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Watched this again but with the family this time and was hoping it would better than I ed. It wasn’t. There were good moments for sure but compared to the rest of the films in the series, this one stick out like a sore thumb.

Watched on Sunday May 25, 2025.

Wow. I had forgotten how fantastic this film is. It has just about everything that makes an action film great. A likable hero in Ethan Hunt, a great villain played by the incredible Philip Seymour Hoffman, a focus on Ethan’s relationship which really works, the action is top notch and that beginning is one intense way to open a film! Yes I believe this film will remain my favorite of the Mission Impossible film series.

Watched on Saturday May 17, 2025.

Watched on Thursday May 15, 2025.

Watched on Thursday May 8, 2025.

Watched on Saturday May 3, 2025.

Watched on Thursday May 1, 2025.

Watched on Thursday April 24, 2025.

Watched on Friday April 4, 2025.

Watched on Thursday April 3, 2025.

Watched on Thursday March 27, 2025.

Watched on Tuesday March 18, 2025.

Watched on Friday March 14, 2025.

Watched on Monday April 14, 2025.

Watched on Thursday March 13, 2025.

Watched on Thursday March 6, 2025.

Watched on Saturday March 1, 2025.

Conclave is an engaging well written mystery thriller set within the Vatican where replacement of the recently deceased Pope unveils secrets and conspiracies within.  

The performances are fantastic. Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci are incredible together and are followed by Isabella Rosalina who leaves quite an impact in her limited time.  

The film also benefits from Volker Bertelmann's score containing remarkably dramatic strings that punched at just the right moments and Stéphane Fontaine's outstanding cinematography.  

The ending can be a controversial one but regardless of that, Conclave is a fantastic time.

Watched on Saturday February 22, 2025.

Watched on Monday February 17, 2025.

Paddington in Peru is good, but without Paul King’s creative touch and Sally Hawkins charm, the film could not reach the same level of greatness as the prior two films. Olivia Coleman is a lot of fun though, and spending some time with Paddington and the Browns still makes for an enjoyable time in the theater.

Watched on Thursday February 20, 2025.

Watched on Friday February 14, 2025.

Watched on Friday February 7, 2025.

Watched on Thursday February 6, 2025.

The Fall Guy was a joy to watch, with Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling having a great connection. There are plenty of stunts which are really well done and some of them succeeded in taking me back to that old tv show of the same name.

The con for me though is that it did have some pacing issues which left me disconnected at times and felt parts of the script could have been better.  

As I mentioned though it’s a fun time, and what I really loved was how they used the song “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by KISS throughout the film and even included different versions of it. So, so, good! That was a huge highlight for me.

Watched on Thursday January 23, 2025.

Watched on Thursday January 16, 2025.

Finally caught up with Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu. I am a huge fan of the Nosferatu films from 1922 and 1979 and each of those stand on their own so I was highly looking forward what Eggers vision would be.  

The film has a fantastic opening and is sprinkled with some amazing imagery throughout its runtime. In particular, the chariot in the snow scene is absolutely stunning!  

However the film is a bit choppy and some scenes did tend to drag in between some of the greater moments. I felt the other two Nosferatu films were better paced and was more successful in pulling me into the story. 

As for Nosferatu the character, I loved how in the beginning of the film subtitles were used for when he spoke. However it wasn’t used again which was a bummer as the font looked wonderful onscreen and felt it was actually needed as times I couldn’t make out his low demonic voice. Also, the mustache? Didn’t really do it for me. 

It is not my favorite from Eggers or of the other two Nosferatu films but I did enjoy it. It’s a film well worth checking out especially for those wonderful visuals.

Watched on Wednesday December 25, 2024.

Watched on Monday December 23, 2024.

Watched on Monday December 16, 2024.

Watched on Tuesday December 10, 2024.

Watched on Saturday December 7, 2024.

Last week I watched the original 1922 version of Nosferatu by F. W. Murmansk to prepare for the Nosferatu release by Robert Eggers. This time though it’s the 1979 version by Werner Herzog.  

This was fun to get back to. Herzog's 1979 version stands on its own compared to the original. It has a more natural look, he adds more depth to the characters, especially Nosferatu himself as a sad lonely vampire, the score is haunting at times, and surprisingly the film is a bit more humorous at times. 

Some themes really stuck out this time.  
There is the conflict between faith and science between Lucy and Van Helsing. That is Lucy, upon discovering what she’s learned about the creature in Jonathan’s diary and the book on Vampires, argues with Helsing after he rejects her superstition and he leans upon science for what’s happening. She basically argues that faith enables us to believe things we know to be untrue. This actually comes up a couple times. 

The Christian theme is more prominent here as well. Such as Lucy grasping at her cross around her neck after it protects her in a confrontation with Nosferatu, the reference to the Last Supper due to the plague in the town, and the willingness of sacrifice to save everyone are just some examples. 

Herzog's Nosferatu may not be as creepy as the black and white version from 1922 but I really enjoy what he adds and even improves upon the original and really makes it stand out. This is what I’m expecting from Eggers as well. Having the original as influence but making it stand out as his own.

Watched again in preparation for Eggers take on Noasferatu coming soon.  Still love this classic silent film and the use of shadows.  The version I own is the Kino version and the music is fantastic.  I’ve watched other versions before but this Kino is the best as the music really makes a difference for the film.

First time with the kids. I bugged them for quite awhile to watch it but for some reason they didn’t think they’d like it.   After finally watching, they loved it.  My son said it’s really exciting and he also loves their accent.  😊

Watched on Thursday November 21, 2024.

Ordinary Angels is based off the true story of a single dad drowning in debt as his daughter is in need of a liver transplant. Sharon (Hilary Swank) comes across the news story and takes it upon herself to help the family out as she struggles with some troubles of her own.  

The film Erin Brockovich did come to mind while watching but this one really tugged at my heartstrings and I fought back tears throughout the last half of the film.  An enjoyable and very emotional film.  Yeah, it really got me.

Watched on Thursday November 7, 2024.

I was very happy to finally watch King Kong 2005 again, but this time with the kids. 

My son thought it was good, probably a 3.5. He thought the natives were crazy looking though. My daughter said the battle with the T-Rex was epic! Which I totally agree with. 

So when I last watched the film there were a lot of scenes I loved and the film looked magnificent! But the lengthy runtime and the brontosaurus run with sketchy visual effects didn’t set well with me. However watching it this time, the runtime didn’t bother me at all and that one portion of the brontosaurus run was still sketchy but it’s a minor flaw compared to the rest of the film which is magnificent.   

Once again I got swept away in the connection that develops between Kong and Ann. The emotion that pours out from Naomi Watts is heartfelt and the eyes of Kong are done so well that the combination of this makes the ending hit so hard. It’s … beautiful.  

So though I’m still not sure if it sures the original 1933 film yet, as that was one I watched a lot in my youth and now need to watch it again, but Kong Kong 2005 is a big, epic monster film with gorgeous visual effects and a lot of heart and it has become a huge favorite of mine.

Watched on Thursday October 31, 2024.

Watched on Thursday October 31, 2024.

Watched on Thursday October 24, 2024.

I’ll be filing this under least expected film to make me misty.

So obviously this film surprised me. First though, I’ll start by saying that I love how the Warrens (reprised by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) are included in these Conjuring spinoffs and this is one of their better cameos as they play a big part in setting up the story and the actors are great as always in their portrayal of the Warrens. As for the rest of the film, I enjoyed how this was not a film full of jump scares but an atmospheric haunted house film. There are some great ghostly visuals, and the film took its time building some tense moments before leading the audience to a rocking finale. As I mentioned, there are jump scares along the way but there are only a couple that didn’t feel right, the rest of the scares come with reason. Finally, the writers did a good job in pulling everything together for a couple characters in the end and some of that is also due to Vera Farmiga’s delivery. I was very surprised at how much the end of the film touched me.

This is no doubt my favorite of the three Annabelle films, and I am on board for another sequel in hopes that they can top this one.

Watched on Thursday October 17, 2024.

Watched on Thursday October 17, 2024.

My second time watching, but this time with the kids and happy to say they really enjoyed it.  Their favorite part, Chris Pine playing the lute as a distraction.   They just kept laughing!  I myself still really enjoyed the film.  The cast is great and it is just lots of fun and I am still hoping for a sequel.

Watched on Thursday October 10, 2024.

1. Mission: Impossible III
2. Mission: Impossible – Fallout
3. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
4. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
5. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning
6. Mission: Impossible
7. Mission: Impossible II

• The Prince of Egypt
• Ordinary Angels
• Jesus Revolution
• The Case for Christ
• Risen
• The Jesus Music
• Hacksaw Ridge
• Sound of Freedom
• Captive
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

...plus 72 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• The Tree of Life
• Ordet
• First Reformed
• The Seventh Seal
• Silence
• Babette's Feast
• The ion of the Christ
• A Hidden Life
• The Prince of Egypt
• Andrei Rublev

...plus 79 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Conclave
• Ordinary Angels
• The Wild Robot
• Wicked
• The First Omen
• Nosferatu
• A Quiet Place: Day One
• Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
• Abigail
• Infested

...plus 82 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Paddington in Peru
• Mickey 17
• Heart Eyes
• Opus
• Sinners
• A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
• Ballerina
• Jurassic World Rebirth
• Superman
• Freakier Friday

...plus 24 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

A list of some of my all time favorite films.

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
2. The Tree of Life
3. Jaws
4. The Last of the Mohicans
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark
6. Star Wars
7. It's a Wonderful Life
8. Ordet
9. Arrival
10. Seven Samurai

...plus 122 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Godzilla Minus One
• The Holdovers
• Past Lives
• Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning
• Barbie
• No One Will Save You
• Cocaine Bear
• Scream VI
• The Marvels

...plus 80 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
• Raiders of the Lost Ark
• Edge of Tomorrow
• War of the Worlds
• The Mummy
• World War Z
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• The Karate Kid
• The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
• The Goonies

...plus 89 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Searching for my favorite romantic films. Nothing officially ranked yet and a lot to watch.

• The Last of the Mohicans
• A Walk in the Clouds
• Titanic
• About Time
• Before Sunrise
• Before Sunset
• Beauty and the Beast
• The Princess Bride
• Return to Me
• Dirty Dancing

...plus 167 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

This Top Ten Western list is for my Dad and is in progress. He was not a big movie buff but he loved the westerns.  Growing up I was the opposite, loved movies but never big on Westerns so most of these are new to me.  However now I'm finding a new appreciation for the genre and finding new movie favorites like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Forty Guns and others.
Only those films rated are actually ranked. Giddy up!

• Once Upon a Time in the West
• Unforgiven
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
• Silverado
• Tombstone
• True Grit
• My Darling Clementine
• Forty Guns
• High Noon

...plus 67 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• RRR
• Top Gun: Maverick
• The Banshees of Inisherin
• Everything Everywhere All at Once
• TÁR
• Prey
• Ambulance
• The Batman
• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
• Decision to Leave

...plus 68 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Emilia Pérez
• Conclave
• Nickel Boys
• A Complete Unknown
• Wicked
• Anora
• The Substance
• Dune: Part Two
• I'm Still Here
• The Brutalist

• The Father
• Sound of Metal
• Soul
• The Trial of the Chicago 7
• Minari
• Judas and the Black Messiah
• Promising Young Woman
• Love and Monsters
• The Vast of Night
• The Hunt

...plus 97 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• It's a Wonderful Life

  •Spoilers*

  It was the ending that messed me up here. The whole film was how the lead sacrificed and gave all he had  for everyone around him and in the end when he was at his lowest people ed all that he had done and their gratefulness poured in front of him. It is one of the most beautiful thing in cinema and is the film that caused the most tears I’ve ever had in a film.

• About Time

  That moment at the end on the beach ... Dear Lord!

• Ordinary Angels

  Pretty much the whole second half of the film.  Especially the frame.   

• A Star Is Born

  Ending

• Children of Men

  *Spoilers*

  The part where the woman walks down with the baby as a symbol of hope and all the violence stopped just broke me.

• Marriage Story

  There are 2 parts: The note and I think the breakdown

• Avengers: Endgame

  Third hammer
  On your left
  Cheeseburgers
  Taking the shield

• The King's Speech

  Beethoven’s 7th

• Lady Bird

  Airport
  Letter

• Wonder Woman

  No mans land

...plus 11 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Jaws
• The Birds
• Crawl
• The Grey
• The Shallows
• Burning Bright
• Anaconda
• The Edge
• Kingdom of the Spiders
• Shakma

...plus 100 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Creating a Top Ten Horror list was something I have wanted to do for years. I always had an idea of what it would be but never seriously sat down to put it together. It looked to be quite a bit of work as a lot of films I would have to watch again as it had been years since I’d seen them and of course there were plenty I needed to catch up on. So I started watching films in early September, and 40 films later, I arrived at my final ten. Just as I do with my top tens per year, the films chosen are weighted objectively and subjectively with some leaning more so one way or the other.

You can find the full article at Press to Eject

1. Jaws
2. The Thing
3. The Exorcist
4. The Descent
5. Alien
6. Night of the Living Dead
7. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
8. Train to Busan
9. The Blob
10. Tremors

...plus 11 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• The New World
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
• No Country for Old Men
• There Will Be Blood
• Before Sunset
• Children of Men
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
• Gladiator

...plus 39 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Parasite
• Little Women
• Avengers: Endgame
• Marriage Story
• Crawl
• A Hidden Life
• Knives Out
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire
• Ford v Ferrari
• One Cut of the Dead

...plus 104 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• The Last of the Mohicans
• Dances with Wolves
• Braveheart
• Tremors
• Titanic
• Pulp Fiction
• Fargo
• The Shawshank Redemption
• The Silence of the Lambs
• Se7en

...plus 72 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Still need to rate some of these after a rewatch.

• The Incredibles
• Toy Story
• Finding Nemo
• Soul
• Ratatouille
• WALL·E
• Toy Story 3
• Inside Out
• Up
• Monsters, Inc.

...plus 12 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Only those rated, have been ranked.  Jaws traumatized me as a kid and after I watch all these im sure I will avoid the water forever.

• Jaws
• The Shallows
• Deep Blue Sea
• Bait
• The Reef
• The Meg
• 47 Meters Down
• Jaws 2
• Sharknado
• Open Water

...plus 18 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

My Criterion Collection in order of when purchased

• Night of the Living Dead

  12/25/2019

• The Tree of Life

  12/25/2019

• Seven Samurai

  07/20

• Lady Snowblood

  0720

• The Seventh Seal

  07/09/22

• Double Indemnity

  07/09/22

• Forty Guns

  07/09/22

• Ordet

  04/12/23

• The New World

  07/11/23

• Dekalog

  07/12/22

...plus 4 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Top 10 list of Christmas films.  This is a list of films that are about Christmas, not just taking place around Christmas, so no Die Hard, Serendipity, etc.  Also, this list does not contain TV movie specials or shorts, just films released to theater.  I watched what I could, four of these were first time watches, so next year look forward to watching more which could change the list.  Merry Christmas!

• It's a Wonderful Life
• Joyeux Noel
• A Christmas Story
• Elf
• Miracle on 34th Street
• Home Alone
• Scrooge
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• The Bishop's Wife

...plus 2 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Jurassic Park
• Jurassic World
• Jurassic Park III
• The Lost World: Jurassic Park
• Jurassic World Dominion
• Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Ranking my Top Ten Most Watched Films since I ed Letterboxd.  Will update the list and date when I notice changes.

1. The Tree of Life
2. The Last of the Mohicans
3. Train to Busan
4. The Avengers
5. Tremors
6. The Blob
7. The Descent
8. Crawl
9. Anna and the Apocalypse
10. The Shallows

• Jaws
• Star Wars
• Rocky
• The Exorcist
• Alien
• Dog Day Afternoon
• Nosferatu the Vampyre
• The Godfather
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• Paper Moon

...plus 99 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

My top 20 favorite films from the 2010s.  
This is a mix of personal favorites from the decade, the films I loved the most. The films that struck me in a certain way and I thought about long after the credits rolled.

• The Tree of Life
• Arrival
• Mad Max: Fury Road
• First Reformed
• The King's Speech
• Whiplash
• Inception
• About Time
• Train to Busan
• The Avengers

...plus 10 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Library of zombie films in chronological order. Those rated, I've recently watched and rated.

• White Zombie
• The Ghost Breakers
• I Walked with a Zombie
• Creature with the Atom Brain
• Quatermass II
• Zombies of Mora Tau
• Invisible Invaders
• Plan 9 from Outer Space
• Teenage Zombies
• The Last Man on Earth

...plus 198 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

1. First Reformed
2. Paddington 2
3. Hereditary
4. Avengers: Infinity War
5. Mission: Impossible – Fallout
6. A Star Is Born
7. BlacKkKlansman
8. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
9. Anna and the Apocalypse
10. If Beale Street Could Talk

...plus 88 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

For better or worse, my film recommendations for Mr. Coleman.

• Deadpool

  He absolutely hated the trailer for Deadpool and was bound and determined to never watch it. Persistence prevailed and he finally broke down and watched it. Though he didn't think it was great, he did find it enjoyable and gave it 2 1/2 stars!! I consider this a victory on my end. A job well done!

• The Last of the Mohicans

  I'm stunned that he has not seen this film. Not only does he seem to talk about every Daniel Day Lewis film out there, but this film is purely epic! I look forward to his review of this, but wondering which one he will be watching as I believe there are three versions out there. Update:  Not sure which version it was but he thought it was good.  Gotta it, this “good”rating stung a bit being this film is a top favorite of mine but he couldn’t buy the romance.  Fine, fine, I get it but man the romance totally works for me and don’t even get me going on that epic score!  

• Nosferatu

  So I suggested this to him a while ago … still waiting …. This does not bode well.  

• Captain Fantastic
• Amadeus
• Before Sunrise
• It's a Wonderful Life

1. The Avengers
2. Avengers: Endgame
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
4. Captain America: Civil War
5. Avengers: Infinity War
6. Spider-Man: No Way Home
7. Captain America: The First Avenger
8. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
9. Avengers: Age of Ultron
10. Captain Marvel

...plus 20 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Double Indemnity
• Touch of Evil
• The Killing
• Ace in the Hole
• The Maltese Falcon
• In a Lonely Place
• The Big Sleep
• The Big Heat
• The Night of the Hunter
• Out of the Past

...plus 85 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

List of favorite action films listed 3 1/2 or above in no particular order . . . yet.   Superhero films are not included in this list.

• Die Hard
• Aliens
• Mad Max: Fury Road
• Raiders of the Lost Ark
• The Terminator
• The Matrix
• Speed
• Hard Boiled
• Police Story 3: Super Cop
• Kill Bill: Vol. 1

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

In Progress. Only those films I've rated are actually watched and ranked.

• Whiplash
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier
• Selma
• Edge of Tomorrow
• Snowpiercer
• Interstellar
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• The Raid 2
• Nightcrawler

...plus 28 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• CODA
• The Green Knight
• No Time to Die
• The Power of the Dog
• Dune
• Spider-Man: No Way Home
• The Night House
• Zack Snyder's Justice League
• The Beatles: Get Back
• Raya and the Last Dragon

...plus 86 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Finally!! The Top 10 Films of 2015!

2015 was a great year for cinema. We had the return of a couple of franchises, one of them being Star Wars. And what a return it was! Better than the prequels and making 2 billion dollars worldwide (and still going), I would have to say this was a success. Also in 2015 was the return of Mad Max. Which was also a wildly successful return. Other returns include the return of Rocky in “Creed“, and some might say Pixar has had a return to form with Inside Out. Along with that was an outstanding Sci-Fi with Ex-Machina and an unforgettable horror film which made quite a stir with It Follows.

So which films made it into the Top 10? Check out the list below or feel free to go to presstoejectsite.wordpress.com/2016/08/04/the-top-ten-films-of-2015/ for the full list.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

   This film was a joy ride! George Miller (Road Warrior, Happy Feet) is 70 years old and directed the film as if he was 25 years of age. It looks so fresh and new, yet he went back to an old formula from the Mad Max series and used less CGI, relied on actual stunts, and it really paid off. Don’t bother wondering how this post-apocalyptic world came to be, just know that this is what it is and go with it. How did it come to be that people spray “chrome” paint onto their face before battle to help lift them to Valhalla (a higher place)? Doesn’t matter. Just know that it’s freaking crazy and enjoy. Also, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better use of a guitarist in a film. EVER. The story here is Furiosa’s (Charleze Theron) tale. Max (Tom Hardy) is a wanderer who is kidnapped and hooked up as a blood bag. He eventually is caught in the middle of the warrior Furiosa’s planned escape for her and the breeders wives. Theron is fabulous as the heroine who makes the escape with the five breeder wives and seeks redemption. Overall the film is a non stop thrill ride that hopefully paves the way for the next generation of filmmakers. For Valhalla!!

2. The Revenant

   The Revenant is a survival and revenge story, directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu (Bird Man) based upon the book of the same name by Michael Punke. Taking place in 1823, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCapprio) an experienced trapper, is seriously wounded and left for dead by his party. Eventually Glass needs to make the trek on his own back to his base. Now I am being vague here as I think it is best going into this film not knowing much. Everything about this film is fantastic! The directing and cinematography is gorgeous and DiCapprio and Tom Hardy are superb. Leo truly deserves his first Oscar win for this. The actors and crew went through hell and high water with this film and it shows in the film. In an Interview from Wired.com Leo spoke of the hardest part being getting out of frozen rivers as he had elk skin on and bear fur that weighed 100 pounds when it got wet. They also had a machine they would blast him with heat after every take as his feet and fingers would get locked up from the cold. Survival, revenge, gorgeous landscapes, the film is outstanding in every way and I enjoyed every moment.

3. Room

   Adapted from Emma Donoghue’s novel, “Room” is a story of a young woman who was kidnapped and held captive in a tool shed for seven years. Her rabbit hole if you will. The story is from the perspective of Jack (Jacob Tremblay), a five-year old boy who was born and grew up in “Room” and is the only world Jack knows. We see how Joy “Ma” (Brie Larson) and Jack live in Room, their universe with 4 walls and one skylight, and how Joy makes this living hell a home as much as possible (fairy tale stories, playing, and singing). Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay give remarkable performances as I can feel the strong emotional bond between them. I don’t want to give away much in case one has not seen the film, but despite the dark tone, “Room” is hopeful, touching, and liberating.

4. Sicario

   Sicario is a drug war thriller, directed by Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners)and literally starts things off with a bang and then FBI agent Macy (Emily Blunt) ends up being recruited by a questionable CIA(?) agent Matt (Josh Brolin), wearing flip-flops, and Alejandro (Benecio Del Toro) to capture a drug trafficker and bring him back to the States. The film is intense (a specific traffic scene comes to mind) and Emily Blunt’s character is constantly left in the dark as to what is really going on with Matt’s team. The acting is truly top-notch with Blunt and Brolin, but Del Toro, as the mysterious Alejandro whose character grows as the film moves on, is the standout in what could be my favorite role he’s played in. Don’t mess with Alejandro! This is the second time Denis Villeneuve and cinematographer Roger Deakins paired up (Prisoners) and just did a stunning job, especially with the gripping aerial shots at the border and the night scenes through drug tunnels. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the film with its intense scenes and wild look at the war on drugs which will stay with you for quite a while when it’s over.

5. Creed

   Why did I wait so long to watch this film? Creed was utterly fantastic as director Ryan Coogler and the writers (Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington) managed to capture the heart and spirit of the early Rocky films while also bringing in a new style. There are some solid performances by Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson and Sylvester Stallone was great returning as the aging Rocky Balboa. Everything builds to the main event where Creed is fighting to claim his own legacy and nothing can stop the waterworks during the fight. Creed is an outstanding film that is moving and uplifting, and I can’t wait to see what they do with Creed 2.

6. It Follows

   It Follows is a horror film written and directed by David Robert Mitchells (The Myth of the American Sleepovers). This is just what the horror genre needed. It Follows is a film that keeps you gripped until the very end. Basically a young girl, Jay (Maika Monroe), learns that after having sex with her boyfriend, Hugh (Jake Weary), that she is the latest victim of a supernatural entity that will follow her until she is dead or es it on to someone else through sex. What I really love is throughout the film I was constantly looking to see if I could spot the horrifying entity somewhere in the distance, which can be fun upon multiple viewings. Kudos to Mitchells directing and the cinematography of Mike Gioulakis to successfully pull this off. There were a select number of scenes in which i literally had a chill run up my spine! This is the most tense movie I have watched since probably “The Ring”. The film score by Rich Vreeland is also a highlight here with moments of intensity to add to the terror. The acting is good, but special props to Maika Monroe as the star, Jay, who delivers a strong performance. Just a great job and a load of fun here. It is one of those films that will leave you geeking out and wondering what you would do to get away from the entity that follows.

7. Inside Out

   Pixar is back with their best film since Up and Toy Story 3. This is truly a remarkable film that only gets better with repeated viewings. A young girl, Riley, is steered by five emotions – Joy, Fear, Sadness, Disgust, and Anger. We see Riley from birth to eventually an 11-year old girl who ends up going through a lot in life as she and her family move from Minnesota to San Francisco. This takes quite a toll on her and her emotions. There is joy, there is sadness, and sometimes they must go hand in hand. It really is a creative and crowning effort by Pixar.

8. Spotlight

   Written and directed by Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent, Win Win), the film is basically a tribute to journalism. The viewer is basically dropped in a time of their lives when a chance comes for the Spotlight team to cover sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. The film is VERY straightforward, nothing flashy, as the viewer follows the journalists and the attempt to bring the story to the public. There is no special romance or outside drama, we are here to follow the journalists’ research in covering this story. It is truly a great ensemble you have here and everyone hits their mark. Spotlight is truly one of the great films of 2015.

9. Bāhubali: The Beginning
10. The Hateful Eight

    The Hateful Eight, written and directed by Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Bastards) is just fantastic and filled with dialogue that only Tarantino himself can deliver. Being a western I assumed most of the setting would take place outside, especially since Tarantino put out a 70 mm version. But that is not the case. Instead most of the film is basically like a murder mystery that takes place at a stagecoach lodge. The cast is great. Jennifer Jason Leigh, as the woman to be hanged, and Samuel Jackson, as the bounty hunter are the standouts here. Tarantino truly directs Jackson best as once again we watch him orchestrate a room. Tim Roth was also a joy to watch as the chipper executioner. The soundtrack, which was composed, orchestrated, and conducted by Ennio Morricone was great. I just loved the overture (70mm version) which is slow building and just grips you, and some of this is heard again within the film. Overall the Hateful Eight is another fantastic entry into the Tarantino library.

...plus 1 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Wonder Woman
• Zack Snyder's Justice League
• Shazam!
• Justice League
• Man of Steel
• Aquaman
• Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Watching Stars Wars again but it will be the first time with my kids (ages 7 and 9) which should be fun to go through with them.

• Star Wars
• The Empire Strikes Back
• Return of the Jedi
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens
• Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
• Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

• CODA
• The Power of the Dog
• West Side Story
• Belfast
• Drive My Car
• Nightmare Alley
• Dune
• King Richard
• Licorice Pizza
• Don't Look Up

• Casino Royale
• Skyfall
• No Time to Die
• Quantum of Solace
• Spectre

• Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
• The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest
• Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
• Batman Beyond: The Movie
• Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
• Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
• Chase Me
• The Batman vs. Dracula
• Ultimate Avengers: The Movie
• Superman: Brainiac Attacks

...plus 53 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• The Father
• Sound of Metal
• The Trial of the Chicago 7
• Minari
• Judas and the Black Messiah
• Promising Young Woman
• Nomadland
• Mank

In progress

1. The Avengers
2. Wonder Woman
3. Captain America: Civil War
4. Spider-Man 2
5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
6. Avengers: Endgame
7. Logan
8. Avengers: Infinity War
9. The Dark Knight
10. Superman

Working up a list of Martial Arts Films to eventually watch and rank.

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
• Enter the Dragon
• Ip Man
• Police Story
• Ong Bak
• Drunken Master II
• Kill Bill: Vol. 1
• Police Story 3: Super Cop
• Hero
• House of Flying Daggers

...plus 37 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

The animated films from the Land of the Rising Sun.  If it is not rated, I haven’t seen it. 🇯🇵

• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
• Princess Mononoke
• Your Name.
• Akira
• The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
• My Neighbor Totoro
• 5 Centimeters per Second
• Millennium Actress
• Grave of the Fireflies
• Wolf Children

...plus 35 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• The Bishop's Wife
• Joyeux Noel
• Anna and the Apocalypse
• Carol
• Love Actually
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
• The Christmas Chronicles
• Last Christmas
• Christmas in Connecticut
• The Nativity Story

...plus 46 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

In Progress. Only those films I've rated are actually watched and ranked.

• The Avengers
• The Impossible
• Moonrise Kingdom
• Silver Linings Playbook
• Argo
• Zero Dark Thirty
• Django Unchained
• Skyfall
• The Grey
• The Cabin in the Woods

...plus 20 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

A mix of first time watches and favorites.

• The Blob
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
• Tremors
• Halloween
• The Exorcist
• Night of the Living Dead
• The Company of Wolves
• A Bay of Blood
• The Innocents
• Lake Mungo

...plus 44 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

• Seven Samurai
• Yojimbo
• Lady Snowblood
• Harakiri
• Rashomon
• Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
• Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
• Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
• Shogun Assassin
• Throne of Blood

...plus 29 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.

Watching and ranking Hitchcock.  If it’s not here I haven’t watched it yet.

• The Birds
• Rear Window
• North by Northwest
• Vertigo
• Psycho
• Dial M for Murder
• Rebecca
• Shadow of a Doubt
• Notorious
• Strangers on a Train

...plus 1 more. View the full list on Letterboxd.