The game is afoot, eh, Watson?
-
-
Little Shop of Horrors 1986
Despite its very obvious studio-mandated changed ending, Little Shop remains supreme above most all movie musicals. There's a sweet sincerity to be found in its campy, sci-fi dealings, doo-wopping Greek chorus, and watching people get eaten by a giant plant. Beyond that - the production design (specifically the puppet work) is just marvelous. Howard Ashman, you devious musical genius, this never gets old.
-
The Beta Test 2021
Cummings bites off way more than he can chew for his sophomore outing, but his maniacal performance is the strongest thing here. Watching this prick fall deeper into the rabbit hole of corruption and temptation shouldn't be this funny. Everything else, though? Its commentary never really comes together.
-
Jackass Number Two 2006
50% slapstick gold, 50% body horror. It's way more mean-spirited this time around, but that ratio turns out to be a perfect match for what they accomplish here.
-
Elvis 2022
This is what The Greatest Showman wanted to be.
A cautionary tale of opulence, fame, and manipulation, while simultaneously engrossing the audience into the extreme world of its subject. All of you that called doom for Luhrmann helming this, I hope you're eating your words. There was no better man to bring the King into the 21st century. There's a type of maximalism that doesn't always work, but here it does. Elvis' story is undoubtedly larger-than-life, so treating it like…
-
-
The Black Phone 2021
Completely support Derrickson going back to this lean, mean style over his small foray into blockbusters. Stories like this suit his style so much more. Though its supernatural element tends to falter until its climactic point, the wonderful use of tension, world-building, generational trauma, and likable characters (and likable child actors!) more than make up for it. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Ethan Hawke's chilling turn as the Grabber, who no doubt will join the pantheon of iconic modern villains very soon. Really solid stuff.
-
-
The Cat in the Hat 2003
Do I acknowledge this is objectively a bad movie? Yes.
Can I fully hate it? Never.
-
-
-
The Souvenir: Part II 2021
Thoughtful meditations on the artistic process in regards to how it affects your personal life. This is exactly how all autobiographical films should be made from now on. Blew me clear away.