The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Grand Budapest Hotel

2014
★★★½ Liked Watched

Unique unique unique. You know what you’re getting with Wes Anderson and this was a fun, quirky movie. Very amusing visual style, costumes, and set decorations.

There were some pretty random funny moments that made me laugh and gave off the feel i was watching a play put on with puppets.  Now that I think of it, his style is really iconic

The highlight was definitely the humor and delivery of the main character

Train to Busan

Train to Busan

2016
★★★ Watched

This was a pretty good zombie movie. I liked the beginning when the virus first breaks out on the cramped train, and the suspense that was built. Also that buff guy with the pregnant wife was a badass. 

I will say I don’t like how the zombies acted, felt not nearly as scary as other zombie movies and I felt aware that they were actors. Also when the mass of zombies all drag on the train? Bro what

Wasn’t really a fan of the melodrama bits at the end in general, but that’s the Korean style

City of God

City of God

2002
★★★★★ Liked Watched

What an incredible film. I think this is one of those movies every American should watch at least once. Saw this a long time ago alone in my room on Netflix, and I have continued to revisit it in my mind over the years.

Such a beautiful setting and depiction of the loss of human innocence when you’re surrounded by bad influences and shitty living conditions. The story reminds me of a Shakespearean tragedy. Also great cinematography and editing. 

This one really opened my eyes to how much gold there is in non-English movies.

Sound of Metal

Sound of Metal

2019
★★★ Liked Watched

Really good film with a message that makes you pause. Excellent tension and emotion throughout the first half.

It actually traumatized me seeing him play the drums after being told he was losing hearing the first time.

Probably my favorite thing about this movie was the capture of realistic human reactions and private conversations. This falls into the 2010s style of a minimal score and stark image coloring, capturing that unglamorous feeling.  

Second half felt a little rushed but the ending was succinct and redeeming with the fairytale ending of him going back to his girlfriend in Paris. Solid movie that I will remember

Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder

2008
★★★★½ Liked Watched

One of the best comedies of our lifetime in my opinion. No way in hell this type of movie would be made today.

Firstly, those fake movie trailers always have me cracking up before the movie even begins 

All of the satire is so spot on, and the cast is incredible. Robert Downey Jr. as a black guy, Ben Stiller’s narcissistic character, and Jack Black as an insane drug addict make for endless laughs. The ridiculous concept and situations these…

American Psycho

American Psycho

2000
★★★★½ Liked Watched

Because I want. To fit. In.

This is such a great, iconic film with iconic performances and source material. Dramatic commentary on the apathy of the corporate elite and how ridiculous society can feel

There are endless quotes in this movie and the psychopath inner voice/quips throughout are hilarious. And who doesn’t love the business card scene, the axe scene... VERY high replay value

Did the murders really happen, or was it all some dark fantasy?

Heathers

Heathers

1989
★★★ Watched

This movie is memorable to me because the film graininess and audio quality make everything extremely nostalgic and dream-like. It’s a lot more horror-inspired than I remember. 

I thought it rolled on style with some artsy camera angles worked in. Some corny moments but great chemistry between Christian Slater and Winona and the stereotype 80s high school setting make this one a fun watch. It goes from 2.5 to 3 stars for being iconic 

Don’t get the son and dad talking in reverse roles to each other? But I need that living room setup JD has

Terrifier 3

Terrifier 3

2024
★★★½ Liked Watched

One of the best slasher films I’ve seen in a long while. Feels perfectly stereotypical but modern and bolder. I agree with the commentary in the press that Art the Clown is one of the very rare new villains that has reached icon status. EXTREMELY gory which really highlighted the amazing makeup and prop work. 

Art the Clown has zero morals which is so satisfying to watch. No person or child is safe from a brutal killing, and there is no mercy

Bad Times at the El Royale

Bad Times at the El Royale

2018
★½ Watched

This movie was ok but a bit too whimsical for my taste. Felt like a script written for Netflix

I think Dakota Johnson’s acting is dull here. The only fun spots for me were the performances from Jeff Bridges and Chris Hemsworth

Plus how you gonna kill my guy Jon Hamm off like that??

Mad Max

Mad Max

1979
★★ Watched

I was introduced to this series with Fury Road, so this one was extremely tame in comparison. The story didn’t get going for me until halfway through. I always heard Road Warrior was where it gets good so maybe I’ll have to watch that

I did like Mel Gibson’s approach and I could tell there were some groundbreaking effects and shots for the time. The villains felt very normie and underwhelming tho

Overall boring but I give it props for starting the modern franchise I now love

True Romance

True Romance

1993
★★★★½ Liked Watched

Spectacular film. Quentin Tarantino’s writing plus Tony Scott directing make a beautifully vibrant tale of crime and fantasy. Love how they mythologize Los Angeles and the desire to run away. By the end I was shedding a tear, which rarely happens to me

Absolutely STACKED cast where each actor played their part near perfectly

The Green Knight

The Green Knight

2021
★★ Watched

Truly beautiful shots throughout, and I love movies in this setting and time period. However the story felt rushed from the beginning, so didn’t really hold my attention consistently. Felt that the fantasy world needed more building

Dev Patel did great. Also WTF is Barry Keoghan doing here again??

Solid concept, if a bit wandering