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Pinned reviews

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  It's a Wonderful Life 1946

  Rewatched by Derek Steffen 16 Dec 2020

  People need people.

  This movie is the closest I’ve ever come to religion. Mercy is a beautiful thing.

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  Lady Bird 2017

  Added by Derek Steffen

  You know what the most Sacramento thing about Lady Bird is? The thrift store, Thrift Town, where they shop for a prom dress—well, two of the chain’s three locations closed less than two years after the movie was released.

  
  UPDATE 06/20: All Sacramento Thrift Towns are now closed.

  
  
  

  
  UPDATE 4/22: It’s back. Sacramento is back, baby.

Recent reviews

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  Emergency 2022

  Watched by Derek Steffen 25 Jun 2022 1

  Once the plot kicks in, the movie has terrific momentum. Smart wrinkles are sprinkled in throughout and a fully-developed performance from RJ Cyler lies at its center.

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  Little Girl 2020

  Watched by Derek Steffen 24 Jun 2022

  Such a tender, observant film brimming with empathy. It’s also a masterclass in editing, as it patiently captures all the tiny moments that make stories like Sasha’s so indelible.

  “There is a point [in fighting].”

Popular reviews

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  Norm Macdonald: Me Doing Standup 2011

  Watched by Derek Steffen 14 Sep 2021 5

  “I come from a long line of death.”

  When Norm talks about his dad passing or his uncle’s cancer, you can see him momentarily drift elsewhere. There’s a little bit less of the stand-up facade in those moments and more of just a guy grappling with his own emotions.

  RIP to a uniquely funny man, a legend.

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  Doppelganger 1993

  Watched by Derek Steffen 22 Jun 2022

  A Hallmark movie for dudes that collect VHS tapes. Not great, not even particularly good, but it’s got some elements that are at least interesting-adjacent. Namely, there’s a central Lynchian vibe and a committed Drew Barrymore performance.

  I’ve been in a bit of a movie rut recently, so something this unsubtle and provocative was just what was needed.