11. City Lights (1931)

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)

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

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)

Licorice Pizza (2021)

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)

A Green Dress, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Understanding the Delicate Formula of the Movie Musical

I want to talk about the delicacy of the movie musical. And, how it’s not often that somebody has a grasp on both stage musicals and movie musicals, simultaneously. Earlier this week, a much anticipated deleted scene from Tick, Tick…BOOM! was released. Fans of the film finally got to see the much-talked about sequence, which had required an awful lot of choreography on the parts of … Continue reading A Green Dress, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Understanding the Delicate Formula of the Movie Musical

13. Star Wars (1977)

Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire’s world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader. I don’t think I’ve ever watched this film from the angle of evaluating it, cinematically.  Now, I’ve watched it a number of times, of course, because I … Continue reading 13. Star Wars (1977)

14. Psycho (1960)

A Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer’s client, goes on the run, and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother. One of the few true horror films on AFI’s 100 Greatest Films list is this Alfred Hitchcock classic. Released in theaters in 1960, I remember reading somewhere that, once the film began, you wouldn’t be … Continue reading 14. Psycho (1960)

15. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

The Monoliths push humanity to reach for the stars; after their discovery in Africa generations ago, the mysterious objects lead mankind on an awesome journey to Jupiter, with the help of H.A.L. 9000: the world’s greatest supercomputer. Alright. I’m going to be honest with you: it had been a hot minute since I last watched this film. Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, although undeniably … Continue reading 15. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)