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Carlito’s Way 8/10
The last great Brian DePalma film. I never tire of this film, so well made with some incredible set pieces like the pool hall and the train station finale and Pacino and Sean Penn are both terrific.
 
Heat: 8/10

Much better than I remembered it being, though I've become a pretty big Michael Mann fan over the past few years and maybe can now better appreciate what he is doing. Just great filmmaking. Tense and well acted.
I always heard people saying this was one of those movies you had to have seen, some even called it a masterpiece. I guess I was too young when I first saw it, because it wasn't for me. I gave it another watch last year and I loved it. Don't know if I'd call it a masterpiece but I totally agree it being a great and tense movie.
 
BlacKkKlansman - 8/10
Strong performances all around, some really good comedic moments but also a very powerful message in a crazy turn of events.
 
Carlito’s Way 8/10
The last great Brian DePalma film. I never tire of this film, so well made with some incredible set pieces like the pool hall and the train station finale and Pacino and Sean Penn are both terrific.

I love this one too, like Scarface though you can’t help but wish it would’ve ended better for the main characters. Terrific film.
 
Carlito’s Way 8/10
The last great Brian DePalma film. I never tire of this film, so well made with some incredible set pieces like the pool hall and the train station finale and Pacino and Sean Penn are both terrific.
This reminds me of another movie I saw a few days ago:

Dressed to Kill: 7/10

If DePalma excelled at anything, it was building suspense and making the audience uncomfortable, and from the films I've seen of his, this may be the high water mark for him on that front. This is also an interesting movie to revisit now that we have culture wars over transgenderism, as this movie may have been the first time some people even heard of such a thing. I can imagine some people cringing at the portrayal of the killer now, and the rationale behind the killings. But personally, the film still really works for me and throws you several curveballs to keep you on your toes.
 
This reminds me of another movie I saw a few days ago:

Dressed to Kill: 7/10

If DePalma excelled at anything, it was building suspense and making the audience uncomfortable, and from the films I've seen of his, this may be the high water mark for him on that front. This is also an interesting movie to revisit now that we have culture wars over transgenderism, as this movie may have been the first time some people even heard of such a thing. I can imagine some people cringing at the portrayal of the killer now, and the rationale behind the killings. But personally, the film still really works for me and throws you several curveballs to keep you on your toes.
I was surprised listening to Tarantino’s podcast that he has changed his mind, he used to say Blow Out was his favorite DePalma and now he is saying it’s this one. I like DTK but I think Blow Out is the better film. I do agree that this film works best if you look at the whole thing as some kind of fever dream as it makes little sense.
 
Batman v. Superman (Ultimate Cut) - 8/10
I know the Zack Snyder movies aren't for everyone, but I really love them. This ultimate cut of BvS is a great watch and will remain one of my favourite comicbookmovies.

Miami Vice - 6/10
I have never watched the TV-show, but when I saw the movie around 2007, I was surprised how serious it was. While I didn't expect it to be an all out comedy like the Starsky and Hutch movie, I figured we would get some lighthearted buddy cop stuff here and there. But there's absolutely none of that. Combined with a kinda convoluted story, it was not what I expected.
But, having rewatched it yesterday I can say that it is a fairly solid crime drama with some good action in the end. I think some lightheartedness and a bit more action would have improved it though.
 
Batman v. Superman (Ultimate Cut) - 8/10
I know the Zack Snyder movies aren't for everyone, but I really love them. This ultimate cut of BvS is a great watch and will remain one of my favourite comicbookmovies.

Miami Vice - 6/10
I have never watched the TV-show, but when I saw the movie around 2007, I was surprised how serious it was. While I didn't expect it to be an all out comedy like the Starsky and Hutch movie, I figured we would get some lighthearted buddy cop stuff here and there. But there's absolutely none of that. Combined with a kinda convoluted story, it was not what I expected.
But, having rewatched it yesterday I can say that it is a fairly solid crime drama with some good action in the end. I think some lightheartedness and a bit more action would have improved it though.

The TV show is much better.
 
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent - 7/10
A really fun film with Nic Cage as himself. Some (deliberate) over the top acting and basically a lot of making fun of himself in this kinda absurd movie. A great role for Pedro Pascal as well.

Bullet Train - 7.5/10

An awesome action movie with a bunch of different plotlines. Lots of great actors as well. Definitely recommended!
 
Nothing about the film grabbed me. It had its moments but I felt like it was beating tropes to death that I've been overly familiar with since reading Robert Anton Wilson (and any number of other sci-fi and comics writers) since I was a teenager. I can barely remember the story weeks later, it came off as an incoherent mess to me. Best Picture? Get outta here, man.



That's interesting, but I'm not sure I want to give it my time again.
Hard to believe it is likely to win Best Picture now after winning at PGA. Certainly not my pick for picture of the year.
 
The Hunchback of Notre Dame - 6/10
This has to be one of Disney's more mature animated movies, right? Esmeralda doing her little poledance with a spear, Frollo being a murderous horndog... Never really noticed it when I was younger, but yeah... All in all not a bad watch.

Clerks III - 6.5/10
This sure was different than I expected. It maybe went a bit too meta with making the first movie(s) within this movie, but I didn't mind that much. While brutal for him, I think having his wife and unborn kid die, really gave a depth to Dante. Even though there was a bunch of (not so subtle) foreshadowing, I didn't expect him to die in the end. Overall a decent addition to the trilogy.

Downsizing - 6.5/10
I saw this years ago expecting somewhat of a comedy. Or at least more lighthearted than it is. The trailer surely made it out to be. It isn't, so I found it dissapointing then. But knowing it isn't and watching it again with that information made me like it better.
 
M3GAN - 7/10

This was like one big nod to 80’s scifi cheese to me. Modern nostalgia. Run Away meets The Terminator. They even included the 80’s song Toy Soldiers (sort of) in it.

Definitely nothing spectacular or new about the movie, although the whole bringing to life of Megan was pretty cool, but it was a predictable but fun watch. The all too predictable part was a definite 80’s cliche’ as well.
 
With the Oscars only hours away, I feel like ranking the Best Picture nominees as I see them. The only one I haven't watched yet is Avatar 2, so this will only be 9 of the 10.

1. Everything Everywhere All at Once - 8.5/10
I was a fan of Swiss Army Man with its quirky and off-the-wall delivery of thoughtfully-crafted themes, but the Daniels took it to the next level with EEAAO by keeping that formula while adding polish and greater accessibility for wider appeal. The thematic side of the narrative was joined with a fun plot and structure. Some strong performances, tight editing, excellent production value with great visuals and sound design... I'm not sure what's missing for those who don't think it's worth all the acclaim.

2. The Fabelmans - 8.5/10
Spielberg will continue being increasingly dismissed by younger (or just more cynical) audiences for excessive sentimentality and pandering, but I think he just understands the value of storytelling that's anchored to the heart. And in terms of craft, The Fabelmans proves he's still every bit the master of blocking, framing, pacing, and general visual storytelling. His coming of age story was compelling, and the demonstration of his love for cinema was inspiring. And that brilliantly playful last shot was just perfect; couldn't help but smile. Would've been a great final shot of his brilliant career, but I'm glad he's not done.

3. Top Gun: Maverick - 8.5/10
Phenomenally entertaining. Sure, it plays safe chords and plucks nostalgia strings, but when it's done this well, it deserves heaps of praise. The straightforwardness of the themes, the mirroring of old story beats, the great (and underrated) cinematography maintaining the sun-soaked signature "Top Gun" aesthetic, and the fully-committed performance from Cruise (and everyone else) combine to make for a popcorn blockbuster more satisfying than any in years - and a way better movie than the original.

4. Tar - 8.5/10
This film does a lot of things well, but it's Cate Blanchett's performance that makes the overall filmmaking seem better than I think it would've appeared with a lesser performance. The themes of megalomania and abuse of power have been handled more adeptly from a screenplay standpoint, but Blanchett is good enough to make it seem as though that isn't true because of how real she makes it all feel. Even cinematography and directing are elevated by her performance because her presence is commanding and magnetic in just about every frame.

5. The Banshees of Inisherin - 8/10
I can't recall a better-acted film where an ensemble of four actors all give what could easily be considered career-best performances. Kerry Condon was the most impressive to me, but that had a lot to do with her role standing out from the other three more aloof characters. The allegory of the splintered friendship aligning with the real-life Irish civil war was clever and well done. There's also plenty of witty dialogue sprinkled throughout. A worthwhile viewing experience, and with the benefit of some amazing scenery, but not one I'll want to revisit much.

6. Triangle of Sadness - 7.5/10
The approach here avoids any attempt at subtlety (which is fine; plenty of laughs come by way of the bluntness), but that means that cleverness needs to exist in either the narrative structure, the plot twists, or via sharp/witty dialogue - and it doesn't really do a stellar (or original) job on any of those fronts, IMO. The strength of the film is the stylishness of its presentation, and that's actually where there's some nuance to be found. Not gonna lie, though, the pooping and puking scenes had me laughing more than any other movie all year. But I'm easy that way.

7. All Quiet on the Western Front - 7.5/10
Outstanding technical merit, but it doesn't offer anything as a war movie that hasn't already been done better before. The "war is hell" theme provides nowhere near the impact of a Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, or plenty of others. Yes, war sucks and ego-driven power ambitions result in barking orders from a comfy ivory tower while innocent soldiers die. Been there cinematically, done that plenty of times. Heck, even where it excels (the technical aspects), it doesn't do anything much better than 1917 did just three years earlier, but minus the long-take gimmick which at least made 1917 more superficially interesting to watch.

8. Elvis - 6.5/10
Austin Butler is great, and the production design and costumes are outstanding in making the various eras seem faithfully represented, but this is a sanitized biopic that glosses over the more controversial (and interesting) aspects of Elvis Presley's life. It plays as nothing more than a reenactment of his greatest career highlights. So, I'd rather just watch the real deal in actual concert footage (and plenty of available backstage footage that has been around for decades for added personality). Also, Tom Hanks gives a laughably cartoonish portrayal of Colonel Parker - which I'm assuming was deliberate, but it's truly ridiculous.

9. Women Talking - 5.5/10
The only way this movie's title could've been more accurate in describing what to expect would be if it had been called, "Audience Sleeping." The visual storytelling is minimal, as almost everything conveyed is via dialogue. There's virtually no dramatic tension. The ultimate decision/resolution ends up being anticlimactic. It almost seems like this book adaptation would play better as a stage play (or just skip the pretense altogether and turn it into a formal lecture to preach from a podium). The points here are mostly for the performances which I thought were all solid enough.
 
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Shazam: Fury of the Gods, 7/10. Cliche but a good film overall. I wish one of the post credit scenes would come true though
 
Really… a better ending for Tony?? That guy got what he deserved.

I’m with you on Carlito. He was a good man who wanted redemption
Really… a better ending for Tony?? That guy got what he deserved.

I’m with you on Carlito. He was a good man who wanted redemption

Tony was definitely a bad guy, but I (and I’m sure many others) found myself rooting for him.
 
Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent
8/10

I was excepting dark indie 80s Cage but this is so much fun!. Cage and Pascal make a great team and I want a sequel with them. Would make a great double bill with Adaptation.

Ghostbusters Afterlife 5/10
What the is this rubbish. So much potential utterly wasted. Worst film Jason Reitman has made by far.

We Have A Ghost 6/10
Cute, inoffensive lite horror. My kids liked it but I prefer Freaky (same director).

Banshees Of Inisherin 7/10
Really disappointing. All that expectation really failed this one. Very superficial. In Bruges says more about male relationships than this award bait.

Deep Red 9/10
Probably Argento’s best along with Suspiria. Amazing soundtrack and camerawork. Watched the longer hybrid which is a bit disconcerting, the film is dubbed English, but the added scenes are Italian with English subtitles.

Shadow Of A Doubt 9/10
One of Hitchcock’s best. Joseph Cotton is an incredibly sly, sinister, villainous uncle. And Teresa Wright is really wonderful, I’m surprised she didn’t have a bigger career.
 
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