mm has written 76 reviews for films during 2023.
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The Pale Blue Eye 2022
This was literally everything I needed it to be.
I concede it's cliched, and not directed with any particular flair or POV, but sometimes you're just looking for a vibe.
The vibe being: spooky, winter-set, with cool costumes and some gorgeous practical filmmaking. I love movies where you can feel the cold. This was no exception.
And it has to be said again: Harry Melling! What an out-of-nowhere cool career from being an HP bit player.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001
Extended Edition
I decided to address my disconnect with The Lord of the Rings once and for all by watching the definitive versions of the story in the only way my smooth brain can process: by watching it like a miniseries.
Over the course of the week, I watched this in 1:15ish increments, and I can confirm that helped me understand what was going on and who everyone was.
My memories of the theatrical cut are hazy to say the…
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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 2002
Extended Edition
The sexual undertones between Frodo and Sam graduate to overtones in this one.
Such an incredible opening sequence, though the big G's return doesn't make much sense tbh. I tried reading a wiki page to try and understand the subject, but alas, I am too dumb.
Helm's Deep stressed me out as well. And I loved Gollum's little fish song! How they could make me care about that little ghoul is a feat in and of itself.
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Minority Report 2002
First time I’ve seen in…maybe 10 years? Idk. Time is fun.
This is a perfect example of a good movie that Spielberg’s directing elevated into a great one.
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Knock at the Cabin 2023
I want to give M. Night a big hug for shooting this on film. The praise stops there though.
There just isn’t a lot there with this one, unfortunately. It’s got a thin script, cringey dialogue and performances, the usual Shyamalan fare.
I’m glad some people are getting enjoyment or deeper meaning from this phase of Shyamalan, I just can’t get there.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2003
Took my time with this one to give it a chance to really stick the emotional landing.
It did!
You bow to no one.
Good stuff. Can’t even imagine the kind of sobbing that happened in the theater back in ‘03.
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Inglourious Basterds 2009
There’s so much to say about this, an essentially perfect movie, but the thing I most want to call out is Tarantino’s insane choice of using like six different fonts in the opening credits.
Please don’t stop making movies, sir.
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Titanic 1997
It’s wild when you actually watch something of this magnitude in pop culture, because you get exposed to all that people don’t talk about, as well as The Memes.
For example, I had absolutely no idea that Kathy Bates was in this, so when she showed up I legit shrieked with delight. Now I understand why this made $2 billion. You just had to go back for more Bates.
And while I’ll take it to my grave that T2 and…
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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 2011
Fincher makes this shit look easy.
From the North to the South, Ebudæ unto Khartoum
From the deep Sea of Clouds to the Island of the Moon
Carry me on the waves to the lands I've never been
Carry me on the waves to the lands I've never seen
We can sail, we can sail with the Orinoco Flow
We can sail, we can sail
(Sail away, sail away, sail away)
We can steer, we can near
With Rob Dickins at the wheel
We can sigh, say goodbye Ross and his dependency
We can sail, we can sail
(Sail away, sail away, sail away)
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