Watched in 2020
My third year in a row where I've challenged myself to watch at least one film a day. At this point, the challenge is merely a diary of what I'm watching.
Original Twitter thread:
https://twitter.com/SeanMcGann98/status/1212901841450737664
Original Twitter thread:
https://twitter.com/SeanMcGann98/status/1212901841450737664
List activity
403 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
171 titles
- DirectorJohn SturgesStarsSpencer TracyRobert RyanAnne FrancisA one-armed stranger comes to a tiny town possessing a terrible past they want to keep secret, by violent means if necessary.January 1: Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
This stirring western mystery is groundbreaking and poignant for its era, with its brilliant writing, Previn’s strong score and commanding performances from Tracy, Ryan and Marvin making for a thrilling classic.
9/10 - DirectorMichael CurtizStarsWilliam PowellMary AstorEugene PallettePhilo Vance, accompanied by his prize-losing Scottish terrier, investigates the locked-room murder of a prominent and much-hated collector whose broken Chinese vase provides an important clue.January 3: The Kennel Murder Case (1933)
The cinematography is quite impressive for its time in how stylized it is, especially with his use of expertly edited whip-pans. I just didn’t feel compelled to care about the characters or simplistic plot.
6/10 - DirectorPeter CattaneoStarsRobert CarlyleTom WilkinsonMark AddySix unemployed steel workers form a male striptease act. The women cheer them on to go for "the full monty" - total nudity.January 3 (bonus): The Full Monty (1997)
This working-class comedy is full of hearty laughs and depressing drama, making for a memorable time with great writing, a fun soundtrack and terrific, likable performances from Carlyle and Addy.
9/10 - DirectorJames L. BrooksStarsJack NicholsonHelen HuntGreg KinnearA single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.January 4: As Good As It Gets (1997)
The sentimentality is ham-fisted, awkward or corny most of the time, but through the charming performances of Nicholson and Hunt and Zimmer’s beautiful score, Brooks’ subversive romantic comedy is flawed but very sweet.
8/10 - DirectorCurtis HansonStarsKevin SpaceyRussell CroweGuy PearceAs corruption grows in 1950s Los Angeles, three policemen - one strait-laced, one brutal, and one sleazy - investigate a series of murders with their own brand of justice.January 5: L.A. Confidential (1997)
It’s incredibly dry and not very subtle or nuanced, but this is still an intense, bloody and compelling action-thriller with impressive brutality, a wonderful score from Goldsmith and fantastic performances from Crowe and some pedophile.
8/10 - DirectorGus Van SantStarsRobin WilliamsMatt DamonBen AffleckWill Hunting, a janitor at M.I.T., has a gift for mathematics, but needs help from a psychologist to find direction in his life.January 8: Good Will Hunting (1997)
Van Sant’s most popular film is a feel-good classic with much to offer besides its compassion and character study, such as its brilliant writing and exceptional performances from Damon, Williams, Driver and Skarsgård.
10/10 - DirectorJames CameronStarsLeonardo DiCaprioKate WinsletBilly ZaneA seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.January 8 (bonus): Titanic (1997)
A breathtaking epic, a doomed love story, a simple commentary on class struggle and arrogance and a high-stakes disaster film all within 194 minutes. Cameron’s technical masterwork stands the test of time through sheer scope and artistry.
10/10 - DirectorRoy Ward BakerStarsKenneth MoreRonald AllenRobert AyresOn her maiden voyage in April 1912, the supposedly unsinkable RMS Titanic strikes an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean.January 9: A Night to Remember (1958)
This recounting of the Titanic tragedy opts to focus less on individuals and more on the victims as a whole. However, it’s still a gripping drama that expertly captures the tension, chaos and misery of the sinking.
9/10 - DirectorAtom EgoyanStarsIan HolmSarah PolleyCaerthan BanksA bus crash in a small town brings a lawyer to defend the families, but he discovers everything isn't what it seems.January 9 (bonus): The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
Egoyan’s inescapably Canadian tragedy is nothing short of heartbreaking with its melancholic, even unsettling presentation, coupled with its brilliant writing and direction and great performances from Holm and Greenwood.
10/10 - DirectorJung Bum-shikStarsCho Yeo-jeongClara LeeKim Tae-wooAfter getting fired from a children's toy company, an overworked marketing executive teams up with her bohemian sex-shop-owner neighbor to create better toys of a different kind, reigniting her stilted marriage in the process.January 11: Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies (2015)
Imagine a John Waters or Danny DeVito film but without any of the charm. This Korean sex comedy has nothing to offer other than unfunny, unsexy comedy and a very generic plot. Consider my boner killed.
5/10 - DirectorStefon BristolStarsEden Duncan-SmithDante CrichlowAstroTwo Brooklyn teenage prodigies, C.J. Walker and Sebastian Thomas, build makeshift time machines to save C.J.'s brother, Calvin, from being wrongfully killed by a police officer.January 12: See You Yesterday (2019)
Duncan-Smith shines like a beacon and Abels shows his musical range, but other than these bright spots this is a rather limp time travel melodrama, falling into the usual time travel story problems while not being dramatically resonant.
6/10 - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsMichael J. FoxTrini AlvaradoPeter DobsonAfter a tragic car accident that kills his wife, a man discovers he can communicate with the dead, and he uses that gift to con people. However, when a demonic spirit appears, he may be the only one who can stop it from killing the living and the dead.January 15: The Frighteners (1996)
Jackson’s paranormal horror-comedy is constantly goofy and wacky, sometimes to the point of tedium whenever Not Jim Carrey is on screen. However, the film is still hilarious, Elfman’s score is awesome and the effects are lovably cheesy.
9/10 - DirectorLawrence GutermanStarsAlec BaldwinTobey MaguireJeff GoldblumA look at the top-secret, high-tech espionage war going on between cats and dogs, of which their human owners are blissfully unaware.January 17: Cats & Dogs (2001)
Aside from being anti-cat propaganda, this live-action cartoon is woefully unfunny and plagued with awful editing and visual effects. At least the voice actors seem to be having a good time.
5/10 - DirectorJohn HoffmanStarsLiam AikenMatthew BroderickMolly ShannonAn intergalactic dog pilot from Sirius (the dog star), visits Earth to verify the rumors that dogs have failed to take over the planet.January 18: Good Boy! (2003)
A talking dog movie that’s actually good? What is the world coming to?! This absurd sci-fi movie is sure to entertain both kids and adults with its clever, strangely profound writing, world building and wacky hijinks.
8/10 - DirectorChris NoonanStarsJames CromwellMagda SzubanskiChristine CavanaughGentle farmer Arthur Hoggett wins a piglet Babe at a county fair. Narrowly escaping his fate as Christmas dinner, Babe bonds with motherly border collie Fly and discovers that he too can herd sheep. But will the other animals accept him?January 18 (bonus): Babe (1995)
As dark and distressing as a Grimm fairy tale but as heartwarming and charming as a great kids’ film should be, this talking-pig movie mixes whimsy and terror in a way that both teaches valuable life lessons and entertains the whole family.
8/10 - DirectorGeorge MillerStarsMagda SzubanskiElizabeth DailyMickey RooneyBabe, fresh from his victory in the sheepherding contest, returns to Farmer Hoggett's farm, but after Farmer Hoggett is injured and unable to work, Babe has to go to the big city to save the farm.January 19: Babe: Pig in the City (1998)
Miller takes the slice-of-life adventures of Babe to a big ugly city and mostly pulls it off, though the soul seems to be weaker. Save for the clashing misery and absurdity, this sequel is still rather enjoyable and imaginative.
7/10 - DirectorBenny SafdieJosh SafdieStarsLenny CookeTom KonchalskiLeBron JamesLenny Cooke was the number-one ranked high school basketball player in America, but his inevitable fall from grace will forever be remembered.January 24: Lenny Cooke (2013)
The Safdies have done it again with this heartbreaking, cautionary and fascinating look at the NBA draft and the effects it has on young players, helped by absolutely terrific editing and a relatable, likable protagonist.
10/10 - DirectorCheryl DunyeStarsDeak EvgenikosGuinevere TurnerV.S. BrodieTwo middle-aged, lesbian couples accidentally kill a younger lesbian and hide the body, without reporting it to the authorities. Their guilt and long-kept, dark secret comes back to haunt them, as an unexpected stranger shows up in their lives, bringing tension and discord. Little do they know that this mysterious stranger has a plan which includes all four of them.January 27: The Owls (2010)
Lazy, baffling and condescending, Dunye's meta-thriller has no idea what it wants to say or how to actually say it. Turner's performance and some of the score are the only saving graces in this poorly acted and horrendously edited schlockfest.
4/10 - DirectorHyun-ju LeeStarsLee Sang-heeRyu Sun-youngPark Keun-rokA fine arts student meets an attractive bartender, and the two women begin an intimate relationship.January 27 (bonus): Our Love Story (2016)
It’s understated in a way that’s both to its benefit and detriment, at times causing the film to drag and become dull. However, this tale of first love and heartbreak is still moving, in part thanks to its great lead performances.
8/10 - DirectorPaul WeitzStarsLily TomlinJulia GarnerMarcia Gay HardenA teenager facing an unplanned pregnancy seeks help from her acerbic grandmother, a woman who is long estranged from her daughter.January 29: Grandma (2015)
Despite the writing not being incredibly strong, Tomlin’s hilarious and heartfelt performance is enough to make this film fresh and memorable, as well as the laidback tone and great supporting performances from Elliott, Greer and Harden.
8/10 - DirectorJames SavocaStarsDrea de MatteoIvan MartinJohn LurieAt loose ends drifter (Ivan Martin) stumbles upon a struggling painter (Drea de Matteo) as he searches for answers under the stars and rooftops of New York.February 1: Sleepwalk (2000)
Two pompous, terminally sarcastic douchebag hipsters fall in love in this insufferable, cringy and absolutely bottom-of-the-barrel 90’s indie drama, with highlights being its terrible dialogue and disinterested acting. A very fitting title.
2/10 - DirectorLee SholemStarsGeorge ReevesPhyllis CoatesJeff CoreyWhen underground beings explore the surface world from a deep oil well and inadvertently cause a panic, only Superman can prevent a tragedy.February 2: Superman and the Mole Men (1951)
Reeves is good in the title role, but this feels like a dull 50’s B-movie about radioactive dwarf actors with paper-thin commentary on McCarthyism that had the Superman IP slapped onto it.
5/10 - DirectorRichard DonnerStarsChristopher ReeveMargot KidderGene HackmanAn alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero.February 2 (bonus): Superman (1978)
Visually and technically magnificent and thematically genuine, the godfather of all superhero films is stellar with lush cinematography, a beautiful John Williams score and great writing (even if the ending is nonsense).
10/10 - DirectorRichard LesterStarsGene HackmanChristopher ReeveMargot KidderSuperman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.February 2 (bonus): Superman II (1980)
The special effects have somehow gotten much worse and the sillier direction is disappointing, but the soundtrack, set design and the great performances of Reeve, Stamp, Douglas and especially Kidder make for an entertaining watch.
7/10 - DirectorRichard LesterStarsChristopher ReeveRichard PryorMargot KidderSynthetic kryptonite laced with tar splits Superman in two: good Clark Kent and bad Man of Steel.February 3: Superman III (1983)
I kinda fell in love with how stupid and silly this movie is. At least it’s tonally consistent unlike its predecessor, though this lacks the emotional depth to make it anything more than a decent parody. Also it’s really, really funny.
7/10 - DirectorJeannot SzwarcStarsHelen SlaterFaye DunawayPeter O'TooleAfter losing a powerful orb, Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin, comes to Earth to retrieve it and instead finds herself up against a wicked witch.February 8: Supergirl (1984)
Not even Jerry Goldsmith could save this turd. Despite the truly wonderful art direction and costumes, the first lady superhero film suffers from being laughably inept, sexist, and having atrocious acting all around, but especially from Slater.
4/10 - DirectorSidney J. FurieStarsChristopher ReeveGene HackmanMargot KidderThe Man of Steel crusades for nuclear disarmament and meets Lex Luthor's latest creation, Nuclear Man.February 8 (bonus): Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Maybe I just have a soft spot for camp, but I didn’t really hate this. Sure, the visual effects, audio editing and leaps in logic are horrendous, but the acting is solid and the goofiness is endearing.
6/10 - DirectorBryan SingerStarsBrandon RouthKevin SpaceyKate BosworthSuperman returns to Earth after spending five years in space examining his homeworld Krypton. But he finds things have changed while he was gone, and he must once again prove himself important to the world.February 10: Superman Returns (2006)
Cursed with underwritten characters, overreliance on nostalgia and general mediocrity, there are still shining moments in Singer’s take on the Man of Steel, such as a few great scenes, impressive CGI, Ottman’s score and Spacey’s Luthor.
6/10 - DirectorChris MarkerStarsAmilcar CabralFlorence DelayArielle DombasleA woman narrates the contemplative writings of a seasoned world traveler, focusing on contemporary Japan.February 11: Sans Soleil (1983)
A horny weeaboo with a love of cats and synths bullshits to a woman about his summer vacation. Much like Scott Pilgrim, however, it’s much better than it sounds, with its cavalcade of aesthetics and slurred synths making for a relaxing time.
9/10 - DirectorOrson WellesGary GraverOja KodarStarsOrson WellesOja KodarFrançois ReichenbachA documentary about fraud and fakery.February 19: F for Fake (1973)
Welles’ pseudo-documentary/film essay is all over the place in the best way possible, playing with our expectations using humor and mystery. It also helps that it’s exceptionally edited, shot and constructed.
9/10 - DirectorDoug PrayStarsThe AlliesA-TrakCrazeThe story of the hip-hop DJ from the birth of hip-hop to the invention of scratching and "beat-juggling" vinyl, to the more recent "turntablism" movement. Underdogs and virtuosos who have radically changed the way we hear and create music.February 27: Scratch (2001)
A very fascinating look at the world of DJing and turntablism that’s unashamedly early-2000’s in its editing and tone, allowing even the most clueless music lover to be enthralled with its presentation and passion.
9/10 - DirectorTony SilverStarsDemonKase 2Eric HazeA documentary that exposes the rich growing subculture of hip-hop that was developing in New York City in the late '70s and early '80s, specifically focusing on graffiti art and breakdancing.March 2: Style Wars (1983)
Despite its short length, this early hip-hop/graffiti documentary feels completely satisfactory, with an eye-opening and hilarious look at the beginnings of graffiti that’s superbly edited and accompanied by a funky soundtrack.
10/10 - DirectorJodie FosterStarsGeorge ClooneyJulia RobertsJack O'ConnellFinancial TV host Lee Gates and his producer Patty are put in an extreme situation when an irate investor takes them and their crew as hostage.March 6: Money Monster (2016)
It quickly becomes apparent that this is not a hard-hitting satire about Wall Street and television, and more of a dumb, goofy thriller. Luckily it excels at being the latter with its on-edge intensity, dark humor and terrific score.
8/10 - DirectorShana BetzStarsAnna PaquinLiana LiberatoAva AcresA single mom caught up in the Florida drug trade during the late 1970s tries to make a better life for her two girls.March 7: Free Ride (2014)
The TV movie budget is distractingly apparent in this cheap, unpleasant crime drama. Outside of Liberato’s strong performance and a few decently composed shots, the film is just too dull and cliché to be worth remembering.
5/10 - DirectorAlex SteyermarkStarsMichael AngaranoSunny MabreyCynthia NixonA young man with a terminal illness makes an unconventional request on local television.March 8: One Last Thing... (2005)
The premise may be sexist, but this cancer dramedy is charming and sweet enough that it jumps over that hurdle, and Angarano’s performance is terrific and funny enough to make this an enjoyable watch.
7/10 - DirectorAndrea ArnoldStarsKate DickieTony CurranMartin CompstonJackie works as a CCTV operator. Each day she watches over a small part of the world, protecting the people living their lives under her gaze. One day a man appears on her monitor, a man she thought she would never see again, a man she never wanted to see again. Now she has no choice, she is compelled to confront him.March 13: Red Road (2006)
Arnold’s feature-length debut is sensational; a heart-racing, nerve-wracking stalker thriller that will leave you in tears when everything comes together, and told powerfully through Dickie’s compelling performance and a chilling atmosphere.
9/10 - DirectorAndrea ArnoldStarsKatie JarvisMichael FassbenderKierston WareingEverything changes for 15-year-old Mia when her mum brings home a new boyfriend.March 14: Fish Tank (2009)
Utterly fucking brilliant. Arnold’s portrait of class inequality and misogyny is as charming and funny as it is distressing and bleak, with fiery performances from Jarvis, Fassbender and Griffiths, a kickass soundtrack and terrific writing.
10/10 - DirectorAndrea ArnoldStarsKaya ScodelarioJames HowsonSolomon GlaveA poor boy of unknown origins is rescued from poverty and taken in by the Earnshaw family where he develops an intense relationship with his young foster sister, Cathy.March 14 (bonus): Wuthering Heights (2011)
While Ryan’s cinematography is gorgeous, delicate and seductive, Arnold’s take on the classic story is trapped by its subdued and light-on-dialogue approach, which starts to really wear out its welcome in the second half.
7/10 - DirectorAndrea ArnoldStarsSasha LaneShia LaBeoufRiley KeoughA teenage girl with nothing to lose joins a traveling magazine sales crew, and gets caught up in a whirlwind of hard partying, law bending and young love as she criss-crosses the Midwest with a band of misfits.March 15: American Honey (2016)
Arnold captures the American Heartland in all its jolly, grimy and trashy glory in this modern road movie classic, netting a crew of likable screwballs lead by a bold performance from Labeouf and perfectly balancing raunchiness and darkness.
9/10 - DirectorCarl ReinerStarsSteve MartinLily TomlinVictoria TennantA dying millionaire has her soul transferred into a younger, willing woman. However, something goes wrong, and she finds herself in her lawyer's body - together with the lawyer.March 15 (bonus): All of Me (1984)
It has a very slow start and formulaic outline (save for a surprising twist), but Martin and Tomlin are truly hilarious together, figuratively and literally, with a slew of career-best scenes coming one after another.
8/10 - DirectorPaul SchraderStarsGeorge C. ScottPeter BoyleSeason HubleyA religious businessman from Michigan has to venture into the world of pornography in California, desperately searching for his runaway teenage daughter.March 16: Hardcore (1979)
I certainly appreciate the seediness, Scott and Hubley’s performances, Chapman’s stylish cinematography and Nitzsche’s brooding score, but the rather unsubtle, unimpactful writing and mediocre supporting cast seem to hold this thriller back.
7/10 - DirectorPaul SchraderStarsGreg KinnearWillem DafoeMaria BelloThe life of TV star Bob Crane and his strange friendship with electronics expert John Henry Carpenter.March 16 (bonus): Auto Focus (2002)
Kinnear and Dafoe are phenomenal in this chaotic and ultimately depressing biopic, supported by a wonderfully nutty and crass screenplay from Gerbosi, great editing and structure and a truly unsettling final twenty minutes.
9/10 - DirectorSydney PollackStarsSidney PoitierAnne BancroftTelly SavalasCollege volunteer Alan is working alone at the crisis center one evening when he receives a telephone call from suicidal caller Inga Dyson.March 17: The Slender Thread (1965)
It suffers from moments of dead air and Poitier’s character being really bad at his job, but this mystery thriller is still gripping and suspenseful, helped by an impeccable score from Jones and a heart-melting performance from Bancroft.
8/10 - DirectorJeff NicholsStarsRuth NeggaJoel EdgertonWill DaltonThe story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision.April 5: Loving (2016)
Its dryness may be tiresome at times, but Nichols directs his rather simple but effective screenplay with delicate, Zemeckis-esque humanity and warmth, backed by Edgerton’s gruff brilliance and Wingo’s stellar score.
9/10 - DirectorF. Gary GrayStarsO'Shea Jackson Jr.Corey HawkinsJason MitchellThe rap group NWA emerges from the mean streets of Compton in Los Angeles, California, in the mid-1980s and revolutionizes Hip Hop culture with their music and tales about life in the hood.April 16: Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Despite important details being left out and some clichéd melodrama, this remains one of the best rap biopics of all time, with emotional resonance, great writing and stellar performances from Hawkins, Mitchell and Giamatti.
10/10 - DirectorJim HensonStarsJim HensonFrank OzDave GoelzKermit the Frog, The Great Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear are reporters who travel to Britain to interview a rich victim of jewel thieves and help her along with her secretary, Miss Piggy.April 20: The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
In several aspects, this London-set Muppet movie manages to surpass the first film. The musical numbers are terrific, the production and costume design is exquisite, and the writing is hilarious, especially the fourth-wall breaks.
9/10 - DirectorClint EastwoodStarsAlek SkarlatosAnthony SadlerSpencer StoneThree courageous young Americans prevent a terrorist attack on a train bound for Paris.April 21: The 15:17 to Paris (2018)
Eastwood’s presence is barely felt in this disappointing biopic. While the writing manages to save it, the lackluster directing and editing do it no favors, and the acting (with the real-life heroes playing themselves) is abysmal.
6/10 - DirectorThomas CailleyStarsAdèle HaenelKévin AzaïsAntoine LaurentBetween his friends and the family business, Arnaud's summer looks set to be a peaceful one. Peaceful until he runs into Madeleine, as beautiful as she is brusque, a concrete block of tensed muscles and doomsday prophecies.April 29: Love at First Fight (2014)
The comedic delivery is too serious and lacking despite the good writing, and the third act is rather weak, but I still enjoyed this quirky romantic comedy, in particular Haenel’s brilliant performance and an excellent electronic score.
7/10 - DirectorMark BrownStarsVivica A. FoxMorris ChestnutAnthony AndersonAn arrogant career woman plays a series of heartless mind-games with her boyfriend to "put him in line," only to discover that he has a few tricks up his own sleeve.April 29 (bonus): Two Can Play That Game (2001)
Vivica A. Fox is a cross between Steve Harvey and Patrick Bateman in this cartoonish rom-com. In all honesty, I could forgive the sexism, psychological abuse and sociopathy if the jokes were at least more than semi-amusing.
5/10 - DirectorCharles Stone IIIStarsViola DavisAml AmeenRon CaldwellTwo distraught mothers, whose children were gunned down in a drive-by, team up to avenge their deaths after local authorities fail to take action.May 1: Lila & Eve (2015)
There are a number of corny moments, but Davis and Lopez completely sell this tale of revenge and grief through their empathetic performances, and the twist ending is guaranteed to make your jaw drop.
8/10 - DirectorKaren Leigh HopkinsStarsKatie HolmesJames Badge DaleCallan MulveyA proper elementary-school teacher moonlights as a vigilante.May 1 (bonus): Miss Meadows (2014)
The concept of Amelia Bedelia as a vigilante wears thin eventually when it’s not played to its zaniest potential. Also, the editing really sucks. Holmes and Dale’s chemistry is adorable enough to make it worth a watch, though.
7/10 - DirectorStephen MerchantStarsDwayne JohnsonLena HeadeyVince VaughnA former wrestler and his family make a living performing at small venues around the country while his kids dream of joining World Wrestling Entertainment.May 20: Fighting with My Family (2019)
Even a sanitized WWE biopic can’t stop the wrestling life from looking depressing. However, this emotional underdog story is still enjoyable thanks to Merchant’s sharp writing and direction and great performances from Pugh and Lowden.
8/10 - DirectorDexter FletcherStarsTaron EgertonHugh JackmanTom CostelloThe story of Eddie Edwards, the notoriously tenacious British underdog ski jumper who charmed the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics.May 21: Eddie the Eagle (2015)
Incredibly clichéd and derivative, it feels like an amalgamation of all the tropes that are found in underdog sports movies. However, elements of it are very charming, like the dialogue, soundtrack, and Egerton’s performance.
7/10 - DirectorJon TurteltaubStarsJohn CandyLeonDoug E. DougWhen a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team.May 24: Cool Runnings (1993)
A fun underdog story told with equal parts humor, good taste and inspiration, made better with Turtletaub’s direction, great writing and a killer ensemble, especially Candy and Doug.
8/10 - DirectorJoseph KurtzKenneth MaderStarsSteven WalkerJack SolemJ. Douglas MartnerA government experiment goes totally wrong as a creature confined in a hidden lab inside an abandoned house escapes. Afterwards, some teens show up to have a little fun in the house, not knowing that the beast is loose and watching them.May 26: Carnivore (2000)
It almost feels like a fake horror movie you would see in an actual film or a TV show. Every cliché is hit, the acting is bad across the board, the writing sucks, the cinematography is atrocious, the music is dicey; it’s hilariously pathetic.
3/10 - DirectorJohn FasanoStarsCindy CirileJesse D'AngeloChris FinkelAt a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, a hopeful hair-metal band seeking inspiration to record their upcoming new LP will soon find themselves in a furious confrontation against the Prince of Darkness himself.May 27: Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare (1987)
This brazenly stupid horror-comedy has moments of fun camp and cheesiness, but it’s often very dull thanks to its awkward and stilted direction, bad acting and incredibly slow pace. Soundtrack kicks ass, though!
4/10 - DirectorSpike LeeStarsMaxine McNairWalter CronkiteChris McNairA documentary of the notorious racial terrorist bombing of an African American church during the Civil Rights Movement.May 29: 4 Little Girls (1997)
Lee’s examination of the racial tensions and tragic tribulations of 1960s Birmingham is heart-wrenching and fascinating. A tour de force documentary essential for anyone truly wanting to understand our monstrous past.
10/10 - DirectorPaul BrickmanStarsTom CruiseRebecca De MornayJoe PantolianoA Chicago teenager is looking for fun at home while his parents are away, but the situation quickly gets out of hand.May 31: Risky Business (1983)
It manages to transcend being another post-Porky’s teen sex comedy by having a more serious, intense approach, along with striking cinematography, brilliant writing, an iconic score and great performances from Cruise, De Mornay and Armstrong.
9/10 - DirectorJonathan KaplanStarsPatty ByrneAlana StewartMittie LawrenceFunny sexual fantasy with three naughty nurses.June 1: Night Call Nurses (1972)
This silly sexploitation thriller is more than meets the eye, mixing progressive counterculture politics with its gratuitous nudity. The trippy, hard-cut editing, Byrne’s performance and the groovy soundtrack only add to the fun.
8/10 - DirectorSerge BozonStarsIsabelle HuppertRomain DurisJosé GarciaMrs. Géquil is a teacher despised by her colleagues and students. On a stormy night, she is struck by lightning and faints. When she wakes up, she feels different. Will she be able to keep the powerful and dangerous Mrs. Hyde contained?June 1 (bonus): Mrs. Hyde (2017)
Despite being very funny with its absurdity and Duris’s wacky principal, and another great performance from Huppert, the story feels very hollow and lacking, and several scenes are rather boring and drawn out.
7/10 - DirectorTaylor HackfordStarsHelen MirrenJoe PesciSergio Peris-MenchetaA drama revolving around a married couple who opened the first legal brothel in Nevada.June 2: Love Ranch (2010)
Mirren and Pesci are filthy beacons of light in this campy crime drama, assisted by beautiful wide shots and costume design, but suffering from Hackford’s often melodramatic direction and an anticlimactic ending.
8/10 - DirectorJeff TremaineStarsDouglas BoothIwan RheonColson BakerBased on the bestselling autobiography from Mötley Crüe, the film is an unflinching tale of success and excess as four misfits rise from the streets of Hollywood to the heights of international fame.June 2 (bonus): The Dirt (2019)
A terrific ensemble and direction make this sometimes by-the-numbers music biopic incredibly memorable. Its ballsy, in-your-face and unflinching irreverence and insanity make for one hell of a time.
9/10 - DirectorRob EpsteinJeffrey FriedmanStarsLily TomlinTony CurtisSusie BrightA documentary surveying the various Hollywood screen depictions of homosexuals and the attitudes behind them throughout the history of North American film.June 6: The Celluloid Closet (1995)
Despite some glaring film omissions, this documentary on the history of film depictions of homosexuality is a simple plea for love and acceptance, with fantastic insight told through its brilliant editing and storytelling.
10/10 - DirectorRob EpsteinStarsHarvey FiersteinHarvey MilkAnne KronenbergA documentary of the successful career and assassination of San Francisco's first elected gay city supervisor.June 6 (bonus): The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)
An intimate, humble portrait of revolutionary gay icon Harvey Milk, told in a very straightforward and digestible but overall galvanizing form. An essential documentary for this month, both for the queer and disenfrachised.
10/10 - DirectorJon CareyAdam DarkeStarsJustin FashanuJohn FashanuBevan CelestineThe tragic story of the first and only football player to come out as gay whilst still playing.June 6 (bonus): Forbidden Games: The Justin Fashanu Story (2017)
While the story is certainly interesting, this documentary about the late football player is bogged down by way too much archival footage, below average editing and overbearing drama.
7/10 - DirectorSam RaimiStarsCate BlanchettKatie HolmesKeanu ReevesA fortune teller with extrasensory perception is asked to help find a young woman who has mysteriously disappeared.June 7: The Gift (2000)
An eerie, unsettling piece of slow-burn horror from maestro director Raimi and Southern ethereal writers Thornton and Epperson, supported by great performances from Reeves and Kinnear, and Young’s mystical score. The ending is kinda lame, though.
8/10 - DirectorMaya AngelouStarsAlfre WoodardAl Freeman Jr.Mary AliceIn a desperate attempt to change her life, Loretta -- a troubled single mother from a tough Chicago neighborhood -- is sent to spend a summer at her family's ancestral home in rural Mississippi.June 12: Down in the Delta (1998)
Despite the talent behind this, Angelou proves to be a much better writer than a director (she sadly didn’t write this film), with acting ranging from awkward to over-the-top, odd editing choices, poor writing and a cringy Casio score.
5/10 - DirectorJonathan LiebertStarsMark DeCarloDarby DanielsJack KyleRetiring director Chuck Steak wants to make his last film the biggest and most absurdly convoluted adult movie ever made. As a young documentary maker films this outrageously funny, quirky quest, everything that can possibly go wrong does.June 13: Sex Sells: The Making of ‘Touché’ (2005)
A hilarious and aggressively zany mockumentary that does a lot with its format of storytelling, helped by sharp writing, layered characters and a terrific performance from DeCarlo.
9/10 - DirectorSpike LeeStarsDelroy LindoJonathan MajorsClarke PetersFour black veterans battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Viet Nam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.June 14: Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Lee’s latest is sometimes thematically lost and heavy-handed, but the high tension and gritty action make for a great “old man movie,” especially with Sigel’s beautiful camera work, Blanchard’s epic score and Lindo’s terrifying performance.
8/10 - DirectorSpike LeeStarsWesley SnipesAnnabella SciorraSpike LeeFriends and family of a married Black architect react in different ways to his affair with an Italian secretary.June 15: Jungle Fever (1991)
Lee’s ensemble melodrama may have some interesting ideas, and Wonder’s songs are naturally beautiful, but the writing and direction is too ridiculous, unfocused and corny. Also the acting is rather bad save for Sciorra, Snipes and Turturro.
6/10 - DirectorSpike LeeStarsDenzel WashingtonClive OwenJodie FosterA police detective, a bank robber, and a high-power broker enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal's brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation.June 16: Inside Man (2006)
Possibly Lee’s most technically masterful film, with some of Libatique’s best cinematography work, this heist film is way smarter than average with its clever commentary and well-rounded characters, leading to a suspenseful, fun thriller.
9/10 - DirectorBette GordonStarsRosemary HochschildRon VawterVivienne DickAn experimental film about the experience and representation of women, using different narrative methods.June 19: Empty Suitcases (1980)
My first experience with no wave cinema is actually much cooler and less pretentious than I expected. Gordon’s abstract debut is delightfully reflexive, bringing up moods and contemplations on displacement, oppression and violence.
8/10 - DirectorBette GordonStarsSandy McLeodWill PattonRichard M. DavidsonA woman becomes obsessed with pornography and the mysterious rich patron of the Times Square porn theater called Variety where she works selling tickets. This awakens her sexuality, which confuses her worried boyfriend.June 19 (bonus): Variety (1983)
Somewhere between Bresson and Jarmusch lies Bette Gordon’s Variety, a seedy slow-burn that leaves both too much and not enough room for interpretation (leading to the film becoming dull), but is still very aesthetically pleasing.
7/10 - DirectorBette GordonStarsPatrick FitzgeraldConn HorganMartin AlvinA mom and her 10 year son motor around the country as she makes ends meet by turning tricks until her car breaks down. She then temporarily takes up with a hardware store owner until she gets her own place. Then the kid's father shows up to try to take the two over.June 20: Luminous Motion (1998)
A bizarre Oedipal look into the mind of a mentally disturbed child; it’s written with rawness and sincerity, but the acting is just okay save for Unger’s tortured mother, and Barber’s score can get rather cheesy.
7/10 - DirectorAlex GibneyStarsAlex GibneyDave KaplanBob CostasAfter the Chicago Cubs blow an opportunity to reach the World Series in 2003, Cubs fans blame the team's misfortune on fellow fan Steve Bartman, who interfered with a foul ball and prevented Moises Alou from making a catch.June 27: Catching Hell (2011)
Alex Gibney explores one of the most infamous Cubs moments in this in-depth, humorous and empathetic sports documentary that will even keep non-fans invested with its superb analysis. The score is rather mediocre, though.
9/10 - DirectorAlex GibneyStarsEliot SpitzerAlex GibneyHulbert WaldroupAn in-depth look at the rise and fall of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, including interviews with the scandalized, former politician.June 28: Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer (2010)
Gibney brilliantly chronicles the brazen and engrossing story of how a man who actually cared about doing what’s right was brought down by the greedy by way of his own misdeeds. Also the soundtrack is awesome!
9/10 - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsDick CarballoDevin GoldenbergZachary HainesA conservative community does not think that the sex drive is normal for their children.July 2: Guess What We Learned in School Today? (1970)
A film that finds itself much more clever than it actually is, Avildsen’s Vietnam-era sex satire beats you over the head with its message so many times it becomes meaningless.
There are a few laughs here and there.
6/10 - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsJackson BeckPamela GruenAllen GarfieldPrivate detective takes on a case and gets mixed up in murder, sex and blackmail.July 3: Cry Uncle (1971)
Almost half of the humor falls flat, but this sleazy sex comedy caper still has an intriguing mystery and a great performance from Garfield to keep you hooked and having fun. One of the naked actresses was underage (14) so that really upset me.
6/10 - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsPeter BoyleDennis PatrickSusan SarandonTwo men--wealthy conservative Bill and far-right factory worker Joe--form a dangerous bond after Bill confesses to Joe about murdering his daughter's drug-dealer boyfriend.July 4: Joe (1970)
Happy fucking Fourth. Wexler and Avildsen spin a dark satire of Vietnam-era conservatism and patriotism that gets bleaker the further it goes, and elevated by a bravely antagonistic yet charming “devil on your shoulder” performance from Boyle.
9/10 - DirectorJoachim RønningEspen SandbergStarsPenélope CruzSalma HayekSteve ZahnIn turn-of-the-century Mexico, two very different women become a bank-robbing duo in an effort to combat a ruthless enforcer terrorizing their town.July 7: Bandidas (2006)
It almost never takes a moment to breathe amidst its fast-paced, zany antics, which ends up feeling more awkward than it should be, but the film survives on its hilarious action, great chemistry between Cruz and Hayek, and a slimy turn from Yoakam.
7/10 - DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsCarmen MauraFélix RotaetaAlaskaPepi is raped by the policeman who catches her growing marijuana in her apartment. She seeks revenge by getting his masochist wife to leave him.July 7 (bonus): Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls Like Mom (1980)
Almodovar’s Bohemian punk-rock gross-out comedy is too dry and static for its own good at times, but the absurdity, performances and soundtrack coalesce to form one hell of an introduction to the young auteur.
8/10 - DirectorChris BlumStarsTom WaitsMichael L. BlairRalph CarneyBringing his unique sense of humor to this bizarre and original piece of moviemaking, Tom Waits takes the audience through a musical journey with his jazzy, quirky, bluesy tunes presented as you would never, ever, ever expect.July 9: Big Time (1988)
The essence of Tom Waits is perfectly captured in Blum’s innovative concert film. All the sarcasm, wit, dreariness, edge and mysticism in the tales Waits weaves are found in his live performances and vignettes. Simply stunning.
10/10 - DirectorMorgan NevilleStarsKeith RichardsAnthony DeCurtisSteve JordanA portrait of Keith Richards that takes us on a journey to discover the genesis of his sound as a songwriter, guitarist and performer.July 10: Keith Richards: Under the Influence (2015)
What’s better than this? Guys bein’ dudes! Richards is vibing and cackling in Neville’s creative documentary, focusing less on the legend’s biography and more his life living vicariously through music.
9/10 - 20041h 23mNot Rated7.0 (343)TV Movie62MetascoreDirectorRuth LeitmanStarsGladys GillemJohn DalyMildred BurkeRing legends such as The Fabulous Moolah and Gladys "Kill 'Em" Gillem Long provide candid insights into the history of women's professional wrestling.July 11: Lipstick & Dynamite: The First Ladies of Wrestling (2004)
Leitman dives into 1950’s women’s wrestling with focus and care, and it will definitely entertain wrestling history buffs. However, the editing doesn’t do a whole lot to keep your interest and FUCK MOOLAH.
7/10 - DirectorLarry ShawStarsHilary DuffChristy Carlson RomanoGary ColeA fashion-conscious youngster is horrified when she is forced to move to military school.July 22: Cadet Kelly (2002)
It can be cheesy and goofy at times, but what else do you expect from a DCOM? For the type of TV movie it is, it’s rather damn good, with witty and fresh writing, great performances from Duff, Romano and Cole, and a fun score from Kitay.
7/10 - DirectorLeVar BurtonStarsKatey SagalRyan MerrimanKatie VoldingA teenager wins a fully-automated dream house in a competition, but soon the computer controlling it begins to take over and everything gets out of control. Then teenage Ben must calm the computer named PAT.July 24: Smart House (1999)
A surprisingly good blend of serious family drama and goofy B-movie robot house shenanigans, with endearing twee schmaltz, witty writing and great performances, especially from Kilner. The visual effects are pretty terrible, though.
8/10 - DirectorJohn CromwellStarsBette DavisLeslie HowardFrances DeeA young man finds himself attracted to a cold, unfeeling waitress who might ultimately destroy them both.July 26: Of Human Bondage (1934)
With its ahead-of-its-time cinematography and editing, great direction and fantastic performances from the wonderfully cruel Davis and empathetic Howard, Cromwell’s melodrama is a subtle, if repetitive, portrait of an abusive relationship.
9/10 - DirectorTamra DavisStarsChris RockAllen PayneDeezer DA guy makes a documentary of the rap band CB4 by following them. CB4 got popular by stealing Gusto's name, background and image. He wants them dead.August 1: CB4 (1993)
Some of the editing and timing is out of step with the rest of the film, but this wacky satire of gangsta rap is absolutely hilarious from beginning to end, helped by great comedic writing and direction, a top-notch esemble and infectious soundtrack.
8/10 - DirectorAnn GuedesEduardo GuedesStarsTom WaitsDamon LowryJúlia BrittonOn the run from a couple of hit-men, young Johnny Fortune escapes from a life in basement poolrooms to become a dancing bear with the strangest Punch and Judy man in the business.August 2: Bearskin: An Urban Fairytale (1989)
Coulter’s gorgeous cinematography elevates this already decent film, which suffers from poorly-written melodrama and some bad editing, but benefits from its rugged tone, thrilling story and talented (and dreamy) leading man.
8/10 - DirectorRobert DornhelmStarsKeith CarradineSally KirklandTom WaitsA psycho-killer with mommy issues, a charming crooked cowboy and their girl steal some jewels. The cowboy decides not to share and goes on the run with the loot. A crazy chase across the country between former partners in crime begins.August 3: Cold Feet (1989)
Outside of some chuckles here and there and decent acting, Dornhelm’s black comedy is hopelessly dull and unfunny, and bogged down by bad editing. Also they forgot to credit the boom mic as part of the cast.
5/10 - DirectorJohn CromwellStarsCharles BoyerHedy LamarrSigrid GurieA wanted jewel thief ensconced in the Casbah meets a beautiful woman who makes him long for an escape.August 4: Algiers (1938)
The gritty yet glamorous inspiration for Casablanca is nothing short of compelling, with superb direction, writing and camera work, a brilliantly dark ending and a great ensemble, Boyer, Lamarr and Calleia being especially charming.
9/10 - DirectorEdgar G. UlmerDouglas SirkStarsHedy LamarrGeorge SandersLouis HaywardIn 1820s New England beautiful but poor and manipulative Jenny Hager marries rich old man Isaiah Poster but also seduces his son and his company foreman.August 4 (bonus): The Strange Woman (1946)
Lamarr is absolutely delightful as the devilish, gold-digging wicked stepmother in this engaging melodrama, its low production value made up for with its writing and performances.
8/10 - DirectorJack ConwayStarsClark GableSpencer TracyClaudette ColbertTwo buddies who rise from fly-by-night wildcatters to oil tycoons over a ten-year period, are in love with the same woman.August 6: Boom Town (1940)
Everything goes by so fast, there’s seldom a moment to breathe. This would grow dull if it wasn’t for the absolute calibre of fiery, charismatic performers, especially Gable and Corbett, and the breathtaking oil fire scene.
8/10 - DirectorKing DonovanStarsJayne MansfieldTommy NoonanMarie McDonaldAfter a drunken spree on a cruise ship, two women discover that they're pregnant, and set out to find who the fathers are.August 8: Promises..... Promises! (1963)
The film’s selling point was/is Mansfield’s boobs (which are quite nice), and they certainly milk them for all they’re worth, leading to bad editing. The humor is too dry to fully enjoy, but the old-timey charm held my interest.
6/10 - DirectorFrank TashlinStarsTony RandallJayne MansfieldBetsy DrakeTo save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover.August 8 (bonus): Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
Equally shrewd and silly, this madcap comedy satirized the fifties before it was fashionable through Tashlin’s brilliant vision, gleeful double entendres and great performances from Randall, Mansfield and Blondell.
9/10 - DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsLily TomlinCharles GrodinNed BeattyA housewife grows smaller and smaller in reaction to chemicals found in cosmetics and household products.August 9: The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)
Despite its colors being way oversaturated and the zaniness not always landing, Schumacher’s debut is still funny and memorable thanks to its excellent special effects work and great performances from Tomlin and Grodin.
7/10 - DirectorAmos KollekStarsHanna SchygullaDebbie HarryAlec BaldwinA beautiful novelist gets involved with the violent underworld crime elements in New York City and becomes a target. Alec Baldwin plays the cop who pursues her killers.August 10: Forever, Lulu (1987)
The humor is this apparent comedy rarely lands unironically, with most jokes falling so hard they could be mistaken for over-the-top melodrama. While its writing is miserable, the 80’s aesthetics and Schygulla’s great performance redeem it.
5/10 - DirectorRob CohenStarsVin DieselPaul WalkerMichelle RodriguezLos Angeles police officer Brian O'Conner must decide where his loyalty really lies when he becomes enamored with the street racing world he has been sent undercover to end it.August 11: The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Despite some cool and memorable scenes, a badass soundtrack and Diesel’s performance, this shaky start to the billion-dollar franchise greatly prefers style over substance. Sadly the style has very little payoff and is quite lame.
6/10 - DirectorRob CohenStarsJoshua JacksonPaul WalkerHill HarperA senior at an ivy league college, who depends on scholarships and working on the side, gets accepted into the secret society The Skulls. He hopes it betters chances at Harvard but The Skulls is not what he thought and comes at a price.August 12: The Skulls (2000)
An insatiably good, exhilarating teen thriller with a perfect balance of genuinity and camp, elevated by the breathtaking cinematography and editing, exciting if slightly derivative writing and great performances from Jackson and Bibb.
8/10 - DirectorStanley KubrickStarsFrank SilveraKenneth HarpPaul MazurskyFour soldiers trapped behind enemy lines must confront their fears and desires.August 13: Fear and Desire (1953)
Kubrick hated his debut for being amateurish. While it is amateurish, it’s still an exceptional debut showcasing his developing talent, with gritty depictions of war, deft cinematography and lighting, brilliant writing and a stellar cast.
10/10