3rd: The Man Who Fell to Earth – Nicolas Roeg (1976)
I had resisted this movie for some time out of fear that it was more a “hey everyone, it’s David Bowie” film rather than a fully-realized interesting movie on its own. That idea, I now realize, was entirely misguided. The film is essentially a “hey everyone, it’s David Bowie” type deal, but rightfully so. He’s absolutely magnetizing on screen. In this case, it’s not only enough to carry the film, but to elevate it as well.
Grade: B
10th: Crooklyn – Spike Lee (1994)
My favorite movie I’ve seen in a long, long time. I’m really curious as to why this has been overlooked both within Spike Lee’s filmography and amongst hangout movies in general. Endless thanks to the Music Box for screening it!
Grade: A
12th: Sense and Sensibility – Ang Lee (1995)
A really solid film that may be one of the best adaptations of a classic I’ve seen. Lee does a remarkable job of cutting out and around the pieces of the novel that don’t make sense in a movie (or frankly the 20th century). But the essence of the novel is all there. Nothing is altered beyond recognition. Honestly, the most important decision he makes is recognizing that a Jane Austen novel comes down to its characters. The best thing about the film, and ultimately why it succeeds, are the performances, especially those given by the four leads.
Grade: B
18th: Legally Blonde – Robert Luketic (2001)
Aside from a few jokes/lines that have not aged well (but which 2000s comedy is without those), a flawless movie
Grade: A-
22nd: Bound – The Wachowskis (1996)
Maybe the most impressive debut film I can think of. I would love nothing more than an oral history or the like detailing how the Wachowskis got this made. It’s not only remarkably bold and subversive, but so completely assured of itself. It treats its audience so intelligently, you can tell it was made for film lovers. Also shout out to the Music Box. The first time I saw this was at 11:30am with maybe a third of the seats accounted for. This time we saw it at 11pm as part of a sold-out Rated Q screening featuring a DJ and a Drag Show pre-screening.
Grade: A
23rd: Asteroid City – Wes Anderson (2023)
French Dispatch was the first Wes Anderson film that I didn’t like. To me, the primary reason was for the first time, I felt Anderson’s style had finally eclipsed the emotional connection the rest of his films render. For the first half of Asteroid City, I feared I was up against the same thing. To be sure, I found it funny and charming, but once again, felt no deep, personal connection in the work. The last act completely flipped that. The scene on the balcony between playhouses is, I think, one of the most beautiful, mysterious, and powerful scenes that Anderson has ever made. I can’t even fully explain what it means, but in that moment, I felt the usual connection and investment I have during a Wes Anderson film.
Grade: B
24th: The Mummy – Stephen Sommers (1999)
Phenomenal! Aside from the obvious points about the film being incredibly fun and Brendan Fraser being remarkably charming (both true), I”m amazed by both the high body count as well as the breadth of fully realized characters in the film. Jungle Cruise could never.
Grade: A-
Sam Writes Shit 
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