I plan to watch 365 movies this year because it’s good to have pointless goals. And even better than them simply being pointless, are goals with stipulations. At least two movies a week should be something I’ve never seen before and it doesn’t have to be “one movie per day” as long as I hit 365.
Thoughts: I was really looking forward to watching this one after seeing the trailer a few weeks ago and hearing some of the early praise. As I watched, I started to worry that this was a really cool premise that was going to be hard to bring to a satisfying conclusion and it’s just that. It starts strong but runs out of ideas in the third act. Nicolas Cage is fantastic throughout in dorky, schlub mode. He nails the awkward interactions and half-formed sentences of someone who, great aspirations aside, is not good in social situations where he is the focus. As he starts to inexplicably appear in people’s dreams all over the world, he never really knows who to live up to this literal fantasy version of himself that he has no control over. The movie cycles through the stages of viral fame from slow build to massive attention to the inevitable backlash (once his dream avatar suddenly turns incredibly violent) to being abandoned. I’m okay that the movie outright admits that “we have no idea how or why this happened, why it changed and why it stopped” and I’m okay with that. The problem isn’t that they didn’t have an explanation in-movie for why, but didn’t really know what to do with the premise. Also the weird half-explored sub plot with Cage’s wife and her coworker never quite takes shape believably (the Halloween visit and accompanying her to the play is at odds with what we see of them breifly interacting on screen). It kind of winds down quietly (and at times contradictorily) after a climactic moment. Since there are so many dream sequences, I did like that it kept you off balance at times not knowing whether you were watching dream or reality. Hey there Michael Cera! Nice to see him popping up in som many things this year.
I plan to watch 365 movies this year because it’s good to have pointless goals. And even better than them simply being pointless, are goals with stipulations. At least two movies a week should be something I’ve never seen before and it doesn’t have to be “one movie per day” as long as I hit 365.
Seen it before? Yes. Easily a dozen times since first catching it on cable.
Thoughts: Naturally. Is there a better movie to watch on Halloween than the original Halloween? No, there is not. Michael Myers is still my pick as the greatest of the unstoppable cinematic killing machines. I first heard about this movie at the bus stop when I was about 8 with one of the other kids in my neighborhood recounting the entire tale. It would be probably five more years before we got cable and I had been waiting to watch this one ever since that day. It did not disappoint then and still doesn’t. As far as low-budget movies with a young cast go, it’s solidly constructed, creates an intriguing mythology and Michael Myers gets a great introduction as he stalks, teases and torments Laurie. I love when Myers takes a quiet moment to appreciate/contemplate his work after stabbing the guy to the wall several feet off the ground, his head slowly cocking side to side. (And anyone who says he doesn’t have a playful side hasn’t seen him don a classic sheet-ghost costume with glasses on the outside.) Aside from veteran actor Donald Pleasance, weary and wary yet always vigilant in the hunt for a psycho, Jamie Lee Curtis is the only other actor who gives a good performance. Well, it also has 80s it girl P.J. Soles and she gives a reliable P.J. Soles performance. “Totally.” This movie also has one key aspect that clears all other horror/slasher films: the hands down best score. Ever. John Carpenter’s synth-heavy mood music adds so much critical atmosphere to the movie. Not just the iconic plinking piano and somber chords of the main theme, but the jump scare blast and the slow build moments – all of it 10/10. Oh hey, “Don’t Fear the Reaper” is in this one, too!
I plan to watch 365 movies this year because it’s good to have pointless goals. And even better than them simply being pointless, are goals with stipulations. At least two movies a week should be something I’ve never seen before and it doesn’t have to be “one movie per day” as long as I hit 365.
Seen it before? Yes. In theaters and five or six more times since buying the DVD.
Thoughts: Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg’s jump into the big leagues was an instant classic for me. It balances the line between mocking and embracing all of the cliche’s of the zombie genre (or this case several genres being a self-titled “zom-rom-com”). I have this as my runner-up in the Halloween selection of my “Best Movies to Watch for Each Holiday” list. It brings legitimate gore (David’s disembowling is certainly graphic), tension, drama and emotional stakes but never loses the comedy. The winky nods to horror tropes in the early going with mundane jump scares, faux zombie groaning/stumbling and a heavy-breathing home (almost) intruder are all well-done precursors to the actual horror movie that hasn’t started yet. Though the multiple “people are already pretty zombie like these days especially with technology” references early on are handled about as subtly as a shovel to the head. It’s really well structured and scripted that is rewarded by repeat viewings. Pegg and Nick Frost, as his obnoxious best friend, have great interplay. Peter Serafinowicz has too short of a role but is a welcome presence as always. This was my first real exposure to Bill Nighy and he is great. Shaun’s mom, Barbara, remains the most tragic of all the characters. For the rom com part of the movie, it’s funny that it really isn’t Shaun and Liz as the couple in question, but really Shaun and Ed who finally get their happy ending.
AI image from the prompt “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
I plan to watch 365 movies this year because it’s good to have pointless goals. And even better than them simply being pointless, are goals with stipulations. At least two movies a week should be something I’ve never seen before and it doesn’t have to be “one movie per day” as long as I hit 365.
Thoughts: I like this movie but don’t love it like many do. I think I was just out of the right age range when it debuted to nest in my brain. It is certainly a deeply clever story in its concept and characters, and over all an enjoyable viewing, but It’s one of those I rarely, if ever, intentionally seek out. Also, may be a controversial take but “This is Halloween,” the most pervasive song from the soundtrack, might be the worst. The redundant beat and melody just grates on me. “What’s This?” however is a great song and I’m a big Oogie Boogie fan. And as far as the “debate” goes: yes, this is a Halloween movie and, no, it is not in any way a Christmas movie. (Though I do like that my neighbors put up a 12 foot, singing Jack Skellington decoration in early October and will apparently be letting him remain through Christmas – he is currently festooned with fall-colored garland to get through November. I can appreciate that.) On a technical level, I am always impressed by the patience and precise detail required by any type of stop-motion animation. I also find it incredibly impressive how seamless the two Jack Skellington voices are. It’s hard to tell the difference beaten Chris Sarandon as speaking Jack and Danny (certified creep) Elfman as singing Jack.
AI image from the prompt “Big Trouble in Little China.”
I plan to watch 365 movies this year because it’s good to have pointless goals. And even better than them simply being pointless, are goals with stipulations. At least two movies a week should be something I’ve never seen before and it doesn’t have to be “one movie per day” as long as I hit 365.
Seen it before? Yes. Many, many times starting in theaters and eventually bought the DVD so m,y kids could enjoy this classic as well.
Thoughts: Number 300 requires an “all-timer” entry, so here we go. I’ll start by saying this movie’s greatness is not up for debate. There is no way this movie can be improved. Find a flaw and I will ignore it. I feel like it’s often overlooked how the subversive Jack Burton is as an action movie hero and how much of his appeal lies there. In most confrontations, he ends up on his back, ineffective, or completely confused and overmatched. He always charges in but the comedy is that he, in many cases, has a minimal or unintentional effect on what transpires. That said, he is very clearly a hero, not in spite of these fail moments, but because they never dampen his spirit, bravado, and willingness to take on the next challenge. Then there is the fact that, after knocking himself unconscious shooting the ceiling and getting trapped under a dead samurai, he spends large parts of the final confrontation wearing bright red lipstick. But when it really matters most, Jack is up to the challenge. It doesn’t matter that he looks silly, falls down, gets sidelined, or has no idea what to do next, all that matter is, as old Jack Burton always says, “Everybody relax. I’m here.” (And all of that is also why the talk of a remake with someone like the Rock is doomed to completely miss the point of the character.) It’s also the greatest Kurt Russell character ever and that’s saying something. “It’s all in the reflexes,” is indeed an incredibly quotable line that I have been using on the regular since 1986 (and happily my daughter has occasionally used), but my favorite exchange may be the “good thought so..thought so good” back-and-forth about the magic potion. I’ve said it before, but John Carpenter may be the greatest overlooked director and has not gotten enough praise at the level of talents like Spielberg, Cameron, Scorsese and Tarantino. I’ll take Carpenter’s top 5 movies (this, Halloween, The Thing, Starman and Escape From New York) against theirs any time. It’s also a welcome showcase for the always great James Hong as David Lo Pan. His ability to shift between giddy insanity and calm intimidation makes him a quality antagonist. Fun fact: when Lightning dies, his last bit of electrical life spells a Chinese-language character and I finally looked up what it meant after all these years. It’s “carpenter.”
Since we’ve just completed the end-of-year holiday gauntlet that starts with Halloween and runs through New Year’s Eve, it’s a good time to reflect on those signature movies that make the ideal companion for each celebration. So, here I present my highly subjective but inarguably accurate breakdown of the best if-you-could-only-watch-one-movie movie for each occasion (and I’ll tell you right now that won’t be any of those God-awful, pandering, “star” studded, terribly-scripted ensemblepieces from the otherwise unassailable Garry Marshall).
Though most movies on this list are set around the titular holiday, that’s not necessarily a requirement. As long as they embody the spirit of the holiday then that’s good enough to qualify.
HALLOWEEN
Halloween – As noted above, this list is subjective. Knowing that, it’s hard to say “you’re wrong” to someone who disagrees with my signature movie choice for any given entry – this being the exception. If you think any other movie belongs on this list other than the original, Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasance entry into the increasingly ludicrous Michael Myers murder saga, well…you’re wrong. This movie is perfection.
Honorable mention: Shaun of the Dead. The self-anointed “zom-rom-com” brings British humor, legitimate zombie horror and modern energy (courtesy of the wonderful Simon Pegg-Edgar Wright collaboration) to this modern classic.
THANKSGIVING
Planes, Trains & Automobiles – Two late greats (John Candy, John Hughes) and the always reliable Steve Martin team up for the a classic road trip. So many great scenes and quotes (the “aw, he’s drunk, how would he know where we’re going” being tops) with an emotional gut-punch ending to bring it all home (pun intended).
Honorable mention: Well, there really aren’t that many to choose from and the ones that center around family gatherings for the titular event are usually cliche-ridden slogs. I guess if you are going for the just the theme of Thanksgiving, than you could either lean into the bountiful food aspect with a surprisingly charming animated movie or go with the the sheer footballness of it all (not the obvious pick, but a criminally underappreciated gem and inspired pairing of Kurt Russell and Robin Williams).
CHRISTMAS
‘Tis a hard one just for the sheer volume of movies made about or centered around this holiday behemoth (Shane Black alone has established his own singular set of career tropes with a recurring Noel backdrop in his best movies). So which is the best? Nope, not Die Hard (though great). Not Elf (for which my fondness has surprisingly grown over the years). Not this or that. (Definitely not this abomination.) Not even the stalwart Jimmy Stewart entry tops the list (finally watched it a couple years ago, I don’t get the hype). And this one is not even a Christmas movie, it’s a Halloween movie. (This is not up for debate.) Gremlins comes close. No, thistle honor goes to the inimitable Mr. Murray and Scrooged. It’s not Christmas if I don’t catch this at least once a season. It’s weird, quotable, funny, affecting and offered employment to the extended Murray. Plus, Carol Kane assaulting Frank Cross with a toaster! “Nobody gets me!”
Honorable mention: A Christmas Story. There’s a reason this airs on a non-stop, 24-hour loop every year. It’s a stone cold Gen-X (and beyond) classic.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
When Harry Met Sally. New Year’s Eve is the backdrop for the movie’s big romantic climax and iconic “the rest of your life” speech and really no other NYE movie comes close. This beloved movie holds up under repeated viewings and featured a cast of 80s icons at the top of their game.
Honorable Mention: The pickings are pretty slim for this holiday as it is, but in the runner up slot, I would go with forgotten treasure, Trading Places. I am still fond of greeting people with a hearty “Merry New Year!” each Dec. 31, so there’s that.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
Selma might be the obvious pick here (and would be a fine choice) but I would go with Mississippi Burning about the murder investigation of a trio of civil rights activists. It’s intense, well-acted and unfortunately still all too relevant even though it came out 30 years ago and is set in the mid-60s. It underscores that we still have a long way to go to realize the reverend’s dream.
Honorable mention: Malcom X. As incendiary, riveting, complicated and thought-provoking as the titular subject. Denzel Washington is excellent and Spike Lee delivers one of his best.
GROUNDHOG DAY
Groundhog Day. I mean, is there really any other option? (Literally, no. There isn’t.) Even if there were a hundred different movies centered around the oddest “holiday” on this list (and really is only on here to honor this movie) I have no doubt this would still be on the list. Much like Phil Connors and his many lifetimes spent among the people of Punxsutawney, this is a movie that never grows old no matter how many repeated viewings (kind of like Phil!). The movie that is the mic drop on Bill Murray’s status as the greatest original ex-SNL cast member.
Honorable mention: Groundhog Day. I mean, is there really any other option? (Literally, no. There isn’t.) Even if there were a hundred different movies centered around the oddest “holiday” on this list (and really is only on here to honor this movie) I have no doubt this would still be on the list. Much like Phil Connors and his many lifetimes spent among the people of Punxsutawney…
VALENTINE’S DAY
The Princess Bride. I mean, what else could you possible put here? Not only does it have one of the greatest cinematic romance stories, it is funny as hell, incredibly rewatchable, eminently quotable, perfectly scripted, flawlessly cast and expertly performed. If you don’t “get” this movie, then the problem is you.
Honorable Mention: Roxanne. Steve Martin is a national treasure and one of the smartest writers of the past forty+ years (credited as his first full screenplay with, of course, an assist from Edmond Rostand). This clever Cyrano update is so much deeper and more clever than “guy with a big nose and bigger heart.”
PRESIDENT’S DAY
The American President. Okay, there are probably pretty a dozen objectively better movies for President’s Day. One’s that are more impactful or important. Or ones about, you know, actual presidents. But give this smart (though ultimately politically simplistic and a little cheesy) Aaron Sorkin/Rob Reiner/Michael Douglas collaboration that a chance. If nothing else it leaves you feeling a little better about the powers that be (or at least, the powers as they should be). If I’m flipping channels and come across this, I’m watching.
Honorable Mention: Dave. Going fictional for the runner up, too. The always great Kevin Kline brings this prince-and-the-pauper-type flick about an average guy who looks so much like the evil George Bush(ish) figure running the country, that he takes over when the real president falls into a coma and comedy ensues. His regular guy approach, grassroots work ethic and unassuming friends make it seem like anyone could be president with enough empathy and common sense. It’s an underrated gem.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
The Fugitive. Sure, there are probably better “Irish” movies that top your list. But do they have pivotal scenes with Chicago’s famous St. Patty’s parade as the backdrop? Probably not. And do they have prime-edition Harrison Ford? Definitely not. (And no, I’m not counting the one where Ford investigates a Northern Ireland accent that is murdered by Brad Pitt.)
Honorable Mention. Yes, fine. The Departed. Are you happy now?
EASTER
Full disclosure, I’m not a very religious person which makes this particular holiday selection a little sticky. I’ll go with the perfect double-feature. Starting with Monty Python’s nearly flawless Life of Brian that gets better with each viewing. Brian was born the same day and location as Jesus, but with significantly lower return. It’s the Python’s most straightforward and cohesive cinematic narrative but still has the expected silliness and comedic deconstructions. Plus, it boasts the best crucifixion musical sequence ever. Follow that with the masterpiece that is Monty Python and the Holy Grail. How is this an Easter movie? How is it not? Part of the climax involves a murder rabbit dispatched by a holy weapon – perfectly encapsulates the strange reality of a holiday based on death and resurrection that lives uneasily with an anthropomorphic rabbit who brings chocolate to children – makes sense.
Honorable mention: Jesus Christ Superstar. One of the first movies I saw in theaters after hearing the soundtrack played quite frequently by my patents. Quite simply, this musical, uh, slaps (I’ve been told I used that slang correctly.) I can still sing quite a bit of the title son, along with Hosanna, though I haven’t seen it more than once in the past 40 years.
MEMORIAL DAY
Glory. I really like this movie. Great performances (Washington, Broderick, Freeman, Braugher, Elwes) and writing anchor the story of the Civil War;s first all-black volunteer regiment. Equal parts devastating and inspiring, it makes you both proud of and ashamed for. Aspects of our shared American history, but shows that in the end there are always people willing to put their lives on the line to protect freedoms we all too often take for granted.
Honorable Mention. Three Kings. It’s an anti-war movie that manages to find the humanity in a group of soldiers on an illicit mission to steal stolen gold before they get caught up in the reality and shared humanity of the denizens who inhabit the country they have invaded. It devastatingly illustrates just how violence just breeds violence in an endless cycle of retaliation. It’s hard to say who the bad guys are when at a singular level you find people lashing out at personal losses above the geopolitical or religious differences. Also, the movie the made me grudgingly accept George Clooney as an enjoyable screen presence.
MOTHER’S DAY
Brave. A great mother-daughter relationship that shows the grudging respect and painful friction that singular relationship can bring to bear (so sorry for that one) on both. The movie does a good job of showing how both of them simply want to be really heard and appreciated by the other and that realizing that perspective is the key to understanding. It just takes a bit of magic and the threat of loss to realize it.
Honorable mention: Overboard. Okay, gonna get out in front of the problematic aspects of this tale of a man who gaslights a woman into believing she is his wife, and eventually romancing her, as revenge. But still, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn are unsurprisingly great in their roles and it’s a sweet story in the end (but, yes, gaslighting). And Edward Hermann effortlessly steals the entire third act and is worth it just for his scenes alone.
FATHER’S DAY
Raising Arizona. H.I. And Edwina’s life quickly spirals from joy to chaos after they kidnap a quint but their devotion and heart is never in question (you know, for kidnappers – they had NINE after all!) The Coen brothers know how to spend time with “trashy” characters without sacrificing their humanity even as they showcase laugh out loud comedy (contrast that with the “point and laugh at the yokels” in somehting like the Hess’ output). The diaper stealing set piece is a masterclass in filmmaking.
marble mention: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I see a lot of me and my dad’s relationship in this (yes that makes me Indiana Jones, I”m good with that) which just adds to what is one of the rare major franchise “threequels’ that rises to the quality of the original. This desert road trip movie that establishes the bond that never had time to grow between father and son is fantastic. The slow fade on Indy’s face from happy-to-sullen when he dispatches a Nazi only to see his father’s nonplussed visage perfectly encapsulates their entire dynamic.
FOURTH OF JULY
1776. When I was growing up, my dad would frequently catch this when it would air on cable on or around the Fourth of July and I would pass through the room mostly cringing at this filmed version of the stage play. I didn’t quite appreciate it until many years later when I came across scanning channels and actually watched it from start to finish. Yeah, now I get it. It’s fantastic and funny with great performances, decent songs and crackling dialogue (filled with some unexpected snark for the time). It’s been become an annual ritual for me to watch and foist on my family much like my dad did (and they similarly resist it – for now.) Have more time to fill? It makes a perfect, albeit long, double feature with it’s spiritual successor, Hamilton.
Honorable mention. Independence Day. Not gonna lie, this is not a good movie based on things like performances and scripting and intelligent plotting and science and, well everything. It doesn’t really make sense and has more plot holes bigger than the spaceships that park over the major cities. As long as we can all agree that it’s big, dumb, loud, blow-things-up-and-give-cheesy-speeches fun perfect for turning your brain off and enjoying.
LABOR DAY
Office Space. The greatest cinematic ode to cubicle culture perfectly captures the drudgery off both office life and restaurant work in the late 90s (both of which resonated with me seeing as how, at the time this was released, I too had a corporate cubicle-based job by day while working as a bartender at a flair-encouraging restaurant nights and weekends.) It’s a little front-loaded with some of the best scenes happening in the first 45 minutes, but remains enjoyable throughout and, like the good cult classic it is, improves with each viewing.
Honorable mention: Gung Ho. Michael Keaton works with a Japanese conglomerate to save his small town’s automobile manufacturing plant. Keaton, as always, is a great comic presence. Bringing fast-talking manic energy and rapid-fire intelligence to his role and pairing nicely with Gedde Watanabe as the beaten-down executive who is too compassionate to survive the cutthroat world he inhabits.
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