Freaks Out (2021)

 

I simply can’t fathom how a film like this gets made. The story and characters are bonkers, but everything is crafted so seriously that you can’t help buying into it. The cinematography is gorgeous. 

Mainetti is a wizard of a director. Not every choice he makes is genius, but it’s hard to turn away from the screen. One could describe this as circus freaks vs. Nazis, and you’d be right, but it’s so much more than that. You really have to see it to understand. I can’t wait to see Gabriele Mainetti’s next project.

Rating: B

The Forbidden City (La Città Proibita) (2025)

 

An unexpected Italian Chinese fusion, blending cultures across multiple movie genres. There’s an underlying mystery that needs to be solved. A brutal revenge that must happen. A love story that needs to flourish. Wounds in need of healing. I can’t wait to see what Gabriele Mainetti does next. 

Rating: B

Rental Family (2025)

 

This film made me very homesick for Japan. A single scene can bring back a hundred little memories of life there. It was beautifully shot and directed. The story was emotional and relatable. It’s nice to see Brendan Fraser in these mature roles after starting his career in mostly silly stuff. 

Rating: B

Out Of Sight (1998)

 

All these years later, this Sodenbergh film still holds up. The chemistry between Clooney and Lopez sparkles. That trunk scene is iconic. Nobody plays the dopey sidekick quite like Steve Zahn. The adapted screenplay is smart and often funny. 

Rating: B

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

 

Still one of the most epic opening battle sequences after all these years. The cinematography is something else. They do an excellent job of showing the brutality and senselessness of warfare. What a waste of human life. Some scenes felt heavy handed. Holds up as one the great war films though. 

Rating: B

Batman Begins (2005)

 

Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale pull the superhero genre out of the muck with a film for adults. Characters are developed slowly. Batman’s backstory is portrayed in a series of flashbacks. Gadgets, abilities, villains, and everything else had at least some foundation in science

Rating: B

Spellbound (2002)

 

I watched this spelling bee doc with a big group and we all loved it. A must see!

Rating: B

Man On Wire (2008)

The brilliance of director James Marsh is how he created an intriguing, sometimes thrilling documentary around the simple act of wire walking. It doesn't hurt that the key players are great story tellers and complete naturals in front of the camera. 

The other secret to this film's success is the documentary within the documentary. That is, the story of the Twin Towers. Just as interesting as the tale of how a man walked between them is the historical footage showing them going up. Two beyond human feats intertwined into one gripping film. 

Rating: B

The Green Mile (1999)

 

I struggle to give high ratings to sad movies. The Green Mile is a very good, but quite depressing film. Performances are excellent, especially from Michael Clarke Duncan, who should have at least received an Academy Award nomination. Criminal. 

Rating: B

The Matrix (1999)

 

What I’ve discovered as I rewatch these films that I loved from 25+ years ago is that there’s an added level of enjoyment that comes from seeing something new; from not knowing what happens next. 

The first time experience cannot be replicated. This is reflected in my reviews awarded in subsequent viewings. The magic and excitement of seeing The Matrix for the first time in a theater is quite different from rewatching it on a smaller screen in my townhome; already knowing what’s to come, more or less. 

So while I can now observe the innovation that went into making this film back then, I don’t appreciate it like I did back then. I no longer think it’s incredible–just good. 

Rating: B

Fight Club (1999)

 

I was reminded of The Sixth Sense, which also came out in 1999. Where after a second viewing, the twist/reveal seems so obvious. It’s a dark, mind-bending, testosterone-filled, violent punch to the head. 25 years ago, it spoke to me a little more than it does now. 

Rating: B

Magnolia (1999)

 

Paul Thomas Anderson was a superstar back then. Seems like half of Hollywood stars in this film. The fast pacing and shifting storylines keep the audience engaged from beginning to end. 

However, watching it now, I’m reminded how sad and tragic everyone is. It’s a pretty depressing 3 hours. Heavy stuff. Tom Cruise’s Academy Award nomination was well deserved. It was a standout performance in a sea of great performances.  

Rating: B

The Sixth Sense (1999)

It’s a different experience watching a second time, already knowing the twist and seeing how obvious it was in retrospect. I guess that’s how magic tricks work. Once the trick is revealed, you wonder how you didn’t figure it out before. 

Haley Joel Osmet and Donnie Wahlberg (as short as his scene was) acted the hell out of their roles. After such a serious origin, you wouldn’t expect Haley as an adult being so funny. 

Sixth Sense sparked many big twist/reveal movies, and for that it’s a classic. It also delivers on its central theme of facing your fears. 

Rating: B

Three Kings (1999)

 

David O. Russel delivers both an entertaining Hollywood movie and a message about the absurdity of war. War is about greed. Greed for land, power, and money, and everything that comes with having those things. The antidote is empathy, which is in short supply. The film delivers a somewhat hopeful message of how empathy can occasionally cut through that greed to do some good. 

Rating: B

Being John Malkovich (1999)

 

Written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. Weirdness was guaranteed. I wish I could have been in the meeting when this was first pitched to Malkovich. What a bizarre and intriguing role to play. Loved the restaurant scene where he’s playing 100 different versions of himself. Truly a unique vision. 

Rating: B

40 Acres (2024)

 

A family farm defends itself from looters and killers in a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce. Sign me up! This isn’t Mad Max or a zombie flick. It’s a family drama set in a lawless future. Characters have depth. The audience is given a reason to care. The bad guys are scary. Action sequences are fantastic. A top 10 movie of the year. 

Rating: B

Billy And Molly: An Otter Love Story (2024)

 

Absolutely gorgeous to watch, but also sweet and emotional. A lovely story of man interacting with nature in a way that benefits both. I’d love to know how this film was made. Did Billy contact the National Geographic folks the moment he discovered Molly? I’d love to see the documentary about the documentary. At any rate, it was a joy to watch. 

Rating: B

Mayhem! (Farang) (2023)

This French Thai film scores very high on the list of top revenge flicks. I appreciated the backstory and character development before the blood spray from some excellent fight scenes erupted. 

Rather surprised they got permits to shoot this script in Thailand, as it portrays the extremely seedy underbelly lurking around every corner. It’s not all doom and gloom though. There are many vivid and heartwarming scenes of everyday Thai life, people, food, and traditions. Quite well made. 

Rating: B

The Creator (2023)

 

Reminiscent of District 9, Chappie, and Avatar. That’s pretty good company to keep. Gives you a lot to think about in between the many action sequences. Top 10 of the year contender. 

Rating: B

Flora And Son (2023)

 

John Carney delivers another delightful romantic musical, following in the footsteps of his previous films Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street. He has a way of perfectly blending original songs with his scripts. It’s a rare commodity. 

Rating: B