Apex Predator's Reviews

Oh dear, it's another run from worst to first as I give you my thoughts of every film I saw in 2023. The good, the bad and the ugly, if you will. At some point, I'll have to round things up towards the zeroes as I saw 96 films this year, including a couple that I missed out on in 2022. Got a mix of familiar titles with some you haven't heard of before (some of which can go back to being obscure). Anyway, off we go with the...

TEN WORST FILMS I'VE SEEN IN 2023

96. SURVIVING CHRISTMAS (2014)

Otherwise known as Kirk Cameron's Christmas, this story about how the commercialized version of Christmas is A-OK with the gospel has more in common with Christmas with the Kranks than God's Not Dead. It's not a good film...it requires seven minutes of start and stop openers and a post-credits blooper sequence to make the film feature length. But there's enough unintentional laughs and congeniality here to make the straw man arguments and Oh, of course! counters less ragey than expected. Just don't take hot chocolate away from Kirk...he might need a 12 step program to rid himself of it.

95. A Talking Picture (2003)

My first Manoel de Oliveira film and hopefully they're better than this one. A Portuguese history teacher shows the patience of Job as she answers a zillion questions from her precocious daughter while on a trip to the Mediterreanean before reuniting with her husband (and the kid's father). They end up on a cruise with Captain John (John Malkovich) who converses with several good looking women of a certain age. Although none speak the same language, they somehow understand each other. But what was a film that vibes on multiculturalism quickly devolves into an Islamophobic film replete with lectures and a shock ending. The director could stand to be more like the history professor and the daughter who approach things in other cultures in their proper context without muss or fuss.

94. The Worthy (2016)

The first of multiple Netflix originals I sat through this year. In a dystopian world where food and water are scarce, Eissa finds a community and sources of both in an airplane factory. But their reluctance to trust each other places their worlds in peril when Mussa and his companion reveal their true natures. What could have worked like 10 Cloverfield Lane and It Comes at Night ultimately falters into a bad Saw knockoff with a shallow script and slack direction. Even though both leads have their moments and there are a couple of brutal moments, the film itself isn't worthy enough of anyone's time.


93. The Last Summer (2019)

I might have seen an episode or two of Riverdale. Lead KJ Apa is easy on the eyes. But as the nominal lead in a group of young people in their last summer before college/adulthood, he can't make this group of likable but bland teens work in a film with low stakes and fairly dull plotting. Too many teens to follow and too many storylines kind of blend together into something you might put on the background while doing something more important. The most interesting storyline involves two nerds who put on suits and end up wooing two ad interns in a broker bar. And the reason why one teen wants to get with as many women as he can during the summer is honestly kind of sweet and is handled with some empathy. But despite the presence of Tyler Posey and Gabrielle Anwar, this is one dull summer.

92. Cantinflas (2014)

This biopic of the Mexican comic best known for being David Niven's manservant in the Best Picture winner Around the World in 80 Days doesn't come close to explaining why he was special or even allows his story to remain the focus of the film. More energy is spent on director Mike Todd (Michael Imperioli) and his efforts to get World off the ground with multiple cameos that he expects not to pay for, largely because there's a press conference that he needs to give answers to reporters on in one week. Lead Oscar Jaenada is better in showcasing the humorous, Rich and powerful skewering comedy than he is with more dramatic moments; note the scene towards the end where he is told bad news in a rainstorm. Could have done without the brown face and the casting of Spanish unknowns in the roles of Hollywood legends. A few good moments can't save this one.

91. Grace Quigley (1984)

One of two films I saw for the second time this year. Katherine Hepburn's Grace is an old woman who is rescued from eviction due to Nick Nolte's Seymour killing the landlord. After failing to convince him to kill her to put her out of her misery, Grace gets an idea to enlist Seymour in a business to off her friends who are tired of living miserably themselves. In the hands of Danny De Vito, this could have been a black comedy similar to Ruthless People or Heathers. But thanks to director Anthony Harvey (The Lion in Winter) and writer Martin Zweiback (Me, Natalie/Gorp), threads disappear and tones clash all over the place. Both leads try to do what they can, but outside of a few scenes, the film never lifts off of the ground. Low Point: Hepburn begs for her shoe from a cab driver she gives it to while searching for change in her apartment.

90. Indiscretion of an American Wife (1953)

First of two films from Vittorio De Sica that I saw this year. A married housewife (Jennifer Jones) falls for a hotblooded Italian academic (Montgomery Clift), but she wants to end things so she can go back home to her husband and kids...he's not willing to let go. Solid chemistry from the two leads is thwarted by vicious hacking from David Selznick who cut this film to a whopping 63 minutes! Although there's a couple of good scenes, the relationship never feels like it's fully developed as the couple are overshadowed by other characters in the background such as some priests or fans. And apparently, whoever was in charge never considered that a hotheaded Italian man slapping a woman over an answer he didn't care for screams Get Away and Red Flag in big, red letters.


89. Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (2014)

One of Gena Rowland's last movies is a film adaption of a 2001 play about a conservative Texas widow who hires a gay dance instructor to give her private dance lessons for six weeks. They get off on the wrong foot, naturally, but their relationship goes from antagonistic to something closer to friendship during those six weeks. Gena Rowlands screams class with her performance even when talking about her f me dress; Cheyenne Jackson proves more adept with the drama in the film's second half than the comedy in the broad as a barn door's first. Although a bit heavy on the sentimentality in the latter half, film starts to find its form as the two lead characters realize that they're lost souls more in need of connection than they realize. Shame that they wasted Rita Moreno as a grouchy downstairs neighbor and Jacki Weaver as a potential client in search for action outside of the dance floor.

88. Big George Foreman (2023)

Ignore the big subtitle that proves to be a bad spoiler for the film itself. Just concentrate on the fact that this won't serve as a good biopic of the boxer who found ways to re-invent himself in the second half of his life. It wastes a good three act story which George actually lived on a pedestrian script which insists on pounding home the found faith me$$age and various boxing and biopic cliches. Lead Khris Davis starts to find his rhythm in the film's second half which allows him to showcase some humor. Forest Whitaker makes for a solid trainer/voice of reason and Sullivan Jones manages to capture the charisma and quips of Muhammad Ali. But the film can't get boxing right (outside of the physicality of the sport), there are bad takes on Howard Cosell and Johnny Carson, and John Magaro as a guy from the Corps who becomes his accountant is largely wasted. Oh, and because this is done with the cooperation of Big George himself, don't expect too much of the dark side of Foreman to Pop up here.

87. Carmen (2021)

The main character played by Natascha McElhone loses her priest brother and her primary purpose in the church. But she finds her life freeing for the first time in a film that wants to remind you of Eat Pray Love, Gloria and Juanita. But a lot of the conflict is brushed off and its attempts at being quirky fall flat more often than not. McElhone does the best she can at trying to free the frozen lamb in her chest while the film gently pokes fun at religious bureaucracy. But their attempts at reaching both goals are only intermittently successful.

Next Up: The Dishonorable Mentions

Dishonorable Mentions:

86. Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

I might have seen a solid number of horror films heading into the original and it still managed to give me a good fright at the dinner room scene. Much like the Michael Myer-less Halloween 3, TCM 2 decides to mix things up by leaning heavily on the camp side of things. Some of it works (Hopper's scenes start to become nuttier the later the film is), but too much of it doesn't (Bill Moseley's character quickly becomes annoying here). Caroline Williams does a solid job of screaming and that scene where the two chainsaws duel like lightsabers plays off like a finely tuned ballet, but too much of it just falls flat.

85. Women Talking (2022)

The idea behind Women Talking is a grabber: a group of women who cannot read or write have to decide what to do with a group of men jailed for drugging and sexually assaulting women. The options are to apologize to the men and stay, stick around and fight for what is right, or walk away and be excommunicated and expelled from the colony. The execution? Sadly lacking as everything comes across as over the top and stagey. Although I can approve of some of the decisions made by Sarah Polley (the timing of the humor and the use of Daydream Believer in the film), others such as the decision to fade out the color and placing the film in the middle of America...not so much. PS: acknowledging a minor character by their preferred name in the third act after ignoring them for the first two is not a pivotal moment.


84. The Unknown Saint (2019)

Years after being arrested, a thief returns to his loot where he had buried it and disguised it as a grave only to find that it's now a sacred mausoleum and key point to a small and growing town. The denizens of this town are so quirky such as the barber who crafts gold teeth and saves the best shaving cream for customers who ask and a security guard who prefers his trusted dog to his own son. The result is a few good laughs and general confusion in part due to the scattered narrative and in part due to the lighting issues had by setting a lot of it at night. It might have been a festival favorite, but it didn't click with me that much.

83. The Black Sleep (1956)

A brain surgeon saves a former student from being hung on a false murder conviction. But for what reason? Basil Rathbone does what he can with the script which has moments of potential such as giving his character some depth and an appropriately chaotic finale. But it wastes a solid supporting cast in Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr. and Tor Johnson. And it plays more like a talkie film and less like an horror film. Despite a nice opening sequence involving an Indian potion that puts the protagonist in a deathlike state, The Black Sleep doesn't live up to it. Oh, and the protagonist's name? Dr. Gordon Ramsey! Yeah, this film needed some of the lamb sauce.

82. Murder Mystery 2 (2023)

Presumably after their success with solving the crime in the first film, Nick and Audrey Spitz launch their own agency. But they're struggling so when a case of kidnapping threatens a wedding between one of their friends and Claudette (hi, Melanie Laurent!), they leap into the fray. While being drawn to the cheese (!), they become the prime suspects after people start turning up dead. Leads Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston do better with the patter than they do with the action sequences. Director Jeremy Garelick keeps the movie zipping through its 90 minute runtime and offers a couple of interesting set-pieces. But the mystery element is clearly lacking as anyone not named Nick and Audrey doesn't have enough to do. As long as you don't think of this as a reboot of the Thin Man films, it might make for a fun rainy day watch.

81. Deadly Invitation (2023)

Back to back Netflix original movies that try to replicate the magic of Glass Onion...this one comes across as more of a Mexican spinoff of Murder, She Wrote...Murder, She Podcasted? A true crime podcaster is invited to a shindig in a yacht hosted by her half sister who implies that she'll die that night. Voila, and suddenly everyone is a suspect. Because of a broken antenna, a local cop decides to let her cook to us what is going on. The film has a nice, breezy tone with breathtaking scenery, an intriguing score and a solid turn from lead Regina Blandon who takes what could have been an annoying character and turns her into someone who you want to root for. But don't look for a lot of depth to the mystery; much like Murder Mystery 2, it lacks the punch you need to take it to the next level. Maybe they can be enjoyed as a double-header?

80. Subway (1985)

Luc Besson's After Hours? Lead character Fred escapes to the bowels of Paris's subway system after cracking open a safe and befriends a purse snatching thief and the wife of a rich man he just robbed. But both the cops and the rich guy's stylish thugs want retribution. Isabelle Adjani is intriguing whether trashing a police office or shredding a stuffy mansion party. Jean Reno, although underused, showcases the charisma and drumming skills that hint at better things to come. Alas, Christopher Lambert's spiky hair has more character and better acting than he does in the blank lead role. Throw in an unconvincing ending and odd instrumental music which features a Seinfeldian score to punctuate a thriller scene (!) and it's clear that there's more style than substance here.

79. Noah (2014)

Russell Crowe is well cast as the biblical character who must trust God when he says build it before the flood comes. The score is fine and the cinematography is pretty good. Throw in a solid supporting cast (Jennifer Connolly, Anthony Hopkins and Ray Winstone) and a few cool sequences (Noah explaining the Creation story to his kids) and what's not to like? Blame a slapdash script that tries to connect the religious and secular threads into a coherent storyline and poky pacing from Darren Aronofsky. The end result tries to have it multiple ways and convincingly handles it poorly.



78. Farewell Topsails (1937)

Snuck in a 9 minute short into Jabba's Film Challenge. The result is a passable look at a schooner's final days as it transports clay from Cornwall to London. The accordion music adds a nice touch as it reminds us that life has passed the boat by. But the narration feels a bit too over the top for what the film is about. It would have been nice to interview some of the workers on board, maybe?

77. Endless? (2018)

Iranian film tackles the difficult subject of dowry deaths, but perhaps not as effectively as it could have. It takes most of the runtime to explain this to the viewer as the protagonist mourns her daughter's death and talks to her visions of the dead daughter. Points for the attempt, but a sluggish pace and muted payoff keep the film more on the potential side rather than the realized side of things.

Next Time: Starting with the Middle

I had seen this back in the mid-to-late 80s and forgot about it. Then I saw it a couple few years after I first saw TCM in about 1996, so maybe '98, and I hated it. Because TCM is such a masterpiece. But then I was pushed repeatedly by members of the forum of that time, some of whom are here now, to give TCM2 a chance. And I did.
And I really liked it. I really felt like it was a different style of filmmaking on the same material - by the same guy. And it's really, to me, a lot like Gremlins 2. A much more satirical turn on a something that was unique to begin with. I like it.

I do get the comparisons to Gremlins 2. I just thought that film was more effective and consistent in securing its laughs. While TCM2 to me was more scattershot.

Still 2 out of 5 isn't a terrible rating for a movie. Just in comparison to the first one, it is a big drop. Perhaps I have a thing against horror films being turned into comedies? I think I have somewhat similar issues to Army of Darkness.

And for years I was with you and maybe it's because I had decided it was trash that when I was cajoled into re-watching it it came out smelling much better.

76. The Mummy (1932)

Boris Karloff is most of the show in this first of two Universal Horror classics I saw in '23. He can intimidate most of the cast with just an intense, withering look. Although Zita Johann registers as the woman who may or may not be the reincarnation of the Egyptian princess that Imhotep/Ardeth Bay is looking for, most of the rest of the cast is blown away. Not helping matters is that too much of The Mummy is talk and not enough of it is action. Karloff and Karl Freund's spooky atmosphere can only take this one so far.

75. Balkan Spy (1984)

In this absurdist comedy that may or may not be a commentary on Communism, lead character Ilija becomes obsessed with proving that his subtenant is a spy and an enemy of the state which wrecks havoc on his life and his family. Some of the funny parts click such as pratfalls and a scene where the lead character, his brother and four other relatives walk down the street like badasses. Some parts do not such as the constantly singing neighbors and the lead's degradation of his wife. When she defends him to her daughter later on in the film, I thought why bother. It's somewhat dated, but there are some laughs to be had.

74. The Naked Island (1960)

As the lone inhabitants of a small island, a family of four struggle to make ends meet irrigating and growing crops. Not sure if making the film without dialogue was a bug or a feature; hearing the sea and some instrumental music while watching this did get me under its spell at times. Particularly effective is one sequence where they look lost in the big city where they sold fish and the film highlights the difference between the big city's hustle and bustle and their mundane lives. Low point: the husband strikes the wife for losing a bucket of water...water might be scarce, but she puts in as much time as he does with the fields and the family.

73. Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (2014)

If you think the Iranian trial system in A Separation is the worst cinematic test, Gett points to getting a divorce in a rabbinical court in Israel as being just as bad, if not worse. Over the course of five years (!), she goes through the wringer jumping through more legal hoops than most people would deem as necessary. Alas, it lacks the compelling story of A Separation and forces its protagonist too often to the sidelines. Although it comes alive with some good speeches at times, Gett has more in common with Denial than it does say, A Few Good Men.

72. Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)

I was going to watch 80 for Brady, but my Kindle refused to start the movie for me. However, it had no problem with this one...maybe it was a sign? Anyway, don't worry if you haven't seen part 1, they explain what happened before taking you to four women of a certain age (Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steeenburgen) as they decide to go on a girls trip to Italy. There are probably too many double entendres for the four women to have to endure in one film and a sequence involving road trouble and a cop who may or may not be a stripper that is just embarrassing. Having said that, Giancarlo Giannini kicks things up a notch when he shows up as a cop who spends too much time with the quartet. The Italian scenery is nice to look at. And the chemistry between the characters clicked with some laughs and a little heart. Has it been nearly 30 years since The First Wives Club? Not eager for a part 3, but Book Club 2 takes a few baby steps forward.

71. Black Peter (1964)

Milos Forman cooks up a Czech teen dramedy as lead teen Petr faces a lot of problems that are fairly universal: facing pressure from others, needing a little liquid courage to ask a girl to dance, dealing with parents who struggle to understand, working a job with a difficult environment. Ladislav Jakim is a bit bland as the lead. It doesn't help that Petr spends more times reacting to things rather than doing them. The film is stolen by Vladimir Pulchot as a mason apprentice who doesn't see eye to eye with Petr at first. The script is solid, giving both teens and adults alike some complexity. Be careful with the volume that you greet someone with A-Hoy!

70. American Graffiti (1973)

On the last night before going their separate ways, a group of teens decide to go down cruising the strip. Meanwhile, everyone faces their own challenges: one teen second guesses whether he should leave everyone behind in going to college, a longtime couple debate calling it quits, a nerdy friend in charge of a nice automobile tries to keep it together as a more experienced woman drags him into her orbit, and a drag racer deals with an unwanted youth while waiting on a challenge from a cocky newcomer. Although director George Lucas manages a smart pace, his decision to use a wall to wall soundtrack of 1950s and 1960s music drowns out the likable but bland characters. Some parts of the story are more compelling (Terry's attempts to win over Debbie; John and Carol's changing dynamics), but you're better off getting the soundtrack...even without Wolfman Jack who adds some punch to his scenes on the radio.

69. The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)

Otto Preminger is used to breaking taboos in his movies. Frank Sinatra is used to breaking hearts as a member of the Rat Pack. But at the end of the day, both deserved better than this film. As Frankie Machine, Sinatra puts his all into the role of a recovered junkie and card dealer who tries to go straight back on the streets of Chicago with his newly discovered drumming abilities. But a mob boss, his drug dealer and a resentful wheelchair bound wife just want the old Frankie back. Lovable loser Sparrow and supportive friend Molly are glad to see him back. But what side will Frankie choose? Sinatra deserved his Oscar nomination for the scene where he tries to clean up from a fix cold turkey. Novak looks like she will have a promising future here. But Golden Arm has a cheaply made for TV play look that it can't overcome. As his wife, Eleanor Parker has a grating performance. And the climax of the film is underwhelming.

68. The Public Enemy (1931)

Yes, this is the film where James Cagney grinds a grapefruit into the face of a soon to be ex! It's pre-Hayes code so also look for a scene where the chief mob boss's wife seduces Cagney's Tom into a night of pleasure. Essentially, it's a good person/bad person melodrama where the good guy joins the Marines and mixes work and studying while the bad guy commits petty crimes with his good friend before joining the Mafia. Along with Cagney, good performances come from Edward Powers as Matt, the kind of good friend anyone would love to have and Leslie Fenton as the charismatic mob boss who becomes Tom and Matt's direct employer. Most of the women are either supportive or antagonistic with little else to do. The main exception is a somewhat miscast Jean Harlow as Tom's last girlfriend...she's definitely a dynamo. If Goodfellas is a mob movie at its most idiosyncratic, The Public Enemy is a mob film at its most basic.

67. The Pope's Exorcist (2023)

Do we need exorcists anymore? The Pope's Exorcist argues in the affirmative as long as they ride Vespas, swill Whiskey out of a flask, tell jokes and wield crosses like a gun. Russell Crowe adds another everyman character to his arsenal as Father Gabriel Amorth who heads to Spain to save a possessed young boy of a family who is restoring an inherited old Abbey (can't you just sell them sight unseen and save yourself the trouble?). Although Crowe's Italian accent is shaky, I appreciated that the film placed everyone in peril and watching stereo prayers from Amorth and another local priest is kind of cool. They do take their own sweet time in saving him (even though time is of the essence) and big revelations are kind of brushed off. Still I'd be down for a part 2 if the story is tightened up.

66. Still Alice (2014)

Julianne Moore deservedly won an Oscar for her role as a Columbia linguistics professor who forgets a word in her lecture here and loses track of where she's running to one day. But despite the efforts of Alec Baldwin and Kristen Stewart, too much of Still Alice plays like a tony Lifetime-esque film about early onset Alzheimers and the toll it takes on Alice and her family. They're well to do, so they can afford to hash things out in big beach houses and get the best doctors available. Baldwin's husband has to decide between caring for his wife and looking out for his own life and career. Although it most avoids turning into a weeper, it still feels like some missed opportunities particularly in bringing up how it can skip a generation only to forget it a few minutes later.

65. The Single Mom's Club (2014)

After a decade of largely bringing forth his plays into filmed adaptions, Tyler Perry takes a few minor steps forward with this original film. After three girls are caught smoking and two boys are caught drawing graffiti, a group of five single mothers with various life issues are roped into decorating for a school dance to keep their kids enrolled. Although there's some conflict in the early going, they start to form a bond which not only helps them to solve some of their problems but they also find themselves with several eligible men who might make their lives easier. For a Tyler Perry film, this might be the calmest, most rational film yet as both melodrama and slapstick are placed on the back burner. Although there a sequence of double entendres going between Amy Smart's mom and Ryan Eggold's handyman which may be the spiciest I've seen from one of his films, the dubious message of "Ladies, I know you can raise these kids on our own. But wouldn't it be easier to have a man's help along the way?" comes through loud and clear. Still, after Temptation, I'll take this!

Next: Russell Crowe sings. Liam Neeson does his thing. And not one, but two war movies!

64. Les Miserables (2012)

People lied to me. Russell Crowe isn't a particularly horrible singer, at least not here. There's no sense of drama and emotion in the vocals...but at least he's not off-tune like Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia! The disappointment is Hugh Jackman; he seems more content to lay back and let the film and songs come to him instead of seizing the day. Anne Hathaway deservedly won here for I Dreamed a Dream: this musical's version of And I Am Telling You That I'm Not Going. For better or worse, director Tom Hooper brings in all the songs from the musical which leaves it being overstuffed. But you can't accuse the film of being stuck on stage and some talented musicians (Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveit) and an occasional actor (Eddie Redmayne!) is able to bring it home. Most miscast: a street urchin who looks and sounds like he wandered from Oliver Twist.

63. Dracula Untold (2014)

Honestly, it feels more inspired by the Underworld movies than it does the Bram Stoker classic. But there's some slivers of originality: the lead character is Vlad the Impaler (Luke Evans) and he's a family man in this one. Director Gary Shore is able to keep the pace up for a full 90 minutes with chaotic battle scenes and solid cinematography. In addition, the film gets able support from Charles Dance as the master vampire. But the suspense is ruined when one character gives the plot away with an hour to spare and there are times when the film lacks logic. Still if you have an hour and a half to kill, Dracula Untold can make the time fly by.

62. 7 Women and a Murder (2021)

When Margherita is in a film, I'll Buy seeing it. Sorry for the pun. In this loose remake of Francois Ozon's 8 Women, Susanna makes a trip to see her family where a blizzard is going on outside and inside, there's a dead body of the family patriarch (Buy plays the matriarch, by the way). But whodunnit? They take their time solving it while making a three course Christmas dinner like a boss. Another Glass Onion inspired film has solid pacing and a few decent laughs. But the characters tend to be somewhat slight and the wrapup is unsatisfying. Nothing substantial here, but you could do worse if you're seeking a light and frothy film.

61. Cold Pursuit (2019)

Another Liam Neeson goes Charles Bronson vehicle. But there's a dark undercurrent of humor present as a snowplow driver searches for the people responsible for his son's death. Perhaps because this is a remake of In Order of Disappearance? The same director for that one did this one as well which means the film is off-kilter at times and there's a clever tracker of every character who meets their maker that pops up. The villain reminded me more of Ben Shapiro than someone who could ooze intimidation and the women (Laura Dern, Emmy Rossum) don't have enough to do. The end result is a watchable film that entertains at times, but not quite enough to fully recommend it.

60. Delicious (2021)

From France, another entry in the increasingly popular F the Rich genre. A terminated chef to a French Duke sees a chance at redemption when he teaches a woman to cook in the countryside. Although, it turns out she has her own reasons to become culinary capable. But while working together, they come up with an unexpected idea. Although the creation of the first restaurant in France isn't a concept that grabs you, the film has a painterly appearance that looks good. Lead Gregory Gadebois reminded me of Gerard DePardieu in the sense that you can see women being charmed by him and the film does take its time in moving the relationship between the chef and the eager woman. The Duke and his group of foodies feel like solid despicable villains, but the film never really goes for broke. I can see people who could really get into this, but I'm not that person.

59. American Sniper (2014)

This biopic of Chris Kyle is a mixed bag. There are a couple of intense war scenes and a couple scenes when Kyle is having scenes play in his head and freaks out at a birthday party. Bradley Cooper's performance is well done here. But director Clint Eastwood isn't shy about painting the war in black and white terms (look for a sympathetic Iraqi outside of a translator) or using weapons and American flags in a shameless Michael Bay fashion. And I have no idea why they used an obvious fake baby for a scene when a real one was needed. It just came across as sloppy, something that I'd expect from a first time director not an Oscar winner like Eastwood. If it had spent more time on the cost paid by veterans of overseas wars both on the battlefield and off, it would have been a better film.

58. 20th Century Girl (2022)

One of two films I finished that I started in 2022. A Korean teen girl tries to woo a popular student on behalf of her friend who is in America for a heart transplant. But the second half takes some twists and turns as the story goes to some unexpected places. If you can handle the melodramatic second half and some jarring tone shifts, the film is moderately effective and moving at the climax. A decent way to spend time at the end of the day as long as you don't expect too much.

57. A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora's Box (1995)

If you enjoyed Stephen Chow in Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle, here's another one right up your alley. He's willing to do anything for a laugh whether it is taking painful shots or throwing out quick witted one liners. Although the film is wildly incomprehensible at times, I'll give director Jeffrey Lau credit for blending Chinese mythology with time travel in a way which made the film bewildering and interesting in the same time. Perhaps I should make my way to see Part Two?

56. All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

A group of Germans make their way towards World War 1 only to have their innocence shattered one bullet, one death at a time. Meanwhile, German leaders far away have to make a tough decision forced on them by the French rulers. Director Edward Berger does not glamorize the war. Both lead Thomas Kammerer as a fresh faced newbie and Albrecht Schuch as a veteran soldier who does his best to help the newcomers survive are solid. But I just couldn't fully get into it. Maybe because I've seen enough of the War is Hell movies that this didn't stand out. Or maybe because it's one of those films where the action is brutal but the actors somehow still look like they're dirty in the right way? It's a well done film, but no scene really stands out long after the credits roll.

55. Cairo Station (1958)

My experiences with Egyptian comedies has been less than inspiring. But after this drama, maybe I've been looking at the wrong genre? Essentially a love triangle between a lowly newspaper porter, a pretty soda seller and a luggage porter who is trying to unionize his workers, Cairo Station tries to test the limits of Egyptian cinema with looks at gender violence, unions, sexual repression, and mental illness in the span of 73 minutes. Female lead Hind Rostum reminded me of Sophia Loren in Scandal in Sorrento, definitely a memorable turn. Although Station's ambitions run across two issues in execution: its short run time means not everything is dealt with adequately and the culture which means the topics are dealt with inconsistently, there's enough here that I might need to see other films like this in the future.

54. Elvis (2022)

Austin Butler does a good job personifying the King's charisma. Director Baz Luhrmann uses split screens effectively and shows a nice use of needle drops (the Memphis mafia walking to Viva Las Vegas). And the supporting cast of actors and musicians is solid (Richard Roxburgh, Olivia DeJonge, Kodi Smit-McPhee for the former; Gary Clark Jr., Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Shonka Dukureh for the latter). Kind of wish I saw more of Harrison Jr.'s BB King and Smit-McPhee as Hank Snow's son. But the decision made to have Tom Hanks's Colonel Tom Parker tell the story was a mixed bag. I could buy Hanks as a conman (perhaps a nod towards Catch Me If You Can?), but that accent just didn't work. And it leads to a sluggish pace at times as there's a little too much conversation and not enough action. And although I know it's based on real life, the second half too often comes across as a variation of Behind the Music. The end result is a decent musical biopic that gets the music and visuals right, but the story flaws hold it back.


53. Derren Brown: Miracle (2016)

Fascinating, if a bit flawed. Miracle is a stage show where British illusionist Brown talks about changing the lives of other people by changing the narrative before doing a few magic tricks that illustrate the point. Then the last third is spent on faith healing and its effects on the mind and the body. Probably his most ethical special psychologically, in the sense that it doesn't feel manipulative. The people chosen feel authentic and not planted by the illusionist. Even though there's a sequence where he convinces a woman to eat glass from a broken light bulb, it's in service of his message of not letting fear overcome your abilities to do something. The pacing could be better and the focus could be tighter, but it was an entertaining special that might allow you to pick something up along the way.

Next: We got everything here! Killer dolls, teen Aussie bikers, questionable conductors and Kate Hepburn in Venice!

52. The Fast and the Furious (1954)

I first became aware of this title in Fibbage 4 (!), but unlike most movie clips they use, the film itself isn't bad. A solid B picture about a truck driver on the lam and a female race car driver who become reluctant allies in a race that might help him escape to Mexico, but complications ensue. Good performances from John Ireland (who also directed) and Dorothy Malone and a zippy pace help overcome its flaws namely its need to shoehorn a possible romance into the mix considering it all began when the truck driver kidnapped her! Definitely this is one worth watching...and it's fairly short to boot!

51. Barbara (2012)

A Cinema International entry that I missed the first time. Nina Hoss plays the titular character, a doctor sent to a country hospital as punishment for applying for a visa to West Germany. She remains largely to herself at work and at home with her only visitors being the Stasi when they don't know where she's been. While her supervisor tries to get her to open up, she also has a lover in West Germany ultimately leading to a difficult decision. Director Christian Peltzold keeps us much like Barbara, inside a paranoid atmosphere where we're unsure who to trust in East Germany. But by keeping us in arm's distance, it mutes the climax and the payoff. At least Barbara has a good lead performance and a solid director to make this recommendable.

50. Listen Up Philip (2014)

When I sought help with the 2014 project, I got this recommended to me by both Rotten Tomatoes and here. And it's a solid film. A misanthropic writer doesn't want to do publicity for his second book and he's losing his girlfriend who's getting tired of his shenanigans, so when his idolized author allows him to stay in his country estate, of course he says yes. Director Alex Ross Perry isn't afraid to make lead characters unlikable and in Phillip and reclusive author Ike, they're two peas in one pod. While you'll want to yell at Philip as he is all but ready to make the same mistakes that Ike made in his life, you'll applaud Ashley as she starts to remake her life with the help of a cat and a few close friends. There are some insights for those who want to see them, but I think the potential is there for Perry to make a great film. Although this isn't it, it's certainly good enough to recommend.

49. Unbroken (2014)

Angelina Jolie takes the director's chair for this perfectly fine story of one man surviving atrocities at a Japanese prisoner of war camp nearly a decade after reaching the Olympic Games in Berlin. Jack O'Connell has a solid performance as Louis Zamperini and Miyavi makes a memorable turn as a hissable leader of the camp. With a nice supporting cast, this is pretty much a standard 7 out of 10 film. No more and no less.

48. M3gan (2022)

So this is Child's Play mixed with Grok? Although Gemma (Alison Williams) is tasked with creating a new version of a popular pet toy, she has secretly been working on a child sized humanoid doll powered by artificial intelligence called...you know the title. While trying to convince her hard-nosed boss that this will be a winner for toy company Funki (lol), she also has to raise Cady, a child that Gemma became a legal guardian of after her parents died in a snowplow accident. But thanks to having to work longer hours, Gemma makes the unfortunate decision of allowing M3gan to help raise Cady. Cue Ian Malcolm and his warning. Is this a film about the dangers of artificial intelligence or about how far parental standards have slid in the last few decades? Could it be both? Thanks to director Gerard Johnstone, there are humorous moments in this film. But he had the blend of horror and comedy handled better in his last film Housebound. And there's a general lack of surprises to the script, something Housebound had in spades. But there's enough of a spark here that allows this one to be a solid horror comedy.

47. Taste of Cherry (1997)

Sorry Roger, but you're wrong about this one like you were wrong about The Thing. A story about a middle aged Iranian man driving around Tehran looking for someone to do a job with a substantial payment. The task: lift him up from an open grave if he's alive in the morning and bury him if he's not. He asks several people to help him and the back and forth between them makes up most of the film. This is for those who want a thoughtful character study and rumination on what life is about. Still haven't gotten on board with the ending, though...it still feels like a cheat.

46. BMX Bandits (1983)

Although I would have loved seeing this at 13, even at 51 I found this film to be fun. Three teens with a love of BMX bikes find some walkie-talkies that belong to some bank robbers. Although both the wannabe crooks and the cops want them, the kids cook up an idea that could save the day for everyone (except the baddies, of course). It stays on the right side of fun without being too menacing and age appropriate with bikes and bad horror movies as opposed to a love triangle. Throw in some zippy bike riding, color that pops and an attitude that sticks it to adults (even though some of the cops are amused by their antics) and you got a nice WarGames meets Rad film that should be a cult classic. Oh, and this is also Nicole Kidman's debut!

45. Summertime (1955)

Another year, another David Lean film (last year, it was Lawrence of Arabia and yeah!). This time, it's the story of an Akron spinster who heads to Venice in search of the famous sites and finds herself befriending a widow, a street kid and an antiques dealer who may or may not be a match for her. Star Katherine Hepburn is an unusual choice as the spinster, but she makes this work. The same thing can be said for David Lean, who clearly has the skills for epic stories, but is able to make Venice come alive and takes the play at its core and makes that come alive. And there's some solid chemistry between Hepburn and dealer Rossano Brazzi which makes that part work as well. If they had just worked through some subplots that they suddenly decided to drop, this might have been a very good slice of life/romantic drama instead of merely a solid one.

44. Tar (2022)

Cate Blanchett is superb as Lydia Tar, a complex woman who may be having some major wins coming up in her conducting career with a book and a live performance on the way. But she also faces some challenges that could threaten everything and everyone she loves. Todd Fields allows us to dive into the world of Tar which allows us to see the many sides of her: conductor, lesbian, survivor, and perhaps predator? Although Fields keeps the film moving, I feel like it could have been edited tighter. A scene involving her conversation with her brother clunks thanks to the actor's weak performance. It also seemingly parrots some conservative talking points; perhaps seeing more of Nina Hoss's Sharon might have helped with that. But despite the overlength, the film does nail the final scene.

43. Koyaanisqatsi (1982)

And now for something completely different: a film without narration or dialogue. This documentary focuses on how the modern world and technology has taken over the natural landscapes of Earth. Set to Phillip Glass's interesting score, this visually trippy movie had me under its spell for a while. But the film was a bit heavy handed in its message which kept this one from scoring higher.

42. Dead & Buried (1981)

A horror film about a sheriff to a beleaguered New England town who wants to know why the visitors are being killed. I'm kind of being vague here because this is one of those films where the less you know about it, the better it'll hit. The film has a nice murky atmosphere, Jack Albertson makes the most of his last performance as a town mortician and the film plays almost like a Twilight Zone mini-marathon. If they had hit the finale or tightened up the loose plotlines in the script, this might have been as good as Society was. It's still a pretty good film anyways.

41. Beau Travail (1999)

Somewhat overrated (top 10 film of all time?) but still pretty good film of a foreign legion officer who worships his boss but his relationship with a new soldier threatens everything he knows and loves. Clair Denis has a sharp eye for the rugged African landscape and isn't afraid to showcase the world of erotic masculinity whether the soldiers ate, drilled or laid down. In one particular sequence, officer Galoup and newbie Sentain were circling each other in what felt like a dance between them that could have ended in several different ways. I'm not sure whether it was the lack of plot or a lack of depth to the other characters that kept this one from taking off for me, but I did find the ending to be solid.

Next Time: A little bit of everything with a gilded prisoner, two loners who learn to believe in others, the quest for the Oprah shot and a singer becomes a pretty good actress.

40. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)

I was unimpressed with the first Minions movie. Although there was the initial sugar high of the concept and the use of Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm as villains, the film ran out of gas midway through when the story vanished. It did leave on a high note when they met Gru for the first time.

I say this because Minions 2 is a lot better film than the first one. By raising the stakes and turning the focus more on Gru, the team behind this film solves a lot of the problems that Minions 1 suffered from. The pacing is solid and the jokes fly (some land, some do not). Kudos to new voices Taraji P. Henson as the chief baddie and Michelle Yeoh as an acupuncturist turned kung Fu master. Although the minions spend a decent portion on the sidelines as Gru focuses on his hero bad guy played by Alan Arkin, the film looks good as it depicts the swinging 70s with both its fashion and its music (which gets a jolt from modern artists performing covers). Maybe the franchise isn't on its last legs says the person who didn't seen DM3 or DM4 yet. I hope they do a spinoff film with Nun-chuck (Lucy Lawless)!


39. An Ostrich Told Me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe It (2022)

A young telemarketer has a life-changing conversation with a talking ostrich about how the world around him seems to be off and he decides to solve the mystery in this short. Although it's a tad predictable, the film is also charming and clever as well. It's definitely worth seeking out.

38. Black Girl (1966)

Diouana is a Senegalese woman seeking a better life for herself. She agrees to take care of a French couple's children which allows her to make money for not a lot of work and still have time to hang out with her boyfriend at night. But she decides to head to France to continue working with the couple there not aware of what that entails or what it might do to her well-being. Although the pace is a bit leisurely, the symbolism of the film is striking. You feel for the lead character and her plight as she's given up her freedom in exchange for being humiliated by Madame and some party-goers. She wants to see what the French shops are like, but they're just out of reach as she has to work 24/7 for her bosses. Short and well done!

37. Lilies of the Field (1963)

Although the film deserves criticism for how it deals with race issues and how Homer is treated by the German nuns and white supervisor at times, Lilies works best as a meditation of faith and the happy accidents and lucky breaks along the way that lead to miracles being answered. As Homer, Sidney Poitier is superb whether he's engaging in a sing-along with the nuns, making things work with what he has or complaining to a sympathetic diner owner about his frustrations. As the mother superior, Lilia Skala acquits herself nicely. And the Ralph Nelson direction keeps the film moving solidly.

36. The Wolf Man (1941)

Compared to the anemic Mummy, The Wolf Man has plenty of film to sink your teeth into. Perhaps it's the looming sense of tragedy involving Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.) as he makes a couple of life-changing mistakes. Chaney may struggle some with the more dramatic moments, but he is able to provide a compelling sense of sadness about himself. Claude Rains plays the sort of father who just wants the best for his son and refuses to believe that he would harm a person. Bela Lugosi also shows up as a Gypsy fortuneteller in a vital cameo. It's interesting that the Gypsy characters here are treated relatively respectfully by the film. As the fortuneteller tries to warn a character while telling a woman's fortune and a female Gypsy tries to help Talbot with his situation. In contrast, the townspeople are prone to gossip and turn people into pariahs. Overall, this makes a good case to finish behind Frankenstein in the Universal Horror rankings.

35. A Man Called Ove (2015)

Accept no substitutions. As much as I should have considered seeing the Tom Hanks remake, something tells me it wouldn't have the same sort of impact as the Swedish original. A grumpy man named Ove fancies himself a stickler for the rules of a homeowners association, holds a grudge against the man who took over his spot as leader and misses his wife who died of cancer months before. But his new neighbor and her family places him in spots he doesn't want to be in, but perhaps they can restore his zest for life? Director Hannes Holm is able to blend some dark humor with a sentimental streak effectively without overdoing it. Rolf Lassgard is able to find the humanity of Ove who seems gruff on the surface, but does have a good heart inside. This story about a life well lived is a film well made.

34. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

I am not usually into romantic comedies. But despite some predictability, I found myself drawn into the world of Rachel as she finds out her boyfriend Nick is the heir to a wealthy Singapore family as they attend a wedding for one of his good friends. While she tries to fit in with his family, she gets help from a college friend and the rainbow sheep of the family. This wedding is hella expensive...at one point, the Young family buy a gong just so they can ring it largely just because they could. But director John Chu never loses sight for the humanity of Rachel, Nick and the entire family including determined mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh, proving her versatility for me in 2023). As long as Awkwafina and Nico Santos are in for round 2, I may upgrade to see this in a theater.

33. Nope (2022)

A brother and sister try to keep their struggling horse ranch alive as the owner of a theme park hides a dark past involving his childhood. But one day, a strange cloud appears in the sky and causes everyone to think. There's a nice, lived in chemistry between Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer as brother and sister. Meanwhile, Steven Yuen manages to grab and hold your attention as the theme park owner. Much like what he did with Get Out, Peele is able to ratchet up the tension of the film as it gets more scary while also proving to be good at releasing it when something funny happens. There's a couple good action set pieces and the sound design is well thought out. And the film seems to be saying things about the dangers of pursuing fame such as the Oprah shot. Although there's a couple scenes where the execution can't quite match the ambition, Nope proves that there is room for intelligent blockbusters out there.

32. Kanal (1957)

Difficult but effective anti-war movie about a Polish company who are told to elude the Nazis through a long sewer system filled with gas. One character here compares the task to descending into Dante's Inferno, which is fair! Most of the characters are treated with some respect which allows you to get drawn into their grim world and concern for their well-being. I wish the narrator was a bit more ambiguous at the beginning, but if you're up for a film that dives into war and what it does to the people fighting it, then Kanal is worth your time.

31. A Star is Born (2018)

A story of a country singer's descent from fame and fortune to misery as a waitress and her musical talent rises to the top of the industry has been told multiple times. But thanks to Bradley Cooper's direction, he's able to have good chemistry with Lady Gaga who also showcases her acting chops here (unexpectedly). There are some solid musical numbers as well (Shallow, of course but the song she sings at the end is well done). The story and music starts to slide in the second half, but if you've gone this far, you'll make it to the end. Cooper also gets solid turns from Dave Chappelle (!) and Andrew Dice Clay (!!!) as well as Sam Elliott. I'm pretty sure they could have talked Ally into censoring the word ass for Saturday Night Live.

Next Time: Madness, Singing Gunfighters, Dogfighting, A Cat fearing the End, Fibonacci sequences and Garlic mincing. This next run has it all!

30. Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1972)

Apparently, the filming of this movie was almost as insane as the plot itself. While a group of conquistadors make their way to the legendary city of El Dorado in search of gold, a man has his own plans of conquest and makes a risky play to take over the group. You can see and feel the endless quest for power from the eyes and voice of Klaus Kinski as the plotter. Director Werner Herzog does a good job of depicting life in 1500's Peru as they go through the days winning over converts and moving through lush landscapes. There's a nice scene towards the end featuring dozens of monkeys on a boat.

29. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

And now for something completely different: a Netflix film that actually tries! From the Coen brothers, an anthology of multiple people trying to survive in the post-Civil War West. You got a singing cowboy gunfighter, a cowboy who decides to rob a bank with interesting results, a prospector searching for gold outside of a creek, a legless British storyteller who intrigues people with his tales, a woman falling for a man who's helping her move to Oregon and three varied passengers in a stagecoach that can't stop. My favorite stories were the first and the last, but I presume every one of them have their fans. Throw in a strong cast and solid writing and this is a high water mark in Netflix original movies. First time?

28. They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)

A documentary about World War 1 British soldiers who faced various highs and lows as they served their country. Directed by Peter Jackson, They Shall Not Grow Old has some controversial decisions made (colorizing the footage and some re-enactments) but the personal testimony of the soldiers come through loud and clear. It's a narrative of a life most of us haven't been around to live in and experience. As a result, it's a largely compelling story of a group of people who lost their innocence and faced personal indifference when they returned home.

27. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Shameless, but effective crowd pleaser returns Maverick to center stage as he mentors 12 up and coming pilots for a dangerous mission of taking out a nuclear reactor from an enemy and making it back home. By gosh, he still has what it takes (both the character and the actor playing him, a Tom Cruise. Maybe you've heard of him?) And the group of new pilots include Goose's young son (Miles Teller) and Iceman equivalent Hangman (Glen Powell). This film hits all the notes that the original does: shirtless sport, impressive jet feats, interpersonal conflict, Maverick vs the Brass (led by overqualified Ed Harris and Jon Hamm). The soundtrack is a bit of a downgrade as the new tunes by Lady Gaga and OneRepublic can't hold a candle to Berlin or Kenny Loggins...there are some classic old school rock tunes, though. Joseph Kosinski keeps the story moving and the flight sequences suitably tense. Glad someone was wrong about the film...it would have ruined things had they spoiled the ending for me!

26. Errementari: The Blacksmith and the Devil (2017)

There are some interesting parallels between Paul Urkijo Alijo's film and Pan's Labyrinth which was done by Guillermo Del Toro. While a government agent is searching for a blacksmith with a bad reputation, a girl is bullied for her dead mother by her peers and mistreated by her harsh guardians. Worlds collide when she searches for the head of a doll that a bully has decapitated and she sees a little boy in a cage. As the girl goes through hell in search of her mother and what happened to her, the blacksmith seeks redemption for selling his soul to see his wife again. Good performances by Kandido Uranga as the stoic blacksmith, Uma Bracaglia as the kid and Eneko Sagardoy as the small time demon who combines savvy with being pathetic. Very pleasant surprise; shocked that Alijo hasn't moved on to bigger/better things since...although he is still working at least!

25. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

I don't think it's a great film, but by focusing on the story ahead of throwing in Pop culture points for adults, a major studio has succeeded in creating a solid animated film. The Last Wish is able to blend humor and heart by focusing on mortality and making the most of the family that we're given. This puts The Last Wish ahead of your standard animated movie that shoots for OK and average. Which just goes to show you that hard work from the writers and solid voice acting can pay off. Whistles ominous tune.

24. The Gold Rush (1925)

I guess one of my goals is to catch up with Charlie Chaplin films...I've seen one short in my life until this effort. One of the things I've noticed so far is that Charlie is a firm believer in the thin line between laughter and pain. As a potential prospector in Alaska's gold rush, The Little Tramp is unprepared for what awaits him. But his boundless optimism and friendship with a fellow prospector helps him through. It may not be a pure comedy, but the emotional moments work in making you sympathetic for The Tramp...it makes for a better movie than you might think otherwise. This is the film that features the sequence with two bread rolls and an impromptu dance involving forks.

23. Glass Onion (2022)

In the middle of a pandemic, Benoit Blanc is invited to a Greek mansion for a murder mystery thrown by wealthy Miles Bron where he invites various colleagues and friends as well as his ex-partner who surprisingly shows up. But the weekend proves to be surprisingly deadly and it's up to Blanc to solve the case. Rian Johnson provides a zippy pace and clever writing and direction as the cast proves more than capable. Oh, and the Greek scenery is lovely to look at...as is the mansion known as the Glass Onion. A special mention must be thrown to Janelle Monae who makes the most of her time in this film. The film might actually be a little heavy on the rich skewering in the third act, but it's still effectively done. The end result is a fun film that reminds you of Columbo at its best. That's a Fibonacci sequence. Ma!

22. Hard Eight (1996)

Another thing I find myself doing is catching the first films of famous directors...in this cast, that's Paul Thomas Anderson. It features a great performance from Philip Baker Hall as casino fixer Sydney who takes on a protege named John played by John C. Reilly after helping him when he was down on his luck. It does a good job of showing the bright lights of Las Vegas and contrasting that with the dark activities that the characters are doing. Also features a solid turn from Samuel L. Jackson as a security guard from a casino who has his motives for befriending John and a nice hint of what was to come from Philip Seymour Hoffman who makes the most of his time as a young craps player. Other than some predictability in the final reel and some questionable things I can't get into without spoiling, the biggest issue was miscasting Gwyneth Paltrow as an experienced cocktail waitress who side hustles as a hooker. Then again, no experienced "patron" would do what she did in the second act...

21. Goodfellas (1990)

I hated this the first time I saw it (I thought this was just a knockoff of better gangster movies like The Godfather). The second time around, I'd like to slap the me that dismissed this the first time. The story of Henry Hill and his rise through the mafia ranks plays out like a punk rock version of the mobster movie. At once, it's a love story between a man who is respected and feared by others and a woman who falls for it but turns out not to be a pushover as well as his friendship with two high ranking mobsters played by Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. Throw in a nice soundtrack and a deep bench (Samuel L. Jackson again!, Michael Imperioli!, Debi Mazar) and there's a lot to like even as Henry has to make a tough decision in the third act and both Jimmy and Tommy face their own crises. Alas, there's isn't much for the supporting cast to do as Paul Sorvino is largely sidelined for big sequences among others. All these years later, I get it!

Next Time: The Real Honorable Mentions with an unusual use for a tennis racket, a wisecracking raccoon, the fine line between perfection and obsession, a man's desperate need to support his family and a family weekend that a man will never forget.

20. The Apartment (1960)

Jack Lemmon plays a lowly insurance clerk who decides to climb the corporate ladder by lending his apartment to executives looking to cheat on their wives with their mistresses. While his neighbor is annoyed by what he's doing, CC is going to be OK with it. At least until he meets and starts to fall for Fran (Shirley MacLaine) who happens to be the woman his boss Jeff (Fred MacMurray).is also interested in. It's not a pure comedy and things take a dark turn when she tries to kill herself with sleeping pills. The scene where he and his neighbor try to rescue Fran is one of the more intense sequences I've seen in a comedy. And I really liked how the film ended.


19. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)

Del Toro's animated take on the Pinocchio story is a magical film that proves to be a nice match between the director and the material. Del Toro finds a great blend between the darkness and the humanity of the story of a carved doll who desires to be real and a cricket who wants to do the right thing. Throw in good voice acting and an inventive character design and it easily overcomes a fairly predictable climax to be a better version of the Disney original, even with its odd setting of World War 2 Italy. PS: That's Cate Blanchett as the monkey assistant of circus operator Count Volpe...80 percent of her dialogue consists of monkey noises.

18. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Despite an underwhelming villain and some of the humor missing, there's a sense of fun to these Guardians that shine through. And in the second half, there's a reasonable chance this film will hit you in the feels as well. James Gunn helms a smart and likable cast through the paces of this epic sci-fi adventure which has the right character in the team for almost anyone. And that soundtrack does slap as well. Still I wonder what Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro and Djimon Hounsou are doing in this one.

17. Paths of Glory (1957)

Here's another obligatory entry found on my PBS station for Saturday night. I totally get all the Stanley Kubrick films that focus on one particular plot (still struggling with the ones that have multiple parts). And this one, focusing on the fallout of a failed capture of a French trench which leads to three soldiers facing execution as an example for other soldiers to beware of. Kubrick pulled no punches in the grimness of the battle scenes or stacking the case against the soldiers chosen. And there's a sequence where a German singer is able to make the French soldiers sing, cry and feel without being lost in translation. This joins A Clockwork Orange as films I'd argue are his best.

16. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

This documentary is bound to make you mad. The story of energy company Enron and how they got away with stretching and breaking the limits of accounting to show themselves looking better than they really were has its arms in the worlds of greed and injustice and was aided due to deregulation. Director Alex Gibney does a great job of taking what happened and breaking it down in an easy to understand way. It also explores how rich people can get away with breaking the law and how the corporate culture allowed those on top to act dishonestly without impunity. Perhaps the worst part is how those stuck on the lower levels of the ladder in Enron are compelled to pour their pensions into more stock even as those in the higher reaches start selling off to make profits. The film and a memorable commercial asks the question Why, but these days I think the better question would be When.

15. Whiplash (2014)

We've all had that coach, that teacher, that boss that believes firmly that good isn't good enough and we should be pushing for greatness. This film presents a fine example in Terrence Fletcher whose actor JK Simmons deservedly won the Oscar. One minute, he's capable of soothing fears and nerves. And the next, he goes on a profane tirade or slaps someone in the head for missing the tempo of a piece. Luckily for him, the newest member of his conservatory, Andrew (Miles Teller) is driven to be the best drummer he can be, no matter the cost. At one point, he sticks his hand in a bucket of ice and water and it turns into bloody water. It's a borderline great movie until they botch a sequence involving a crucial bit of information that is revealed towards the end. Thankfully, Damian Chazzelle is able to make it a minor misstep rather than a major flub. And I was less sold on the ending than some. But I get why they did it. Between this and Tar, I think the next trip to the orchestra might be more entertaining than I thought.

14. Tender Mercies (1983)

Speaking of Oscar winning turns, Robert Duvall manages his victory as an alcoholic former country singer who decides to stick at a hotel that he owes money to and work his way out of the debt. Along the way, he befriends the owner and her son while trying to see the daughter of his ex-wife, a successful musician played by Betty Buckley. Director Bruce Beresford is less interested in the big moments of life than in the quiet ones that cause the characters to remember their hopes, dreams and regrets. The outcome is the equivalent of a country song that Dixie would sing and the main character would write. It's a slow burner, but it proves to be touching and effective.

13. Bicycle Thieves (1948)

Here's the second Vittorio De Sica film I was talking about a while back. A man is hired to put up posters of Rita Hayworth on the walls of post-World War 2 Italy, but needs a bike to do it. On his first day, a thief steals his bike and places the man's family on the verge of poverty. The cops can't do anything about it and every turn leads to a dead end leaving him and his young son on a desperate search. You really empathize with the lead and his son as time on the day of the search starts to fade. As the man explains to his son at a local restaurant, this job can make the difference between getting on their feet and being unable to feed the family, including his wife and their new baby. It's hard not to cry at some point with this one.

12. The Farewell (2019)

I swear I didn't pick all the sad movies at the top this year. But this film about a Chinese-American family who decide to throw a wedding in China for their dying matriarch as their way of saying goodbye to her was just too good to not rank this high. Two great performances anchor this one: Shuzhen Zhao as the dying woman but who has still enough life to stand up to a caterer who is shortchanging the wedding goers and Awkwafina who proves to be more than capable in a dramatic role as the youngest daughter who struggles to balance the Western world that she is familiar with and the Eastern world that does things differently. Lulu Wang provides capable direction and writing and a solid cast delivers this story of a family that will make you laugh one minute and cry the next.

11. Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele hits his first film out of the park: a story of a man getting to meet the parents of the girl he's seeing for the first time. The way he makes it as a commentary on race without spelling things out is well done. Peele is able to build tension and a spooky atmosphere whether it's through a song or a reaction from the family's hired help towards having their picture taken. I feel like the climax was a tad too long and the explanation as to why this is happening was a bit underwhelming. But Get Out is a well crafted horror film from the first reel to the last.

Next: The final 10, featuring a film nearly devoid of dialogue, a film my freshman roomie wanted me to see, a film about saving a local laundromat, a film about a family of farmers and a film about reporting the facts when others wish you'd shut up.

10. All is Lost (2013)

Not much is heard in this film other than crashing waves and the occasional storm in this intense man versus nature film. Robert Redford has a flat-out great performance as a wizened sailor who faces a crisis when his boat springs a leak. You'll wince as he feels every bump and bruise as he battles to stay alive in this perilous situation. JC Chandor is a talented director who proves he can handle this film right after the star studded Margin Call. Although a continuation of a film I started watching in 2022, this would have made my 2010s list had I saw it in time.

9. La La Land (2016)

Who deserved to win when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway opened the Best Picture envelope? Sure, history proves Moonlight the winner and it's a very good film. But so is this one in some different ways as an aspiring actress and a jazz musician plan on making it big in Los Angeles. But the questions start to fly: what qualifies as a success in LA? Can you be successful and artistically fulfilled at the same time? Can these crazy two kids stay together as they try to answer these and other questions thrown at them by life? Unabashedly a MUSICAL (Sorry, Emilia Perez. Not sorry, Wicked!), people in this Damian Chazzelle movie sing at the drop of a hat and dance their way through life. Emma Stone deserved an Oscar as the ingenue and Ryan Gosling deserved his nomination (even though his singing lagged in places). If you want films that can transport you to a place that's familiar yet still filled with imagination, here you go.

8. Nights of Cabiria (1957)

Before I had a falling out with my freshman roommate, one thing I clearly remember is that he loved film as well. Particularly the works of Federico Fellini. Well, score a point for him then. A Roman street walker is robbed and left for dead by her latest boyfriend leading to a crisis for her. She finds possible new love interests in a movie star and an ordinary man, but will she find love? Giulietta Masani plays Cabiria as a woman not easy to love. She pushes away her friends, gets aggressive with her enemies and comes across as off-putting. But for the right person, she can be endearing, charming and honest. Masani does a great job expressing her feelings on her face. And by the end, it's hard not to feel for Cabiria as director Fellini takes her and viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. That last shot is perfect (chefs kiss).

7. Shirkers (2018)

In Sandi Tan's incredible documentary, a teenager along with her friends create an independent road picture one summer in Singapore. She gets some help from an American film professor to pull it off. But he vanishes with the film reels, pulling the rug out of Sandi and her friends. She learns one day that the reels are just fine, but the real mystery is just beginning. The film transforms from a reflection of the film and the crime committed to a detective story that adds depth to the story. As the more interesting characters are the ones filming or being interviewed, one can look at this documentary for Sandi and her friends to take back control from the person who scammed them. It's a nice documentary focusing on humor and reflection.

6. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

I raced the deadline to finish this one on New Year's Eve. Worth it! Although this film occasionally struggles with reaching beyond what it is able to pull off, the story of Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) who is facing several family crises as well as an audit of her laundromat takes an unexpected turn when a man who looks like her husband but totally isn't (Ke Huy Quan) reveals that their universe as well as many others depends on her stopping villain Jobu (Stephanie Hsu) from taking over the world. Although its humor can be a bit juvenile (a ball-gag portion might only be the 3rd or 4th most shocking thing on there), the film manages to get stronger as it goes thanks to the Daniels finding fitting conclusions to most of those stories and its reliance on the family unit. The film manages to blend humor and heart fairly well and there are some wild sequences (a desert sequence between two rocks, a multiverse featuring hot dogs for fingers) that will keep you tuned in. Much like The Matrix did in 1999, I got a feeling of anything could happen in the movie universe after seeing this one and I was jazzed.


5. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Based on a true story (!), two guys decide to rob a bank. But what was supposed to be an in and out procedure goes horribly wrong: there's less money than expected, the cops are there quicker than expected and the media starts showing up as well. This leads to a tense standoff and cat and mouse game between the robbers as they attempt to free their newly acquired hostages as well as themselves and the cops who humor their requests while trying to capture them. Great casting with Al Pacino and John Cazale as the robbers and Charles Durning as the lead New York City cop. Tight direction from Sidney Lumet and a script that allows for moments of humor among the more serious plot (apparently, one of the robbers needed to learn that Wyoming isn't a foreign country). And apparently, this is the Attica Attica movie (not And Justice for All, like I've always presumed).

4. Minari (2020)

Against his wife's wishes, Jacob (Steven Yeun) buys a farm in Arkansas to grow Korean vegetables and raise his family. His wife Monica (Han Ye-ri) also has concerns about being far away from hospitals and nearby cities, considering that their nine year old son David (Alan Kim) has a heart condition. As a compromise, Jacob agrees to let Monica's mother Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung) to help raise the kids. Meanwhile Soonja tries to ease tensions in the marriage between Jacob and Monica, but various crises threaten to unravel the family. Director Lee Isaac Chung masterfully switches the film from drama to comedy as the plot suits. There's room for the smaller moments like Alan's slow acceptance of Soonja as his grandmother as well as the bigger ones like a tornado that threatens everything they own. Throw in a heap of good performances including Will Patton as Jacob's ultra-religious assistant and it was worth the 3 year wait.

3. RRR (2022)

Much like I did in my video for the year, I'll have to do this review on the fly. This might be one of the best enemies become friends become enemies become reliable allies film I've ever seen as a cop loyal to the British empire (and desperate for a promotion) agrees to capture the head of the revolutionaries who is looking for Justice for a girl the villainous Brits kidnapped at the beginning. But it turns out that they may have more in common than they think. Both NT Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan are superb as the two leads and director SS Rajamouli packs quite the punch in this one. This film has everything: CGI battles with wild animals, dance battles for the heart of a couple pretty ladies, hissable villains (Ray Stevenson, sure, but were you expecting Alison Doody?), some crazy stunts involving motorcycles, bow and arrows and a wonderful song and dance number to conclude the show. This film is great fun, a blast from beginning to end. Debated putting this at number 1.

2. All the President's Men (1976)

Although they're reluctant to team up with each other, young reporters Woodward (Robert Redford) and Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) find that a botched robbery in a Washington DC hotel has a reach that is going higher and higher. And if they can only find people willing to go on the record, they might be able to get to the truth and shake the town to its core. Alan J. Pakula directs this intense, crackling thriller that leaves you glued to the screen. This argument for journalism also has crackling good performances from Redford and Hoffman as well as a deep bench including Hal Holbrook and Jason Robards. It would have earned number 1 if it weren't for a December viewing.

1. Come and See (1985)

A Russian kid named Florya starts to play guns with a friend as they "shoot" at a flying plane overhead. A few hours later, Florya is drafted into a Russian resistance army trying to fend off Nazi troops. Along the way, several incidents shatter his innocence into a billion little pieces as things alternate between grim and absurdist which leads to a stunning climax. A thousand videos have spoken on the subject of this Russian anti-war movie, and frankly I can't do justice to it in these few words. It's definitely one of those films that you will be a different person after seeing it than you were before seeing it. It lies somewhere between Apocalypse Now and Kanal in how it plays out. Do me a favor before watching this one and find something light and silly to watch afterwards. I chose Subway, but in retrospect I should have picked something better.

Next: Starting with the worst films I saw in 2024. Including a couple made in 2024, a failed spy comedy, a failed horror comedy, and a laughable thriller with an all star cast.