Pop Culture
Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom, 2023 - ★★★
Ce n'est pas le meilleur Astérix, mais ce n'est pas le pire non plus. Il y a quelques bons gags, mais le meilleur moment pour moi a été la toute fin. Entendre Obélix parler de "quand on sera grands" m'a vraiment touché. Ce court instant de poésie, larmichettes à l'appui, m'a incité à revoir mon évaluation à la hausse.
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The Wild Robot, 2024 - ★★★★
This is a lovely movie featuring standout animation. It is beautiful and truly has a big heart.
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Wish, 2023 - ★★½
The animations and story are both lovely. However, the film gives a sense of déjà vu that prevents it from standing out. This seems intentional, as the movie was released to celebrate the 100th birthday of The Walt Disney Company, paying homage to its history. The end credits feature a fun quiz highlighting previous Disney movies and characters.
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The Lost Daughter, 2021 - ★★½
It is true that parenthood, especially motherhood, can be challenging, and there are very few films that explore this subject. It can be comforting to see a mother on screen struggling with mixed feelings about her children. However, despite the strong performances from the cast, the thriller atmosphere did not resonate with me. I also found the main character unlikable, and I am growing weary of stories centered around petty bourgeois adultery (I'm looking at you, Nicolas Matthieu and Maria Pourchet).
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Malcolm in the Middle’s Bowling episode is a masterpiece.
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I watch The Daily Show pretty much every day. It’s a good way to cope with what is going on with Trump. The latest edition with Jon Stewart was particularly good. The Epstein files piece, the bit about the cancellation of Colbert’s late show, and the gospel song finale were all awesome.
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Icarus, 2017 - ★★★ (contains spoilers)
This review may contain spoilers.
Icarus begins as an exploration of doping in amateur cycling but quickly transforms into a high-stakes exposé of Russia’s state-sponsored doping program, focusing on whistleblower Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov.
Personally, I was more intrigued by the outcome of the first section of the movie. I was astonished that the effects of doping did not yield any results. Does this mean that other amateur cyclists are also doping?
However, the high stakes in the second part are more significant. Rodchenkov is both likable and, at times, untrustworthy and somewhat sketchy.
The footage of Lance Armstrong aggressively lying to people’s faces serves as a poignant reminder that fraud is disheartening. This echoes the sentiments expressed by Steve Carell’s character in The Big Short.
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Icarus, 2017 - ★★★
Icarus starts with an exploration of doping in amateur cycling but evolves into a critical investigation of Russia’s state-sponsored doping program through the lens of whistleblower Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov.
And Their Children After Them, 2024 - ★★★
J'avais énormément aimé le livre. C'était la première fois que je lisais un auteur qui rentrait sans doute en 3e quand moi-même attaquais la 6e. Et forcément, son ton me parlait.
Si le film reste fidèle au livre, il y a forcément eu des coupes, et le ton me parle globalement beaucoup moins. Bref, si vous avez le temps ou l'envie, préférez le livre.
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And Their Children After Them, 2024 - ★★★
J'avais énormément aimé le livre. C'était la première fois que je lisais un auteur qui rentrait sans doute en 3e quand moi-même attaquais la 6e. Et forcément, son ton me parlait.
Si le film reste fidèle au livre, il y a forcément eu des coupes, et le ton me parle globalement beaucoup moins. Bref, si vous avez le temps ou l'envie, préférez le livre.
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The Adam Project, 2022 - ★★★
The Adam Project is a hybrid child of Terminator, Back to the Future, Deadpool, and a lost scene from Good Will Hunting. It shouldn’t work – but somehow, it mostly does.
It’s a fun, family-ish adventure with just enough heart to make the time-travel chaos land. I’d probably wait until my kids are 10+ to show it – there’s quite a bit of violence and some heavy themes – but I’d happily watch it again.
Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo bring such warmth to their roles that you can’t help but be pulled in. Also, that house? I want it.
Of course you’ll cry at the end – the movie knows exactly where to hit you.
Not the greatest, but undeniably likable. Comfort sci-fi with a soft center.
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The Adam Project, 2022 - ★★★
The Adam Project is a hybrid child of Terminator, Back to the Future, Deadpool, and a lost scene from Good Will Hunting. It shouldn’t work – but somehow, it mostly does.
It’s a fun, family-ish adventure with just enough heart to make the time-travel chaos land. I’d probably wait until my kids are 10+ to show it – there’s quite a bit of violence and some heavy themes – but I’d happily watch it again.
Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo bring such warmth to their roles that you can’t help but be pulled in. Also, that house? I want it.
Of course you’ll cry at the end – the movie knows exactly where to hit you.
Not the greatest, but undeniably likable. Comfort sci-fi with a soft center.
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The French Connection, 1971 - ★★★★
After watching Hoosiers, I unintentionally dove into a Gene Hackman retrospective. That led me to The French Connection, William Friedkin’s gritty thriller that predates his work on The Exorcist.
What struck me most wasn’t the car chases (though they’re as intense as legend suggests), but a quiet, brilliant sequence on a subway platform – a tense game of cat and mouse between cop and suspect that relies entirely on body language, suspicion, and timing. The film captures a pre-digital world of investigation: long hours of surveillance, tailing suspects through the city with no radio backup or GPS, just instinct and determination.
It’s a lean, street-level thriller, and the avant-garde jazz score gives it an unpredictable, edgy momentum — a sound that still feels bold even today.
Footnote: the movie starts in Marseille, and at one point, we see the giant Pan Am sign on the building of the same name in the background. Marseille… Panam… Funny, right?
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The French Connection, 1971 - ★★★★
After watching Hoosiers, I unintentionally dove into a Gene Hackman retrospective. That led me to The French Connection, William Friedkin’s gritty thriller that predates his work on The Exorcist.
What struck me most wasn’t the car chases (though they’re as intense as legend suggests), but a quiet, brilliant sequence on a subway platform – a tense game of cat and mouse between cop and suspect that relies entirely on body language, suspicion, and timing. The film captures a pre-digital world of investigation: long hours of surveillance, tailing suspects through the city with no radio backup or GPS, just instinct and determination.
It’s a lean, street-level thriller, and the avant-garde jazz score gives it an unpredictable, edgy momentum — a sound that still feels bold even today.
Footnote: the movie starts in Marseille, and at one point, we see the giant Pan Am sign on the building of the same name in the background. Marseille… Panam… Funny, right?
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Again, Letterboxd is amazing. Their commitment of web standards allows me to choose my next movie simply by visiting this URL: https://letterboxd.com/dirtyhenry/watchlist/on/favorite-services/type/stream/by/shuffle/.
This link filters my watchlist to show only the movies available to streaming services I subscribe to, and randomizes the order. My strategy? I just pick the first movie that appears. It’s that simple.
I like losing the context of when or why I added a movie to my watchlist. I trust that my past self picked these films for a reason. This approach saves me time and helps me avoid indecision.
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Hoosiers, 1986 - ★★★
Hoosiers is a charming underdog sports film that balances grit and heart. Gene Hackman delivers a compelling performance as a man seeking redemption, battling his inner demons while offering others a shot at their own second chance. Beneath the surface, the film quietly underscores a deeper message: the discipline required not just to succeed, but to truly belong to something greater than oneself. 🍿
Hoosiers, 1986 - ★★★
Hoosiers is a charming underdog sports film that balances grit and heart. Gene Hackman delivers a compelling performance as a man seeking redemption, battling his inner demons while offering others a shot at their own second chance. Beneath the surface, the film quietly underscores a deeper message: the discipline required not just to succeed, but to truly belong to something greater than oneself. 🍿
The Big Short, 2015 - ★★★★
This was my third time watching the movie, and I enjoyed it as always. Rewatchability might not be a requirement for great art, but it may imply it. The performances are outstanding. I don't think I had noticed the music before, but it is excellent as well, composed by Nicholas Britell, you don't say.
I see The Other Guys, The Big Short and Don't Look Up as a remarkable trilogy by Adam McKay.
It is also quite sad that he and Will Ferrell ended their creative partnership. These two guys made some movies with strong, often subtle statements, and it's a shame we can't enjoy more of their work together. They were on their way to winning my very own Peace Prize (and I am 100% serious).
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The Big Short, 2015 - ★★★★
This was my third time watching the movie, and I enjoyed it as always. Rewatchability might not be a requirement for great art, but it may imply it. The performances are outstanding. I don't think I had noticed the music before, but it is excellent as well, composed by Nicholas Britell, you don't say.
I see The Other Guys, The Big Short and Don't Look Up as a remarkable trilogy by Adam McKay.
It is also quite sad that he and Will Ferrell ended their creative partnership. These two guys made some movies with strong, often subtle statements, and it's a shame we can't enjoy more of their work together. They were on their way to winning my very own Peace Prize (and I am 100% serious).
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