This week, we watch A24’s highest grossing movie yet. This film sets out to be all things film at the same time, and does so with such creativity that it ends up amazingly overwhelming. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), directed by Daniels.
All in Drama
Episode 49 - The Prestige
This week, we watch a film version of a magic trick. With a star studded cast and a great performance by David Bowie as Nikola Tesla, the first viewing experience of this film will likely leave you with your mouth open. The Prestige (2006), directed by Christopher Nolan.
BONUS EPISODE - The Northman
This week, we watch the third movie from the acclaimed director of The Witch and The Lighthouse. This movie aims to be the defining film about Vikings, drawing from every piece of known history of the time, and expanding on it with approval of expert historians. While uneven, this film has many moments of beauty and craft. The Northman (2022), directed by Robert Eggers.
Episode 51 - Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
This week, we the highest rated Kubrick movie on the list. This movie takes one of the most feared topics of the 60’s (and maybe today) and turns it into what some consider the greatest comedy of all time. Dr. Strangelove (1964), directed by Stanley Kubrick.
BONUS EPISODE - The Worst Person in the World
This week, we round of our “Best Foreign Picture” Oscar nominee watchlist with the Norwegian drama (see: not a comedy). This film was on Obama’s best movies of the year list, so…theres that. The Worst Person in the World (2021), directed by Joachim Trier.
Episode 52 - Sunset Boulevard
This week, we watch one of Billy Wilder's best known films. This is also the last film of Wilder's in our list. While the film does not have the same impact now as it did when it was released, this was quite the send up of Hollywood at the time. Sunset Boulevard (1950), directed by Billy Wilder.
BONUS EPISODE - Licorice Pizza
This week, we watch PTA’s newest film about Los Angeles, the 70s, and waterbeds. Philip Seymour Hoffman’s son Cooper and Alana Haim from Haim star in this hilarious dream of a film. Licorice Pizza (2021), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Episode 64 - Aliens: Part 2
This week, we watch the sequel to the film that shot Ridley Scott into stardom. This film takes the horror and science fiction elements of the first movie and adds a James Cameron action element that somehow makes for an even more intense experience. Aliens (1986), directed by James Cameron.
Episode 64 - Aliens: Part 1
This week, we watch the sequel to the film that shot Ridley Scott into stardom. This film takes the horror and science fiction elements of the first movie and adds a James Cameron action element that somehow makes for an even more intense experience. Aliens (1986), directed by James Cameron.
Episode 53 - Alien: Part 2
This week, the continuation of the film that was sold as “Jaws in space”. What we get instead is a horror/sci-fi masterpiece that launched Ridley Scott’s career as a visionary. With effects that mostly hold up, this film will still make you squirm all these years later. Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott.
Episode 53 - Alien: Part 1
This week, we watch the film that was sold as “Jaws in space”. What we get instead is a horror/sci-fi masterpiece that launched Ridley Scott’s career as a visionary. With effects that mostly hold up, this film will still make you squirm all these years later. Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott.
Episode 54 - The Great Dictator
This week, we watch what is said to be the first satire in movie form. With filming starting two years before the start of World War 2, this parody is a historical marvel, and most of the gags still land. The Great Dictator (1940), written, directed, and starring Charles Chaplin.
BONUS EPISODE - Drive My Car
This week, we continue our Oscar binge with the film from Japan that is nominated for this year’s Best Picture, Best Foreign Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director. This one requires full attention for 3 hours, so prepare yourself for the watch. Drive My Car (2021), directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
BONUS EPISODE - Flee
This week, we continue our Oscar binge with the film from Denmark that is nominated for this year’s Best Foreign Picture, Best Documentary, and Best Animated Film Academy Awards (the first film to ever be nominated for all three of these Oscars). Our review is - this film is amazing, do yourself a favor and put it at the top of your queue. Flee (2021), directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen.
BONUS EPISODE - Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
This week, we continue our Oscar binge with the film from Bhutan that is nominated for this year’s Best Foreign Picture academy award. Filming at an elevation of approximatly 16,000 feet, this movie utilizes the non-actor population of the mountain town Lunana to create a very simple and nice story about teaching, learning, and the many ways to utilize yak droppings. Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (2021), directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji.
BONUS EPISODE - The Hand of God
This week, we continue our Oscar binge with the Italian film that is nominated for this year’s Best Foreign Picture academy award. This dreamlike story has some striking imagery to be seen, so make sure you have your Netflix account upgraded to include the UHD / 4k video. The Hand of God (2021), directed by Paolo Sorrentino.
BONUS EPISODE - Nightmare Alley
This week, we watch the movie Guillermo del Toro decided to make after his Best Picture win with The Shape of Water. Based on a 1946 Novel (and made into a movie in 1947), this film has incredible star power - but is that enough to make another classic? Nightmare Alley (2021), directed by Guillermo del Toro.
BONUS EPISODE - A Hero
This week, we watch the Grand Prix winner at this years Cannes Film Festival, which is equivalent to second place (first place being last weeks movie, Titane). The writer/director who gave us the dramatic masterpiece A Separation back in 2011 is bound to get the same kind of recognition yet again for this new film. A Hero (2021), directed by Asghar Farhadi.