Watched in 2022
My fifth year in a row challenging myself to watch at least one film a day. Next year, I think I’ll drop the gimmick and just make these Twitter threads like a diary.
From my Twitter thread here:
https://twitter.com/seanmcgann98/status/1477771932938518539?s=46&t=at93XiznncvWvmgPKTKwHQ
From my Twitter thread here:
https://twitter.com/seanmcgann98/status/1477771932938518539?s=46&t=at93XiznncvWvmgPKTKwHQ
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- DirectorAlbert MagnoliStarsPrinceApollonia KoteroMorris DayA young musician, tormented by an abusive situation at home, must contend with a rival singer, a burgeoning romance, and his own dissatisfied band, as his star begins to rise.January 1: Purple Rain (1984)
Besides its legendary and infectious soundtrack, Prince’s first movie foray is also a surprisingly dark, gritty and unforgiving portrait of egotism and abuse, strengthened by its stunning cinematography and editing and complex characters.
10/10 - DirectorDenis CôtéStarsPierrette RobitailleRomane BohringerMarc-André GrondinTwo lesbian ex-cons, Victoria and Florence, are trying to make a new life in the backwoods of Quebec. Seeking peace and quiet, the couple slowly begin to feel under siege as Vic's probation office keeps unexpectedly popping up and a strange woman in the neighborhood soon turns out to be an increasingly menacing shadow from Flo's past.January 2: Vic + Flo Saw a Bear (2013)
Côté creates a bitter, dry dramedy that ensnares you with its still cinematography and on-point ensemble, but would never work without its great writing, even if the ending is as infuriating as it is heartbreaking.
10/10 - DirectorPrinceMichael BallhausStarsPrinceJerome BentonKristin Scott ThomasTwo con artist brothers attempt to swindle a soon-to-be wealthy heiress, but things get complicated when one falls in love with her.January 3: Under the Cherry Moon (1986)
Prince and Thomas are quite endearing, the cinematography is gorgeous and the music is naturally fantastic, but none of this can distract from the utter dullness of its story, inadequate direction and anti-climactic ending.
5/10 - DirectorMichael ShowalterStarsJessica ChastainAndrew GarfieldCherry JonesAn intimate look at the extraordinary rise, fall and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker.January 4: The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
While a bit too condensed and by-the-numbers in its storytelling, the infectiousness of Chastain and Garfield’s Bakkers, along with Showalter’s interesting (if at times apathetic) direction, make you want to truly believe in it.
8/10 - DirectorBenjamin PutnamStarsBenjamin PutnamJinkx MonsoonJordan Iosua TaylorThis high-camp, side-splitting-romp is sure to become an instant holiday classic.January 5: The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special (2020)
Jinkx and DeLa are electrifying in this inventive, earnest and hilarious satire, where even the cringier moments are impossible not to smile through, and the music is bound to be stuck in your head for days.
9/10 - DirectorJoseph L. MankiewiczStarsRichard WidmarkLinda DarnellStephen McNallyTwo hoodlum brothers are brought into a hospital for gunshot wounds, and when one of them dies the other accuses their black doctor of murder.January 9: No Way Out (1950)
Mankiewicz is cut-throat with this compelling drama about racism, supported by a genius ensemble and poignant writing. While its white liberal politics can be corny, the fact that its message is relevant seventy years later is quite depressing.
9/10 - DirectorNeil JordanStarsBob HoskinsCathy TysonMichael CaineA man recently released from prison manages to get a job driving a call girl from customer to customer.January 11: Mona Lisa (1986)
Hoskins and Tyson are a ruthless, chaotic pairing in this gritty crime drama, filled with roughness, camp and political incorrectness, but mixed with a warmth and humor that is pulled off surprisingly well.
9/10 - DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsNicolas CageHope DavisNicholas HoultA Chicago weather man, separated from his wife and children, debates whether professional and personal success are mutually exclusive.January 15: The Weather Man (2005)
Verbinski directs this incredibly droll, melancholic comedy that’s as unnerving as it is hilarious. Though offset by feelings of self-importance, it’s uplifted by its tone, Zimmer’s pulsating score and Cage and Caine’s great performances.
8/10 - DirectorMichael SarnoskiStarsNicolas CageAlex WolffAdam ArkinA truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregon wilderness must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped.January 16: Pig (2021)
Underwhelming but satisfactory; this slow-burn drama has moments of dullness and pretentiousness, but when you have two powerhouse performances from Cage and Wolff, poised monologues and a bizarre plot, it’s hard to not get sucked in.
8/10 - DirectorMatt Bettinelli-OlpinTyler GillettStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid Arquette25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past.January 17: Scream (2022)
Some of the fresh blood can act, and some of the writing lands, but it suffers from a number of issues with half-baked meta commentary, excessive fake kills, lame twists and just playing things way too straight for my liking.
6/10 - DirectorTodd GraffStarsAly MichalkaVanessa HudgensGaelan ConnellA new kid in town assembles a fledgling rock band -- together, they achieve their dreams and compete against the best in the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands.January 22: Bandslam (2009)
Some plot points are ridiculous and it can’t resist being full of itself, but that shouldn’t matter when the story’s this much fun. With great writing, acting and music, this kids’ film is mature enough to be a sincere love letter to indie rock.
8/10 - DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsAlana HaimCooper HoffmanSean PennThe story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.January 23: Licorice Pizza (2021)
PTA’s latest is a hysterical, marvelous look at naïvety, maturity and growing up, told with the help of beautiful cinematography, a groovy soundtrack and a stunning ensemble, with Haim, Hoffman, Cooper, Harris and Cross standing out.
10/10 - DirectorAmy HeckerlingStarsSean PennJennifer Jason LeighJudge ReinholdA group of Southern California high school students are enjoying their most important subjects: sex, drugs and rock n' roll.January 29: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Its storytelling feels disjointed at times, and the soundtrack has some misses, but its very witty writing and charming ensemble keep this from mediocrity, along with its unique understanding of teenage sexuality.
8/10 - DirectorChristopher CoppolaStarsMichael BiehnSarah TriggerNicolas CageWhen Joe loses his dad in a sting, he contacts his dad's twin, Lou, who has a major sting planned. Lou's helper feels threatened by Joe. Who's conning who?January 30: Deadfall (1993)
Its story becomes nearly indecipherable by being smothered in faux-cool neo-noir clichés, but it’s all done to distract from the laughably bad writing. Cage isn’t the only reason to laugh at this film; the whole movie’s hilariously pathetic.
4/10 - DirectorDouglas SirkStarsJane WymanRock HudsonAgnes MooreheadA rich playboy whose recklessness inadvertently causes the death of a prominent doctor tries to make amends to his widow, and falls for her in the process.February 6: Magnificent Obsession (1954)
While more subdued than the previous Sirk films I’ve watched, the promise of his later melodramas is all there and then some, with highlights being the fantastic lighting, great writing and Hudson and Wyman’s riveting performances.
9/10 - DirectorPrinceDavid HoganAlbert MagnoliStarsPrinceSheila E.Sheena EastonHighlights from Prince's 1987 European concert tour, including selections from the rock star's album of the same title.February 12: Sign ‘o’ the Times (1987)
One of Prince’s finest albums is brought splendidly to life, with him and his crew showing the Europeans what funk, sex and soul is all about; and the concert experience translating to film through spectacular editing.
9/10 - DirectorDouglas SirkStarsLana TurnerJohn GavinSandra DeeAn aspiring white actress takes in an African American widow whose mixed-race daughter is desperate to be seen as white.February 13: Imitation of Life (1959)
Sirk’s final film is flawed but fiery; some plot lines are much more interesting than others, with the second half being much stronger, but Sirk’s framing, colors and ensemble make this meaty family drama flow nicely.
9/10 - DirectorDominga SotomayorStarsDemian HernándezAntar MachadoMagdalena TótoroDuring the summer of 1990 in Chile, people begin to feel a growing sense of freedom and three teenagers face their first loves and fears.February 17: Too Late to Die Young (2018)
It’s a vibe, but I’m not sure it’s my vibe. While the way it captures its serene atmosphere is commendable, the sluggish pace and lack of emotional connection make it feel meaningless and dull.
6/10 - DirectorKaneto ShindôStarsNobuko OtowaJitsuko YoshimuraKei SatôTwo women kill samurai and sell their belongings for a living. While one of them is having an affair with their neighbor, the other woman meets a mysterious samurai wearing a bizarre mask.February 18: Onibaba (1964)
This is a slimy and grim thriller that is enthralling from beginning to end with a complete sense of unease. It’s in no small part due to its extraordinary editing, gorgeous cinematography, beautiful writing and three terrific performances.
10/10 - DirectorJosephine DeckerStarsSarah SmallIsolde Chae-LawrenceCharlie HewsonAt a Balkan folk song and dance camp in the woods of Mendocino, California, Sarah reunites with her old friend Isolde and with a song she learned years before about dragons who entwine themselves in women's hair and carry them off through the forest, burning it as they go. When Sarah pursues a romance with a new camper Steph, the nights of sensual secrets and singing with Isolde come to an abrupt end. Sarah and Steph explore a simple attraction, but in Sarah's dreams, women spin their wild hair and Isolde darkly approaches. When reality and fantasy collide, Sarah finds that the dragons she's visioning may be inside her.February 19: Butter on the Latch (2013)
The surrealist elements can feel cheap and derivative, though they’re sometimes effective. Decker’s mumblecore roots are where she truly shines, capturing compelling character dynamics and a fierce performance from Chae-Lawrence.
8/10 - DirectorKatt SheaStarsDrew BarrymoreSara GilbertTom SkerrittA seductive teen befriends an introverted high school student and schemes her way into the lives of her wealthy family.February 20: Poison Ivy (1992)
It’s all the campiness, intrigue and melodrama you could ask for in a 90’s erotic thriller, coupled with a devilish screenplay, tender direction and great performances from Barrymore, Gilbert and Ladd.
8/10 - DirectorCedric Nicolas-TroyanStarsMary Elizabeth WinsteadWoody HarrelsonMiku MartineauA jaded assassin assigned to target a yakuza clan has 24 hours to find out who poisoned her and get vengeance before she dies.February 24: Kate (2021)
Well, that killed two hours. Winstead is harrowing, the J-Pop soundtrack is refreshing and there’s fleeting moments of badassery, but the cool premise is mostly cover for the hollow writing, run-of-the-mill action, and a very predictable twist.
7/10 - DirectorKitao SakuraiStarsEric AndréMichaela ConlinLil Rel HoweryThis mix of a scripted buddy comedy road movie and a real hidden camera prank show follows the outrageous misadventures of two buds stuck in a rut who embark on a cross-country road trip to NYC. The storyline sets up shocking real pranks.February 25: Bad Trip (2021)
Truly fearless filmmaking. André and his crew take the ever-loving piss out of modern comedy films and place its tropes in a real-life environment; it’s a postmodernist triumph that will leave you howling with laughter every single minute.
10/10 - DirectorJan SpeckenbachStarsJohanna WokalekHans-Jochen WagnerMartin LeutgebA mother goes away, leaving her husband and their two children in limbo. She is driven by a force she cannot ignore: freedom.February 27: Freedom (2017)
Speckenbach lays the groundwork for what could be a compelling dissection of loss, but the subpar dialogue and stiff pacing sully its chances, with the somber tone and Wagner’s performance doing most of the heavy lifting.
7/10 - DirectorNora FingscheidtStarsHelena ZengelAlbrecht SchuchGabriela Maria Schmeide9-year-old Benni is a toss-up between institutions that cannot tackle her outbursts. She wants to move in with her mother, but she can not handle her wild daughter. After Micha is hired Benni slowly opens up and attaches herself to him.February 28: System Crasher (2019)
Its unrelenting, frantic energy is both a strength and a curse, as is the missing backstory, but this foster care drama is a meaningful, captivating, even horrifying picture through Fingscheidt’s sensitivity and Zengel’s ferocity.
8/10