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I watch this every year around Christmastime. The beginning of the movie is set during Christmas, and that’s kind of enough for me to make it a seasonal treat. It’s also one of my favorite movies for a number of reasons. I never read the book, and I know that it’s radically different in many aspects, but I’ve also heard this movie is a great example of condensing and contorting the source material into a feature length film. One thing that stands out to me is that it was a huge awards winner at the time, and I’m not so sure it would even get made nowadays. The characters are all flawed, and corrupt, and preoccupied with climbing the ladder of police politics. But they all have these great redemption arcs, especially Kevin Spacey as Jack Vincennes. It’s really hard to believe there was a time when Academy Award winning movies ended with thrilling shootouts.
Dec 14, 2021
Related Recs
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The controversy rages on, and tbh I don't care if Die Hard is a Christmas movie as long as people keep watching it annually. It is so good and has become the template for any (good or otherwise) hostage-related action flick (catch Violent Night, by any chance?). However some of its themes should be taken more seriously. Feminism, for example. Holly Genaro was creating her own identity, proving her competence, and forging her own path like an absolute baller. It also features the kind of colour-blind casting Shonda Rhimes would later perfect in Grey's Anatomy and other ventures. It is just a truly great film.
Dec 26, 2024
The 2009 Argentinian version, a really good detective thriller, feels like an early christopher Nolan film in a lot of way. its got the same time thing going on, with it cutting between the detectives solving the case and then writing a book about it 20 years later. there’s a scene about halfway through set at a football pitch, which is genuinely one of the most impressive scenes I’ve ever seen in a movie. 100% recommend
Jan 26, 2025
One of my favorite movies I watched last year. A colorful and witty, murder mystery. I want the DVD but it’s so expensive to get here. 🥲
May 4, 2024
Top Recs from @killmikeymdc
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I never was a coffee drinker. I know energy drinks are déclassé, but whatever. If you know me, you know this is my signature beverage. I start my mornings with one, and I’m aware how disgusting that sounds. More for taste than any kind of caffeine buzz, which I think I’m numb to anyway. This flavor used to be more common but every now and then I’ll have to drive around town from gas station to gas station to track one down. Always worth it.
Dec 14, 2021
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My favorite song to play when I’m driving home at the end of the day. It’s a living soundtrack song if there ever was one. It’s ideal for rainy nights, getting ready in the morning, or field stripping your pistol.
Dec 14, 2021
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I read this earlier this year and still think about it. At over 700 pages, it was daunting, but I was in the mood to read an epic western that I knew would make me feel some sort of emotional connection. It took me about 2 months to finish, and it blew me away. I felt immense dread when characters who I had spent weeks getting to know were in peril or dying. I truly loved everything about it and I was devastated when it was over. It’s been months and I’m still upset about certain parts.
Dec 14, 2021