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Whiplash (2014)
Fantastically shot, strongly performed
Whiplash is a fantastically shot, strongly performed story about a young college student with a heavy drive to become a great drummer. He finds being great will be far more demanding than he ever could have imagined, as his instructor has an unorthodox approach to improving his musicians. Whiplash examines the cost and benefits of such a drive, and also explores the implications of pushing people beyond their limits.
Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Arguably the funniest film of all time
Arguably the funniest film of all time. Dumb and Dumber obviously works by using stupid humor, so you can't be afraid of that, but it is also quite creative in it's absurdism. D & D doesn't use the extreme behavior that gets many comedy films cheap laughs, it really is made up of many small gestures, comments, and incidents by two hilarious actors that work perfectly together.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
A flawed, but overall enjoyable film
The Rise of Skywalker suffers from unfortunate mistakes in The Last Jedi, which leads this film to become very rushed and filled with plot holes. That being said, TROS is a fun, fan friendly movie that has some good moments. The way they play with the force bothers me a bit, but the movie made pretty solid character decisions, and doesn't ruin what we love about Star Wars. A flawed, but overall enjoyable film.
The VVitch: A New-England Folktale (2015)
One of the most impressive historical works
This disturbing story of a Puritan family who recently arrived in the New World is one of the most impressive historical works in film. The dialogue, clothing, behavior and setting are all meticulously crafted for precise historical accuracy, all so the horror elements of the film make the viewer feel like they're real. Beyond this, The Witch is also a powerful tale of how fundamentalism can lead to self-destruction.
Fyre (2019)
One of the most shocking and ironic con jobs in recent memory
Fyre presents one of the most shocking and ironic con jobs in recent memory. It is a powerful tale of the lengths people will go to achieve fame and fortune. But most of all it is an indictment of consumer culture and the endless desire for luxury, fame, and sex.
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese (2019)
Interesting, but not fantastic
I was sort of hoping for more of a documentary type film here but most of this is really just to appreciate the music of Bob Dylan, which is great but can be a little much for two and a half hours. The sound was great and to me "Rolling Thunder" did a great job of what it was trying to do, which to me wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but still interesting to watch.
Le voyage dans la lune (1902)
Powerful impact on storytelling and filmmaking
"A Trip to the Moon" has had a powerful impact on storytelling and filmmaking. The premise is still one we still see today: There is a grand idea, a team is assembled, they embark on a quest, encounter conflict, they overcome the conflict, and they return home heroes. It is to this film that Hollywood will be indebted to forever.
Bronenosets Potyomkin (1925)
So important to film
Along with "The Birth of a Nation," not necessarily the type of propaganda you want being spread, but it has some intense moments for viewers and is THE lesson for those who want to understand the importance of montage in film.
The Birth of a Nation (1915)
Value far outweighs its ignorant commentary, though neither should be ignored
What do we make of a controversial film like D.W. Griffith's "A Birth of a Nation"? To me it is a foundational piece of film that has provided a stepping stone for filmmakers throughout history. Time has proven that its value far outweighs its ignorant commentary, though neither should be ignored.
Blood Simple (1984)
Fun, intense, and will make you squirm
This is Frances McDormand's debut film, as well as the Coens, and neither of them disappoint. But it will also serve as a perfect stepping stone for what they both will become for the rest of their careers: masters of their craft. It is fun, intense, and will make you squirm. Like all Coen bros. films, it over-exaggerates to get a point across.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Fun, but not great
Jeff Bridges and John Goodman are great, and the movie was quite creative. It didn't strike a chord with me the way some other Coen films have however. It was funny, creative, had great casting and great acting, and I can see why certain people would really enjoy this movie. To me it was an average film.
Fargo (1996)
A dualistic masterpiece
"Fargo" is a dualistic masterpiece that examines a world of great darkness and little joys. It achieves it's masterpiece status by fascinating character studies and fantastic dialogue. Between "Fargo" and "No Country for Old Men" the Coen brothers have put together two pieces of the greatest filmmaking I have ever seen.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
A lot to nitpick in this movie
Has some powerful battle sequences, but contains far too many Hollywood cliches that are poorly done. It isn't terrible, but it isn't good either. A lot you could nitpick about in this movie.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Simultaneously a western, a thriller, and a philosophical meditation
"No Country" is simultaneously a western, a thriller, and a philosophical meditation that brings together all the great Coen characteristics. The cinematography is dark, vast, and beautiful, and the complete lack of music brings unnerving suspense. "No Country", like much of the Coen's work, asks deep questions about the source and nature of evil in the world, and whether there is anything we can do about.
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
A good movie, not a great one
An enjoyable film with fun racing scenes and a great performance from Christian Bale. I'm not a car nut, which kept me from loving the movie, but not from enjoying it. It has some good comedy, important ideas about human ingenuity and passion projects, family, and business relations. A good movie, for me not a great one. Anybody who is passionate about cars and/or technology might love this movie.
Ugetsu monogatari (1953)
Weakens in the middle, but wraps up as a pretty decent movie
"Ugetsu" is a great tale of human greed and lust that is centered around family and war. "Ugetsu" reveals the lengths men will go to in order to achieve success, and the people they will sacrifice in the process. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the film. I thought in the middle/end it weakens a little, but by the end it did wrap up nicely. A very good movie, I'm not sure I would consider it great.
Uncle Buck (1989)
The film had potential, but falls short
Has moments that I enjoyed, particular those with Candy and Culkin, but the film's focus on the relationship between Buck and Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly) was both the weakest part of the film and the majority of it's focus. It wasn't realistic, was over-exaggerated, and poorly acted by Kelly. The film had potential, but falls short.
Krótki film o milosci (1988)
A deep, thoughtful meditation on loneliness, love, and pleasure
A deep, thoughtful meditation on loneliness, love, and pleasure. Despite it's deep core the story is very simple. Though little happens that would be considered entertaining by Hollywood standards, the film remains incredibly intriguing throughout. The music and the cinematography set the tone for this explorative film that questions why humans long for love and what true love really means.
Star Wars (1977)
Fun movie and monumental achievement
The dialogue and acting at times turns Star Wars into a straight comedy. That being said, the power of this sci-fi spiritual space western about a hero's journey from broken farm boy to the champion of a rebellion immediately resonated with an entire country. Star Wars might be more interesting as a phenomenon than as a film, but that doesn't mean it isn't a really fun movie and a monumental achievement.
Drive (2011)
Lacks emotion, character, and depth
Drive has some interesting cinematography and plays with colors in a unique way, but films that lack emotion, character, and depth are usually hard for me to enjoy. I also thought the frequent use of slow motion was cheesy and odd and the music did not work for me. I like when films are bold, and Drive for sure was bold, so I give it credit there. But overall this movie didn't interest me to a large degree.
Idi i smotri (1985)
Burning with a passionate anger toward Hitler and the Nazis
In all the films I have watched I have never seen anything quite so horrifying as Come and See. The story of a Belarusian boy during WWII who is overwhelmed with eagerness to join the war effort against the Nazis, but soon realizes his fantasies are far darker than he ever imagined. Come and See is a film that asks us to reckon with the realities of war and the devastating evil men are capable of.
Marriage Story (2019)
Emotional roller coaster
Marriage Story is full of emotions. Anger, frustration, love, and laughter all take center stage in this film and you will find yourself swinging from one end to the other throughout. But what Marriage Story really wants to do is comment on the systematic failures of marriage and divorce and the way in which familial love transcends all the boxes, rules, and expectations we put around it. A fantastically real film.
The Irishman (2019)
Too long, too uninteresting, and too forced
Scorsese is a great filmmaker, but The Irishman falls short. Run time isn't a problem if it stays interesting. This movie does not. It felt a little forced with bringing in Pacino, Pesci and De Niro. Pesci was great, and the CGI looks fine when they are just talking, but when they are moving or doing any sort of action it looks bad since they're so old. Would have helped to have younger actors.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
A very good start to a new trilogy
A very good start to a new trilogy. The Force Awakens introduces new interesting characters and the dialogue/action/CGI sequences are far better than the other Star Wars movies. The movie isn't particularly original, nor does it have a fascinating villain like the OG Star Wars films, but it has a great new protagonist and some powerful emotional sequences that allow us to bask in our joy of Star Wars.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Timeless classic
It may not be the most shining example of profound cinema, but it is a re-watchable, timeless classic with a message that resonates forever.