Directed by Harold Ramis Groundhog Day is an existential comedy about a grumpy weatherman who must repeat the same unappealing day over and over again until he can figure out the right way to live. This is a premise-driven movie that never wastes time explaining why he's found himself in this time loop. Instead Phil … Continue reading Groundhog Day (1993)
The Merchant of Four Seasons (1972)
Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder Fassbinder's films seem to be about the despicable things we are capable of doing to each other, and in this case it's about the despicable things one man is capable of doing to himself. Hans Epp runs a pear stand with his wife, Irmgard. It's a struggling operation that brings … Continue reading The Merchant of Four Seasons (1972)
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
Directed by David Slade So I've never experienced anything quite like that. I guess a "choose your own adventure" concept is just like a video game, so the novelty might not be as strong with others, but I had a f*ckin' good time 'playing' this movie with a few friends. It's definitely a good communal … Continue reading Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Directed by William Wyler Three soldiers return home after the end of World War II in The Best Years of Our Lives. The title refers to what they've given up as part of their service, and the film focuses on the quiet tragedy of what they've experienced. This is a film that idealizes the individual but … Continue reading The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Three Kings (1999)
Directed by David O. Russell In Three Kings four U.S. soldiers celebrate the end of the Gulf War by hatching a plan to steal Saddam Hussein's gold. They will find a map rolled up in a man's ass and quickly determine what this map signifies. Then the four soldiers of varying ranks head into a small … Continue reading Three Kings (1999)
Post Tenebras Lux (2012)
Directed by Carlos Reygadas This is one of the strangest movies I've ever seen. It's amazing. I knew nothing about Post Tenebras Lux going in, and that's good because no description could prepare you for what this movie is. I'm not even sure what it is, but it's going to be one I have to chew … Continue reading Post Tenebras Lux (2012)
Traffic (2000)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh Traffic is Steven Soderbergh's sprawling epic about drugs, covering the people who sell it, consume it and who try to stop it. The film features an ensemble cast that in some instances never connect. It is the drug trafficking vision of The Longest Day (1962), the massive war film about the D-Day … Continue reading Traffic (2000)
Vice (2018)
Directed by Adam McKay Okay, so a biopic can frame its subject in two ways, it seems: First is a traditional start to finish marathon, starting with the subject's youth and charting their rise until we get to the end. The second is a more narrow focus of an important moment in the subject's life, … Continue reading Vice (2018)
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Directed by Barry Jenkins If Beale Street Could Talk certainly wears its heart on its sleeve. Barry Jenkins' follow up to the Oscar-winning Moonlight seems to pick up where that one left off, opening on two characters as if we've known them our whole lives. They are Tish (Kiki Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James), childhood friends … Continue reading If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Sunshine (2007)
Directed by Danny Boyle "ashes to ashes, stardust to stardust." The Icarus II is sent to reignite a dying sun in Danny Boyle's Sunshine, and yes, there was an Icarus I, and yes the Icarus II crew will come across the distress signal of the Icarus I which hadn't been heard from in seven years. Spooky. … Continue reading Sunshine (2007)
