Looking for some inspiration
I loved Arrival picked it at random one day. Blew my mind really unique film, incredible
Same! Just watched it maybe 4 weeks back and then Project Hail Mary. Great movies in their own way.
I loved how phm in some ways referenced the linguistics themes arrival had, but kept it brief to not to be a direct rip off.
Not to be confused with The Arrival (1996), which is a blast of an enjoyable movie, though it’s not on the same level as Arrival. The effects don’t hold up well, sadly, but I love it all the same.
The short story is heartbreaking, Ted Chiang
Everything Everywhere All at Once - it’s hard to describe without spoilers, so if you haven’t seen just go watch it
Rewatched it recently & cried through the entire last third. So good
Came to say the same thing, it’s probably one of the best movies from recent times. Great writing, original story, great acting, comedy, Kung Fu, sci-fi, it’s got it all.
And incredible direction. It’s the first time in decades, since perhaps The Matrix, that I saw this many new direction ideas in a single flick.
Might give it another go, but the first 30 minutes or so did not interest me at all tbh. Like I get what it is parodying, and I appreciate it in a creative sense, but it’s just a bit much for my taste.
I’m going to be the lesser cinema snob here, but Hot Fuzz lives rent free in my mind.
Definitely the highlight of the corneto trilogy, and a great time. There’s no single minute without a good joke.
I didn’t love it the first time I saw it. And now it’s in my top 3 movies of all time. Every time I watch it, I like it more.
Sinners, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and Lord of the Rings trilogy (saw it in theaters last year, it counts). I also really enjoyed Megalopolis but understand it’s not a perfect film, kinda gonzo.
If you like Cthulhu type stuff then Nic Cage starred in an adaptation of Lovecraft’s “Colors out of space” that my wife and I both really enjoyed.
A lot of people missed the 2008 adaptation of Speedracer done by the Wachowski sisters (same people who did the Matrix) which is a real shame because it’s one of the all time best movies in existence so obviously recommend that.
If you’ve never seen Iron Sky it’s a fun smaller budget film. Velocipastor is too (really recommend this one drunk with friends though). Oh, and Yoga Hosers too. Those three are so dumb but fun.
And finally, a few movies I’ve not seen yet but everyone I trust with film opinions have raved about: Hundreds of Beavers, Asteroid City, The Shadow Strays
Iron Sky is way, way better than you’d think.
As some who grew up watching the original Speed Racer, I fully expected the movie to be awful. Despite all the cheesy graphics it actually works! It was a decent homage to it’s origin.
If you like Cthulhu type stuff then Nic Cage starred in an adaptation of Lovecraft’s “Colors out of space” that my wife and I both really enjoyed.
If you are into classic Nic Cage “overacting”, then this film is also very enjoyable. So many hilarious moments.
Everything everywhere all at once
I remain baffled that someone read the script and apparently said, a kung fu comedy sci fi thriller family drama with infinite timelines and jump cuts across dimensions occurring up to multiple times per second? Yeah, sounds good, this will definitely work, let’s fund this.
I don’t know how the Daniels did it, but whew, I’m glad they did.
Heat (1995)
It was just one of those movies that for some reason I’d never watched until about 6 months ago. I heard it was great and ,as it turns out, it certainly is.
Heat always reminds me of Ronin (1999), a worthwhile watch if you liked Heat.
Probably still the best gunfight ever put on film.
Crime 101 is a pale imitation but still OK.
Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Film from the 50s just hits different some times. I think this movie is especially poignant given the ramping up of military action globally.
Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence.
Now the whistle is in my head! Auugghhh
I don’t think I saw anyone mention it: Sorry to Bother You. Great movie about class struggle and fighting the corpo bullshit.
Great movie. Went in blind and enjoyed it.
Another good movie kinda like Sorry to Bother You was The American Society of Magical Negroes. It’s a comedy about the title troupe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Society_of_Magical_Negroes
Bonkers movie I love it.
STALKER 1979 based on the sifi novel Roadside Picnic, and was the inspiration for the video game series of the same name. It reminded me of Annihiliation 2018 but less horror/action, and more lamentations on humanity.
To be honest anything by Tarkovsky is a must-watch.
This movie was crazy slow but worked surprisingly well. Especially compared with the book. The book was great but the movie manged to take it all to another level.
I watched Andrei Rublev recently (also Tarkovsky), it was pretty good. Visually stunning of course.
If I start movies like this past like 4pm, I’m going to fall asleep 100%>
Bugonia - a dark comedy about a CEO who is kidnapped by conspiracy theorists who think she’s an alien. I was iffy on it for the first half, but the latter half really paid off.
Sinners - such great music, and some great themes. Also kind of a dark comedy/horror. I found part of the ending so cathartic.
I Want You Back - maybe my favorite romcom
Ready or Not - another dark comedy/horror, a newly wed unwittingly plays a deadly game with her new in-laws.
8-bit Christmas - as you might imagine, this one is a Christmas movie
Inglourious Basterds - I rewatched this one recently, it’s maybe my favorite Tarantino flick
Bugonia. Skip trailers and go into it knowing nothing but the basic plot. It’s a wild ride.
I added it to the list thanks
No problem! It’s a bit violent and has some gore. Just a friendly heads up. Jesse Plemons is amazing.
I really enjoyed The Father, though it was extremely sad.
The Act of Killing. Mind. Blown.
The Act of Killing
That was one of the toughest movies to watch. It’s been more than a decade, and I still can’t bring myself to watch the follow-up.
Oh, i did not know he had create another one about the genocide. I don’t how I feel about that, haha. I need to be in a really good place mentally before I can watch it.
The documentary might be even more relevant than it has been for a long time, as we are seeing history repeat itself currently.
Godzilla Minus One
Damn, that was my answer too.
Jojo Rabbit.
- The Running Man. It didn’t make a lot of buzz, but it’s a fairly faithful adaptation of one of my favorite Bachman books from one of my favorite directors: Edgar Wright (The Cornetto Trilogy).
I enjoyed The Long Walk for the same reason. Very faithful adaptation of my favourite Bachman book, although I am hoping for a director’s cut. I didn’t see any trailers before watching so I was very surprised and pleased to see who the actor for The Major was. The interactions between all the kids is just great.
So you enjoyed the remake of The Running Man over the Schwarzenegger version? Or was it just a different beast?
I thought the long walk was excellent but it’s so sad I can never watch it again
Not op but different beast. The new one has plenty of action but much better crafted than Arnie. Love me some over the top action but the new one is much more grounded, not as dark as the book, a really good balance and I liked it a lot.
I love the concept of a character too pissed off to die. Reminds me of DOOM.
I think there are some connections between the protagonist of The Running Man and Doomguy (Flynn Taggart, in the novels). The reason he’s thrown into the games is the same reason Doomguy is sent to Mars in the games.
How bleak is it? King is often bleak AF
I wouldn’t go so far as to call it bleak. (Threads is bleak.) It’s intense; had to pause it a few times while watching it, but it isn’t without encouragement or hope. Just…very much so a movie released in 2025.
Great thanks I might give it a whirl
There aren’t a lot of movies that make me want to stand up in the theater and shout “Hell yeah”, but this was one of them.
It was a great adaptation and evoked visceral reactions from me at times.
