Some notable first-time watches from last year, in no particular order.
1)
Going In (2023, Evan Rissi) This was cool, the year is 1989, two old buddies'/rivals' team up to stop a drug epidemic. All aqua and neon, the video arcade sheen is like New Wave cinema meets mid-80s Atari.
Going In totally feels like a movie from 1989 reimagined from the 2020s.
2) Dead Calm (1989, Phillip Noyce) A solid psychological thriller on a boat with Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane. Orson Welles attempted to film the story in the late 60s, but it was never finished.
3) Knox Goes Away (2023, Michael Keaton) Reminded me of a film Clint Eastwood would've made 10-15 years ago, a contract killer is dealing with rapid onset dementia as he tries to tie up loose ends. Keaton achieves both menace and a shred of sympathy, well-constructed and clever. Also, many films are starting to depict dementia, I thought this one did it with grace.
4)
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930, Lewis Milestone) Many powerful scenes that obviously set the template for the war film genre. A couple of non-combat scenes stuck with me though. When the protagonist revisits the school and is disgusted by the empty-headed nationalism of his teacher, and then the reaction of the young men in the classroom to his downbeat view of the war, little has changed. Also, when the soldier watches those dumbass dudes playing armchair general, reminded me of all the blowhards on social media. And the combat scenes are riveting and terrifying. The entire film is unflinchingly downbeat.
5) Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman's Fantastic Four (2015, Marty Langford) I'm sure the actual film is charming and fun (available on YouTube). The documentary features interviews with most of the cast and crew. The experience of making the film clearly meant something to them and it's a shame showbusiness shenanigans prevented the film from getting a proper release. The "lost film" documentary subgenre is a favorite of mine.
6) Mississippi Masala (1991, Mira Nair) Impressively made, a drama about an Indian and African American family dealing with legacy change in 1990s America. Free of cliches.
7)
True Stories (1986, David Byrne) Byrne's anthropological dissection weird Americana is both offbeat and endearing - it's like a blend of Burton, Demme, and Altman. John Goodman steals the film in a star making performance, always good to see Spalding Gray.
8) The Crossing Guard (1995, Sean Penn) A bleak tale of middle-age descent, Jack Nicholson is a jewelry salesman mourning the death of his daughter who was killed by a drunk driver. He spends his days drinking and nights at strip clubs. Poetic tale of sad redemption.
9) That's The Way of the World (1975, Sig Shore) Harvey Keitel stars as rock music producer "Buckmaster", an impresario who's in the business strictly for the music - not to make money. He's working with Earth, Wind, and Fire (The Group) who are primed to go big time. But his company wants to push a white pop group who perform square, wholesome music. The record company head believes kids are tired of all the revolution stuff and just want good times music. Buckmaster reluctantly takes on "The Pagers" and turns one of their corny songs into a hit. Keitel carries the film along well and there's strong dialogue in the script by Robert Lipsyte, mainly known for his sportswriting.
10) Grosse Point Blank (1997, George Armitage) Nostalgia for the 80s was already cropping up by the late '90s! John Cusack plays a contract killer attending his class reunion. On the surface it sounds like a bad film school script, but everything from the writing to the acting are done with seamless confidence. Maybe best cinematic depiction of a class reunion ever? The vibe felt just right.
11) Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016, Ang Lee) Many films attempted to make sense of the Bush II era; Ang Lee's film captures the rage, grandiosity, and desperation seeping into the American psyche. The entire film is set at a football game where a military unit will be recognized during the halftime show, interspersed with flashbacks of what they experienced in Iraq. The film slyly inverts the "thank you for your service" sentiment, there are many points where the veterans are mocked by the so-called patriotic football fans. Also, I like how many in the cast went against type: Vin Diesel as a sensitive sergeant and Steve Martin as the opportunistic team owner. Films about the Iraq War never had the cultural influence of Vietnam era films, possibly because they were regressive, like a bad TV rerun of the same story, different place minus the boomer nostalgia.
12) Exotica (1994, Atom Egoyan) A critical favorite of the mid-90s, it would pair well with The Crossing Guard, sad middle aged men taking refuge at an upscale Toronto strip club, Leonard Cohen themed no less.
13) DEVO (2024, Chris Smith) One of the best music docs of the past year, DEVO said what they wanted to say and got the hell out. I'll confess to feeling really down about being stuck in Ohio for most of my life, but DEVO makes me proud. Members of Devo were among the protestors at Kent St. and decided their art would be in response to the tragic events of that day.
14) Black Moon (1975, Louis Malle) Malle really could do it all, possibly the most versatile and compelling of the French New Wave generation. This film is like a Twilight Zone episode, only far more provocative and stranger. A global civil war is being fought between men and women.
15) The Glass Shield (1994, Charles Burnett) Set in the aftermath of Rodney King riots, this moody '90s cop drama critiques racism at a cliquish precinct.
16) The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith (1978, Fred Schepisi) Set in in early 1900s Australia, this true story follows an Aboriginal man trying to conform to white culture. Met with contempt everywhere he goes, it all explodes in a paroxysm of violence. Brutally confrontational. Schepisi's 1984 film Iceman dealt with similar themes in a more humanistic way.
17) Perfect Days (2023, Wim Wenders) Memorable and meditative, we follow a man who cleans city toilets in Tokyo, as he listens to cassette tapes of classic rock, and reads. Classic Wenders, I only wish we had learned more about the protagonist and his early life.
18) The Family Stone (2005, Thomas Bezucha) We lost Diane Keaton this year, and here she leads an ensemble cast as the matriarch of a slightly dysfunctional family. Watch if you're tired of Christmas Vacation or The Christmas Story. Double it with Arnaud Desplechin's A Christmas Tale for more holiday dysfunction.
19) Rude Boy (1980, Jack Hazan, David Mingay) Excellent snapshot of The Clash during their prime, interspersed with asides on the political turmoil of late 70s Britain. Resonant, there's a memorable scene with Joe Strummer trying to convince a young man to not buy into fascist propaganda. Apparently, the band was unhappy with the film, but it's valuable for depicting how Punk appealed to alienated young people, many confused about their political ideology as Thatcherism loomed.
20) The Night of . . (2016, Steven Zaillian) Gripping, Riz Ahmed and John Turturro give some of the best performances you'll ever see anywhere. Both legal drama and bleak prison survival narrative. Highly recommend, An 8-part HBO series.
21)
The Sure Thing (1985, Rob Reiner) John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga are incredibly charming as college kids on a road trip over Christmas vacation. Smarter than the average '80s youth comedy.
22) Film Geek (2023, Richard Shepard) A manual on channeling passion. Shepard recalls his moviegoing adventures in New York during the 70s and 80s. It's also about his father, a man he never truly understood.
23) The Daytrippers (1996, Greg Mottola) Iconic 90s indie with many familiar faces, satisfyingly low stakes.
24)
The Duelists (1977, Ridley Scott) The
Barry Lyndon influence is unmistakable, but the approach is pulpier. Beautiful cinematography. Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel are two officers during the Napoleonic Wars who engage in a number of dangerous duels.
25) Old Joy (2006, Kelly Reichardt) A simple, but subtle, tale of two estranged friends trying to reconnect. As usual, Reichert fashions a distinct setting that gets the most out of every moment.
26) Bullet in the Head (1990, John Woo) Propulsive, brutal, pure cinematic energy, follows three buddies getting involved in drug smuggling during the Vietnam War. Makes The Deer Hunter look tame.
27)
Fatal Beauty (1987, Tom Holland) A mid-80s neo noir with Whoopi Goldberg and Sam Elliot who have great chemistry. Lots of inappropriate humor, best of the scummy late Reagan era.
28) Three Ages (1923, Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline) Early feature length film from Buster, playing characters living in different ages. Endlessly inventive and funny.
29) It Could Happen to You (1994, Tom Bergman) A Capraesque fable that goes down easy. Nicolas Cage plays a down-to-earth every man who shares a lottery win with kindly waitress played by Bridget Fonda.
30
Flow (2024, Gints Zibalodis) Animated film, a majestic adventure about a cat who survives a flood and finds community.
