FilmFincher

I wish I could have participated more Baumer, just very swamped with work. You've done an excellent job with the list! Had a lot of fun reading it and seeing some of the very interesting choices. Here's to the top 5!

Just caught up on this. I've always had a soft spot for Hawkeye following Age of Ultron. I love him as the sardonic dad of the group and that film helped reframe him as the most human Avenger. This was a lot of fun. Tone is pitch perfect, doesn't take itself too seriously. Love the silly Russian Mafia. Some great one-liners from them. Action is fine for TV. Hailee Steinfeld is already an incredible movie star and has that electric larger-than-life charisma that's perfect for the MCU. The scale helps prevent the show overreaching like some of the other properties. The relationship Hawkeye has with his daughter is very touching. I think I nearly cried when the pizza dog popped up, I didn't realise he was blind in one eye and my heart broke. If anything happens to him I will riot.

Yeah I've got a huge workload these last couple of weeks/leading up to Christmas and I like to properly sit down and watch stuff. I'd like to get around to these but I'm worried the list is just going to grow. Passing Tick Tick Boom King Richard Hit Monkey Wheel of Time Hawkeye Scenes From a Marriage (2021) The Power of the Dog Cowboy Bebop (2021) Pig Val Big Mouth S5 No Sudden Move It's a Sin

I know nothing about League of Legends as well and I'm all in on this show at the end of Act 1. One of the biggest TV surprises this year for me.

@Danhjpn @Brainbug @Menor The Giganotosaurus is in the movie.

Scream is probably the most formative horror film to me. It was my access point into everything else. I was completely taken by it, rewatched it countless times as a teenager. Just in love with everything about it. Sidney is the best final girl. Excited to get the new 4K where we finally have a decent home media transfer! The Thing has the best practical effects in all of cinema. Alien is a masterclass in tension and mood. It's one of the most beautiful looking films on this list. The lighting is so atmospheric. The Xenomorph itself is terrifying in this film. The way the handle the encounter with Parker and Lambert will never not disturb me. @WrathOfHan Thank you for doing this! It was amazing to follow along and get to talk horror and see everyone's opinions. As well as giving me some horror recommends that weren't on my radar. Your write-ups were great! Like Baumer said, it's probably the most engaged I've been on these boards. Thank you to everyone else who's been posting their thoughts! For my fellow horror fans I would highly recommend The Evolution of Horror podcast which explores the evolution of all the different sub genres in horror. It's given me some great recommends and the discussion around the films are really fun.

Mixed bag on this. I found it dramatically inert a lot of the time. Main characters have such a lack of chemistry and are played so blank that it's difficult to connect. Supporting cast fair better, they feel relatable and have palpable chemistry among some of them. Suffers from the problem of Godly people dealing with Godly problems. It's a mess pacing wise, it's such a straightforward plot but takes such a long time to kick into gear. Action was fairly decent, was a little better than the usual 'here's just a bunch of stuff', there was a bit more choreography and intention to it. Loved the speedster stuff specifically. I did find the film pretty funny throughout as well which kept me entertained. There's a couple of things that the film tries to contend with on a thematic level and character level that I did find very interesting. Quite bold for Marvel. Visually Zhao's Malick-esque natural lighting/flowing camera work nice in daytime/dusk/dawn/montages. Things get a little murky in night scenes. Sound mixing was again below par. Score did not stand out and I love Ramin Djwadi.

Black Swan is probably my favourite Darren Aronofsky film and maybe my favourite psychological horror. I love the down and dirty way it's shot; the noise, the grain. Natalie Portman is just unbelievably captivating in this film. Packed with creepy imagery. The Exorcist has that timeless quality to it. Everything is played so naturally and so down to earth, something that Friedkin does so masterfully in The French Connection. It taps into a tangibility of the real world. You look at it's peers in the genre from around the same time and The Exorcist is in another class for me. It blows my mind that this is Jason Miller's first film role. I think the strongest aspect of The Sixth Sense is actually it's heart. I can't help by tear up multiple times at the relationship between Cole and his Mum, it's so beautiful. The car scene at the end just breaks me. It's also the cleverest Shyamalan has been about his exposition and revealing aspects of the character. The one step forwards/backwards scene is such a great idea. A Nightmare on Elm Street is one fo the most original ideas/concepts to grace the horror genre. Everything about it is just so iconic. Wes Craven was a master of the genre. I mean Freddy is hands down one of the best horror villains of all time.

Aliens is actually my favourite film of all time but because it's less horror I favoured placement of the original over it. The Queen effects still blow my mind every time, it's one of the best realised creatures. Evil Dead II is also one of my favourites, would have liked to see it higher. I freaking love Sam Raimi, his camerawork, editing, his sense of humour and tone. He offers everything I want from a ridiculously good time.

I thought this was a boatload of fun. Stylish, poppy and a delight of a rollercoaster, has all the clever trappings of an Edgar Wright film. Gets a little thematically muddled towards the end. It leans more on the mystery side of things and the horror that is there bends to Wrights will as a director with a distinct brand. It's not necessarily scary. The twists and turns the film took genuinely surprised me. It's Wright firing on full cylinders again after Baby Driver felt a little watered down. Thomasin Mckenzie is fantastic and absolutely carries the film, she handles the increasing hysteria fo Ellie really well. She does come of like a Wright facsimile towards the beginning but I think the film dives enough into the dangers of nostalgia and romanticising the past that it gets away with it. Similarly, Anya Taylor Joy's side of the film comes off as somewhat hollow up to a point (you get a little worried it's a manic pixie dream girl situation) and then the film kicks into a higher gear and the character of Sandy grows more layers. Matt Smith is relishing in his sliminess and what a great send-off for Diana Rigg. The portrayal of Soho is excellent, it's just a joy to recognise so many street corners, pubs, alleyways, shortcuts and neon signs. Wright did such a good job of capturing the place. The cinematography is great, so many fun in camera tricks done during extended takes. His eye for iconography also comes out, the costume choices are very strong, I was very taken by the Halloween look for Ellie. This coupled with excellent soundtrack choices make it one of the more technically accomplished films by the director. Despite the film dealing with heavy subject matter it never loses it's sense of fun, the audience was having a blast throughout and I had a great time bar a few nitpicks.

The cinematography in this film is top notch. It's Scott Coopers first foray into digital and he doesn't fall into any of the trappings. Frames are carefully chosen and make excellent use of the mountainous locations. Colour grading and lighting were similarly on point. Creature design is also excellent and looks good for the most part, maybe only one janky shot. Was very pleased and expect nothing less from a film produced by Del Toro. The film is very small scale and understated, almost to a fault. It's really a three hander between Russell, Plemons and Thomas and they're all excellent. Their characters are less well served. There's a lot of backstory to Russell's character Julia that doesn't quite come into fruition the way you want it to, ultimately leading to a somewhat ambivalent ending (which seems like Cooper's intention?). In any case you're left emotionally hanging after a good set-up. The film is a slow burn but I enjoyed it throughout, especially the creature elements. The small town, rural America is right in Scotts wheelhouse and the film touches on a couple of interesting thematic elements. Was frustrated about the lack of more prominent Indigenous cast members after revealing what the creature is. Graham Greene turns up for a quick mythology dump but that's about it. I did like it overall, it's just missing the elements to take it over the edge.

OCTOBER It’s the spooky season! As I power my way through Blank Check I catch up on the Miyazaki films I haven’t seen which is clearly the perfecting pairing for all the horror I’ve been consuming. Movies Kiki’s Delivery Service - 10/10 Promising Young Woman - 9.5/10 - Carey Mulligan is unbelievable in this film, I'm ready to go on a Mulligan binge. Great soundtrack. Could not work out where it was headed, consistently surprising. Dune (2021) - 9/10 Castle in the Sky - 9/10 Frankenstein (1931) - 9/10 Planet Terror - 8.5/10 - This is the Robert Rodriguez I need in my life. [Rec] - 8.5/10 The Invisible Man (1933) - 8.5/10 Last Night in Soho - 8.5/10 Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind - 8.5/10 The Last Duel - 8/10 Porco Rosso - 8/10 No Time to Die - 8/10 Dawn of the Dead (2004) - 8/10 Death Proof - 8/10 The Omen (1976) - 8/10 Werewolves Within - 7.5/10 - Best video game movie? Batman: The Long Halloween Part 2 - 7.5/10 The Wolf Man (1941) - 7/10 Speed Racer - 7/10 Antlers - 7/10 Space Jam: A New Legacy - 7/10 - Way better than reviews would have you think. This is a solid kids film. Batman: The Long Halloween Part 1 - 6.5/10 Ali - 6.5/10 Don’t Breathe 2 - 6.5/10 Old - 6/10 Halloween Kills - 6/10 Halloween III - 6/10 Halloween II - 5/10 - Donald Pleasance is a child murdering madman in this film and I’m here for it. Was largely unimpressed with the rest of it. Venom: Let There Be Carnage - 4/10 Halloween IV - 3.5/10 Infinite - 3/10 - Wahlberg is sleepwalking through this. Halloween V - 2/10 Monster Hunter - 1.5/10 - God what an awful film. If you need to realign your perspective on what a genuinely bad blockbuster is this is the one to do it. TV Midnight Mass - 9/10 - Go in blind, so much more rewarding. Squid Game - 8.5/10 Star Wars: Visions - 7/10 Y the Last Man - 6.5/10 - Literally decided to stop watching this the day before it got cancelled. It’s a perfectly fine, well made show but just couldn’t get invested. Attack of the Hollywood Cliches! - 5/10

Cabin in the Woods is one of my favourite films. I will never forget the sheer audible excitement as me and my friends sat in an empty cinema and the elevator doors open in the final act. A wonderful love letter to horror cinema. Hereditary is the first time a horror film has genuinely scared me and creeped it's way into my brain since God knows when. I could not stop thinking about it for months. Bram Stoker's Dracula has some of my favourite creature design. I'm on board with the Suspiria remake. The dance/possession scene is a big highlight. I also think I prefer the third act but it's been a while.

I'm kicking myself for forgetting about Godzilla '54. Extremely formative film series for me. Also finally getting around to seeing some of the Universal classic monster movies. They've been doing a marathon on the horror channel so set them on record.

May The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It A Quiet Place II - IMAX June Those Who Wish Me Dead Cruella The Father A Quiet Place II - IMAX (Repeat) Nobody In the Heights F9 - IMAX July Freaky Black Widow Jungle Cruise The Suicide Squad - IMAX August Stillwater Another Round Judas and the Black Messiah The Suicide Squad (Repeat) Snake Eyes Free Guy The Night House Reminiscence Candyman September Shang-Chi Malignant LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring - IMAX LOTR: The Two Towers - IMAX October No Time to Die - IMAX No Time to Die - IMAX (Repeat) Venom: Let There Be Carnage Halloween Kills The Last Duel Dune - IMAX Dune - IMAX (Repeat) Last Night in Soho Antlers Total Trips : 35

I thought this was incredible fun. Stylish, poppy and a delight of a rollercoaster, has all the clever trappings of an Edgar Wright film. Gets a little thematically muddled towards the end. Do not go in expecting a full on horror. It's much more of a fantastical mystery thriller, and the horror that is there bends to Wrights will as a director with a distinct brand. Thomasin Mckenzie is fantastic and absolutely carries the film. Was forced to listen to Trailer 2 for this when I went to see Halloween Kills a couple of weeks and it gives away far too much even just listening. Was a bit annoyed at that as I'd managed to avoid it. Also your theatres speakers aren't having technical issues at the beginning of the film, it's just Wright being his clever self. Edit: Also one of my first jobs was doing restaurant surveys for a company based out of Soho and it's just a joy to recognise so many street corners, pubs, alleyways, shortcuts and neon signs. Wright did such a good job of capturing the place.

The biggest thing for me with The Ring is just how stunning the cinematography is. It's both genuinely beautiful and captures that creeping atmosphere.

I'm in the boat that loves mother!. I thought it was gripping, especially the final act. I don't need it to be subtle, I basically looked at it as a straight up adaptation/interpretation but I can see why it's so off putting as well!

The Invisible Man really was one of my favourite horrors from recent years. Elizabeth Moss is incredible, so much of the film rests on her performance and the sound design is top notch. The choice of perspective is really what makes this standout, you never know in any scene if you're truly alone. To the point where I think even your mind starts playing tricks on you in terms of what you're seeing on screen. It taps into something primal.

The score in the final act of Annihilation is incredible.

I think the build up to Freddy's reveal in New Nightmare is part of what makes that film so good. It's easily the scariest and most threatening he's been since the first Elm Street.

Black Christmas is great and quite disturbing, would highly recommend to those interested in seeing how the slasher film evolved. It also taps into a particular urban legend very well.

This was really great. Certainly Ridley's best since The Martian and if you exclude that; Kingdom of Heaven. Loved the Rashomon style of storytelling. It's like a puzzle box with how scenes not present in each others versions fill in the gaps. Then you have the scenes that repeat and they found a nice subtly to the differences. I felt some differences were played for humour which added some required levity while others are much more malevolent. Comer and Driver are fantastic in this. Affleck is having a lot of fun and also provides some humour. Damon is pretty good in this, I think he's a little shaky towards the start but settles into it. I love how Ridley captures the violence and action. There's a frankness and indifference which emphasises the brutishness and rawness of everything. The clanging of metal in the final duel was music to my ears. I was on the edge of my seat through the whole finale.

Maybe my expectations were in check because I've been catching up on some of the lesser entries in the franchise recently. This film is miles ahead of those. The characters were pretty dumb throughout and the logistics of the last 5 mins have not been thought out. I'm on board with Michael being an unstoppable beast with no explanation but I just felt they could have laid out that specific scenario a little better. I think I screamed at the screen the 10th time someone said "Remember that night 40 years ago...". I waved my hands in despair when someone missed a shot for the 20th time. I rolled my eyes when anyone said "Evil dies tonight" Plot definitely feels like wheel-spinning before the conclusion, but that's understandable. It felt like Green's direction took a bit of step back as well, lighting was more atmospheric but coverage was a bit more standard. But Michael was a badass, I love how he's portrayed in this film. There's some discussion around how he's not actually after Laurie which is great, and the childhood home stuff is interestingly ambiguous. I wonder if they'll dive into it more with the finale. The kills were awesome and brutal (glorious gore), returning characters were solid, I think JLC taking a back seat meant we were losing a little something since it's her wrath against Michael we empathise with most. The newer characters are more of a mixed bag. It felt like a proper continuation of the same night. Some unexpected surprises like the flashbacks which were executed so well. It's a step down from 2018 but the fun outweighed the frustrations. 6/10