2023 Movie Log: December

2nd: Gladiator – Ridley Scott (2000)
On the day I moved into college this was on tv and as my roommate and I were unpacking, we had it playing in the background. And over the course of the broadcast (which given it was on TNT was probably like 5 hours), people kept gradually coming into our room and staying to hang out and talk and meet, all while this kept playing on my tiny ass tv. Anyways, I watched this over the weekend on my huge hd tv with surround sound and my undivided attention and while it was good, it was not nearly as good as that broadcast in August 2010. Sometimes movies are meant to be communal, folks!
Grade: B

5th: Bleak Moments – Mike Leigh (1971)
Mike Leigh in his rawest form. Not as masterful as something like “Jeanne Dielman” but feels like it is operating along the same frequency: pushing tension, silence, and discomfort as far as it can go. It’s really amazing getting to watch something like this and realize that at a different time and place somebody with some filmmaking power took a chance on this as a debut film. Thank god they did.
Grade: B+

5th: SubUrbia – Richard Linklater (1996)
One of the more interesting tidbits from Melissa Maerz’s “Alright, Alright, Alright” is how Linklater originally intended for “Dazed and Confused” to be a much darker and more cynical film than it became. In fact, it was a film that he originally intended to be an ‘anti-nostalgic’ work in which he would document how those good old high school years everyone talks about were in fact pretty fucking terrible. 
And, as everyone rightly acknowledges, thank goodness he didn’t stick with that concept! But for everyone who is like, “Can you imagine if he had gone through with the original idea?”, may I present to you, “SubUrbia.” 
First and foremost, it is a much weaker film than “Dazed” Still, I can’t help but kind of like “SubUrbia.” You can tell that it’s adapted from a play in the best and worst ways. It’s one of those films that is kind of more interesting in the ways that it doesn’t totally work. For instance, the performances are actually a bit too captivating which ultimately complicates the inherent cynicism and condemnation we should have of the characters. Not to mention the cringe-worthy, heavy-handed exploration of racial politics here. 
But honestly, I wish there were more movies like this, even if most would be misses. Take seven young actors and make a film in one location where they really get to perform? Would kill for that these days.
Grade: B-

9th: The Boy and the Heron – Hayao Miyazaki (2023)
Was a little wary going in just because early reviews were a bit mixed (especially for a Miyazaki film). This is so good though! Excited to sit on it and see where it ends up when I update my Miyazaki rankings (think it’ll be top half). In any case, I love the slower pace and overall strangeness of the story. Pretty confident it’s a film that will reward multiple watches as well.
Grade: B+

10th: Dust in the Wind – Hou Hsiao-Hsien (1986)
Visually mesmerizing. This is the third early Hou Hsiao-Hsien film I’ve seen and I love how each movie is like a refinement or a slightly different take on the same ideas (primarily surrounding youth and memory). This one was extra special to me as it’s set in Jioufen which is a beautiful mountain town that Gioia and I got to spend time in on our trip to Taiwan!
Grade: A-

14th: Carol – Todd Haynes (2015)
One of my favorite movie box screenings! What a beautiful film. Had no idea it was a Patricia Highsmith adaptation too
Grade: A

16th: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Peter Jackson (2001)
Undoubtedly the movie I’ve watched most in my life.
Grade: A

16th: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – Peter Jackson (2002)
Undoubtedly the movie I’ve watched the second-most in my life.
Grade: A-

17th: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – Peter Jackson (2003)
Undoubtedly the movie I’ve watched the third-most in my life.
Grade: A-

18th: The Daytrippers – Greg Mottola (1996)
A title that’s long been on my list and did not disappoint! I’m pretty fond of most of Mottola’s work, but I wonder if he could have had success continuing to make these movies. Outside of Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach, it’s really the type of self-contained, independent, and endearingly clever movie that is hardly made anymore, at least in America.
Grade: A-

22nd: The Battle of Algiers – Gillo Pontecorvo (1966)
On a pure cinematic basis, just incredible. I’m not wise enough to comment on the complexities of Pontecorvo’s depiction of real events (although on a surface level, it seemed pretty thoughtful and well-done to me). But across all films, I am growing more and more partial to those that utilize non-traditional actors. The contrast between the all non-professional cast and Jean Martin (in the Col. Mathieu role) is really remarkable.
Grade: A-

22nd: The Daytrippers – Greg Mottola (1996)
Liked it so much, had to show it to the family.
Grade: A-

24th: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg – Jacques Demy (1964)
Absolutely gorgeous. In general, I’m a bit averse to musicals, but this one has enough going on in its production, cast, and story that it still works for me (even if they literally sing the entire film!).
Grade: B+

25th: Rear Window – Alfred Hitchcock (1954)
The start of mine and my dad’s movie club while he recovers from foot surgery. If there are crimes in our backyard, we will be prepared!
Grade: A

26th: News from Home – Chantal Akerman (1976)
So fucking good. As a viewer you feel intrusive hearing these letters, which of course, is why the film is so connective despite being extremely personal. Also can you imagine moving to a city in which you didn’t know the language and having the confidence to film what you were seeing?
Grade: A

26th: May December – Todd Haynes (2023)
Delightfully uncomfortable. I think it’s one that will actually grow in my estimation over time (although I quite like it already). Natalie Portman is so, so, so good in this. I think it’s time for my Todd Haynes deep dive.
Grade: B+

28th: Anatomy of a Fall – Justine Triet (2023)
I was a bit hesitant in the aftermath of seeing this film as to whether or not I liked it. I think I do. There’s a big tonal shift when the film goes from its first storyline to the courtroom that took me time to acclimate to. In any case, even if I’m not 100% assured the film knows exactly what it’s doing, Sandra Hüller is incredible. Easily my favorite performance of the year.
Grade: B+

28th: Leave the World Behind – Sam Esmail (2023)
I liked this but it pales in comparison to my realization that if you put Ayo Edebiri in the Myha’la role, this becomes one of the funniest movies of all time.
Grade: B-

30th: You Hurt My Feelings – Nicole Holofcener (2023)
Kind of disappointed in this! I think there’s a lot of potential here, and I do like the scope and scale of the story, but too often I think the film leans into easy outs and jokes when I think it could be a lot deeper and more cutting.
Grade: B-

31st: BlackBerry – Matt Johnson (2023)
What a delightful surprise. I honestly would watch Glenn Howerton do anything. He is a fucking force in this movie. I would seriously love for him to get some buzz and nominations for the performance. The nature of this movie and story is that it’s hollow. I don’t think there’s a version of this where you feel moved or devastated by the end of it. I don’t think Matt Johnson is even intending for that. But for that reason, I’m not sure it can really cross from being really well done to being something great. And that’s okay!
Grade: B+