George Lucas is one of the strangest figures in Hollywood history. On one hand, he clearly is a film genius. On the other hand, well, everything about Star Wars is obviously made for children, and no one should care too much about it after they become an actual adult. Here is hoping he has spend the final decades of his life secretly making cool films in his basement the entire time that will not be released until he dies.
Films Still to Watch: Mo’ Better Blues, Miracle at St. Anna
Films Still to Rewatch: Jungle Fever, 25th Hour, Inside Man, Red Hook Summer
With Spike Lee, there is the style and there is the politics. That is not to say these things should (or even can) be not discussed together because they are interwoven. You need to discuss the what of Lee films along with the how. The what of Spike’s films are often what draw me to him. The politics cannot be separated, ignored, or coddled because in many ways Spike Lee films feel like essay films. They have a very specific point they are making – regardless of whether or not that this is the point Lee is trying to make.
It appears that a large amount of Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s filmography is unavailable, but here are the ones I could find ranked! He makes great movies. Watch them. If more become available, they will get added to the list. Continue reading Ranking the Ryūsuke Hamaguchi Films
Debra Granik is a great filmmaker who does not get to make enough movies because capitalism. Alas. This column will look at her non-documentary feature films.
UPDATED: 4/17/2024
Still Need to Watch: Kundun
Still Need to Re-Watch: New York New York
Martin Scorsese has a genuine case as being the greatest filmmaker ever from the United States (and he only has a few genuine competitors for that title). His pictures are just absolutely beautiful tributes to humanity and the pain we cause ourselves and each other.
Films Still Need to Watch (But will I bother? Unlikely): Piranha II: The Spawning
James Cameron mostly makes big spectacle films that I find compelling if not wholly satisfying. Here is how I rank them. Continue reading Ranking the James Cameron Films
The Rocky films have never been my thing. I tried out the first one when I was much younger, and I was so unimpressed that it took me over a decade to give it or any of them another chance. One of the things that kept a desire in me to look at them though is that I loved Stallone’s work in the Creed films. He is such a talented movie star when he has the right role. And Rocky Balboa, if nothing else, is his defining role. And now Adonis Creed is Michael B. Jordan’s defining role.
While you’re here, check out the following articles/podcasts:
Jerome’s 100 Favorite Movies Ever: Creed
There Will Be Movies – Episode 37: Creed
Jerome’s 100 Favorite Movies Ever: Rocky
Pantheon Plus – Underrated Sequels: Rocky Balboa
The Rocky films have never been my thing. I tried out the first one when I was much younger, and I was so unimpressed that it took me over a decade to give it or any of them another chance. One of the things that kept a desire in me to look at them though is that I loved Stallone’s work in the Creed films. He is such a talented movie star when he has the right role. And Rocky Balboa, if nothing else, is his defining role.
While you’re here, check out the following articles/podcasts:
Jerome’s 100 Favorite Movies Ever: Creed
There Will Be Movies – Episode 37: Creed
Jerome’s 100 Favorite Movies Ever: Rocky
Pantheon Plus – Underrated Sequels: Rocky Balboa
Films I Still Need To Watch: Wide Awake, The Last Airbender
M. Night is one of the best filmmakers from the last thirty years. I am grateful for his audience and critical comeback in recent years, as it means that I will have the opportunity to get to watch his films in the years to come. Continue reading Ranking the M. Night Shyamalan Films
Still Need to Watch: Finian’s Rainbow, You’re a Big Boy Now, Gardens of Stone, Tetro, Megalopolis
Still Need to Re-Watch: Rumble Fish
Not Gonna Lie, Probably Will Never Watch, Life is Too Short: Jack
Francis Ford Coppola is such an icon and is one of those figures that you sometimes forget to actually look at the word he has produced when you assess his abilities and contributions to the world of cinema. He has made some of the best, biggest and most important movies ever made. He has made some financial disasters. He has made some real intimate and personal movies. And more importantly his work suggests he has rarely ever stopped exploring through art what it means to be alive in a very messed up world.
Continue reading Ranking the Francis Ford Coppola Films
The Reel World 