Is it bad that I’d probably still let Julianne Moore do that to me?
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Dusty & Stones 2022
Screened at Hamptons Doc Fest 2023
The feel-good movie of the year, these two are some of the warmest and grateful guys you’ll ever meet, and seeing them charm their way across the world being true to themselves (despite how improbable their country music dreams are) was a joy and inspiration to watch. Two dudes from Swaziland somehow have more heart and authentic talent than every modern American country musician right now.
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Dream Scenario 2023
Brutally brilliant, one of my favorite films of the millennium. I feel like even people who like this are underestimating it.
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American Symphony 2023
Screened at Hamptons Doc Fest 2023
An emotional and exuberant portrait, Heineman’s true strengths are in capturing human stories rather than exploring dangerous war zones. Batiste should keep writing symphonies instead of trying to be the next Pharrell.
One of the last screenings I expected to see James Ivory attend!
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The Stranger 1946
Much like The Lady From Shanghai, The Stranger was an attempt by Orson Welles to show he could make a relatively straight noir under budget and on schedule. Unfortunately, this film could've used a bit of the strangeness and energy that Shanghai has to give it some excitement. Of course the filmmaking and acting from Welles is incredible, with stunning usage of layered imagery, harsh lighting and graceful camera placement showing how even a film not completely under his control…
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Midnight Run 1988
Still a solid movie, but not as funny as I remembered it. One of the early jokes is “If you don’t shut up, you’ll get a case of fist-o-phobia!” and it doesn’t get much wittier from there. Still plenty of God-tier sulking and bickering from Grodin and De Niro, even if the personality clash of their characters gets a bit rudimentary. Also, has anyone ever believed for a second that the long-standing dream of De Niro’s character is that he wants to open a coffee shop?
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Planes, Trains and Automobiles 1987
In many ways, the platonic ideal of what a comedy should be. Ferris Bueller has more iconic moments and better cinematography, but this is easily John Hughes’ masterpiece.
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On Top of the Whale 1982
Serious question: did Raúl Ruiz use the same orchestral score for most of his movies?