The story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks. I remember first seeing this film in college. I was taking a class on Filmmakers of the 50s and 60s. We were studying David Lean and we watched Lawrence of Arabia over 2 class periods over 2 … Continue reading 7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
In German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis. Schindler’s List is, arguably, the defining Holocaust film. I remember having to get a waiver signed when I was in the eighth grade, so we could watch the film once we finished our Holocaust unit. (Yes. We had a Holocaust unit.) … Continue reading 8. Schindler’s List (1993)
Listen: save for Doctor Strange, Scott Derrickson can’t write a film for nothin’ (and I attribute Doctor Strange‘s success to the visuals and the control that Marvel had over the subject matter. There were standards to uphold.) Nearly every time I have watched a film written and directed by that man, I end up watching a film with flimsily put together characters who have little to … Continue reading The Black Phone (2022)
Did I love it? No. Did I hate it? Also no. Taika Waititi’s second Marvel film definitely pales in comparison to the filmmakers first, Thor: Ragnarok. Love and Thunder had almost all the right pieces in place, except for that emotional pull. Was it just me or did you also feel little to nothing about Thor and Dr. Jane Foster? Because I was incredibly underwhelmed and didn’t … Continue reading Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
A former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed. Confession time: I have never seen Vertigo in one sitting, in its entirety. I have seen many scenes, and I knew an awful lot about the film. For example: did you know that Vertigo was one of the … Continue reading 9. Vertigo (1958)
Young Dorothy Gale and her dog are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others’ wishes. The Wizard of Oz has been one of my comfort films for a very long time. The fact that … Continue reading 10. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
With the aid of a wealthy erratic tippler, a dewy-eyed tramp who has fallen in love with a sightless flower girl accumulates money to be able to help her medically. Okay. I’m going to be completely honest: I have not been able to figure out why this particular Charlie Chaplin film is this high on the list. The reason can’t merely be that Chaplin decided … Continue reading 11. City Lights (1931)
An American Civil War veteran embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches after the rest of his brother’s family is massacred in a raid on their Texas farm Thank the lord, this is the last Western that I have on this list. I hated it. Hate may be too strong of a word. Maybe not. Directed by John Ford and … Continue reading 12. The Searchers (1956)
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t just a little disappointed. I have been excited to see Multiverse of Madness for months, especially with all the build up from the various Disney+ shows that tie into this film. However, something just felt off to me and I have yet to figure out what exactly. Directed by Sam Raimi, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness brings … Continue reading Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
I’m going to be completely honest: I was real disappointed with this film. I’m a fan of Paul Thomas Anderson, as both a writer and a director, but Licorice Pizza was not it. Right from the start, I was uncomfortable. Our two main characters, Alana, played by Alana Haim, and Gary, played by Cooper Hoffman, have a ten year age difference. Alana is twenty-five years … Continue reading Licorice Pizza (2021)
