Haven’t watched the Oscars in a really long time, but I am considering catching it for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
OUT OF SIGHT, 1998 - ★★★★
All Soderbergh does is make great heist films. This movie oozes sexiness from JLo and Clooney.
BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD, 2007 - ★★★★½
This movie is a gut punch. The filmmaking is fantastic (Sidney Lumet's swansong) and the cast is just full of incredible performances.
BEFORE SUNRISE, 1995 - ★★★★★
"You know what drives me crazy? It's all these people talking about how great technology is, and how it saves all this time. But, what good is saved time, if nobody uses it? If it just turns into more busy work. You never hear somebody say, "With the time I've saved by using my word processor, I'm gonna go to a Zen monastery and hang out". I mean, you never hear that."
THE PALE BLUE EYE, 2022 - ★★★
An interesting, yet painstakingly slow mystery with a twist I was not expecting.
PAUL T. GOLDMAN, 2023 - ★★★½
I don’t know what I watched but I couldn’t look away. I want to hate Paul so much but by the end I started to feel bad for him a little bit.
HOW A BOOK ABOUT BASEBALL INSPIRES US TO FOLLOW OUR PASSIONS
A few days ago, I finished reading Shoeless Joe, the book that inspired the film, Field of Dreams. Here are some deeper thoughts on a film and book that have helped to shape my world view:
As a baseball fan, Field of Dreams is at the top of my list for baseball films that showcase the love of the game. It goes without saying then that I would eventually find my way to the novel that inspired the film.
Shoeless Joe is different from the film in many ways, but at its core it is about a man who is called to follow his passion. And that has always been what has resonated with me. We can go through life just biding time, or we can choose to take risks and build baseball fields in Iowa cornfields. I hope to be like Ray and to watch others come follow their passions with me.
I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes from the book:
“I wish I had your passion for baseball,” Salinger says. “However misdirected it may be, it is still a passion. If I had my life to live over again, I’d take more chances. I’d want more passion in my life. Less fear and more passion, more risk. Even if you fail, you’ve still taken a risk.”
FIRE OF LOVE, 2022 - ★★★★
“Curiosity is stronger than fear.”
The volcanologists curiosity is much appreciated. A beautiful and tragic love story, for science.
GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY, 2022 - ★★★½
Solid acting all around, but not quite the umph I was expecting in the mystery department.
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, 2022 - ★★★★
Don’t doubt Mr. Cameron again. Also it’s better than the first one.
BLONDE, 2022 - ★★
This movie is very confusing and jumps all over the place. Ana de Armas still shines but the script is very weak.
THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, 2022 - ★★★★
The opening shot of this film is stunningly beautiful. The cinematography alone makes this worth watching. A tragic tale of friendship with three feckin' incredible performances and a haunting yet beautiful score.
GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO, 2022 - ★★★★½
The definitive film version of Pinocchio. Well done GDT.
THE SEA BEAST, 2022 - ★★★★
Netflix has a surprisingly good animation department and this deserved a theatrical release. Charming and heartwarming, but also action packed and funny to boot.
THE MENU, 2022 - ★★★★
Fiennes is sinister in his role and this was surprisingly funny. A delectable thriller with a great cast.
HACKERS, 1995 - ★★★½
I love this corny movie. Full of hilarious one-liners and effects that are so bad they’re good. Great popcorn cult classic to watch when you’re bored.
THE NORTHMAN, 2022 - ★★½
Not for me. The Green Knight is better for the period piece art house vibe.
THE VILLAINESS, 2017 - ★★★½
Great action and first person camera work. Plot is a little erratic and confusing though.
THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, 1990 - ★★★★
One of the best lines ever, and incredibly accurate:
“Listen, I’m a politician, which means I’m a cheat and a liar, and when I’m not kissing babies, I’m stealing lollipops.”
DEEP WATER, 2022 - ★★★ (CONTAINS SPOILERS)
This review may contain spoilers.
Narrator: What lengths would you go to to be with Ana de Armas? Murderous cucking?
Ben Affleck: Yes.
Narrator: So be it.
