“Elemental” was supposed to be that film. The gay love affair that develops under the nose of his cancer-stricken wife seems like the kind of thing that would derail a marriage, but the clever film defies expectations to tell a rich story about the beauty that can be found in making sacrifices to share your life with someone.Īfter years of highly publicized bombs (see: “Lightyear”) and critically acclaimed films dropping unceremoniously on Disney+ (see: “Turning Red”), Pixar needed a massive event film to remind the world of the cultural real estate it once occupied. To make ends meet, he takes on a handsome young apprentice who has his eyes on much more than just learning how to sew. Saleh Bakri stars as a closeted Moroccan dressmaker whose commitment to old world craftsmanship threatens to strip his business of its commercial viability. One of the most criminally under-seen films of 2022, Maryam Touzani’s “The Blue Caftan” turns what could be a yawn-inducing arthouse premise into a fascinating exploration of the ugly nuances of unconditional love. Even if you already know every quote by heart, a rewatch is never a bad idea. And it’s still the best cinematic depiction of bowling that will ever exist. Jeff Bridges’ career-defining performance as an enlightened slacker meandering through a rapidly collapsing American social fabric is still wildly entertaining, and the film succeeds as both a ‘90s time capsule and a predictor of the insanity that would follow. Joel and Ethan Coen, 1998)ĭespite its myriad references to the first Bush administration and the fucking Eagles, the Coen brothers’ landmark comedy doesn’t feel any less fresh over a quarter century after hitting theaters. – “The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford” No Hitchcock film was ever more colorful or romantic, proving that there was plenty of room for Old Hollywood glamour within the parameters of his suspenseful brand of filmmaking. When he becomes a suspect, he’s forced to re-enter the world of crime to find the perpetrator and prove his innocence. The film tells the story of a retired burglar who sees his reformed reputation threatened when a new thief starts terrorizing his wealthy Mediterranean neighbors. With “To Catch a Thief,” Alfred Hitchcock took his talents to the French Riviera to make what might be the most easy-on-the-eyes film of his storied career - and that’s not just because it features Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. The blood-soaked prom remains one of the most iconic scenes in horror history, and the film helped establish both King and De Palma as cultural figures to watch over the next half-century. Brian De Palma’s “Carrie” sees the future “Blow-Out” director offering a chilling take on King’s tale about a teenage girl with telekinetic powers who is forced to navigate an unrelenting stream of religious angst and high school bullies. The works of Stephen King have inspired hundreds of movies and TV shows of varying quality, but few can match the raw energy of the first adaptation of his first novel. “The Banshees of Inisherin” offers McDonagh plenty of opportunities to flex the dark sense of humor that made him an indie household name, but it becomes something truly special due to its reflections on our mortality and our futile attempts to balance ambition with personal relationships during our brief moments on this Earth. The rift between the two friends quickly becomes a hot piece of gossip on the small isle where there’s little to do besides drink, and the dispute soon threatens to tear the community apart. After years of consistently meeting for a pint in the same pub at the same time every day, Gleeson’s artistically minded Colm Doherty realizes that he can no longer stand the company of his longtime drinking buddy Padraic Suilleabhain. Martin McDonagh’s Oscar-nominated black comedy reunites his “In Bruges” stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson for a characteristically bleak portrait of a friendship that’s seen better days. The film eschews the typical “alien invasion” cliches at every turn, instead telling a poignant story about the value of analog language in a rapidly evolving world that even manages to pull off a time-based twist that doesn’t make you cringe. Christopher Nolan took an ambitious swing at the concept with “Interstellar,” but nobody in recent memory has come closer to actually achieving the goal than Denis Villeneuve did with “Arrival.” His portrait of a linguist (Amy Adams) who attempts to document the nonlinear communication method of a new alien species that makes contact with earth. Image Credit: Courtesy Everett CollectionĪt some point, every cerebral blockbuster filmmaker expresses their desire to make a movie that demonstrates how human connection is the one force powerful enough ultimately triumph over the cold, uncaring logic of science and numbers.
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