The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 21. 1990s

“You're all free now!

92 minutes of brilliance.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 20. Spine #451-499

“Some people, were born to sit by a river. Some get struck by lightning. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people, dance.”

The length got to me at times but I bought into the story pretty hard. It was easy getting lost in Cate Blanchett’s performance. Brad Pitt is really good as well, but she steals the show.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 19. 1980s

“How did this happen to me?”

Dug how unhinged this was but watching it in the middle of the day was a mistake. Felt like something that would’ve been better to watch late at night to really get lost in it.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 18. William Friedkin’s Closet Picks

“Nobody escapes. Nobody ever really escapes.”

I did not expect this to get so violent but that’s not a complaint. It does get slow at times but all in all it works for me. Good pick, William.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 17. 1970s

“Deprived of lessons, I decided to run away.”

Can confirm this is a great movie to watch accompanied by an edible but also a terrible movie to watch accompanied by an edible.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 14. Watch a film from the Criterion Channel’s all time favorites lists

“Just say I'm old-fashioned. That should be enough.”

This whole movie was a treat to watch. The lightning? The costumes? The performances? Beautiful. Newland gazing at Ellen’s window…that’s fucking cinema, baby!!

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 12. Celine Song’s Top 10

“I mean, our life is tough enough as it is. I'm not looking for ways to get rid of a few things that provide relief and comfort. I mean, on the contrary, I'm looking for more comfort because the world is very abrasive. I mean, I'm trying to protect myself because, really, there's these abrasive beatings to be avoided everywhere you look!”

A real interesting view on life and how our experiences change our perspectives. Made me think of the different conversations we find ourselves in and what we take from them.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 11. 1940s

“Forgive me?
”Forgive you for what?”
”For everything. For meeting you, in the first place. For taking the piece of grit out of your eye. For loving you. For bringing you so much misery.”
”I'll forgive you if you'll forgive me.”

Brief Encounter has many moments that stick out, but Alec tenderly putting his hand on Laura’s shoulder after their final goodbye was interrupted is gonna be seared into my brain for days. It’s a level of heartbreak most movies can’t accurately portray. At the same time, it’s the perfect ending to such a wonderful but depressing love story.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 10. Andrew Garfield’s Closet Picks

“Y'know, people are always putting New Jersey down. None of my friends can believe I live here. But that's because they don't get it: I'm living in a state of irony.”

This ended and my first thought was “fuck, I need a cigarette” because good god.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 9. 1930s

 “We belong dead!”

Dude is a tall, misunderstood lad with select vocabulary who is easily calmed down by music, smoking, and drinking with his friends, fucks hard with bread, and is smitten by an attractive woman who yells/hisses at him to the point he makes a rash decision. He’s so relatable. 

Couldn’t stop thinking about the power of movie making while watching this. So many great shots and sets that feel like they shouldn’t have been possible for the time, yet here they are. Wish the Bride was around for more than 3 minutes.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 8. Watch a film that will be added to the physical collection in 2025

“There's nothing more life-affirming than getting the shit kicked outta ya'.”

This felt fitting to watch as I’m almost done a Breaking Bad rewatch. Starts out well, slips a bit during the second act, but picks back up at the end. Didn’t think I’d be cheering for Bob at any point so it was a nice surprise when I ended up on his side. I’ll never put a hat on the bed after this, that’s for sure.