1163. The Towering Inferno

The Towering Inferno
1974
Directed by John Guillermin

When the actors involved with a project end up hating the film (Paul Newman called it a "turkey"), you know it's probably not going to be a great movie. But it appears that many movies I do love owe a lot to this film, so I suppose its inclusion on the List is justified. 

Architect Doug Roberts (Newman) returns to San Francisco for the grand dedication of the Glass Tower, which he designed for James Duncan. The Glass Tower has 138 stories, making it the tallest building in the world. During the party, a fire starts on the 81st floor, because somebody thought it was a good idea to put paint thinners next to a circuit breaker. As in most disaster movies, the action is heavily based off of the characters behaving as stupidly as possible in a situation. Then again, I am sure that it is how people handle emergencies in real life, so I suppose it's justified.

Wow, two hours and forty-four minutes. That's a long run time, even when you have Newman's steely blue gaze to dive into. This movie takes on a different sort of tinge after 9/11, which makes it sort of a dark watch, as opposed to Die Hard. I actually kept wishing I was watching Die Hard. 

It's fun seeing some older movie stars though, with the exception of OJ Simpson. 

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

1,000 real firemen were hired throughout the entire production. 

William Holden demanded top billing (but failed to get it), and Steve McQueen threw a fit that Paul Newman had 12 more lines of dialogue than he did. 

Holden later called the film "lousy." Ah, actors.

1162. Y tu mama tambien

Y tu mama tambien
And Your Mom Too
2001
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron

 

Well, I've been hankering for a comedy for awhile now. Unfortunately, this one contains teenaged boys. I don't like teenaged boys. Based on my experience in high school, I'm comfortable guessing that the feeling is mutual. Gross out humor isn't my thing, and boys are pretty gross. 

With their girlfriends on vacation, best friends Julio and Tenoch go to a wedding and meet the alluring Luisa. The actress who plays Luisa was actually the wicked stepmother in another List movie, Blancanieves. She also has an interesting take on maternalism here. After learning that her husband cheated on her, Luisa asks to accompany the boys on a trip to a beach they bragged about, not knowing that beach in question was made up by the boys in an effort to impress her. Ever seen the movie Bandits? It's kind of like that.

Just how young are these boys supposed to be anyway? I thought this was fairly disturbing, and the sex scenes were all excruciatingly awkward to watch. I suppose some will hail this as a brave exploration of teenage sexuality. Um, okay. That's not really territory I want to venture into, quite frankly. 

Also, I thought the narration was unnecessary. I think I've had about as much of Alfonso Cuaron as I can take.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The ending scene was the first scene filmed.

Diego Luna wore a prosthetic penis to appear circumcised. 

1161. Senna

Senna
2010
Directed by Asif Kapadia

A good documentary can make you care about any subject, even racecar driving. I know there are many people attracted to the art of driving really fast in circles. I don't doubt that it's a rush for the maniacs in the cars, I just don't find it particularly interesting to watch. But Ayrton Senna was a worthy subject for a documentary.

The film focuses on Senna's racing career, from his debut in the 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix to his death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The documentary consists of interviews, race footage, and even some Senna family videos. 

I'll be honest, I had no idea who Senna was before this documentary. International motor racing isn't that big of a deal in America, and I don't hang out with the NASCAR crowd. But the film did a good job of communicating what a big deal he was in Brazil. It was fascinating to see how his dedication to his sport pretty much amounted to a death wish.

I particularly enjoyed the parts that focused on his rivalry with Alain Prost. An interesting look at a very, very handsome man. 

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

First film about Senna that had the approval of Senna's family, and the approval of Formula One management.

First documentary film produced by Working Title Productions.

1160. Collateral

Collateral
2004
Directed by Michael Mann

I keep thinking my Tom Cruise days are behind me, but then he pops up in another entry. It's scary to know he could be lurking behind every corner. But I'll be honest, I was craving something a little less broody than what the List has been doling out lately. This fit the bill pretty well. At the very least, it didn't contain any wartime atrocities.

Max is a Los Angeles cab driver who agrees to drive a stranger to several locations over the course of a night for $600. As Max waits at the first stop, a body falls on his cab. The stranger reveals himself to be a hitman with a tight schedule. He forces Max to drive him to his remaining jobs, and Max becomes increasingly desperate for a means of escape.

I really love Jamie Foxx, who pretty much steals the show from Cruise with his convincing performance as an ordinary man who finds himself hopelessly out of his league. There was also a really powerful supporting cast, which included the always impressive Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem.

I think the script coupled with the performances prevented this film from being another thoughtless action movie, even if it kind of turned into the Terminator toward the end. I enjoyed it, and it was a nice reprieve from really dark subject matters. 

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg all passed on the opportunity to direct.

Adam Sandler was considered for the role of Max. 

John Travolta was considered for the part of Vincent. One creepy Scientologist at a time please.

1159. Un long dimanche de fiançailles

Un long dimanche de fiançailles

A Very Long Engagement
2004
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet

You can always count on Jean-Pierre Jeunet to imbue a film with a whimsy, even if he is dealing with a subject matter as bleak as World War I. I am actually just hitting that era with my 1001 Book blog (check it out), so it's interesting to see another story take place with this setting.

The always delightful Audrey Tautou stars in this film as Mathilde Donnay, a woman who refuses to give up hope that her fiancee is alive after receiving a report of his death. Mathilde begins to piece together what happened on the battlefield. At the same time, another woman, a prostitute named Tina Lombardi, is on her own quest for vengeance on all the military officers who had a part in her lover's death.

This was a very stylish movie that isn't shy about portraying the grisly violence of war. And Tautou has to be one of the most likable actresses of all time. I think if certain actresses tried to pull off that level of earnestness and optimism, it might be grating. But I was cheering for her the entire time. 

The length also suited the mood of the film and there were some interesting twists throughout. Don't piss off Marion Cotillard. 

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The movie was refused financial aid by the French government because it was produced by a company owned by Warner Bros. 

Marion Cotillard had eight minutes of screen time.

1158. Shame

Shame
2011

Directed by Steve McQueen

I am sort of getting desperate for a light-hearted List movie, since they have been so heavy lately. This is another very serious film, but it has certain...compensations. 

Brandon is an executive in New York City who is barely keeping a lid on his sex addiction. His sister Sissy insists on staying with him, and clearly comes with her own set of mental illnesses. Oh yes, and Michael Fassbender is naked. A lot.

It's always interesting to see sex addiction treated as a grave issue, as it is often dismissed as something celebrities claim to have to justify cheating on their wives. The entire film is remarkably ambiguous, and Fassbender's performance really contributes to that theme. And it was intriguing that the story never attempted to redeem its characters.

Also, the bar scene was very, ahem, memorable for me.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The first time Fassbender saw this film he was with his father. 

Shot in 25 days.

Carey Mulligan has said she found her nude scene was liberating.

1157. Portrait de la jeune fille en feu

Portrait de la jeune fille en feu
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
2019
Directed by Celine Sciamma

I keep going back and forth on whether I liked this movie or not. I didn't really enjoy the experience of watching it, but it had some redeeming qualities that I admire. So maybe I will just settle for telling other people to watch it, and never seeing it again myself.

At the end of the eighteenth century, Marianne is commissioned by a wealthy woman to paint a portrait of her daughter Heloise. Heloise is to be married off to a Milanese nobleman. Because Heloise refuses to pose for portraits, Marianne pretends to be her hired companion so she can study her and paint her in secret. The two begin falling in love, but LGBTQ period dramas rarely have happy endings.

The cinematography was beautiful, and I feel an attempt was made to make each frame look like a painting. But I think this also gave the film a stilted quality sometimes. I was actually surprised that the two leads had been a couple prior to filming, as they didn't seem to have that much chemistry. Maybe that's why they aren't together anymore.

I also liked how the movie challenged the idea that the Muse is a passive participant who doesn't have much control over the actual act of creation. It felt as though Heloise and Marianne were painting together, even though Heloise never picked up a brush. And the ending was moving.

The decision to not have a score also makes sense, given the theme of translating a painting into a movie. But it did make the film feel very slow. So I am still not convinced I liked it, but it says something that I can't stop thinking about it.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

In the festival scene, the women are chanting in Latin "they cannot escape."

The final shot in the movie is two minutes and 27 seconds long.

1156. Monos

Monos
2019
Directed by Alejandro Landes

Continuing our trend of upsetting movies, we now take on Monos, which tells the story of a group of teenaged soldiers who hold a white woman hostage in Colombia. I think "child soldiers" is the center square of my misery bingo card.

A group of armed teenagers, identified only by their noms de guerre, are tasked with watching over a prisoner of war, referred to as Doctora. The group is referred to as Monos, but it is never really clear what guerrilla group they belong to. There are constant conflicts within the group, and Doctora tries to do everything she can to escape.

The cinematography of this movie was beautiful and the score was effective in creating a distinctive mood. The plot didn't have much direction, but I think that was the point. These children are completely cut off from the world and only have each other. Strangely, that doesn't seem to bond them so much, as they seem willing to throw each other under the bus at every turn. 

I didn't find any of the characters particularly compelling, but that was probably because they were very hard to relate to. I think it definitely became more interesting towards the end. So an unusual movie, but not one I would want to revisit again.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Loosely based on Lord of the Flies and Heart of Darkness.

The actor who plays Messenger was a real soldier of the FARC from the age of 11 to 24.

1155. The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener
2005

Directed by Fernando Meirelles

I think the days of happy List movies are done, and what we are left with a collection of films ranging from bleak to downright miserable. Recently we've had a documentary on the Syrian uprising, a dark comedy about suicide bombers, and a drama about a Polish nun whose family was killed in the Holocaust. The Constant Gardener is pretty sad as well, although it seems almost cheerful in comparison to the other List offerings.

Justin Quayle is a British diplomat in Kenya. He tries to solve the murder of his wife Tessa, an Amnesty activist who was investigating a suspicious drug trial. Their love story is told in flashback as Justin realizes he didn't know his wife as well as he thought.

I had never heard of this book/movie before, and from its title I gauged that it was going to be some sort of Lady Chatterly's Lover type story. Instead, it was a pretty effective thriller, even if it was moving in a fairly predictable direction the entire time. I'm not the biggest Ralph Fiennes fan, but Rachel Weisz definitely earned her Oscar for this film.

It was upsetting to see the condition of the slums of Kibera. Apparently the cast and crew were so affected by what they saw that they set up a Constant Gardener Trust which has helped fund freshwater tanks, a school in Kibera, and the construction of a bridge to allow easier access to health clinics. I guess Voldemort had a change of heart.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Lupita Nyong'o worked as a production runner during filming in Kenya.

Kibera residents live on less than $.80 per day.

Based on a John Le Carre novel.

1154. Four Lions

Four Lions
2010
Directed by Chris Morris

Creating a comedy about terrorists is a daunting task. And I tend to hate the comedies that aim to be as offensive as possible, like Borat. But I actually quite enjoyed this. It didn't feel like any character was the butt of the joke. Instead, the comedy was a means of demystifying the idea of suicide bombers.

A group of radicalized British Muslim men aspire to commit an act of terrorism. There's Barry, a white Islam convert who believes the best way to avenge Western imperialism is to bomb a mosque. There's Omar and his witless cousin Waj. Then there's Faisal, who is perhaps the stupidest of the bunch. 

I like that the movie didn't dwell on the religious fanaticism behind the actions of the group. I think we tend to believe terrorists are purely motivated by religion, and often ignore the other factors that go into it.  Here, less focus is paid on religion, and instead the film zeroes in on their dim-witted antics. Strangely, it still felt has though their characters were treated with respect. 

But shame on them for considering blowing up a Boots. They have such good candy there.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

After the film premiered the UK terror threat level was raised to "severe."

1153. Tetsuo

Tetsuo
1989
Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto

It's been awhile since I assigned a zero star rating, but it certainly seems to apply here. I am not a fan of the body horror genre, or giant metal phalluses, so this really didn't do it for me. I am starting to realize that the movies kept out of my edition of the Book were kept out for good reason.

There is no way to give a plot summary of this disgusting movie without disgusting my readers. I'll leave out the gory details and just say that a metal fetishist gets hit by a car by a young couple. Let's just say the kids from I Know What You Did Last Summer got off easy. 

Just gratuitous sex and gore that relies on dated special effects to appear artsy. Definitely did not need to add these scenes to my bank of mental images.

RATING: -----

Interesting Facts:

Certain scenes were used in a Portishead music video.

1152. Kundun

Kundun
1997
Directed by Martin Scorsese

I think this is the eleventh Martin Scorsese movie on the List, which seems...excessive. Personally, I'd take out Casino, Gangs of New York, Hugo, and this one. 

Kundun is based on the life and writings of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama and the political leader of Tibet. The film depicts the life of the Dalai Lama from 1937 to 1959. The real Dalai Lama's grand-nephew plays the lead role.

So I guess it makes sense that somebody claiming to be the Dalai Lama doesn't make for the most relatable character. He is so distant that I felt very far removed from everything that happened. It seemed like such a spiritual story should feel more personal. I found myself watching the clock quite a bit. 

I get the sense Scorsese had trouble connecting to the material as well. It really had some dull stretches, although the fact that he cast non actors did give it an authentic feel. Not the most exciting Scorsese film you'll come across, but I guess worth watching if you want to see him do something completely different.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The Dalai Lama and his family were portrayed by actual relatives of the Dalai Lama.

Filmed in Morocco. 

Scorsese, the writer Melissa Mathison, and her husband Harrison Ford are all banned from entering Tibet because of this movie.

1151. RoboCop

RoboCop
1987
Directed by Paul Verhoeven

Like Mary Poppins, this movie is undeniably iconic and naturally deserves a place on the List. While action isn't my go to genre, it can fit a certain mood, and I certainly appreciate the silliness right now. Although I guess a movie about cops murdering people doesn't provide much escapism in 2020.

Officer Alex Murphy is murdered by a gang leader. He is brought back to be the cyborg RoboCop, built to be the ultimate police officer...whatever that entails. Predictably, it doesn't go as planned.

So this movie pretty much fulfills all its promises: exciting actions scenes, cutting edge special effects (1987 special effects, but still), and recognizable catchphrases. And if you have to force a metaphor out of it, there's that too.

Again, it might hit a little too close to home right now, but if you can get past that, it's a fun movie to watch with somebody and mock mercilessly.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The RoboCop suit was so hot and heavy that Peter Weller was losing three pounds a day from water loss, until an air conditioner was installed in the costume.

Body count of 34. 

1150. Tree of Life

Tree of Life
2011

Directed by Terrence Malick

Are there any negative medical effects to rolling your eyes? Maybe it trains your body to be disdainful. I don't want to be disdainful. I really tried with this one, but I ended up hating this movie as much as it dared me to. 

Ugh where to begin? This movie asks itself the same question. A middle aged man remembers growing up in 1950s Texas. His mother was angelic and devout, and his father was strict and distant. The origins of the universe are explored, and a dinosaur is nice to another dinosaur.

I've never seen the movie Cloud Atlas, and god willing never will, but I've read the novel. This reminded me of that narrative. It's trying to tell a story so big that it ends up shooting itself in the foot. There is a reason storytellers zoom in, it's the only way to make sense of things. It's also a very spiritual movie, and right now I am not a spiritual person.

It's a movie that stubbornly refuses to answer any questions, and I got bored of being stonewalled for three hours. 

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Over a million feet of film were shot and printed.

A few American theaters would put up signs warning viewers about the film's untraditional structure, after there were walk outs and demands for refunds. 

1149. Adaptation

Adaptation
2002
Directed by Spike Jonze

My boyfriend and I are in disagreement about the merits of Nicolas Cage's acting career. I hope we know each other well enough at this point for you to guess which side I'm on. This movie, along with Raising Arizona are often invoked in his defense.  For my part, I cite the remainder of his filmography. I'll admit this is a good movie, but it's a good movie in spite of Cage, not because of Cage.

Sometimes the only thing to do to cure writer's block is to write about having writer's block. Charlie Kaufman is struggling to adapt Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief to a screenplay. His twin brother Donald has moved into his house and mooches off of Charlie. Oh, like Cage is the first person to play a pair of identical twins. Ahem, anyway, Charlie goes to New York City to discuss the screenplay with Orlean. Charlie's social awkwardness once again hampers him from having a successful career. Twin antics ensue.

Obviously, the presence of Meryl Streep elevates a movie, even if it can't save it entirely. I found this relatable, as I constantly deal with writer's block. It was never predictable, and I really enjoyed trying to guess what would happen next. 

It's a little smug, but so are writers.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Nicolas Cage said he ignored all his acting instincts in this role and just played the part exactly how Spike Jonze wanted it. That explains a few things.

All three main stars of Con Air appear in this movie. The reunion we were all waiting for. 

1148. Mrs. Miniver

Mrs. Miniver
1942
Directed by William Wyler

I think I have seen all the Best Picture winners to date, with the exception of Green Book. I really don't like a lot of the movies on that List, though, Mrs. Miniver included. 

Mrs. Miniver tells the story of a British housewife whose life is touched by World War II. Her son, Vin, falls in love with Carol and enlists in the Royal Air Force. This can only end in tears.

Can propaganda ever be art? It's not an easy question to answer. There is a manipulative element inherent in propaganda that doesn't allow for much personal interpretation. Also, all of these characters had such a stiff upper lip that I had trouble relating to them. It just felt like everybody was supposed to be the ideal English person. Like if we had a movie now about a family who all wear masks and limited their social gatherings to five people. Actually, I'd probably watch that too. 

A true classic, but not one I want to revisit again and again.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Winston Churchill said that this film had done more for the war effort than a flotilla of destroyers.

First movie to be nominated for five acting Oscars.

1147. Get Out

Get Out
2017
Directed by Jordan Peele

I finally did an official inventory of the movies I still have left on this List. I was afraid if I didn't, I would end up with 1230 movies and have no idea what's missing. Which is exactly what happened, but luckily, I figured it out pretty quickly. I can't believe I missed an opportunity to write about this movie for October, and instead tried to convince everyone Elephant was a Halloween movie (did it work?). Oh well, I can now give this movie the respect it deserves.

Chris Washington is nervous to meet the family of his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage. The Armitages have a home in upstate New York. Her father is a neurosurgeon, her mother is a hypnotherapist, and her brother is a douchebag. Chris witnesses some strange behavior from the Armitages' black housekeeping staff. I guess I will end my summary there to avoid spoilers. 

This movie does such a great job of showcasing microaggressions, and usually films about race aren't capable of that subtlety. I love Jordan Peele movies (Us was also fantastic) and I hope he keeps making them. I think people (and certainly the Academy) underestimate the level of social commentary that horror movies can provide. 

I saw this in theaters in the before times (RIP). There is a moment when a police officer shows up. In any other horror movie, the sight of a police car would be a huge relief. However, when the cop pulled up in this film, everybody in the audience groaned. I think this shows how effective Peele was at shattering the illusion of a post-racial America.

There's a serious lack of representation of Black people in horror movies, so much so that it's become a familiar trope that the people of color will die immediately. Thank heavens for Jordan Peele (and his wife). 

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Jordan Peele said, "The Sunken Place means we're marginalized. No matter how hard we scream, the system silences us."

Much of the dialogue was improvised.

Directorial debut of Peale.

1146. District 9

District 9
2009
Directed by Neil Blomkamp

This was another movie that I had previously seen in a film class. I guess the professor was excited about the parallels between this movie and Apartheid. And they are pretty exciting. 

The movie is partially presented in found footage format. In this universe, an alien spaceship carrying a population of sick insect-like aliens appeared over South Africa in 1982. These aliens were eventually put in an internment camp (District 9). Twenty years later, one of the aliens, Christopher Johnson, attempts to return home with his son. He crosses paths with a somewhat bumbling bureaucrat, Wikus van der Merwe, who becomes, shall we say, personally involved in the fates of Christopher and his family.

I really like the style of this movie, and I thought it was a fresh take a rather stale concept (i.e. found footage). Like I said, it was interesting to see all the subtle nods to actual policies that existed. I loved the character of Wikus, who felt very real to me, and witnessing his transformation.

A thoughtful sci fi movie without any Hollywood sheen. Worth watching even without the encouragement of a hot film professor.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

The language the aliens use was created by rubbing together pumpkins.

Banned in Nigeria.

1145. Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins
1964
Directed by Robert Stevenson

This is one of those movies that is deserving of its place on the List, but that doesn't make it an enjoyable watch. It's a cutesy film that I am sure holds a lot of nostalgia for many people. But it was never a favorite of mine to watch growing up. We stayed away from the more saccharine movies in my day.

Mary Poppins descends from the clouds to take care of the Banks children, Jane and Michael. I guess Mr. Banks and his wife don't really pay attention to their children, but if there really is an umbrella-wielding deity who can use magic whenever she wants, surely there were children in 1910 London more deserving of her help. Like, say, the chimney sweeps. 

A musical is only as good as its songs, and although many of these songs are iconic, I don't like a single one. If I had to choose, I would say that "A Spoonful of Sugar" is perhaps the least obnoxious. I also didn't like the animation sequences. I suppose it was a technical achievement at the time, now it just feels trippy and out of place.

So like I said, it is definitely 1001-worthy, but personally I find these kinds of cloying movies hard to stomach. 

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

P.L. Travers, the author of the original novel, hated this movie so much that she left the premiere in tears.

Elizabeth Taylor was considered for the role of Mary Poppins.

1144. The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight
2008
Directed by Christopher Nolan

I was surprised to discover I hadn't written about this movie yet, as it's the major exception to my "I don't like superhero movies" rule. I actually think it's nearly impossible not to enjoy this movie, but perhaps one of my followers will prove me wrong!

So this is the second installment of Nolan's Batman trilogy, but it's not necessary to see Batman Begins to understand the plot. It's almost better not to see Batman Begins first, because then you can forget Rachel Dawes is being played by a different actress. Basically, Batman, Lieutenant James Gordon, and District Attorney Harvey Dent work somewhat in unison to dismantle crime in Gotham City. This is a task made much more difficult by the arrival of the Joker, an anarchist who is the human embodiment of chaos.

The most memorable part of this movie is Heath Ledger's performance. I think it works so well because shockingly, it doesn't overpower the entire film. There's so much else going on, that the entire film doesn't have to revolve around his Acting (like Joaquin Phoenix's Joker). There's an amazing supporting cast, which includes Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckart, Gary Oldman, and yes, even Christian Bale. My other usual issue with superhero movies is that there are no stakes (e.g. if a character dies they are brought back in the next movie, if a headquarters is destroyed, it's fully repaired in the sequel, etc). That is certainly not the case here.

And it's just so damn quotable too. "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain" is true in reality television, and true in reality as well. And Michael Caine's "some men just want to watch the world speech" is unforgettable.

So in my always humble opinion, the best superhero movie of all time.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Ledger based his performance partly on Sid Vicious and partly on Alex DeLarge.

Body count of 36.

The action of the movie takes place over only nine days and nights.

1143. The Big Lebowski

The Big Lebowski

1998

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

My sister and I decided to watch this movie with White Russians, because we love a good theme night. We ended up hating the drink, and pretty much hating this movie as well. It was surprising, because I usually like Coen Brothers movies, and I usually like mixed drinks. Maybe I have the pandemic crankies.

Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski is a stoner and bowler in Los Angeles. Two goons for hire mistake him with a millionaire also named Jeffrey Lebowski and assault him in his house. On the advice of his friends, The Dude decides to seek compensation with the other Lebowski, and things just get more complicated from there.

When compared to other Coen Brothers movies, I think this is one really falls short. The performances are still excellent, but I think it was trying a little too hard to be quirky. I could have done without the dream sequence. 

Just doesn't feel as organic as their other movies, and I can see why it was left out of future editions.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The Dude says "man" 147 times in the movie.

John Goodman's favorite movie in which he appeared.

1142. Ida

Ida
2013
Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski

I needed a fun movie to come along and get rid of my pandemic ennui. And what's more fun than a black and white movie about a Polish nun? Besides literally everything ever?

In the 1960s, Ida is a young Polish nun about to take her vows. Before doing so, she visits her only surviving relative, her Aunt Wanda. Aunt Wanda is a cool aunt, or at least, cooler than Ida. Ida learns some shocking news about her family history, which forces her to question her intended path.

I thought Ida was one of the least compelling protagonists I have ever seen. It makes sense for her character that she was so subdued, but that didn't make it easy to watch. I felt like the character was numb to everything, so watching her make discoveries wasn't the most thrilling experience.

Just a drab movie, even if the story is somewhat interesting.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Agata Trzebuchowska's film debut.

Trzebuchowska is an atheist.

1141. Surfwise

Surfwise
2007
Directed by Doug Pray

My family has never been a camping family. I can only imagine how we would have fared in these conditions. Personally, I would have rolled out of the moving car, since I can't read in a vehicle without motion sickness.

Surfwise focuses on the Paskowitz family, which consists of Dorian, his wife, and their nine children (eight boys and one girl). Dorian believes in not educating his children, not providing them a permanent home, and having sex with their mother in front of them on the reg. Oh yeah, and also surfing.

It was interesting how the documentary slowly shifts from glorifying Doc's holistic way of living to showcasing the damage he did to his family. Then the film takes one final turn, but it maintains its respect for its subjects throughout the entire run time. 

Maybe it didn't rock my world, but the central themes were timeless and handled with grace.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Shot over the course of five weeks.

Doug Pray found Dorian Paskowitz to be incredibly difficult to interview.

David Paskowitz was the first person interviewed for the film.

1140. Tian zhu ding

Tian zhu ding

A Touch of Sin

2013

Directed by Jia Zhangke

My decisions on what movies to watch lately have depended entirely on which ones I can see without paying, and I've been exploiting the 7 day free trial period like you wouldn't believe. So I haven't exactly been dying to see this batch of films; this is just a loveless marriage of convenience.

A Touch of Sin tells four stories, all of which feature brutal acts of violence. My favorite stories were the first and third segments, with the second story being my least favorite. 

I guess the most remarkable thing about this movie is its graphic depiction of violence. It's really disturbing in its realism, and might be the only thing this movie has going for it. Other than that, the script isn't particularly compelling.

I felt like it was kind of a vague comment on suffering in China, but at least it contained beautiful cinematography. 

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The director makes a cameo in the brothel scene.

Title is a reference to a Touch of Zen.

1139. A.I.: Artificial Intelligence

A.I. : Artificial Intelligence
2001

Directed by Steven Spielberg

We now have a new contestant for Most Annoying Movie Child. I thought the kid from Terminator 2 would manage to hold onto that title forever, but I guess he was dethroned all the way back in 2001 and I didn't notice. That's not to say Haley Joel Osmont isn't a great actor, but I personally would not have struggled with the decision to send David to the junkyard.

A childlike android is programmed with the ability to love, and I guess an Oedipus complex isn't an optional feature. The android, David, is adopted by Monica and Henry. Their real son is in suspended in animation after contracting a rare disease and David fills what turns out to be a temporary void. Once Monica and Henry's son recovers, David finds himself on the outs with the family. Oh yes, and Jude Law plays a sex robot, in his most convincing role yet.

Spielberg's cloying sentimentalism gets on my nerves, but I read the sappier aspects were actually part of Kubrick's original vision for the project. Oh, Kubrick, you old softie. Either way, I felt this movie tried to tug on our heartstrings a little too much.

Also, it was way too long, and I feel Kubrick should take the blame for that as well.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Spielberg passed on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to direct this movie.

It was Haley Joel Osmont's idea not to blink for the entire movie.

1138. Blancanieves

Blancanieves
2012
Directed by Pablo Berger

Usually when I am watching a silent movie, I am conscious the entire time of its style, but I found myself forgetting this time. We are familiar enough with the story of Snow White that we didn't really need extensive dialogue to know what was going on. It was almost like flipping through a picture book, a picture book that features sexy Spaniards (my favorite kind).

So like I said, we all know the beats of this plot. This one distinguishes itself by having Snow White's father be a bullfighter, and the dwarves take part in this horrific activity as well. Sorry, I just read The Plumed Serpent by D.H. Lawrence and I'm still pretty raw from the disgusting descriptions of bullfighting. So much bowel spillage.

It's always nice to get swept up in a fairy tale, especially with a movie as beautifully shot as this one. Even some of the sillier decisions felt right, since this is such an over the top story. And the evil stepmother was perfection.

So in the end, a gorgeous and entertaining movie that I think most people would click with if they cared to check it out.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Shot in color and desaturated in post production.

1137. Dawson City: Frozen in Time

Dawson City: Frozen in Time

2016
Directed by Bill Morrison

If you love learning about the history of film, you will really enjoy this documentary. If you're a normie, you will be fairly bored by the two hour examination of silent movies from the early 1900s. I fall somewhere in the middle. I love movies as much as the next person who's written 1136 posts about them, but my love for cinema isn't really rooted in its technical history.

The film focuses on the history of the town of Dawson City. In 1978, 533 reels of silent-era nitrate films were discovered under an abandoned hockey rink. The film features some of this footage, along with some supplemental material for context. The documentary adopts silent film practices to tell the story, such as using intertitles in lieu of voiceovers.

So parts of this documentary were very interesting to me, like when they covered historical events, such as the murder of William Desmond Taylor and the Black Sox controversy. Other stretches were not so intriguing, and I found myself watching the clock quite a bit.

Worth watching if you are fascinated by film, but don't expect to be on the edge of your seat.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Contains footage of the 1919 World Series, which is known for the Black Sox betting scandal.

1136. Under the Skin

Under the Skin
2013
Directed by Jonathan Glazer

I was pleased to find this delightfully strange novel had a film adaptation. It would be really hard to do a faithful adaptation, so this movie tried to go another route by out-weirding its source material. 

In the book, the main character is a very ugly woman with big boobs. So naturally, they cast Scarlett Johansson for the role. I am not really sure how to describe the plot. Basically, a woman lures hitchhikers into her car in Scotland, and ScarJo attempts a Scottish accent with little success. At least her character is supposed to be otherworldly so it doesn't matter so much. Anyway, what she does with her victims once she's trapped them is much more interesting in the book. 

I feel like this movie lacked the chutzpah to adapt the story entirely, so settled for something guaranteed to be pleasing (ScarJo naked). I thought it was pretty dull, but it was trying its hardest to be artsy and provocative. 

A skippable movie, but an excellent novel.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The men ScarJo picked up were not actors. Jonathan Glazer had hidden cameras installed in the cars and only told the men afterward that they were in the movie.

First time ScarJo appeared naked in a movie.

1135. Monsters

Monsters
2010
Directed by Gareth Edwards

With this entry, I reach another milestone that was snatched away from me a few weeks ago when they updated the List. Since there is now a grand total of 1235 movies on this List, we are, once again, 100 movies away from finishing! Having just completed my album blog, I will now have more time to devote to wrapping this thing up.

A NASA space probe crash lands in Mexico, and infects the world with giant tentacled monsters. Andrew Kaulder, an American photojournalist, is tasked with escorting his employer's daughter, Samantha, from Mexico back to the United States. 

I am not sure Monsters contributes anything new to the monster/alien invasion genre. But I still appreciate how economical it is, even if you have to put up with characters behaving stupidly. I actually saw this in a film class in college, and I am still not convinced it is essential viewing. But that guy also made us watch Last House on the Left, so fuck him.

Also, this would have been a better October watch, but I didn't realize it was on the List until it was too late. Please forgive the disrespect to last month's theme.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

All of the film's extras were just people who happened to be there during filming.

The two main actors are married and have children in real life.

1134. For Sama

For Sama
2019
Directed by Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts

This is one of those documentaries that you "should" see, but I am forever scarred by the images shown in this film. Of course, that is the entire point, to force Western audiences to confront the reality of the situation, instead of ignoring it like we've done so long. But we have to look out for our own mental health as well, and the footage is pretty devastating.

Waad Al-Kateab, a journalist and rebel, raises her daughter Sama with her husband, Dr. Hamza Al-Kateab, against the backdrop of the Syrian uprising. Al-Kateab captures many disturbing glimpses of war, like footage of dead bodies (including children). We also see enough family moments to understand exactly what they are fighting for.

I think it is a surprisingly hopeful documentary, but I wouldn't advise my loved ones to watch it any time soon. It's 2020, and we're pretty much hanging on by a thread. But who knows, maybe watching it will inspire you to take action, even if that action is just feeling grateful.

RATING: doesn't really feel appropriate here...

Interesting Facts:

Waad Al-Kateab was pregnant with Sama's sister when she fled Syria.

Al-Kateab was 21 when she started filming.

1133. The Farewell

The Farewell
2019
Directed by Lulu Wang

I had seen a trailer for The Farewell in theaters in the before times, and was eager to see it. Well, I finally got around to it, sans the delicious popcorn and interaction with other human beings. I like to think of this as Awkwafina's apology letter for Crazy Rich Asians.

Billi has maintained a close relationship with her grandmother Nai Nai, despite living in New York while her grandmother is back in China. Billi discovers from her parents that her grandmother has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her family decides to keep it a secret from Nai Nai, and use a cousin's wedding as an excuse to give everybody a chance to see Nai Nai one last time.

I loved the performances in this movie. Right off the bat, we have a very believable family unit. It was interesting to consider the morality of their decision, and how Eastern and Western audiences may view the ethics of their behavior differently.

So a really interesting film that was everything Crazy Rich Asians wasn't.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The film was inspired by Lulu Wang's family not telling her grandmother about a terminal cancer diagnosis.

In addition to directing and writing the movie, Lulu Wang played the piano on the film's soundtrack.

1132. Whiplash

Whiplash
2014

Directed by Damien Chazelle

I love JK Simmons, he pops up in some of my favorite movies and television shows. It's nice to see his talent recognized with a larger role. I can even forgive him for his involvement in Veronica Mars, Season 4, which is no small thing.

Andrew Neiman is an ambitious jazz drummer and a first year student at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York. Terence Fletcher, a conductor and bandleader, invites him to be alternate in his elite Studio Band. Fletcher models his teaching style after the drill instructor in Full Metal Jacket. Andrew is desperate to win his approval, and become the next Charlie Parker (because that's a good thing?).

It's interesting watching this right after Wall Street, which also followed the dubious mentor and eager-to-please student dynamic. This is definitely the superior movie. Miles Teller is a much better actor than Charlie Sheen. I feel Andrew and Terence's passion more, and the plot is more compelling because of that. 

I won't spoil the ending, but I was impressed by how far they went with it. Highly recommended.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Shot in 19 days.

Andrew appears in every scene of the movie.

One of the lowest grossing movies to be nominated for Best Picture.

1131. Avengers: Endgame

Avengers: Endgame
2019

Directors by Joe Russo and Anthony Russo

I suppose it makes sense that this was included, as it's currently the highest grossing movie of all time. But sitting through three hours of this was a chore, no matter how many perfect human specimens appear in spandex.

I guess it's difficult to give a plot synopsis here without giving away spoilers. Does anybody even care about spoilers when the events have no permanence? Oh well, here we go. The action figures (I won't even call them characters) attempt to recover from whatever happened in the previous 166 movies. Time travel is involved, which leads to brilliant dialogue such as "They’re not trying to stop something I’m going to do in our time. They’re trying to undo something I’ve already done in theirs." Huh?

I just found this to be really boring. It's tedious following the ridiculous plot, and it doesn't get charming no matter how often the actors wink and nudge at the audience, seeking to ensure us they're in on the joke.

I have probably missed about fifty Marvel movies that are connected to this one, which might explain why I have no attachment to any of the characters. I don't think the Russo Brothers are really the best at capturing real human moments. But I think those moments are essential to make a good superhero movie, otherwise it's just a sequence of loosely connected action scenes. 

But I suppose Marvel and comic book fans will have fun spotting all their favorite hotties and revisiting many familiar moments from the franchise.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Brie Larson filmed her scenes in this movie before shooting Captain Marvel.

Longest Marvel movie of all time. You don't say!

Chadwick Boseman's last appearance as the Black Panther. 

1130. Wall Street

Wall Street

1987

Directed by Oliver Stone

I am very excited about the results of the election, even if it's nerve-wracking to imagine what's to come. Democracy only works if a loser accepts a result, and we have the biggest loser in US history on our hands. I guess we just have to wait and see what happens. Charlie Sheen's presence in this movie and reputation as another narcissistic maniac makes it easy to segue into talking about Wall Street.

Bud Fox is a young stockbroker who gets involved with Gordon Gekko, a greedy corporate raider. He begins to enjoy the lifestyle that Gekko offers, and the many perks that come with it, which include sex with Daryl Hannah and a penthouse on the Upper East Side. First comes the rise, then comes the fall.

I had actually never seen this before, but I was still familiar with the famous "Greed is good" speech. That was a damn good speech. The trouble was, the rest of the movie is pretty terrible. Apparently, Oliver Stone thought Charlie Sheen's stiff delivery lended his character a believable, naive quality. Um, okay. I guess Daryl Hannah overheard that praise, with dire consequences. 

The movie was still fun in parts, because of Michael Douglas and its intense 80s factor. But the performances really drag it down.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Charlie Sheen and Sean Young hated each other throughout filming.

Sean Young insisted throughout filming she would be better for the role of Darien. 

Tom Cruise campaigned for the role of Bud Fox.

1129. Toy Story 4

Toy Story 4

2019
Directed by Josh Cooley

Boy, the List sure is getting cute, counting all four Toy Story movies as one entry. Yes, there is a shortage of animated movies on the List, but Pixar has plenty of other tasty offerings.

Woody and company are adjusting to life their lives' as Bonnie's toys, while Bonnie adjusts to starting kindergarten. She makes a toy out of a plastic spork. I guess that means every man, woman, and child in this universe is capable of giving sentience to inanimate objects. Which is actually pretty terrifying, but they refrain from going too dark with it (this time). Bonnie's family goes on a road trip, the toys get separated, and they must reunite before Bonnie's family leaves forever.

Like most Pixar movies, this one leaves you feeling a little heavier after watching it.  The underlining themes of loss of innocence make it emotional to watch. That being said, I was never that invested in these characters, no matter how often they repeat their catchphrases. There are plenty of references here for Pixar fans to enjoy and of course, Disney will squeeze every penny they can out of your nostalgia.

I was concerned Toy Story was on what I refer to as "the Die Hard series trajectory". Meaning the first one was excellent, the second was expendable, the third was really good again, and the fourth has Justin Long. Luckily, as a fourth installment this wasn't so bad. Just not very memorable.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Had the longest production cycle out of every Toy Story movie so far.

Forky was originally called "Fork Face" but that was deemed too obscene for children. I think the Listmakers are a bunch of fork faces for not including Inside Out or Coco.

1128. Booksmart

Booksmart
2019
Directed by Olivia Wilde

I was pretty delighted to see this included on the new edition of the List. I hadn't seen it before, but I knew it was a coming of age story about two dorky teenage girls. Now I'm a teen plus, but I can still relate.

Amy and Molly have been best friends since childhood. Amy plans to spend the summer after graduation in Botswana helping women make tampons, while Molly is on the fast track to becoming the youngest supreme court justice of all time. The night before they graduate, they realize that they might have missed out on some essential high school experiences by working so hard. They plan to cram all their fun into one night. 

There is a pretty standard blueprint for these stories, and they almost always revolve around the Big Party. Booksmart is pretty formulaic in that regard, and even includes the gross out humor seemingly required in all teen comedies. 

But it's different in who is telling the story. There's a distinctly female slant here that I really enjoyed. It's probably one of the few movies I've watched lately that passes the Bechdel test. This is Olivia Wilde's directorial debut so she probably hasn't quite found her voice yet, but this was a promising beginning. At any rate, we didn't have to suffer through the typical male perception of what teenage girls are thinking. 

It's not the funniest comedy I've seen, but it is still entertaining and worthy of a watch.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein lived together for ten weeks to build a believable rapport with each other.

The cast were encouraged to rewrite their dialogue if it didn't feel genuine.

1127. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
2019
Directed by Quentin Tarantino 

 

I am trying to distract myself from my Anxiety: Global Politics Edition, and what better way to do that than to discuss movies made by the man known for crafting excellent escapism films? While the execution isn't always there, his passion for movies is palpable in every scene he directs.

This time around, Tarantino tackles the Manson family murders. In addition to focusing on Sharon Tate's story, the film follows fading actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double, Cliff Booth, as they navigate the new age of Hollywood.

This is actually the last movie I saw in theaters in the before times, when you could go to theaters and then make your date uncomfortable with your rigid rules regarding proper snacks and arrival times.  So I have positive associations with this movie that undoubtedly affect my opinion on it.

Even so, the performances alone are enough to make the movie worth watching. Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio are really great actors, and I never get the sense that they are trying to overpower the movie with their performances. And Margot Robbie is predictably radiant as Tate.

I feel like most movie lovers will be delighted by all the nods and homages to cinema peppered throughout the story. And Tarantino fans will be thrilled by the gruesomeness of the ending. He's begun to parody himself in terms of violence, but at least he chooses a few satisfying victims.

An excellent, absorbing movie, which some of us dearly need right now as we wait...

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Margot Robbie wore Sharon Tate's real jewelry, provided by Tate's sister.

Tarantino's foot fetish is somewhat justified here, as the real Sharon Tate hated to wear shoes.

Roman Polanski was not consulted about the movie.

1126. Joker

Joker
2019
Directed by Todd Phillips 

Our final Halloween movie is one that I knew I was doomed to watch, because the List never misses the opportunity to showcase a white man performing his little heart out. So this was about as inevitable an entry as My Left Foot. I had the preconceived notion that I was about to watch Incel: The Movie and I wasn't that far off.

Arthur Fleck is a failed clown and comedian, who lives with his ailing mother in Gotham City. His mental deterioration is charted throughout the movie and inspires other unhappy citizens to rise up. 

Much like Martin Scorsese, I don't like superhero movies (I am sure Mr. Scorsese would appreciate it if the comparison ended there). Of course, this is barely a superhero movie, but certain tropes crop up anyway. Among those tropes is the lack of moral ambiguity. I know some will argue that the movie is all about moral ambiguity. But I think they simply flipped the script. They made the Joker into the hero and the whole of society the enemy, without picking up any subtleties along the way. 

To me, considering the perspective of the disenfranchised white man doesn't feel all that revolutionary. Authors like Chuck Palahniuk explore this theme often, and even movies like Taxi Driver or King of New York do a better job tackling it. I don't think there is a shortage of artistic works that take on this type of character. 

I keep arguing with my male friends about this movie and honestly, I don't even know what the argument is. I didn't enjoy it, but I don't think I was supposed to enjoy it. I think it wanted me to feel unsettled and complicit in all of Arthur's humiliations. So in that way, it was very effective, and I think I had the desired response.

I guess a mention should be made of the performance. Actors have decided they have to lose their mind and critical body mass to play this role. Joaquin Phoenix does fine here, and laughs, dances, and runs like a psycho.

So in the end, a dark superhero movie. What a fresh take!

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Joaquin Phoenix lost 52 pounds to play Arthur. 

Phoenix improvised the bathroom dance scene. You don't say.

1125. Parasite

Parasite

2019
Directed by Bong Joon-ho

This was pretty much a shoo-in for the updated edition and it's easy to see why. This movie is so damn good that it even persuades Americans to watch a movie with subtitles, which is no mean feat.

The Kim family lives in a crowded basement apartment and fold pizza boxes to make ends meet. The son, Ki-woo poses as a university student in order to get a job tutoring Da-hye, the daughter of the wealthy Park family. The Kim family slowly and insidiously recommend each other as highly qualified servants until they are all employed by the Parks. I'll stop there, as I like to remain a spoiler free zone and this movie makes it difficult not to give too much away.

Perhaps Parasite doesn't qualify as a horror movie in the strictest sense, but it does what great horror movies do: tell an unsettling story while providing social commentary in an unobtrusive way. Korean movies in general are very occupied by class, and it was interesting to see this given a horror movie context.

It might be more accurate to label this a black comedy, and the humor of the story makes it hard not to root for the Kims. The movie really builds to a satisfying and unexpected (to me at least) ending. Definitely deserving of its Best Picture win.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

12th film to be nominated for Best Picture without being nominated for any acting categories.

The Parks' house was built from scratch for the movie.

1124. The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse
2019
Directed by Robert Eggers

The 2020 edition of the List has been officially released (RIP "only 100 left" milestone), and we can all praise Xenu that The Irishman was not included. My boyfriend and I actually watched The Lighthouse a couple weeks ago (his idea, not mine), and it just so happens to fall under the category of Spooktober watches.

In the late 19th century, two lighthouse keepers serve on an isolated island off the coast of New England. Thomas Wake is a cranky old salt who is weirdly protective of the beacon and likes his lobster cooked a certain way, dammit. His underling Ephraim Winslow is former tinderman who begins to see things even stranger than Willem Defoe.

My boyfriend expressed surprise that I didn't like this, which is a real wake up call about how I present myself. Personally, I didn't enjoy watching these two try to win their Oscars with their random outbursts and carefully constructed accents. I am sure there will be many college essays penned that unpack all the symbolism in this movie, and I am just glad I don't have to write one.

It might have been fairly interesting to read if it were a play, but as a film I wasn't particularly engaged. And as a horror movie, it's dismal.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The design of the mermaid's genitals was based on shark labias. 

For dialogue inspiration, the Egger brothers read Herman Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson.

1123. Elephant

Elephant
2003
Directed by Gus Van Sant

Since I have exhausted all the horror movies on the List, we must content ourselves with uber disturbing films for the remainder of Spooktober. Elephant, which is about a school shooting, certainly falls into that category. Should make for a really fun month.

So like I said, this film chronicles the events surrounding a school shooting in Portland, Oregon, that is heavily based on the Columbine shooting. It has the disconcerting feel of being a documentary. 

Americans have to live with the fear of school shootings everyday, or at least we did until COVID-19 (hurray for progress!).  It's not a subject you want to live in for a movie's runtime. I also think there is something to what Sue Klebold, Dylan Klebold's mother, says. These kind of movies perpetuate the myth of Columbine. I was deeply uncomfortable with some of the specific details they chose to include that were clearly in reference to Columbine. It almost felt like an homage.

I get that the point of the movie was to make you feel unsettled, and possibly complicit in whatever violence you witnessed.  They effectively built up to a brutal climax very slowly. I mean really slowly. That piano scene went on forever. But I could have done without watching this one.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Much of the movie was improvised.

Based on a short story by Harmony Korine and a friend of Gus Van Sant. I'm surprised the List hasn't forced Korine on us more. My film professors loved him.