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Watched on Sunday June 1, 2025.

Watched on Sunday June 1, 2025.

While Jaws 2 retains some of the original's cast and thrilling moments, it falls far short of the brilliance of the 1975 classic and ultimately feels like a commercial endeavor. The film lacks cohesion, feeling like a collection of scenes that range from exciting to absurd. This sequel represents a missed chance to create another memorable entry in the franchise. It's regrettable that Steven Spielberg's idea to incorporate the USS Indianapolis tragedy into a rewritten storyline was not pursued after the original director's departure. Such a direction could have significantly enriched the franchise's legacy and potentially led to a stronger third film. The absence of Spielberg's involvement in Jaws 2, in my opinion, significantly contributed to the franchise's decline.

A magnificent adventure film adapted from Jack London's novel, The Sea Wolf is enhanced by Edward G. Robinson's brilliant performance and an uncompromising storyline.

Watched on Saturday May 31, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 31, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 31, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 31, 2025.

Watched on Monday May 26, 2025.

Patrick Dewaere's exceptional talent, tragically lost too soon, is evident in "Série Noire." This film adaptation of Jim Thompson's 1954 novel, "A Hell of a Woman," provides a perfect showcase for his abilities. While I am unfamiliar with Thompson's original work, director Alain Corneau approaches the material with dark humor and irony over intense action. Although the film's overall success is debatable, Dewaere's insane yet brilliant performance undeniably elevates the material.

Watched on Sunday May 25, 2025.

Watched on Sunday May 25, 2025.

Watched on Sunday May 25, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 24, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 24, 2025.

Michael Cristofer's screenplay for the 1984 film "Falling in Love" commendably draws inspiration from, but ultimately differs from, David Lean and Noel Coward's "Brief Encounter." While Coward's screenplay clearly depicted the protagonists' developing ion, "Falling in Love" conveys more reserve, focusing on questioning unfulfilling marriages rather than the overt formation of love. Tonally, "Falling in Love" is more optimistic than the somber "Brief Encounter." Set in an aesthetically pleasing 1984 Manhattan, complemented by Dave Grusin's score, I enjoy the film, and it remains an enjoyable cinematic experience four decades later.

Watched on Sunday May 18, 2025.

A beautifully told love story follows Stephanie, a resilient Orca trainer recovering from a life-altering accident (portrayed marvelously by Marion Cotillard), and Alain, a destitute man taken in with his son by his sister (played by Matthias Schoenaerts). Their initially casual relationship, born of convenience, evolves into something substantial. The film's simple yet complex narrative highlights human fragility and the value of human connection.

Watched on Saturday May 17, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 17, 2025.

Watched on Sunday May 11, 2025.

Watched on Sunday May 11, 2025.

Watched on Sunday May 11, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 10, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 10, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 10, 2025.

Watched on Sunday May 4, 2025.

Watched on Sunday May 4, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 3, 2025.

Watched on Sunday May 4, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 3, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 3, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 3, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Watched on Saturday April 26, 2025.

Watched on Saturday April 26, 2025.

Watched on Saturday April 26, 2025.

Watched on Friday April 25, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 20, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 20, 2025.

Watched on Saturday April 19, 2025.

Watched on Saturday April 19, 2025.

Watched on Saturday April 19, 2025.

Watched on Saturday April 19, 2025.

Watched on Saturday April 19, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 13, 2025.

Watched on Sunday April 13, 2025.

A lifetime of watching films comes down to this. I'm not saying these are the best films ever made. Yes, I know I am missing what some consider essentials, but these are films that resonate to me and I find myself wanting to re-visit the most.

1. Perfect Days

   Perfect Days indeed. Hirayama is my hero.

2. Army of Shadows
3. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
4. Jaws
5. Nashville
6. Brief Encounter
7. Sunset Boulevard
8. Bicycle Thieves
9. 'Round Midnight
10. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

...plus 90 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

My on-going list of film viewing for the 2025 calendar year.

• American Graffiti
• Piranha
• Jaws 2
• The Sea Wolf
• La Vie en Rose
• Baby It's You
• Japan Organized Crime Boss
• Heretic
• Tin Cup
• Serie Noire

...plus 138 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

My collection on Blu-ray or UHD Blu-ray 4k.

• A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate
• The Cameraman
• City Lights
• Merrily We Go to Hell
• It Happened One Night
• The 39 Steps
• History Is Made at Night
• The Awful Truth
• Bringing Up Baby
• Holiday

...plus 282 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Letterboxd Showdown:

For this week’s Showdown, create a list of your ten favorite sci-fi and/or fantasy films released a long time ago in a galaxy not-so far away—i.e. during or before 1980.

My 10 selections, all old school Sci-Fi.

• Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• The Incredible Shrinking Man
• The Thing from Another World
• Forbidden Planet
• The War of the Worlds
• The Fly
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers
• Fantastic Voyage
• The Blob

• La Pointe Courte
• Bob le Flambeur
• ...And God Created Woman
• Elevator to the Gallows
• Mon Oncle
• Handsome Serge
• The Lovers
• The Cousins
• Head Against the Wall
• The 400 Blows

...plus 90 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

I never made it to the cinema this year, but thanks to physical media I continue to watch films in the comfort of my home.

• Body and Soul
• Black Gravel
• Canyon age
• You and Me
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
• Ordinary People
• First Love
• The Searchers
• Hatari!
• Christmas in Connecticut

...plus 299 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Number 13
• The Pleasure Garden
• The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog
• The Ring
• Downhill
• The Farmer's Wife
• Easy Virtue
• Champagne
• The Manxman
• Blackmail

...plus 45 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.