A Month in Film: February 2025Companion (2025)
AI ethics! Fun stuff. It’s a cool hybrid of indie horror and sci-fi. Breezy and succinct; it’d be hard to not at least have a baseline level of enjoyment with this one.
Watched in IMAX at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver. Not sure this needed the IMAX treatment, but I’ll take it!
Watched in IMAX at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver. Not sure this needed the IMAX treatment, but I’ll take it!
Videodrome (1983)
Undeniably an all-timer in the lane of body horror; possibly Cronenberg’s crowning achievement. Ideas of overstimulation in an inundated world of media are still so relevant to this day… “the television screen is the retina of the mind's eye”.
Watched on 4K blu-ray, courtesy of Arrow Video. Definitely a standout transfer. Felt appropriate to watch something Canadian today, and no one has ever shot Toronto like Cronenberg has.
Watched on 4K blu-ray, courtesy of Arrow Video. Definitely a standout transfer. Felt appropriate to watch something Canadian today, and no one has ever shot Toronto like Cronenberg has.
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Thought I would kick off my new annual subscription to the Criterion Channel with a director who has been a total blind spot for me up until now… Ingrid Bergman! I have to admit, this was a lot less weird than I expected, but it still possesses some thoughtful musings on life and death through the perspectives of a handful of lively characters that are cheating or tiptoeing around death in one way or another.
As mentioned earlier, watched on the Criterion Channel.
As mentioned earlier, watched on the Criterion Channel.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Having also watched Amadeus recently, it’s pretty clear to me that Miloš Forman’s primary strength is situational humour. Chalk this one up as a hall of fame offering in the subgenre of guys being dudes. But at the same time, it’s all shrouded in the omnipresence of the corruption that taints the world these characters live in, making it a tough pill to swallow (no pun intended).
Watched on the Criterion Channel. Glad to knock off a classic that has been on my watchlist for ages.
Watched on the Criterion Channel. Glad to knock off a classic that has been on my watchlist for ages.
The Wages of Fear (1953)
This is one of those films that is just so perfectly calculated and airtight, that if there ever could be a "greatest" film of all time, this would have a rightful claim to that title. The premise is just a total home run; I really haven't seen anything else that has captured such a strong sense of tension. Of course, Sorcerer kills it too, and I love the approach in both. This one is a lot more methodical and blunt, which I do think gives this one a slight edge. It really will stick with you. Each act is haunting in its own way. This, along with North by Northwest, are two films that I would feel pretty confident showing to anyone who may have reservations about watching older films.
Watched at the Cinematheque here in Vancouver. What a treat to see this on the big screen!
“I'm trying to remember... the fence... what was behind the fence?”
"Nothing."
This is one of those films that is just so perfectly calculated and airtight, that if there ever could be a "greatest" film of all time, this would have a rightful claim to that title. The premise is just a total home run; I really haven't seen anything else that has captured such a strong sense of tension. Of course, Sorcerer kills it too, and I love the approach in both. This one is a lot more methodical and blunt, which I do think gives this one a slight edge. It really will stick with you. Each act is haunting in its own way. This, along with North by Northwest, are two films that I would feel pretty confident showing to anyone who may have reservations about watching older films.
Watched at the Cinematheque here in Vancouver. What a treat to see this on the big screen!
Parasite (2019)
It holds up! Love the way it weaves itself into something much more sustained and reaffirming than a lot of the other eat the rich attempts on the big screen in recent years (primarily thinking of Triangle of Sadness and The Menu). Though looking back on it, it's probably fair to say that this one started the trend.
Watched in IMAX at Vancouver's Scotiabank Theatre, in anticipation of Bong Joon-ho's long awaited follow up, Mickey 17, slated to release in March. Real excited for that one!
Watched in IMAX at Vancouver's Scotiabank Theatre, in anticipation of Bong Joon-ho's long awaited follow up, Mickey 17, slated to release in March. Real excited for that one!
Strangers on a Train (1951)
Ah Mr. Hitchcock... you never disappoint! While this one may not have the starpower that a lot of his later Hollywood films have, there's a lot to appreciate here; the premise is simple but oh-so-captivating. Nearly spit out my drink laughing at the shot of the diabolical Bruno chilling on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial, and later being completely unfazed by an ongoing tennis match.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
A Most Wanted Man (2014)
Maybe it's just that I got them both from the blu-ray bargain bin, but this one and State of Play somehow feel spiritually connected; both underrated and unfairly forgotten, not to mention the similarities in the cast. The premise here, while not wholly original, is pretty captivating. But seeing all these American (or in the case of McAdams, Canadian!!) characters pull out their own contrived variation of an accent took me out of it a bit.
Watched on blu-ray.
Watched on blu-ray.
Blood and Black Lace (1964)
I always find it hard to figure out where I stand on these films that exist at the beginning of a movement (giallo), since you have to respect its pioneering efforts, but at the same time it's likely been refined and polished up in later years. There's some very cool ideas here with the masked killer, highly saturated colours, and gore; certainly enough to cement its legacy.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
Birth (2004)
Nicole Kidman is doing all the heavy lifting here. It genuinely might be one of her best performances. But apart from that, I think the execution here is just too literal. As if you read the synopsis, expected something that would bend and warp on its own wavelength, but it really was just what it said it was. The sound design here is remarkable though; very reminiscent of The Shining.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Infinitely better upon rewatch. I apologize for all the trash I've talked about these films in the past. It's a masterclass in editing, incredibly coherent, and effortlessly raises the stakes in ways that are not only logical, but really just flat-out thrilling. Definitely let out an audible scream when "Extreme Ways" started playing in this one.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. When I previously watched the trilogy, I did not venture into the 2010s follow-ups, but I certainly will this time.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. When I previously watched the trilogy, I did not venture into the 2010s follow-ups, but I certainly will this time.
THX 1138 (1971)
It's really not surprising that this was helmed by the man who went on to create Star Wars. But what was most surprising to me was just how palpable his untouched vision for worldbuilding already was with this one here, his directorial debut. It's a bit thin in terms of psychological depth, but still well worth a watch for its creativity in its set pieces and costumes.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
The Departed (2006)
Marty going back to basics with an all-star cast; you have the new guys on the scene going toe-to-toe with the seasoned vet, in fresh surroundings as far as Marty's discography is concerned. Iconic needle-drops, endlessly quotable -- what's not to love?
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Great to see a classic like this get the 4K treatment, and a solid transfer at that.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Great to see a classic like this get the 4K treatment, and a solid transfer at that.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Everything about this is iconic -- the grandiose score, the killer one-liners, the effortlessly cool costumes, the sweeping set-pieces. It's rare that one film can really singularly define a genre, but this one nails everything that we've all come to love with spaghetti westerns.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. I know this one has had a turbulent history on home video, but the presentation here from Kino Lorber is about as good as I imagine this film can get. Curiously, there's no HDR on this disc, but I don't think it would have done much with the sun-drenched style of the film.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. I know this one has had a turbulent history on home video, but the presentation here from Kino Lorber is about as good as I imagine this film can get. Curiously, there's no HDR on this disc, but I don't think it would have done much with the sun-drenched style of the film.
The Terminator (1984)
Might be an odd take, but upon rewatch, I'm really loving some of the horror/slasher influence in this -- final girl, unstoppable killer, fake-out deaths. But beyond that, it's such a well developed concept. The nocturnal energy in the cinematography and classic 80s makeup and practical effects really make this such a landmark in genre cinema.
Watched on the recently released 4K blu-ray from WB. It's James Cameron, so you already know it's going to be a controversial release, but I'm glad that this one is closer to the The Abyss side of things -- most grain is left intact, and while there is some noticeable AI scrubbing, particularly on faces, it's not overly distracting.
Watched on the recently released 4K blu-ray from WB. It's James Cameron, so you already know it's going to be a controversial release, but I'm glad that this one is closer to the The Abyss side of things -- most grain is left intact, and while there is some noticeable AI scrubbing, particularly on faces, it's not overly distracting.
The Bourne Legacy (2012)
You kinda have to feel for Jeremy Renner... it's not the first time he's been handed the keys to a franchise (thinking MI, but that was always going to be an uphill battle to snatch that away from Tom Cruise), and he's not given much to work with here. While I don't think he is quite leading man material (he just doesn't have the ice cold delivery that Matt Damon has), there's a lot of nonsensical stuff going on here that's not doing him any favours. The whole biotech angle to this was a bit head-scratching, among a whole host of other random side-quests (the whole Alaska bit, killing off the other "participants" around the world a-la Order 66). But having it take place simultaneously with the events of Ultimatum was a good call, setting it up nicely for the fifth installment with Damon back in the fold.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Not a particularly memorable disc.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Not a particularly memorable disc.
Last Year at Marienbad (1961)
This is surrealism like I've never seen it before. Mesmerizing widescreen cinematography. It's a real treat just to soak it all in, but, this being my first viewing of the film, I think I was too distracted by the visuals to really chew on what was going on thematically.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Definitely a standout disc from this era. A must-have for anyone who is a fan of classic films getting the 4K treatment!
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Definitely a standout disc from this era. A must-have for anyone who is a fan of classic films getting the 4K treatment!
Ambulance (2022)
I first watched this in IMAX upon its initial release in spring 2022. In retrospect, this had to have been one of my favourite theatrical experiences I've had in recent years, and a surprising one at that. It honestly just hits all the right notes for the kind of enjoyment I get out of popcorn flicks -- it's eye-candy in the visuals and stunts department, has decent but not overwhelming or unjustified starpower, and a healthy dose of melodrama. It's Michael Bay, so he has to throw in some of his trademark childish humour and show off whatever cool gadgets he has fixated on recently (it being drones here), but it's undeniably one of his most mature works to date.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. This is a reference quality disc, among the best I've seen. The digital day-time photography is stunning. And the Dolby Vision HDR grade is absolutely fantastic, bringing out some wildly bright colours in the reds and lime greens. I don't have a great sound system at the moment, just 3.0, but I'm sure this would absolutely rip in Dolby Atmos.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. This is a reference quality disc, among the best I've seen. The digital day-time photography is stunning. And the Dolby Vision HDR grade is absolutely fantastic, bringing out some wildly bright colours in the reds and lime greens. I don't have a great sound system at the moment, just 3.0, but I'm sure this would absolutely rip in Dolby Atmos.
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
The setup to the mystery in this one is pretty cool, distinctive enough that it sets itself apart in the field. Of course, the hyper-stylized colours, editing, and photography all combine to make it a fine slice of genre cinema.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
The Lady Eve (1941)
Breezy and brisk! Brings enough originality to the table that it doesn't feel like something you've seen a million times before. Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda are fantastic in the leading roles; Stanwyck is so effortlessly charming, while Fonda really epitomizes that oh-so devastating feeling of romantic butterflies. It's fascinating just how quick filmmakers were to catch on to the singular appeal of rom-coms. It's hard to think of another sub-genre that was so well-formed early on, and I think a lot is owed to It Happened One Night for that.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
To Die For (1995)
It's a pretty cutthroat critique of what I assume the state of media was in the mid 90s, taking a swipe at the shallow nature of those that will stop at nothing to achieve notoriety, while also poking fun at the public's fascination with true crime. What's remarkable is that 30 years later, both of these sentiments still ring true, albeit in the form of social media influencers and true crime docuseries that come and go from the public eye. Also, it's a bit of a shock to the system to see these well-known actors (Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck) in early roles!
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
The Long Good Friday (1980)
The premise is a bit pedestrian -- too many cooks in the kitchen as far as the cast goes -- but it's the execution that really elevates this. Bob Hoskins is such a force. But if there's one thing that will stick with me from this film, it'd be the score; it's such a zany mix of synths and jazz. The meat locker scene is absolutely diabolical. And there were two scenes in particular that had me rolling -- the elevator moment with Jeff and Victoria, and Harold's melodramatic shower. Also, hello Pierce Brosnan!
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
Watched on the Criterion Channel.
The Monkey (2025)
I might be in the minority, but I preferred this to Longlegs, though honestly, neither are much to write home about. The kills are great in this, but the real horror was Theo James' character... I could not help but want to fast-forward whenever he opened his mouth, especially during his interactions with his kid. Not to say his performance was poor by any means, it was just such an awkward dynamic, and it was tiresome having to sit through their squabbles over and over again.
Watched at the Scotiabank Theatre in downtown Vancouver.
Watched at the Scotiabank Theatre in downtown Vancouver.
