Favorite films

Recent reviews

• 

  My Neighbor Totoro 1988

  Watched 17 Dec 2024

  Am I an idiot for leaving this masterpiece on the back burner for so many years? Yes. 

  Am I glad it’s no longer a blind spot for me? Double yes. 

  The kicker for me was watching it with my son. There’s a message buried beneath the magic about what it’s like to be a kid and grow with the world—sometimes mom and dad are there to help guide you and sometimes they aren’t. A gut punch, sure—but it also leaves you feeling like it’ll all be okay in the end.

• 

  Argylle 2024

  Watched 17 Dec 2024

  I knew this film was poorly received, I knew it was a box office flop—and yet, I went into it with a positive mindset. Matthew Vaughan is a very visually interesting director, and I think some of his poorly reviewed films in the past have actually been pretty entertaining. (The King’s Man, for example.) 

  However….I didn’t enjoy Argylle as much as I hoped I would. It’s harsh, but the only word I can think to say is…boring. Not exactly the word you would want someone to use to describe your action film. 

  Henry Cavill innocent though he a king. 👑

Popular reviews

• 

  Ocean Heaven 2010

  ★★★★ Added

  I bought this movie for a dollar. What a robbery.

  This really caught me off guard. It's a Chinese drama about a dying man who is trying to teach his autistic son how to survive through life long after he's gone, as well as get his son situated with someone who can care for him.

  It is a real gut puncher. I blubbered for about 30 straight minutes after I finished watching, and since viewing I have recommended this to…

• 

  The Music Box 1932

  ★★★★½ Added

  This short won an Academy Award, and I can see why.

  Laurel and Hardy were able to take a simple idea--delivering a piano--and turn it into comedy gold. It's hysterical. The gags are great (my favorite is when you can clearly see that it's a dummy being dragged down several flights of stairs), and the performances elevate the comedy. Worth watching with a runtime of only 30 minutes.

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