James Ivory - The Remains of the Day - 1993
Have seen this lovely work three times now, my favorite Merchant Ivory film. So perfect, visually stunning, with a pacing that is experienced in few films. Tony Pierce-Roberts adds some really beautiful photography, he also shot Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy TV Mini-Series, Moonlighting (discussed recently here), A Room with a View, and Howards End.
Peter Bogdanovich - The Last Picture Show - 1971
Have seen many times over the years. Love the film. Timothy Bottoms gives a truly mature performances. One of the best films from the 70s.
3.21.2018
Gas Live in Brooklyn with Video by Wolfgang Voigt (GAS).
Slowly shifting trees, branches, leaves and light. Not only is the man's music pure pleasure, but so are his films. Perfection.
3.22.2018
Paul Verhoeven - Basic Instinct - 1992
At 17 I walked in on this film during the leg crossing scene. I thought I was going to hear the line from Naked Lunch. After a while I didn't hear it and left. First time seeing it since then. Very much in the Hitchcock tradition, maybe because it is filmed in SF, had a Vertigo feel bordering on pastiche, the music as well. Quite graphic sex scenes. Had some moments but overall the film just had too much a ersatz quality like the Brian De Palma films.
3.23.2017
Jonathan Mostow - Breakdown - 1997
Kurt Russell film, in the Frantic or The Vanishing tradition. "Rich asshole looking for trouble". Not the best film, but enjoyable. Took a while for Snake Plissken to show up. J.T. Walsh did a great job as a shitbird heavy, as did M.C. Gainey, whom my wife pointed out is the naked cuckold in Sideways with the free as a bird johnson (see below).
Michael Haneke - Code Unknown - 2000
The truly great film by Haneke is The Piano Teacher in my humble opinion. Second time seeing this film but it really lacks the magic of The Piano Teacher, too much post L'Argent business or something. So many contemporary films in Europe that that later-Bresson feel, almost like in a way the Verhoeven/De Palma films to Hitchcock. The Dardenne brothers do but somehow make it more original. Maybe someone that has more of a connection to films from this period would have a different opinion?
Michael Mann - Heat - 1995
Watched with Michael Mann audio commentary.
Edward Zwick - Legends of the Fall - 1994
Flawed film, but quite watchable. Anthony Hopkins is really visually stunning in it, such a presence and a wonderful actor. Bad 90s soundtrack brought it down significantly. Not without interest though.
3.26.2018
Martin Scorsese - Casino - 1995
Goodfellas without the charm. Have seen a few times over the years, not one of my favorite Scorsese films, but James Woods sure is good in it! Post Goodfellas; Shutter Island is one hell of a great film.
3.27.2018
Sean Baker - The Florida Project - 2017
Watched this mostly to be current with new films and current film-makers. I can see the appeal of the film for sure but something about it seemed too soft throughout... and then the really uninspired ending met me down, not just as a concept or the way it was shot but the saccharine music was unbearable. I wonder if other people found this trite? Mostly watched it to see Willem Defoe, who ws great as always. The film is very similar to American Honey or Fishtank, the latter is really a good film.
3.28.2018
Woody Allen - Wonderstruck - 2017
Unwatchable film, turned it off.
Barry Levinson - Diner - 1982
Second viewing, but didn't remember the film very well except that it was worth watching. One of the best scenes is in the movie theater with Mickey Rourke and his popcorn shenanigans. I am on a "second viewing" (or more) trip right now, revisiting films from my youth or watched more recently, and getting to know them better. This film left a good impression for me but the details were hazy, second viewing was rewarding.
John Michael McDonagh - The Guard - 2011
Second time. Really great film, the sort of strange surreal absurdist quality you find in films like The Lobster, Calvary (same director), and In Bruges (by his brother Martin McDonagh).
3.31.2018
Martin McDonagh - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - 2017
Second viewing. Saw in the theater, and now on blu-ray projected. Loved this film the first time and even more the second time. Very taut, and simplistic, yet repeat viewings bring some more complex business to the foreground. The acting in this film is really suburb. The story the first viewing seemed a little off... like the contradictions in some of the character's behavior and motivations (esp. Mildred), but the second time these contradictions made the film more interesting.
Second viewing. The subtle formal qualities of this film become more rewarding on each viewing. I look forward to seeing this many times. One that comes to mind: when Michael Stuhlbarg and Timothée Chalamet are having the discussion toward the end of the film, the camera cuts from an over the shoulder cut of Stuhlbarg facing Chalamet, Stuhlbarg is out of focus and looking down with cigarette smoke surrounding him, the cut is over the shoulder of Chalamet to Stuhlbarg but he is looking intensely at his son (not looking down) and no smoke. Some could see it as a continuity issue but it is just such a strong way to zoom into the intensity of what Stuhlbarg ends up saying and the beauty of the conversation. Stuhlbarg's performance here is so strong, he is really one of the greatest living actors.
4.1.2018 - 4.2.2018
David Chase - The Sopranos - 1999-2007
Late last year I started a fifth viewing of this wonderful show. Made it most of the way through season 1. Started now with Season 2 and watch about a third. First episode with Frank Sinatra montage really classic. Had a brief interaction with Chase recently which prompted it.
4.4.2018
Ridley Scott - Alien: Covenant - 2017
Only watched part of, previous one (and of course Alien and Aliens) much more watchable.
4.5.2018
Lennart Ruff - The Titan - 2018
Only watched part of.
4.6.2018
William Friedman - The Exorcist: Director's Cut - 1973/2010
Second or third time seeing the Director's Cut. Have watched the film a hundred times and love it, especially the colorful language. First encountered as a young kid via my pop. Life changer.
Alexander Payne - Sideways - 2004
Have watched this film many times and it gets better every time. Something about their friendship very appealing to me, hidden under a sort of regular feel good film.
4.8.2018
Clint Eastwood - Absolute Power - 1997
Second time seeing this, could only remember the film in a vague way. A pretty good Eastwood film, not a great one, Judy Davis had something to do with the not greatness, man she annoyed the hell out of me in this one; dated. Reminded me to watch the great Eastwood/Hackman collaboration - Unforgiven from 1992.
Terrence Davis - A Quiet Passion - 2016
Breathtaking sequence early in when the film shifts from the the early period in the story to mid/late period by slowly zooming in on each family member during a photo shoot, and the characters slowly age. Almost turned this off before this virtuosic shot because of the young Emily, but became very interested after this transformation, with Cynthia Nixon who is just so stunning in the film, as is Keith "I'm Easy" Carradine. A nice cast overall, as is the photography by Florian Hoffmeister.
Lynne Ramsay - Morvern Callar - 2002
Second viewing, had really not remembered the film, nor if I liked it or not. Pretty good film though, a little dated with some of the techniques and plot but still quite nice. Hoping to see her new film tomorrow, has been a busy couple of weeks.
4.11.2017 - 4.18.2018
Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould - Better Call Saul - 2015-2018
Finished second half of season 2 and then season 3. Has good moments. Started a new job and was a bit burnt out when I got home every night. Very good job though and happy I got it. This show kind of worked good to keep my eyes occupied.
4.19.2018
Dan Gilroy - Roman J. Israel, Esq. - 2017
Not the best film but Denzel Washington is really great in it. Mr. Colin Farrell too.
4.20.2018
Benedict Andrews - Una - 2016
I really like Ben Mendelsohn but couldn't get into the film.
4.21.2018
Sebastian Schipper - Victoria - 2015
Took me 2 nights to watch this and I couldn't get through it. Great that it is a single shot, but didn't get into the film.
Marc Forster - Monster's Ball - 2001
Second time seeing this film, very good with great performances. Tragic, kind of dated but in a way that is appealing. My wife kept mentioning how good the music was, and how the moments in between story were so good, and she was quite right.
John Flynn - The Outfit - 1973
Great 70s film monsieur T. recommended. Top notch cast and story moves very fast with tight action. Almost kitschy but somehow not quite. Very appealing that.
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