Film Reviews

So Paul and I can't see eye to eye on a number of things. One topic that consistently comes up (as in, on at least a weekly basis) is that of movies. For example, I seem to recall that he is of the opinion that I have an absolutely wretched taste in films. I prefer to say that I find it hard (though not impossible) to like any film that's been made in the past 25 or so years. I also don't watch superhero films, don't like Star Wars, and don't like anything made by Disney since like 1959.

Anyhow, I mention all this because you might be curious about what goes on in my head when it comes to films I've seen, and about those that I actually like. And it just so happens that I write mini-reviews of every film I watch, no matter how bad or how tremendously wonderful it might be. Between 2020 and 2025, I happened to watch 245 films, and I wrote and collected reviews of them all.

This review collection is available for download here. It's a no-cost PDF file and might keep you entertained as you avoid doom-scrolling on your phone while contemplating a willow feeder, for instance.

Here's a sample, for one of my current Top Five Films:

DONNIE DARKO, 2001
Sci-Fi / Fantasy, Drama / Thriller, Top Five
What if god was an angsty teen? Ideas about parallel universes/alternative realities come to mind with this film. If nothing else, it's a persuasive argument that there is no alternate reality - which is almost funny, since the film features multiple situations where these alternate realities are intersecting and interfering with one another, even up until the last moment.

It also reminds me of a book I first crossed-paths with in my first year of college, "Ways of Worldmaking." The general idea there was that each individual is capable of shaping their own reality by either forcing their perception of it or in some way modifying their perception of the stimuli around them.

The soundtrack to this film is also fantastic. I remember first seeing this film at a late-night showing, and by chance I met up with a friend of mine with whom I'd later collaborate on video game projects for several years.

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Does anyone else do this? Anyone with their own film reviews or recommendations to share? Please do so here...!

I don't review all the movies I watch, but for the last several years, my wife and I have been trying to watch, rate, rank, and comment on all the best picture nominees. We watch each film, then rate it on several categories using the spreadsheet depicted below (showing 2024). And my wife writes about the movies on her blog.

I seldom watch movies or tv.  The last time I stepped into a movie theater was to watch The Matrix.  TV wise, I normally want to watch something with a less complicated plot line than a Roadrunner cartoon.   From time to time do get hooked on British mysteries.  And, no, I do not review any of them.

I did watch most of Band of Brothers on my tv.   I turned it off somewhere during the last episode.  My wife objected. Her complaint was, “ Great! Now I won’t know who won.”

Steven, for the non-horror films we have very similar taste. Your 5-stars are very similar to mine...

(BTW I think your sojourn plan and write-ups are BRILLIANT!)

So with that; I have (3) recommendations for you (that weren't on your list because 2 of 3 aren't films:

1. Biggest Little Farm
2. Queen's Gambit (and Making of Queens Gambit)
3. Common Side Effects (FFF: Fungi forward "film" animated series on AMC+)

Hope you enjoy!

-JP

PS: 2 bonus that aren't on your list:
1. The Great Santini
2. On many 'Best Ever' lists but not on your list at all, so... "The Shawshank Redemption"