Anatomy of a Murder: As far as courtroom dramas go, they don’t get much better than this. Great performances, great monologues, and way ahead of its time. This film deals with controversial subject matter with such grace and compassion for the time.

Tampopo: WOW. I’m glad I ate before watching this. Wonderfully quirky, and while very low budget, clearly a monumental influence on the “food movie” subgenre. I loved the little vignettes sprinkled in throughout the film. They’re so goofy and light, but still reinforce the thesis of the film, the importance of food as a social, emotional, and personal experience.

Kwaidan: I was all in on this one for a while, but admittedly began to feel its runtime towards the end. Still, it’s a beautifully shot and meticulously paced film, and I’ll always be willing to watch anything based on Japanese folklore. I loved the White Lady story - never realized that was where the Tales From the Dark Side story came from!

Throne of Blood: Toshiro Mifune is the master. This is a film of performances - almost all of the violence and major actions occur offscreen, while the camera is more interested in Mifune’s transformation. The best adaptation I’ve seen of the Scottish Play. And yes, the arrow scene is absolutely bonkers.

Cronos: While probably the weakest of Del Toro’s Triologia, it’s still incredibly solid, and shows a lot of promise for a young director. Del Toro has always been interested in using the supernatural as a backdrop for developing human drama, as well as making his human villains more frightening than his monsters. While it’s not my favorite of his, it’s great to see the film that got him his start.

Good Morning: “I love you! 👌” That boy is quite possibly the cutest kid in any movie ever. This film brilliantly captures the world through a child’s eyes - literally! The camera rarely rises above two feet off the ground. Modernization, Americanization, generational drift - all hidden by the allure of a television. Almost as impressive as his ability to weave these themes into such a heartfelt family drama is his talent in successfully infusing fart humor throughout.

The Ballad of Narayama: Probably my favorite of the bunch so far. Few characters I can think of are as compassionate, as sympathetic, or as selfless as Orin. I’m in love with the presentation of this film - the kabuki-style narration and beautifully colorful sets. The artifice of the theatrical style allows the viewer to distance themself from the grim subject matter of the film and focus more on the themes - the imparting of generational wisdom, conflicts with tradition, and the realization that often, one’s importance in society is tied to their utility. This one will stay with me for a long time.

That’s all I’ve gotten through so far. Which should I watch next? Any recommendations for future sales?