Welcome back to the 4 Favorites series! Someday I’ll get back to a consistent publishing cadence for these, but for now, I’m going to go through 20 movies at a time just like I did last February 2nd.
So anyway, Happy New Year! I don’t have a lot of other links to share since I didn’t get to do much writing for work last year. I am, however, very proud of my review of Pearl Jam’s first-ever show in Fort Worth, Texas. Never thought I’d get paid to write about my favorite band.
I’m going to try something different with this newsletter. Since I have so many movies to mention, I will limit my review of each movie to a tweet-length review. 280 characters each. I challenged myself to do that a few years ago when I did a write-up for the Austin American-Statesman of all the movies I saw using MoviePass, and liked the exercise a lot.
(Remember MoviePass in its heyday? What a glorious few months that was. I’m eagerly awaiting its “BlackBerry” or “Dumb Money” moment where it gets turned into a movie.)
But now, as Vin Diesel says … THE MOVIES:
September 2023
“The Blackening”
The only way for a spoof to work is to unabashedly love the thing it's spoofing. In that regard, "The Blackening" soars as a horror comedy and as a takedown of recent "social horror" tropes. My only complaint: The villain reveal is about as predictable as Scrappy-Doo.
Available to stream on Starz, rent/purchase on VOD or buy on physical media.
“No One Will Save You”
A nearly dialogue-free alien invasion movie about the ways we alienate and hurt people after traumatic events. Kaitlyn Dever turns in a stellar, nearly silent performance, and the alien design is classic '50s space invaders. My kingdom for a Blu-Ray or a theatrical release.
Available to stream on Hulu.
“Sorcerer”
The kitchen scenes in "The Bear" are comfort viewing for me. "Uncut Gems" didn't faze me.
But this? William Friedkin's vision of purgatory where four criminals transport nitroglycerin in a truck convoy through the jungle? I haven't been this stressed in a while. Loved it.
Available to rent/purchase on VOD or buy on physical media.
“Theater Camp”
Camp isn't home, but it kind of is?
I've never been to theater camp, but I've been to journalism camps and religious retreats, and the energy is the same. A movie for the little weirdo that lives inside all of us. Riotous performances from Jimmy Tatro and Molly Gordon.
Available to stream on Hulu.
October 2023
“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”
The second Friedkin film on this list is his final one. This is an angry look at the nature of truth and how each generation bends it for its own gain — especially in wartime. No froufrou camera work. Barely any score. Just a script that rips and every actor on their A game.
Available to stream on Paramount+ with Showtime.
“The Exorcist: Believer”
Almost everyone hated this, but I am here to spread the gospel. Friedkin's original was about making change within the system; David Gordon Green's very Protestant update is about making change outside the system. An "Exorcist" for the priesthood of believers.
Available to stream on Peacock or buy on physical media.
“Flora and Son”
John Carney's latest ode to the joy of music is closer to "Hearts Beat Loud" than his past films. It's sweet and soulful without being saccharine. I was smiling with my eyes, as one character puts it, throughout the whole thing.
Available to stream on Apple TV+.
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
I can't tell if Martin Scorsese's latest examination of the rot at the core of the American experiment was made for "the wolves in this picture," but it's certainly about them.
I need to watch it a second time to fully grasp it, but I can’t stop thinking about it.
In theaters now and also available to stream or purchase/rent on Apple TV+.
November 2023
“Neal Brennan: Blocks”
Dave Chappelle's former "Chappelle's Show" writer delivers a stand-up set full of observational humor that's funnier than anything Chappelle has made in the last decade, with a kicker that packs a huge emotional wallop.
Available to stream on Netflix.
“Prescription: Murder”
I loved Rian Johnson's "Poker Face" last year. That led to me watching a lot of "Columbo." This first TV movie featuring the detective is kind of slow, but it's a wild historical document of the late '60s. Great set design.
Available to stream on Peacock.
“Quiz Lady”
Awkwafina and Sandra Oh play against type as sisters competing on a game show to pay off their mom's gambling debt, but the real scene stealers are Will Ferrell as Alex Trebek-meets-Mr. Rogers, and Jason Schwartzman as Ken Jennings From Hell. I laughed. I cried.
Available to stream on Hulu.
“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”
I thought "Asteroid City" was Wes Anderson at the peak of his form, but I was wrong — it's this short film. Roald Dahl and Anderson are a match made in adaptation heaven. This tale of a man slowly learning to be a good person is up there with Anderson's best feature films.
Available to stream on Netflix.
December 2023
“The Abyss”
All of James Cameron's fascinations are on full display: Water; aliens; macho dudes; fetishizing military tech while condemning the war that uses said tech; and earnest, hippy-dippy notions about how love is the only thing that can save the planet. I loved it, so, so much.
Available to buy on VOD or physical media.
“The Iron Claw”
I've seen some people get angry that this gutting look at the Von Erich wrestling family isn't completely accurate. Accuracy isn’t the point. "The Iron Claw" is the dark side of the American dream told through one family's tragedy. Zac Efron delivers a haunting performance.
In theaters now.
“It’s a Wonderful Knife”
I love "It's a Wonderful Life" and I love "Scream," so I was very excited when I heard about this slasher riff on Capra's classic. It's too expository at the beginning, but it's a fun holiday watch. Justin Long does his best sleazebag Walton Goggins impression.
Available to stream on Shudder and AMC+.
“Wild Things”
I can't believe I had never seen this before. I'll let Ebert speak for me:
"It's lurid trash, with a plot so twisted they're still explaining it during the closing titles. It's like a three-way collision between a softcore sex film, a soap opera and a B-grade noir. I liked it."
Available to stream on Paramount+ and Tubi, also available to buy on physical media.
That’s all, folks. If you liked what you saw here, click that subscribe button (promise I won’t send any annoying emails) and tell all your friends!
This newsletter is written by me and edited by my favorite person, Taylor Tompkins. Views expressed here are my own and don’t reflect the opinions of my employer.
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