For a while now, I’ve been actively logging the films I watch on Letterboxd. Feel free to follow me there. One list in particular has always intrigued me on that platform: films that have been watched more than a million times. In many ways, it reflects the platform’s most popular titles, and since the Letterboxd audience tends to be slightly more “snobbish” than, say, IMDb, those numbers are especially interesting. Continue reading
During my time in the United States, I couldn’t help but be amazed by the way media is consumed in that massive country. Everything there feels bigger. The houses, the distances, the people, the portion sizes, you name it. So it didn’t come as a surprise when I stumbled upon a large selection of “free” films available on YouTube TV. Together with my girlfriend, I picked one, ready to sit back and enjoy. Continue reading
Until recently, I had been actively avoiding Jurassic World Rebirth. After the disaster that was Jurassic World Dominion, which I genuinely consider one of the worst films I’ve ever seen, my expectations were close to zero. But surprisingly, Jurassic World Rebirth (directed by Gareth Edwards) turned out to be a pretty decent watch. It all depends on how you approach it. Continue reading
When it comes to quality cinema, the James Bond franchise isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind. Sure, the more recent entries are solid, but much of the older catalogus leans more toward pulp than prestige. With one major exception: Casino Royale. Because let’s be honest, this is still the best Bond film ever made. Continue reading
My fascination with European cinema has only grown stronger lately. My taste in films is becoming more selective, maybe even a little elitist, which means I tend to skip most Hollywood productions and instead look for quality films in the world cinema category. That’s how I came across the Danish film The Promised Land; also known as Bastarden. But honestly, it was Mads Mikkelsen who convinced me to give it a shot. Continue reading
In an earlier piece about Interstella 5555 by Daft Punk, I briefly touched on how watching films used to require more effort, and how that effort often enhanced the overall experience. That raises an interesting question: what do you do with all those films that simply aren’t available on streaming services, but that you still really want to see? Continue reading
Every once in a while you watch a film that lingers for days, maybe even weeks. The 2002 French film Irreversible, directed by Gaspar Noé, was exactly that kind of experience. Without giving too much away, Irreversible follows a structure reminiscent of Memento, showing how one night in Paris transforms the lives of a couple in a devastating way. Continue reading
Ack! Ack! Uh, pardon… did you know that Tim Burton’s 1996 film Mars Attacks! was based on a set of trading cards from the 1960s? I sure didn’t! Back in 1962, Topps released a series of collectible trading Mars Attacks!cards called Mars Attacks!. So why am I bringing this up now? Because the franchise is suddenly back in the spotlight thanks to a brand-new video game, fittingly titled Mars Attracts (without the exclamation mark present in the original title). What’s in a name?! Continue reading
Some film classics have had such an enormous impact on pop culture that you might start doubting whether you have actually seen them. The sheer number of references in today’s media can make you feel like you have. One of those films is Jaws, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a re-release in theaters. Whether you have seen this classic before or not, now is the perfect time to experience it as it was meant to be seen. Continue reading
Forty years after its release, Platoon remains one of the most powerful anti-war films ever made. We follow Chris Taylor, played by Charlie Sheen, a young man from a privileged background who volunteers to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. What begins as a patriotic mission quickly unravels into a harrowing year that leaves him forever changed. Continue reading