Eighth Grade (2018) - Probably one of the most cringey movies I’ve ever seen, but of course done intentionally and with good purpose. Lots of laughs, but mostly good natured ones that come from a place of understanding and sympathy. Genuine. B+
C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America (2004) - A remarkably well-thought out “what if” mockumentary. Perhaps spends too much time on the intricacies of the alternate history and not enough on what makes the satire relevant, but there’s definitely still some potency. B-
Sabotage (1936) - Early Hitchcock with a rathe simple story not quite as many thrills as one would expect. Still, he makes it all work as usual, even if (as he apparently admitted) he ruined the suspense somewhat in the film’s most famous scene (the bomb on the bus). B-
25th Hour (2002) - The narrative at times feels messy and perhaps a tad melodramatic, but the story is still a powerful one, the type of which is rarely told. B
Inside Man (2006) - A finely crafted heist film that turns into something much more fascinating and nuanced. Great performances and great direction make it stick with you. B+
BlacKkKlansman (2018) - A story that was made to be filmed - a perfect blend of suspense, humor, and social relevance. Obviously some things were fabricated, and while some of those things are obvious, some seem obviously Hollywood but aren’t. An interesting balancing act that definitely isn’t perfect, but is certainly worth watching. B+
New Jack City (1991) - An interesting concoction, which seems to combine blacksploitation characters and actors with a serious crime drama plot and tone, plus a unique style that makes the film all its own. B
Dark Star (1974) - More amusing than funny, with effects that are impressive insofar as they make it obvious the film’s low budget and make you go “oh that’s kinda clever.” C
How the West Was Won (1962) - This is a film that sounds a lot better on paper than in reality. The cinematographic process used is breathtaking but often distracting, the cast is incredible but mostly underutilized, the scope of the story sounds epic but is ultimately extremely broadly sketched. This is the rare film pushing three hours that I think could have been a lot better if it was a lot longer. B
2010: The Year We Made Contact (1984) - Is there any film sequel as stylistically divergent from its predecessor as 2010 to 2001? I really doubt it. Usually, I’d appreciate a unique direction for a follow-up, but this is actually just taking something that was unique and making it incredibly generic. Were it a random sci-fi film I wouldn’t think twice. In comparison to 2001, it looks like a steaming pile of shit. C-
Presumed Innocent (1990) - A very quiet and understated crime/character drama, but with an unflinching intensity. Harrison Ford playing very much against type here, and doing it so well I wish he did it more often. B+
Family Plot (1976) - Hitchcock’s last, obviously not his best, but he didn’t go out on a sour note here. I love Hitchcock when he’s playful and humorous, even if the film isn’t even all that funny. Still, it’s a fun one. B