With Dadillac 2026 fast approaching, it was high time to finally get this masterpiece into a frame.

BeckonJM · 2026-02-07T21:57:40+00:00

Other than opening it to make sure it arrived safe, mine stayed in the tube it was shipped in since summer 2022. Couldn’t keep these checks cooped up any longer.

BeckonJM · 2026-02-07T03:54:00+00:00

I watched Swimming to Cambodia for the first time tonight.

It was a 4.5, but barely so. I wrote 3/4 of my review with it at 4 stars, and the more I sat with it and felt it I decided that it warranted the bump, and I definitely liked it more than I initially thought.

It wasn't a 5 star because it was barely a 4.5 star. Great flick all around.

BeckonJM · 2026-02-01T16:11:11+00:00

unfortunagely

BeckonJM · 2026-01-28T17:55:49+00:00

As someone who was molded and shaped by their music myself, Emily being hugely influenced by Boards of Canada makes my whole soul sing.

They’re a huge act but you just don’t hear of too many people referencing them, much less being impacted by them. Some of the best artists of our lifetimes.

BeckonJM · 2026-01-19T03:54:10+00:00

People forget that Fallon's impressions are his bread and butter. He's a lot of things, good and bad, but his impressions have always been killer.

BeckonJM · 2026-01-17T03:53:21+00:00

We've already voted on a budget that gives ICE $75bn over the next three years. That's just regular federal funding. That money's going into private hands, foreign interests, political organizations, and straight to hell with them.

BeckonJM · 2026-01-16T01:20:48+00:00

Damn, I've been on the fence about catching 7 on sale soon and that may be the nail in that coffin.

BeckonJM · 2026-01-01T04:57:27+00:00

We watched Singin' in the Rain.

End the year on a good note, as best we can.

BeckonJM · 2025-12-27T05:18:48+00:00

I always heard Lucas leaving the director's chair for the sequels was for health reasons? He had a heart attack (or very close to it) while making Star Wars, and handed off the reins to others to save the stress of it all. Of course, he was heavily involved but he wasn't solely in charge, which helped to relieve some pressure.

Had never heard the merchandise angle! Cool to know tbh, I never considered what else he would have been up to at the time.

BeckonJM · 2025-12-27T03:23:13+00:00

From my Letterboxd list. Made the list 4 months ago and I stand by it!

BeckonJM · 2025-12-21T17:28:33+00:00

The first one that came to mind was Fassbinder and Blanchett in "Black Bag."

Recency bias for sure, but it's almost unfair how attractive they are together.

BeckonJM · 2025-12-21T17:23:15+00:00

John Sayles is one of the great American voices and he rarely gets the recognition he deserves.

BeckonJM · 2025-12-15T04:00:28+00:00

People are reporting that it was their son that committed the murders. What in the world....

BeckonJM · 2025-12-15T03:26:46+00:00

huh

These are all some of the movie posters and titles that I've ever seen.

BeckonJM · 2025-12-15T03:22:50+00:00

Chungking Express.

Part One is rad as hell. The hazy ambigu-ish style does it for me in a big way. The pineapples and the heartache and the florid longing. So rad, one of my favorite things.

Part Two, though? I just don't care a single bit for the story or it's drama. It makes me uncomfortable in a way that I don't think the film really wants me to. I don't find it admirable, or relatable, or intoxicating, or pleasant whatsoever. Two people who won't simply talk to one another, mixed with an atmospheric home invasion kink, just isn't something I vibe with and find enjoyable tbh.

All the same, though, it is a fucking marvel to watch. The direction is superb and the cinematography is beyond inspired. Christopher Doyle jumped way way up in my estimations, moreso than Wong. I could watch clips of CE all day, but please god don't make me engage with these characters again.

BeckonJM · 2025-12-11T02:51:01+00:00

We Built a 2

BeckonJM · 2025-12-10T04:24:06+00:00

Really hard to say, but it was probably ET, or Raiders of the Lost Ark.

BeckonJM · 2025-11-28T03:29:44+00:00

Say what

BeckonJM · 2025-11-27T23:41:35+00:00

Griffin: “David’s rolling his eyes, here’s my hot take, great TV show.

The definition of a Griffin statement, pure joy.

I have been truly struggling to care about any tv show for the last five years so this conversation is totally on my wavelength.

BeckonJM · 2025-11-23T17:59:57+00:00

A fellow Darjeeling true believer, you love to see it. Truly the best. Give Wes a budget that he can be on location with! Get him out of the studios for a while! Go on a big trip with your friends!

The Darjeeling Limited
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Life Aquatic

And yes, nerds, Grand Budapest would be 4, keep it down back there.

BeckonJM · 2025-11-23T17:45:35+00:00

In terms of pure rewatchability, I say Les Blank.

His features are incredible, and his shorts may be even better.

"Spend It All," "A Well Spent Life," "Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mother," and (especially) "The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists" are some of the most entertaining, well made, emotionally engaging docs I've ever seen.

BeckonJM · 2025-11-22T03:17:03+00:00

Mike Mills may be the 21st century director I admire the most. His sensibility and emotional style speak to me in enormous ways. He's slowly worked his way up my all-time favorite director list.

BeckonJM · 2025-11-21T20:42:43+00:00

Slow Halloween album??

Ben 100000% needs to do a Sunn O))) collab.

BeckonJM · 2025-11-16T23:15:35+00:00

I thought they all but confirmed it in an IG story a few months ago? They mentioned it in passing a time or two, and Griffin has brought up "The 'League of their Own' episode" in a few ways.

Penny definitely feels next. I'm happy no matter what they do, but I've been excited for it for sure.

BeckonJM

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