My Take On Four Films

Short reviews of films from William Friedkin's tenacious 1971 masterpiece to Jonathan Demme's timeless 1991 classic and more...

I watch films every week, so I decided to write brief evaluations for each to discuss why they are worth watching. Some may be ones I didn't enjoy, and I'll try to squeeze those in as well. These can be films that I've already seen and recently rewatched, as well as films that have just been released in theaters.

Sorcerer / 1971 / Dir. William Friedkin

Director Friedkin's masterwork, Sorcerer, is now available in 4K Criterion, a well-deserved version for which I have been waiting for years. The 4K conversion is just as magnificent as the film itself. Watching Sorcerer again after some time reminded me of Friedkin's ability to direct with precision and control. The film's tenacious pace, editing, performances, and direction by Friedkin continue to surprise me.

When I watch films like Sorcerer, I realize how far behind we are today since they are no longer made. Films like Sorcerer, particularly this type of filmmaking, are absolutely vital and will always be.

The Silence of the Lambs / 1991 / Dir. Jonathan Demme

I also recently had the opportunity to purchase a Criterion Blu-ray of Demme's The Silence of the Lambs and saw it for the first time last week without interruptions, as the film had previously been played on cable TV with advertisements. I miss these types of films, and I hope that filmmakers, particularly talented ones, will be able to make them without having to spend $300 million. A masterpiece requires only a good script, good actors, and good filmmaking, and The Silence of the Lambs is one such film.

The Bikeriders / 2023 / Dir. Jeff Nichols

I finally had the opportunity to watch Jeff Nichols' The Bikeriders, and I liked it. But Mud, I believe, is still his best film and a masterpiece. However, we can see Nichols' efforts in The Bikeriders because the script, editing, dialogue, and performances are all excellent.

Hostiles / 2017 / Dir. Scott Cooper

Scott Cooper's Hostiles always makes me wonder what he's going to direct next since it's a unique type of filmmaking. Cooper has tremendous control over his pacing, editing, and overall direction.

Hostiles, I think, is timeless, and it will be regarded as a classic over time. It’s beautiful and hauntingly poetic. Every time I watch the film, I fall deeper in love with it. Every scene is meticulously created and captured, demonstrating Cooper's exceptional abilities as a filmmaker and a visionary.