Hello, again! It has been a long, long Summer. I am barely behind on my viewing, but obviously incredibly behind on my writing. I hope to remedy this over the next few weeks. The next post will be a special Andy Sidaris edition post, with regular posts following.

141. Eyes Wide Shut
142. House on Telegraph Hill
143. Real Genius
144. I Am Thor
145. Eddie Murphy: Raw
146. Doctor Strangelove
147. Psycho A Go-Go
148. Sundance Shorts 2016
149. Conan the Barbarian
150. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

This is my favorite film. I have written entire articles about the themes and artistry of its depths. It is, by no means, a film meant for everyone. In fact, Eyes Wide Shut was critically panned when it was first released despite the fact that it's director, Stanley Kubrick, died four days after finishing editing it. This is not an unlikely turn of events, as nearly every single one of his films were derided by critics and audiences at first and then, only through hindsight, appreciated for the masterpieces that they are. As with most of my favorite works of art, I didn't "get it" after the first time I watched it. I was impressed by it, but I didn't think it was spectacular. After thinking about it for a week, though, I was compelled to watch it again. And again. And again. By the time I was done, I had seen it twenty times in as many weeks. There is something that calls from the shadows in this film, something left unresolved. It has a feeling of unending conflict even as the curtains close on the final shot. The story is not simple, nor does it follow a typical path. What this film has to say about masculinity and sexuality is still more complex and evolved than what the current culture has to offer.

Standout Moment: The use of music and color compliment the story in exciting and subtle ways that are only noticeable on multiple viewings.

House on Telegraph Hill (1951)

I decided to watch this because I was in the mood for a good film noir. I was not disappointed. The characters and story in this film are wonderfully complex. The premise is that a young holocaust survivor pretends to be her dead friend in order to escape Europe. When she arrives, she discovers that she has accidentally embroiled herself in a plot for the wealth of a dead widow. There is a real empathy and understanding for the lead character and her past trauma, as well as a refusal to play to sexist cliches often found in films from this time. It's a great movie, and a must watch in my book.

Standout Moment: The big climax is an amazing piece of cinema.

Real Genius (1985)

Half of this film is a collection of montages. There are some really great moments and characters here, and the goofiness of it all is definitely redeeming. It is not surprising that this one is in the middle of the stack when it comes to the 80's teen comedy genre, though. It seems like there was a great idea that eventually became watered down over the course of production.

Standout Moment: I love endings that should include the entire cast going to jail for a very long time, but somehow the issue never comes up. This is one of those endings.

I Am Thor (2015)

This is an incredibly fascinating, entertaining, and sad documentary. It is essentially the life of a man who lost his chance to get what he really wanted and so desperately attempts to relive the glory of his presumed best years. Thor's personality is the saving grace of this film, because it seems as if the filmmakers are unsure as to what movie they are making with their footage. At times they seem very aware of the failures and insecurities of their host, while at other times it follows the unspoken guidelines of a typical "comeback" film.

Standout Moment: There is a poignent scene where Thor silently boxes up all of his gear after playing a show in a hotel to an audience of thirty people.

Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987)

I watched this on the basis that it is the highest grossing concert film of all time. I felt it was an 80's touchstone that I needed to experience. Although funny at times, what I found most interesting about this film is how specific it is to its time. It operates almost as an historical document; detailing the popular opinion on sex and gender- subjects which Murphy spends a lot of time discussing. It is actually incredible how quickly popular culture can change on such widely believed stereotypes.

Standout Moment: Eddie Murphy calling out Bill Cosby for being a hypocritical jackass is pretty great.

Doctor Strangelove (1964)

I could write pages and pages on how much I love this film. I think it is one of the five most brilliant pieces of satire ever made in the history of the medium. This watch-through I enjoyed with my 7-year-old son, who was sold on it because of the presence of Peter Sellers (we are big Pink Panther fans). It was fun watching it with him and seeing his experience of the film change as the world becomes more and more absurd throughout the runtime.

Standout Moment: The president's phone call has me in stitches every time.

Psycho A Go-Go (1965)

This film is summed up with the above picture. Besides the ample casual racism, it is badly shot, badly edited, and bizarrely acted. The story is insane and makes no sense from the get-go. The title is even ridiculously non-descriptive. I forgot that I had watched this film within 8 hours of watching it. Don't do it. Don't watch this. Available on Hulu.

Standout Moment: Knowing it was over.

Sundance Shorts 2016 (2016)

The 2016 Sundance short program, like most short programs, had a few middling pieces, a couple of boring, pointless films, and one or two gems that you cannot get out of your head. It was a fun night of cinema, and the best part is if you don't like the movie-- it will be over in ten minutes.

Standout Moment: The one pictured was my favorite of the bunch. Thunder Road

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

I love this movie so much. That's the long and the short of it. It is not perfect by any means, but it is a ton of fun. For added hilarity, be sure to check out the film with the commentary.

Standout Moment: The tree of woe.

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

The Road Warrior essentially launched a genre of films. Not only were there a ton of ripoffs in the decade ofter its release, but there has been a sizable number of films, video games, and literature that riff on George Miller's film. This is one of the few times in film history where the sequel is arguably better than the first film.

Standout Moment: Bladed boomerang.

365 Films- Post 20