While a pretty by the numbers biopic as far as plot is concerned, the immense scale and utter gusto in which it's crafted gives this such distinct identity that puts it well above many other films in this genre.
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The Vampires or, The Arch Criminals of Paris 1915
An intricately crafted and artistically daring work of cinema and one of the most remarkable achievements of the silent era.
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Top Gun: Maverick 2022
While no less generic than the original film, this has beats it out mainly due to how much more invigorating I found the action sequences, and honestly, that's all I really need out of a movie like this.
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Dead Ringers 1988
There's no love like brotherly love.
This might actually be my favorite Cronenberg film. On top of the grisly body horror we've come to expect from Cronenberg and Jeremy Iron's tremendous performance(s), the film is both psychologically fascinating and to my surprise, quite emotional, especially its closing moments.
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The Honeymoon Killers 1970
I've seen a lot of comparisons between this and early John Waters, but I feel like he would've done a lot more interesting stuff with this material. Outside of some nice cinematography and some decent performances from the two leads, I didn't get a lot out of this.
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They Drive by Night 1940
Bizarrely structured, with the first half rolling by with almost no direction, and the second half feeling like a different movie entirely. However, it is in this second half, when it becomes a gripping noir that verges on the psychological, that the film really hits its stride. I makes me wonder why the entire film wasn't comprised of this.
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Ticket of No Return 1979
A ravishing and whimsical rendering of the city of Berlin, inhabited by a slew of fun and memorable characters who drink their way into various hijinks. Probably one of the best examples of a "no plot, just vibes" movie I've seen.
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Madame X: An Absolute Ruler 1977
Very enjoyable, if a bit not overlong, and I appreciate the boldness and willingness to forgo conventions, making for a truly unique work of cinema.