Standouts:
Double Indemnity (1944): Yet another super provactive, masterfully made film by Billy Wilder. This movie has been on my watchlist for a good long while after seeing and adoring Sunset Boulevard and The Apartment and so far, this is the best film I've seen all year. As expected from Wilder, every line of dialogue is perfect and the lingering air of noir tragedy I loved from Sunset is carried over here. The chemistry between the two leads is great and there's some commentary to be found about the inherintly corrupt nature of insurance policies. All in all, a perfect noir film in every possible way. 10/10
Maus (1991): Dear lord, I couldn't have picked a better time to read this. This story was super eye-opening about just how fucking difficult and bleak the lives of Jewish people were during the rise of Nazism. It's brutally honest in its depiction of genocide and I love the reflective quality it had to it by switching between the grandpa's memories and present day. The art itself manages to be both simplistic and charming, and yet haunting and striking when it needs to be. Anyways, free Palestine. 10/10
Sorcerer (1977): Jesus christ, this movie was INTENSE. A dirty, tense, and well-textured film about the dark depths of the human soul. Four terrible men, who've all committed terrible actions, being put on a journey that almost feels like one long punishment from hell. It's a masterclass in visual storytelling, dread, and building anxiety. They earned putting that goddamn bridge scene front and center on every poster 10/10
Harold and Maude (1971): Similiarly to Maus, I couldn't have picked of better time to watch this. If you've read my latest diary entry, well...you know why. This film's message about valuing your life and taking joy in simple pleasures struck a cord with me as someone who forgets to do just that. I ended up relating to Harold as a character a lot and the movie's ending felt almost like a direct message towards me to start living for my own sake. I can't promise that I'll be able to fully take that message to heart just yet, but it's a good steer in the right direction. 10/10
Moonstruck (1987): This one might raise some eyebrows, considering it's not exactly the most deep or complex film. It's a very fun, feelgood film, but I genuinely believe it's a perfect one. This film's deadpan wit had me smiling all the way through and I love its contrast against what would seem like a fairly standard romcom plot. I could easily see this being a new comfort film for me in the future and it's definitely become one of my favorite comedies.
Others:
Man with a Movie Camera (1929): 10/10
Seconds (1966): 9/10
Edge of Tomorrow (2014): 9/10
Minority Report (2002): 9/10
Roman Holiday (1953): 9/10
Perfect Days (2023): 9/10
Interview with a Vampire: Season 1 (2022): 9/10
Robot Dreams (2023): 8/10
A Cure for Wellness (2017): 7/10
Showgirls (1995): 6/10
Leave the World Behind (2023): 5/10