Michael Thomas

Ranking the Terence Davies Films

Terence Davies is one of the great directors that I overlooked for far too long. I am not really sure why. He is clearly one of the vest best to ever do it. Continue reading Ranking the Terence Davies Films

Ranking the Hollywood Oral History Books

THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING PROJECT THAT WILL BE SPORADICALLY UPDATED AS NEEDED

Hollywood oral history books are getting cranked out fairly quickly right now relatively speaking. I like reading them because they are mostly easy to read and fascinating regardless of how good they are.

Future Updates: Twin Peaks, Top of the Rock

13. Game of Thrones: Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon

Continue reading Ranking the Hollywood Oral History Books

6 Takeaways from House of the Dragon: Season 1

I could not help myself. I swore up and down I was not going to get sucked into another Game of Thrones show. But I did. Here are my big thoughts on it. Continue reading 6 Takeaways from House of the Dragon: Season 1

4 Takeaways from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Evil billionaire, Jeff Bezos, wanted “his Game of Thrones” and spent a billion dollars or whatever on this Lord of the Rings show. So obviously it does seem unethical to watch this show.

Between that dynamic and being a big fan of Peter Jackson’s LOTR film adaptations (but definitely not the Hobbit films) and an admirer of Tolkien in general, it seemed like I was just gonna pass on this show altogether. Life is simply too short.

Alas. I could not help myself. Continue reading 4 Takeaways from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Ranking the Game of Thrones Seasons

Game of Thrones was a genuine cultural phenomenon. Given how badly it ended, you might forget there was a point when it was perfectly fun genre television. I would even say it’s worth going back and watching some of it. Find out which seasons were worth the time. Continue reading Ranking the Game of Thrones Seasons

Ranking the Orson Welles Films

“If one is fashionable for the greater part of one’s career, one will produce second-class work. Perhaps by chance one will arrive at being a success but this means that one is a follower and not an innovator. An artist should lead, blaze trails.” Continue reading Ranking the Orson Welles Films

Ranking the Stanley Kubrick Films

Stanley Kubrick was one of the genuine masters of the filmmaking craft in the 20th century. He was one of the few impeccable filmographies. Not in the sense that all of his films are great (or even all good), but in the way that all of his films feel distinct and worthy of study. Here is how I rank them. Continue reading Ranking the Stanley Kubrick Films

Ranking the Terrence Malick Films

Terrence Malick is the greatest filmmaker from the United States to ever do it. He explores what it means to be alive – the beauty and tragedy of it. He does so in a signature manner that feels wholly original and spiritual in way that is truly pushing the medium of cinema forward. No one does it like him nor does anyone do it as well as him. He is my favorite, and I will spend the rest of my life revisiting each and every one of his films time and time again.

Continue reading Ranking the Terrence Malick Films

7 Things That Make The Mummy & The Mummy Returns Great Films

The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001) are two of the most purely enjoyable modern adventure films. Cribbing liberally from Indiana Jones, Stephen Sommers et co. created two great films for the whole family. Here are seven reasons why.