1. The Three Caballeros (1945)
iām a big animation nerd, and i truly believe that this is visually one of the most creative and beautiful animated films ever. i know thereās not really much of a āplot,ā but i love how anarchical the flow of the movie is, disney has not and will never make anything like it again. the musical sequences/song numbers are so much fun and joaoaqin garay and josĆ© oliveira give amazing performances as panchito and josĆ© carioca
2. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
this was my #1 favorite for the longest time, and itās now a *very* close second. this movie is just the epitome of expertly crafted film making on so many different levels, from the writing, directing, acting, practical effects, and animation. itās a perfect homage and combination to two of my favorite film eras, old film noir and the golden age of animation. richard williamās animation direction is also mindblowingly brilliant; so many insane shots in this movie that i know were almost impossible to animate.
3. A Clockwork Orange
i am aware that this is a starkly different pick from my first two, lmao. but this is genuinely such a fascinating film that speaks to me on so many levels. malcom mcdowell truly gives a performance of a lifetime, and the intentional setting of 60ās/70ās brutalist futurism is genuinely so iconic. obviously kubrickās direction and camera work is also genius, donāt have much to add there. i donāt necessarily agree with every point this film tried to get across, but the question if even the worst people in our society deserve the autonomy to choose between right and wrong is so fascinating.
4. Amadeus
perfect movie from beginning to end in my opinion. it is a master class in character writing, i can never get over how salieri and mozart are THE perfect character foils of eachother. the opera segments in this film are so beautifully shot, designed, and choreographe. this film is responsible for me genuinely falling in love with opera, where i now shoot/film my universityās operas as a consistent favorite gig of mine (and hope to professionally shoot operas as a part of my career in the future).
Jan 9, 2025
Related Recs
The Wicker Man (1973) - my favorite movie ever. folk horror masterpiece. so beautiful visually, and such a rich text with so much to interpret and analyze its just one of those movies you think about for the rest of your life.
Scott Pilgrim vs The World (2010) - unfortunately this movie has gotten a bad reputation so people make assumptions when you admit to liking it but I love this movie. I think its an insanely fun movie to watch, I love how itās done with the fun comic book/retro video game style, and at its core is a beautiful story about love, change, and growth.
Hereditary (2018) - I actually havenāt seen this movie in a long time but I really love the story, I think itās a haunting family tragedy that transitions into expertly-done horror. I love the occult elements and the symbolism and Iām badly due for a rewatch just for the richness and complexity of it all
Goodfellas (1990) - my favorite mob movie ever. Scorseseās masterpiece. like many of Scorseseās movies, itās about a guy hubristically ruining his own life, but its so beautifully shot and written and is so rightfully a staple of the genre.
Jan 6, 2025
first is mulholland driveā a movie that i just adore to my bones. everything about it feels like it captures the contradictions and dream logic of being a human being.
next is cassavetesā opening nightā probably the best on screen performance ever given. after a certain point, it felt like I was going through the scenes with gena rowlands.
the conformistā beautiful, obscene, strange, kinda sexy? truly unique movie.
close-upā never have i ever cried as hard to a movie as i did to this final scene. it makes you question whatās real and isnāt, and then say you donāt care. such a beautiful thing.
Jan 7, 2025
š½
Taking my cue from mouse's list otherwise I'd be here all day reccing.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya - craft wise, it might be the greatest animated film of all time. Tossup with Akira and The Lion King.
Sorcerer - a bunch of sweaty dudes transport unstable TNT in a big truck. When I think of cinema, I think of this.
While You Were Sleeping - I don't like Christmas movies but I watch this every year (and The Muppet Christmas Carol). God-tier romcom.
Children of Men - What can I say man. Grounded sci-fi that gives me chills and makes me cry every time.
Toy Story - Watched this over and over as a kid. First feature-length CG movie and it still hits.
A Hidden Life - Bring tissues.
The Pink Panther - This is a whole series of slapstick comedy films staring Peter Sellers. I love Steve Martin but his reboots ain't it.
Sound of My Voice - Indie film about infiltrating a cult. Formative for me.
The Hunger - David Bowie is a vampire. What else do you need to know?
Harakiri - Good place to start as any for samurai movies.
That was so hard.
Apr 11, 2024
Top Recs from @karterwithak
already posted this on my insta but i want to start a log of my monthly dvd/blu-ray/4k disc hauls :) i love love love physical media and im so glad to finally have a sizable collection of my own and not worry about streaming services. you can see it in the photo but here is a comprehensive list of everything:
1. Taxi The Complete Series Box Set DVD
(has been my #1 comfort show as of late)
2. The Muppets Show DVD (Season 1)
3. Juno DVD
4. Rock Nā Roll High School DVD
(picked this one up since i did grow up watching it, but mostly because the director of this movie follows me on letterboxd now haha)
5. Wizard of Oz Blu-ray Steelbook
6. National Lampoonās Animal House 4k Steelbook
7. Shrek 4k Steelbook
8. Coraline 4k Steelbook
9. The Last Unicorn 4k Steelbook
10. The Muppets (2011) Blu-ray Steelbook
11. Funny Girl (Criterion Collection) 4k
12. Barbie Blu-ray
13. South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut Blu-ray
14. Three Amigos Blu-ray
15. Superbad Blu-ray
16. Akira 4k
17. Bill and Tedās Excellent Adventure 4k
Jan 9, 2025
i have been obsessed with simon and garfunkel as of late. i donāt think they have ever made a bad song or album, but sounds of silence is by far my favorite. just genuinely beautiful from beginning to end.
Jan 9, 2025
iām not generally big into pop music, but damn is Hemlocke Springs extremely underrated. i know her song āgirlfriendā was viral for a bit a couple years ago, but sheās released new music since and her debut album āGoingā¦Goingā¦Gone!ā is genuinely very good. i still find myself listening to it frequently
Jan 10, 2025