Every year, I share my list. On patreon, I have commentary for each of the below films. For this post... well, I'm just gonna share the list and a FEW comments.
Happy New Year!
An American in Paris - My first film of the year. As per tradition, it's always a classic, and this Gene Kelly hit was a great way to start things off.
The Meg 2: The Trench
In the Heat of the Night
Lupin III: The First
Argylle *
A Few Good Men
Network
The Sting
The Substitute
Ford v. Ferrari - I'd been curious about this since missing it in the theater. It may be the first movie I'd seen with Bale using his native accent and, honestly, it made me want to drive a Cobra. Mean feat as I'm not as much of a car person.
Dune part 2 *
Grand Prix
American Fiction
Titan A.E.
Wonka
Ladyhawke
At Sword's Point
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire *
Road House
Bull Durham
Road House
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire *
Wish - Such a hodgepodge. The music felt so inconsistent (one song felt like "we need a song that sounds like it belongs in Encanto!" "Done. Should we make the rest sound like that?" "Nah."). The world felt weird (I've got it, we'll make a Mediterranean inspired nation... and have Jewish, Spanish, and Arab representation! ...You guys are missing some big ones.) I liked the animation, I loved that it was a new idea. All of the easter eggs were fun... but it still felt a little half-baked. That said: the "when you wish upon a star" end credits scene made me smile so big.
The Illusionist
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare *
The Fall Guy * - This movie was made for my wheelhouse. Action, humor, silliness and seriousness, romance, great music... all stirred together. My second favorite thing from Ryan Gosling (after the Nice Guys, before Ken). I wonder if Barbie didn't cast a shadow over this movie and make folks think it would just be Ken part II; I had a blast either way.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace *
The Great Race
City Hunter - I was surprised when I saw the trailer, and this was one of my most-anticipated movies of the year. I LOVE City Hunter, but it has never been done well in live action. Jackie Chan's take is best left forgotten (a fine JC movie; a not-great CH movie). Likewise the too-serious K-drama that missed what the charm of Ryo Saeba was so much that the pilot made me mad (despite its loyal fans). The Chinese knockoff Mr. Mumble was REALLY close, but still not it. This was it. Made by fans, full of appropriate action, inappropriate humor, and sweetness under the zany. It was the BEST POSSIBLE live action adaptation and I hope for a sequel.
Who Done It? The Clue Documentary
Jim Henson: Idea Man
The Boys in the Boat
Everybody Wants Some!
Bad Boys Ride or Die *
Brats
Pick It Up!: Ska in the '90s
Stop Making Sense!
Evil Under The Sun
Harlem Nights
The Thomas Crown Affair
Beverly Hills Cop
Shakespeare in Love
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Beverly Hills Cop II
48 Hrs.
Anyone But You
Twisters *
Deadpool and Wolverine *
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Two
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Three
Cuban Fury
Orange County
Horizon: An American Saga--Chapter One -- I didn't go see this in the theater because three hours worth of free time didn't present itself during the showtimes my theater had. Costner's westerns are always beautiful though, so I wanted to give it a look. Did I like it? I don't know. I have a feeling I won't be able to accurately judge this film until the planned sequels come to pass (Costner has shot the second and hoped for four films total). Even if I'd disliked it, I would support it--this is the definition of "who asked for this? Someone with a story to tell." That's always worth supporting.
The Union
10 Years
The Legend of Tarzan
Pretending I'm a Superman: The Story of Tony Hawk Pro Skater
Saturday Night * -- It was surreal seeing people inhabit comic actors I was so very familiar with. If there's any criticism it's that the ladies in the cast didn't get anywhere near the attention that the guys did. The actresses had much less to work with, but they brought an A game anyway.
First Blood
How To Train Your Dragon
The 4:30 Movie -- It didn't feel like a full story, but Kevin Smith's work felt lighter and unpressured here. Everything felt inconsequential, but in a positive way that felt accurate to being young. I thought it was fine when I watched it, but it's grown on me.
Music by John Williams
Sleepy Hollow
The Sword in the Stone
Transformers One
How to Train Your Dragon 2
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
The Comic -- Dick Van Dyke as a misanthropic narcissist was not on my bingo card. A blending of the tragic stories of some of the stars of silent film era. The recreations of silent films were inspired, though, and played to DVD's skillset, though it's hard to imagine this movie playing well when it was so different from the comedic persona he'd built up. I don't know whether or not I liked it, but it did stick in my mind.
Fly Me To The Moon
Red One
Bell, Book, and Candle
John Williams in Tokyo
Shadow of the Vampire -- With all the talk of Nosferatu, I went back to this (out of print, not streaming on any major service) indie film from 2000. The cast was INCREDIBLE. And the conceit? The Max Schreck FW Murnau hired to play Count Orlok in Nosferatu was an actual vampire. It's a fun take and makes for a great black comedy. And once again WHAT A DANG CAST. (Willem Dafoe, John Malkovich, Cary Elwes, Udo Kier, Eddie Izzard, Catherine MacCormack...) Check it out if you loved Nosferatu. Or even if you didn't, I'm not picky.