01.01.2022
There Will Be Blood by Paul Thomas Anderson
Released in 1942
Viewing number 2
"I'm finished."
It might seem strange to start the year with a film as cold and depressing as There Will Be Blood, but I have a reason. You know the scene where Eli is supposed to bless the well, but Daniel doesn't allow him, and after that all hell breaks loose? To make sure this year goes well, I'm blessing it with this amazing movie. Amen.
Cast ratings:
Daniel Day-Lewis - 5/5
Paul Dano - 5/5
100/100
02.01.2022
Passing by Rebecca Hall
Released in 2021
Viewing number 1
"We're all passing for something or other, aren't we?"
And so my 2022 quest to see all the movies from 2021 I didn't get to see starts with Rebecca Hall's Passing. I will admit that my expectations were quite low, but I was instantly taken back by the stellar performances and stunning black-and-white cinematography. Just to get it out of the picture, yes, Ruth Negga does give one of the very best performances of the year. And yes, the cinematography is also some of the best we will probably see this year. And so comes the biggest question: What did I think of Hall's handling of the racial themes? Well, I do think she actually handled it quite well, with lots of grace and contemplation. There's some issues here and there, as the message does almost become a bit obscured by all the contemplation, which is ultimately the film's fatal flaw. But still, Hall handled the themes surprisingly well. So yeah, it's a good film. It's not a great film, but it's a really good film.
Cast ratings:
Tessa Thompson - 4.5/5
Ruth Negga - 5/5
76/100
03.01.2022
The Lost Daughter by Maggie Gyllenhaal
Released in 2021
Viewing number 1
"Children are a crushing responsibility."
My quest to catch up on all the films from 2021 I didn't get to see continues with the last of the two big directorial debuts of 2021, the other being Rebecca Hall's Passing. While I did like Passing, I didn't love it. I expected to have the same reaction to this as Passing, but quite surprisingly, I found myself loving it. I'm starting to think that films that slowly unravel themselves just are my thing. It's quite clear that this is a film about the difficulties of motherhood, and it certainly gets this point across through Maggie Gyllenhaal's amazing direction. As much as I enjoyed this film, I will admit it has one nearly fatal flaw however, and that is that is never shows the pleasures of motherhood. It can kinda come across as a film saying "kids are bad" at it's worst. If you are going to show the high, also show the hangover, and vice versa. But still, this is an impressive debut from Gyllenhaal, and a stellar piece of uncomfortable filmmaking.
Cast ratings:
Olivia Colman - 4.5/5
Jessie Buckley - 4/5
86/100
04.01.2022
Titane by Julia Ducournau
Released in 2021
Viewing number 1
"I'm here."
Holy fucking shit. It feels like I have been waiting for this film for ages. I finally had the chance to see it, and it feels like my brain is melting. The filmmaking is maybe the most extreme I have ever seen, but that's exactly why it's so stunning. There isn't one choice that feels conventional in any way. Was this how people felt when Breathless dropped in 1960? The surprising thing about Titane however is that it is surprisingly wholesome and tender, despite how extreme it is. I didn't think I would ever tear up during a film known as "the car sex movie", but I did. This was worth the wait in every way. Really hope it comes to my local cinema soon, because I really want to watch this on the big screen.
Cast ratings:
Agathe Rouselle - 4/5
Vincent Lindon - 4/5
97/100
05.01.2022
The Power Of The Dog by Jane Campion
Released in 2021
Viewing number 3
"Bronco Henry told me that a man was made by patience in the odds against him."
I really can't deny how perfect this film is anymore. There still hasn't been a day I haven't thought about this film. On a third viewing, it remains as hypnotic and addictive as ever. The way this film slowly and carefully unravels itself is unrivaled for me. My personal favorite thing is that The Power Of The Dog is cinema as a series of small and quiet actions that speak volumes, like someone fingering with a paper flower or two people sharing a cigarette. The only reason I didn't give this a 100 first is because it's so new, but I really just can't deny the perfection on display. This is a bold claim, but this is already a classic. Masterpiece.
Cast ratings:
Benadict Cumberbatch - 5/5
Kodi Smit-McPhee - 4.5/5
Kirsten Dunst - 4.5/5
Jesse Plemons - 4/5
100/100
06.01.2022
Gimme Shelter by Albert Maysles, David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin
Released in 1970
Viewing number 1
"War, children. It's just a shot away, it's just a shot away."
The saddest part about Altamont is for me that it was supposed to be a free concert. It was supposed to be a celebration of the universal power of music. It was supposed to be a sort of Woodstock 2.0. But instead, we got Gimme Shelter, one of the greatest documents of human faults ever captured. Miscommunication, hatred and everything in between can be found here. An entire generation died alongside Meredith Hunter at Altamont. Enjoy the music while you can.
No cast ratings, as this is a documentary.
100/100
07.01.2022
In The Heat Of The Night by Norman Jewison
Released in 1967
Viewing number 1
"They call me Mr. Tibbs!"
This morning, I got the sad news that the legendary Sidney Poitier had died. I always knew that without Poitier, the state of cinema today probably would be different. I also always knew that he was rumored to be one of the finest actors to ever live. Yet, I had never seen a Poitier film. I decided that had to change. So, to commemorate his memory, I watched his most iconic film. I'm going to be honest; I came for the acting and didn't expect to love this, but I was quite surprisingly blown away by it. This film's commentary on race issues is sharp as a knife, and when paired with a murder mystery that had be gasping at every turn and dramatic line, you really can't fail. Of course, the film is made even stronger by the acting. Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger give two of the best performances I have ever seen. Steiger has the most difficult role, with his character having a really complex character ark, but he stills nails the hell out of it. But to be honest, I was somehow even more impressed with Poitier. He brings a quiet intensity to every scene. It was his lines that had me gasping. I even broke into laughter at one point because I couldn't believe how good his line-deliveries were! We truly lost one of our best. But let us not mourn. Let us rather celebrate his legacy. Rest in piece Poitier, you absolute legend.
Cast ratings:
Sidney Poitier - 575
Rod Steiger - 5/5
95/100
08.01.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters by Paul Schrader
Released in 1985
Viewing number 2
"You're so self-important."
On a first viewing, Paul Schrader's Mishima didn't work for me. I found that the structure was messy and I was confused about what the film was trying to say about Mishima as an artist and a person. But I am happy to say that this film finally clicked with me in a way I think no film has ever done. I could probably ramble for hours about this, but I'll try to keep it short.
For me, Mishima is a film about narcissism. Mishima is portrayed as an almost hyper-narcissistic artist who is somehow trying to make his life as perfect as his art. The scenes that portray his fictional work are made with some of the finest cinematography and set design I have ever seen, making the scenes that portray Mishima's real life pale in comparison. (Quick side note: I do think the entire film is one of the most visually stunning films ever made, but if you told me to pick a favorite shot from the entire film, it would be from one of the fictional sequences). Mishima's life is paired alongside his work, brilliantly showing the viewer how self-centered the guy was. The reason there is no fictional story in the final chapter which portrays his death is that Mishima probably viewed his death as the ending to his longest piece of art, which was his entire life. But pairing his work alongside his life also shows how brilliant of an artist he was. Mishima's art was incredibly introspective, which was why it was so great. But the final nail in the coffin to why this film is so brilliant is that it doesn't show Mishima as just a flawed human, but a flawed human. No matter how flawed Mishima is in this film, the film never loses contact with his humanity. We are all human after all.
This film may be titled A Life In Four Chapters, but it's really a film about Mishima the artist, Mishima the narcissist, and Mishima the human.
Without any doubt one of the best films I have ever seen. Might even be the best if I'm being completely honest.
Cast ratings:
Ken Ogata - 4.5/5
100/100
08.01.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
No Time To Die by Cary Joji Fukunaga
Released in 2021
Viewing number 1
"We all have our secrets, we just didn't get to yours yet."
No Time To Die an incredible improvement from the dumpster fire that was Spectre, and serves as an appropriate ending to Daniel Craig's take on James Bond. This film managed to capture the magic of the Bond series, with all the pros and cons that come with it. The action here is spectacular (my heart skipped a beat during the motorcycle chase), the cinematography is some of the best since Skyfall, the set design is great, the Hans Zimmer score is in top form, the tune by Billie Eilish is heavenly, and Fukunaga's direction is on point. The cast is also stacked. Daniel Craig gives what may be his best performance, bringing depth and vunerability to the role. Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes and Christopher Waltz are as on point as ever. So is Ana De Armas, who is delightful in her short role. She was honestly my favorite part of the entire film, and one of my main complaints is that there wasn't enough of her. Rami Malek however ... My God, what a horrid performance. I was incredibly distracted by his accent. It's literally a mix between every accent known to man! The guy invented his own accent! I also thought David Dencik was very mixed, but he reminded me of Borat for some reason, so plus points for that. The film's biggest problem however is that it is way too long. It really started to drag towards the end. But still, I really enjoyed it. A worthy send-off to one of the best Bonds of all time.
Cast ratings:
Daniel Craig - 4.5/5
Rami Malek - 1.5/5
Lea Seydoux - 4/5
Ralph Fiennes - 4/5
Ben Whishaw - 4/5
Lashana Lynch - 4/5
Naomi Harris - 3.5/5
Jeffrey Wright - 4/5
Ana De Armas - 4/5
Christopher Waltz - 4/5
Billy Magnussen - 3.5/5
David Dencik - 3/5
75/100
09.01.2022
The Exterminating Angel by Luis Bunuel
Released in 1962
Viewing number 1
"We were all under the spell of the music, the friendly conversation, the good cheer."
Pure Bunuel brilliance. While I still think Viridiana is my favorite by him (although this is a close second), I will say that this is my favorite Bunuel concept. The idea of trapping "civilized" people in their own trap and then slowly watch them turn uncivilized is frankly brilliantly. The execution is also pitch perfect. It's mostly hysterically funny, but also turns into a psychological horror towards the end. When you think about it, this is really one of the original horror comedies! Throughout the whole film, I was contantly curious about how Bunuel could wrap up such a story. And the answer is with one of the best endings of any film I have ever seen. That was the cherry-on-top for me. My only complaint is that none of the characters were all that memorable, but that's the only thing keeping me from giving this the big 100. Great film.
I didn't focus on any specific performance, but I'll rate the entire cast 4/5, as there wasn't any bad performances, but no performance was a stand-out.
98/100
10.01.2022
The French Connection by William Friedkin
Released in 1971
Viewing number 1
"This son of a bitch is here. I saw him. I'm gonna get him."
Cinema as pure thrilling entertainment. This is a dirty film. You can just smell the garbage and cigarettes. Every shot is gritty and ugly, making you sink into the world of the film. Every character is flawed, even the cops. Even Popeye is portrayed as a man who can't control his urges, especially his anger. Speaking of Popeye, Gene Hackman's portrayal of him is a masterclass in anger and intensity. Every choice Hackman made seemed reasonable. I honestly forgot he was acting. When I think about it, this whole film is really a masterclass in how to direct intensity. The prime example here is of course the infamous car chase, but there isn't really a moment from the first frame that the film lets go of the intensity. It's just a really superb thriller that also doubles as a study of a man who can't control himself, and that's all I could want. I must say however that if I had gotten to know Popeye even more somehow, I do think the impact of the final scene would have been even stronger. But still, absolutely thrilling film.
Cast ratings:
Gene Hackman - 5/5
Roy Scheider - 4.5/5
Fernando Rey - 4/5
94/100
11.01.2022
Mass by Fran Kranz
Released in 2021
Viewing number 1
"The world mourned 10. We mourned 11."
Although I do think the handheld cinematography is a bit distracting at times, I still can't deny how moved I was by this film. There's something incredibly raw about the acting and direction. You can just feel the heaviness from the first frame. This is of course a result of the incredible cast. When you put four powerhouse actors in one room and let them pour their souls out, you really can't go wrong, and Fran Kranz knew that. And while this is clearly a film driven by the phenomenal acting and writing, you also can't ignore how great Kranz' direction is. Some of the choices he makes are incredibly powerful, while also being incredibly subtle. A great film about grief, understanding and forgiveness.
Cast ratings:
Martha Plimton - 4.5/5
Jason Isaacs - 4.5/5
Ann Dowd - 4.5/5
Reed Birney - 4.5/5
95/100
12.01.2022
The French Dispatch by Wes Anderson
Released in 2021
Viewing number 1
"Let's write it together."
I needed this film in my system. I had an incredibly shitty day and came home emotionally exhausted. Thank God I chose this movie. All the exhaustion just disappeared into thin air. After watching this, everything just seems a lot more optimistic, a lot more fascinating, and really just a lot more beautiful. The reason I live is so I can watch movies like these. I am a huge Wes Anderson fan, and I really do love all his movies, but I think this might just take the cake as my favorite from him. I thank him for making this movie.
Cast ratings:
Benicio Del Toro - 4.5/5
Adrien Brody - 4/5
Tilda Swinton - 4/5
Lea Seydoux - 4/5
Frances McDormand - 4/5
Timothee Chalamet - 4/5
Lena Khoudri - 4/5
Jeffrey Wright - 4/5
Mathieu Amalric - 4/5
Steve Park - 4/5
Bill Murray - 4/5
Owen Wilson - 4/5
Edward Norton - 4/5
Willem Dafoe - 4/5
Saoirse Ronan - 4/5
100/100
13.01.2022
Videodrome by David Cronenberg
Released in 1983
Viewing number 1
"Long live the new flesh."
Although I think the execution is flawed, the visual storytelling here is some of the best in 1980's cinema, if not all time. You can dismiss it as just body-horror, but if you see everything through a metephorical lens, everything has new meaning. This film is the viewer diving into the mind of a mentally unstable man while also looking into the future of mankind, but all the viewer sees is static.
Cast ratings:
James Woods - 4.5/5
Debbie Harry - 4.5/5
97/100
14.01.2022
Rope by Alfred Hitchcock
Released in 1948
Viewing number 1
"Nobody commits murder just for the experiment of committing it. Nobody except us."
Alfred Hitchcock called Rope a "failed experiment". While I don't think it feels like a failed experiment for me, it does feel like an experiment. Or that's at least what I felt until James Stewart's character was introduced. I was fully ready to give this something from a 70 to an 90, as I felt the "one shot" gimmick was a bit useless and the set-up a bit wasted. But it is around when James Stewart is introduced that the film started working for me. You can probably blame this on Stewart giving one of his all-time greatest performances, but it really feels like the film just kept building up momentum from this moment. The "one shot" gimmick was quite amazingly used to build up tension. Towards the end, the tension was some of the most unbelievable I had ever seen in a film. The craft at display from Hitchcock here is some of his all-time best. Just a great film. Would probably have been something above a 95 if the first 20 minutes weren't so boring.
Cast ratings:
John Dall - 4/5
Farley Granger - 4/5
James Stewart - 5/5
94/100
15.01.2022
Ryan's Daughter by David Lean
Released in 1970
Viewing number 1
"Don't nurse your dreams, Rosy. You can't help having them, but don't nurse them. Because if you nurse your dreams, they tend to come true."
David Lean never disappoints me. Beautifully written, beautifully acted, beautifully directed, beautifully scored, and especially beautifully shot. This kind of reminds me of Jean Renoir's The River in how the story isn't really the strongest, but it still takes you on a ride so relaxing and beautiful that you couldn't care less. That being said, the plot is still really good, although not on the same level as Doctor Zhivago or Lawrence Of Arabia. But still, a damn good film. I will never get how this has an average score of 3.6.
Cast ratings:
Sarah Miles - 4.5/5
Robert Mitchum - 3.5/5
Christopher Jones - 2.5/5
Trevor Howard - 4.5/5
John Millis - 4.5/5
Leo McKern - 4/5
Barry Foster - 4/5
94/100
16.01.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
The Virgin Suicides by Sofia Coppola
Released in 1999
Viewing number 1
"What we have here is a dreamer. Someone completely out of touch with reality."
Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides is at times laugh-out-loud hilarious and painfully somber at others, but always drenched in just the right amount of melancholy. Really loved the lush colour palette of this film. I really felt it added to the melancholic atmosphere. Coppola's script is also incredibly poignant, serving as both a study of the hardships that come with being young and a nostalgic look back at being young. And don't even get me started on the soundtrack. "Crazy On You" by Heart? I love that song more than I love my life! I must admit, this film's fatal flaw is that it does get a bit lost in it's own convoluted atmosphere. But still, I had a damn good time watching this. A really magical film.
Cast ratings:
Kirsten Dunst - 4/5
James Woods - 3.5/5
Kathleen Turner - 3.5/5
Josh Hartnett - 3.5/5
89/100
16.01.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
The Tragedy Of Macbeth by Joel Coen
Released in 2021
Viewing number 1
"Horror! Horror! Horror!"
Stunning. Even though this is pure Shakespeare, the Coens (or Coen in this case I guess) haven't lost any of their charm. As Shakespearian as the dialogue and writing is, it's also somehow distincly Coen, especially in it's comedic moments. The cast here is of course incredible. Frances McDormand gives one of her all-time best performances, and don't even get me started on Denzel Washington's take on Macbeth. The whole time, I felt like I was witnessing a career best. Am I saying that he's better here than Malcolm X? Well, maybe, maybe not. Also love the black-and-white cinematography, soundtrack, production design, and really just the overall atmosphere. Is it as good as Branagh's Hamlet or Kurosawa's Shakespeare adaptations? Well, not really, but it's certainly up there.
Also, I came across a one-star review on IMDB of this film that was titled "Macbeth was not black", and it's probably the funniest thing I have ever seen. The fact that IMDB exists is quite baffling to me.
Cast ratings:
Denzel Washington - 5/5
Frances McDormand - 5/5
92/100
17.01.2022
Wolfwalkers by Tomm Morre and Ross Stewart
Released in 2020
Viewing number 1
"I am a hunter. Just like my father. He's the best hunter there is."
"No, he's not. My father's the best hunter."
"Yeah? Well, we're hunting wolves for the Lord Protector."
"Lord Protector put my father in chains for nothing."
Watched this with a friend, and we had a blast. The animation is some of the most gorgeous I have ever seen in an animated movie. It's clear this was a film made with massive amounts of love. You really can just feel the warmth. While I love the gorgeous animation, I do think the plot lacks a bit. The plot is wonderfully imaginative, but it really didn't get me all that engaged until the last act. But still, I really loved this. Controversial opinion, but this kind of should have won over Soul.
No cast ratings, as this is an animated film.
87/100
18.01.2022
Night And The City by Jules Dassin
Released in 1950
Viewing number 1
"I don't want any help. I just want to ... I just want to sit down and rest. I can't run anymore."
Post-war pessimism at it's absolute extreme. One of the most cynical films ever produced, Jules Dassin's Night And The City portrays a world where anyone with a dream is disposed off. What we see here is the past catching up to a man with a dream, just like how the war ruined any chance of anyone with a dream achieving something. Dassin's direction here is on point. He starts the film off with a bang and doesn't loosen his grip until the film ends. It's when the third and final act starts that Dassin cranks up the intensity dial to 11. It basically becomes 1950's Uncut Gems. A ballet of madness, chaos and sweat. Richard Widmark's transcendent performance holds the madness together. His turn as Harry Fabian is among the most poignant in noir history. He will surely break your heart into a million pieces. After all, Harry Fabian was only a man with a dream. If only he knew when to stop running.
Cast ratings:
Richard Widmark - 5/5
97/100
19.01.2022
Shadow Of A Doubt by Alfred Hitchcock
Released in 1943
Viewing number 1
"You've had something engraved on it. That's different."
"Well, I've been rooked. The jeweler rooked me."
It's hard too talk about this incredible film without spoiling it's incredible reveal, but I'll just say the foreshadowing game here is strong. Hitchcock doesn't only hint at things through dialogue, but also through some incredible blocking and cinematography. Go into this one blind. Trust me, it's worth it.
Cast ratings:
Teresa Wright - 4.5/5
Joseph Cotten - 5/5
97/100
20.01.2022
The Friends Of Eddie Coyle by Peter Yates
Released in 1973
Viewing number 1
"What a future he's got, huh?"
On the surface, Peter Yates' The Friends Of Eddie Coyle is another 1970's crime film, with it's classic 70's score and dog-eat-dog characters. But if you peel back the layers, you will find that this film is at it's core a study of a tired and lonely old man. On a first glance, it might seem like Robert Mitchum isn't doing anything, but in reality, he's constructing one of the most weary performances in film history. I will admit that in the beginning, I didn't really find the plot or filmmaking to be all that engaging, but by the end, I was in tears.
Cast ratings:
Robert Mitchum - 5/5
Richard Jordan - 4.5/5
Peter Boyle - 4.5/5
92/100
21.01.2022
A Face In The Crowd by Elia Kazan
Released in 1957
Viewing number 1
"I'm not just an entertainer. I'm an influence, a wielder of opinion, a force... a force!"
I present to you: My first hot-take!
When you try to make a film tackling such a big and complex theme as media, you get one of three results. Most often, you get something a bit mediocre, like Network or Ace In The Hole. Other times, you get something really great like Nightcrawler. And other times, you get something completely catastrophic, like that one film from last year (*Cough* Don't Look Up *Cough*). And unfortunately, A Face In The Crowd falls in the mediocre area. Don't get me wrong, this is technically a very good movie. The direction from Kazan is very good and the acting is superb. Andy Griffith is of course incredible, but let's not underestimate Patricia Neal either. And of course, a lot of what Kazan is saying about celebrity culture is correct. So, why such a low score? Well, even though Kazan's critique of celebrity culture has incredible amounts of truth to it, I just wish he didn't preach it to me like it's the only true thing in the world. It really just feels like this film is screaming at me about how truthful and creative and smart it is, which is exactly why so many of these films about media fail. But still, this is not a bad film, but it certainly isn't great either.
Cast ratings:
Andy Griffith - 4.5/5
Patricia Neal - 4.5/5
77/100
22.01.2022
Kagemusha by Akira Kurosawa
Released in 1980
Viewing number 1
"The shadow of a man can never stand up and walk on its own."
I have read a lot about how during the making of this film, Kurosawa was quite scared that he was past his prime. The plot of Kagemusha serves as a rather great allegory for that fright. Our main character, the Kagemusha, is constantly living in the shadow of the man he is impersonating, just like how late career Kurosawa was living in the shadow of early career Kurosawa. But if Kurosawa proved one thing with this film, it's that he certainly wasn't past his prime. This is the kind of film some directors dream about making. And not only did he make this, but 5 years later, he would release the all-time great Ran. My only complaint with this film is really that Ran did everything this film did amazingly even better, which is really hardly a complaint at all. Kurosawa was never past his prime.
Cast ratings:
Tatsuya Nakadai - 5/5
Tsutomo Yamazaki - 5/5
98/100
23.01.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Titane by Julia Ducournau
Released in 2021
Viewing number 2
"I showed you the dark
And you said to me:
You know
What you know is better
Is brighter"
Titane is a movie infatuated with what it is to be flesh and bones. The camera seems to be fixated on the body. The way it moves, the way it operates, and especially the way it transforms. Themes of sexuality and gender are also explored here, alongside some additional themes of emotional trauma, hyper-masculinity and humanity's infatuation with technology. It's an incredibly dense and layered exploration of what it means to be human. Eventually, it manages to find the single most important element of the human experience, which is love. It might seem cheesy and cliched for a film so complex, layered and dense, but you can't deny that it is the truth. The single most important thing in the human experience is to love and be loved.
Cast ratings:
Agathe Rouselle - 4.5/5
Vincent Lindon - 4.5/5
100/100
23.01.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
The Official Story by Luis Puenzo
Released in 1985
Viewing number 1
"Where's Gaby?"
"Horrible, isn't it?"
"What's horrible?"
"Not knowing where your daughter is!"
Before watching this, I didn't know anything about the horrible things that happened in Argentina, which is fitting, as this is a film about someone also learning about that for the first time. But something that really struck me about this film is that the moral dilemma at the core of this film isn't Alicia slowly finding out about the horrible things that happened in her own country, but more her trying to teach her husband about these things even though he doesn't want to know. The Official Story is really as much about the things that happened in Argentina as it is about how to teach people about things as horrible as these. It's a very interesting way to approach a subject like this, and I feel like it pays off greatly. I'm probably going to return to this one sometime in the future.
Cast ratings:
Norma Aleandro - 5/5
87/100
24.01.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Raging Bull by Martin Scorsese
Released in 1980
Viewing number 3
"Go get 'em, champ."
For me, Raging Bull is a tragi-comedy. It's the story of a deeply insecure man hiding behind layers of toxic masculinity, only for it all to come crashing back down again. There's a serious sense of irony to every burst of anger and emotional breakdown that comes from La Motta and his company. But it really isn't a funny sort of irony. It's in fact a very sad one. I think a little piece of my heart breaks every time I see La Motta break down in that jail cell. The single most heartbreaking and powerful portrayal of self-destruction in cinema history.
Cast ratings:
Robert De Niro - 5/5
Joe Pesci - 5/5
Cathy Moriarty - 4.5/5
100/100
24.01.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
Landscape Suicide by James Benning
Released in 1987
Viewing number 1
"Last summer, my daughter, who was 12 at the time, and I took a train from Milwaukee to New York. We changed trains in Chicago and my daughter bought a Rolling Stone magazine. Somewhere in the middle of Indiana, she ripped six or seven pages out of the magazine and handed them to me and said didn't want to read this kind of article; It only scared her."
James Benning's Landscape Suicide is a film made out of images of Americana. A old woman dancing to music, a young woman playing tennis, etc. It's also a film that explores two rather infamous American murders. There's many ways to interpret this film, but for me, I feel Benning is saying that even though America looks perfect, there's always violence laying beneath, and this violence is a result of the mundanity of everyday life. But again, there is a million ways to interpret this film. One thing is sure: It had my attention from the very first frame. Going to be returning to this one.
Don't really know how to rate the performances here, so I'm just not going to.
97/100
25.01.2022
Property Is No Longer A Theft by Elio Petri
Released in 1973
Viewing number 1
"Property isn't just theft, it's a disease."
I was fully ready to give this something between a 60 and an 80. This film seemed like another A Face In The Crowd case, which means it is undeniably well-acted, well-directed and well-written, but it is unfortunately ruined by the fact that it feels like Elio Petri is constantly hitting me over the head with a sign that says "It's a metaphor!" And yes, I do like my films to be metaphorical, but I perfer my metaphors a bit more subtle, not so in-your-face that you get what the film is trying to say during the first 30 minutes. But even though I found the first half to be painfully obnoxious, I was to my surprise really drawn in during the second half. It really felt like Petri finally decided to drop the in-your-face metaphors and focus on the twisted dynamic between the butcher and the thief. And since I liked the second half so much, my view on the whole film became a bit more positive. I actually think it might grow more on me with a rewatch. So yeah, probably going to return to this in the future.
Also, the Ennio Morricone score fucking slaps. One of my new favorites from the maestro.
Need to rewatch before giving out scores for the performances. The performances were pretty good though.
82/100
26.01.2022
Marnie by Alfred Hitchcock
Released in 1964
Viewing number 1
"You Freud, me Jane?"
Vertigo, but somehow even more perverted, depraved and fucked up. Is it as meticulously crafted and engaging as Vertigo? Well, no it isn't, something we can probably blame on the mediocre acting, but it's still really great. Really loved the foreshadowing game in this one, especially in how it uses the colour red. Speaking of foreshadowing, the reveal in this film is quite frankly amazing. Also, I get why the ending can be a bit divisive, but for me, it is the most cynical "happy" ending I have ever seen, right alongside The Player. If Marnie is a film about abuse, you can really view the ending as the cycle of abuse continuing. It's also interesting to view Sean Connery's character as a stand-in for Hitchcock, thinking he is saving this blonde woman when he really is only hurting her, and then giving himself his own depraved "happy ending". Yeah, it's just great. I have a feeling it will grow on me even more with a rewatch.
Cast ratings:
Tippi Hedren - 3.5/5
Sean Connery - 3.5/5
88/100
27.01.2022
Jojo Rabbit by Taika Waititi
Released in 2019
Viewing number 2
"You're not a nazi, Jojo. You're a ten-year-old kid who likes dressing up in a funny uniform and wants to be part of a club."
Does this movie provoke you? Good, because that's exactly what it should do. Did this movie make you angry? Good, because nazism is supposed to make you angry. Did this movie make you sad? Good, because nazism is supposed to make you sad. Did this movie make you laugh? Good, because the whole concept of nazism is really fucking laughable when you sit back and think about it. Personally, I feel this album rides a perfect line between the funny and the emotional. The wonderfully dark comedy may seem like nothing but cheap laughs, but there is a really great philosophy behind it. This films over-the-top portrayal of nazism makes you realize how ridiculously insane nazism really is. But it's also important to note how thought-provoking the comedy is too. The comedy puts the viewer in really uncomfortable situations, forcing the viewer to give an emotional response. My favorite example of this is the scene where we see Jojo and his friend Yorki talk about usual child things while the war rages on in the background, a scene that for me was really sad, although it was a bit comical too. And this brings me to what makes this a near-masterpiece for me: This film has an incredibly big heart. I was on the verge of tears for the entire second half because of how empathethic the filmmaking is. Yeah, what can I say? Even though I find the story beats to be a bit predictable, Jojo Rabbit is still undoubtably one of the finest films of 2019.
Cast ratings:
Roman Griffin Davis - 4.5/5
Thomasin McKenzie - 4/5
Scarlett Johansson - 4.5/5
Taika Waititi - 4/5
Sam Rockwell - 4.5/5
97/100
28.01.2022 (1 out of 2 watched)
A Propos De Nice by Jean Vigo
Released in 1930
Viewing number 1
"Directed by Jean Vigo and Boris Kaufman."
I love myself some experimentation in my films, but I do also think there has to be a reason for it. I mostly like my experimentation to help support the film's thematic elements, but I also learnt from Godard's work that experimentation can be fun too. And this film really reminds me of Godard's work in how fun it's experimentation is. This film manages to be funny and charming while also being ironic and satirical, all through editing and cinematography. Not a single word. Yes, the final product is a bit unfinished and unfocused, but still, this is a great short film.
No cast ratings, as there aren't any actors.
88/100
28.01.2022 (2 out of 2 watched)
The Lusty Men by Nicholas Ray
Released in 1952
Viewing number 1
"I've come outta those chutes a lot of times, heard the crowd hollering, or the horse or a bull jumpin' and twistin' underneath you. Always felt the same thing. For a little bit there, you're a lot more than you are just walkin' down the street or eatin' or sleepin'."
I have never been a fan of rodeo, but I still found Nicholas Ray's The Lusty Men to be among the most engaging films I have seen recently. The Lusty Men is in many ways a film about the male mindset, especially the more toxic one. Even though I'm a man, I have never understood why other men do things like rodeo, but I feel like this film is quite a layered exploration of exactly that. Some do it for the money, some for the excitement, some for the recognition, etc. I also appreciated the focus on the stress and hardships that these rodeo stars' wifes go through. The last act of this is also incredibly thrilling, almost turning the film into a Shakespearian drama. I will admit that the first act was a bit dull and the ending was very clearly rushed, but still, I loved this one. This Nicholas Ray guy really is quite good, isn't he?
Cast ratings:
Robert Mitchum - 4.5/5
93/100
29.01.2022
The Night Of The Hunter by Charles Laughton
Released in 1955
Viewing number 2
"Leaning ... Leaning ..."
A story of good and evil, right-hand and left-hand.
I did love this on my first viewing ( I gave it a 98), but I found the atmosphere, as rich as it is, to be a bit difficult to get into, which was the only thing keeping me from giving it a 100 ... Jesus Christ, I can be stupid at times. There is nothing to dislike about this film. Pure perfection. I could probably go on with a several paragraph long essay on this right now, but I will spare you all. Just do yourself a favour and go watch this movie.
Cast ratings:
Robert Mitchum - 5/5
Shelley Winters - 4/5
Lillian Gish - 5/5
100/100
30.01.2022
The Fly by David Cronenberg
Released in 1986
Viewing number 1
"Help me. Help me be human."
My favorite thing about Cronenberg's films (or at least the few I have seen as of now) is that even though they all live up to Cronenberg's reputation as the king of body horror, the body horror is never without any artistic significance. In The Fly, which might have dethroned A History Of Violence as my favorite Cronenberg, the infamous body horror is used as a metaphor for fading love. What the viewer and our protagonist Veronica are experiencing in The Fly is seeing someone they love become someone they don't know. A grotesque, tragic love story that only Cronenberg could have made.
Cast ratings:
Jeff Goldblum - 5/5
Geena Davis - 4.5/5
100/100
31.01.2022
The Best Years Of Our Lives by William Wyler
Released in 1946
Viewing number 1
"I've seen nothing. I should have stayed at home and found out what was really going on."
What can I even say about this film? It never becomes overly political, always keeping it tender and human. I struggle to understand how filmmaking can be as empathetic as this. Also, the acting is also incredible. Myrna Loy and Teresa Wright give career-best performances here, but it's really our trio of veterans that impressed me the most. Fredric March and Dana Andrews are both incredible, both giving masterfully subtle performances, but my favorite is without any doubt Harold Russell. What a heartbreaking performance! Easily among the greatest supporting performances of all time. I felt this film was a bit too long and maybe a bit anticlimactic, but this is still a monumental film. It may grow on me in the future.
Cast ratings:
Myrna Loy - 4.5/5
Dana Andrews - 5/5
Fredric March - 4.5/5
Teresa Wright - 4.5/5
Harold Russell - 5/5
97/100
Amount of films watched: 35
Average monthly score: 9.6/10
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