Happy July to you all! For the first time in a while, I’m writing this post ON TIME! What a beautiful thing. Word of warning, this is the last time in a while I’ll be talking about movies in one of these posts because my brother and I are going through all the best films from 1920 to today. The goal is to become better cinephiles!
There are A LOT of movies on this list, so I’ll try to be brief unless I particularly loved the movie in question.
Anyway, this is how I rate things! Enjoy my short, but sweet, mini-reviews.
- No redeeming qualities whatsoever, visually, aesthetically, or as a story.
- It was so boring I could barely pay attention, or it frustrated me SO much I couldn’t finish.
- I had a headache, but I somehow made it through. This category is also for when I absolutely DESPISE something I’ve watched or read.
- I could make fun of it because of how bad it is or because it lacks any real merit.
- It’s not good, it’s not bad. It’s just blah.
- There were various interesting aspects, but nothing to really gush about.
- A solid story. Good characters, plot, and visuals. However, it’s not amazing.
- I genuinely enjoyed watching/reading it. I could see/read it again with friends.
- A great experience! As a film/show, it is visually stunning and has an incredible story that I could go back to multiple times. As a book, I could do the same.
- Near Perfect (nothing is perfect.) It has become one of my favorites. I could also write entire articles on it.
Books
The Do-Over (2022), 7/10
After a romantic heartbreak, Emilie seeks refuge at her grandmother’s house to be pampered and drown her sorrows in a tub of Ben & Jerry’s. She falls asleep on the sofa, but when she wakes up, she’s back in her own bed—reliving the worst day of her life.
And the next day? It happens all over again: waking up in her bed, followed by a miserable day.
Emilie is trapped in a time loop, condemned to watch her boyfriend, Josh, cheat on her day after day. Amidst Josh’s repeated betrayals, Emilie keeps crossing paths with Nick—a guy who is as mysterious as he is unsettling.
How many times can a girl watch her life spiral out of control without doing anything about it? And when those disastrous days finally start to yield wonderful surprises, what happens when the universe stops offering her second chances?
Synopsis via Goodreads
This is one of the better teenage love romances I’ve read in a while, but it had one major detriment. The foul language scattered throughout was SOOOO distracting. I know teenagers talk this way, since I teach them, but that doesn’t mean they have to.
That said, for some of the characters, it made sense, so I made it through the whole book no problem. I liked how OPEN and raw the emotions and situations felt for the characters. Their problems weren’t just thrown up on the page willy nilly. You had to WORK to find them.
I also thought the romance was a refreshing haters to lovers format. Well, more like APATHY to lovers, to be honest. Nick Stark was a great male lead, and Emilie didn’t feel overly peppy or controlling, despite what I thought of her in the first chapter.
Lilia of the Valley (2024), 7/10
In her infancy, a war separated Princess Kalysta of Katniona from her family. With the war ended, the knights of the kingdom, including a betrothed Sir Calem, are sent to find her. Sir Calem expects to at least bring word of her back to the king.
What he doesn’t expect is to come across a young woman, named Lilia, who can fight as well as any man. Although he is considered the strongest in the kingdom, when he has the opportunity to spar with her, he finds himself unable to penetrate her defenses.
Underneath her superior fighting skills and rough accent, he finds a gently bred lady who loves her community and scoffs at the idea of being a princess. So, when he discovers she is the missing princess, he must devise a plan to bring her to the capital, without revealing her true identity to her, and then convince her to take her crown.
Synopsis via Goodreads
This was a short but sweet romance with great characters. However, some of the relationships felt watered down, like Lilia and her real parents, and Calem and his brother. I would love to share this story with my daughters someday!
The Dark Wild (2014), 10/10
Twelve-year-old Kester thought he had discovered the last wild animals in the land. He thought his adventure was over. He was wrong. Below the sparkling city of Premium, deep underground, a dark wild remains: animals who believe the time is right to rise up against their human enemies. And soon Kester realizes: he is the only one who can stop them. Kester Jaynes saved the animals. Can he save the humans too?
Synopsis via Goodreads
I’ve read this book three times now, and it is still great. If you like children’s books that maturely cover subjects like betrayal, reformation, and loyalty, this is for you!
Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass (1871), 8/10
“I can’t explain myself, I’m afraid, sir,” said Alice, “Because I’m not myself, you see.”
When Alice sees a white rabbit take a watch out of its waistcoat pocket she decides to follow it, and a sequence of most unusual events is set in motion. This mini book contains the entire topsy-turvy stories of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, accompanied by practical notes and Martina Pelouso’s memorable full-colour illustrations.
Synopsis via Goodreads
I liked this book more than I thought I would! Granted, I haven’t read it for more than ten years. It has a witty satirical voice, especially if you understand the historical references scattered throughout the poems and conversations. Luckily, I read a version that defined and explained specific words and references. I also learned to respect the 1951 Disney film more after reading the book.
Time Jumpers (2018), 10/10
Trapped in a world where magic is powerful and dreams are real, Cole’s epic adventure comes to a close in book five of the New York Times bestselling “fanciful, action-packed adventure” series (Publishers Weekly, starred review), from the author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series. Cole and his friends are pushed to the limit in this finale to the bestselling Five Kingdoms series. Will they finally be able to restore magic to the world of the Outskirts and find their way back home?
Synopsis via Goodreads
This was a bittersweet read for me. Don’t get me wrong, the ending of the series was great! However, that’s the thing. It ENDED. I went into a reader’s coma after finishing, hungry for more and wondering if Cole and his friends could possibly someday remember what happened to them. Hopefully, someday Brandon Mull will bring us back to this world like he did for the Fablehaven series with Dragonwatch.
Falling For Your Best Friend’s Twin (2020), 7/10
There are a million and one reasons why I shouldn’t fall for my BFF’s twin… Too bad love isn’t reasonable. For years, I’ve successfully hidden my crush on Zane–my best friend’s ultra grumpy, ultra hot twin brother. But now that he’s hired me to fix a tech glitch for his startup, I’m having trouble keeping the feels under wraps.
I SHOULD just keep my head down and do my job like a good employee. I should NOT go on the investor’s weekend that will keep me up close and personal with Zane. Like … couple’s massage kind of personal. I’ve got a lot on the line: my friendship, my job, and my stupid little heart that just won’t stop beating for him.
But I’ve never met a risk I didn’t like to face head on. Here goes nothing! (Or, maybe, here goes everything…)
Synopsis via Goodreads
This was yet another FINE read. I don’t actively look for modern romances because most of them are full of rather steamy scenes that don’t support building healthy relationships whatsoever. This one was refreshingly healthy, albeit a bit dramatic at times.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), 8/10
Swept away from her home in Kansas by a tornado, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves stranded in the fantastical Land of Oz. As instructed by the Good Witch of the North and the Munchkins, Dorothy sets off on the yellow brick road to try and find her way to the Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz, who can help her get home. With her companions the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy experiences an adventure full of friendship, magic and danger. A much-loved children’s classic, The Wizard of Oz continues to delight readers young and old with its enchanting tale of witches, flying monkeys and silver shoes.
Synopsis via Goodreads
Surprisingly, I actually liked this book! The first time I read it, I think I wanted it to be more like the 1939 film, so I bashed it hard. Upon re-reading, I think it is a whimsical story with memorable characters. I’m going to try and read the other books in the series, too, so we’ll see if Frank Baum stays consistently great.
Comics
Winter Breeze (2025), 8/10
Set against the backdrop of a wintry Seoul, Winter Breeze tells a story of second chances, hope, and the unexpected warmth that can bloom even in the coldest seasons. Two years after their fleeting encounter at Seoul Station, Haena is reunited with Dohwa at a newly opened photo studio tucked away in her quiet neighborhood, and finds herself drawn to the mysterious photographer she hasn’t been able to forget. Is their reunion merely coincidence, or is it the beginning of something meant to be?
Synopsis via Webtoon
This series has one major flaw. It should have been longer! I would have loved to get to know these characters better and see the conflicts end less abruptly.
Spirit Fingers (2019), 10/10
What do you do if you’re going on 18, totally awkward and lacking in self- confidence? You could just sit in your room all day and all night and study and wonder why you never get asked out…OR, if you’re Amy Song you could join up with the Spirit Fingers – the strangest, hippest, coolest (yet most welcoming) art club ever. But as Amy is about to learn, discovering your TRUE colors is about more than just painting.
Synopsis via Webtoon
I generally go back to this series every once in a while to remind myself it’s okay to get older and expect wonderful things to happen. I love this series’ art style, and hopefully can make it all the way through the Korean drama.
He Can’t be This Dumb (2021), 8.5/10
Renowned for its exclusivity, only the children of Korea’s elite can attend International Island High. But when Kang Doha, an ordinary girl from an average family, is given a lucky chance to enroll, she’s thrust into an unfamiliar world of money and power. Despite trying to fly under the radar, she somehow ends up in the same dorm as Rowoon, the most popular guy in school! He seems to have it all, but when it comes to girls, he’s completely clueless. Can Doha teach him how to win a girl’s heart?
Synopsis via Tapas
This is another series I re-read sometimes just. . . because. (Shrug) It is a cotton candy read I don’t mind going back to every once in a while.
Even if the Villain’s Daughter Returns (2025), 7/10
A child who lost everything to a villain. Ten years later, that child returned as a hero called a demigod. And the enraged hero began his revenge by killing the villain and his family… But there was a problem. It was that Lila was the daughter of that villain. “Are you Lila Hildegar?” “You’ve got the wrong person.” “No, I think I’ve got the right one.” …Pretending to be someone else, failed! “Please spare me.” “No.” …Begging for her life also failed! There was no other choice. Lila chose the last resort. “Any last words?” It was to swallow the “Regression Stone” and return to the past after death. “It wasn’t pleasant meeting you, so let’s never see each other again!”
That’s how Lila returned to the past, opened her eyes at the age of ten, and… Died again. Lila tried to survive. She tried and tried again. That was all she did… “Why did you save me?” The boy answered with a pale face. “Because I’ve gone mad.” …The enemy who had driven Lila to death several times became strange. [Villain’s daughter female lead/female lead who wants to live to be 90/is still the villain’s daughter even if she regresses] [Male lead who lost his home and family to the villain/male lead whose only goal in life is revenge] [Opposing parties are enemies → What are you doing right now…?]
Synopsis via arenascan (but most likely AI 🙂 )
This was a surprising find. I didn’t expect the premise. Usually, the female character goes back once, and everything works out well. In THIS story, she constantly goes back because the male lead keeps finding her and killing her regardless of what she does or where she goes. Do they fall in love? YES. But it is after much hardship. My two complaints are her relationship with her family and how the story ended too easily.
Christmas Miracles (2017), 7/10
Kwon Nameun, a young script writer, recently finds herself caught in a career turn as well as romantic dilemma. As she reencounters her high school crush who mercilessly dumped her seven years ago, how is she supposed to face this adonis of an actor for whom she once set on the path of writing? She has to prove that she already let go. Luckily, she meets another cute, sweet and handsome singer, who offers her lunch-break jokes, late-night chats, and perhaps… a perfect reason… to let go. Is this fair? Can she really let go?
Synopsis via Myanimelist
I liked that this story pointed out learning to love ourselves before being “healed” by a new relationship. The main couple was refreshingly open with each other. The one thing that kept me from rating it higher was her ex’e’s attitude and background as a paramour. That was too uncomfortable for me, although I know it must be that way for many actors and actresses.
A Sign of Affection (2019), 9/10
Yuki Itose is a hearing-impaired university student whose world has been shrouded with silence since birth. She has lived in the same place her whole life, and rarely interacts with others save for her best friend, Rin Fujishiro. During her commute one day, she meets the silver-haired and multilingual Itsuomi Nagi, a mutual friend of Rin. Unlike most, Itsuomi is unwavering when he learns of Yuki’s impairment; this, along with his experiences abroad, fascinates and touches her. After they part, her fondness of him starts to grow. A new world begins to open for both Yuki and Itsuomi as they learn about each other’s different lives.
Synopsis via Myanimelist
I still love this series, all the more so because the love story feels so natural and healthy. There isn’t unnecessary drama, and Itsuomi earns the gold star for being one of the most loving, respectful boyfriends of all time. This was also the first story that really got me thinking about how sign language has changed so many deaf people’s lives. I haven’t given it a 10/10 yet because it is still ongoing.
The World’s Most Powerful Characters are Obsessed With Me (2024), 10/10
At 13, Dahlia Phesterose recalls her past life. She realizes she was born as the sister of the ultimate villain in a dating simulation game where the male leads, or “transcendents,” all succumb to madness. Anticipating family ruin and personal peril from her estranged brother, Dahlia is desperate to escape. However, after luckily earning her terrifying brother’s favor upon his return home, a new twist unfolds: she unwantedly captivates the world’s strongest, the soon-to-be-mad male leads!
Synopsis via Tapas
This story is finally wrapping up, and I can say with full honesty that it is one of the best webtoons I’ve read in a LOOONG time. It isn’t just about romance, though Dahlia’s love story with Prince Cedric made my heart melt like butter. It is also about how she develops deep and meaningful relationships with her brother, godmother, friends, and more! I highly recommend this story if you haven’t picked it up yet and you like reading online comics.
Movies
Feelings Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (2021), 7/10
Yui “Cherry” Sakura expresses himself better through the haiku he writes and posts on the internet, even though no one gives it attention. While preparing for him and his family to relocate in August, he spends the summer working part-time at a welfare facility. Meanwhile, Yuki “Smile” Hoshino is a budding influencer who wants everyone to smile. However, she feels uneasy about the braces on her protruding front teeth and conceals her own smile using a disposable mask.
After an accidental encounter with Cherry, Smile finds herself becoming a part-time worker at the same facility as him. Soon, the two assist a senile man, Fujiyama, in searching for an old vinyl record he owns. Unable to remember its last location, he wishes to listen to it once more before his memories fade for good. Cherry and Smile only have the record’s sleeve and the word “yamazakura” as clues, and their hunt in the hazy summer heat begins.
Synopsis via Myanimelist
This story has great style! My problem with it was how sporadic certain story beats felt. The ending was quite abrupt, and I didn’t feel like the important problems were fully resolved or explored.
The Girl Who Stole Time (2025), 7/10
The cold-faced killer Shiqi meets Qianxiao, a sunny girl from a fishing village, connected by the mysterious wheel of time, embark on a fantasy and romantic time journey of “pausing the whole world and going back in time to love you”.
Synopsis via IMBD
I was going to give this movie a 6 before it hit me in the feels 2/3’s of the way through the movie! I haven’t cried watching a love story in a while, and I can honestly say the happy-ish ending was well earned. This movie does struggle with overall pacing, but I could tell the creators put a lot of heart into making this film.
The Penalty (1920), 8/10
Blizzard, deranged from a childhood operation in which both his legs were perhaps needlessly amputated after an accident, becomes a vicious criminal, and eventually mob leader of the San Francisco underworld. Out for revenge against the surgeon who performed his operation, he undergoes brain surgery which has a chance of altering his anti-social behavior.
Synopsis by —Doug Sederberg <vornoff@sonic.net> via IMBD
Behold one of the first films my brother and I watched on our 1920s binge! I was most impressed by how Lon Chaney played an amputee. He must have had great upper body strength to pull off what he did! My one complaint was how nonchalantly they played off the obvious Stockholm Syndrome romance with Rose and Chaney’s character.
Within Our Gates (1920), 5/10
Southern negro Sylvia Landry visits her cousin Alma in the north, where there is less racial prejudice than in her hometown of Piney Woods in the deep south, and is anxiously awaiting her fiancé, Conrad. But Alma has designs on Conrad and tricks Sylvia into a compromising situation when he arrives, and he abandons her.
Disheartened, she returns to Piney Woods to help a reverend running a school for young negroes. Sylvia learns that the reverend hasn’t the heart to turn away poor students, and unless he can raise $5,000 to supplement the $1.49 per child per year that the state supplies, the school will be closed. She goes up north again to try to raise the money. . .
Synopsis by—Arthur Hausner <genart@volcano.net> via IMBD
I wanted to like this movie. I use the lynching scene at the end of the film in my U.S. history class during my Reconstruction Unit. BUUUUT one profound scene doesn’t make a full movie. The pacing and locations were inconsistent, and the story was hard to follow. I was nicer to this film than my brother, but I could tell the director struggled to pull together a cohesive film.
One Week (1920), 9/10
A newly wedded couple attempts to build a house with a prefabricated kit, unaware that a rival sabotaged the kit’s component numbering.
Synopsis via IMBD
What a great short! You’ll see this a lot in this list, but Buster Keaton is simply consistently fantastic! I’ve never seen anything from him I’ve hated SO FAR (Knock on wood) so. . . yeah just watch everything he’s done.
Goat (2026), 7/10
A young anthropomorphic goat named Will Harris dreams of playing roar-ball, a high-intensity, animalistic version of basketball dominated by much larger, fiercer creatures. After a video of Will challenging the league’s MVP, Mane Attraction, goes viral, he is recruited as a marketing tactic for the struggling Vineland Thorns.
Synopsis by —Adrian Serpa via IMBD
Here is another film I wanted to like more than I did. The action during the basketball games was mind-blowingly GREAT. But the story had the same old cut-and-paste “rookie becomes a sports star” plot we’ve seen before. The monkey coach became one of my favorite characters, though. He should have been allowed to coach sooner than he did!
The Imaginary (2023), 6/10
Studio Ponoc’s The Imaginary portrays the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion, Rudger, a boy no one can see imagined by Amanda to share her thrilling make-believe adventures. But when Rudger, suddenly alone, arrives at The Town of Imaginaries, where forgotten Imaginaries live and find work, he faces a mysterious threat.
Directed by renowned animator Yoshiyuki Momose (Spirited Away), The Imaginary is an unforgettable adventure of love, loss, and the healing power of imagination. The groundbreaking hand-drawn animation of The Imaginary is heightened by first-of-their-kind techniques of light and shadow. The Imaginary is based on the beloved and award-winning novel of the same name by A.F. Harrold and illustrated by Emily Gravett (Bloomsbury Publishing).
Synopsis vy —Netflix via IMBD
I am not surprised that someone who worked on Spirited Away (2001) helped create this film. The main villain had that same bog-nosed aesthetic I’ve seen in Miyazaki films before, and the overall animation was beautiful and fluid. BUUUUUT this is yet another film that struggled with pacing.
The Golem: How He Came Into the World (1920), 8.5/10
In 16th-century Prague, a rabbi creates the Golem – a giant creature made of clay. Using sorcery, he brings the creature to life in order to protect the Jews of Prague from persecution.
Synopsis via IMBD
Surprise surprise, I loved a German Expressionist film! Although I think The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was the better film this year, I did love the story and set designs used for this movie. It is a shame Wegener didn’t direct more films.
(Here are some great shots from the movie, just to give you an idea of what it was like!)
The Mark of Zorro (1920), 6/10
In old Spanish California, the oppressive colonial government is opposed by Zorro, masked champion of the people, who appears out of nowhere with flashing sword and an athletic sense of humor, scarring the faces of evildoers with his Mark. Meanwhile, beautiful Lolita is courted by villainous Captain Ramon, rich but effete Don Diego… and dashing Zorro, who is never seen at the same time as Don Diego. As Zorro continues to evade pursuit, Ramon puts the damsel in distress…
Synopsis by—Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu> via IMBD
I never thought a Douglas Fairbanks movie could be boring and convoluted. I was wrong. You know something is wrong when it takes 20 minutes to execute a simple 5-minute scene.
Way Down East (1920), 6/10
The callous rich, portrayed by Lennox, think only of their own pleasure. Anna is but a poor country girl whom Lennox tricks into a fake wedding. She believes that it is true, but secret, while he has his way with her. When she is pregnant, he leaves her and she must have the baby, named Trust Lennox, on her own. When the baby dies she wanders until she gets a job with Squire Bartlett. David falls for her, but she rejects him due to her past and then Lennox shows up lusting for Kate. Seeing Anna, he tries to get her to leave, but she doesn’t, and she tells no one about his past. When Squire Bartlett learns of her past from Martha, the town gossip, he tosses Anna out in a snow storm. But before she goes, she fingers the respected Lennox, as the father of her dead baby and the spoiler of herself.
Synopsis by—Tony Fontana <tony.fontana@spacebbs.com> via IMBD
(I enjoyed reading this more than I did watching the movie).
Am I surprised I didn’t like this movie? No. No, I am not. Griffith is one of those directors who stays consistently. . . dramatic and overinflated. There were WAY too many title cards, and it was one of the most bloated melodramas I’ve seen in a while. If you are wondering who this guy is, just think of the movie Birth of a Nation, and you’ll understand how I feel.
Masters of the Universe (2026), 7/10
In furthest regions of space the kingdom of Eternia is threatened by the villainous Skeletor and his mischievous armies of darkness. To save his father’s kingdom and protect the lives of those he holds dear young Prince Adam has to retrieve a mythical sword and become the fabled warrior only known as “He-Man”.
Synopsis via IMBD
I didn’t hate this movie! I think it honored the original quite well. I especially thought the actors for Skeletor and Adam were good. I did think that the whole ” you were chosen because you don’t have physical power. . . blah blah blah talk about your feelings” schtick near the end was kind of dumb, but other than that, meh. It was probably better than Supergirl.
The Parson’s Widow (1920), 4/10
A young man is elected by a small village to be its parson. As part of his duties, he is required to marry the widow of the parson before him. This poses two problems–first, the widow is old enough to be his grandmother, and second, he is already engaged to another woman.
Synopsis by —page8701 via IMBD
It took me a while to realize this movie was purposefully trying to be a comedy. I got maybe 10 minutes in and realized. . . oh wait, they are trying to be funny. That is a bad sign when watching a comedy. Ironically, the man who directed this movie would go on to make way better films like The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928). I guess you have to start somewhere. . . unfortunately, this attempt was rather lackluster. It suffered from a terrible disease called DULLNESS.
Nurse Majorie (1920), 6/10
Lady Marjorie Donegal becomes a nurse in hospital, much to the dismay of her aristocratic family. She falls in love with one of her patients, a commoner labor leader.
Synopsis via IMBD
This movie wasn’t bad. . . in fact, I think Miss Minter played her part as Marjorie quite well. Nah, this was yet another dull sort of romantic comedy that lacked true comedy but sort of nailed the romance part because all the cues were dead obvious.
The Phantom Carriage (1921), 10/10
On New Year’s Eve, three drunkards evoke a legend that tells that the last person to die in a year, if he is a great sinner, will need to drive during the whole following year the Phantom Chariot, the one that picks up the souls of the dead. One of the three drunkards, David Holm, dies at the last stroke of midnight.
Synopsis by—Yepok via IMBD
Now THIS was a great film! I know I am somewhat biased because I’m a sucker for more Eerie storytelling, but this was the first film we saw this month that seemed to meaningfully capture the human experience. Film is an illusion of movement, but it is also a way to capture glimpses of history and people’s stories. This is quite possibly the best depiction of the horrors of alcoholism I’ve ever seen. The acting was also grounded rather than overly theatrical, which made the events playing out on the screen all the more potent.
Anyway, this film is on my film review list for after I finish my backed-up posts! (I liked it that much.)
Destiny (1921), 8.5/10
As a young couple stops and rests in a small village inn, the man is abducted by Death and is sequestered behind a huge doorless, windowless wall. The woman finds a mystic entrance and is met by Death, who tells her three separate stories set in exotic locales, all involving circumstances similar to hers. In each story, a woman, trying to save her lover from his ultimate tragic fate, fails. The young lady realizes the meaning of the tales and takes the only step she can to reunite herself with her lover.
Synopsis by —Doug Sederberg <vornoff@sonic.net> via IMBD
I saw this movie probably ten years ago when I was writing my thesis on German Expressionist film. I didn’t end up using it for my giant essay, but I enjoyed it for what it was: an introspective look at death and fate. Considering the time period, the Chinese and Muslims weren’t depicted in a racist way, though I was curious about why many Germans viewed those cultures that way.
Anyway, upon rewatch, I still like this movie, but not as much as Metropolis (1927), which was directed by the same director.
Orphans in the Storm (1921), 6.5/10
Henriette and Louise, a foundling, are raised together as sisters. When Louise goes blind, Henriette swears to take care of her forever. They go to Paris to see if Louise’s blindness can be cured, but are separated when an aristocrat lusts after Henriette and abducts her. Only Chevalier de Vaudrey is kind to her, and they fall in love.
The French Revolution replaces the corrupt Aristocracy with the equally corrupt Robespierre. De Vaudrey, who has always been good to peasants, is condemned to death for being an aristocrat, and Henriette for harboring him. Will revolutionary hero Danton, the only voice for mercy in the new regime, be able to save them from the guillotine?
Synopsis by —John Oswalt <jao@jao.com> via IMBD
I could not have cared less about the contrived, melodramatic plot for this film. I’ve discovered D.W. Griffith is a lot like James Cameron: his films had gorgeous sets and great effects for the time, but his plots are bloated messes.
Side note, the moment I knew I would hate this movie was when Griffith stated how Danton from the French Revolution was the Abraham Lincoln of France, and had Thomas Jefferson and Lafayette cameo at the beginning, stating how wonderful it is that we had a country based on righteousness and equality. I couldn’t bring myself to respect someone who created a racist garbage heap of a film like Birth of a Nation (1915) and used lines like this in his film.
That said, I was QUITE impressed with the sets and costume design in this movie! Apparently, the budget was about $760,000 (14-15 million). A massive chunk of this production cost was spent building a 14-acre recreation of 18th-century Paris at his Mamaroneck, New York, studio. Such dedication. . . too bad I still think he is a terrible storyteller.
This film must have cost a fortune!
Ace of Hearts (1921), 5/10
A secret society holds a meeting to determine what to do about a powerful, dangerous man whom they have been studying closely for the past three months. They all agree that he deserves to die. Two of the members, Farallone and Forrest, are both in love with Lilith, the group’s only female member. But Lilith accepts neither of them, preferring to devote herself to the group’s cause. When the group meets again and deals cards to all the members, Forrest draws the ace of hearts, meaning that he will be the one to carry out the assassination. Lilith then suddenly agrees to marry him, in order to give him courage. But after their first night together, both of them feel differently about what they have planned.
Synopsis by —Snow Leopard via IMBD
It is bad when a film that’s meant to be a serious drama becomes a teenage-level love story. My brother and I laughed hysterically at Farallone, who didn’t get the girl, stayed ALL NIGHT sobbing, wooing, and wailing on the steps of the apartment building where his love Lilith and her new husband were having their wedding night. When the dog came up to him while the couple freaked out upstairs, I couldn’t take it anymore. I enjoyed watching this movie for all the wrong reasons. . . I mean, I cried from laughing when Farallone blew everyone up with the Ace of Hearts at the end.
The High Sign (1921), 9/10
A drifter at an amusement park finds himself both the bodyguard and hit man of a man targeted by a criminal gang.
Synopsis via IMBD
I want to start doing the gang sign for the cultures from this short. It takes a lot of talent to get it right so fast. I would know. The moment I saw this, I tried multiple times. Anyway, this is Buster Keaton, which means I love it and probably can’t logically see many flaws.
The Goat (1921), 9/10
A series of adventures begins when an accident during photographing causes Buster to be mistaken for Dead Shot Dan, the local bad guy.
Synopsis via IMBD
Oh look at that, another Buster Keaton short I loved. I didn’t realized there were so many iconic Keaton shots in this one short! Like this one:
And this one:
And the elevator scene:
I could keep going, but you should just go see it for yourself! Watching these shorts became the balm my brother and I needed as we watched horrible films.
TV Shows
Life Lessons With Uramichi Oneesan (2021), 8/10
In the studio of the morning childrens’ show “Together with Mama,” a crew of miserable adults prepares their facades of amicable smiles and cheerful exteriors to educate a group of innocent preschoolers. In the middle of it stands Uramichi Omota, a former gymnast who can’t help but bring the kids down to earth by revealing the harsh and depressing reality of adulthood, even in front of the rolling cameras.
Behind the scenes, Uramichi’s much-desired peace is disturbed by his two bothersome juniors who work as the show’s rabbit and bear mascots and singers: Utano Tadano, a woman who only wishes to get married; and Iketeru Daga, a handsome man with a crass sense of humor. From smoking and exercising to nihilistic outbursts, everyone’s big brother Uramichi always brings up the not-so-moral side to his life lessons.
Do I think this is the greatest show ever made? Nah. But as a working adult, I find the fatalistic humor and situational humor relatable. Have you ever thought about how much of our misery is self-made versus situational? I did after I watched this. I prefer watching it in English, but I think the Japanese children’s songs have the stupidest lyrics!
(Behold some of my favorite moments)
Inuyasha (2000), 8.5/10
Kagome Higurashi’s 15th birthday takes a sudden turn when she is forcefully pulled by a demon into the old well of her family’s shrine. Brought to the past, when demons were a common sight in feudal Japan, Kagome finds herself persistently hunted by these vile creatures, all yearning for an item she unknowingly carries: the Shikon Jewel, a small sphere holding extraordinary power.
Amid such a predicament, Kagome encounters a half-demon boy named Inuyasha who mistakes her for Kikyou, a shrine maiden he seems to resent. Because of her resemblance to Kikyou, Inuyasha takes a violent dislike to Kagome. However, after realizing the dire circumstances they are both in, he sets aside his hostility and lends her a hand.
Unfortunately, during a fight for the Shikon Jewel, the miraculous object ends up shattered into pieces and scattered across the land. Fearing the disastrous consequences of this accident, Kagome and Inuyasha set out on a challenging quest to recover the shards before they fall into the wrong hands.
Synopsis via Myanimelist
I finally started watching this anime on my plane ride back from Japan, and lo and behold. Yeah. It’s good. The manga tells the story better, but I like that the anime isn’t so mature in its content. The English dub isn’t too bad for the 2000s either. (Trust me, this is a win! Many English dubs in the 1990s and 2000s were. . . passable at best).
Mao (2026), 9/10
Nanoka passes through a portal into the Taisho era, where exorcist Mao reluctantly rescues her from the jaws of a grotesque yokai. When Nanoka gets back to the present, she discovers she has some new, incredible abilities. She returns to the past looking for answers, only to get caught up in Mao’s investigation of a series of gruesome murders. As her questions about herself multiply, Nanoka learns that Mao is cursed by a cat demon named Byoki—and so is his sword. If anyone but Mao attempts to wield it, they are doomed. But when Mao’s life is in jeopardy, Nanoka picks up his blade and swings!
Synopsis via IMBD
The same writer of Inuyasha also wrote this story, and I actually like it more. Some might shoot me dead for saying something like that, but. . . meh. I’ll think what I want. I think it boils down to how well the mystery is presented and how non-theatrical the characters are. I’ve loved many of the action shots, panning, and shots in this anime so far, and hope it doesn’t disappoint me later.
There you have it! When I write my next post for July, I’ll separate films from everything else. That way, movies don’t dominate most of the post. I’ll see you next time!
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 