Film watcher since the '90s, member here since 2018.
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Empire of the Sun 1987
In looking at Steven Spielberg's full filmography, Empire of the Sun reminded me of the experience of seeing War Horse during its theatrical run at the end of 2011: a handsomely mounted film with genuinely stirring segments that is quite strong but never quite adds up to the impact its makers want it to have. The production values are gorgeous, as all the craft elements work well, Spielberg's eye for visual storytelling is as sharp as ever, and that John…
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Heart Eyes 2025
Heart Eyes might be slight, but it works well as a solidly enjoyable horror-comedy hybrid. It’s apparent from the hilarious opening scene that the filmmakers are aiming to have fun in juxtaposing a paper-thin made-for-cable-TV style romcom with a slasher flick, and the approach consistently works well. The chemistry between leads Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding is cute even as their characters get mixed up in decidedly gory scenarios, and the comedy wrung from the existence of their meet cute…
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Parasite 2019
Arriving on a wave of hype since its Palme d’Or win in May, Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is every bit as mesmerizing as the buzz surrounding it suggests. With a razor-sharp script and excellent contributions from all players involved on both sides of the camera, it sunk its hooks into me within the opening minutes and never let go. Bong aims for many thematic and aesthetic targets over the course of the film, and he hits virtually every one with stunning…
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Phantom Thread 2017
Phantom Thread continues writer-director (and cinematographer this time out) Paul Thomas Anderson’s run as one of the most singular voices in film today. It’s an oddity that admittedly loses just a little bit of steam after it surpasses the 90-minute mark, but Anderson’s direction is intoxicating as ever. Each frame is crafted meticulously, and Anderson hasn’t lost a step in his skill in clear, powerful visual storytelling that tells viewers more than just the dialogue can convey. I must also…
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