Watched in 2019
My second year in a row that I've challenged myself to watch at least one film a day.
From my Twitter thread here: https://twitter.com/SeanMcGann98/status/1080539743715291137
From my Twitter thread here: https://twitter.com/SeanMcGann98/status/1080539743715291137
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- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsFrederic ForrestTeri GarrRaul JuliaA couple has a fight after living together 5 years in Las Vegas. They go out and celebrate 4th of July, each with a new partner. Breakup?January 1: One from the Heart (1981)
Way ahead of its time, Coppola’s flashy Vegas musical is technically stunning, with impressive visual effects for its time, great performances from its ensemble, a familiar but earnest screenplay, and a beautiful score from Waits.
10/10 - DirectorAdam McKayStarsChristian BaleAmy AdamsSteve CarellThe story of Dick Cheney, an unassuming bureaucratic Washington insider, who quietly wielded immense power as Vice President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that are still felt today.January 2: Vice (2018)
While the acting is often terrific, such as the sniveling Carell and the captivating Adams in her best role yet, McKay’s direction and arrogance, the obnoxious editing, the disjointed story, and stale pretentiousness make for a boring spectacle. Lit.
5/10 - DirectorOliver StoneStarsJosh BrolinElizabeth BanksIoan GruffuddA chronicle of the life and Presidency of George W. Bush.January 3: W. (2008)
While some parts are hokey and the third act can drag, this sharp biopic is off-beat and engaging, with Stone’s poignant direction, a powerful performance from Brolin, great support from Dreyfuss, Banks and Wright, and an excellent script from Weiser.
9/10 - DirectorRoger VadimStarsJane FondaJohn Phillip LawAnita PallenbergIn the 41st century, astronaut Barbarella partakes in sexy misadventures while seeking to stop an evil scientist named The Great Tyrant and her Concierge, who are threatening to bring evil back into the galaxy.January 6: Barbarella (1968)
With Magen’s wonderful score, the impeccable art direction, the charming visual effects, and a funny, clever script, Vadim’s sci-fi sex comedy is a blast from beginning to end. Only complaint is that Barbarella surrenders too easily.
9/10 - DirectorPaul SchraderStarsEthan HawkeAmanda SeyfriedCedric The EntertainerA minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns and a tormented past.January 7: First Reformed (2017)
A suspenseful, terrifying meditation on faith, purpose and morality that will have you curled up in a ball by the end, helped by inspired cinematography, great performances from Hawke and Ettinger, and a marvelous script from Schrader.
10/10 - 20141h 37mNot Rated7.5 (4.4K)DirectorDavid GregoryStarsRichard StanleyKier-La JanisseMichael GingoldA behind the scenes chronicle of how clash of vision, bad creative decisions, lack of interest and really bad weather plagued the disastrous production of the infamous The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996).January 9: Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau (2014)
While the editing is amateurish, this film documentary is fascinating, insightful and oftentimes hilarious, especially once John Frankenheimer steps in.
9/10 - DirectorJohn FrankenheimerRichard StanleyStarsDavid ThewlisMarlon BrandoVal KilmerAfter being rescued and brought to an island, a man discovers that its inhabitants are experimental animals being turned into strange-looking humans, all of it the work of a visionary doctor.January 10: The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)
While the makeup effects are inspired and impressive (the CGI’s a different story), this messy piece of shit is filled with terrible writing, boring story execution, and truly awful performances (though Brando is hilarious).
4/10 - DirectorJay LeveyStars'Weird Al' YankovicVictoria JacksonKevin McCarthyAn unemployed visionary becomes the manager of a local television station. The station becomes a success, with all sorts of hilarious sight gags and wacky humor.January 14: UHF (1989)
The tone can be all over the place, and some storylines and segments fall flat, but the absurdity and tons of other jokes that work make this a fun cult parody. Highlights include McCarthy’s hilarious evil boss and Spatula City, the best thing ever.
8/10 - DirectorWes CravenStarsMeryl StreepCloris LeachmanHenry DinhoferAfter Roberta Guaspari separates from her husband, she receives encouragement from her mother to take up a job of a music teacher at the Central Park East School in East Harlem.January 15: Music of the Heart (1999)
The epitome of mediocre. Not even Streep and her marital problems can save this “white lady saves inner city kids” film from its painful tropes and familiar plot points, as well as its weak writing and characters. Fuckin’ Weinsteins.
5/10 - DirectorSam RaimiStarsTobey MaguireKirsten DunstWillem DafoeAfter being bitten by a genetically-modified spider, a shy teenager gains spider-like abilities that he uses to fight injustice as a masked superhero and face a vengeful enemy.January 16: Spider-Man (2002)
Often the visual effects are dated, and the writing is hokey at times, but through a great ensemble, Raimi’s superb vision and compelling action sequences, the first attempt at bringing Spider-Man to the big screen still holds up.
8/10 - DirectorSam RaimiStarsTobey MaguireKirsten DunstAlfred MolinaPeter Parker is beset with troubles in his failing personal life as he battles a former brilliant scientist named Otto Octavius.January 18: Spider-Man 2 (2004)
A terrific and moving sequel that greatly improves on its predecessor, with better writing and characterization, amazing visual effects and action sequences, a great ensemble, and insightful meditations on heroism and responsibility.
9/10 - DirectorChris SmithStarsBilly McFarlandJason BellGabrielle BluestoneAn exclusive behind the scenes look at the infamous unraveling of the Fyre music festival.January 19: Fyre (2019)
It’s a bit too polished with its format and editing (much like the original promo for the titular festival), and not enough time is given to what happened during the festival, but overall it’s an engaging, funny and insightful take on the disaster.
8/10 - DirectorSimon WestStarsNicolas CageJohn CusackJohn MalkovichNewly-paroled ex-con and former U.S. Ranger Cameron Poe finds himself trapped in a prisoner-transport plane when the passengers seize control.January 21: Con Air (1997)
A fun, suspenseful slice of 90’s action cheese that’s more enthralling and genuinely great than it has any right to be, with memorable performances from Cage, Cusack, Malkovich and Buscemi, glorious action, and funny and quotable dialogue.
10/10 - DirectorSam RaimiStarsTobey MaguireKirsten DunstTopher GraceA strange black entity from another world bonds with Peter Parker and causes inner turmoil as he contends with new villains, temptations, and revenge.January 23: Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Much better than anticipated. Outside of some plot holes and that awful jazz club scene, this installment is full of memorable characters and performances, solid writing, gorgeous and poetic visuals, and thrilling, fluid action sequences.
9/10 - DirectorPeyton ReedStarsKirsten DunstEliza DushkuJesse BradfordA champion high school cheerleading squad discovers its previous captain stole all their best routines from an inner-city school and must scramble to compete at this year's championships.January 26: Bring It On (2000)
An unabashedly campy, feel-good, hilarious teen comedy that’s realistically written (dialogue-wise) by Bendinger. Other highlights are the infectious early 2000’s soundtrack and lovely performances from Dunst, Bradford and Union.
10/10 - DirectorRobert GreenwaldStarsOlivia Newton-JohnGene KellyMichael BeckA struggling artist living in Los Angeles meets a girl who may hold the key to his happiness.January 28: Xanadu (1980)
An absolute delight from beginning to end, with a wonderful soundtrack, gorgeous visuals, terrific performances from Newton-John and Kelly, clever writing, as well as, and this is the best part, not one hint of cynicism.
10/10 - DirectorRichard BenjaminStarsLisa KudrowDamon WayansRichard BenjaminA Jewish-American Princess is forced to take control of a hard-core hip-hop record label and tries to rein the one of the label's most controversial rappers.January 30: Marci X (2003)
I’d call this the fourth worst movie I’ve ever seen, but calling it a movie is very fucking generous. This rough draft of a sketch film has abysmal timing, cringeworthy racial humor, a dreadfully unfunny Wayans and only one genuinely funny line.
2/10 - DirectorBryan ForbesStarsKatharine RossPaula PrentissPeter MastersonJoanna Eberhart has come to the quaint little town of Stepford, Connecticut with her family, but soon discovers there lies a sinister truth in the all too perfect behavior of the female residents.February 1: The Stepford Wives (1975)
Some parts can be oddly written or even drag on a bit, but this satire of chauvinism and sexism is humorous, captivating, and downright unsettling. Helped by great performances from Ross, Prentiss and Louise.
9/10 - DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsMichael StuhlbargRichard KindSari LennickLarry Gopnik, a Midwestern physics teacher, watches his life unravel over multiple sudden incidents. Though seeking meaning and answers amidst his turmoils, he seems to keep sinking.February 3: A Serious Man (2009)
The Coen Brothers have crafted a truly surreal and hilarious dark existential comedy, with perceptive (if somewhat bloated) writing, engrossing and offbeat cinematography, and a compelling performance from Stuhlbarg.
9/10 - DirectorJoe CornishStarsLouis Ashbourne SerkisDenise GoughDean ChaumooAlex, a 12-year-old boy, and his friends fight an evil sorceress with the help of Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur, in a bid to save the world from her atrocities.February 3 (bonus): The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)
Despite its fatal flaw being the weak, trope-heavy and formulaic screenplay, Cornish’s latest is admittedly still fun, helped by creative visuals, Imrie’s lovably over-the-top Merlin, and Ferguson’s memorable villain.
7/10 - DirectorAndrew NiccolStarsEthan HawkeUma ThurmanJude LawA genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.February 4: Gattaca (1997)
Despite Nyman’s elegant score, the gorgeous production design and a creative concept, this dystopian film is weighed down by (possibly intentionally) wooden acting from everyone but Law, a simplistic script and a cookie-cutter love story.
7/10 - DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsJulianne MooreClive OwenChiwetel EjioforIn 2027, in a chaotic world in which women have somehow become infertile, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea.February 5: Children of Men (2006)
Despite some plot holes, this offbeat, bleak dystopian film tackles heavy social issues very effectively. It’s also a modern classic thanks to Cuaron’s direction, great performances from Owen, Caine and Ashitey, and haunting long takes.
10/10 - DirectorPeter YatesStarsAlbert FinneyTom CourtenayEdward FoxPersonal assistant Norman struggles to get deteriorating veteran actor Sir through a difficult performance of King Lear.February 8: The Dresser (1983)
An engrossing, funny, and ultimately heartbreaking reflection on purpose and age, with a superb screenplay from Harwood and terrific performances from Finney, Atkins and Harrison, though the ferocious Courtenay steals the show.
9/10 - DirectorFrank PowellStarsTheda BaraEdward JoséMabel FrenyearA married diplomat falls hopelessly under the spell of a predatory woman.February 9: A Fool There Was (1915)
The film suffers from the usual limitations found in silent films, but it makes up for it with a story that’s interesting, a tone as dark as the print I saw, and some solid acting/miming, even from the kid actor.
8/10 - DirectorDavid CronenbergStarsJude LawJennifer Jason LeighIan HolmA game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.February 12: eXistenZ (1999)
It has interesting ideas and themes, as well as decent makeup work and genuinely funny moments, but the acting is atrocious, the script feels directionless and cold, and there doesn’t seem to be a third act. It’s creative, but it sucks.
5/10