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my experience watching these films was spiritual. they left a lasting feeling of disbelief over how viscerally and instantly I could connect with them. minimalist, effortless, fast, fresh, postmodern. stylistically, each film is exactly what I would be proud of making. I only want to watch films in this style, this type of NEW new wave movement that cuts out BS and lets conversations run fluidly. actual artistic talent akin to a guitarist picking up a guitar, as opposed to a structured, geometric or overly optimistic studio-manufactured film, from the goof-fest that is the rest of the 95% of hollywood. to really be profound to me, a film has to meditate on a dark and challenging theme. a huge plus is being existential in some way. or, it could juxtapose shocking moments with a deceptively optimistic premise (as in Drive). or, it could play out so skillfully and tastefully that I feel as though I'm watching true performance art in every facet of the filmmaking (as in Silver Linings Playbook).
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- DirectorBradley Scott SullivanStarsIndiana AdamsKurt ColeMadi GoffThe story of six young volunteers working on a humanitarian project in the woods. Horrific accidents, rash decisions and the unpredictability of human nature leads them all to the same disturbing conclusion. Volunteer work can be a killer.every shot is beautiful. the handheld cinematography is masterful. the best characterization I've seen. the premise of the plot offers the most genius, natural opportunities for character development and telling-instead-of-showing that actually works. this is because some things the characters reveal about themselves are lies or are inaccurate.
there is so much depth to the character study and its themes of human nature, but it doesn't take any of it too seriously. it is 85 minutes. it has three locations. it is not an actual, self-important statement about civilized life. it's just fascinating and unbelievably well told. every shocking incident that occurs is so intelligently put together. the amount of praise I have for this film is endless.
it was shot on a low-end DSLR. it has forever proven to me that all that matters in the art of cinema is talent. having a RED Epic doesn't make you special, and working your way up the studio chain-of-command and locking down a wide theatrical release for your film doesn't mean jack.
on a deserted island, I would pick IDCHTD over literally any film I've seen. it is everything I aim to be able to create as a filmmaker. it is the omega point for what I see artistic expression as being. - DirectorAndrew DominikStarsBrad PittRay LiottaRichard JenkinsJackie Cogan is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.the best dialogue I've ever heard. mind-blowing, life-changing political commentary. I've never seen such a perfect allegory. it's all so poetic, and its message comes across in such a disciplined way. nothing is too obvious. it's the most existentially powerful and relatable film out there.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsKurt RussellWilford BrimleyKeith DavidA research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.so unbelievably contemplative. the tone is perfect. the lighting combines with the music to create a profoundly meditative experience. like the feeling of being in a warm house during a snowstorm. there is no better horror film than The Thing. there are no better practical effects than these, and there have never been better kills. the final scene is the best horror movie ending there is.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingCarey MulliganBryan CranstonA mysterious Hollywood action film stuntman gets in trouble with gangsters when he tries to help his neighbor's husband rob a pawn shop while serving as his getaway driver.the most relatable and likable hero I know of. it's honest and challenging. as a whole, it is the most thoughtful and cathartic movie I will ever see. I cannot comprehend a more powerful experience than Drive. there is nothing more profound than what happens to the main character, and his composure throughout is so inspiring.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsBradley CooperJennifer LawrenceRobert De NiroAfter a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.I've never been more affected by a film's camera work. the camera is always making a statement. it is always enhancing the mood and tone. it complements every beat, and coincides with revelations, character introductions, jokes, the actors' blocking. the motion of everything is so poetic. it truly justifies this visual adaptation of the book. the visual element alone says so much more than words ever could. the dialogue is second only to Killing Them Softly, but not by much. it rolls off the actors' tongues.
the delivery is postmodern. hopefully, this is the start of a new movement in filmmaking. additionally, the characterization of Pat is refreshingly realistic. he experiences so much loss, but bounces back in such an influential way. its study of sexual morality, and passion in general, strongly affected me. its recurring theme of mental illness and obsession was fantastic. every actor was perfect. it deserves every award it gets. and the parents. oh man, the parents. so deep and methodically crafted. they weren't just objects or plot devices designed to resist and antagonize Pat. they were soft and full of love, but not in an unrealistic and gag-inducing way. they were flawed and broken, and would also get angry at and punish Pat. but it hurt them to do it. this, combined with the fluid, natural, and human-feeling camera work, was so impactful. - DirectorAndrew DominikStarsBrad PittCasey AffleckSam ShepardRobert Ford, who has idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the resurgent gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.a period piece that doesn't suffocate you with its awkwardly overdone production design. everything "period" about it is invisible and natural. the camera work and composition of shots themselves is immaculate. what really inspires me about this film is the wording of the lines as well as the delivery. there is a scene where Jesse James gives Robert Ford a noogie. while the others laugh, and while Robert Ford smiles awkwardly, he says "you wanna know how that feels? unpleasant. I honestly can't recommend it." everything about this film is instant and simply makes sense to me. Jesse James' angst and Robert Ford's attachment to him are so relatable and wise.
- DirectorMarcus DunstanStarsJosh StewartAndrea RothJuan FernándezDesperate to repay his debt to his ex-wife, an ex-con plots a heist at his new employer's country home, unaware that a second criminal has also targeted the property, and rigged it with a series of deadly traps.this is another visceral film that feels like visual performance art. there is very little dialogue. a small-time thief sneaks into a house to steal a jewel to cover his debts. it turns out a serial killer is already torturing the residents of the house and has set up endless traps.
the story is hijacked, and we don't leave the location after we enter it. everything is fluid and progresses seamlessly. the way the plot unfolds is so effortless, and the lack of explanation of the killer, or any exposition of any kind, is refreshing. the fact that the collector himself was originally meant to be a young Jigsaw makes it feel like an epic origin story. this is a story trimmed down to its essence. strangely, the sequel added tons of BS and framing devices and characters and one-liners and climactic battles. it's as if the filmmakers didn't even catch why this first film is so brilliant. as far as minimalist, no-nonsense filmmaking goes, it doesn't get better than The Collector. - DirectorChris KentisLaura LauStarsElizabeth OlsenAdam TreseEric Sheffer StevensA girl is trapped inside her family's lakeside retreat and becomes unable to contact the outside world as supernatural forces haunt the house with mysterious energy and consequences.I don't have to explain this. this is a one-shot film. I love single-take scenes. I always want them to draw out longer. I am always impressed when they go over two minutes. this is 80 minutes of one shot. end of discussion. freakin perfect. the fact that it's stylistically necessary for this technique to be used makes it so much better. this is a classic haunted house experience, and we're being taken through it seamlessly. I always want the story of films to be as seamless as possible. it doesn't get better than doing the whole thing in one shot. the story is improved over the original. but nothing else matters to me. by the time the moment from the poster played out, I knew this was the freshest and most technically and tonally impressive horror movie I'd seen.
- DirectorZal BatmanglijStarsChristopher DenhamNicole ViciusBrit MarlingTwo documentary filmmakers attempt to penetrate a cult who worships a woman who claims to be from the future.my favorite plot structure. my favorite ending. it all exists for the simple punchline, which makes the rest of it feel so natural and understated. Sound of My Voice is a quick and clever poem, and it is true storytelling art.
- DirectorJoseph KahnStarsJosh HutchersonShanley CaswellSpencer LockeAs a copycat killer named after movie villain Cinderhella stalks the student body at Grizzly Lake High School, a group of co-eds band together to survive while serving detention.so self-aware. so many layers. so wisely and sharply put together. it is clear the writers spent a lot of time letting scenarios and jokes grow and combine and deepen. Joseph Kahn has so much knowledge of cinematography and composition and lighting.
- DirectorTi WestStarsSara PaxtonPat HealyKelly McGillisDuring the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotel's haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay.more post-modern, seamless plot structure. just two young adults in a hotel that is about to close down. the ghosts are trapped in emotional limbo, and are not just stupidly trying to haunt. it is tasteful, subtle, and has great existential angst underlying all of it. the final shot is genius.
- DirectorSatoshi KonStarsJunko IwaoRica MatsumotoShinpachi TsujiA pop singer gives up her career to become an actress, but she slowly goes insane when she starts being stalked by an obsessed fan and what seems to be a ghost of her past.the best and most meditative anime out there.