Definitely better on rewatch. Christopher Doyle's cinematography is unbelievable and sense of montage is unhinged in a good way. That said that somewhat contributes my biggest issue being that the second story just doesn't quite do it for me. At least not consistently, there are great moments than California Dreamin needle drops, but its still much longer than the first and way less consistently engaging.
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The Tree of Life 2011
I haven't seen the criterion cut in a couple years but I remember it pretty well and while both cuts are brilliant, I think I prefer the theatrical cut. It feels a little bit brisker with the pace and that really helps bring out the ethereal qualities of the film focusing on existentialism and sprituality. Obviously, this is also in the criterion cut but that cut seems to bring out a way more grounded tone, excentuating the themes of the…
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La La Land 2016
Very torn because while I love the look, texture and flow of the film like I did when it came out, I find myself disconnected emotionally from the film. I feel like what I get out of the teasers is what I really want. The relationship aspect feels kinda bland and the theme of following your dreams feels overly simplified. I think the end does a great job at attempting to complicate this with the idea of one door opening…
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Mad God 2021
While I absolutely love the texture and mind-blowing detail in every shot of this film, I struggled to stay engaged narratively or really even emotionally. I love the music but I think it probably does a little too much dictation in terms of the emotion of a sequence. For me, the best sequences are the ones that use the sound design of the world. Regardless, this is unbelievably impressive, I just hope it connects more on a rewatch.
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High Life 2018
Definitely better than I remember from when it came out and definitely better than Stars at Noon. That said, this still feels very hollow once it becomes a kinky space criminal Denis film and not just A24 Solaris, which is probably the best part of the movie. I also really enjoy the third act when it returns more to that tone. They're way more lonely and quiet than meat of the movie and the use of flashback at the beginning…
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Dashcam 2022
Jesus fucking christ. Is this the final form of Judd Apatow's arc as a political filmmaker? I remember seeing Host and thinking it wasn't great just inoffensive, but little did I know this Rob Savage character was capable of creating something this fucking awful. Somewhere along the line someone had to have thought that Annie should maybe not be the way she is.
I have never said "shut the fuck up" this many times watching a movie because they normally…
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Crimes of the Future 2022
While I understand not loving the third act and where we're left at the end, if it kept going or the end was the midpoint the movie would be a lot more conventional; probably falling into being more of a political thriller than the unique story we got. Its a movie about the discovery of a truth rather than finding out about how the truth is being covered up and I think that makes the ending way more impactful.
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Men 2022
Really enjoyed the first half, really enjoyed the visuals, really enjoyed the performances, really don't know if it "works "thematically on more than one level. I understand the comparison to Mother! but I really can't understand this movie beyond its very obvious main theme and I don't understand the last thirty minutes at all. This is one of those rare movies where it could go up a bunch or down a bunch on rewatch.
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Naked Lunch 1991
My favorite Cronenberg by miles. I think it comes down to the story, how its told, and the way themes are conveyed that his other films don't do. I'm just on Cronenberg's wavelength here, from the incredible details like lips not matching to the obviously mind-blowing effects, every element just works so well together as a final product.
Its menacingly paranoid tone and stillness create this incredible sense of malaise that accentuates the mind state of our drugged out main…
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Time of the Wolf 2003
Much better than I remember from a first watch. The cinematography is so incredible, the way darkness actually looks dark is remarkable and greatly adds to the bleak atmosphere and tone.