THE ODYSSEY
Just as expected, no surprises. Great production design and very well shot, Hollywoodised version of a sacred text. 70mm IMAX is an experience and definitely worth it. Robert Pattinson shines so brightly among all the other leads’ mediocre actings.
CAPE FEAR (1962 & 1991)
I like Scorsese, but this might be one of my least favourites of his. The 1962 version built the tension so good. Less is definitely more. The only better thing in 1991 was De Niro.
It’s #LetterboxdFriday!
Ready Or Not (2019) 3.5/5 Smoking is cool! Hail Satan!
Talk To Me (2022) 4/5 really scary picture. The other night my foot was sticking out of the covers and I remembered a scene from this movie and tucked it back in
Insidious (2010) 3/5 mostly boring
Happy Death Day (2017) 3.5/5 fun, but my kid hated it
Suspiria (1977) 4/5 gorgeous and spooky
Forgotten Island (2026) 3.5/5 cute picture about the power of friendship! Very Filipino.
Just a couple movies this week. I feel like I should write an essay about how different these two are. Metropolis is this beautiful, thoughtful, unique, groundbreaking, etc etc picture and then 100 years later Jason Statham murders like 25 guys on a boat. Movies are amazing #LetterboxdFriday
I was thinking trying to wait until 8/1, but everyone is talking about movies and I got too excited. So with almost none ado, here's the 2026 #ModularFilmFestival prompts list. Happy #LetterboxdFriday or whatever. https://letterboxd.com/kevsaund/list/modular-film-festival-2026/
THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE
Beautiful black and white cinematography with lots of shadows and an acting masterclass from Billy Bob Thornton.
THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER
A good enough adaptation from a masterpiece of a novel. Alan Arkin’s performance is so good, and Sondra Locke in this film reminds me of young Tilda Swinton. Cold-war-era Hollywood stripped out the politics and queerness of the book.
And, a few Lynch shorts while reading his biography, “Room to Dream”.
My #LastFourWatched-but-make-it-5 for #LetterboxdFriday. Bottom to top:
Belmondo being his smug self;
Van Warmerdam in an early exercise in Dutch absurdism. He'll get there;
Shaw Brothers go Fantomas;
Nora, rock me in star map!;
A love story!
LA BOLA NEGRA
The line delivered at one of the most emotional moments in the story had everyone laughing out loud in the theatre: “A faggot’s heart is an ocean full of secrets.”
FLOW
Beautiful storytelling without uttering a single homo sapiens word.
SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER... AND SPRING
Too in-your-face allegory in a picturesque location.
DRIFTER
Berlin queer scene drama.
A LONG WINTER
This had strong moments, but somehow they don’t come together. It’s a hit-and-miss with Andrew Haigh.
LOOK BACK
I liked this adaptation a little bit more than the anime it’s based on. The signature Kore-eda touch elevated the story.
BEHEMOTH!
Pedro Pascal is born for this role. Great casting, and great performance.
CARRIE
Not necessarily doing a spooky season and not a horror fan, yet I watched and enjoyed this. Go girl!
THELMA & LOUISE
First rewatch in ~30 years. So 90s, and so cool. One of the few occasions I find Brad Pitt attractive.
I’VE COME AND I AM GONE
Cute little Turkish short showing a long lost Istanbul from 15 years ago.
NO GOOD MEN
Afghan romance/drama through a woman’s lens, literally.
SENTIMENTAL VALUE
Rewatched because why not. One of the best films of recent times.
