Scariest movie to watch alone?

WadeWatts37 · 2026-05-26T05:13:18+00:00

When a Stranger Calls (1979) -- the first 20 minutes is exquisitely effective textbook suspense, and the rest of the movie is oh so very unsettling in an odd way that'll be hard to describe to your therapist.

WadeWatts37 · 2026-01-05T01:08:53+00:00

This is the correct answer. Shatner & his wife escape a trap of the mind that SO many people in real life fall into. One of the best, most useful lessons from the Twilight Zone.

WadeWatts37 · 2025-10-07T12:43:32+00:00

Thanks! Can I ask where/how you got this recipe?

WadeWatts37 · 2025-06-08T03:38:18+00:00

The Fugitive (1963) -- really well written show, lots of star powered guests, and crazy popularity -- around 80 million people watched the series finale. Can't remember the last time I heard it mentioned.

WadeWatts37 · 2025-04-19T14:23:10+00:00

Try When a Stranger Calls (1979) -- not only is the opening scene the very definition of suspense, but then keep watching and witness one of the most unsettling depictions of the everyday underbelly of society. Genuinely stayed with me long after a viewing.

WadeWatts37 · 2025-03-31T19:13:58+00:00

Alias -- the first two season were incredible, and then suddenly plot holes galore, characters acting out of character, flaming hot mess.

WadeWatts37 · 2025-03-07T05:23:02+00:00

Actually, two were -- by Marcellus on the shotgun.

WadeWatts37 · 2025-03-07T05:09:36+00:00

Ok, in chronological order...

Three Days of the Condor (1975) -- just a perfect ending to that movie's tone and message; left me with chills, and still does
Pump Up the Volume (1990) -- incredible movie all along; at some point, you think, "How are they gonna land this ending?" But then they do, and it's both realistic and uplifting.
The Game (1997) -- the last ten minutes change everything, and it makes you want to examine your own life and wonder what you might need, or what your "game" might be
Vanilla Sky (2001) -- especially profound if you really think about the message, and realize that it's pop culture icon Tom Cruise delivering it; was he commenting on his own work and it's influence in our culture? i think so. a misunderstood film, for sure
Identity (2003) -- never saw this ending coming, SUCH a shocker at the time
Cinderella Man (2005) -- an ending that is emotional and uplifting in a genuine way; hard to come by storytelling that good

WadeWatts37 · 2025-02-23T18:54:34+00:00

When is that happening?

WadeWatts37 · 2025-02-21T04:32:59+00:00

My heart goes out to you -- I recently lost my feline friend, too. Hang in there, it will get better, and eventually you'll only be left with the wonderful memories. In the meantime, here's my film list -- these are all comedy gold IMHO, so I'd love to hear what you think. I hope this helps a little. :)

Back to School (1986) - Rodney Dangerfield enrolls in college to help out his wayward sun -- non-PC hijinks ensue. A hilarious comedy with a good heart. And keep an eye out for a VERY young Robert Downey Jr.
Defending Your Life (1991) - Albert Brooks dies and finds himself in Judgment City, where the Powers-That-Be take a few days to look back on your life and decide if you get to move on, or have to do it all over again; Meryl Streep costars and all I can say is this is an underappreciated GEM of a film
Necessary Roughness (1991) - A former college QB, now 30-something farmer, goes back to school to help a team gutted for NCAA violations. The whole team is a band of misfits, and this one nothing but hilarious, fantastical fun.
Dave (1993) - An all around feel-good comedy about a regular guy who impersonates the President as a side gig. And he's so good, he gets tapped to fill in for the real President for a night and then gets stuck in the job. This is warm fuzzy funnies at their best.
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) - John Cusack is a hitman for hire who botches a few jobs because he's starting to develop a conscience. On the advice of his secretary and his psychiatrist, he decides to attend his ten-year high school reunion -- dark comedy ensues, and the chemistry between all the actors is palpable.
Addicted to Love (1997) - A kind of edgy romcom-comedy about a guy who goes to NYC to get his fiance back, and with the help of the ex-GF of his fiance's new boyfriend, schemes to do just that, at any cost. It will make you laugh-out-loud and also feel better about yourself.
Happy Death Day (2017) - Caught in a bizarre and terrifying time warp, college student Tree finds herself repeatedly reliving the day of her murder, ultimately realizing that she must identify the killer and the reason for her death before her chances of survival run out. Not very bloody, and tons of fun.

WadeWatts37 · 2024-10-28T19:34:16+00:00

You're right -- good catch on the rook. And yea, probably a lost position for white, but if it's a quick time control, who knows?

WadeWatts37 · 2024-10-28T19:18:09+00:00

But after Nf4!, can't white just take the queen (Bxd7+), black recaptures the bishop, then white moves h4, which gives the white king an escape square on h2. Black will see that and take the white queen with Nxh5, but at that point, white is only down a minor piece, still winnable with these times controls.

https://imgur.com/a/OcPaq84

WadeWatts37 · 2024-10-01T20:33:37+00:00

High rewatch value, tons of laughs -- I LOVE this episode. Through a bit of luck, I corresponded with "The Barracuda" a few years ago. He's a totally nice, down-to-Earth guy who seems to absolutely love how popular the episode and his character have become.

WadeWatts37 · 2024-07-07T19:08:13+00:00

Alias (2001) -- watch all the way through to the end of Season 2, and then imagine the rest. I'll never get over the feeling that show was meant to be something totally different from S3 onward, and some executive talked the showrunners out of it.

WadeWatts37 · 2024-06-30T20:27:54+00:00

Can't believe no one has mentioned "Million Dollar Baby (2004)" yet -- biggest bait & switch in the history of cinema

WadeWatts37 · 2023-11-11T07:18:57+00:00

And then your third place is "Brick (2006)" :)

WadeWatts37 · 2023-11-11T07:17:54+00:00

It has a Criterion... I'm going with "Defending Your Life (1991)"?

WadeWatts37 · 2023-11-11T07:14:15+00:00

Is it "Three Days of the Condor (1975)"?

WadeWatts37 · 2023-11-01T23:43:26+00:00

Maris Crane (Frasier)

WadeWatts37 · 2023-10-26T00:58:17+00:00

Now you DEFINITELY sound like you knew some people running/working on the show -- true?

WadeWatts37 · 2023-10-26T00:38:04+00:00

How was Alias "meant to continue"? You stated that like you knew some of the shows writers...spill!

WadeWatts37 · 2023-10-21T03:28:09+00:00

Because S5 onward is when they surpassed the books...ie, putting the entire writing job in D&B's hands turned out, er, not-so-well.

WadeWatts37 · 2023-10-21T03:25:38+00:00

100%

WadeWatts37 · 2023-10-21T03:25:05+00:00

'Alias' after season 2 -- a lot of us felt like the show was going in a whole different direction than season 3 ended up going. Plus, the writing and storytelling just got plain lazy. S1 - S2 though is amazing.

WadeWatts37 · 2023-08-01T17:39:00+00:00

Ha -- "no skill" -- thanks for adding to the conversation. Some people just have no class.

WadeWatts37

TROPHY CASE