Letterboxd 4v3r4n Mike Scott

The Equalizer 4r3g2g 2014 - ★★★★

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:49:00 +1200

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I’ve seen a good amount of Denzel movies but never in a role like this. Talk about gawd mode. I’m ready for more.

Loved the homages to Home Alone AND The Driller Killer.

Thanks to Andy for the recommendation.

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Diamonds Are Forever 1262k 1971

Mon, 9 Jun 2025 01:57:01 +1200

Why did this have to be episode 007? Coming soon to Bottled ‘n’ Bond.

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Napoleon Dynamite 49315w 2004 - ★★★★★

Sat, 7 Jun 2025 13:44:00 +1200

The most non-Wes Anderson Wes Anderson movie of all time. There are more layers here than you think. Being accepted for who you are, nerding out damn the consequences, and just having a sense of decency and goodness toward others. This is, in my lowly opinion, a stone cold classic.

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Columbus 1v5h70 2017 - ★★★★

Sat, 7 Jun 2025 11:22:36 +1200

It’s been a bit since I’ve watched this one but this time around it left even more of an impression. First time I saw this I’d never seen an Ozu movie but now I can definitely see the influences. It’s a slow burner but the acting, the directing and the beautiful architecture make for a wonderful viewing experience. Plus, it never hurts when my beloved home state is an integral part of the movie.

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The Phoenician Scheme 1r2y3h 2025 - ★★★★½

Fri, 6 Jun 2025 11:23:59 +1200

I’m never quite sure whether I should give a rating after a first viewing of a new Wes movie but I can only see it going up. Benecio is stupdendous and it is a visual delight. Love seeing all the usual suspects. Especially you, Bill.

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On Her Majesty's Secret Service 6r1o2z 1969

Thu, 5 Jun 2025 12:03:46 +1200

Family viewing. My daughter is not happy.

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On Her Majesty's Secret Service 6r1o2z 1969

Thu, 5 Jun 2025 06:53:42 +1200

Another excellent audio commentary.

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Andrei Rublev 4h4c44 1966 - ★★★

Sun, 1 Jun 2025 11:26:06 +1200

Criterion Challenge

European Film

Like every other Tarkovsky I’ve seen, I spent most of this movie trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Maybe this is more rewarding with rewatches (again, probably like other Tarkovsky films) but the religious/spiritual aspects, and the overall story (whatever that really was), did pretty much nothing for me. I will say from a technical perspective this movie is absolutely stupendous.

Thus ends my 2025 Criterion Challenge. What a ride it was. I feel quite the sense of accomplishment for wrapping it up so quickly for the first time.

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Black God 3q5r67 White Devil, 1964 - ★★

Sat, 31 May 2025 11:05:37 +1200

Criterion Challenge

South American film

Just a bit too abstract, plodding or disturbing most of the time. I thought it looked pretty good for its age but the story itself didn’t hit for me.

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Swiss Movement 5s94w 1969

Fri, 30 May 2025 09:21:46 +1200

Nice, very brief film about filming On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in Switzerland.

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On Her Majesty's Secret Service 6r1o2z 1969

Fri, 30 May 2025 08:17:21 +1200

Was casting George Lazenby a huge mistake? Episode 006 coming soon to Bottled ‘n’ Bond.

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The Rules of the Game 2j5w3n 1939 - ★★★★

Thu, 29 May 2025 13:25:42 +1200

Criterion Challenge

A film by a director whose work you have not seen before

My first Renoir. Honestly I wasn’t enjoying it too much for the first half hour or so but I was all in by the end. Definitely some funny moments and seems like it inspired quite a bit that came after it. Also seemed ahead of its time with its satirical aspects.

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Weird Science 6l3z5o 1985 - ★★★

Wed, 28 May 2025 11:50:31 +1200

This is maybe the second time I’ve seen this movie. Such a relic of the 80s. Felt way longer than 90 minutes at times. Still, I chuckled a few times. Bill Paxton doing his best unhinged Bill Paxton character.

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Tótem 211k 2023 - ★★★★

Wed, 28 May 2025 09:19:17 +1200

Criterion Challenge

Female Filmmakers

A beautifully shot and acted slice of life. I just wish the slice of life we get to see wasn’t quite so depressing. Everyone is trying to make the best of a terrible situation but it’s hard not to feel sad throughout most of the runtime.

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The Decline of Western Civilization 51544k 1981

Tue, 27 May 2025 02:25:56 +1200

VHS Village Borney
1981

Twelve movies I haven’t seen that came out the year I was born.

I don’t think music documentaries get more essential than this one. Even if you don’t like this kind of music it’s fascinating seeing its origins.

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Frankenhooker 4ro25 1990 - ★★★

Mon, 26 May 2025 10:27:08 +1200

Wonderful 90s trash. Could have used a bit more Elizabeth and a little less of that doofus Jeffrey. Thanks to Pat for the recommendation.

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Mission 71384a Impossible – The Final Reckoning, 2025 - ★★★★★

Fri, 23 May 2025 12:13:45 +1200

Cinematic perfection. Thank you, Tom.

And thank you, Billy Effing Donloe.

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You Only Live Twice 3q3v3y 1967

Thu, 22 May 2025 11:37:34 +1200

Watched with the family and…they have questions. They’ll have to wait for episode 005 of Bottled ‘n’ Bond for answers though.

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Man Bites Dog 2m6727 1992 - ★★★★

Thu, 22 May 2025 06:49:11 +1200

Criterion Challenge

Dark Comedies

To paraphrase an old joke: Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the documentary?

I think shocking is too tame a word for this one. I don’t know what it says about me that I chuckled a few times during this but there’s also quite a bit that’s very disturbing. Definitely a unique experience.

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Mr. Klein 4f2t35 1976 - ★★★★

Wed, 21 May 2025 09:23:39 +1200

Criterion Challenge

Rachel Kushner’s Adventures in Moviegoing

It was ultimately very bleak, which wasn’t altogether surprising. I did expect some sort of twist that never arrived. Alain Delon, slow burning his was though this, is still batting a thousand for me.

Pretty sure I’m only going to pick uplifting movies for my 2026 challenge just for the sake of my emotional and mental well-being.

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The Firm 6v451f 1993 - ★★★★

Tue, 20 May 2025 09:25:40 +1200

Pretty sure this is the first time I’ve seen this movie, despite it being one of my favorite, if not my very favorite, Grisham books. Tom Cruise showing some MI chops in this one. Jeanne Tripplehorn looking stunning and David Strathairn a total stud. Not to mention Gene Hackman being his typical excellent sleaze-ball. Kudos to Ed Harris for looking like a total dickhead too.

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You Only Live Twice 3q3v3y 1967

Sat, 17 May 2025 12:57:10 +1200

Audio commentary with various cast and crew.

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Heretic x4q10 2024 - ★★★½

Wed, 14 May 2025 10:39:07 +1200

This is why I prefer to not talk about religion. Or Taco Bell. Hugh Grant’s best performance ever?

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The Funeral 10436l 1984 - ★★★★

Tue, 13 May 2025 08:24:15 +1200

Criterion Challenge

Ayo Edebiri’s Closet Picks

Beautiful movie with moments a sadness and humor. I was really fascinated to see these rites and rituals and how they differed (and didn’t) from ones I’m more familiar with.

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You Only Live Twice 3q3v3y 1967

Mon, 12 May 2025 08:29:22 +1200

Coming soon: Episode 005 of Bottled ‘n’ Bond.

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Thunderball 3h5216 1965

Sat, 10 May 2025 14:39:01 +1200

Family viewing before recording episode 004 of Bottled ‘n’ Bond.

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Chungking Express 1m222o 1994 - ★★★★★

Thu, 8 May 2025 09:10:24 +1200

What it lacks in cohesive story it makes up for with vibes and visuals (the 4K Criterion is outstanding). Tony Leung is my king but what’s with all those sardines?

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Brute Force 2c6k69 1947 - ★★★½

Wed, 7 May 2025 07:33:07 +1200

Criterion Challenge

John Turturro’s Adventures in Moviegoing

Brute force is an apt name. Surprisingly dark and gritty for something from the 40s. Burt Lancaster is a total stud in this one. Hume Cronyn is quite menacing despite his stature. Overall a pretty solid prison thriller.

There is a fascinating story about the restoration process for this one at the beginning of the Criterion Channel presentation.

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Star Wars 4u2m5r 1977 - ★★★★★

Mon, 5 May 2025 07:48:47 +1200

May the fourth be with you, always.

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A Child's Guide to Blowing Up a Motor Car 142a3g 1965

Mon, 5 May 2025 05:10:37 +1200

A relic with a title that’s a bit more interesting than the feature

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Thunderball 3h5216 1965

Mon, 5 May 2025 04:40:21 +1200

Audio commentary with cast and crew.

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The Sound of 007 q5b49 2022

Mon, 5 May 2025 01:35:49 +1200

Great documentary focused on sixty years of Bond music. I am going to have some difficult choices when ranking the theme songs for Bottled ‘n’ Bond.

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Sing Sing 6v456g 2023 - ★★★★★

Sun, 4 May 2025 13:54:01 +1200

Beautiful stuff here. By no means am I diminishing all of the performances in this one, but I need to watch more Colman Domingo.

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Sinners 585y6o 2025 - ★★★★½

Sun, 4 May 2025 07:14:41 +1200

Impressive from start to finish. Crazy how they found someone who looked exactly like Michael B. Jordan to play Stack.

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The ant k2416 2016 - ★★★★

Sat, 3 May 2025 23:55:43 +1200

Affleck is the bomb in this. It’s almost like Will Hunting meets Jason Bourne.

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Godzilla vs. Biollante 2w2c2j 1989 - ★★★½

Sat, 3 May 2025 06:59:27 +1200

Criterion Challenge

Watch a film that will be added to the physical collection in 2025

My first Godzilla of this era and it was pretty fun. The monsters (not the human ones) looked really good and the 4K is very sharp. Definitely a few moments where o could tell it was an 80s movie.

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Mission 71384a Impossible, 1996 - ★★★★★

Fri, 2 May 2025 06:55:30 +1200

Ethan balancing in the IMF mainframe feels eerily like me trying to properly balance being the father of a thirteen year old daughter. The slightest misstep makes everything go haywire.

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One Wonderful Sunday 1cn3w 1947 - ★★★

Thu, 1 May 2025 11:31:08 +1200

Definitely a challenge to get through but ultimately worth the effort. Plus it gets me one step closer to completing my Kurosawa journey.

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Europa Europa 3w1k5s 1990 - ★★★★½

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:42:32 +1200

Criterion Challenge

Random Number Generator (#985)

Felt like a mix of Come And See (but not as bleak) and Jojo Rabbit (but not as satirical) with a Jewish boy trying to survive any way he can during WW2. I was really surprised with those tonal shifts in this one but it made for a great first time watch. Absolutely wild that this was based on a true story.

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Thunderball 3h5216 1965

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 09:35:27 +1200

Coming soon to Bottled ‘n’ Bond: Episode 004

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Encino Man 5q23x 1992 - ★½

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 12:44:23 +1200

Sean Astin is in five all-timers for me. This isn’t one of them.

when Pauly Shote started getting annoying two minutes into any movie he was in? I am old enough to this as it happened.

Some things (like memories of movies you last watched 30+ years ago) are best left in the past. This one is most certainly from the Stone Age (or earlier). Still, as stupid and dated this is, I still chuckled a few times. Could have used more Ke.

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How to Steal a Million 5t3l4l 1966 - ★★½

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 10:11:56 +1200

Given the nature of the story I was really hoping for a bit more slapstick comedy or a more interesting heist. Unfortunately the movie drags quite a bit with its 2+ hour run time and I didn’t find it terribly funny nor exciting.

As an aside, if there’s anyone who can stay within the orbit or Audrey Hepburn’s radiance, it just might be Peter O’Toole. What a stud. I just wish the chemistry had been put to better use.

Though it didn’t hit for me, I still want to thank Justin in the VHS Village for the recommendation.

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Goldfinger 5c3w4t 1964

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 10:24:32 +1200

Great audio commentary with a lot more director input than the first two.

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Ford v Ferrari 28e19 2019 - ★★★★★

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:02:06 +1200

Being from Indianapolis there’s definitely an affinity for auto racing in my blood. That being said I’ve never been a big car guy. But I have to say this movie fired on all cylinders for me (pun intended). Not only is the story compelling but the movie looks absolutely gorgeous. Not sure why I missed this Best Picture nominee during Oscar season that year but I’m glad I finally watched this one.

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Goldfinger 5c3w4t 1964

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 13:34:22 +1200

Family viewing. Looking forward to some interesting Bottled ‘n’ Bond conversation.

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12 Angry Men 342b4l 1957 - ★★★★★

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 11:10:49 +1200

An absolute masterpiece. I would love to see this performed live.

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Perfect Days d481y 2023 - ★★★★★

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 08:21:06 +1200

Criterion Challenge

Great Soundtracks

I had a few drinks before watching this one and was sure, based on what I’d heard, that I wouldn’t make it through in one sitting. I was quite wrong. This is a beautiful and surprisingly engaging movie.

The pursuit of happiness is overrated. Contentment is where it’s at.

I would not be content sitting on a stool taking a shower in public though.

One more thing: the soundtrack is stellar. Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, Patti Smith and Nina Simone (amongst others)? Do you need anything else?

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Goldfinger 5c3w4t 1964

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 07:42:34 +1200

Episode 003 coming soon on Bottled ‘n’ Bond. Excited to convince my wife that I “need” to purchase a companion beverage for this episode.

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The Prince of Tides 344q4k 1991 - ★★★★

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 08:40:46 +1200

Criterion Challenge

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

I don’t think my first choice in the Criterion closet would truly be a movie I’d never seen before but in the spirit of the challenge I picked this one.

The book this is based on is a masterpiece. Its story could not have been told in a two hour movie. Maybe a six part miniseries? So realizing that, I think the parts excised for the sake of the story made a lot of sense for the most part. Highlighting the relationship between Tom and Susan made for a palatable runtime. It doesn’t hurt that Nolte and Streisand have incredible chemistry.

I do get weary of complaints about adaptations not aligning with the original work, especially in a case like this one where I feel the basic spirit of the book is retained. I’m sure I’ve made complaints myself in the past but I’m trying to appreciate each piece of art in its own medium. So in that vein, this is worth the watch. If you like it, do yourself a huge favor and read the book if you haven’t already.

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Drugstore Cowboy 4h1b40 1989 - ★★★½

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 08:53:12 +1200

Took a while for me to get into it but I think this is one I will revisit. Matt Dillon is great and it was cool seeing a super young Heather Graham…though it looks like she’s barely aged since then.

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