Hustlers

2019

★★★★★ Liked 1

It’s a Christmas movie.

2019 Ranked

Midsommar

2019

★★★★½ Liked 2

We have friends from out-of-state staying with us this week and they wanted to watch Midsommar for the first time so we got baked asf beforehand and then a fucking earthquake happened and we thought the world was ending

Little Women

2019

★★★★★ Liked 4

I rewatched Little Women for the first time since its theatrical run last night, and not only did I fall in love with it all over again, but I was also struck by just how wondrously well-acted the proposal scene is. Simply put, Ronan should’ve won Best Actress, and it’s a crime Chalamet wasn’t nominated.

Equally as egregious is the fact that the Academy similarly overlooked Florence Pugh, who, assisted by Gerwig’s studios and sincere screenwriting, revolutionizes the character of Amy…

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood

2019

★★★★★ Liked 1

When we talk about “the magic of movies,” THIS IS WHAT WE MEAN.

The industry is in such a shitty spot at the moment, but I genuinely can’t imagine not having watched this tale unfold in a theater and being transported back to 1969 Hollywood for 165 mesmerizing minutes. I miss it. I miss is SO much.

No matter what the future holds... I’m forever thankful I have this treasure to take solace in when the world feels like it’s…

The Ground Beneath My Feet

2019

★★★★ Liked Watched

“At the start of The Ground Beneath My Feet, Valerie Pachner’s Lola (A Hidden Life) seemingly has it all: a profitable profession as a top-tier business consultant, a fiery and flirtatious fling with her beautiful boss, and an energetic and efficient exercise routine that molds her body into a well-oiled machine. With so much emphasis on her employment, Lola has little time to devote her attention elsewhere, and she views most personal matters as paltry and purportless. However, when Lola’s…

The Vast of Night

2019

★★★★ Liked 2

With its astounding atmosphere and a snappy script, The Vast of Night stands as a genuinely invigorating and intriguing indie feature debut, adamantly announcing writer-director Andrew Patterson’s title as a talent on the rise and offering viewers a electrifying cinematic experience at the same time.

From its fast-paced first scene showcasing the set-up of a small town basketball game and displaying some delicious delivery of dialogue between a plethora of patrons (with countless characters aping Aaron Sorkin’s signature “walk-and-talk” shtick),…

The Farewell

2019

★★★★★ Liked 1

Trying to do the math on how Academy voters watched the scene where Nai Nai breaks down in the street as Billi and her family pull away in their car and STILL refused to give Zhao Shuzhen a Best ing Actress nomination...

Love, it is NOT adding up.

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2019 Ranked
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A24 Ranked

The Farewell

2019

★★★★★ Liked 1

With just one feature film to her name, Lulu Wang has cemented herself as one of my favorite filmmakers, and I feel beyond blessed that I was alive and able to experience what will be the start of a stupendously successful career.

Favorites
2019 Ranked
Favorite Screenplays
A24 Ranked

Just Mercy

2019

★★★ 1

Though hampered somewhat by occasionally pedestrian pacing and procedural, predictable plotting, Just Mercy is able to grasp at enough of the gravitas from its riveting real-life story to eventually leave an emotional impact on viewers, especially thanks to the authentic acting from its central cast.

Like many biopics, it seems that the true story behind this theatrical tale is far more compelling than its cinematic counterpart. While the disgusting discoveries of the evils embedded in the American justice system are…

1917

2019

★★★★ Liked 1

1917 is an audacious audiovisual cinematic spectacle for the ages, instantly immersing audiences in its stunningly suspenseful settings thanks to Sam Mendes’s delicate-yet-dynamic direction and a propulsive and poignant performance from George MacKay.

While some may argue that 1917’s decision to film its core mission in “one-take” is a “gimmick,” this would be entirely dismissive of the way the film carefully curates the connection between its central characters and viewers by imbuing them with the same sense of urgency and…