#168. The Departed (2006)

 

 

Prior Viewings: 3-4

 

Ever since this one took home Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars, you'll occasionally hear talk about how they were both largely legacy wins, and that those accolades probably would've gone elsewhere had Raging Bull and Goodfellas not been snubbed in the past. I myself wasn't immune to this line of thinking: The Departed has never not been enjoyably entertaining to me, but the heavy plotting and admittedly mediocre visual palette always kept it from being a personal favourite.

 

That is, until now. Re-watching the movie for the first time in over a decade, I can finally recognize that "entertaining" was an extreme understatement. This is among the tightest, fastest, angriest, most pulse-pounding, tension-mounting, and neatly-packaged (I love stories that manage to tie up every single loose end) thrillers I've ever seen. The whole thing's overflowing with vitriolic dialogue, dark humour, fluid cinematography, flawless pacing, star performances, and aggressive flip phone action, and I had an absolute blast from beginning to end. 

 

Now, is it Marty's "best" movie? Probably not, but I will say that 1) there's some stiff competition in that regard, 2) that doesn't diminish how masterful and downright fun it is, and 3) it's gotta be among his most rewatchable. Once the credits started rolling on this latest viewing, there was a part of me that wanted to run it back, which is an impulse I rarely get, and one that I haven't truly felt since I started this blog.

 

Grade: A+

 

#50. One Battle After Another (2025)

 

 

Watched at: Cineplex Cinemas

 

I hadn't been to a theater since the release of Knives Out - nearly six goddamn years ago - so I knew it was high time that I finally made a return, and I knew I needed to mark that return with something special.

 

Enter one of the grandest, one of the showiest, and one of the most popular movies of the last half-decade. I've heard nothing but great things about One Battle After Another over the past few weeks, and I'm so, so, so glad to say that it lived up to the hype. From start to finish, this is just an uninterrupted flow of movement, mayhem, thrills, laughs, and uncomfortable sexual tension. And no matter how insane or silly it gets (which is obviously the appeal), the political overtones are so palpable and so frustratingly relatable that the whole thing feels not only sincere, but refreshing.

 

I'm a Paul Thomas Anderson fan. As directors go, he'd easily be in my top ten. But I don't often find myself loving a movie of his after just one viewing. It usually takes more time and patience than that. Not here. This one had me from the very start, and I thought it only got better as it went along. It's too early to say that this might be my favourite work of his, but I will tell you that it's already the conversation, which is saying something.

 

Grade: A+

 

P.S. Oh my god, was that car chase awesome. I genuinely felt like I was on a roller coaster for the bulk of it.

 

P.P.S. Sean Penn's walk in this movie is some of the funniest physical acting I've ever seen.

 

#40. Shakespeare in Love (1998)

 

 

Bit of a complicated legacy with this one. It was released to near-universal acclaim, yet the only times I ever hear anyone mention it nowadays is when they're either praising Saving Private Ryan or criticizing the Oscars. Though I guess that's bound to happen when your producer all but buys the Best Picture prize.

 

There's a part of me that wants to defend this movie, to tell the Academy haters out there to stuff it. But I can't quite get there. Shakespeare in Love is somewhat endearing in its fabrications and lightheartedness and cutesy dialogue, and the sets and costumes are generally convincing, but the story just doesn't grab me. As much as I like the idea of turning The Bard into a total horndog, I didn't find him or Viola or their romance particularly compelling or insightful.

 

This isn't as stuffy as your typical Oscar bait, but the presentation falls right in line. There's not a whole lot of life or personality here. Though at least Geoffrey Rush and Judi Dench (who won Best Supporting Actress for doing almost nothing, yet it doesn't feel undeserved) and even Ben Affleck manage to provide some exuberance.

 

Grade: B-