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 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 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 7. 1920s

“I have never wronged anyone.”

97 years later and it’s still powerful as hell. Some unreal shots and performances. Like you could really feel Joan’s pain through the whole thing.

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 4: Watch a film that would be your first choice in the Criterion Closet

“The major cities of the world are being destroyed, one-by-one by the monsters: Moscow by Rodan, Peking by Mothra, London by Manda, Paris by Baragon. And, here's a special news bulletin. Godzilla is now in New York City. The city is being invaded by Godzilla!”

What sportscaster would you get to do play by play for the big Monsters vs. King Ghidorah fight? I think Doc Emrick would really kill it.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 21. 1990s

“You're all free now!

92 minutes of brilliance.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 2: Watch a film from the year you were born

“Wear! Your! Seatbelt! It’s the law!”

It’s so good I went and bought a Blu-ray copy right after it ended.

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 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.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 5: Great Soundtracks

“For the dudes who ain’t here.”

It’s a lot of high jinks and shenanigans before a sad ending and it’s all backed by an all time great soundtrack.

The Criterion Challenge 2025 Week 6. John Turturro’s Adventures in Moviegoing

“Get me on my feet”
”How're you doing?”
”Am I on my feet?”

This is my mom’s favorite movie, and while I can’t say that for myself, I see why she feels that way.