01.04.2022
Fateful Findings by Neil Breen
Released in 2013
Viewing number 1
"I cannot believe you committed suicide."
Decided to continue my one-year-old tradition of watching a notoriously bad movie on the 1st of April. It took some time to decide a movie, but eventually I realized you can't go wrong Neil Breen, the man himself. Yes, this movie is a hilariously awful as everyone says it is (that ending is the fucking funniest thing I have ever seen), but to my surprise, there honestly is a passion and a vision here I can respect. In short, I kind of love Neil Breen and his pure absurdity, and I urge everyone to go support him.
Cast ratings:
Neil Breen: 0.5/5
Cast MVP: Neil Breen
27/100
02.04.2022
Dead Ringers by David Cronenberg
Released in 1988
Viewing number 1
"Separation can be a terrifying thing."
I'm going to be honest with you ... Probably Cronenberg's best. A rewatch of A History Of Violence could probably change that, but as of now, this may be my favorite Cronenberg.
Dead Ringers is by all means a disturbing and overwhelmingly complex study of identity, one who's message I can barely even begin to grasp at the moment. But this doesn't stop my enjoyment of the film, as Cronenberg's ice cold direction makes the film into one of the most fascinating I have ever seen. I seriously can't stop thinking about this one.
And then we have Jeremy Irons ... Holy shit, what a performance! I have always thought of Irons as a severly underappreciated actor, but this performance basically confirms it. He makes the two twins he plays into distinctly different persons, while also making them distinctly similar. No disrespect to Jeff Goldblum in The Fly or Viggo Mortensen in A History Of Violence, but this is easily my favorite performance in a Cronenberg film. One of the greatest performances of all time.
Cronenberg probably is one of the greatest directors to ever live.
Cast ratings:
Jeremy Irons: 5/5
Cast MVP: Jeremy Irons
100/100
03.04.2022
What We Do In The Shadows by Taika Waititi
Released in 2014
Viewing number 1
"We're werewolves, not swear-wolves."
So outrageously stupid, yet also outrageously brilliant. The joke here is that something completely abnormal is presented as the most normal thing on the world, which is a hilariously simple concept, yet it works every time. Waititi is a genius and he earned every single of the hundred laughs this movie got from me.
Cast ratings:
Taika Waititi: 4/5
Jemaine Clement: 4/5
Jonathan Brugh: 3.5/5
Cori Gonzalez-Macuer: 3/5
Cast MVP: Taika Waititi
91/100
04.04.2022
Everybody Hates Johan by Hallvar Witzø
Released in 2022
Viewing number 1
"Think you can blow up my daughter and show up 15 years later with flowers?"
For my non-Norwegian followers, Everybody Hates Johan is a wonderful Norwegian absurdist comedy that is in my opinion one of the most unique films to be released in Norway for some time. It's almost like a Norwegian Wes Anderson movie, only with a sense of humour that is somehow even more absurd and visuals that are more ... Well, more distinctly Norwegian, if that even is a thing. Speaking of the visuals, the pure uniqueness of the visuals make for what may the most visually stunning Norwegian film I have ever seen (Apologies to Joachim Trier). And I must say, I feel this movie has it's moments of emotion too. On the surface, this may look like nothing but an absurd comedy, but it's also a touching tribute to director Hallvar Witzø's dad, one that is glowing with appreciation for life. A wonderful movie that I suggest checking out if you get the chance.
Cast ratings:
Pål Sverre Hagen: 4/5
Cast MVP: Pål Sverre Hagen
94/100
05.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Klitschko by Sebastian Dehnhardt
Released in 2011
Viewing number 1
"Everywhere I went, I had to take care of my brother. And I still look after him today."
A surprisingly wonderful sports documentary, one that manages to be both touching and motivational. But I have to admit, as good as it is, I didn't watch this because I thought it was going to be a good movie. I actually watched it because my local cinema was raising money for the situation happening in Ukraine, and the movie they showed was this one. So basically, all the money for the tickets to this movie went to Ukraine. So with this review, while I do recommend this movie, I also recommend that you do something to help those in Ukraine. A lot of bad stuff is happening over there and a few dollars or some clothes could make a difference to someone.
No cast ratings, as there are no actors.
76/100
05.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
Secrets And Lies by Mike Leigh
Released in 1996
Viewing number 2
"Secrets and lies! We're all in pain! Why can't we share our pain?"
Honestly, I think Mike Leigh really should be discussed alongside the likes of other English greats like David Lean and Alfred Hitchcock. No, on a technical level, his films probably aren't as great as those by Lean and Hithcock, but there aren't many directors more human. Wether it be a bleak dark comedy like Naked or a empathetic family melodrama like Secrets And Lies, Leigh always manages to keep contact with the human core in a way not many directors do. I truly believe he is one of our greats.
Cast ratings:
Brenda Blethyn: 5/5
Marianne Jean-Baptiste: 5/5
Timothy Spall: 5/5
Phyllis Logan: 4.5/5
Claire Rushbrook: 4/5
Cast MVP: Brenda Blethyn
100/100
06.04.2022
The Color Purple by Steven Spielberg
Released in 1985
Viewing number 2
"I think it pisses God off when you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice it."
Honestly, I expected to hate this movie on a rewatch, as I remembered this movie as being exploitative, manipulative and even mildly racist. And yes, this movie does come across as these things at times, but something about the amount of warmth and empathy that clearly has been put into this movie keeps it from becoming insanely problematic. Yes, this movie is problematic at points, but in the end, it's a very moving story that I feel is told very well by Spielberg.
Also, Whoopi Goldberg is excellent. I sometimes forget she can be this good. If you say she should have won her Oscar for this role, you won't exactly see me disagreeing.
Cast ratings:
Whoopi Goldberg: 5/5
Danny Glover: 4/5
Margaret Every: 4/5
Oprah Winfrey: 4.5/5
Cast MVP: Whoopi Goldberg
85/100
07.04.2022
High And Low by Akira Kurosawa
Released in 1963
Viewing number 3
"Why should you and I hate each other?"
"I don't know. I'm not interested in self-analysis. I do know my room was so cold in winter and so hot in summer I couldn't sleep. Your house looked like heaven, high up there. That's how I began to hate you."
I used to have Toshiro Mifune as the cast MVP for this movie, as it's one of my favorite performances from him, but on my third viewing of this masterpiece, I actually switched it to Tsutomu Yamazaki. His performance as the kidnapper is honestly one of the best I have ever seen. His last scene might honestly be the single greatest feat of acting ever captured on camera. If you can't tell, it's one of my personal favorite performances in cinema history. Yamazaki needs to be talked about more when it comes to great Japanese actors.
Cast ratings:
Toshiro Mifune: 5/5
Tatsuya Nakadai: 4.5/5
Kenjiro Ishiyama: 4/5
Tsutomu Yamazaki: 5/5
Cast MVP: Tsutomu Yamazaki
100/100
08.04.2022
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore by David Yates
Released in 2022
Viewing number 1
"Correct. Three points to hufflepuff."
I went into the cinema expecting to hate this, and I while I do think this film is bad, I have to admit it's quite the improvement from the disaster that was the last. Yeah, the editing and acting is still horrible, but I have to admit that I was quite satisfied by the end for some reason. Also, that scene with the dancing scorpion-ish creatures is pretty great. So yeah, it's bad, but not horrible.
P.S: As a Norwegian, I can't tell you how hard the Norwegian minister of magic made me laugh. That shit's accurate.
Cast ratings:
Eddie Redmayne: 1.5/5
Jude Law: 2.5/5
Ezra Miller: 1/5
Dan Fogler: 2.5/5
Alison Sudol: 1.5/5
Callum Turner: 2.5/5
Jessica Williams: 3/5
Mads Mikkelsen: 3/5
Cast MVP: Tsutomu Yamazaki
45/100
09.04.2022
Grand Illusion by Jean Renoir
Released in 1937
Viewing number 2
"What was he yelling about?"
"The war's too long."
This film has always been one of those I have more admired than loved, but I decided to give it another spin, and holy mother of God, I have been missing out. This is one of the most human films ever made. It's a sad plead for a world where everyone can show each other respect and love. Yet, Grand Illusion isn't a film one can call bleak, as there's a lot of hope for this world too. The fact that this film was made only a few years before WWII has only made it more powerful. An absolute masterpiece.
Cast ratings:
Jean Gabin: 4.5/5
Marcel Dalio: 4/5
Pierre Fresnay: 4/5
Erich Von Stroheim: 4.5/5
Dita Parlo: 4/5
Cast MVP: Erich Von Stroheim
100/100
10.04.2022
Empire Of The Sun by Steven Spielberg
Released in 1987
Viewing number 1
"Learned a new word today. 'Atom bomb'."
Empire Of The Sun is unfortunately a film about planes that takes way too long to take off. And when it does take off, it doesn't take off very far to say the least. The filmmaking here is perfectly OK, but the film is very clearly a bit confused about whether ot not it's an anti-war film, something which seems to be a running theme with Spielberg's filmography. Honestly, if it wasn't for the masterful performance from a young Christian Bale, I honestly feel this would be one of Spielberg's worst.
Cast ratings:
Christian Bale: 4.5/5
John Malkovich: 4/5
Cast MVP: Christian Bale
69/100
11.04.2022
Jaws by Steven Spielberg
Released in 1975
Viewing number 3
"Smile, you son of a bitch!"
I know I rewatched this movie about a week ago, but turns out one of my friends actually hadn't watched this. So yeah, we watched it and we had a blast. This time around I really appreciated the editing. This editing in this movie is just so damn smooth. There really isn't one misplaced cut in this whole film. Honestly a contender for the best edited movie of all time.
Cast ratings:
Roy Scheider: 5/5
Richard Dreyfuss: 5/5
Robert Shaw: 5/5
Cast MVP: Robert Shaw
100/100
12.04.2022
Some Like It Hot by Billy Wilder
Released in 1959
Viewing number 2
"Have I got things to tell you!"
"What happened?"
"I'm engaged."
"Congratulations. Who's the lucky girl?"
"I am!"
Still one of my favorite movies. Every joke still lands, the plot is still as good (and insane) as it ever was, and I still have the biggest crush on Marilyn Monroe. One of the most cozy films ever made. This movie really just oozes of happiness.
That being said, Tony Curtis was so good in Sweet Smell Of Success that I literally can't trust him anymore. After watching that movie, he just looks so evil. I am actually conflicted lmao
Cast ratings:
Marilyn Monroe: 5/5
Jack Lemmon: 4.5/5
Tony Curtis: 4/5
Joe E. Brown: 4/5
Cast MVP: Marilyn Monroe
100/100
13.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Blow Out by Brian De Palma
Released in 1981
Viewing number 2
"It's a good scream."
If Hitchcock's Rear Window is an ode to the escapism cinema offers (read my full-review of it if you want to), De Palma's Blow Out is a critique of that escapism. Lies, deaths and political corruption are all reduced to a single haunting scream, one that is in the end put on screen for us to say "Wow, that's a good scream." Blow Out can almost seem like De Palma having produced so many B-movie horror flicks that he is almost tired of the art form as a whole. It almost seems like he is trapped within his own style of filmmaking. Many will say that this movie is a case of style over substance, but the over-stylistic filmmaking can seem like De Palma commenting on himself. It's more a case of style as substace. I also have to say that De Palma's take on sexism in movies is also one of the best ever. This movie is way more layered than De Palma's movies often tend to be for me, but that's what makes it such a stand-out. An absolute masterpiece.
Cast ratings:
John Travolta: 4.5/5
Nancy Allen: 4/5
John Lithgow: 4/5
Cast MVP: John Travolta
100/100
13.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
Heat by Michael Mann
Released in 1995
Viewing number 2
"All I am is what I'm going after."
On paper, Michael Mann's towering magnum opus Heat is something you have seen a million times before. It's a film about a powerful yet flawed cop trying to catch a corrupt and equally powerful crime boss. But in execution, Heat is anything but that. It's an intimate and deeply personal portrayal of this corrupt world you have seen so many times before, one that radiates emotional poignancy. It's a deconstruction of the classic cop / villain dynamic, one that eventually comes to the conclusion that they are both just as flawed. Two sides of the same coin. We are all human after all.
Heat was the moment Mann became a master of his craft, and still is a contender for the greatest crime epic of the 90's.
Cast ratings:
Al Pacino: 4.5/5
Robert De Niro: 4.5/5
Val Kilmer: 4/5
Cast MVP: Al Pacino
100/100
14.04.2022
Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino
Released in 1994
Viewing number 4 (I think)
"'What' ain't no country I've ever heard of. They speak English in What?"
"What?"
"English, motherfucker! Do you speak it?"
Exactly three years ago today, I watched Pulp Fiction for the first time ever, with my dad, on my birthday. I instantly fell in love with it (of course). After having watched it for the second time, I watched it for the third time exactly two years ago today, again on my birthday, this time with one of my friends. Today is the 14th of April, my birthday. While this time, there wasn't any people I watched it with, that did not stop me from still being absolutely entraced by every second of this masterpiece. Think about that: Four (maybe even five) viewings, and I still love this film just as much as I did during my first. You don't often find a film like that.
Cast ratings:
John Travolta: 4.5/5
Samuel L. Jackson: 5/5
Bruce Willis: 4.5/5
Uma Thurman: 5/5
Harvey Keitel: 4/5
Tim Roth: 3.5/5
Amanda Plummer: 3/5
Maria de Medeiros: 4/5
Ving Rhames: 4/5
Eric Stoltz: 4/5
Christopher Walken: 4.5/5
Cast MVP: Samuel L. Jackson
100/100
15.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Pride And Prejudice by Joe Wright
Released in 2005
Viewing number 1
"I do like him. I love him."
I'll admit that I was a bit scared when going into Joe Wright's acclaimed adaptation of Jane Austen's universally loved novel, as romantic period dramas have never really been my thing. For example: Howard's End.
Now, Howard's End is by all means a harmless little movie, one with undeniably good performances and pretty cinematography. But unfortunately, it's treatment of the source material is so lifeless that in the end, I am just bored as hell.
But thankfully, Pride And Prejudice is anything but that. Yes, it's a bit derivative, as these kinds of period dramas often are, but it's a uniquely delicate film for this genre. It's a moving, living, breathing film that flows like water.
I really do have to praise Joe Wright's direction here, as it's fucking superb. The way he controls the camera is just frankly amazing. He manages to capture small movements that reveal endless emotions (for example). And don't even get me started on the blocking! So much is told through the way Wright blocks characters (especially Mr. Darcy). And then we have that long take at the ball, which has to be one of the most impressive shots I have seen ... Well, maybe ever! The directing here is by all means out of this world.
The cast is also stacked. The legendary Donald Sutherland gives a wonderful and moving supporting performance. His last scene has to be one of his best moments in any film ever. Matthew Macfadyen's take on Mr. Darcy is probably the best ever too. He gives a quiet performance that speaks volumes. But the stand-out is easily Keira Knightley, who gives the performance of a lifetime. She fully understands her character, resulting in a stunning performance.
I don't think this film is perfect, but I can't deny that there is true magic in these frames.
Cast ratings:
Keira Knightley: 5/5
Matthew Macfadyen: 4/5
Donald Sutherland: 4/5
Cast MVP: Keira Knightley
89/100
15.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
A History Of Violence by David Cronenberg
Released in 2005
Viewing number 2
"I should've killed you back in Philly."
I'm honestly a bit polarized this time around, as this used to be my favorite Cronenberg by a landslide, and really just one of my favorite films altogether. I don't know what happened, it's just that the direction and the editing and the cinematography and the acting (as excellent as they all are, of course) all seemed a bit sloppier this time around. I still think this is an one-of-a-kind exploration of violence and americana and survival and so on and so forth, but I just didn't love it as much as I used to. Still, this is without any doubt a great film and maybe even a near-masterpiece, and one that I hope I will love just as much as I used to in the future.
Cast ratings:
Viggo Mortensen: 4.5/5
Maria Bello: 4/5
Ed Harris: 4.5/5
William Hurt: 4.5/5
Cast MVP: Viggo Mortensen
95/100
16.04.2022 (1 out of 3 films watched)
Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters by Paul Schrader
Released in 1985
Viewing number 4
"The instant the blade tore open his flesh, the bright disk of the sun soared up behind his eyelids and exploded, lighting the sky for an instant."
Well ... I just watched my Criterion DVD of this wonderful movie for the first time ... I feel reborn lmao
Cast ratings:
Ken Ogata: 5/5
Cast MVP: Ken Ogata
100/100
16.04.2022 (2 out of 3 films watched)
The Graduate by Mike Nichols
Released in 1967
Viewing number 3
"There's a great future in plastics."
The hilarity, tragedy and fear that comes with realizing that your future has already basically been decided and it's nothing you can do about it. The best you can do is let yourself grow old, emotionless and plastic.
Watched this on my new Criterion DVD, and yeah, still love this movie. It only becomes funnier, scarier and more painfully relatable for each viewing. Easily one of my favorite films of all time.
Cast ratings:
Dustin Hoffman: 5/5
Anne Bancroft: 5/5
Katherine Ross: 5/5
Cast MVP: Dustin Hoffman
100/100
16.04.2022 (3 out of 3 films watched)
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade by Steven Spielberg
Released in 1989
Viewing number 2 (I think)
"Please, what does it always mean, this ... This 'Junior'?"
"That's his name. Henry Jones ... Junior."
"I like 'Indiana'."
"We named the dog 'Indiana'."
While I do not think it works as flawlessly as Raiders Of The Lost Ark does, there are several fronts where this film actually exceeds the masterpiece that is Raiders. The humour is better altogether (Marcus is probably the best character in all of cinema), the action feels more realistic (even though I think Raiders has better action), but most importantly, this one features a father-son dynamic that is genuinely touching. This is easily Sean Connery's best performance, and if you don't agree with me, let me direct you towards the end of the amazing tank chase, where Connery basically pours his heart out, resulting in the sweetest moment in the whole of the Indiana Jones series. It might not beat Raiders for me, but this movie is still damn good.
Cast ratings:
Harrison Ford: 5/5
Sean Connery: 5/5
Cast MVP: Sean Connery
98/100
17.04.2022
The Northman by Robert Eggers
Released in 2022
Viewing number 1
"I will avenge you, Father! I will save you, Mother! I will kill you, Fjölnir!"
Holy fucking shit. Stunning.
Here, Eggers takes Hamlet and then turns into pure scandinavian myth-making, but then once again flips that onto it's head and making it into the tragic story of a man with a hidden good heart who is swept up by the fire of revenge all to fast.
The Northman is incredibly epic, unflinchingly brutal, surprisingly emotional, kind of ridiculous and over-the-top (like Ethan Hawke's "viking voice"), visually stunning, as hypnotic as the films of Andrei Tarkovsky, tragic yet absolutely badass, flawed yet perfect, perfect yet flawed, fucking awesome and the work of an absolute visionary.
I want to go to the cinema and watch this again as soon as possible.
Robert Eggers may be the greatest filmmaker to emerge from the 2010's. By all means one of the best working today.
Cast ratings:
Alexander Skarsgård: 5/5
Nicole Kidman: 4/5
Claes Bang: 3.5/5
Ethan Hawke: 3.5/5
Anya Taylor-Joy: 4.5/5
Björk: 3.5/5
Gustav Lindh: 3.5/5
Willem Dafoe: 3/5
Cast MVP: Alexander Skarsgård
99/100
18.04.2022
Always by Steven Spielberg
Released in 1989
Viewing number 1
"It's not the dress, it's the way you see me."
Believe it or not, but I do think that this could have been a contender for one of Spielberg's best films. Here we have a very fun and creative concept that could have been turned into a wonderful musing on love, death and grief. And there sure are moments where the film turns into this, like the very touching scene where Holly Hunter dances with Richard Dreyfuss' ghost, but unfortunately, Spielberg turns this very great concept into a very sappy and boring mess. As a person who fears death more than anything, I was at points very calmed by the concept and visual imagery, but in the end, I just didn't care about what was happening. It's sad, kind of. There is a really wonderful and therapeutic film in here somewhere, but I just don't know if I care enough to find it.
Also, maybe a bit of a strange side-note here, but why is no one talking about how gorgeous Holly Hunter is in this movie? She kind of managed to get me through the pure cheese of this movie and I really do feel she should get more credit for that.
Cast ratings:
Richard Dreyfuss: 3.5/5
Holly Hunter: 3.5/5
John Goodman: 3/5
Cast MVP: Richard Dreyfuss
60/100
19.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
The Lighthouse by Robert Eggers
Released in 2019
Viewing number 2
"Yer fond of me lobster, ain't ye?"
Once in a very rare while, a movie comes along that has such precise and layered filmmaking that you just know that it will be a classic. The Lighthouse is one of those movies. If this movie isn't hailed as one of the finest horror movies ever in a few decades, I don't know what will. This movie is perfect and flawless, nothing more, nothing less.
Cast ratings:
Robert Pattinson: 5/5
Willem Dafoe: 5/5
Cast MVP: Willem Dafoe
100/100
19.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
The Northman by Robert Eggers
Released in 2022
Viewing number 2
"You must choose between kindness for your kin, and hatred for your enemies."
OK, I know my score may have dropped, but I feel this film actually benefited from a rewatch. When one watches a movie with filmmaking this stunningly great, one will of course ignore the flaws and give it a near-perfect score. On rewatch, the flaws in the narrative became a lot more obvious, but I also really appreciated the filmmaking even more. The proper way to watch this movie is really not to treat it as something to watch, but rather something to feel and experience. The filmmaking here really is some of the most hypnotic since the works of Andrei Tarkovsky. Am I saying Robert Eggers is a modern-day Andrei Tarkovsky? Yeah, basically. This may be his only film I can't call perfect, but he is still the best filmmaker to come out of the 2010's. Believe the hype.
Cast ratings:
Alexander Skarsgård: 4.5/5
Nicole Kidman: 4/5
Claes Bang: 3.5/5
Ethan Hawke: 3.5/5
Anya Taylor-Joy: 4/5
Björk: 3/5
Gustav Lindh: 3/5
Willem Dafoe: 3/5
Cast MVP: Alexander Skarsgård
Was a 99/100, not a 95/100
20.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Bo Burnham: Inside by Bo Burnham
Released in 2021
Viewing number 3 (I think)
"You wanna hear a funny story?"
I don't think there is one person whose work means more to me than Bo Burnham. What and especially Make Happy helped me through rather tough times, and then Inside came out only a month after my dad's death, something which also really helped me. After what I believe is my third viewing of this masterpiece, I still think it holds up wonderfully. I still find it just as comforting. I won't try to convince annybody that Bo is the greatest artist ever, as his work can be contradictory, corny and self-indulgent at times. But if you asked me to show you one person whose work means the world to me, it would be Bo.
Cast ratings:
Bo Burnham: 5/5
Cast MVP: Bo Burnham
100/100
20.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
The Witch by Robert Eggers
Released in 2015
Viewing number 1
"We will conquer this wilderness, it will not consume us."
I am never taking one fucking step inside a forest again in my whole life.
How are some people claiming this film isn't terrifying? This thing is fucking raw, incredibly paranoid and one of the most intense cinematic experiences produced in a while. This thing is freaky even though nothing particularly freaky happens throughout most of the runtime. Eggers' amazing filmmaking puts you right in the middle of the religious paranoia and hysteria of the film, resulting in a horror film for the history books.
Cast ratings:
Anya Taylor-Joy: 4.5/5
Cast MVP: Anya Taylor-Joy
100/100
21.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Detour by Edgar G. Ulmer
Released in 1945
Viewing number 1
"That's life. Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot to trip you."
Take the cynicism and nihilism of every 1940's film noir ever, and then squeeze every last drop of said cynicism and nihilism into one film, the result would be Detour.
Detour is so cynical that it almost seems to be a parody of itself. The face of the protagonist kind of describes the whole movie: So miserably sad that it becomes over-the-top.
It might sound like I'm ripping on this film when I'm calling it miserably sad, but I honestly think the pure sad-sack tone of this film is exactly what makes it so good. Despite it's famously short runtime and small budget, Detour feels like a full cinematic experience. Even though I do think the acting is incredibly stiff for most of the runtime, I was by all means impressed by the filmmaking here. The lighting, editing, cinematography and overall filmmaking really makes this a film deserving of its place in the film noir canon. A milestone in sad-sack cinema.
Cast ratings:
Tom Neal: 2.5/5
Ann Savage: 3/5
Cast MVP: Ann Savage
79/100
21.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
Belfast by Kenneth Branagh
Released in 2021
Viewing number 2
"Be good. And if you can't be good ..."
"Be careful!"
I decided to go to my local cinema and give this film another spin to see if it got better on a rewatch.
I was the only one who showed up.
It was shown in the biggest theatre room in the whole town.
At first, I thought this film had actually grown on me, as I really appreciated the excellent acting and the intimacy of the film a lot more this time around. But then I came to the scene where Buddy asks his dad if they have to leave Belfast, and then Branagh just, y'know, FUCKING CUTS AWAY.
So, to conclude:
Don't be like me who payed to see this very mediocre movie for the second time, be like the others who decided to just not show up and rather watch it for free at home.
Cast ratings:
Jude Hill: 4/5
Caitriona Balfe: 4.5/5
Jamie Dornan: 3.5/5
Judi Dench: 4.5/5
Ciaran Hinds: 4.5/5
Cast MVP: Ciaran Hinds
50/100
22.04.2022
Onibaba by Kaneto Shindo
Released in 1964
Viewing number 1
"Serves you right. Men like you killed my son."
Onibaba is set in what may the most desolate location in any horror film ever. Seemingly never-ending fields of grass so tall that you could disappear in it. It's a labyrinth of nothingness. The perfect horror film setting.
And yet, I don't know if you could call Onibaba a horror film. Yes, there are horror elements, like the famous Hannya mask that still haunts me. But still, Onibaba is more of a genre-bending horror film than a pure horror film. It's also a nuanced and strangely poetic moral tale, as well as a surprisingly steamy erotic thriller.
No matter what genre you put Onibaba in though, it's still an absolute feat of endlessly captivating filmmaking. The expressive visuals and sound design is so good that you can literally feel the heat and the warm wind blowing through the tall grass. It's one of the most surprisingly excellent films I have seen in a while.
Cast ratings:
Nobuko Otowa: 4/5
Cast MVP: Nobuko Otowa
100/100
23.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Cyrano by Joe Wright
Released in 2021
Viewing number 1
"Heaven is wherever I fall."
Yeah. Wow. Fuck me, this was great. I expected a very cheesy film, but instead I got a film that hit surprisingly close to home for some reason. The musical numbers never became cheesy or overdramatic, but were rather emotional instead. "Your Name", "Every Letter", "Overcome", the fucking devastating masterpiece that is "Wherever I Fall", and don't even get me started on the reprise of "Madly"! The visuals never became too much either. The delicate colour palette really fit the music perfectly. Joe Wright really understood the yearning of the source material.
And then we have Peter Dinklage. Holy mother of God, I was impressed by him here. It's a performance so good that in the non-musical scenes that doesn't include him, the film honestly feels a bit stiff, which shows how valuable his performance is to the film. It's honestly one of the very finest performances of 2021 and should go down as Dinklage's greatest work.
So yeah, I loved this so much more than I expected. I can't say it's perfect, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up multiple times throughout the whole film. This is among the best films of 2021 in my opinion.
Cast ratings:
Peter Dinklage: 5/5
Haley Bennett: 4.5/5
Kelvin Harrison Jr: 4/5
Cast MVP: Peter Dinklage
98/100
23.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
Hook by Steven Spielberg
Released in 1991
Viewing number 1
"So, your adventures are over."
"Oh, no. To live ... To live would be an awfully big adventure."
Damn, what a cozy little film! Loved it! Can't imagine anyone hating thi- Wait, what? This is one of Spielberg's most divisive films? Is that a joke? You telling me people dislike this? What?
OK, jokes aside, I don't really see why there is such a divide on this one. I mean, yeah, it's messy and it's a bit childish, but it's still really good though! It's very entertaining, it's very magical and has a very sweet message at it's core. Robin Williams is also rather solid in the main role, and Dustin Hoffman basically steals the show with a performance that throws away all Hoffmanisms. The John Williams score is also incredibly underappreciated. Shit slaps.
So yeah, I really loved this. It's classic Spielberg and I don't see the hate at all.
Cast ratings:
Robin Williams: 3.5/5
Dustin Hoffman: 4/5
Cast MVP: Dustin Hoffman
78/100
24.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Nobody Loves You And You Don't Deserve To Exist by Brett Gregory
Released in 2022
Viewing number 1
"Tragedy ... Trauma ... Truth ..."
Strap in, folks. This is a long one.
It was the 24th of April, 2022. I was scrolling through Letterboxd, trying to find a film to watch. It was at that moment that I noticed that one man named Jack Clarke tweeted at me, asking me to review a film he had helped produce. Since I was already looking for a film to watch, I decided to contact him. He said the film's name was Nobody Loves You And You Don't Deserve To Exist (a title which of course immediately caught me). It was a "micro-budget Manchester-based feature film" that they had been making for about six years. He also explained to me a lot of the themes of the film, a lot of which I have to admit that I did not have the brain-capacity to understand. It sounded like an interesting film, and therefore I decided to give it a spin.
Now, before I start talking about the film, let me just say that most of all admire the production history of this film. Six years! That's a lot of dedication! Even if I don't think the film lives up to it's production history, I really do admire it and find it very inspiring.
So, let's talk about the film. First of all, I was very impressed by the visual imagery here. The cinematography does often remind you that this is a micro-budget film, but that does not stop it from being rather stunning at times. The film starts off with an incredibly captivating image that has been ingrained in my brain.
It's also here that I would like to mention my three favorite sequences of the film. This film follows a man named Jack, and it kind of jumps back in time, where we get to meet 13-year-old Jack and 21-year-old Jack. Each of these versions of Jack kind of get their own long monologue, before we eventually meet 50-year-old Jack again towards the end, where he too gets a long monologue. All of these monologues are stunning on a visual level. They are all shot in long takes, all featuring rather creative and innovative camera work. The writing in these monologues are very layered and thought-provoking, but also in a way so complex and layered that it's kind of easy to fall off. The acting can be a bit mixed in these monologues, as I do think all the actors are a bit stiff at moments. My personal favorite is James Ward, who plays 21-year-old Jack, as he has a charisma that I feel the others lack. My personal favorite of the monologues though is the one delivered by 50-year-old Jack (played by David Howell), as I think the way the monologue and whole scene is built up is rather genius.
So, yeah, the monologues in this film are pretty great, albeit flawed. And when I think about it, "pretty great, albeit flawed" kind of describe my overall feelings on this film. I think there are a lot of interesting thematic elements, but I think the overall execution is just fine, which results in me not really being all interested in said thematic elements.
But still, even though this film isn't 100% my thing, I do urge you to give this film a spin. When you consider the lengths these guys went to make this film, I do think you should go show them some support.
Overall, I'm glad I checked this out, and I thank Jack Clarke for giving me the opportunity to watch this film. I wish Clarke and director Brett Gregory all the best.
No cast ratings, as I need to rewatch before I can rate the actors. I will say though that I thought the acting was just fine. A bit stiff at moments, but rather poignant at others.
64/100
24.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
In The Realm Of The Senses by Nagisa Oshima
Released in 1976
Viewing number 1
"A girl like you can stab a man's heart without a knife, huh?"
Despite what you may have heard, Oshima's magnum opus is not a film about the constant sex and it's descent into violence. It's a film about the laughs and smiles between the two main characters and how it slowly disappears. To call this film "glorified porn" would simply be to miss the point.
Cast ratings:
Eiko Matsuda: 4.5/5
Tatsuya Fuji: 4.5/5
Cast MVP: Eiko Matsuda
94/100
25.04.2022
Jurassic Park by Steven Spielberg
Released in 1993
Viewing number 2 (I think)
"Welcome to Jurassic Park."
Beyond perfect. Literally so flawless and effortless that it's kind of infuriating. It's just iconic scene after iconic scene. I'm sorry, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, I love ya and shit, but this is probably the greatest and most iconic blockbuster ever produced.
Cast ratings:
Sam Neill: 4/5
Laura Dern: 4/5
Jeff Goldblum: 4.5/5
Richard Attenborough: 4.5/5
Samuel L. Jackson: 3.5/5
Cast MVP: Richard Attenborough
100/100
26.04.2022
Cléo From 5 To 7 by Agnès Varda
Released in 1962
Viewing number 1
"Everybody spoils me. Nobody loves me."
Kind of embarrasing that it took me so long to get to my first Agnès Varda film, but yeah, this is fantastic. It's a very simple and easy-to-understand tale of how one often breaks out of the spell that is narcissism when confronted with death, and therefore you should basically think less of yourself constantly and just enjoy life when you can. Basically, don't be a narcissist, enjoy life. It's a simple message, but it's presented in a way that is just absolutely spell-binding. I was particularly impressed by the way Varda uses mirrors here. So yeah, a fantastic and well-made film that makes me want to check out more of Varda's work. I really do understand why she is held in such high regard when it comes to great filmmakers.
Cast ratings:
Corinne Marchand: 4/5
Cast MVP: Corinne Marchand
95/100
27.04.2022
Jiro Dreams Of Sushi by David Gelb
Released in 2011
Viewing number 1
"Once you decide on your occupation, you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That's the secret of success, and is the key to being regarded honorably."
A very warm and cozy study of mastery, dedication and heritage of said mastery and dedication. Unfortunately, Jiro Dreams Of Sushi never becomes anything more than that, but it's still a very relaxed film with a wonderful ending.
No cast ratings, as there are no actors.
73/100
28.04.2022
Ace In The Hole by Billy Wilder
Released in 1951
Viewing number 2
- Quote from my review of A Face In The Crowd
As a film critic, you occasionally glance back at one of your takes on a film and then just sigh and say: "Wow, I certainly can be stupid!" Ace In The Hole is a mediocre commentary of media? That's fucking absurd! In fact, I kind of think that Ace In The Hole may be the all-in-all greatest commentary on media ever! Yeah, sure the whole media circus analogy may be schmaltzy, and the climax may be waaaaaaaaay too cynical for its own good, but as a whole, Ace In The Hole is a startling and devastating critique of the "good news is no news" morals of media and the vicious search for success that many embark on. The first time around, you notice the big in-your-face pieces of satire, like the media circus, the relationship between Chuck and Lorraine, etc. But it's the second time around that you notice the small devastating details that make Ace In The Hole such a powerful film. If the begging from Leo and his father doesn't break your heart, you may as well be heartless.
I really want to rewatch A Face In The Crowd now. I have a feeling I was wrong about that one too.
Cast ratings:
Kirk Douglas: 5/5
Cast MVP: Kirk Douglas
95/100
29.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
The Lobster by Yorgos Lanthimos
Released in 2015
Viewing number 1
"We dance alone. That's why we only play electronic music."
There's a scene in The Lobster where a guy recounts that his mother was turned into a wolf and placed in a zoo, and that one day, he yearned after his mother so much that he wandered right into the enclosure, which resulted in him being mauled by the wolves. There is of course nothing funny about this at all, but something about the absurdity and pure deadpan of the whole scene made it into one of the funniest things I have seen in any film ever. And that, my friends, is why Lanthimos is one of the greatest directors of our era.
A great film about the absurdity, hilarity and tragedy of trying to find love in an absurd, overly systematic and incredibly isolated world.
Cast ratings:
Colin Farrell: 4/5
Rachel Weisz: 4/5
Cast MVP: Colin Farrell
95/100
29.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
Eraserhead by David Lynch
Released in 1977
Viewing number 2
"Believe it or not, Eraserhead is my most spiritual film."
- David Lynch, 2007
I decided to rewatch this film since I finally got my hands on the Criterion Blu-Ray, and something about adjusting the volume and going through the settings made this whole film for some reason just click with me. When I eventually clicked "play", I began one of the most powerful film experiences I think I have ever had.
I of course enjoyed Eraserhead on my first viewing a few months ago, as the thematic and narrative ambiguity really intrigued me. The thing that made this a lesser David Lynch film for me was that I naturally had no idea of what was happening. I do think a good part of what makes Lynch's films so great for me is trying to figure out what Lynch is trying to say, but I have come to realize that Eraserhead in peculiar is a film that is best when being experienced rather than trying to be understood. Lynch said it himself. "Believe it or not, Eraserhead is my most spiritual film."
Everybody basically knows by now that Eraserhead is a film about Lynch's fear of parenthood. This is of course communicated through metaphors (like the baby replacing Henry's head, an obvious metaphor that the baby has taken up all of his mental headspace), but I honestly can't tell you what Henry's head being turned into an eraser means, and I probably won't be able to tell you in some time either.
But the thing is, you honestly don't need to understand every scene of the film to truly understand the film as a whole, as Lynch's filmmaking basically lets you feel Henry's panic, his stress, his despair, etc. It truly is some of the best filmmaking I have seen in any film ever, and it results in one of the most emotionally potent films ever released.
Now in my top 25 films of all time.
Cast ratings:
Jack Nance: 4/5
Cast MVP: Jack Nance
100/100
30.04.2022 (1 out of 2 films watched)
Schindler's List by Steven Spielberg
Released in 1993
Viewing number 2
"It's Hebrew, it's from the Talmud. It says, "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.""
Schindler's List isn't perfect. There's in particular an emotionally manipulative scene involving a group of Jewish women thinking they are going to be gassed, something I feel makes this scene in poor taste. "So, why the 100 then?", you may ask. Well, to put it simply: As a whole, there is absolutely no film more human than Schindler's List, even with this one highly questionable scene. Every single frame and movement in this entire film feels like it comes from someplace deep down in Spielberg's soul. A place of deep sadness, anger, and failure to try to comprehend how something as horrible as the holocaust ever happened. I don't care if this film isn't perfect, as there is by all means no film as human as this one. I will never be able to make it through this film without at least shedding one tear.
One of the finest films ever made, Spielberg's greatest achievement, and the ultimate flawed masterpiece.
Cast ratings:
Liam Neeson: 5/5
Ralph Fiennes: 5/5
Ben Kingsley: 5/5
Cast MVP: Ralph Fiennes
100/100
30.04.2022 (2 out of 2 films watched)
Mulholland Drive by David Lynch
Released in 2001
Viewing number 3
"Hey, pretty girl. Time to wake up."
Rewatched it because I finally got my hands on the Criterion. Beyond perfect. May as well be the most rewatchable film ever made. I watch it, I discover a new layer, I love it even more, I watch it again, I discover another new layer, I love it even more, I watch it again, and repeat forever. This is a film that holds an incredibly poignant, raw, and dream-like feeling to it, which is what makes it Lynch's greatest achievement. By all means a contender for the greatest film ever made.
Cast ratings:
Naomi Watts: 5/5
Laura Harring: 4.5/5
Justin Theroux: 4.5/5
Cast MVP: Naomi Watts
100/100
Amount of films watched: 42
Average montly score: 8.9/10
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