A Month in Film: August 2025Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Every now and then, a can't miss premise like this one emerges, defying the notion that movies need the backing of a known IP to get any attention. It helps that there's genuine star power here, but I do think it's a cut above some of the other one-off sci-fis that get mentioned in the same conversations, like Upgrade and Dredd. I think the Paris act is a bit of a mess, but otherwise, the world-building is fantastic, the lead and supporting performances are quite memorable (RIP Bill Paxton), and it booms in the AV department. Great stuff.
Re-watch on 4K blu-ray. It ripped on my bare bones AV setup — I can only imagine how it would sound on a proper system.
Re-watch on 4K blu-ray. It ripped on my bare bones AV setup — I can only imagine how it would sound on a proper system.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
There's a lot to say here, but this time I want to focus on what Denis Villeneuve brings to the table. What I love most about his style is how clinical and spotless it is. Every shot is pristine. To see him bring it from the streets of Toronto, in Enemy, to here, in broad and sweeping space opera scope, has been such a rewarding transformation to watch unfold. He deserves all the credit in the world for faithfully adapting such rich source material for the screen, preserving the franchise in the minds of millions for years to come. He did it once with Blade Runner 2049, obviously did it again here with the Dune movies, and I absolutely can't wait to see what he pulls off with the new Bond films.
Re-watch on 4K blu-ray.
Re-watch on 4K blu-ray.
Holy Motors (2012)
I really don't know how to put words to this — as a series of loosely interwoven vignettes, there's a lot to soak in here. The fact that it all takes place in one day and night is the only thing grounding this, otherwise I feel like it would have launched itself into some other dimension. A lot of it is a real visual treat, with a nice European urban sheen to it, especially as the night settles in. This is the first film I've seen with Denis Lavant, and he ate it up. But ultimately, I don't think it's worth stressing over to extract a higher level takeaway here, because I don't really think there is one — sometimes you just have to absorb the vibes, vibes of all different flavours. In trying to make sense of the opening scene at the movies, maybe there's an overarching idea here about becoming the content you watch, but as they say, it's all "in the eye of the beholder".
Watched at the VIFF Centre. Part of their 21st Century Classics programming — I tried to pick the most sicko of the lot, I think I won there.
Watched at the VIFF Centre. Part of their 21st Century Classics programming — I tried to pick the most sicko of the lot, I think I won there.
The Naked Gun (2025)
I'm always down for some Lonely Island adjacent content. The slapstick gags here definitely ripped. Great selection of timely references — you can just picture the butt of the joke being none too pleased with some of the jabs they pulled off here. I think it worked better for me than the original — not unexpected though, the formula being recalibrated for modern audiences here.
Watched at the Metropolis Cineplex in Metrotown. Venturing beyond my familiar territory at Scotiabank downtown, I figured I should start checking out the transit accessible Cineplex locations in the Vancouver area, just for the hell of it!
Watched at the Metropolis Cineplex in Metrotown. Venturing beyond my familiar territory at Scotiabank downtown, I figured I should start checking out the transit accessible Cineplex locations in the Vancouver area, just for the hell of it!
Deep Cover (1992)
This lies at the intersection of all things dope. If neo-noir is defined as noir updated for a more modern context, this feels like neo-noir personified. The moral conflict explored here is lived in — not just through Laurence Fisburne's fully realized performance, but also just from a writing perspective. With the hyper-stylized, highly saturated visuals, along with Fisburne's haunted narration, the execution here is fully intentional and comes through brilliantly.
Watched on the Criterion Channel, part of their '90s Soundtrack Movies programming this month. I'm surprised to see this only has a standard blu-ray release from Criterion, despite being released in 2021, well into their foray with 4K. It already looked fantastic on an FHD stream — it would be a must-buy on 4K with HDR.
Watched on the Criterion Channel, part of their '90s Soundtrack Movies programming this month. I'm surprised to see this only has a standard blu-ray release from Criterion, despite being released in 2021, well into their foray with 4K. It already looked fantastic on an FHD stream — it would be a must-buy on 4K with HDR.
Bull Durham (1988)
The untold story of the career minor leaguer. You pull up the page of a random player on Baseball Reference and they might have a story to tell like this one. Bittersweet and full of heart. I've often felt the idea of aging out and seeing newcomers take your place is one of the more quietly devastating aspects of pro sports.
Watched on Tubi. Another Jays off day called for another baseball movie.
Watched on Tubi. Another Jays off day called for another baseball movie.
Predator (1987)
Upgrading this to a 5 star. It totally rips. Sweaty machismo, knee deep in the jungle, with one of the most iconic sci-fi/horror creations in film history lurking around every corner. John McTiernan went back to back with this in '87 and then Die Hard in '88 — legendary stuff.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. It's one of the few that Fox managed to put out on 4K before Disney gobbled them up, so it's a pretty good transfer.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. It's one of the few that Fox managed to put out on 4K before Disney gobbled them up, so it's a pretty good transfer.
Crime Wave (1953)
I mean, it's noir, so I'm going to enjoy it by default. I'd describe it as a pretty standard take in that realm. The performances are solid (yup that's Charles Bronson) and the LA location shooting is timeless. But it kinda just comes and goes, without leaving much of a mark.
Watched at the Cinematheque on 35mm. Part of their Film Noir 2025 programming, back again throughout August!
Watched at the Cinematheque on 35mm. Part of their Film Noir 2025 programming, back again throughout August!
The Mummy (1932)
I want to describe this as cozy — the set pieces are just so quaint. The makeup is really cool too. It's always fun to see just how much filmmakers were capable of almost 100 years ago. So yeah, the set pieces and makeup have aged beautifully, but the acting (aside from Boris Karloff) and pacing are both a bit questionable.
Watched on 4K blu-ray, part of the Universal Monsters Volume 2 boxset. Pretty wild that this is the second oldest movie I've logged on this site, yet it still looks quite good in 4K.
Watched on 4K blu-ray, part of the Universal Monsters Volume 2 boxset. Pretty wild that this is the second oldest movie I've logged on this site, yet it still looks quite good in 4K.
Braveheart (1995)
I am upgrading this to a four star... I am not pedantic enough about the actual history in my historical epics to take much away from this. You just can't deny the entertainment factor here — it's infinitely quotable, has multiple colossally large battles, and a ton of heart.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Came in a combo pack with Gladiator — not sure I would have bought it otherwise. Looked pretty good in 4K, and obviously demands to be seen on the biggest screen you can find.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Came in a combo pack with Gladiator — not sure I would have bought it otherwise. Looked pretty good in 4K, and obviously demands to be seen on the biggest screen you can find.
Weapons (2025)
This was fantastic! Loved the way it wrapped overlapping perspectives into a truly cathartic final act. It has some of the best jump scares I've seen in recent memory. Lots of yelps and laughs from the crowd. I've seen some talk online that it's not a horror movie, but I find that's a weird takeaway — sure it's more nuanced and metaphoric than most horror, but I'm not about to tell someone that struggles with horror to check this out. But anyone that does like horror should absolutely give this a go! Super irrelevant side note — I've never seen Julia Garner in anything before, but it distracted me how much she looks like early 00s Justin Timberlake in this.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver in IMAX. They gave out mini posters afterwards! Nice surprise, given it wasn't an early access screening or anything.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver in IMAX. They gave out mini posters afterwards! Nice surprise, given it wasn't an early access screening or anything.
Gattaca (1997)
I remember Janelle Monáe name dropping this in an interview I watched a while back, which hinted to me that maybe this was more than just a way to pass the time in Grade 11 biology class. So yes, it's been a while since I revisited this, but I definitely thinks it holds the title for the most interesting movie thrown into my high school curriculum. Sorry October Sky and Cinderella Man. But back then, I really didn't clue into just how fine a slice of genre cinema this is. Sci-fi with a tinge of noir, basking in some fantastic cinematography, mesmerizing in its moodiness. The concept is fascinating too, posing some really tough questions about genomics and what it means to have the ability to "program" a perfect human. While obviously we haven't had to answer those questions at any kind of large scale yet, I do wonder, how far off are we from 1997 expectations versus 2025 reality?
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Definitely an underrated pick on the format. The blues and greens on this look phenomenal.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Definitely an underrated pick on the format. The blues and greens on this look phenomenal.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Horror in the form of severe gaslighting. If you've seen it before, it becomes more of an exercise of "nooooo don't do it!!", which actually makes it more upsetting, to a certain degree. I think I feel the same way after my first watch, in that I would have been content to see it go on longer (that's the sicko in me), but everything here is top notch — the atmosphere and performances are iconic, while the pacing keeps you right there the whole time. I had no idea until now that a prequel was put out last year... I may have to check that out.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Unintentionally making it witch season, following Weapons earlier this week. But this disc looks a lot different from the stream I remember watching a few years ago. I imagine the presentation is a lot more faithful to the original here, but it feels dimmer. The yellows aren't doing as much magic as I remember. I could be convinced either way as to which has the better presentation.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. Unintentionally making it witch season, following Weapons earlier this week. But this disc looks a lot different from the stream I remember watching a few years ago. I imagine the presentation is a lot more faithful to the original here, but it feels dimmer. The yellows aren't doing as much magic as I remember. I could be convinced either way as to which has the better presentation.
Nobody 2 (2025)
I was a bit taken aback by how weird this was... I'm not sure that the original would have made room for a Céline Marie needle drop and whatever it was that Sharon Stone's character was doing. That being said, the action was entertaining enough. If they run it back a third time, I will probably roll up to the theatres for another go.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver in AVX.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver in AVX.
Phantom Thread (2017)
Star-crossed manipulators, deceit guised in buttered up decadence. It presents itself as a bitter lovers quarrel, but proves itself to be a twisted giver/provider relationship. All the while being an absolute feast for the eyes — maroon never looked so good.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. This is about the only 4K prep I can do for PTA's upcoming One Battle After Another. Punch Drunk Love has a Criterion 4K release, and it's also included in Columbia Classics Volume 4, neither of which I own. I sure do hope more of his discography makes it to 4K — Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and There Will Be Blood would all be day-one purchases.
Watched on 4K blu-ray. This is about the only 4K prep I can do for PTA's upcoming One Battle After Another. Punch Drunk Love has a Criterion 4K release, and it's also included in Columbia Classics Volume 4, neither of which I own. I sure do hope more of his discography makes it to 4K — Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and There Will Be Blood would all be day-one purchases.
Shin Godzilla (2016)
Definitely a unique take on Godzilla, at least from what I've seen. The big fella looked like a crackhead when he first appeared here. And all the surrounding political chaos was just as exaggerated. But as it settled in, it did calm down, fully leaning into Godzilla's nuclear origins and exploring what even a team of misfits can accomplish in working together. I do find it haunting how the trauma of the atomic bombings casts a shadow on a lot of Japanese and Japanese adjacent pop culture, across genres, from Akira to Hiroshima Mon Amour to here. One other note, I don't normally struggle with subs, but this thing was moving a mile a minute — I'm not sure how I was supposed to read everything, with the annotations for locations/people clashing with the dialogue captioning. I get that it's supposed to be satirical of governments and their responses in natural disasters, but I can't help but feel I missed some nuances there.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver. 4K theatrical re-release.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver. 4K theatrical re-release.
The Age of Innocence (1993)
I was up to no good when I first watched this five years ago, coming off Marty's crime dramas and looking to round off his filmography. I'm seeing it from a different light this time around. The overarching feeling I'm getting is a palpable fear of just how daunting marriage can be, hypothesizing the what-ifs, and reconciling with whatever transpires. Real questions if I do say so myself. And presented as a lavish old New York period drama, the rigidity in the social expectations at the time only exacerbate the feeling of being trapped. DDL and Pfeiffer are fantastic in this. DDL's wet eyes are a sight to behold. I still think it's an oddball in Marty's filmography, but for all the right reasons.
Watched on 4K blu-ray, from Columbia Classics Volume 5. Felt like hitting up another classic DDL period drama on 4K, following Phantom Thread.
Watched on 4K blu-ray, from Columbia Classics Volume 5. Felt like hitting up another classic DDL period drama on 4K, following Phantom Thread.
High and Low (1963)
Pretty clear why this one has such a great reputation. It feels like the blueprint for police procedurals. I love the no-nonsense approach — modern films would have you believe there is a twist to be uncovered at some point, and I will admit that I baited myself into believing one had transpired during the dope alley sequence, but it really isn't trying to hide anything. And that's what makes it so impactful. Also, this is a masterclass in framing and depth perception. I never thought interior cinematography could look so good.
Watched at the Cinematheque. Part of a two part Kurosawa crime series they are currently running, alongside Stray Dog. Also prep for Spike Lee's recently released re-interpretation, Highest 2 Lowest.
Watched at the Cinematheque. Part of a two part Kurosawa crime series they are currently running, alongside Stray Dog. Also prep for Spike Lee's recently released re-interpretation, Highest 2 Lowest.
Ne Zha 2 (2025)
I am definitely not the target demographic for this, but even so, it's quite the spectacle to behold. But only once the English dub settles in and the childish humour is left at home. The lore was all brand new to me, and frankly hard to keep up with, but ultimately it didn't take much away from the dazzling display of animation during all the battle sequences. I can't say for sure, but I suppose that is what most people are tuning in for. The mother/son element was effective too.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, in IMAX. This screening was actually an invitation I received from Letterboxd! A24 is running this IMAX English dub release, and this was a complimentary advance screening.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, in IMAX. This screening was actually an invitation I received from Letterboxd! A24 is running this IMAX English dub release, and this was a complimentary advance screening.
Highest 2 Lowest (2025)
I thought this would have potential, but I gotta say... this was wholly unnecessary. Reads like a Spike Lee vanity project, bastardizing a classic film just to prop up NYC... as if NYC has never appeared on the silver screen before. I got a chuckle out of some of the Easter eggs — we live in a timeline where a Jalen Brunson jersey can casually make a background appearance in a film — but mostly just out of the sheer audacity on Spike's part to toss in as many references as he could. There's nothing grandiose about this from a visual perspective, and frankly it's just not a great looking movie in general. Definitely made for streaming, and destined to be lost in the purgatory of Apple TV. I will take new music from A$AP Rocky though!
Watched at the Rio. Limited theatrical run before it hits Apple TV. The Rio was the only theatre locally playing it — seems like Cineplex didn't get their hands on it.
Watched at the Rio. Limited theatrical run before it hits Apple TV. The Rio was the only theatre locally playing it — seems like Cineplex didn't get their hands on it.
Double Indemnity (1944)
Quintessential noir. MacMurray and Stanwyck are electric together. There's just something about these old Hollywood films that feels so awe-inspiring, seeing American pop culture riding a wave west into a new frontier of uncharted territory, having a mostly blank slate to carve out its own mythology.
Watched at the Cinematheque. I'd call this the headliner for their Film Noir 2025 programming. Lots of fun revisiting this on the big screen!
Watched at the Cinematheque. I'd call this the headliner for their Film Noir 2025 programming. Lots of fun revisiting this on the big screen!
Black Swan (2010)
Not too often you see such an unforgiving bit of psychological horror pierce through to the mainstream. Looking back, this feels like an anomaly in 2010s cinema, a prototype of the high profile arthouse horror we've seen more often in recent years, or at least horror that audiences have taken more seriously, like Midsommar or The Lighthouse. Specifically in this one, it's all about the quiet pursuit of perfection. The lengths an artist can go to in reaching the greatest heights of their craft. It's such a brutally honest display of what a truly tortured artist can suffer through.
Watched at the Riverport Cineplex in IMAX, for its 15th anniversary. Quite the hike to get out there, since no other theatres in the Vancouver area were running these anniversary screenings. Posters and postcards were handed out afterwards!
Watched at the Riverport Cineplex in IMAX, for its 15th anniversary. Quite the hike to get out there, since no other theatres in the Vancouver area were running these anniversary screenings. Posters and postcards were handed out afterwards!
Caught Stealing (2025)
Quite simply, as an ode to baseball, cats, and moms, there is a lot to love here. I want to say it's the most fun I’ve seen Darren Aronofsky let himself have, but there is still an obviously dark element to this. Loved seeing Griffin Dunne in this, the forefather of NYC dudes that can't seem to catch a break. And Austin Butler is definitely next up, and has been ever since Elvis. He was great in Dune: Part Two, but great to see him back in a leading role here.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver. Early access screening.
Watched at Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver. Early access screening.
Wolfs (2024)
My main criticism of this has got to be just how bored everyone seems to be here. I'm by no means a Clooney fan, but it's a far cry from what Pitt and Clooney have accomplished together in the past. Pitt seemed to be the most uninterested here — understandable, as the guy in the room who's operated at the highest level. Definitely an easy paycheque for all involved.
Watched on Apple TV+.
Watched on Apple TV+.
Greyhound (2020)
This is definitely not helping my accusations of Tom Hanks being too safe. It's fine while it's on, if not a little too technical, but there's hardly an emotional underbelly to this, rendering it incapable of forming any kind of lasting impression. It's the definition of mid.
Watched on Apple TV+. Apparently a sequel is in the works for this... who even asked for one??
Watched on Apple TV+. Apparently a sequel is in the works for this... who even asked for one??
Drop (2025)
Solid no frills genre film. Pretty good at projecting the fears of online dating. The epic conclusion à la Revenge of the Sith honestly made this thing… using a hockey puck as a Chekhov's gun is a fantastic play, regardless of whatever that Chicago team was.
Watched on my Air Canada flight back to Vancouver, following my 8 hour Ottawa pit-stop post Oasis. Flight was so empty, had the whole row to myself to stretch out and enjoy this one. Got complementary full cans of pop too. I imagine this only happened because everyone else re-booked with another airline following the strike.
Watched on my Air Canada flight back to Vancouver, following my 8 hour Ottawa pit-stop post Oasis. Flight was so empty, had the whole row to myself to stretch out and enjoy this one. Got complementary full cans of pop too. I imagine this only happened because everyone else re-booked with another airline following the strike.
Conclave (2024)
I have no idea how accurate it is, but it’s fascinating to see what goes into the selection of a new pope. A novel concept for a film. Not too familiar with the church, but I feel like it properly taps into the hot button topics in that realm… multiple variations of scandals and clashes in politics. And as has been discussed widely, couldn’t help but enjoy the battle royale / hunger games roulette aspect to this.
My second film on my Ottawa to Vancouver flight. Finally got around to it after missing it at VIFF last year.
My second film on my Ottawa to Vancouver flight. Finally got around to it after missing it at VIFF last year.
His Motorbike, Her Island (1986)
Simultaneously charming and surreal. My only real point of comparison here is House, and while both are a little whimsical, this one doesn't have that off kilter comedic tone. It's pretty cute, the idea of falling so madly for someone, subconsciously becoming their own reflection. There's a line narrated early in the film, "some guys have vividly colored dreams, but mine were always in monochrome" — I want to say it's key to understanding this thing, but this story is being told by a classically unreliable narrator, leaving much of this up to interpretation.
Watched at the Cinematheque in Vancouver. Part of their Obayashi in the ’80s series.
Watched at the Cinematheque in Vancouver. Part of their Obayashi in the ’80s series.
A Place in the Sun (1951)
Tragically bleak melodrama. The ultimate cautionary tale in two-timing. The performances here are fantastic, but I particularly want to call out Shelley Winters' character — her performance as this meticulously crafted grating character is the backbone of this. Without it, the internal conflict eating away at Montgomery Clift's character would not resonate nearly as much.
Watched on the Criterion Channel. Part of their Summer Romances programming.
Watched on the Criterion Channel. Part of their Summer Romances programming.
Together (2025)
The idea of moving to the countryside is a nightmare in itself to me. It just makes me want to squirm. I don't think that's the intended takeaway here, but I'm disappointed in how it held back when it had the opportunity to really unhinge itself. I can just imagine it garnering a more visceral reaction out of me in the hands of a Julia Ducournau, if she ever wanted to go more Hollywood, or a Brandon Cronenberg — I'll spare his father from this one. And the construction of this thing felt very odd, like it was filmed at a handful of unrelated locations and cobbled together. There's not an ounce of world-building developing this town — if I can even call it a town, because I can't really gather how each location is connected to the next.
Watched at the International Village Cineplex. First of my double feature for $5 movie weekend for Labour Day weekend.
Watched at the International Village Cineplex. First of my double feature for $5 movie weekend for Labour Day weekend.
Relay (2024)
It's a shame this one isn't getting more attention. It's really cool! I kept seeing David Mackenzie talk about it during Cineplex pre-shows over the last month, describing it as a throwback to 70s thrillers, with a touch of noir. I can always get behind something that draws from either sub-genre, let alone both. I love the analog, methodical approach taken with Riz Ahmed's character. All of the clicks and beeps really add to the atmosphere of paranoia that permeates the film. No spoilers here, but the noir inspiration really becomes apparent the deeper you get into it.
Watched at the International Village Cineplex. Second of my $5 ticket Labour Day weekend double feature, following Together. This made up for what Together was lacking.
Watched at the International Village Cineplex. Second of my $5 ticket Labour Day weekend double feature, following Together. This made up for what Together was lacking.
