01/01/2024
Happy New Year! Here are some of my favorite discoveries from 2023 and where I saw them. ♥️
1. Looking For Mr. Goodbar
New Beverly, a Thursday night, full house. I think the final minute of this movie destroyed everyone in there. Actually couldn’t believe it.
2. Crimes of Passion
Criterion channel. Erotic thrillers. Heard the backstory on Karina Longworth’s pod. Dirty, demented and awesome.
3. Gloria
Glad to fill this hole in my Cassavettes missing pieces. Gena Rowlands is gangster and shouldn’t be fu**ed with. Criterion.
4. Fat City
Stacy Keach is a revelation and should’ve been as big as DeNiro and Pacino. Felt like John Huston took stock of New Hollywood and said “I can do that too - watch and learn, boys.” Criterion Channel.
5. But I’m A Cheerleader
Laughed the whole way through. Satire at its best. Somehow still relevant due to many conservative, anti-gay dopes somehow making important decisions. Criterion Channel.
6. 45 Years
Ari Aster claims this movie has one of the best ending shots in all of cinema and it does. Charlotte Rampling is a gift. Criterion Channel.
7. Army of Shadows
Another New Beverly packed house. At times I felt sedated by Melville’s effortless style only to be jolted into a state of shock, the same shock and adrenaline the characters felt. Extraordinary, transcendent movie making.
8. A Matter of Life and Death
A Sunday afternoon at Braindead. The audience was electric and laughing so hard, it was almost strange. A 77 year old movie still resonating. Awesome.
9. Force of Evil
Maybe 80 minutes but easily one of my favorite noirs. John Garfield is fu***ng electric. The method’s predecessor.
Criterion Channel.
10. Drunken Angel
Early Kurasowa coming into his own, finding his style. The climactic fight scene. Mifune being a modern day bad ass. Criterion Channel.