves together a bleak backdrop of violence and degradation, juxtaposed against the beauty of Ludwig Van, excellent shot composition, and a fantastic lead performance from Malcolm McDowell.
9.25/10
9.25/10
Clue [Revisit]
A wacky comedy with dizzying dialogue, this film is far better than anything based off of a board game should be.
8/10
8/10
T2: Trainspotting
This film felt less cohesive than a typical narrative. There was some value in revisiting these characters, and the Boyle's visual style continues to be interesting, but the film didn't impress much overall.
6/10
6/10
The Space Between Us
This is the kind of film that has moments that feel like they should resonate more strongly than they did. As it stands, everything about this film was merely okay.
6.5/10
6.5/10
Table 19
A charming comedy with an enigmatic and lovable cast of misfits, headlined by the always great Anna Kendrick.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Colossal
Just a step below GET OUT in the vein of 'genre film with brilliant social commentary', which places it firmly in the company of remarkably great films.
9.5/10
9.5/10
My Life As A Zucchini
Powerful and gorgeously animated. This only spotlights how truly remarkable last year's animated films were, that this isn't the top of my list.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Baywatch
Despite all of the talent involved in this film, the jokes failed to land, and the narrative was bland and uninteresting. Not even The Rock (aka The Best Of Us) could save this one.
3/10
3/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
I'm not sure what else people wanted from this film. It had really fun and inventive action set-pieces, and worked very well in the overall narrative arc of the series (which is where the fourth film blundered so badly). I had a few small quibbles, but nothing that would result in all of the poor reviews I had been seeing.
9/10
9/10
22 Jump Street [Revisit]
This film took everything that was great about the first, and added more. In some cases, that worked wonderfully (especially the end credit sequence). I think the narrative dragged a bit here, but I still had a great deal of fun with this one.
8/10
8/10
21 Jump Street [Revisit]
I love that this film was so cleverly written. This could've been a throwaway R-rated comedy, but the end result is both hilarious and razor-sharp.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [Revisit]
A beautiful film in every sense of the word, that features an incredible and unexpected performance from Jim Carrey.
10/10
10/10
Lost in Translation [Revisit]
The two lead performances are fantastic, to be sure, but I was never quite as high on this film as others. I think something about the way Sofia Coppola makes her films rubs me the wrong way.
8/10
8/10
Alien: Covenant
There are some really solid elements in this film. A few odd decisions weigh it down a bit, but there is enough here for fans of the series, or of gratuitous space-themed suspense/horror to find some merit.
7.5/10
7.5/10
Goodfellas [Revisit]
The quintessential mob film that set the bar to such a height that it now seems all but unreachable.
10/10
10/10
2001: A Space Odyssey
This film is certainly indulgent, pushing the limits of what an audience would endure, but I found the experience to be pretty damned incredible.
9.75/10
9.75/10
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb [Revisit]
Speaking of equal parts troubling and hilarious, this film certainly contends for the crown of that double-bill. Despite the cataclysmic subject matter, Kubrick weaves a tale that feels, at times, lighthearted and even fun.
9.75/10
9.75/10
Lolita
Peter Sellers stole the show for me every time he was on screen. This film was much funnier than I had expected, but equally as troubling as I would expect from a Kubrick film.
8.25/10
8.25/10
The Emperor's New Groove
Some fantastic performances help to mask the fairly thin plot. Great art and a fun song, as one would expect from a hand-drawn animated Disney film.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie
Despite a truly bizarre choice to open the film, this was a very solid detective story with a fun cast of characters.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Spaceballs
This film made me incredibly nostalgic for Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis, and John Candy. Some great gags and goofs in here, and the meta humor is especially fun to see.
7.5/10
7.5/10
Spartacus
This film is obviously hugely ambitious for the time, and the quality of many aspects of the film are readily apparent. But man, did I feel every single minute of the 3:15 runtime.
8/10
8/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides [Revisit]
This film felt a bit worse than the previous three. Two of the leads were absent, and they were sorely missed. The action was fine, but characters felt a bit more wooden, and their actions a bit less natural. This narrative was mostly unrelated to the previous three films as well, and the lack of cohesion and world-building from which to draw didn't help matters. That being said, Captain Jack Sparrow is entertaining enough on his own.
7.25/10
7.25/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End [Revisit]
This film concludes an exceptional trilogy. Everything continues to build in this film, and I found myself caring about almost every single character's arc. The world-building on display is fantastic, and the action continues to impress throughout.
9/10
9/10
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
This film also builds upon its predecessor wonderfully. The characters are all incredibly fun, but Baby Groot and Drax steal the show handily. I loved the excessive use of bright, vibrant colors in this film, and that it wasn't afraid to go a bit deeper than most other comic properties tend to.
9.25/10
9.25/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest [Revisit]
This film took what the first started and built upon it in an interesting way. Everything that was present in the previous film is improved, and the conclusion to the film is simply wonderful.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl [Revisit]
The characters are charismatic, the action is fun, and the world-building is wonderful. A lot to like here, to be sure.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Brazil
The dystopian future this film presents is odd, and the film only gets more bizarre from there. The narrative is a fascinating examination of a minor error spinning absurdly out of control, and weaves the tale in a quirky and interesting fashion that is equal parts funny and exciting.
9.25/10
9.25/10
Whiplash [Revisit]
A stunning, electric look at a true quest for greatness that has one of the most energetic third acts I've seen in some time.
10/10
10/10
Sleight
Some of the characters are massively underwritten, and the lead performance has a few holes. The narrative is interesting enough, although not particularly innovative, and Dule Hill as a brutal drug kingpin was a lot of fun to watch.
7/10
7/10
The Circle
The performances were mostly strong, but the narrative is far too stilted and full of inane technophobia.
4/10
4/10
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Even if the film felt a bit idyllic, I loved the earnestness of the lead. I didn't expect the film to be as genuinely funny as I found it, either.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Thank You For Smoking [Revisit]
The great dialogue endears the audience to what would normally be an unsympathetic character in a big way. This film is just chock full of characters that are fun to be around.
8.25/10
8.25/10
Shoot 'Em Up [Revisit]
I've always described this film as a real-life, more violent Bugs Bunny cartoon, right down to the carrot-eating. The set-pieces in this film are so silly and over-the-top, but so, so much fun.
8/10
8/10
Lucky Number Slevin
This one of the first films that kept me guessing throughout the runtime. The narrative is a delight to watch unravel, and the film oozes style.
8.25/10
8.25/10
Super Troopers [Revisit]
In high school, I found this film to be endlessly quotable and absurdly entertaining, and that hasn't changed.
8/10
8/10
Arrival [Revisit]
I never got around to producing my Best of 2016 list. Had I done so, I would've noted that as good as La La Land and Moonlight were (and they were extraordinary, make no mistake), nobody would be talking about them in 10 years.
Arrival, on the other hand, is a stunning masterpiece that will go down as one of the best science fiction films of all time.
10/10
Arrival, on the other hand, is a stunning masterpiece that will go down as one of the best science fiction films of all time.
10/10
The Thing (1982)
It's easy to write this off as a simple fishbowl creature-feature, but that would be a mistake. John Carpenter packs this film with excellent visual effects and the narrative is full of dense game theory that really helps the viewer place themselves in the character's shoes.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Paths of Glory
Continuing the trip down Kubrick's filmography, this film sees him revisiting the war genre, this time with a fantastic Kirk Douglass performance and some scathing social and political commentary.
9/10
9/10
The Killing
Kubrick's attempt at a heist film worked wonderfully for me. Both halves of the traditional heist film (setting up the board, and playing out the game) are equally fun here, and Kubrick offers up some great characters and an engaging narrative.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Free Fire
A unique film that felt tonally schizophrenic to me. The highs are fairly high, though, and the film uses its conceit in fun an interesting ways throughout. The cast of characters is colorful and a great time as well.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Killer's Kiss
A wonderful little neo-noir film that, despite some antiquated, hokey "action" sequences, mostly holds up as a solid film. I'm really loving the fantastic dialogue in these older Kubrick films.
8/10
8/10
Millions [Revisit]
This is my favorite Danny Boyle film, and he is among my favorite directors. The two young leads are wonderful, but Damien, who is extremely adorable, will absolutely steal your heart. The film is vibrantly colorful and fantastical, and the plot is both fun and incredibly touching. I think, of all the films I've talked about here, this is the one I most hope you take the time to discover if you haven't already.
10/10
10/10
The Mist [Revisit]
To this day, one of the scariest films I've ever seen. The third act will stay with you for quite some time. The visual effects of the monsters looks fairly dated, but the rest of the film holds up nicely.
9/10
9/10
The Ticket
Dan Stevens play a blind man who suddenly wakes up with sight, and proceeds to act like a gigantic asshole. I found the actions of the main character pretty unbelievable, which hurt my immersion quite a bit. The performance was solid, but not enough to overcome the plot issue.
5/10
5/10
Detour
This neo-noir film is beautifully shot, including some really interesting split-screen sequences. The plot falters somewhat, and I found it difficult to care much about many of the characters, but it was enjoyable enough despite the flaws.
6.5/10
6.5/10
The Fate of the Furious
This film starts with the worst aspect of this franchise, and had me a bit worried. But my fears were quickly allayed when the film jumps into the nonsense, over-the-top, absurdly fun action that the franchise has become known for. The villain is weak, and the plot is somewhat lacking, but nobody is really seeing these films for things like that.
8/10
8/10
Trainspotting [Revisit]
This is a story you've likely heard before, but Danny Boyle tells the tale with flourishes that separate him from the crowd. Inventive and unique sequences will stick in your mind for a long time.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Triangle
This movie blew me away. Go in blind, and enjoy the incredibly fun to discover plot.
9.5/10
9.5/10
The Discovery
A superb concept that is presented with a tremendous opening sequence. Unfortunately, the rest of the film didn't quite live up to that high bar. The film attempted some very large ideas and the third act felt rushed and unsatisfying.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Glengarry GlenRoss
The cinematography was striking and a joy to take in, but the real prize here is the exquisite dialogue and great performances from a star-studded cast.
9/10
9/10
Fear and Desire
Kicking off a run through Kubrick's filmography, this film clearly shows a young director getting his feet wet. The film certainly shows its age, especially in the "action" sequences, but certain character arcs still worked very well for me, and foreshadowed his later work quite nicely.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Aftermath
The film sets up an interesting paradigm, but fails to come together in the end. Too many characters act far too irrationally, and the film was far too predictable which numbed any impact it may have had in the third act.
5.25/10
5.25/10
Win It All
Jake Johnson gives a great performance, but I feel like I've seen the gambling addict redemption story a hundred times at this point. This film doesn't add much to that genre.
7/10
7/10
The Void
This was a fun throwback to the gore-heavy horror films of the 80s. The narrative lacked a bit in spots, but had some big ideas and tremendous visual effects.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Moon [Revisit]
A wonderful Sci-Fi fish-bowl film with a fantastic lead performance from Rockwell.
9/10
9/10
Psycho [Revisit]
A masterclass in suspense with a lead performance that stands the test of time.
10/10
10/10
Why Him?
The plot is fairly rote here, but there were more than a few hilarious scenes. Franco is at home here, and seeing Cranston react was pretty great.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Ex Machina [Revisit]
This film is highlighted by a set of incredible performances and a tone that evoked Kubrick's finest for me.
10/10
10/10
Seven Psychopaths [Revisit]
Martin McDonagh's follow-up to IN BRUGES brings along the same great dialogue and twisted sense of humor, but adds in an incredible self-referential plot that gets better with each subsequent viewing.
9.75/10
9.75/10
In Bruges [Revisit]
The dialogue in this film is top-notch, and the unraveling of the plot, despite knowing what was to come, was engaging and great fun.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World [Revisit]
This film is just oozing with small, but perfect, little touches in every scene. It is simple, pure joy with every viewing.
10/10
10/10
Moana [Revisit]
A wonderful hero's journey tale with a strong female lead, some great comic relief and fantastic music.
9/10
9/10
Raw
Much of this film didn't do anything for me. At times, it felt as if it was showing something really gross, just to do so. A few scenes were great, but overall this one didn't land.
5/10
5/10
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Despite some jaw-dropping visuals, this iteration was more of a brainless action flick. The shell to the previous film's ghost, if you will.
6/10
6/10
Ghost in the Shell [Revisit]
A cerebral sci-fi story that features some beautiful animation and poses some very interesting questions to the audience.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Life
As expected, this was a slightly above-average space monster film. It was successful at creating some great tension, and I really enjoyed the third act, but the film never really excelled at anything.
7/10
7/10
The World's End [Revisit]
Completing the Cornetto Trilogy, the team is back and they bring all of the excellent dialogue and action with them. I can't stress enough how well these films are crafted, and each one is just so damned fun.
9/10
9/10
Hot Fuzz [Revisit]
The team that tackled the zombie genre returns in this film with a fantastic look at the buddy-cop action genre, and again, knock it out of the park. Some familiar tropes and throwbacks to SHAUN OF THE DEAD, paired with great action and brilliant writing, made this a wonderful experience.
9/10
9/10
10 Cloverfield Lane [Revisit]
Incredibly tense and well-acted, with the highlight being an awesome performance from John Goodman, but really everyone shines here. The plot is paced expertly, and I love that all the character motivations make sense.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Power Rangers (2017)
A campy, fun, though at times darker than expected look back at a childhood favorite. I had a lot of fun with this film, and the marquee performances from Cranston and Banks were wonderful.
7.75
7.75
Shaun of the Dead [Revisit]
A great comedy with lots of fresh takes on the zombie genre. I love the use of repetition in this film, calling back to earlier scenes and lines of dialogue for comedic effect works wonderfully.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Exam
A very nice fishbowl film that kept me guessing until the end. This film evoked shades of the film Cube and real-life escape rooms for me, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
7.5/10
7.5/10
O Brother, Where Art Thou? [Revisit]
This is the Coen Brothers near the height of their powers. They produced an incredibly fun adventure film with wild characters and great dialogue. It's bonafide!
9.25/10
9.25/10
20th Century Women [Revisit]
Annette Bening should have won Best Actress for this performance. This film is simply beautiful, with an excellent soundtrack and fantastic performances. The fact that I've watched it twice in as many months should speak volumes.
9.5/10
9.5/10
The Belko Experiment
This film is exactly what you think it is. Literally every single thing you think is going to happen, does in fact happen. There is still a little fun to be had here, but given the absurd level of predictability, it certainly isn't much.
4.5/10
4.5/10
(500) Days of Summer [Revisit]
This one has actually dropped a bit in my estimation. I love all of the small quirks the film features; the great soundtrack, the full-on dance sequence out of nowhere, the nonlinear narrative, the scene transitions, the interviews with other characters, the sage-like little sister, and especially the 'Expectations vs. Reality' sequence. There is a lot to like here.
But on this most recent viewing, JGL's character seemed a lot worse than I had remembered, and he and his friends have some problematic 'women are objects' dialogue that stuck out of an otherwise beautiful film. The ending also felt a bit too cheesy this time around.
That being said, I still really love this movie.
9.25/10
But on this most recent viewing, JGL's character seemed a lot worse than I had remembered, and he and his friends have some problematic 'women are objects' dialogue that stuck out of an otherwise beautiful film. The ending also felt a bit too cheesy this time around.
That being said, I still really love this movie.
9.25/10
Inside Out [Revisit]
An absolute masterpiece, in every respect. Pixar's finest, and most important film to date.
10/10
10/10
The Fifth Element [Revisit]
The world-building is incredible, but lots of this movie doesn't age well, especially the soundtrack. Still a fun adventure film, to be sure, but at times the cheesiness was too much.
7.25/10
7.25/10
Kong: Skull Island
The human characters are archetypal and flat, but when this film is being a big dumb monster movie, it is an absolute blast. John C. Reilly threatens to steal the show every time he is on screen, and there are some shots that will drop your jaw in awe of the beauty.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Brick [Revisit]
This is an incredibly great neo-noir tale that is surprisingly set in a high school. Though the effects are a bit dated and reflective of the budgetary restrictions, the film is just oozing style and confidence. It's a home run in every way.
10/10
10/10
Headshot
This martial-arts film tried a lot of interesting things with its camera, some of which worked wonderfully. Others, though, obscured some really great fight choreography. The successor the The Raid this is not, but was still an enjoyable action film.
7.25/10
7.25/10
The Appointment
A fairly rote plot of screwed-over hitman seeks revenge, with the notable twist of the inciting act being a sex-change operation forced upon our hero. This film has a lot of really strange ideas, but it all ended up feeling very silly and not worth the time.
4/10
4/10
Logan
This is a really dark, heavy, and brutal film, which was a pleasant surprise. This film felt much more true to Wolverine the character. The performances are fantastic, and the story was compelling throughout.
9/10
9/10
The Girl With All the Gifts
A really excellent and intriguing take on a specific genre (which is a minor spoiler in-and-of itself, hence the lack of detail). Lots of very effective things here, and great performances to back it up.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Catfight
The plot is somewhat interesting, but the rest of the film is too campy and poorly-done. There are several fight scenes, but the punches don't even come close to looking realistic, and the sound effects are just silly.
4.75/10
4.75/10
The Big Short [Revisit]
An excellent and highly entertaining look at a very complex issue. The performances here are fantastic, specifically Carell and Bale, and the story is incredibly compelling.
9.5/10
9.5/10
The Red Turtle
I had no idea that this film has essentially zero dialogue, and that was a unique experience. Luckily, the beauty and quality of animation was more than enough to carry the film.
8/10
8/10
I Don't Feel at Home in this World Anymore
I found this to be a wildly surprising and very fun film. Lynskey and Wood are a pleasure, and the climax is really something else.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Southside With You
A nice film that doesn't stand out to me in any particular aspect, but was an enjoyable time with a couple of great figures. The film rests entirely on the dialogue, which is fine, but pales in comparison to similar films like the BEFORE trilogy.
7.25/10
7.25/10
Sunset Song
These kinds of period pieces are often going to be a few points lower for me, but this movie really bored me. There are some incredibly gorgeous shots and wonderful acting on display, but the unspectacular plot just wasn't enough to hold my attention.
5.5/10
5.5/10
Get Out
It's tight, tense, hilarious, and thrilling all at once. It has layers upon layers, and every single thing has purpose and depth beyond what you think at first glance. It's a tremendous accomplishment.
10/10
10/10
Your Name
Absolutely stunning animation and a beautiful, complex narrative pair to create this fantastic experience. The discovery of the story as it unfolds is a large part of the fun, so try and learn as little as possible before checking this one out.
9/10
9/10
In the Loop
Scathing and hilarious political satire that was the precursor to the wonderful show VEEP. If you like that kind of humor, you'll love this film as well.
9.25/10
9.25/10
A Cure For Wellness
Absolutely gorgeous shots throughout the film, but I found the film's narrative to be lacking. There are some fairly disturbing scenes, and the tension is ratcheted quite effectively, but at the end of the day, the pacing and the bland narrative dragged the film down.
5.5/10
5.5/10
Fist Fight
Pretty funny with some surface-level criticisms of our education system, which I'm always down for. Charlie Day is great, Ice Cube is fine, and Tracy Morgan is excellent as always.
7.5/10
7.5/10
The Autopsy of Jane Doe
A mediocre ghost story with telegraphed, ineffectual jump scares and an underwhelming mystery. Nothing in this film did much for me.
3/10
3/10
The Princess Bride
A timeless classic that truly has it all. A great love story, a pro-reading agenda, comedy, adventure, sword fights, young Fred Savage, Andre the Giant. The list goes on and on. A truly great film.
10/10
10/10
Things to Come
Surprisingly similar to FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, the material failed to really connect with me here. This is a slow-paced film about a middle-aged woman's life slowly unraveling, but that happens in a very mundane, uninteresting way.
5/10
5/10
John Wick
A surprising action film with fantastic set-pieces and an excellent emotional core, rewatching this film seems to never get old.
10/10
10/10
Florence Foster Jenkins
Well acted and crafted, although I don't think Streep's performance was strong enough for the Oscar nod. I had a hard time connecting with the material, though.
6.5/10
6.5/10
2017 Oscar Picks and Predictions
Having seen mostly every film up for an Oscar this year, I wanted to share my picks and predictions.
Writing (Original Screenplay)
Pick: The Lobster
Prediction: La La Land
All of these nominations are wonderful, but The Lobster stood above the rest for being so damned unique.
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Pick: Arrival
Prediction: Moonlight
Not sure about this one. Another strong field of nominees.
Visual Effects
Pick: Kubo and the Two Strings
Prediction: The Jungle Book
This one could go a few ways, but The Jungle Book is almost 100% VFX. It is a tremendous accomplishment.
[I skipped the sound and short-film categories]
Production Design
Pick: Hail, Caesar!
Prediction: La La Land
Just trying to spread the love here. Hail, Caesar! is a fantastic film, and La La Land is going to win plenty.
Music (Original Song)
Pick: How Far I'll Go (Moana)
Prediction: Audition (The Fools Who Dream) (La La Land)
I think the songs nominated from La La Land are among the worst on the soundtrack, which I absolutely love. This would complete Miranda's EGOT, too, which is awesome. Also, something from Sing Street should definitely be nominated.
Music (Original Score)
Pick: La La Land
Prediction: La La Land
This is what I'm talking about! The original compositions are incredible.
Makeup and Hairstyling
Pick: Star Trek Beyond
Prediction: Star Trek Beyond
I haven't seen A Man Called Ove, so I'm really just praying Suicide Squad wins nothing. Ever.
[I skipped the Foreign Language Films, as I've only seen Toni Erdmann thus far.]
Film Editing
Pick: Moonlight
Prediction: Moonlight
[Skipping Short Subject Documentaries]
Documentary (Feature)
Pick: O.J.: Made in America
Predication: O.J.: Made in America.
I haven't seen Fire at Sea or I Am Not Your Negro yet, but it's hard to compete with something so incredibly well-made that it justifies an almost 9-hour runtime.
Directing
Pick: Moonlight
Prediction: La La Land
Totally fine with any outcome here, although Gibson (for Hacksaw Ridge) seems wildly outclassed.
Costume Design
Pick: Jackie
Prediction: La La Land
Cinematography
Pick: Arrival
Prediction: La La Land
All of the nominees look fantastic. I think Moonlight could win this too, but when it's close, the safe pick is La La Land.
Animated Feature Film
Pick: Kubo and the Two Strings
Prediction: Zootopia
Both are tremendous. Moana is great, but not in the same league. Haven't seen the other two yet, unfortunately.
Supporting Actress
Pick: Naomie Harris (Moonlight)
Prediction: Viola Davis (Fences)
Davis definitely acted her heart out and deserves recognition, but Moonlight was just superbly acted by everyone involved.
Supporting Actor
Pick: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)
Prediction: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)
Best Actress
Pick: AMY ADAMS (Arrival)
Prediction: Emma Stone (La La Land)
I can't believe Adams wasn't nominated. What a travesty. Of the nominees, Isabelle Huppert should win for Elle, but I imagine this is Stone, or maybe Streep if they really want a speech from her.
Best Actor
Pick: Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic)
Prediction: Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea)
Gosling's performance was a weak part of La La Land, so I'm hoping this goes elsewhere. Affleck's performance was fantastic, but Captain Fantastic needs more love.
Best Picture
Pick: Moonlight
Prediction: La La Land
I think La La Land is probably the fourth or fifth best film, but the subject matter is going to push it up the list among academy voters. It's an okay winner, though. I have Moonlight, Manchester, and Arrival above it. The next tier contains Lion and Hell or High Water, with Hacksaw, Fences, and Figures pretty outclassed. Should be noted, though, that I liked all of these films very much, except for Hacksaw. This was a great group of nominees.
Writing (Original Screenplay)
Pick: The Lobster
Prediction: La La Land
All of these nominations are wonderful, but The Lobster stood above the rest for being so damned unique.
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Pick: Arrival
Prediction: Moonlight
Not sure about this one. Another strong field of nominees.
Visual Effects
Pick: Kubo and the Two Strings
Prediction: The Jungle Book
This one could go a few ways, but The Jungle Book is almost 100% VFX. It is a tremendous accomplishment.
[I skipped the sound and short-film categories]
Production Design
Pick: Hail, Caesar!
Prediction: La La Land
Just trying to spread the love here. Hail, Caesar! is a fantastic film, and La La Land is going to win plenty.
Music (Original Song)
Pick: How Far I'll Go (Moana)
Prediction: Audition (The Fools Who Dream) (La La Land)
I think the songs nominated from La La Land are among the worst on the soundtrack, which I absolutely love. This would complete Miranda's EGOT, too, which is awesome. Also, something from Sing Street should definitely be nominated.
Music (Original Score)
Pick: La La Land
Prediction: La La Land
This is what I'm talking about! The original compositions are incredible.
Makeup and Hairstyling
Pick: Star Trek Beyond
Prediction: Star Trek Beyond
I haven't seen A Man Called Ove, so I'm really just praying Suicide Squad wins nothing. Ever.
[I skipped the Foreign Language Films, as I've only seen Toni Erdmann thus far.]
Film Editing
Pick: Moonlight
Prediction: Moonlight
[Skipping Short Subject Documentaries]
Documentary (Feature)
Pick: O.J.: Made in America
Predication: O.J.: Made in America.
I haven't seen Fire at Sea or I Am Not Your Negro yet, but it's hard to compete with something so incredibly well-made that it justifies an almost 9-hour runtime.
Directing
Pick: Moonlight
Prediction: La La Land
Totally fine with any outcome here, although Gibson (for Hacksaw Ridge) seems wildly outclassed.
Costume Design
Pick: Jackie
Prediction: La La Land
Cinematography
Pick: Arrival
Prediction: La La Land
All of the nominees look fantastic. I think Moonlight could win this too, but when it's close, the safe pick is La La Land.
Animated Feature Film
Pick: Kubo and the Two Strings
Prediction: Zootopia
Both are tremendous. Moana is great, but not in the same league. Haven't seen the other two yet, unfortunately.
Supporting Actress
Pick: Naomie Harris (Moonlight)
Prediction: Viola Davis (Fences)
Davis definitely acted her heart out and deserves recognition, but Moonlight was just superbly acted by everyone involved.
Supporting Actor
Pick: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)
Prediction: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)
Best Actress
Pick: AMY ADAMS (Arrival)
Prediction: Emma Stone (La La Land)
I can't believe Adams wasn't nominated. What a travesty. Of the nominees, Isabelle Huppert should win for Elle, but I imagine this is Stone, or maybe Streep if they really want a speech from her.
Best Actor
Pick: Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic)
Prediction: Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea)
Gosling's performance was a weak part of La La Land, so I'm hoping this goes elsewhere. Affleck's performance was fantastic, but Captain Fantastic needs more love.
Best Picture
Pick: Moonlight
Prediction: La La Land
I think La La Land is probably the fourth or fifth best film, but the subject matter is going to push it up the list among academy voters. It's an okay winner, though. I have Moonlight, Manchester, and Arrival above it. The next tier contains Lion and Hell or High Water, with Hacksaw, Fences, and Figures pretty outclassed. Should be noted, though, that I liked all of these films very much, except for Hacksaw. This was a great group of nominees.
The Lego Batman Movie
While not as charming or clever as the first Lego film, this was a very entertaining movie with lots of great Batman references and fun callbacks to older films.
8.25/10
8.25/10
Bad Santa 2
For a hard-R comedy, this film didn't really earn that rating or genre classification. I don't think I laughed at a single thing. They sure did say the f-word a lot, though.
3.5/10
3.5/10
Cameraperson
This documentary was advertised as a collection of footage shot while the filmmaker was working on several other films. And, yeah, that's what it was. I expected some sort of narrative through-line to tie things together, but if it was there, I didn't see it. Ultimately, this left the film feeling disjointed and without purpose, albeit a nice, eclectic collection of footage.
6/10
6/10
John Wick: Chapter 2
The unique features of John Wick such as the fantastic world-building and incredible action sequences have been expanded upon, and this film delivered everything I wanted from a sequel to one of my favorite films of 2014.
10/10
10/10
Upstream Color
A complicated narrative that refuses to hold your hand, but will nonetheless completely engross you. Some of the scenes were difficult to watch, but the performances and gorgeous combination of cinematography and score made this into a wonderful experience.
8/10
8/10
Fences
Two monster performances comprise the entirety of this film. It was engrossing and well shot, but the film would be far weaker without the acting prowess of Washington and Davis.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk
It was clear that this film wanted to be more impactful, but most of the 'heavy' moments failed to land for me. The lead performance was fairly solid, and the film looked wonderful, but it left me wanting.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Hail, Caesar!
Nothing has changed since the last time I watched this, almost exactly a year ago. It's another hilarious, finely-crafted Coen Brothers film that is a delight to watch.
9/10
9/10
Author: The JT LeRoy Story
A truly bizarre and tragic story that gets crazier and crazier as the documentary progresses.
8/10
8/10
Allied
I found every aspect of this film to be mediocre, with no element standing out from any other.
5/10
5/10
The Love Witch
While a visually stunning throwback to classic cult films, this movie did very little for me. I think I might just lack appreciation for the style, maybe?
4/10
4/10
Velvet Goldmine
I enjoyed the artistic style and music this film offers, but found the plot a bit lacking. Ewan McGregor's performance was wonderful, but a lot of the other acting was a bit over-the-top.
6/10
6/10
Paterson
I was skeptical about this one, as I don't have a ton of experience with Jarmusch and I'm not the biggest fan of poetry in general, but I was blown away. It's an intimate and personal film, filled with small but tremendously beautiful little scenes. Driver is exceptional, and I was more impacted by a particular event in this film than I could've possibly predicted.
9.5/10
9.5/10
Loving
A touching period-piece that could have easily fallen into a procedural rut, but instead focused on the affected family. This works wonders, as it allows Nega and Edgerton to deliver some fantastic performances.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Desierto
This is a boldly unique film. Ostensibly a slasher film, DESIERTO makes a few key changes. The monster stalking its prey is merely a man, tired of illegal immigrants. The setting is bright, beautiful, and as vibrant as a desert can be. Nothing is hiding in the shadows here. The cinematography is gorgeous as well, which is a given considering this is the work of a Cuaron. I think the plot falls a bit flat, and the characters could use some more depth, but I appreciated this film for trying to do something new and interesting.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Patriots Day
I was worried about this one feeling a bit exploitative, given the subject matter is so recent, but I was pleasantly surprised. There are some truly tense scenes, as well as several great performances here. For my tastes, everything was treated with reverence and integrity, with the one exception being maybe the bombers, but this film isn't about them. Overall, it felt genuine and heartfelt to me.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Gaslight
A simple, solid thriller that coined the term for this type of psychological manipulation (well, the source material did, anyway). This was my first experience with Bergman, and I was quite pleased with the performance. Everybody overacts a bit in this film, which I'm sure is more a symptom of the time than anything else, but Boyer's performance left a bit to be desired.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Indignation
This Shakespearean tale set in 1950s America was wonderful. The dialogue in this film was a delight, and the setting lent weight to situations we may find more mundane today. The film lacks a bit of subtlety, but was otherwise quite fantastic.
9/10
9/10
Schindler's List
Exceptionally well-acted and shot, touching portrayals of the best and worst of humanity. Films like this are timeless classics for a reason.
9.25/10
9.25/10
The Founder
This story was extremely fascinating to me. Keaton's performance was a bit uneven for me, and the overall tone felt off, given the villainy on display, but I enjoyed learning the history of something so omnipresent a lot more than I had expected to.
7.5/10
7.5/10
20th Century Women
This film portrays a colorful cast of characters that are a joy to be around. The plot is a bit light, but the film contains some truly transcendent scenes.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Split
I had some issues with the resolution of some arcs, and overall the movie fell a little short of my expectations. That being said, McAvoy is phenomenal here, exhibiting tremendous skill and creating some very effective, chilling, and tense scenes. The camerawork on display is also fantastic, adding to a claustrophobic and secluded atmosphere.
7.25/10
7.25/10
The Boy and the Beast
A typical 'Karate Kid' story with a few tweaks and flourishes, coupled with some gorgeous sequences and wonderfully animated fight-choreography made for quite a nice couple of hours. These movies hinge on the core relationship, and this film does the job well.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Always Shine
This film did an excellent job at fostering a genuinely unnerving atmosphere. The performances from the two leads were excellent, and I was loving this film, until a weird thing happened. And then I wasn't sure what was happening. The abruptness and strangeness of the transition was jarring for me, and harmed the film in my eyes. But the first half is worth the price of admission by itself.
7/10
7/10
Toni Erdmann
I found this film to be a fairly typical portrayal of an overworked young adult's whose life is thrown into upheaval when a parent suddenly wants to be a bigger part of their life. There is a bizarre and interesting sequence towards the end, but it wasn't enough to convince me this film was much more than run-of-the-mill.
6.75/10
6.75/10
Hidden Figures
I found this to be a downright fantastic film. The solid performances from the entire cast and lean script form a tight, complete package with a positive message.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Silence
A sprawling and gorgeous epic historical piece that asked some very interesting questions with some wonderful performances. Unfortunately, the film decidedly and definitively lands on one side, turning all of the intrigue into proselytization.
7.75/10
7.75/10
The Fits
A slow-moving, quiet, and surreal interpretation of growing up and discovering oneself. This film features some stunning cinematography and kept me on my toes throughout the runtime.
8.25/10
8.25/10
Slither
Campy, gross, fun creature-feature with Nathan Fillion in the lead at the height of his powers. What's not to love?
8/10
8/10
Christine
The story here is easily the incredible performance from Rebecca Hall. This is Best Actress material for sure. I slightly preferred the documentary from yesterday about this subject overall, but both films were great.
8/10
8/10
A Bigger Splash
Really strong performances on display from Fiennes and Swinton. The cinematography is gorgeous, as well, and aside from a few minor pacing gripes, I found this film to be wonderful.
8.25/10
8.25/10
Kate Plays Christine
This dark and dreary documentary meanders somewhat, but delves into territory not often examined. The final scene is a sobering gut-punch that makes the slower first half feel like time well-spent.
8/10
8/10
Miles Ahead
A solid, if unspectacular, biopic that does some interesting things with chronology and disguising cuts, but nothing in the film really blew me away, or left much of an impression at all.
6.25/10
6.25/10
A Monster Calls
I was a little worried about this one; it seems like a movie tailor-made for me, but also one that could easily fall into emotional manipulation without purpose. I didn't find that to be the case. This is an excellent look at a child's perspective on grief and personal tragedy, sprinkled with some lovely watercolor-esque animation. Lewis MacDougall is tremendous in a difficult lead role, and Sigourney Weaver and Felicity Jones are great as well.
9.25/10
9.25/10
Beyonce: Lemonade
Ostensibly an hour-long music video that tells an audaciously personal tale, I was taken aback by the absolutely gorgeous visuals on display. The costuming and make-up is incredible, and the cinematography is excellent. This was the first time I had heard any of these songs, and really enjoyed them as well. The plot isn't very substantive, but everything else is wonderful.
8/10
8/10
Life, Animated
A documentary about an autistic child who learned to communicate through his love of Disney animated films, LIFE, ANIMATED tells its tale in an incredibly touching and heartfelt manner.
8.25/10
8.25/10
Elle
ELLE is a film that starts with a scene that is tough to watch, and only gets more challenging from there. Isabelle Huppert's lead performance is both excellent and troubling. There are some peculiar decisions regarding the pacing, but ELLE doesn't shy away from a tough topic one bit.
7.75/10
7.75/10
Training Day
This is one of those performances from Denzel Washington that makes him a household name. This is far and away his film, and he crushes it. Devastatingly tense scenes paired with beautiful cinematography made revisiting this an awesome experience.
8.75/10
8.75/10
Other People
This film felt close on a lot of fronts, but the experience wasn't one that left me stunned. Molly Shannon has some really great scenes, and the film is heartfelt, but it mostly came and went without a lasting effect.
6.5/10
6.5/10
Children of Men
Absolutely stunning cinematography and a gripping plot that claims to be fiction, but is becoming more and more a potential future reality.
10/10
10/10
Hello, My Name is Doris
A really heartwarming and touching story, albeit somewhat paint-by-numbers, that hits all the right notes. It manages to be quirky and fun, and Sally Fields is fantastic in the lead.
7/10
7/10
Certain Women
The separate stories of three women that are related only by the tiniest of things. The pace was quite deliberate, and the plots uninteresting and inconsequential. There was some great cinematography, but there isn't much else here.
4/10
4/10
Love and Friendship
I think Jane Austen just isn't for me. This had some great performances, and it's plain to see that it's a well-constructed film, but I find it so hard to get into this kind of period piece.
6/10
6/10
Tower (2016)
This documentary is presented with a mix of historical images and clips, as well as recreations and survivor interviews, but the latter two are displayed as rotoscope animations. This was distracting and of somewhat dubious quality, but the stories being relayed are so incredible and moving, it doesn't matter.
9.25/10
9.25/10
Little Men
A touching, heartbreaking, grounded look at a coming-of-age story featuring very strong performances all around, but especially from the two child leads.
9.25/10
9.25/10
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