My Top 10 Movies of 2023

What an absolutely phenomenal year for films 2023 was. It feels like it’s been ages since our pandemic laden year in which I wasn’t even able to get a top 10. This year I’ve recorded the most films I’ve reviewed a score of B+ or higher, so there’s a lot to get to. As usual, here are the honorable mentions:

Honorable Mentions

American Fiction

Biting and effective satire featuring a sublime performance from Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction is a fascinating look into how our society utilizes racial identity for profit. There are some genuine laugh out loud moments, but the message is poignant as well.

---

20 Days in Mariupol

A heartbreaking documentary. Mstyslav Chernov’s acceptance speech for receiving the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature was equally heartfelt, as 20 Days in Mariupol stands out as one of the toughest but necessary watches of 2023. The war in Ukraine is a result of only a few in power, yet it has a ripple effect destroying millions of lives and will continue to have a devastating impact on the world until it is over.

---

Beyond Utopia

Another documentary that really makes you reflect and realize how good you have it. Beyond Utopia not only explores the terrors of living under a totalitarian regime, but also the redeeming humanitarian efforts of Christian Pastor Sung-eun Kim. May God continue to work through him and his ministry of helping families escape North Korea and find new life in a place where they can be free.

---

Perfect Days

A refreshingly slow-paced and quietly intimate film that relishes in the mundane. Perfect Days is minimalist in the best ways, and Kōji Hashimoto wins over all our hearts with his sincerity and silent optimism. Above all, this film makes me really want to revisit Japan. Living a simplistic life over there seems way more idyllic than grinding away in America sometimes.

---

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

I’m so happy this film finally got Wes Anderson his first Oscar. Roald Dahl and Anderson are a match made in heaven. Benedict Cumberbatch (who I loved in Sherlock but not so much his movies) turns in one of my favorite performances of his. The best thing about this 40-minute short film is that it made you wish there was another hour of it. Anderson does a fantastic job with making the most of his cast, as he usually does…except for you, Asteroid City.

---

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

Love a good coming-of-age film. Almost a year later, I’m still thinking about how Rachel McAdams is the best mom ever and dressed her daughter in the best outfits. How was Margaret not the most popular girl at school with those fits? Regardless, it’s a funny and heartwarming film that boasts some wonderful performances like Benny Safdie being a surprisingly good dad. I also can’t remember the last time I saw McAdams in something as good as this. This is only director Kelly Fremon Craig’s second movie, but I can’t wait to see more from her.

---

Monster

Monster is rich in subtext and expertly conveys its message without preaching at you. The narrative structure lends itself to telling a compelling and ambitious story and while it doesn’t always completely land, it leaves a lasting impression. Hirokazu Kore-eda is one of the best directors working today when it comes to films about family and identity.

---

The Teachers’ Lounge

One of the most stressful films of the year. Why come up with clever and innovative settings for a horror film when you can just use a classroom for middle school kids? Leonie Benesch delivers a fantastic performance filled with next-level patience and compassion, and highlights the difficulty in raising our youth in a world that is so quick to judge and label others.

---

John Wick: Chapter 4

The best John Wick film so far. The stuntwork is impeccable, the action is abundant, and the kills are just as glorious as they’ve been for the past three films. While Chapter 4 is unlikely to be the last film in the franchise, it is a sort of nice ending to a series that came out of nowhere and truly resurrected Keanu Reeves’s career. Between him and Tom Cruise, It’s kind of crazy that the best action stars are still the same people that those of us in the 80s and 90s grew up watching.

---

The Boy and the Heron

Hayao Mizayaki does it again. Will he truly stay retired? Who knows. No one can craft imaginative and transportive worlds like he can. I’m sure he couldn’t care less about winning a second Oscar and also the first 2D-animated Oscar since his first Oscar winner Spirited Away, but I’m thankful that he’s still out here giving us a window to peer into that genius mind of his. This is easily his most complex and thematically dense film, and unpacking it all would take a herculean effort. I foresee this getting better and better each time I rewatch it.

---

Fallen Leaves

I absolutely loved the charm of this working class romance. It kind of reminded me of a Finnish Napoleon Dynamite, but the deadpan humor worked much better for me in this movie. Few films are as aggressively depressing in its mood, which makes the awkward romance that much better. The film’s also got the runner-up for best dog performance, with the best belonging to a film further up this list.

---

10) The Holdovers

Paul Giamatti’s finest performance, and worthy of the Oscar nomination. Dominic Sessa’s DEBUT role is also incredible, as he carries himself with the aura of a seasoned veteran. Da’Vine Joy Randolph emanates warmth and sympathy. Everything about this movie is like a warm holiday hug, and cements itself as one of the best Christmas movies ever. Alexander Payne is so freakin’ good at dysfunctional family dramedies, and I hope he makes them forever.

---

9) The Killer

God, it feels so good to have another David Fincher film. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Erik Messerschmidt. Michael Fassbender. The gang’s all here. The film might not be saying much or have much of a story, but that’s okay. The vibes are impeccable. Even though 2023 had some fantastic action films in John Wick and Mission: Impossible, The Killer has one of the most outstanding action sequences of the year. Please Mr. Fassbender, don’t ever go on acting hiatus again. You’ve been sorely missed.

---

8) A Thousand and One

Probably the biggest surprise out of all the films I saw this year. I had no idea who Teyana Taylor was, but now I hope she gets all the roles. I’m so excited to see her in Paul Thomas Anderson’s next film. This film had all the opportunities to be a conventional coming-of-age drama, but was completely subversive in all the best ways. It’s heartfelt and powerful in many ways, and deserves way more recognition than it got.

---

7) Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

This would have been, hands down, the GREATEST Spider-Man movie by a mile if it wasn’t for that ending. With that being said though, this is still an incredible technical achievement in animation. Seeing this in a theater was unforgettable. With the addition of the PS5 Spider-Man game, Spider-Man fans ate real well this year. Hopefully the sequel for this film won’t take 5 years to come out.

---

6) The Taste of Things

What a beautiful and delicious film. I want to see this movie again right now, but on a full stomach. Tran Anh Hung has such an eye for beauty in every frame of this film. I’m surprised it didn’t get nominated for an Academy Award, because it was certainly better than some of the nominees. Few things are as erotic as food, and this will go down as the food porniest movie of all time. This film is the cinematic equivalent of a five-course meal at a Michelin three-star restaurant.

---

5) The Zone of Interest

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a film as disturbing as this without showing any actual unsettling images. This film deserved to win the Oscar for Best Sound, because the sound carries this film. Jonathan Glazer portrays the banality of evil to terrifying effect, and it’s a sobering reminder that while apathy and indifference are often an overlooked and even acceptable sin, it’s one of the most certain symptoms of human cruelty towards each other. This film also has the most harrowing ending of any film I’ve seen this year.

---

4) Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning

None of my friends liked this movie as much as I did, but I’m still holding out hope that Part 2 (no longer labeled as Part 2) will assuage all the fears I had about this film. On its own though, it’s still one of the best Part 1s I’ve ever seen. The story is clever and goes in a direction that a spy franchise on its 7th installment could really only go at this point, and the stakes have never been higher. Tom Cruise is still in his element, and the emphasis on actual spycraft was a great change of pace. I know we’re entering the twilight of Tom Cruise’s action-movie career, so I’m thankful that we’re able to have excellent films like this for the time being.

---

3) Anatomy of a Fall

Sandra Hüller has been Europe’s best kept secret, until this year. Her performance in Anatomy of a Fall is probably my favorite of the year, but it’s not just her that’s excellent. Milo Machado-Graner’s performance is quite underrated and one of the best young performances of 2023, and Messi the dog has easily the best dog performance I’ve ever seen. The writing is sharp, and highlights how the French legal system is ripe for courtroom drama movies. The “argument” scene will forever be engrained in my memory as some of the most brilliantly written pieces of dialogue, akin to Marriage Story and Before Midnight.

---

2) Killers of the Flower Moon

Scorsese is inevitable. His ability to pump out incredible films even at the spry age of 81 does not cease to amaze me every time I think about it. Killers of the Flower Moon is a very personal look into one of the dark corners of American history, and Lily Gladstone’s magnetic performance as Mollie Burkhart portrays the pain inflicted on the Osage with such nuance and depth. I also cannot believe that DiCaprio and DeNiro were often overlooked this past awards season, because their characters were essential in setting the tone and making this film the epic that it turned out to be. Few directors working today can make a career out of 3.5 hour films, but Scorsese is one that not only can, but is welcomed to.

---

1) Oppenheimer

Speaking of 3-hour epics, WTF? How did this movie end up making almost a billion dollars? Everything about this film goes against conventional box-office knowledge; it’s long, it’s got no action, and it’s centered around people talking. And yet, it was one of the most compelling films of the year, and certainly my favorite of 2023. Nolan never ceases to amaze, and his partnership with Cillian Murphy results in a beautiful culmination after 20 years of working together. Very film of Nolan’s films are known for their memorable performances (with the exception of The Dark Knight/The Dark Knight Rises) as opposed to the story, but the acting, the incredible script, and the masterful score from Ludwig Göransson make this an outstanding achievement in Nolan’s already treasured career. I know I’ve already felt this way for many years, but Nolan could literally make any movie and it would get me excited, even if it was about paint drying.

My Top 10 Movies of 2022

Awww yeah!!! It’s that time again! Time to list out all my favorite films right before the Oscars so I can see all of the wrong movies win the awards that rightfully belong to the ones that I like! In all seriousness, 2022 was a FANTASTIC year for films. There were so many good ones from all types of genres, each scratching a different itch I had. I don’t think I’ve ever had this many honorable mentions before, so let’s get into it!

Honorable Mentions

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Probably the most unexpected entry on my list. I like the first Shrek movie and I don’t remember the rest, so I’m mostly indifferent towards the franchise. However, that does not stop this from being a surprisingly excellent film. The animation style is very much in the same vein as Into the Spider-Verse, and the action sequences especially between Puss in Boots and the main villain, the Wolf, are electric. It’s just a really entertaining film that can be appreciated without seeing any of the previous movies.

---

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

I think my appreciation for Rian Johnson has continued to grow over the past year, especially with his TV show Poker Face, and obviously with Glass Onion. It’s nowhere near as good as Knives Out, contrary to what the critics led us to believe, but it was a lot of fun and made the most with what I honestly thought was a bit of a lackluster cast. That signature “Rian Johnson moment” in the film when he flips the mystery on its head was really entertaining for me and honestly, for as much as I love Daniel Craig as Bond, I love seeing him happy and having fun doing these movies because he’s easily the best part about them.

---

All Quiet on the Western Front

One of the best looking films of the past year, and equally brutal in its portrayal of WWI. It’s always refreshing to see a part of history like this depicted from the side of the “enemy” and reminds us that they’re just like us too. Felix Kammerer’s debut acting role is terrific and it’s the best war movie since Sam Mendes’s 1917 back in 2019.

---

Mama Boy

It’s always a delight to see good movies come from Taiwan, my parents’ home country. It’s got quite a controversial premise but Arvin Chen’s lighthearted approach to it grounds it and makes a seemingly unique situation feel totally relatable for all of us. It’s funny, it’s got great performances (especially from Vivian Hsu), and most importantly it makes me want to go back to Taiwan.

---

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

If you’ve ever seen Phantom Thread and thought to yourself “man, I wish Daniel Day Lewis was replaced with Paddington Bear,” then boy do I have a incredibly random and niche movie for you! Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is pretty much just that, and having been in the aforementioned Phantom Thread, Lesley Manville plays a completely different character and simply exudes charm throughout, making this film the cinematic equivalent of a warm hug. I really enjoy films where the location itself is one of the characters, and this one is no exception.

---

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

A24 doesn’t just make traumatizing horror movies, they also make wonderful family films, apparently! This mockumentary style drama pulls at your heart strings more with an animated shell with shoes on than most dramas with weeping A-listers could ever hope to achieve. Jenny Slate is very funny as Marcel, and the whole concept is about as weird as it is clever, and it totally works.

---

Navalny

A powerful documentary that highlights the cost of speaking up and being a patriot in an oppressive nation. Alexei Navalny was poisoned and nearly killed by his government and is currently is serving over a decade-long prison sentence in one of the most dangerous countries in the world, and his only crime was speaking up for others in a country that seeks to silence their citizens. Documentaries can often prove the truth is crazier than fiction and the phone call scene in this documentary is one of those moments.

---

Tar

A deeply complex film that starts off really slow, but once things begin to unravel it becomes one of the most thought-provoking films of the year. Cate Blanchett’s performance as Lydia Tar is definitely one of my favorite performances of the year, and if you’re a fan of a certain franchise, this movie has one of the most surprising endings that I’ve seen all year.

---

Petite Maman

A really sweet and tender film that has the emotional density and gravity of a three-hour long film, but is surprisingly just over an hour. This story about a little girl who bonds with another little girl that looks exactly like her in a forest seems like a bit of a fairy tale, but the emotional depth is very much grounded in reality and at the end of it, it just makes you want to go hug your parents.

---

10) Barbarian

I think the horror genre is in a really good place right now, because contributors to the genre get really creative and use the most of their small budgets. Barbarian, much like a lot of the greatest horror films, is best when you go in not knowing anything. The film has one of the most tense sequences all year but it’s also balanced out with an equal measure of comedy, and in my opinion, it all works. I really liked Zach Cregger’s style of filmography and I’m so excited that he went from being a humble youtuber to big shot horror director.

---

9) RRR

I haven’t seen many Indian films in my life, because they’ve always been a bit intimidating to me. I’ve always feared that I’d roll my eyes over how stupid and ridiculous their action setpieces are, but RRR just seems to hit different. All the characters are great and the emotional beats have weight to them, which makes the insane action setpieces work that much more effectively. It’s a romance, a historical drama, a musical, an action thriller, and in some ways sci-fi fantasy. It’s probably the most glee I’ve felt watching a movie in many years, and it’s hopefully a gateway for Indian films to enter the purview of western audiences.

---

8) The Batman

I remember when this film was first announced and that Robert Pattinson would star as Batman with Matt Reeves directing and I knew it was going to be good. By this time I was already on the Robert Pattinson hype train because of his work on Good Time and The Lighthouse, so I was excited for him to provide a much needed reprieve from Ben Affleck’s Batman. This film is easily the most faithful looking to the Batman from the comics, and all of the vibes are perfect. I think the DC Comics Extended Universe excels when it’s not trying to play catch-up to the MCU, and as a result I enjoy films like these a lot more than the average comic book film.

---

7) Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

I was so sure I wouldn’t like this film because of how weird the premise sounded and because of my previously bad experience with Swiss Army Man was, but the Daniels’ were able to prove me wrong and I think the film ended up being one of the most creative and clever low-budget films I saw all year. Michelle Yeoh is at the top of her game here, but I loved Ke Huy Quan’s resurgent performance and hearing that adorable high-pitched voice of his, bringing me back to my childhood when I watched him in The Goonies and Temple of Doom. I think the film really captures the public thought of Nihilism well and I’m sure that’s why a lot of people are so captivated with the film, even though that’s probably my least favorite aspect of the movie. I still really the film despite that because of the journey the characters go on. The concept combined with the absolutely bonkers fight scenes make this film a rewarding watch, but at the end its the characters that tie it all together.

As an Asian person, I know it’s really trendy to give the spotlight to films that primarily feature non-whites and minorities and heap loads of praise upon them, and that stuff really drives me nuts because I think everyone should be graded on the same curve regardless of the color of our skin. I think that Everything, Everywhere, All at Once for all of the awards that its receiving, does actually deserve a lot of them, and I feel so much relief for being able to say that.

---

6) The Quiet Girl

Colm Bairéad’s The Quiet Girl is a pretty straightforward film that reveals how it’s going to end about halfway through the film. However, that still doesn’t prepare you for how powerful the ending is, and that’s because there’s really good character development throughout. The cinematography is stunning, and reminds me the most of Paweł Pawlikowski’s works. I love how quiet the film is and how intentional it is in its silence, because there’s a lot being said through the visual storytelling and not through ham-fisted dialogue. Catherine Clinch’s performance is really wonderful, and the ending is guaranteed to produce some waterworks.

---

5) The Northman

I love it when a director makes a huge effort to keep things as authentic as possible, and Robert Eggers’s The Northman is supposedly the most accurate portrayal of Viking culture that we’ve ever seen in a movie. It probably helps that Alexander Skarsgård probably comes from a lineage of vikings because the dude is super jacked and has that really sexy hunched over bad-posture walk, but it works so well for him. I actually watched this film 3 times in the past year because it’s just one of those films that is so rich in atmosphere it makes you want to live in the world, even though a lot of horrific and brutal murders happen in this movie. I just loved the exposure this movie had to a culture I’m not overly familiar with and I think Eggers’ way with mixing the mythical and reality just works so well.

---

4) The Banshees of Inisherin

I really enjoyed Martin McDonagh’s work on Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri and In Bruges, so I was very excited to see Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell and McDonagh reunite for this film. This film has the best ensemble performance out of anything I’ve seen this past year. I think this is Colin Farrell’s best performance ever, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Barry Keoghan performance I didn’t like, and Kerry Condon as Irish Rebecca Ferguson is amazing as well. It’s so well written, the dialogue is brilliant, funny, and thought-provoking, and I love how it tackles this juxtaposition of contentment versus finding success using the male ego. I definitely want to visit Ireland someday.

---

3) Blonde

I know that most of Hollywood hated this movie, but I found it to be a deeply sympathetic and tragic look at one of America’s biggest icons. I pretty much didn’t know anything about Marilyn Monroe going into this, but I came away feeling really sorry for her and what the film industry did to her. I think the reason a lot of people hate this film is because it seems overindulgent on abusing her, or exploitative, and also because it takes a pro-life stance, but everything I saw I felt like director Andrew Dominik wasn’t doing out of contempt for Monroe. He’s equally mad at what the world did to her and I think he conveys that in his film. I actually thought that Ana de Armas’s portrayal of Monroe was the most distracting part because her accent kind of slips in every now and then, but regardless she delivers a haunting and admirable performance. The cinematography is the best I’ve seen from 2022; I think it’s cinematography serves to show the dichotomous nature of Hollywood in all its glitz and glamor, but behind closed doors its a whole different beast. It’s probably something I won’t ever watch again but I was really affected by it.

---

2) Aftersun

I had to think long and hard about whether or not this film should be #1. Between this and my #1 film, they fulfill two completely different emotional responses for me on the spectrum of movies, and this one legit left me shaking after the credits rolled. Paul Mescal is fantastic and totally deserves that Oscar nomination, Frankie Corio delivers one of the best child performances ever, and I think Charlotte Wells’s directorial debut has to be like top 3 best first movies ever. I’m thinking Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men, and then this. This is one of the best examples of storytelling in movies as a visual medium. Similar to The Quiet Girl, there’s so much subtext that it’s easy to miss the first time around. On the surface it’s a seemingly pleasant and low-stakes vacation between father and daughter, but underneath lies something far more meaningful at its core, and unpacking that through Wells’s masterful direction was something that left me with an unforgettable impression.

---

1) Top Gun: Maverick

What else needs to be said about this movie that hasn’t been said already? Tom Cruise is the last true action star on the planet. Making serviceable action movies has never been easier with special effects, and the box office numbers prove that point. You really have to go out of your way and take a risk on films like the ones that Tom Cruise makes. No one else is going to surround himself with a team that can achieve the near-impossible for our enjoyment. No one else is gonna make his co-stars go through an extremely tough “Top Gun training regiment” to prep them in the way that they did with this movie, even though they don’t actually fly the planes. He does everything in his power to make everything you’re seeing is the closest representation to what it’d be like in reality. You’re just not gonna see that kind of dedication anywhere else. Much like Robert Eggers’ dedication to authenticity of Viking history with The Northman, Tom Cruise dedicates himself to making the most realistic action movies that ups the stakes like crazy. He’s the GOAT. At the end of the day, it’s all about going to the theaters and enjoying yourself. There’s plenty of films you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home, but nothing beats the theatrical experience, and Top Gun: Maverick reminded us of that beautiful, beautiful truth.

My Top 10 Movies of 2021

Ever since I started reviewing movies on this blog, I’m finding it to be more and more commonplace that the quality of movies tend to be pretty low until the last 3 months or so. Similar to 2016 and 2019, I don’t think I had enough films to constitute a top 5 during the month of October. It wasn’t until November rolled around that all of the good stuff started coming in. Thankfully, I actually have enough for a top 10 this year, unlike last year where I only had a top 7. I even had enough for an honorable mention this year! As is tradition on this blog, I like to release my favorite films of the past year right before the Oscars roll around. Here are my favorite films of 2021:

Honorable Mention: The Last Duel

Ridley Scott has been pretty hit or miss with me recently. I’m glad that he’s able to make movies at his age with this level of quality though, it’s amazing the kind of career he’s had. The Last Duel is easily his most enjoyable film for me since 2015’s The Martian. Sure, the film isn’t Rashomon in terms of it’s overall effect, but the similar structure of the he-said she-said plot makes for some pretty riveting cinema. Ben Affleck is surprisingly awesome in his role, which I am honestly still so surprised about. I’ve never been a fan of his acting, but he was wonderful in his role, and you can tell he was having a lot of fun. Jodie Comer somehow manages to outshine all of the men in this film, and that speaks to the overall growing star power she’s going to have on this industry in the future. O yea, the actual duel itself was one of my favorite theatrical experiences of 2021, hands down.

---

10) The Lost Daughter

I honestly did not expect to enjoy this film as much as I did. The Lost Daughter tells a story about a woman (Olivia Colman) taking a summer getaway to Italy, while encountering some curious characters that remind her of the ghosts of her past. It’s a film largely propelled by Colman’s excellent performance, who plays such a nuanced character to perfection. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut is beyond impressive, and I think she really captures the literary world of Elena Ferrante perfectly. The film, based on written works of Ferrante, provides a perspective that isn’t seen enough in films nowadays, which is the burden of motherhood. It’s not afraid to be as vulnerable and honest about the ups and downs of motherhood, and as a guy it’s refreshing to see perspectives like this.

9) Spider-Man: No Way Home

As it usually is with the Marvel movies that I actually like, I enjoy them quite a bit but am fearful of what’s to come due to the cultural impact of their films. Even though I have a number of issues with this film, it is undeniably fun and entertaining. There’s no doubt about that. Tom Holland has the best Spider-Man movies under his belt (even if he’s not my favorite Spider-Man), and you can see that his character and world fit really well into the brand of movies that Disney is so good at making today. Even though I’m sure everyone and their moms know what happens in this film because you’ve seen it, I still won’t spoil the big reveals in this film. I will say however, that I am extremely worried about how much people love what it does for the future of franchise films, because now EVERY MOVIE is going to copy what No Way Home did. Every movie that is in a franchise or is franchiseable is going to do exactly what this film has done, and it is going to be absolutely insufferable. But I can’t fault No Way Home for starting this trend, because that’s just how movies are going to be from now on. It doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a genuinely good time, and shows a lot of the best things about the “movies as an episodic television show” structure, as much as I hate to admit it. My love for Spider-Man will never leave me, so I’m happy that they’ve done a great job with the films over the years.

8) C’mon, C’mon

Director Mike Mills is really, really, really in touch with his emotions. And that’s a great thing, because you can clearly see it in this absolutely breathtaking black and white film. Joaquin Phoenix is such a fantastic actor, but child actor Woody Norman is right there with him in this movie. The story about their relationship and how it naturally grows into something more familial as time goes on is so sweet to see, and the tenderhearted nature of this film really spoke to me. It’s another film that’s very honest with itself, but unlike The Lost Daughter, this one is a bit more on the happier side. It’s also easily one of the best looking films of 2021. Black and white is such a fascinating medium to work in and I hope that we see a bit of a resurgence in these kinds of films going forward.

7) The French Dispatch

I’m generally a fan of pretty much anything Wes Anderson makes. However, when I first watched this I was actually not in love with it. This film has an insane amount of dialogue that is spoken really quickly, and is centered around a subject matter that I am absolutely not familiar with in the slightest. However, upon rewatch (and with the blessing of subtitles), I was able to understand way more and appreciate more of what the film was trying to accomplish. I’m also not really a fan of the anthology structure that this film employs, but it makes a ton of sense within the context of the film, since it’s supposed to be the cinematic equivalent of reading a newspaper (the film is an homage to newspapers and journalism). It’s refreshing, and of course, it wouldn’t be a Wes Anderson film without having an insanely stacked cast full of A-list actors. It’s a film I can see myself rewatching more than some of his other ones, and that might be because of its anthological nature.

6) Licorice Pizza

Paul Thomas Anderson is a director that is endlessly intriguing to me. He makes films based on such interesting subject matters, and I’d generally find them boring if it wasn’t for his masterful directing. This was a breakthrough performance for both Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim, both of whom are wonderful and clearly very talented. You can clearly see their chemistry from the opening sequence, and after that, it’s just a whimsical joyride through 1970s California for the next two hours. Bradley Cooper’s performance is one of the best he’s ever done, and overall there are just so many funny and memorable characters in this film. I’ll always have a soft spot for hang-out movies, and this one is no exception.

5) Dune

This film could have potentially gone so wrong. Previously known as one of the most notoriously difficult IPs to adapt to the big screen, Director Denis Villeneuve continues to do the unthinkable and enthrall us with riveting, arthouse sci-fi that favors popcorn entertainment for spellbinding worldbuilding. I know I’m in the minority for thinking this, but I would have favored this film being a 4-hour epic as opposed to being split into two parts, but it makes sense based on the financial risk being taken upon with this movie. This film is a great sign of things to come, as we’ve seen that the unadaptable can indeed become adapted to the big screen. I’m very excited for Part 2, and very thankful that Villeneuve is able to fulfill his vision for this beloved series.

4) Drive My Car

I love the emotional depth of this film. There’s so much subtext in the already dialogue-heavy film, that it had me thinking about it for weeks after. Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s work is about as sublime as it gets in movie form. The human soul is a difficult thing to repair when it’s been fragmented by loss, and our regrets can oftentimes be carried with us to the grave. However, in this three-hour long film, we see the ups and downs of just getting on with life, and how we as a people can come together regardless of where we come from. This film literally breaks barriers with its multi-lingual premise, and I think that all of the intricacies of human relationships, along with how fragile it can be, is so beautifully detailed in this film. Also, that red Saab is absolutely iconic.

3) Pig

There are very few films that come along that I feel like carry a powerful spiritual message. I’ve talked about this on the blog before, where films with a religious message are often too on-the-nose, and can really lose its audience by being overly preachy. While this film may not be spiritually explicit in the slightest, I couldn’t help but feel enlightened by its characters, and message. Nicolas Cage has always been a talented actor, but has since been type casted to play his zany self, which is probably his own decision more or less. I love seeing him play the more vulnerable character, and I think this is my favorite of his work, ever. It’s a beautiful film about forgiveness and loving your enemies, and the way that he enacts “revenge” upon his enemies in one of the world’s most universal love languages is so unheard of in most films. It’s a film that a lot of people in the world need to see right now, because we’re so comfortable with accusing people of their flaws without realizing that we can use our own shortcomings to build each other up.

2) Mass

There isn’t much to say about this film other than to go see it. Yes, it may have a boring premise–two couples sit in a room and talk for two hours. However, it’s one of the most powerful pieces of cinema I’ve seen in all of 2021. Every actor in this film is firing on all cylinders, and it is just an overall tour de force in terms of ensemble performances. It may be a difficult film to watch, but it’s an important one. Fran Kranz has written a beautiful screenplay that many screenwriters would seriously be jealous of. I’m a bit bummed that the Oscars did not give this film any love, but it’s possible that it was just too obscure for the academy to have seen it. This film really affected me, and I hope that more people get a chance to see it.

1) The Worst Person in the World

It’s very rare that a film comes along and feels so relatable to me. I may not have anything directly in common with a beautiful Norwegian woman who sleeps around and finds her life goals through living with the men she has relationships she with, but The Worst Person in the World is a film that beautifully encapsulates all of the uncertainty and anxiety of a person living in their 30s. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, it’ll tug at your soul, it’s simply a beautiful film of someone who doesn’t have it all together. We’re all just trying to find our way in this life, with the little years that we have on Earth. Joachim Trier’s final film from his Oslo trilogy beautifully captures the fleeting nature of life and how we ought to make the most of it while we can. Oftentimes we’ll feel like we’re our own worst enemy, as Renate Reinsve’s Julia does, but in the end all we can do is learn from all the great and bad experiences life has given us. The Worst Person in the World does that through a beautifully shot Norwegian filter and it takes all of the tragedies of life and presents it in a thoughtful and surprisingly funny way. I wish nothing but the best for Renate Reinsve’s future as a mega movie star. Give this woman all of the roles.

My Top 10 Movies of 2020

Soooo I totally realized I did not make my annual top 10 movies post for this past year. I have a few more posts I need to make about the films I’ve seen recently, so apologies for lagging a bit on everything.

I guess one thing I need to get out of the way first…I actually don’t have a top 10 from 2020. Due to COVID-19 and the uncertainty of releasing films during that period, a lot of films that were supposed to come out that year were delayed, and for good reason. I’ll never forget the anxiety I had watching Tenet in theaters, which was my most anticipated film of the year. Even then, watching it in an enclosed space with other people, it was hard to shake off the feeling and be completely comfortable. Because of that, I honestly just didn’t see many films that left enough of an impact on me to be in my top 10. With that said, here are my top 10 (minus 3) favorite films of 2020!

7) Minari

Can you doubt A24 at this point anymore? Bless them for finding and empowering creative voices in the film industry. Even though I’m an Asian American that found almost zero relation to this Asian immigrant story, I still found a lot of enjoyment to be had from Lee Isaac Chung’s story. I’ve been pretty critical of Steven Yeun in the past, as most of the stuff he’s been in I’ve found to be absolutely deplorable (Burning, Okja, anything after season 2 of The Walking Dead), but I thought he was great this time around. While the pacing kind of meanders from time to time, I thought it was a great and sobering look at the American dream, through the eyes of those who are not American. I thought the young boy, played by Alan S. Kim, was the standout character.

6) Quo Vadis, Aida?

I generally try to watch all the films I want to see prior to watching the Oscars so I can get my top 10 out before then, but I saw this one after it lost to Another Round for Best International Film. While I haven’t seen Another Round, I highly doubt it could have impacted me as much as Quo Vadis, Aida?. This was an incredibly moving film about the Bosnian War, and it had such a delicate way of telling the horrors of war without actually showing any of it. Any American director who would have taken on a subject matter such as this would have completely sensationalized it to fit our Hollywood palates, but Jasmila Žbanić directs such a moving story centered around the family of a translator for the UN caught up in the middle of a hostile takeover. I only started paying closer attention to international films in the past few years, but I love the filmmaking perspective that non-Americans bring to the table, especially when it’s about something personal to their cultural upbringing. This is not an easy film to watch, but it’s an important one to watch.

5) Run

I just had a lot of fun with this film. Aneesh Chaganty’s sophomore effort is almost as good as his first film Searching, although some parts, namely the ending, don’t entirely stick the landing. However, I thought this was a fantastic, self-contained thriller with quite the unique premise. I’ve never been a huge fan of Sarah Paulson, but I thought she was great as the creepy overbearing mother in this film. Obviously, the star of the show has to be Kiera Allen, who I hope gets more roles in the future. This is just a solid thriller that doesn’t overstay its welcome, and kept me invested during the entire 89-minute runtime.

4) Tenet

I’ve said a lot about Nolan in the past, but I think it needs to needs to be reiterated. NO ONE DOES SPECTACLE LIKE CHRISTOPHER NOLAN. He has such grand ambitions for what he wants to put on the silver screen, and he assembles it together so masterfully thanks to his indomitable creed of favoring practical effects. With that being said, this is actually one of my least favorite Nolan films. Why is it still on my top 10 list? Well, because Nolan still knows how to deliver the thrills even if it wasn’t everything I wanted it to be. My biggest complaints about this film came from the cerebral and cold tone that the film has, even though the story is actually centered about something that should be filled with passion and emotion. I don’t think the tone and story completely line up, which to me is quite rare for a Nolan film. I also absolutely abhorred the sound mixing. which was the first time I’ve ever had such a difficult time comprehending just what the heck was going on in a film due to not being able to understand any of it. Still, it’s so hard to take away the sheer excitement that the opening sequence of the film brought me, and giving me that brief feeling that this global pandemic didn’t exist. Nolan’s always so fantastic at whisking you away into his worlds, but unfortunately there were some technical hitches in Tenet that kept me from truly adoring it like I do his other films.

3) Nomadland

Chloe Zhao is another filmmaker that has such a wonderful and refreshing style needed in the world of filmmaking today. While she does borrow a lot from Terrence Malick, she injects a different style of realism in her films through the use of real-life people playing themselves in her films. Nomadland is bare bones in its story but has a profound depth in its characters. Frances McDormand is wonderful as always, but it’s really the nomads of the United States that shine here. This was one of the films from 2020 that I truly wished I could have seen on the big screen.

2) The Father

Holy freakin smokes, this movie hurts SO GOOD. This is greatest horror/sci-fi film not actually listed in the horror/sci-fi genre. I actually really don’t want to say much about this film because I truly think it’s best not knowing a single thing about it. Just know that Anthony Hopkins absolutely deserved that Oscar, and that this was my favorite ensemble of actors in any film from last year.

1) Possessor

I initially didn’t even want to see this film because I heard of how gory it was. And yes, it’s quite gory. Not just quite gory, VERY gory. I saw the uncut version, which apparently is only like 1 minute longer than the cut version so it’s probably not that big of a difference. However, I was floored by Brandon Cronenberg’s vision and how much he really is his father’s son in this immensely well-made sci-fi thriller. Talking about this film is always difficult because it’s so hard to recommend this film to most people. It really isn’t for the faint of heart. However, if you can stomach it, or at least have good enough reflexes to look away when something gross is gonna happen, I think this is such a phenomenal piece of film that absolutely deserves recognition. It’s not high budget by any means, but Cronenberg, just like his dad, uses some great practical effects to do some incredibly world-building that I won’t soon forget.

HBO Max Mega-Magic Spectacular: Quarantine Edition (Harry Potter and Studio Ghibli Movies, Ranked)

Hello!

I’ve finally done it. I’ve finally streamed all the Harry Potter and Studio Ghibli movies thanks to the wonderful streaming platform that is HBO Max. I’ve never paid for a streaming platform until now. While I do enjoy leeching off of my friend for Netflix, HBO Max is way more my cup of tea. I love its vast library of old films, along with the largest variety of high-quality shows. It can easily be a time-sucker, but in the era of Covid-19, all we have is time.

We’re more than half a year in, and things in this world still haven’t gotten better. Riots are still going on, injustices run wild across the nation, and the pandemic shows no sign of stopping. Times like this are when we ought to pray to God, do good to one another, and encourage one another in sensible, pragmatic fashion. One sensible thing you can do for your own edification is…to watch great movies!

I know that can come off as facetious, but I really do see value in the magic of cinema during times like this. It’s a transportive method of immersing yourself in worlds that aren’t as dreary as reality. It allows us to take a brief moment to enjoy the lighter things in life, and gives us time to reflect on the blessings that we actually have. During this quarantine time, I had an immense pleasure going through two big catalogs of “magical cinema.”

I’ve grown up watching Studio Ghibli films, but out of their vast library I only recall one or two with vivid memory, the rest really faded from my memory. The same goes for the Harry Potter movies. I only saw each one once, and forgot most of it (I only read books 1 and 3 before stopping). This was largely a blind watchthrough of all of these movies, and I’m here to give you the definitive, opinionated ranking of all of these magical films that made my quarantine not so sucky.

---

Harry Potter Movies Ranked (From Worst to Best)

8. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

I think the fact that this is the longest HP film in the franchise is directly tied to being my least favorite of the series. One common complaint I had going through most of the HP movies was that they all start off pretty slow and take a long time to really pick up. This is the prime example. It’s got a pretty decent mystery throughout, even if there were a lot of exposition dumps at times.

7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

This one was actually pretty close to being my least favorite, mainly because of the annoying subplots that went nowhere (Ron’s “breakup” with Harry and the meandering extracurricular activities), but the best thing about this movie was that it was the funniest. It also sets up for a darker sequel, which I think is pretty cool for a kids series. Also, ultra-negative points to whoever thought it was a good idea to give everyone women’s hairstyles from the 1970s in this movie. This is easily our cast of characters at their most awkward looking phase.

6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Follow up the movie where everyone looks the most awkward with the one where everyone looks the cutest! I thought this was a delightful start to the franchise—it does start off a little slow, but the unraveling of a magical society so close to the real world as we know it builds plenty of intrigue for what’s to come. Much like many of the films in this series, the first half has a lot of exposition and lore-dumping, but the characters are memorable and get you excited for the rest of the films.

5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Prior to rewatching all of the HP movies, I actually recall Half-Blood Prince being one of my favorites in the series. I think this one did not age as well. The teen angst in this movie was a bit too overpowering for me, and I don’t think anything meaningful happens until the last act in the movie. I was also incredibly annoyed with the cinematography. The shots themselves are great and look really different from the rest of its predecessors, but oh my goodness I was so put off by how literally DARK this movie was. If it wasn’t pitch black, it was sepia-toned to the max. I was so baffled by the filters being put on this movie, and I think this may be one of the only movies I’ve ever seen where I was put off by the coloring of the film. Thankfully the ending (mostly) redeems the film, and sets up yet another exciting sequel.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Now prior to rewatching all of the HP movies, I recall THIS one being my favorite in the series. I remember loving how edgy it was, and how it set up the stakes in such dramatic fashion for its epic conclusion. Upon rewatching, I found the film to be heavily padded with scenes that just did not add much to the overall progression of the story. However, there are great character moments as a result of seeing the crew going on this long journey together, and it’s really great seeing them come together.

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

It’s a pretty satisfying conclusion to the series! Again, much of the movie feels like a ton of exposition to get things out of the way, which at this point feels a bit more grating because they’ve had 7 films prior to this to do that, but nonetheless it is still rewarding to see the final showdown. The buildup to the end was always going to be more interesting than the ending itself, but I think it’s done in a way that is still enjoyable without coming off as too cliche.

2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

It probably comes as no surprise that this is one of my favorites of the franchise, as it is many others. Alfonso Cuarón certainly makes the most distinguishable directorial mark on any of the films in the series, and it shows. It’s easily one of the best looking films out of the bunch, and the darker and more dramatic tone fits his style. Gary Oldman of course is wonderful, but woefully underused. I was really surprised that this film was rated PG, especially given how creepy the Dementors were. This remains one of the best stories of the series and Cuarón helmed it with the pedigree of excellence that we’ve come to know from him.

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Now, I’m pretty surprised that this one is my favorite, considering that I think it may be the lowest rated one in the franchise. Maybe it goes to show how little of a HP fan I am. Regardless, I thought this film was great! I think the teen angst was at a near-perfect balance as the film begins to show the characters maturing and taking on more responsibility, revealing their growth in a very grounded and believable way. I think it feels the most blockbuster-y in the action sequences as well, which is great for a series where wizards kind of just wave their wands at each other. Umbridge is a fantastic villain that you absolutely love to hate as well. I also liked that the film gave more scenes to the side characters that the audience wouldn’t really know much of otherwise. Overall, I was pretty surprised with this one being my favorite since I didn’t have a memorable reaction to it the first time.

---

Well, that’s it for the HP franchise! Overall, I don’t think any of the films are incredible or even fantastic, but I had a really fun time going through them. It’s a great series of films to immerse yourself in, and that’s coming from someone who isn’t really big on HP. With Studio Ghibli however, I found a large chunk of these films to be absolute masterpieces. Keep in mind that I didn’t see absolutely everything from the Studio Ghibli library, but HBO Max had like 95% of them so I’ve seen most of them at this point. Onto the next ranking!

---

Studio Ghibli Movies Ranked (From Worst to Best)

21. Tales from Earthsea

OOF. This one is a legitimately BAD movie. This is the first SG film to be directed by Legendary Auteur Director Hayao Miyazaki…..’s son, Goro. There’s a notorious story of Hayao going to see his son’s premiere of this film…and walking out halfway through. If you go on YouTube you can literally see this legendary icon of a man completely destroy his son’s work with his criticism…and it’s heartbreaking. I can’t say I would have walked out of the theater, but man I had a reaaaallly hard time finishing this film. Goro certainly received a raw deal from this film, as it’s based off on a series of books crammed into one movie. It certainly feels that way, as there is just a ton of exposition that does not lend itself to the overall story at all. It feels like the film tells two different stories—one of pure world-building purposes, and the other between the actual characters. They seem to be completely distant from one another, and it’s just a really jarring experience to see in a film. The main protagonist is also one of the worst I’ve ever seen from an animated movie, as he’s completely pathetic and unlikable. Thankfully, Goro redeems himself (and earns respect from his father) in his follow-up film, which will be later on in this list!

20. Ocean Waves

I didn’t find out until after finishing this film, that it’s based on a TV series that received a film adaptation. I’m not sure it would have made me enjoy it any more though, because this one was also pretty rough to get through. None of the characters were likable, and they all seemed to make such irrational decisions. For a film that is firmly based in reality (unlike many SG films), this stood out even more so.

19. The Cat Returns

This one has all the hallmarks of a straight-to-DVD movie. It’s much shorter than the rest of SG’s movies, and it’s based off of a very small character from another SG film, Whisper of the Heart. It’s in large part a very harmless film, but clearly lacks the quality and prestige of your typical SG film. I guess the best thing about this film is that it made me dislike cats less? Cats are alright.

18. When Marnie Was There

This is one of SG’s more recent films, and not directed by Miyazaki. It’s certainly a very pretty looking film, and relatively straightforward. It’s hard to talk about this one without spoiling it, but the last third of the film is straight up bonkers, and kind of took me out of the film. There are a lot of repetitive scenes in this film as well that didn’t really cause me to get invested in the characters, but there is certainly an emotional heft to this film that will soften even the hardest of hearts.

17. The Wind Rises

Miyazaki’s first appearance on this list. I can understand why fans were slightly disappointed with him after announcing that he was going to retire from making movies, with The Wind Rises being his last. This is easily his weakest film so far. It’s one of the only Miyazaki movies that I didn’t love. Miyazaki has a deep affection for planes and aeronautics in general (which can be seen in many of his films), and this one is just pure indulgence for him. I think this film serves as a pretty powerful metaphor for the decisions you make in life, and is very reflective of Miyazaki’s career as well. While I didn’t find this film particularly interesting or emotionally compelling, it was still something I could find appreciation in. The animation is stunning as usual and that’s always a reason to watch SG films.

16. My Neighbor the Yamadas

This is just a straight up goofy movie. It’s got an interesting comic strip aesthetic, and the whole film seems like a series of Sunday morning comic strips as well. There isn’t really a central story, but rather you catch bits and pieces of the family dynamics, which generally works to its benefit. However because there’s no central narrative, it does overstay its welcome a little. It’s still funny and interesting enough though.

15. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Another SG film with a really interesting aesthetic. The whole film looks like a beautiful painting, and it’s fitting for a film based around Japanese folklore. Isao Takahata is the second best director at SG, and he has a knack for creating wonderful coming-of-age films. While this isn’t his best effort and this film also felt a bit too long for me, it was a very beautiful film.

14. From Up on Poppy Hill

It’s so hard to talk about this film without spoiling it. Without dancing around the subject too much, lets just say that SG has a tendency to to “bait” their viewers into thinking a film’s about something, when it’s not. When Marnie Was There and Ocean Waves both do this, but this one is definitely the most…uncomfortable. This is Goro’s second outing after the disastrous Tales From Earthsea, and I’m glad that for the most part, he was able to craft a much more complete and competent film. You’re only able to truly enjoy the film after you realize what it’s about, but the majority of the film I was pretty uneasy watching it.

13. Whisper of the Heart

This is a solid coming-of-age film as well! SG really excels in doing this, and while this one is perfectly fine, it’s still considered one of the “weaker” ones. The characters are charming, but I felt like the film didn’t capitalize on the main character’s imaginative mind like it has shown to do in other SG films. This film also has one of the most surprising implementations of the song Take Me Home, Country Roads. Who would have thought?

12. The Secret World of Arrietty

This was my first non-Miyazaki SG film during my marathon binge, and I was a bit nervous because of how high in quality his collection of films were. However, this one was solid! I absolutely loved the world of this film, and how SG is able to make the regular world seem like such a foreign and mystical place. The animation was fantastic, which really doesn’t need to be reiterated at this point. What was off-putting about this film was the weird music choice, as they decided to go with more vocalized songs. Not only that, but the songs were in English. I watched all the films in Japanese, so it was pretty jarring. The “villain” of the movie was also kind of odd and had poorly developed decisions as well. I still had a pretty good time with this movie nonetheless.

11. Ponyo

This is clearly the most kid-oriented film by Miyazaki. I remember not liking this the first time I saw it, but really grew to appreciate it more so this time around. It’s cute, it’s got an interesting world, and all of the characters are adorable. It’s a good film to watch with kids, where the parents can get something out of it too. The thing I love most about this film is how Miyazaki portrays the parents and their view of their children’s imagination; they never question how absurd their children are, but simply go with it and feed off of their energy.  It’s a small touch that really enhances the charm of the film, because it makes everyone seem like they’re on an adventure together as opposed to the typical distance put between parent and child in these types of films.

10. Pom Poko

Finally cracked the top 10! This is when Studio Ghibli’s movies get a HUGE jump in quality. I’d say the last 5-6 films before this were decent to solid animated films, but this is when it gets REALLY good. Pom Poko is straight up one of the most absurd animated films I’ve ever seen, and I was all for it. It is so ridiculous and hilarious, I could not believe someone would make a film about it. It’s basically about raccoons trying to fight against humans for control of their homes, and they do so with the use of very interesting tactics. The less you know about it, the better. This is another Isao Takahata film, and it’s clear that he’s got some of the secret sauce that Miyazaki has.

9. Spirited Away

This is often considered to be SG’s best film to westerners. I remember not getting it when I first watched it, and even now I can’t say I understand it. There’s a lot of wild imagery and allegory that might leave the viewer lost, but it’s still fantastic when you kind of let go and just enjoy the ride Miyazaki takes you on. This is SG flexing their animation muscles, because there’s a lot here to enjoy and be in awe of. I can actually see this getting better and better upon repeated viewings.

8. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

This was the first film I watched when I began my Studio Ghibli marathon binge, and wow, what a film to start with. Absolutely adored this film, and the world that Miyazaki built from it. Miyazaki has always had a knack for creating well-developed female protagonists, waaaay before it became a political agenda in Hollywood. Princess Nausicaä is such a fantastic character and her fight to save humanity is so well realized in a world filled with big disgusting looking bugs.

7. Kiki’s Delivery Service

What an absolutely heartwarming and charming film. This is the coming-of-age genre in animation at its highest caliber, mixing the world of witchery and the real world together in such a seamless and believable way. There’s very little to dislike about this film; it brings such positive vibes and it feels so thematically rich even though there is actually very little plot. Watch this film if you’re ever depressed.

6. Porco Rosso

My brother is actually a huge SG fan, and he’s told me that Porco Rosso is his favorite. All I remember about this film is that it’s about a pig who flies planes. How can that be his favorite film? Now I can see why. Porco Rosso is straight up incredible. This is hands down SG’s and Miyazaki’s most underrated film. Miyazaki takes such a simple story and enriches it with wonderful and memorable characters, captivating music and animation, and a whole lot of gut-busting humor.

5. Only Yesterday

This is easily Isao Takahata’s best film. It’s the second non-Miyazaki film to make it into the top 10, and MAN is it a good one. It came out in 1991, but didn’t really hit American theaters until only a few years ago. The American public sorely missed out on this incredible coming-of-age film. It reminded me a lot of western films, particularly Greta Gerwig’s indie hits, but with a Japanese setting. This film is so ahead of its time in the way Takahata creates scenes for characters to just talk without much happening on screen. This is probably one of the most grounded films in the SG collection, but its story is told with such maturity and grace that you can’t help but love it.

4. Howl’s Moving Castle

I remember not having much of an impression after seeing this when it first came out. After rewatching it this time, I just wanted to jump up and down and punch myself because of how wonderful and magical the experience was. I absolutely adored this film. Miyazaki AGAIN creates such an incredible world filled with wonder, and I love how he handles his female characters. I think the western approach to empowering female characters is very one-note, with the whole idea that a female character is just as cool as a male character if she can be as strong or as dominant as a man. In this film, Miyazaki leans heavily on the main character’s motherly qualities, and does it in such a graceful and empowering way. I absolutely love Miyazaki’s female protagonists. They are just so well realized and charming.

3. My Neighbor Totoro

How else can you describe this film other than masterpiece? This film is pure escapism from the depressing and dreary world that we live in. Totoro has ascended as one of the most iconic figures in animation, and its crazy that Totoro is not even the best part of this film. It’s the relationship between the sisters, and their relationship with their parents as well. Of course, Totoro is pretty freakin’ incredible as well. I don’t know how to describe this film other than it is pure magic and happiness. It’s one of the best animated films of all time.

2. Princess Mononoke

I have to admit with all shame that I’ve never seen this film before, and I feel terrible for saying that. This, along with Totoro, is probably the epitome of what makes Hayao Miyazaki a legendary director. This film has all of the signature trademarks of Miyazaki’s and Studio Ghibli’s vision in animated films—a badass and well-realized female protagonist, a masterfully constructed world, a deeply thematic and nuanced story with morally gray undertones, and enrapturing music. I think there is a lot of objective evidence one can use to argue that this is Miyazaki’s best movie, and I’d totally understand it. It is nearly flawless in its presentation on all fronts, and deserves to be seen by everyone at least once.

1. Castle in the Sky

Out of all of the Studio Ghibli films I’ve seen over the years, this is really the only one I remember from childhood. I actually never really understood the film until years later, because I grew up watching it in Japanese with Chinese subtitles. Even though I couldn’t actually understand any of the dialogue, I think inherently I still knew what the film was about. There’s a lot of arguments you can make about how Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro are better films, but to me Castle in the Sky will always be my favorite. It epitomizes everything I love about Studio Ghibli, whether it be the unforgettable music, brilliant fantasy setting, or the characters that you initially dislike but grow to love. BIG shoutout to music composer Joe Hisaishi, who I didn’t want to repeatedly mention in almost every SG film, even though he deserves it. A lot of the heart of each film comes from his genius music composition. I don’t think any director does it better than Miyazaki when it comes to showing multi-dimensional characters. None of Miyazaki’s movies ever have an incredibly complex story, but you always feel like you get so much more out of it because of the love and care that he treats his story and characters with. When you watch films like this, it’s easy to believe that magic exists.

My Top Movies of 2019

If you had asked me what my top 10 favorite films of 2019 were back in September, I wouldn’t have been able to give you a top 5. The year was shaping up to be one of the worst in recent memory, and I was thinking that this post would be a lot shorter than I would have wanted it to be. Thankfully, October-December rolled around, and they ended up featuring a slew of incredible films that were equally diverse in their tone and content.

Before I get into my top 10, I’d like to give a shout-out to a couple of honorable mentions:

Honorable Mention #1: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum

It’s John Wick. He kills bad men and he loves animals. What else do you want? The third chapter in this series certainly reaches its most ridiculous heights in terms of action and story, but Keanu finds renewed life in Hollywood because of how perfect he is as the gunslinging hero. The knife throwing scene is worth the price of admission alone.

Honorable Mention #2: The Last Black Man in San Francisco

Who knew that someone could create such a touching and thematically rich story about gentrification? Joe Talbot’s debut film is certainly as beautifully made as it is personal to his own life. Jimmie Fails is great in what is essentially an autobiographical role, but it’s Jonathan Majors that truly steals the spotlight in one of the most overlooked performances of the year.

Honorable Mention #3: Ford v Ferrari

For what is truly a boring subject matter to me, James Mangold’s Ford v Ferrari created a remarkable edge-of-your-seat racing thriller that must be seen on the big screen. Aside from the fantastic editing and sound design, the film is bolstered by two great performances from the consistent chameleon Christian Bale, and Matt Damon’s first memorable role since The Martian. Josh Lucas also edges out Thanos for 2019’s greatest movie villain.

Honorable Mention #4: Parasite

I actually can’t believe this is an honorable mention—that’s how good 2019 has been for films. I generally hated the few Bong Joon-Ho films that I’ve seen, so it was quite a pleasant surprise after a few minutes in when I realized that this was going to be an epic film unlike anything I’ve seen from him before. Equal parts heist thriller, family dramedy and horror, this is truly a film worthy of the No Trailers brand name. The less you know about this film, the better. Seriously, don’t read anything about this and just go see it.

Okay, now for my actual top 10!

---

 10) The Lighthouse

Picture yourself watching a play in a foreign language: the lead is giving a performance for the ages, but you have no idea what he/she is saying. Their words and expressions move you, even if you don’t understand any of it. That’s pretty much The Lighthouse. This movie might as well be considered a foreign film, since Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson’s sailor accents are so thick you couldn’t cut it with a Maine lobster claw. That however doesn’t take anything away from Robert Eggers’s sophomore effort, which is somehow amazingly unique and different from his first foray into horror in 2015’s The Witch. Eggers reinvents his style of directing with a more suspenseful and mysterious look into the eerie goings-on of lighthouse keeping. This fever dream of a film is not going to make sense to a lot of viewers, but once you’re able to let go of that and embrace Eggers’ vision for this film, it’s an unforgettable and wild ride. Dafoe reminds everyone why he is such a revered actor, but it’s Pattinson’s performance that should erase all doubts as to whether or not he’ll be a good Batman. He is for real, and he has arrived.

9) Knives Out

Rian Johnson may or may not ever direct another Star Wars film ever again, and that’s totally fine. He’s proven with his previous films that he’s able to create unique and creative tales all on his own, and Knives Out is no exception. Featuring one of the most stacked casts of the year, Daniel Craig is outstanding in this ensemble as the legendary detective that is essentially the love child of Sherlock Holmes and Foghorn Leghorn. This film was the definition of a good time at the movie theaters. It pulls a few subversive tricks à la The Last Jedi (except this time they’re actually good) that redefine the whodunit genre in a refreshing and meaningful way. Ana de Armas is fantastic as well, and hopefully a sign of more lead opportunities for her in the future.

8) Doctor Sleep

Out of all the films in my top 10 this year, Doctor Sleep is easily the most entertaining of them all. Director Mike Flanagan faced one of the most daunting tasks in movie history—making a sequel that no one asked for to what is arguably the most iconic horror in movie history, The Shining. Not only did it have to stand on its own, it had to honor both the legacies of Stanley Kubrick and Stephen King, with the latter famously hating The Shining. How do you make a film that appeases both sides of such an iconic subject matter? By turning the world of The Shining into a freakin’ superhero movie, is how! This movie captures the creative genius and morbid insanity of Stephen King so perfectly, while still being an accessible film for people who are not familiar with the first film. Rebecca Ferguson plays one of the most memorable villains of ALL TIME, and is sure to be an inspiration for many Halloween costumes this year.

7) Marriage Story

2018’s Roma was no fluke; Netflix is officially a cinematic force to be reckoned with. While it may not have completely shed its image of being the platform where B-movies go to die, Marriage Story is the first of two powerhouse films that are sure to shake up the awards race this year. Adam Driver turns in what is easily his best performance ever, and Scarlett Johansson hasn’t been this good since Lost in Translation. I’ve had a love-hate relation with director Noah Baumbach’s films, but this is easily his most refined piece yet. The brilliant script and direction make this film seem more like an intimate theatrical play than movie. It’s a tastefully honest take about the complexities of the separation process. The sharp and relatable dialogue is both heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time. If Baumbach is intent on making us laugh and cry until the end of time, then my body is ready for more.

6) Joker

 

2019’s most polarizing film was nothing short of entrancing for me. While some may fault Todd Phillips for an overly nihilistic view of the world through the eyes of Arthur Fleck, there was no other way that this film could be done to have its momentous impact. Joker explores the darkness of one of the most iconic comic book villains of all time in an equally sensational and subdued manner. The visual language in this film is absolute perfection, along with the costume and production design to make this one of the best looking period pieces of the year. Joaquin Phoenix literally transforms into his role to bring another iconic portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime to the big screen, evoking similarities from his role in The Master. While the film’s one-off nature may not be a stepping stone for the future of DC Comic’s movie slate, it was an absolutely memorable look at how dramatic comic book movies can be when you take away the blockbuster elements away from it. Scorsese might changes his tune about comic book movies not being cinema if he saw this film, since it was completely inspired by his own works.

5) Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino’s propensity for revisionist history is just one of the many reasons that make him such a revered director/writer. His ability to depict white knuckled tension or heartwarming friendship from scenes where people just talk for 15 minutes straight is a testament to his ever-growing talent. OUATIH is probably Tarantino’s most personal film and also his most unique. The film transports you into his world, his interpretation of historical events, and most importantly the characters that he wants you to believe in and root for. Greta Gerwig recently said in her speech honoring QT himself, “Quentin Tarantino makes movies as if movies could save the world.” That could not be more evident in this film. Both DiCaprio and Pitt turn in two of their best performances ever, and Margot Robbie delivers a silent but essential role as Sharon Tate. We may be nearing the end of Tarantino’s career, but there was no better film to encapsulate everything we love about Tarantino than what he did with this movie.

4) Little Women

If Doctor Sleep was the most entertaining movie of 2019 for me, then Little Women is the most heartwarming and feel-good movie of the year for me. Easily rewatchable and star-studded to the max, this film features most of the best female performances of the year. Who has had a better year than Florence Pugh? This actress came out of nowhere and dazzled audiences with her overlooked underdog role in Fighting with my Family, her absolutely iconic performance in Midsommar, and again with her charming and complex portrayal of Amy March in this film. Who could forget the indomitable pairing of Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet? Oh yeah, and Meryl Streep is in this movie! There’s so much to say about this film, but there’s only one thing that needs to be stated—this film is absolutely lovely. Whether it’s Greta Gerwig’s masterful direction and creative retelling of the 150+ year old novel, her terrific dialogue that practically has the characters leaping out of the screen, or Alexandre Desplat’s utterly delightful musical score, this film hits its emotional beats in all the right ways. It may become my go-to movie to watch on Christmas day. I’m so glad that the world has been introduced to Greta Gerwig. She’s quickly become one of my favorite directors, and I’m going to watch pretty much anything she makes at this point.

3) A Hidden Life

Terrence Malick films feel more like a meditation than a movie. His love for visually striking imagery and storytelling through the lens of the camera rather than spoken dialogue may be rewarding for only the most patient of movie goers. However, A Hidden Life gave me a feeling of conviction that I’ve never felt in a movie, ever. This faith-based film is easily the greatest portrayal of the Christian faith I’ve ever seen, exceeding that of his previous work in The Tree of Life. It doesn’t scream its preachings in your ear, but rather it bares it soul through the struggles of its characters, and the awe-inspiring visuals courtesy of no one else but our Creator above. The artistry behind this film makes it feel like a visual representation of a chapter from the book of Psalms, as it ruminates on the struggles of doubt, obedience, and faith. It’s an incredibly powerful piece of cinema that is almost required viewing for anyone who is Christian and enjoys watching film, but it has something for everyone with its moving story about standing up for what you believe in.

2) The Irishman

This three and a half hour epic was some of the fastest three and a half hours that I’ve ever experienced. I’m still baffled at how any producers were reluctant to give Scorsese money to make a movie that featured Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. Netflix’s second powerhouse film of the year was met with high expectations, and delivered on the goods in spectacular fashion. Not only does this film serve as the perfect complement to what many consider Scorsese’s best work in GoodFellas, it’s also one of the deepest and most contemplative looks into the mafia/gangster genre. The film brilliantly captures the quieter and introspective moments of the consequences of living a life of crime, and tells a moving story of a man caught between the life of a gangster and family man. De Niro hasn’t been this good in over a decade, and Pesci’s return from retirement was well worth the wait. The last 30 minutes of The Irishman provide some of the most iconic movie moments ever. Scorsese continues to show his vitality as a prolific director by crafting one of his most affecting films of all time, while maintaining the signature style that we’ve come to know and love from Scorsese.

1) 1917

Every year, I see a handful of films that reaffirm my love for going to the movies. 2019 had more than usual this time around. However, 1917 is the film that made me realize that there are some things that you can’t do anywhere else except in this art form. Sam Mendes’s war epic continues the trend of making Time the most fearsome enemy in battle, akin to 2017’s Dunkirk (which was my favorite movie of that year). While the one-shot take aesthetic may be known to many moviegoers and critics as gimmicky, it’s never been more essential and effective than in this film. This movie is a technical masterpiece on all accounts. The direction is inspiring. The cinematography is at GOAT-level, because why wouldn’t it be when it’s from Roger Deakins. This film is the strongest reason for why the theatrical experience needs to be preserved, and why watching something at home on the TV is nowhere near the same as seeing it on the big screen. Beneath all of this lies an intimate story of two boys who face a test of courage of the highest order. There’s been a lot of debate this past year as to what is and what isn’t cinema, and 1917 had one of the loudest voices of what movies are capable of in 2019. You know what else is awesome about this movie? IT JUST CAME OUT. GO WATCH IT NOW.

My Top 10 Movies of 2018

As the Academy Awards air tomorrow, another Oscar-calendar year comes to an end. I always try to make sure that I see everything I want to see prior to that deadline, just so I can have my genuinely unbiased reactions to those who win or get snubbed during the awards ceremony.

Out of all of the years since I started reviewing movies, I would say that 2018 was the most uneven of them. Granted I don’t think this past year was as dry as 2016, but I saw a high volume of films of contrasting quality. While there were a lot of excellent films, there were also a large number of stinkers. However, through it all, I was able to enjoy different movies that spoke to different parts of my film-loving self. So before we get into my top 10, let’s go over some of my honorable mentions:

---

 

Honorable Mentions:

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Sony surprised everyone when they released an animated Spider-Man film that had nothing to do with an established shared universe, but built one on its own in a vastly different style. Spider-Verse is one of the most creative and beautifully animated comic book films I’ve ever seen, and does a great job of introducing the lesser known Spider-Man character Miles Morales in a film that reminds us that there is a creative space in the movie industry for comic book movies to, well, look like comic books.

Eighth Grade

Move aside, A Quiet Place—no film in 2018 made me more uncomfortable and on the edge of my seat than Bo Burnham’s directorial debut film Eighth Grade. Taking place in everyone’s favorite stage of their lives, Eighth Grade presents an honest message about loving yourself in a time where you want to do anything but that.

Isle of Dogs

Wes Anderson continues to be Wes Anderson in his second stop-motion animated film, Isle of Dogs. Quirky and heartfelt, the story about a young boy and his dog(s) in a strange post-apocalyptic setting conjure some genuinely funny and awe-inspiring moments. Stop-motion animation is a genre that we do not have films enough of, and that’s a shame. Isle of Dogs not only shows off how wonderful the film can be from a technical standpoint, but also with its cast of charming characters.

Incredibles 2

The follow-up to my favorite Pixar film nearly 15 years in the making not only satisfies the fans waiting for a proper sequel, but also reminds us why Pixar is one of the best studios in the business. Standing on its own as one of the best superhero films of 2018, it’s also just a sheer delight to return to the Parr family and see what shenanigans they get up to in a movie that was well worth the wait.

Blindspotting

In a world that is so eager to point out the inadequacies and sins of our fellow brothers and sisters based on the color of their skin, no film presented the message of the growing up in a racially strained environment better than Blindspotting. Not only is the film incredibly hilarious, but it also touches on the gray areas of race relations in a way that is both subdued and poignant.

---

 

10. Ready Player One

I don’t care what people say about this movie—I genuinely had a good time with it. Based on Ernest Cline’s epic sci-fi novel, Spielberg’s adaptation of the book provided genuine thrills, pure fan service moments for all nerds, and ultimately made me realize how much I missed Spielberg’s blockbuster films. There is an inevitable charm in this flick, as flawed as it may be. This film was so evocative of its grand sense of adventure like in Spielberg’s earlier works, that it was easy to overlook the film’s many weaknesses in favor of just enjoying the ride for what it was. Please Steven, you still got the magic touch! Stop making Oscar-bait movies and capture our hearts and imaginations again with more films like these!

9. American Animals

American Animals is easily 2018’s most overlooked film of the year. Bart Layton’s newest docu-drama is an incredibly suspenseful and thrilling piece that proves you don’t need an epic heist premise to pull off being one of the best heist movies ever. This movie plays with our expectations and subverts them in a genuinely unique fashion, while satisfying all of the cravings we want in a heist film. You know that this movie is doing something right when the most intense and suspenseful moment happens between a sweet librarian lady and a bunch of misguided kids.

8. Searching

Aneesh Chaganty’s Searching is way better than it should have been. A film that takes place completely in the perspective of a computer screen? You’d think that the gimmick would overstay its welcome, until you realize how brilliantly it was used to generate suspense and mystery throughout the film. John Cho delivers what is easily his best performance in a movie that makes us second guess how well we truly know our kids, and vice versa. There is context for why this film is shot the way it is, and achieves its finest moments that are arguably only possible within this format.

7. Shoplifters

This year’s Cannes Film Festival winner came as a big surprise to me, as it was one of the last films I saw from 2018. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s intimate family drama depicting the struggles of the impoverished people in Japan cut deep for me. The characters are so well-realized and fleshed out, that you genuinely believe that these are real people with real problems, providing a voice for the more unfortunate in Japanese society. Sakura Ando may have given the standout performance of the film, but it’s the collective works of the incredibly talented cast of actors that really bring this film to life. Masterfully directed by Kore-eda, this movie challenges our preconceived notions about family dynamics and delivers an impactful message that is unfamiliar to our American sensibilities.

6. Hereditary

Imagine the greatest chef in the world cooking your least favorite food: that is Hereditary in a nutshell for me. Horror is a genre that I go back and forth with; I dislike cheap jump scares and many of the evil roots that the films in this genre are based on, but at the same time, the direction and cinematography of films in this genre are used to much greater and lasting effect. Hereditary‘s compelling family drama is turned on its head when everything goes absolutely insane in the third act, in what I think is the second scariest movie I’ve ever seen behind The Exorcist. Toni Collette gives one of the best performances of the year, and is obviously shut out of Oscar contention since the Academy doesn’t really award horror films with anything. Newcomer Ari Aster crafts a movie that makes you think it’s his tenth time around this genre, so the fact that this is his first movie ever is all the more impressive. Aster delivers near levels of perfection on all fronts as he teases you with the horrors of the unknown while subtly revealing the biggest twists in a painfully thrilling push-and-pull dynamic throughout.

5. Annihilation

Director Alex Garland continues to delve into the hard science fiction genre that focuses more on the science than it does the fiction. Based on Jeff VanderMeer’s trilogy of books that were once thought literally impossible to adapt onto the silver screen, Garland does what he does best—crafting deeply thought-provoking films that favor substance over style. Don’t get me wrong, this film was absolutely breathtaking to see in theaters, and is easily one of the most visually stunning films of 2018. However, it’s the journey that these group of scientists embark on that draw you into the dark and mysterious world that is the Shimmer. Natalie Portman is excellent as always, and the scientific concepts explored in this movie make you think more about the implications of the story as opposed to just enjoying the flashy lights and action set pieces that you would from a conventional sci-fi film.

4. Batman Ninja

Batman Ninja is my most shameless plug of 2018. I don’t care how stupid or ridiculous this movie is, I freaking LOVED this movie. I love the creative liberties that DC Comics gives to its movie studios, because the combination of feudal Japan and Batman is a dream come true. One of the coolest looking comic book movies ever, the manga style depiction of Batman going up against his greatest foes is unforgettable and pure cinema pleasure. I had so much fun watching this film because of how over the top it was in all its anime glory. Of course this goes without saying, viewing of this film in Japanese with English subtitles is required.

3. Roma

Alfonso Cuarón continues to show the world that he is one of the greatest directors currently working today with his most intimate film yet. The beautifully shot Roma not only delivers masterpiece-level cinematography and direction, but tells the powerfully heartfelt story of a live-in housekeeper in 1970’s Mexico City. Inspired by his own childhood and dedicated to Cuarón’s real-life nanny, this movie shows the growing pains of a city mired in political strife, and the inhabitants that live it. There were so many moments in this film where my jaw dropped just based on how amazing the shots were, and how brilliantly directed each sequence of scenes were. Major shout out to FIRST TIME ACTOR Yalitza Aparicio, who handles the lead role with grace and finesse. Cuarón takes all of the best parts of his blockbuster films and inserts it into his most personal piece, using his mastery over depth and perspective to tell so much in every single frame. This is easily Netflix’s best movie ever, and is the film I’m pushing to win most of the major awards in the Oscars tomorrow.

2. Cold War

Another black and white film! Who would’ve thought? I surely didn’t expect this, but Cold War was probably one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. While I’d say that Roma is a better shot film from a technical standpoint, Cold War is the best looking film I’ve seen all year. The smoky-cool atmosphere that the film oozes out of every frame is so irresistible to the eyes, and on top of that, it tells a painfully beautiful story that is inspired by Director Paweł Pawlikowski’s own parents’ marriage. This film breaks so many rules in the way it tells it story, it could have easily resulted in an absolute mess of a movie. Pawlikowski takes conventional romantic tropes and throws them out the window and instead delivers a refreshing and utterly mesmerizing look into a harrowing tale of ill-fated lovers trapped in Cold War Poland. Joanna Kulig gives my favorite performance of 2018, as the emotional weight of this film is carried by her and the magnificent Tomasz Kot. You can feel and sense the history of their love for each other in every scene, and it only gets better as the movie progresses. Just like Shoplifters, this film subverts American sensibilities and depicts its idea of romance from a different perspective that we may or may not be comfortable with seeing. Foreign films came out in full force this year, and Cold War to me was the best of the bunch.

1. Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Tom Cruise is 56 years old. No 56 year old should be jumping off of rooftops, jumping out of airplanes, jumping out of anything that can be jumped out of at the age of 56. But Tom Cruise does. Tom Cruise risks his life each and every day for the sake of our enjoyment. Tom Cruise wakes up in the morning and asks himself, “how can I nearly kill myself today?” so that we can have a small glimpse into his insane mind for about two hours every couple years or so. Regardless of what you think about Tom Cruise in real life, you cannot deny that he is arguably America’s greatest action hero, and if you do deny it, then you’re wrong. The Christopher McQuarrie/Tom Cruise relationship is one of the greatest gifts to the world of cinema, and I actually can’t believe that each installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise actually gets better and better (with the exception of MI2). This franchise is over 20 years old, and it’s still making other action films look like baby movies. The amount of talent that the McQruise team have put together for this blockbuster shows in its masterful action set pieces, it’s reliance on doing everything for real and without special effects, and the fearless leadership of real life superhero Thomas Mapother Cruise IV.  This is not only one of the greatest action movies ever made, but it is evidence of how good a movie can be when the people behind it love what they do and dedicate themselves to go the extra mile to wow their audience. I forgot how many times I watched this movie in 2018, but I can honestly say I haven’t been this excited about a film in this genre that has been playing it safe for years. No movie has brought me more joy than Fallout in 2018, and it makes me all the more excited for when Cruise inevitably hangs from the side of a spaceship in the next film.

My Top 10 Movies of 2017

Hello everyone!

It’s been a little over a year since I’ve created this blog, and I amazed for two reasons; for one, I can’t believe I’ve been able to stay committed to something writing related for more than a year, and for two, that people outside of my group of friends read this stuff. I have absolutely zero plans or ambitions to heavily publicize or advertise my blog, because my vision for it has always been more of a public diary journaling my thoughts on movies. For those who tune in every now and then to read my ramblings, I just wanted to say thanks, and that I hope my recommendations have been somewhat fruitful for you. I hope to continue reviewing for this upcoming year and to keep a casual format, sort of as if you asked your friend what he/she thought of a movie and how they responded in real life.

For those of you who might be tuning in for the first time, just be aware of the two rules here:

1. I use a slightly different grading scale, which you can see on the “About” section on my blog.
2. I am a firm advocate of watching no trailers before seeing a movie you’re interested in, because I believe that they spoil way too much and can severely decrease your enjoyment in a movie. Therefore, all my reviews will similarly have no spoilers even though they might be an integral part to the movie’s plot.

Okay, back to reviewing!

2017 was a very special year for movies to me. After enduring a long slog of mediocre movies in 2016 only to get hit with the best stuff in the last two months, I had high hopes that 2017 would deliver good movies more consistently, and that was definitely the case this past year. I had a hard time picking honorable mentions so…I’m just going to have a lot because they’re all worth seeing! I’ve also written actual reviews on my blog for pretty much all these movies, so if you want a little bit more then you can just search the post there. Let’s get down to it.

---

 

Honorable Mentions:

It Comes at Night (Grade: B+/81)

This film was exceptionally creepy on account of how masterfully shot it was. Every shot felt meaningful, and every scene added to the mystery and tension in this post-apocalyptic world. While it didn’t provide many answers, it led me wanting to know more about the film and the world it depicts. I’ve always been a fan of Joel Edgerton as I think he is hugely underrated, and he continues to impress with a very subdued but powerful performance here. I also really enjoyed Christopher Abbott’s performance, and all the scenes he shared with Edgerton were fantastic. This isn’t so much of a horror movie as it is an atmospheric thriller, and director Trey Edward Shults completely nails the aesthetic and feel of the film.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Grade: B+/81)

This film holds a special place in my heart because of how much hate I had for it up until the third act in the film. I had fears that this movie would be a very one-sided representation of law enforcement and corruption, and it was doing so for most of the film until director Martin McDonagh brought everything back full circle in a surprising  way. The character arcs in this film were amazing and had fantastic payoff moments, which was something I didn’t expect after dreading most of it. It made me see McDonagh’s mastery over his characters and story as he tells a very timely message in a very tasteful and [darkly] comedic way.

The Disaster Artist (Grade: B+/81)

James Franco’s take on the making of the “best worst movie ever” is about as interesting as the man he portrays in Tommy Wiseau. If you are a fan of The Room, not to be confused with Brie Larson’s tearjerker movie Room, then you are required to see this film. It sheds some light on the mythos of Wiseau, and is more meaningful than a simple behind-the-scenes feature of how The Room was made. It tells a meaningful story of friendship, but also reminds you that everything about it is hilarious.

Phantom Thread (Grade: B+/81)

Daniel Day Lewis goes out on a high note as his last film is a returned collaboration with auteur director Paul Thomas Anderson. There’s something about the dream-like aesthetic that creates such a beautiful contrast to the surprisingly dark romance that this film portrays. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this film is that I enjoyed the two performances from Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville more than DDL’s. The interactions between these three characters is what kept me fixated on the film, especially for a movie with a premise that I thought I initially wouldn’t care about. The result is a very unique period piece that sends off DDL’s career in spectacular fashion.

John Wick: Chapter 2 (Grade: B+/81)

This is a film that I saw prior to starting up my blog, so I didn’t have a chance to write about it. This movie was pretty much everything I expected and wanted out of a John Wick sequel: the stakes were higher, the action was crazier, and the direction was expertly helmed. I love that Keanu Reeves has had a resurgence in his career with the John Wick franchise, as he is utterly perfect for the role. The choreography and the fluidity to all the action scenes make it a very enjoyable watch, along with a story that really escalates the conflict in a way that sets up for an explosive chapter 3.

---

 

I probably should’ve made this a top 15. Whatever. Sorry, not sorry. Onto my top 10!

10. Logan Lucky (Grade: B+/82)

If you ever saw the Oceans trilogy and thought that you would have enjoyed it more with rednecks, then boy do I have good news for you. Logan Lucky is Steven Soderbergh’s return from filmmaking retirement, and what better way to do it than to basically re-do one of his most famous movies with a different spin on it. This film is the equivalent to eating your favorite comfort food—you know what you’re gonna get with it, but you wouldn’t have it any other way. The motley crew assembled in this film is incredibly entertaining, with notable standout Daniel Craig. However, everyone does a great job playing off of each other, and the film has lots of great scenes that allow them to do so. The third act is what differentiates this from Soderbergh’s other heist movies, but does so with a unique and interesting angle where few heist movies approach from.

---

9. I, Tonya (Grade: B+/83)

Watching I, Tonya made me glad that I was completely oblivious to Tonya Harding’s story back in the 90s because wow, what an incredibly crazy life she’s had. I honestly did not expect to enjoy this film as much as I did, and a lot of it was due to Margot Robbie’s amazingly underrated performance as the controversial figure skater. I know that she got an Oscar nomination for best actress, but she’s still underrated somehow! This film had so many unexpected twists and turns that I didn’t know what to believe. However, because the movie plays off of the themes of truth and perspective, I don’t think it’s ever truly meant to be clear. What is clear, however, is that this was an incredibly entertaining film that somehow made figure skating seem like an action movie. Props to Craig Gillespie for directing the heck out of this movie, as he expertly uses multiple narrative shifts to keep you engaged throughout the film.

---

8. Logan (Grade: B+/84)

Yes! There is a space for R-rated comic book movies after all! While Fox’s Deadpool initially paved the way,  Logan solidifies the sentiment that you can tell a more mature story about superheroes without sacrificing any sort of comic book movie tropes that we have come to know and love. I simply loved the look and feel to this film, as it was much more grounded and atmospheric than any of the other previous X-Men movies. Hugh Jackman gives a fantastic performance as Wolverine, which probably would have been more noticeable if he wasn’t outshone by co-star Dafne Keen. Both have a great dynamic together, and I liked that the movie tried to focus more on their relationship compared to other grandiose comic book-y concepts. While it’s not perfect, it definitely highlights the best and the worst aspects of our favorite antihero. The action is also insane and brutal, but we wouldn’t have it any other way for our boy Logan.

---

7. Columbus (Grade: B+/85)

This year was a fantastic year for directorial debuts, and notable video-essayist Kogonada is no exception. His film Columbus proves that visual language can be equally or more impactful than words themselves. Every frame of this film is cinema perfection as he manages to craft a story using visuals as his primary form of expression. That’s not to say that there aren’t good performances here, because Haley Lu Richardson gives another wonderful performance that has seemingly gone under the radar this year. This film is similar to one of my favorite films of all time Lost in Translation, with a bit more style over substance. However, the nature of this film’s story is so specifically interwoven with visual art that its style works to its advantage. This is one of the rare movies where I’ll remember the cinematography more than anything else, and I look forward to future projects like this.

---

6. Baby Driver (Grade: B+/85)

Edgar Wright’s movies have never been short of entertaining. While I can’t say I loved every single one of his movies (sorry, The World’s End), I cannot deny the way that Wright perfectly blends comedy and action together in all of his films. Baby Driver may not be my favorite movie of his, but on a technical level, it is the best he’s ever done. From the jaw-dropping opening sequence to all the fun character moments in between that lead up to the surprising ending, Wright shows off his impressive direction by making what is essentially an action musical. The way that he cuts all his action sequences together like a composer composing music goes to show how much fun he’s having with this film, and it clearly shows with every passing scene. The editing in this film is top notch, but the fact that this is only Wright’s sixth directorial effort means that the best is yet to come. In the meantime, we have this unique and original film to enjoy.

---

5. Spider-man: Homecoming (Grade: A-/86)

While I consider myself a strong critic of Disney’s Marvel movies, I can’t deny the times when they make something truly special. Spiderman has always been one of my favorite superheroes growing up, and the approach that Disney takes here with a younger Peter Parker is refreshing and thoroughly entertaining. It introduces nuances that we haven’t seen before in a Spiderman film, but does it in a way that feels familiar and grounded. I really appreciated the effort gone into crafting an individual story without having to re-introduce all of the origin elements, and how it’s largely self-contained and separate from the Marvel universe. While the Disney/Sony partnership is somewhat confusing, we can at least expect a few more movies within this world, and I am excited to see what comes next.

---

4. Lady Bird (Grade: A-/88)

Out of all the movies on my list, this one has the most charm to it. Saiorse Ronan’s performance as the self-dubbed “Lady Bird” is arguably my favorite performance of the year. She really disappears into the role, causing anyone watching to get really invested in her character. Laurie Metcalf also puts on an incredible performance as Lady Bird’s mother, and every interaction they have on screen is fantastic. I enjoyed the overall intimacy of the film, as director Greta Gerwig crafts a story that really hits close to home for her. As a result, the film hit me on a personal level that I could find some relation to, even though my life experiences are vastly different from that of Lady Bird’s. I’m a huge sucker for coming-of-age films, and this is definitely one of the best.

---

3. The Big Sick (Grade: A-/89)

This is another film that I didn’t really expect to enjoy that much, let alone laugh that much. This was easily the funniest movie I saw in 2017, and much of that is due to the fact that it is based on Kumail Nanjiani’s perspective of his real life experiences of love and relationships. Of course Nanjiani plays himself perfectly, but it’s the rest of the cast that really make the film. Nanjiani’s relationship with his girlfriend’s parents, played by Holly Hunter and Ray Romano, is some of the most authentic and hilarious portrayals of the awkwardness of multi-cultural relationships. The film as a whole just feels so down-to-earth and relatable, and the strong screenplay is bolstered by the incredibly talented cast of characters.

---

2. Blade Runner 2049 (Grade: A-/90)

Even though this isn’t my favorite movie of the year, I certainly thought about Blade Runner 2049 the most out of any film in 2017. There are so many themes to unpack and discuss, and overall it just has a very compelling story to tell. I’ve always admired Ryan Gosling’s versatility and his ability to take on very different projects. He’s recently had an incredible streak of being in great movies, and this is easily one of his best ever. Director Denis Villeneuve’s fantastic vision of the Blade Runner franchise adds so much more to the universe that improves upon the original in every conceivable way. The visuals are so incredibly stunning and so well-realized, it goes to show that practical effects and expertly crafted set designs still trump green screens and special effects. Yes, most of this film is done without special effects! There is a gritty authenticity to this film that is captured so beautifully in every shot, and this may very well be the year that Roger Deakins finally earns his well-deserved Oscar for best cinematography.

---

1. Dunkirk (Grade: A/94)

I saw this movie a total of three times: twice in IMAX, and once at a friend’s house. It’s gotten better with each viewing. I personally wouldn’t be surprised if I eventually give this move an A+ grade, because Christopher Nolan continues to astound with his technical mastery in conjunction with his ability to tell a simple story in a refreshing, unique, and ultimately “Nolan-esque” way. The fact that this “blockbuster” is essentially an art-house war film speaks volumes. Nolan and DP Hoyte Van Hoytema have created a beautiful partnership in that they want the audience to experience movies in the best format possible—in 70mm film. The visuals in this film combined with seeing it on the big screen created one of the most immersive movie experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I’m not really a big fan of war movies, and when I found out that there was barely going to be any action or dialogue, I was a bit anxious going into the film. However, Nolan was able to craft an unbelievably intense story without shedding a single drop of blood, and the unique way in which the story is told effectively added to the mounting feeling of suspense that the boys on the beaches of Dunkirk had to endure. Nolan tends to have a lot of exposition in his films, but he really steps outside of his comfort zone with Dunkirk by expressing a lot without saying much. If you have an eye for cinematography and really enjoy experiencing a movie in its entirety, then this is a must-see film. If you didn’t watch this movie in IMAX, then you need to find out how to build a time machine and go back a few months to see it on the biggest screen possible.

 

 

My Top 10 Movies of 2016

The year was 2016.

That’s what the year was last year, because it’s now 2017. I won’t bore you with the mathematics behind that, so let’s get to the point. 2016 could be characterized by a lot of things, but the way I thought best depicted it was the “3-1” year. The year of comebacks. Yes, the Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals series to beat the Warriors. The Cubs came back from a 3-1 deficit in the World Series to beat the Indians. The Patriots came back from a metaphorical 3-1 deficit in the Superbowl to beat the Falcons. Donald Trump came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Hillary Clinton in the US Presidential Election.

Very much akin to the rest of the world in 2016, the movies of yesteryear had a similar “3-1” structure. I will say it here and now−ever since I’ve been documenting what movies I’ve been seeing every year, 2016 was the worst year for film to date. Not only did I see the most movies ever in my life in one year (a little over 50), most of them turned out to be incredibly “meh,” “alright,” or “okay.”

However, the power of “3-1” prevailed. Sort of.

Most of the best movies I saw were released within the last two months of the year. Had it not been for November or December, my list would have been incredibly different. I probably wouldn’t even have a top 10. While I would still say that this was my weakest list ever since I started doing this, it had a fair amount of gems and films that I could really write home about. With that being said, let’s delve into some honorable mentions before we get nasty.

---

Honorable Mentions:

Sully (Grade: B/80)

I find it hard for anyone to dislike Tom Hanks. I’m not a huge fan of him, nor can I say I’ve seen a ton of his movies. He’s just a solid actor and has the Oscar hardware to boot. He and Aaron Eckhart did a wonderful job fleshing out this movie about the real life events of the Miracle on the Hudson. For a movie about a plane crashing into a river, it surprisingly did not drag or feel boring. Clint Eastwood did a great job keeping the viewer intrigued throughout.

10 Cloverfield Lane (Grade: B+/81)

Girl wakes up in a bunker with her leg chained to the wall. Yep. I found this self-contained thriller to be really enthralling for its entire duration, with a good amount of mystery and suspense involved. I’m a fan of Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s acting and face, but John Goodman does a great job as the enigmatic caretaker of the bunker. This is definitely one of those movies that is better if you don’t know much about it, other than the fact that yes, it is in some way connected to the not-so-great Cloverfield movie.

Edge of Seventeen (Grade: B+/81)

This movie came out in November, so it’s the first of our 3-1 byproducts. This movie was surprisingly good! I remember seeing the trailer (woops) back in July, and thought to myself, “well this looks like just another teen flick.” Well, I wasn’t completely wrong. It is just another angsty teen movie, but it was done very well. Any movie can be “just another X movie” and be great, as long as it has quality direction and performances!

Hailee Steinfeld does a great job carrying the lead role, as she makes a very convincing high schooler going through a life crisis pondering her own existence. I particularly liked Woody Harrelson’s performance as Steinfeld’s stoic history teacher, although the stuff he says would definitely get him fired in real life. This movie captures the inner workings of high school social life well, without coming off as too cliche. It had a couple of moments that were really hilarious and made me laugh out loud.

---

Alright, here we go! Onto the top 10:

10. Jackie (Grade: B+/82)

Our first December movie. If you intend on watching this movie, prepare for a beautifully made, sorrowful depiction of Jackie Kennedy’s life after her husband was assassinated. The pacing of the movie is not for everyone, as it definitely feels longer than its 99 minute count. Natalie Portman really carries the movie with her excellent portrayal of Jackie (of whom I had no idea sounded so weird) through the stages of grief upon her husband’s assassination. There were some parts of the cinematography that bothered me, mostly the frequently uncomfortable close-ups. There are other shots that beautifully compose the loneliness she feels in preparation of stepping down as the First Lady and during the funeral.

I didn’t know much of Jackie Kennedy’s life, but based on what I saw in the movie it showed that she did her best to honor her husband in the best way that she knew how, even if it may have seemed foolish at times in the eyes of her peers and close friends. The movie was a great character study into how we cope with loss in different ways, along with the pressures of a nation on your shoulder. Again, Portman is very transformative in her role and submits her ballot as a strong candidate for Best Actress at this year’s Academy Awards.

---

9. Captain America: Civil War (Grade: B+/82)

The fact that I’ve included a Marvel movie in my top 10 speaks to the fact of either how bad 2016 was for movies, or how good the third Captain America movie was. I’ll let you be the judge. To preface that statement, some of you might already know that I’m not a huge Marvel fan. No MCU movie (that is the Disney Marvel movies) has ever been in my top 10 for any year. Do I think most Marvel movies suck? Absolutely not. Do I wish DC Comics (my preferred comic book distributor) could pump out movies as consistently good as Marvel? Definitely. Do I think that once you’ve seen one Marvel movie, you’ve seen them all? For the most part, yes. I find that their strictly to-the-books formula of incessant witty banter, well shot action, dazzling visuals and consistently weak villains are prevalent in about 90% of their movies.

I’m not a huge fan of the shared universe construct for movies because it makes for none of the films to stand well on its own, but I think Civil War did a good job of doing so while integrating the lore of their franchise in a way that was very enjoyable. This movie is living proof that you can include a bunch of superheroes (some for the first time) in an all-out brawl and not suck. While I don’t think the stakes were raised very high for this so-called “War,” there was just enough drama and character development to keep me invested throughout. Take notes, Batman vs Superman.

---

8. Eye in the Sky (Grade: B+/83)

Similar to 10 Cloverfield Lane, this was a very well made, self contained thriller that kind of flew under the radar. I didn’t really have any expectations going into this movie but it ended up being very thrilling, very suspenseful and had great performances from the entire cast. Helen Mirren did a great job as the lead commander, and it was nice seeing Alan Rickman perform one last time (I believe this was his last appearance in a movie). This was also the first movie I saw with Aaron Paul post-Breaking Bad, and he did a great job as well.

The strength of this movie is that it does a lot with very little, and it creates a compelling drama that sheds an interesting perspective on the use of drone strikes in the battlefield. One decision requires the effort and approval of many, which I thought was fleshed out very nicely in this movie. The pacing was very fitting with the urgent and cautious tone of the narrative, and had a very thrilling finale.

---

7. Everybody Wants Some!! (Grade: B+/84)

I really enjoyed this movie.

This is probably the most controversial pick out of my top 10, as most of my friends that I recommended this movie to were not very fond of it. I spent a decent amount of time defending this movie, so I guess I’ll just reiterate here:

I’m a sucker for slice-of-life movies. This movie is the spiritual successor to Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused, which is a movie about a bunch of high schoolers who party it up after graduating from senior year back in the 70s.  Linklater’s name alone incites mixed reactions, as his divisive but critically acclaimed Boyhood managed to capture the nostalgia and hearts of viewers back in 2014 (including me, as it was #10 on my top 10 that year).

Similar to Dazed and Confused, the movie is about a kid entering college and spending a week getting to know his future teammates on the baseball team he got recruited to. Linklater does an amazing job setting the atmosphere of the 80s, which really drew me into his world and story. All the characters are quirky and funny in their own way, and the dialogue felt very natural and unforced. I loved the feeling that this movie gave me, of just being an outside observer and hangin with the bros for a weekend. While I can’t relate to their active pursuits of drinking and chasing girls at parties, the movie really emanates charm from each of their characters and shows an outlook on life I most likely would never have experienced for myself. At the end of the movie, I felt like I had spent a fun, interesting and enlightening weekend with a couple of dudes I met, and if a movie is capable of making me feel that immersed then I will definitely enjoy it.

---

6. Silence (Grade: A-/86)

Another December movie! After I initially saw this movie, I gave it a B+. Then I thought about the movie for an entire week. I usually don’t think about movies for that long, even ones I really really like. Silence is about a movie where Liam Neeson gets taken for once, and his two Jesuit disciples journey to the island of Japan to find him. This movie has a lot to say about how we perceive faith, religiousness, persecution and identity in our lives. After much reflection and discussion among my friends, I think it’s safe to say that this is NOT a Christian movie, but it is a movie about Christianity.

I myself am a Christian and grew up in a Christian household, so I felt like there was a never a moment in my life where I didn’t identify as a Christian. However, I still had to question my own identity, and my own faith, to make sure that it was mine and not something my parents instilled in me. While I don’t agree theologically with what I think Martin Scorsese is trying to say in this movie, I believe that he beautifully touches up on the aspect of faith and the cost of having faith in a world of persecution. This not only applies to Christianity but to all religions, so it’s not exclusive to my non-Christian readers.

In addition to the powerful themes and emotions that this movie evokes, it’s also a beautiful looking film. The shots of the island convey the vast reaches of nature, along with the loneliness that the protagonists face. Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver are both excellent in their portrayals as Portuguese Jesuit missionaries, although I’ll be honest I’m not sure how authentic their accents are. There’s a particular scene in the third act where Garfield is having a heated exchange with someone that I found to be deeply impactful and powerful. Overall I think this movie requires a watch from anyone who professes in a higher existence and purpose in life.

---

5. The Nice Guys (Grade: A-/87)

I think out of all the movies on my top 10 list, this was the one I had the most fun with. For those of you who don’t know, it is well documented within my close movie buff friends that I hated Iron Man 3. That’s what made this movie all the more surprising because the same director, Shane Black, managed to create this gem of a movie. This movie definitely evokes the same feeling of his previous written work for Lethal Weapon as it is also a buddy cop movie, although this time between Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Everyone in this movie gives a great performance, and it’s just absolutely hilarious. There’s also a decent mystery case that the two have to share, but the real entertainment lies in the relationship between Crowe and Gosling. I also have to give a special shoutout to Angourie Rice, the girl who plays Gosling’s daughter in the movie. Oh my goodness, she was so good!!! I really love it when kids have great non-annoying roles in movies.

The Nice Guys is a very rare movie in the film space of this day and age. We long for sequels, adaptations and comic book movies, but rarely do we get an original movie where it’s just two cops solving a mystery while hilarity ensues. Nothing about this movie sounds appealing, other than the fact that it’s GOOD.

---

4. Kimi No Na Wa (Grade: A-/88)

This was a surprising pick for me because I don’t really watch anime, and haven’t for the past ten years or so. I’ve fallen out of touch with Japanese culture, although I’m quite aware of their tropes and antics in movies and games, etc. With that being said, this is probably one of the best anime movies I’ve ever seen. Now be warned, if you are intrigued by this movie at all or have heard good things about it (recently overtook Spirited Away as the highest grossing animated movie of all time in Japan), this is a movie that you definitely do NOT want to know anything about. I was advised the same thing, and pretty much went in blind watching this movie.

If there’s anything that I can tell you, it’s basically a movie about how a small town girl meets a city boy in very peculiar circumstances. That’s about all I can tell you in terms of story. Outside of that, I can tell you that this movie had great chemistry between characters, great humor, a very intriguing story and overall just beautifully crafted animations. I’ve never seen an anime movie quite like it, and I think people will be talking about this movie for years to come.

---

3. Manchester by the Sea (Grade: A-/90)

Well well well, another November movie! I’m not familiar with Kenneth Lonergan’s work, but after seeing this I’ll definitely be tuning in to see what he has in store for the future. Manchester by the Sea was a beautifully made film about tragedy, fatherhood, and coping with grief. It definitely classifies as a slice-of-life type movie, as it surrounds Casey Affleck’s character looking after his nephew after finding out his brother passes away (not really a spoiler since it’s all in the very beginning). I personally don’t have much to relate to the characters in this movie, but all the performances by everyone really capture the tragic nature of loss in our lives, especially those close to us. Affleck gives a really amazing performance, and the best way I can describe it is in his subtlety. He doesn’t ham it up and go mega-grief mode, with epic crying scenes or anything, but you can tell that inside he is deeply conflicted and struck hard by the misgivings in his life. Lucas Hedges also gives a great performance as the nephew, and although I felt like some of his actions and motivations weren’t always exactly in line with how grief is typically manifested, I felt that his character was well realized and beautiful in his subtlety as well.

I think this movie is kind of a hard watch as well because of how closely this could hit home for any of us, at any moment. Sometimes sorrow is expressed in very different ways, and sometimes it is not expressed at all but bottled inside, waiting to explode. This movie does an amazing job of showing how often we take for granted the people in our lives, and the small moments that make us human. I wasn’t ever really a huge fan of Affleck’s acting, but I’m definitely on board now and have no problem hailing him as the superior Affleck actor (not that he had much strong competition with Ben anyway).

---

2. La La Land (Grade: A/92)

This film is the definition of movie magic.

It’s no surprise that this November movie has made it to the top of the list, as it has topped the lists of film enthusiasts worldwide. Now, if you haven’t seen it yet for some reason, don’t let all the accolades and heaping piles of praise that this movie has received distract you from how good it is. I think when movies get a little too much coverage, the hype can really bring down the enjoyment factor of a movie. However, I think it’d be nearly impossible for you to not feel the least bit of happiness watching this movie. Just go in expecting a good time.

I don’t think I need to say much of what’s already been said by thousands of people. Emma Stone gives an amazing and charming performance; Gosling is having his own version of Matthew McConaughey’s “McConnaissance” back in 2014, appearing in critical darlings like The Nice Guys and this movie. I’m on board the hype train for the “Goslingaissance,” as he really impressed me with his wit, charm, and freakin SICK SELF-TAUGHT PIANO SKILLS PRIOR TO FILMING THE MOVIE. Their chemistry together is so well done, as they’ve had practice seeing as how this is like their third romantic movie pairing. All the music is great and originally composed, the cinematography captures the beauty of the often nasty looking Los Angeles, and should be a treat for the eyes for my native SoCal viewers. This movie just makes you feel HAPPY, amongst a few other emotions.

I started following the Director Damien Chazelle’s work after he did Whiplash, which was my favorite movie of 2014. His eye for direction, editing, and composition when it comes to music-related movies is impeccable and just a visual feast for moviegoers. While thematically, La La Land  is probably the polar opposite to that of Whiplash, it’s able to conjure up a feeling of epicness similar to his previous work. While I still prefer Whiplash as my favorite Chazelle movie, La La Land is a movie I’m glad people are talking about. It is well deserving of its praise and is a movie that is hard to not fall in love with.

---

1. Arrival (Grade: A/93)

Wow.

That phrase pretty much summed up my first viewing of Arrival, which is also the only movie that I saw twice in theaters this year. The last movie I saw more than once in theaters was back in 2012, so I think it’s kind of safe to say that I love this movie. This November movie was the first film I saw to really jump-start the 3-1 campaign for 2016, as it was an incredibly strong breath of fresh air amidst the long streak of meh movies I saw throughout the year.

This is a prime example of a movie where it’s best to know little to nothing about. Yes, it is a sci-fi movie and yes, it is about aliens. That is all you need to know. It didn’t take me much effort to avoid all the trailers for this movie, and man, did it pay off.  Nothing can replicate the feeling of suspense and thrill I had when they encountered the aliens for the first time. This movie is so freakin well shot and so well directed, you’ll have forgotten that this movie has little to no action. I found that as I’ve gotten older, the need for explosive action in movies has become less and less of a factor of enjoyment for me, and the experience of having an enthralling story is way more appealing instead. And no, this isn’t because I’ve become more mature or think action in movies is childish, it’s actually more because I think action in video games is much greater realized and presented better (but maybe that’s a conversation for another day). However, I think that when it comes to the sci-fi genre, watching alien ships blow up and lasers screech across the screen gets kind of tiring for me. Surely there are better ways to represent aliens in cinema, right?

Arrival answers that question with an emphatic YES. Amy Adams give arguably my favorite performance of the year and definitely the best of her career (I still can’t believe she got snubbed for a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars), and the direction of Denis Villeneuve really made this an unforgettable movie. The story is so brilliant and complex, but somehow presented in a very palatable and simplified nature. The music is also brilliant and haunting at times, which made for a very atmospheric viewing. The way that this movie approaches an “alien invasion” is so refreshing to see, especially when it doesn’t invite the typical tropes of all-out war and explosions.

Don’t read about this movie. Don’t watch any trailers. Just go see it. If you enjoy sci-fi but more importantly enjoy a good story, this is a great choice for you. This movie tells a surprising tale of love, loss, and the human race. This was the movie that saved 2016.