Watched in 2023
Based on this Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/seanmcgann98/status/1609984056862597120?s=46&t=Jpq5d5SPj_2p630dQaLUlw
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- DirectorJennie LivingstonStarsBrooke XtravaganzaAndré ChristianDorian CoreyA chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality.January 1: Paris Is Burning (1990)
Phenomenal. Livingston captures an era and culture right before it’s absorbed by the mainstream it responded to, with large personalities and heartbreaking examinations of race and class pairing with ballroom’s elegance.
10/10 - DirectorBrillante MendozaStarsSid LuceroVince RillonAngeli KhangA photographer, tasked to take photos of a rare flower in the mountain, discovers women trapped in a hidden brothel for illegal loggers. Now, he must do everything to save them.January 4: Virgin Forest (2022)
A Vivamax production has no right to be this pretentious. Mendoza captures sex trafficking with an unsettling, effective eye, but other than that this hokey thriller is plagued by lazy writing, slow pacing and a lame “Mother Nature” twist.
5/10 - DirectorJoel LamanganStarsAngeli KhangJela CuencaJay ManaloA wife resorts to sexual explorations with her husband in order to save their marriage but when her plan backfires she devises an evil scheme.January 6: Girl Friday (2022)
An almost telenovela sensibility in the writing and direction allows Khang and Manalo to deliver campy, fun performances. That doesn’t distract from the awful, nonsensical writing or poor sound mixing, but at least you’re having fun!
5/10 - DirectorJames CameronStarsSam WorthingtonZoe SaldanaSigourney WeaverJake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na'vi race to protect their home.January 10: Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
I hate to say it, but I’m starting to give a shit about these PS4 tech demos. While still suffering from dull story conventions, this gorgeous and thrilling sequel improves on the first in terms of writing, characters and action.
8/10 - DirectorCorey YuenStarsMichelle YeohCynthia RothrockJohn ShamTwo unlucky thieves break into a just murdered man's hotel room and steal his passport with a hidden microfilm wanted by a triad boss. Two hard kicking women cops from HK and UK get the case.January 12: Yes, Madam! (1985)
Fast-paced, break-neck action that’ll have you hooting and hollering. While the dumb con artists could be unfunny and the ending was disappointing, Yuen pulls no punches in delivering an entertaining, fluid and funny action-comedy.
8/10 - DirectorMartika Ramirez EscobarStarsSheila FranciscoBong CabreraRocky SalumbidesFiction and reality blur when Leonor, a retired filmmaker, falls into a coma after a television lands on her head, compelling her to become the action hero of her unfinished screenplay.January 16: Leonor Will Never Die (2022)
A very surprising film where you’re never able to predict what happens next, and what does happen shocks you. Its dry humor can fall flat but its emotional storyline, zany situations and engaging ensemble soar.
8/10 - DirectorDemian LichtensteinStarsKurt RussellKevin CostnerCourteney CoxA gang of ex-cons rob a casino during Elvis convention week.January 19: 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
While I’m usually a sucker for dated early 2000s stylish popcorn flicks, this edgy action film doesn’t have enough charm or wit to be engaging or memorable, and could use a good trim. At least a hammy Costner is fun to watch.
5/10 - DirectorMira NairStarsDenzel WashingtonSarita ChoudhuryRoshan SethAn ethnic Indian family is expelled from Idi Amin's Uganda in 1972 and lives in Mississippi 17 years later. The dad sues Uganda to get his property back. The grown daughter falls in love with a Black man.February 7: Mississippi Masala (1991)
Through Nair’s tender direction and Taraporevala’a astute writing, along with an excellent cast including Washington and Choudhury, this intercultural love story is much more elevated; sweet, sexy and cathartic.
10/10 - DirectorKyle MarvinStarsLily TomlinJane FondaRita MorenoA group of friends made it their life-long mission to go to the Super Bowl and meet NFL superstar Tom Brady.February 12: 80 for Brady (2023)
This elderly comedy gets by on pure charm and zaniness, as it’s rather low on stakes (and plot) and has hokey sentimentality. It’s meant to be a fun, carefree movie and it succeeds, especially with great performances from Tomlin and Moreno.
7/10 - DirectorD.J. CarusoStarsAlex PettyferTimothy OlyphantDianna AgronAliens and their Guardians are hiding on Earth from intergalactic bounty hunters. They can only be killed in numerical order, and Number Four is next on the list. This is his story.February 12 (bonus): I Am Number Four (2011)
Caruso’s young adult sci-thriller is never fully able to distinguish itself from its contemporaries, making everything sorta wash over you. However, a punchy script, impressive action and visual effects make for a very fun time.
7/10 - DirectorJosh GordonWill SpeckStarsJavier BardemWinslow FegleyShawn MendesFeature film based on the children's book about a crocodile that lives in New York City.February 13: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)
Other than its original songs sounding like Macy’s Day Parade outtakes and the flat writing, this singing croc movie is inoffensive, wholesome and not as obnoxious as you’d think. I wish it was worse so it wouldn’t be as boring.
6/10 - DirectorRon SheltonStarsPaul NewmanLolita DavidovichJerry HardinA middle-aged Louisiana governor falls in love with a young stripper, which jeopardizes his political career and the radical policies which have made him a controversial figure.February 14: Blaze (1989)
Oddball but overall very campy and fun. Shelton’s clever direction and writing mixes eccentric whimsy with enough emotion and heart to make its running time worth it, helped by Newman and Davidovich’s great performances.
8/10 - DirectorDenis SandersStarsElvis PresleyJames BurtonGlen D. HardinAfter years of making movies, the King made a triumphant return to the stage in 1970. Now, see the backstage footage from rehearsals to relaxing at the hotel and the performances in one of the most intimate looks at Elvis captured on film.February 23: Elvis: That’s the Way It Is (1970)
Above all else, Elvis was an entertainer. Sanders’ concert doc truly captures the tenacity, sexuality and star quality that has made this icon endure, through perfect editing, vibrant direction and gorgeous cinematography.
10/10 - DirectorFelix BinderStarsCornelia GröschelTim Oliver SchultzWotan Wilke MöhringTipped by a mysterious tramp, a meek fry cook discovers she has superpowers -- and uncovers an unsavory, vast conspiracy.February 26: Freaks: You’re One of Us (2020)
This German take on the X-Men story wastes the potential of its unique working-class backdrop with flat direction, dreary cinematography and hit-or-miss writing that especially flounders in the third act.
5/10 - DirectorMaxim FordStarsTaylor SandsDanielle RosePawel HajnosIn an early 20th century village, a painter with an unusual commission finds two pretty girls to model for him. The girls slowly come of age while exploring their sexuality and finding liberation in a repressed society.February 26 (bonus): Picture of Beauty (2017)
It’s closer to porn than an actual movie, but it’s not even good at that! With horrendous lighting, drawn-out and tedious scenes, an incoherent screenplay and awful editing, this arthouse porn is abhorrently cheap and pathetic.
2/10 - DirectorPhillip NoyceStarsSharon StoneWilliam BaldwinTom BerengerA woman moves into an exclusive New York City apartment building that she soon discovers houses tenants with all manner of shocking secrets.February 28: Sliver (1993)
It doesn’t square up to other 90’s erotic thrillers with its familiar themes and being somewhat restrained, but it’s still sexy, gripping fun if you let it be, especially with campy writing, crisp cinematography and Stone’s great performance.
7/10 - DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsElizabeth BerkleyKyle MacLachlanGina GershonA mysterious young drifter who calls herself Nomi Malone hitches a ride to Las Vegas, Nevada, and begins working as a strip club dancer, and sets about clawing her way to the top of the Vegas showgirls.March 2: Showgirls (1995)
Batshit, maximalist, outrageous, tasteless; I loved every second of it. Verhoeven’s campy satire constantly astounds by throwing subtlety completely out the window in the name of destroying the patriarchy and its exploitation. Gershon’s also hot.
10/10 - DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsRobert De NiroPhilip Seymour HoffmanBarry MillerAn ultraconservative security guard suffers a debilitating stroke and is assigned to a rehabilitative program that includes singing lessons with the drag queen next door.March 9: Flawless (1999)
Hoffman and De Niro compliment each other’s perfect performances in this uproarious, excellent drag comedy. Schumacher’s screenplay can be unrealistic at times but his gritty, understated direction mixes well with the screenplay’s many strengths.
10/10 - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsMichelle WilliamsGabriel LaBellePaul DanoGrowing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.March 10: The Fabelmans (2022)
Spielberg pours his heart into this subdued, funny and touching semi-memoir, with a unique, self-aware and reflexive attitude towards film, beautiful writing and great performances from Williams, LaBelle, Dano, Hirsch, Rogen and East.
10/10 - DirectorDavid ChungStarsMichelle YeohRichard NgTung-Shing YeeAction film about Chinese resistance after Japanese invasion in 1930's.March 13: Magnificent Warriors (1987)
This WWII-era action comedy is breathtaking with its action and hysterical with its comedy, supported by Chung’s fun direction, the charismatic Yeoh and Ng, great set design and an energetic score.
9/10 - DirectorHenrique Cirne-LimaJosue PellotStarsGinger ValdezJulissa Ortiz-RosadoJolizza ColonA documentary film focusing on a trans gender, youth beauty pageant, taking place in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. Characters offer a glimpse of their lifestyle as they prepare to compete against each other.March 15: I Am the Queen (2011)
The low budget and camera quality do nothing to deter from the gripping experience of this trans pageant doc, mixing its human vulnerability with eccentric yet relatable personalities that deliver reality TV-level drama.
9/10 - DirectorCurtis HansonStarsSteve GuttenbergElizabeth McGovernIsabelle HuppertA young executive starts an affair with his boss's wife which then escalates into a nightmare after he lies to the police in order to protect her.March 20: The Bedroom Window (1987)
This psychological thriller is fun and goofy while also allowing for well-executed tension and suspense thanks to Hanson’s direction and writing, Gleeson and Shrieve’s memorable score and great performances from Guttenberg and McGovern.
8/10 - DirectorBrillante MendozaStarsCara GonzalesJela CuencaLuis HontiverosWhen a dare pushes two couples into an orgy, suppressed feelings rekindle between the two ladies, who were once bestfriends and lovers.March 21: Palitan (2021)
Vivamax’s classiest outing yet (until it wasn’t). Mendoza uses interesting methods to portray the banality of heteronormativity, but the execution isn’t there and the capable actors aren’t enough to save this sapphic drama from actual dullness.
6/10 - DirectorDennis MarasiganStarsCloe BarretoMarco GomezChloe JennaCharlize supports her studies by creating sexy content. She learns that her top subscriber, Trystan, is her professor. As he takes advantage of her to pass the subject, she plans a painful revenge to get even with him.March 21 (bonus): #DoYouThinkIAmSexy? (2022)
It’s so, so close to being interesting, but it’s stuck in the Vivamax sleaze formula. Its intriguing, tense plot is bogged down by unresolved filler, exploitation and obnoxious editing.
5/10 - DirectorRobert AbelPierre AdidgeStarsElvis PresleyBill BaizeEstell BrownConcert footage and offstage documentary of singer Elvis Presley.March 23: Elvis on Tour (1972)
It’s not as engaging or triumphant as That’s the Way It Is, and there’s a sorrowful aura at times, but the hyper, multi-cam editing style mixed with Elvis still giving his all into his performances greatly makes up for a middling personality.
8/10