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I’ve watched eighty-five movies this year. That’s not that many. This newsletter will be published on the 179th day of 2021 which means I’ve watched a movie every 2.105 days, or basically every other day. A lot of the movies I watched for the first time, but some of them are re-watches. As with most stats the numbers don’t tell the whole truth. I don’t watch a movie every other day like clockwork. Generally, I’ll watch one or two movies a week, usually sometime between Tuesday-Thursday. And then on Saturday and Sunday mornings I will watch one if not two movies before breakfast. I have to get up early to take our dog out and going back to bed after that seems like a wild choice, so I watch a movie instead. Sometimes two, if I don’t have anything to do and they’re on the shorter side. In any case, here are ten of the best ones I’ve watched so far this year, in no order.
House of Games
David Mamet’s directorial debut this is a twisty con thriller. Starring sometimes Buffy antagonist Lindsay Crouse, Mamet’s then wife, and Joe Mantegna, it follows a psychiatrist as she discovers the wild world of conmen. Ricky Jay, RIP, also plays a conman. A little stagy at times, but not overly so, Mamet is adept at not giving away any of the plot’s twists and turns. A rollicking good flick for anyone interested in a fun twisty time.
The Age of Innocence
Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder and Martin Scorsese. What else do I need to say. A slow-burner of a historical romance, this film follows the upper-crust of 19th century New York and how families deal with love and tradition. Better than Bridgerton. The three stars shine and Scorsese shows himself to be as comfortable with love stories as he is with mob ones. Truly a banger.
Good Time
If I’ve chatted with you about movies at all in the last two years I’ve probably talked your ear off about Uncut Gems. Good Time is the movie the Safdie brothers did before writing and directing Uncut Gems. Starring everyone’s favorite sparkly vampire, Robert Pattinson, Good Time follows Pattinson as he attempts to bail his brother out of jail. An edge-of-your-seat character study, Good Time keeps you guessing and wondering where everything will go next. Featuring a cast mostly made up of non-actors the Safdies show just how good they are at creating tension and fully fleshed out characters in tandem. A tour-de-force.
M*A*S*H*
The TV show rules, but so does the movie. It guess it’s a little embarrassing I hadn’t seen this classic until a few years ago, but I’ll cop to it. Directed by Robert Altman and featuring Elliott Gould and Donald Sutherland this movie fully captures the vibe the TV show went on to emulate. Fast, witty, but also full of pathos M*A*S*H* will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. While parts of it are certainly problematic, it very much holds up. More of a combination of character vignettes than a plot machine it still holds together on the strength of the ensemble. Also, just as a warning, there are some pretty graphic medical surgery scenes, in case you have a queasy stomach. Well worth a shot for people who love the TV show, and for people who haven’t.
The Neon Demon
The Neon Demon and the next movie on this list deserve somewhat of a disclaimer in their reviews. These are stupid movies. They both have the overwhelming whiff of directors/writers who think they are the smartest, deepest people alive and want to prove it through their films. The problem is that they are not the smartest people and so whatever statements they try to make through their movies come out a problematic, incomprehensible mess. That being said The Neon Demon is a beautiful movie. Nicholas Winding Refn, the director is an absolute pro behind the camera. With the help of a genius lighting designer Refn uses neon and color wonderfully. Without the aesthetics this movie would be a bland depressive slog, but the camerawork and art direction go far enough that you can miss the plot for the beautiful aesthetics.
Under The Silver Lake
Similarly, to The Neon Demon, Under the Silver Lake is an aesthetic bullshit movie. With only a slightly more interesting plot, it hums along thanks to Andrew Garfield’s performance and the cinematography. This is a very good-looking movie with lots of very cool shots. It definitely does not say as much about the world as the director thinks it does, but makes up for it with the aesthetics. There are also some cool split diopter shots that are worth the price of admission.
Goonies
A kid’s classic on all accounts. A cable TV staple, I had somehow managed to avoid watching this until quite recently. A fun romp with Spielberg’s hands all over it, despite him just getting a producer title. If I had watched this as a 10-12 year old it would have been one of my favorite movies of all time. Also a very young Josh Brolin stars in it, which is crazy. Good low-stakes villains, some fun sequences, and a big ol pirate ship, what more could you want?
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
Watching this movie feels a bit like walking through a misty hall of mirrors. You’re never really sure what you’re watching, and it all feels a bit like a dream. Which is perfect for me. Written and directed by John Cassavetes and starring Ben Gazzarra this film follows strip club owner Cosmo Vittelli as he tries to deal with paying off a gambling debt. I won’t say anymore on the plot other than that. This is both a gangster movie, and a neo-noir, and in a lot of ways a dance movie. Check it out if you want to see a movie no studio in their right minds would make today.
The Judge and the Assassin
A Bertrand Tavernier film, this movie is based of the story of French serial killer Joseph Vacher. Featuring an early Isabelle Huppert and several other bravura performances this movie tackles head-on the political and social issues present in the Vacher case. Taking place in the late 1800s this movie does not shy away from making political statements in the least, despite the historical trappings of the movie. Also shot lovingly, the views of the French countryside and mountains are stunning. Come for the sets and stay for the drama.
Dredd
Karl Urban should be a bigger movie star than Chris Evans. He’s proved it many times, but especially in this adaptation of the Judge Dredd comic books. A stylish and colorful work, it combines a raw action energy with cool effects and a not overwhelming amount of CGI. A perfect action flick that was criminally ignored at the box office. A banger through and through.
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