15. Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)- A movie that I am still thinking about and grappling with what exactly it's saying about fascism, power, authority, etc. I am not sure it all came totally together for me in the end but it's fascinating. The general plot is a Roman police detective murders his mistress and is then assigned to investigate it. Standout: The twist this movie puts on what seems like a simple set-up. Most movies would use this as a chance for the detective to hide the evidence, hinder the investigation, cover his tracks, etc. Not here. He's very diligently investigating the crime even though he knows exactly where that will point his fellow police.
14. Rye Lane (2023)- A really cute funny British rom-com. Two people coming off bad break-ups have a chance meeting and begin a whirlwind day of adventure, love, laughs and tears. Genuinely funny and sweet while also being very stylishly filmed. Standouts: This might seem like a weird choice but the 82 minute run time. So many movies- especially comedies overstay their welcome and we have to sludge through an unfunny final 30 mins that tries to wrap up the serious elements of the story or they get stuck doing the same jokes over and over. Not Rye Lane. It gets in and out, making every moment count.
It's on Hulu, check it out
13. Spider-man Across the Spiderverse (2023)- It's rare that I even watch animated movies or superhero movies but this series is incredible. The animation is mind blowing and the storytelling is really smart. Absolute sensory overload in the best way possible. Standouts: The trio of 1st time directors Kemp Powers, Joaquim Dos Santos and Justin Thompson who managed to somehow surpass even the original. Heck of an accomplishment for a first film, setting the new standard for all animation.
12. Bound (1996)- I am not really sure how I never realized the makers of The Matrix had a cool mid 90s crime noir. This came recommended on a podcast and it sounded interesting but I saw the Wachowskis as 1 hit wonders due to my deep distaste for The Matrix sequels. But as so often happens, just a couple days after hearing the podcast I noticed it was streaming and gave it a whirl. What can I say, I was wrong about the Wachowskis. This is a perfect 90s noir crime film.
Standouts: Gina Gershon had me biting my knuckles, my word is she sexy in this. Jennifer Tilley's babydoll routine is a perfect complement to Gershon's (sort of) butch. And was there a better sleazeball in the 90s/00s than Joey Pants?
11. Oppenheimer (2023)- Not much needs to be said for this, there is plenty of discourse out there. I really liked it, thought it was very well done. I learned a bit but I did feel it's run time. Standouts: The trinity of Cillian anchoring the movie, Damon giving it some life and the Trinity Test itself delivering the movie moment of 2023.