3rd: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One – David Yates (2010)
In a vacuum, this is probably the best adaption of any of the Harry Potter books. There are obviously plenty of changes I disagree with. But for the most part, they come from issues with the other films. As a piece of entertainment, I think the movie suffers a bit from its content. Because it only covers the first half of the film, there aren’t any big climactic showdowns or resolutions. Still one of the better films in the series.
5th: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – David Fincher (2011)
The only Fincher movie I’ve seen in theaters. I wish I could remember my reaction to it. I was surprised by just how much I loved rewatching this. To me, it’s on par with Se7en, Fight Club, or Gone Girl. Now, this movie is obviously very dark and extremely violent. I can fully understand anyone having objections to those aspects of it. Otherwise, I think the big weak spot is the final 25 minutes in which Fincher seems to set up the next film. Can we get a director’s cut in which he either removes this section or makes the next two movies?
6th: The Beta Test – Jim Cumming, PJ McCabe (2021)
I really hope this amasses a cult following. It’s so good! It’s the type of dark, cynical, funny, and chillingly insightful movie I wish I could make. This film really has something to say about the internet and the current age of information. Importantly though, it packages that message in a completely digestible way. It’s surprising and hilarious throughout. It doesn’t need to hit you over the head with any big ideas. Instead, Cummings and McCabe seem to focus on making the best movie possible. From that execution, the audience can choose whether or not to engage with its message.
8th: Panic Room – David Fincher (2002)
I don’t have a lot to say about this one. Its premise is pretty silly (though not in an unenjoyable way). Fincher is able to keep it compelling throughout. I loved the cast. Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart are great. I was kind of blown away by Dwight Yoakim as the central villain. To be honest, I wish there were more movies like this.
12th: Kimi – Steven Soderbergh (2022)
Hard to complain about Soderbergh whipping up a cool little movie like this. I just wish it didn’t feel so half-baked. Oh well. On the plus side, Zoë Kravitz is phenomenal.
17th: Tick, Tick…Boom! – Lin-Manuel Miranda (2021)
I enjoyed this movie! Hard to start anywhere except with Andrew Garfield. He is phenomenal in this part. The movie can’t work without you buying into his performance. There are a couple of things that don’t necessarily work. I’m not sure if Miranda completely nails down the complexity of Larson’s feelings. An uncharitable reading of the film would be that this is a musical about a man who, in the face of a breakup and his friends dying from the AIDS crisis, is preoccupied with turning 30 (I mean, that is to some extent what the film is about). There are a few moments too where I think some of the reactions are just a bit over the top. But, after all, it’s a musical, so I guess that’s the point? Anyway, I liked it and was ultimately moved.
18th: Licorice Pizza – Paul Thomas Anderson (2021)
Well, what do you know, I liked this quite a bit. I have a hard time really dissecting hangout movies. Perhaps that’s why I like them so much! Obviously, there are big themes and questions PTA is poking at here. You don’t make the central tension of your film a romance between a 15-year-old and a 25-year-old just for the vibes. But that’s kind of what I love so much about Anderson’s movies. They’re accessible and also enigmatic. I have ideas about the film, but not a full picture. And that, more or less, is my ideal movie-going experience.
19th: The Last Duel – Ridley Scott (2021)
A well-made movie that left me completely cold. Not to take too much stock in Ben Affleck complaining why this movie didn’t do well, but are we sure this bombed because the film landscape has changed and not because this is a 150-minute film full of brutality that centers on rape?
25th: The Other Guys – Adam McKay (2010)
I feel like this has become something of a sleeper hit in the decade since it was released. It is very funny. I especially love seeing someone like Michael Keaton in his role. Not the best film in the McKay-Ferrell partnership, but certainly a pretty good one.
25th: Jackass: The Movie – Jeff Tremaine (2002)
Honestly one of the most ingenious ideas for a tv series/movie.
26th: Juliet, Naked – Jesse Peretz (2018)
Was in the mood for a specific type of movie and this nailed that vibe. Endearing, cheesy, goofy. I think this one stands out amongst some of the other Nick Hornby adaptations because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Only thing missing from this was an Ethan Hawke cover of The Replacements “Rock & Roll Ghost.”
27th: Chocolat – Lasse Hallström (2000)
Everything I would like to say about this movie can be captured in these two clips:
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