This week, we watch the second film in the Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy. In another genre film/comedy mash-up, this outing takes us to a small town with a dark secret. Comedy and shootouts ensue. Hot Fuzz (2007), directed by Edgar Wright.
Episode 67 - Citizen Kane: Part 2
Part 2
This week, we try to figure out if this classic film is worth all the praise, or if hype and reputation lifts it into the stratosphere, where it will remain as long as critics are afraid to address some of its glaring issues (pacing, acting, dialogue…). Watch if you want to be able to sound smarter than your friends. Citizen Kane (1941), directed by Orson Welles.
Episode 67 - Citizen Kane
This week, we try to figure out if this classic film is worth all the praise, or if hype and reputation lifts it into the stratosphere, where it will remain as long as critics are afraid to address some of its glaring issues (pacing, acting, dialogue…). Watch if you want to be able to sound smarter than your friends. Citizen Kane (1941), directed by Orson Welles.
BONUS EPISODE - Shaun of the Dead
This week, we watch the first film in the Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy and the international smash hit that instantly put Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg on the map. In one hand you have all the zombie tropes you’ve ever seen, and in the other hand you have the best British comedy of the era . Smash your hands together? Shaun of the Dead (2004), directed by Edgar Wright.
Episode 68 - Once Upon A Time In America, Part 2
Part 2
This week, we watch the legendary Italian film makers final film. Clocking in at nearly 4 hours long (originally meant to be 6 hours), this film contains some of the most graphic content we’ve seen so far on the list. While we would find it hard to recommend to most people, its impossible to not be impressed by the cinematography, sets, and epic period piece details. Once Upon A Time In America (1984), directed by Sergio Leone.
Episode 68 - Once Upon A Time In America
This week, we watch the legendary Italian film makers final film. Clocking in at nearly 4 hours long (originally meant to be 6 hours), this film contains some of the most graphic content we’ve seen so far on the list. While we would find it hard to recommend to most people, its impossible to not be impressed by the cinematography, sets, and epic period piece details. Once Upon A Time In America (1984), directed by Sergio Leone.
BONUS EPISODE - Quo Vadis, Aida?
This week, we watch the Bosnian film that has been nominated for the the Best International Film at the Academy Awards. Documenting the horrible, historically accurate events occurring during the Bosnian war in 1995 through the eyes of a fictional UN Translator, this films unrelenting tone will likely ruin your day. You will feel stressed, you will feel sad, and you will be wondering how the Oscars passed up an acting nomination for Jasna Djuricic. Quo Vadis, Aira? (2020), written and directed by Jasmila Zbanic.
Episode 69 - North By Northwest
This week, we watch yet another Hitchcock film, following closely ahead of Vertigo. This film is famous for influencing the James Bond films, especially the ridiculous action, casual sex, and iconic clothing. Sean Connery might owe everything to Cary Grant. North By Northwest (1959), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
BONUS EPISODE - Minari
This week, we watch the Best Foreign Language Film winner at the Golden Globes, and nominee of 6 Oscars, including Best Picture. This film masterfully jumps between hilarious moments and heavy drama like no other movie this year. The actor who plays the grandmother Soonja (Yuh-Hung Youn) should be holding an acting Oscar in a few weeks. Minari (2020), directed by Lee Isaac Chung.
Episode 70 - Das Boot: Part 2
PART 2!
This week, we watch possibly the best ensemble cast ever to be put to film. Drama, suspense, comedy, horror…what can’t you say about a classic like this? We all watched it for the first time, and we couldn’t recommend it enough to war movie fans. Das Boot (1981), directed by Wolfgang Petersen.
Episode 70 - Das Boot
This week, we watch possibly the best ensemble cast ever to be put to film. Drama, suspense, comedy, horror…what can’t you say about a classic like this? We all watched it for the first time, and we couldn’t recommend it enough to war movie fans. Das Boot (1981), directed by Wolfgang Petersen.
BONUS EPISODE - Nomadland
We watch the film that took away the Best Picture and Best Director awards at the Golden Globes a few weeks back, and is also the likely Best Picture frontrunner at the Oscars (nominated for best picture and director, among a few others, this morning). This film blends a great performance by Francis McDormand with real nomads living in the desert in vans, and the result is magical. Nomadland (2020), written and directed by Chloe Zhao.
Episode 71 - Vertigo
This week, we watch the film that dethroned Citizen Kane as the best movie of all time, according to Sight and Sound. Does it deserve that position, or were the critics correct in their middling reviews upon its first release in the 50’s? Vertigo (1958), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
BONUS EPISODE - Brazil
This week, we go on another tangent to watch Terry Gilliam’s underrated visual masterpiece. Not since Dr. Strangelove has a comedy been so dark. This movie may be a bit too out there to land a spot on the top 250, but if you’re a fan of bizarre fantasies, it may end up being a personal favorite. Brazil (1985), directed by Terry Gilliam.
Episode 72 - Witness for the Prosecution
This week, we watch twist after twist in Billy Wilder’s classic court room drama. Charles Laughton steals the show as the unhealthy trial lawyer, as he smokes and drinks his way to another win. Witness for the Prosecution (1957), directed by Billy Wilder.
BONUS EPISODE - Akira
This week, we watch what many consider to be the best Anime of all time. Masterfully animated and ultra-violent, this film remains unmatched in its detail, style and scope. The influence on other animated films as well as live action films of this genre cannot be understated. Akira (1988), directed by Katsuhiro Otomo.
Episode 73 - Star Wars: Return of the Jedi PART 3
PART 3
This week, we continue doing something we haven’t done before! Since Return of the Jedi is number 73 on the list, and TC hasn’t seen any of the original Star Wars trilogy, we are going through these movies in the order they are meant to be watched. This week we are on to Episode 6, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, directed by Richard Marquand and written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan.
Episode 73 - Star Wars: Return of the Jedi PART 2
PART 2
This week, we continue doing something we haven’t done before! Since Return of the Jedi is number 73 on the list, and TC hasn’t seen any of the original Star Wars trilogy, we are going through these movies in the order they are meant to be watched. This week we are on to Episode 6, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, directed by Richard Marquand and written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan.