2023 FILM DIARY

DATE: FEB 4    THEATER:  AMC fashion district 8
Won over by the rave reviews, I went with some friends to see my first movie of the year. I had not seen the original, but I had heard it wasn't necessary in order to enjoy the sequel.  From the opening musical number, I was in love with the style, action, and comedy of the movie. As it progressed, I was surprised by the emotional depth from nearly every character. Truly an accomplishment in animation and storytelling. A change was brewing in me, little did I know what the rest of the year had in store. I was about to become obsessed with going to the movie theaters, but it still took some time for it to really kick in...

DATE: JUNE 4    THEATER:  LAEMMLE NoHo 7
I had gone nearly half the year having only seen 1 film in theaters. Somewhere along working on countless student films and trying to graduate with a film degree, I had forgotten the reason I enrolled in the first place. I was instantly reminded as soon as Gwen started drumming. I'd later return to this very theater just to hear it all over again. A cinematic feat through and through.

DATE: JUNE 18    THEATER:  AMC BURBANK 16
Inspired by my first movie theater experience in LA, I was excited to go to an even bigger theater to get an even grander experience. Had the back corner seating that feels like an establishing shot of a packed audience watching a movie. Every laugh and every gasp established a communal environment that felt special to be a part of. The alien's screen debut is a theater memory that will forever linger in my head. I believe it is Anderson's most fun ensemble film, but the balcony scene serves as a reminder of the grief that is at it's core. 

DATE: JUNE 28    THEATER:  CINEMARK NORTH HOLLYWOOD
Despite an underwhelming reception in it's first week, I am always seated for Pixar. I was immediately compelled by Ember, who I believe is a top 5 Pixar character ever, and her family's immigrant story, which deserved more emphasis in publicity. Then, the Vivisteria sequence unfolded, and I was in awe of the worldbuilding. It all culminated in what I believe is also a top 5 Pixar moment ever, and the film had my undying support ever since.

DATE: AUgust 13    THEATER:  MJR Waterford Cinema 16
Saw it a second time in theaters with my parents and their two friends from college. Seeing it with middle-aged people was certainly a different experience, but they loved it as much as my friends did. The most memorable moment from this screening was actually after it ended when a pre-teen jumped out of her seat, turned to her family, and said, "There were some things I loved, and some things I absolutely HATED!" Looks like we have a future film critic on our hands.

DATE: August 1    THEATER:  CINEMARK NORTH HOLLYWOOD
After an unsuccessful attempt to see it in 70mm IMAX at the Chinese Theater, I settled for a local, budget option with my friend in town. Truly, you don't need those extra specs to be blown away by the technical accomplishment that it is. At a 3 hour runtime, I never caught myself hoping for it to wrap up. I could've sat there for 3 more hours. I've since learned that I'm in the minority there, but I am a sucker for nuanced, thought-provoking performances and character development. I am a sucker for effective sound design and score. I am a sucker for considerate, timely presentation of information, of which there is plenty. Sorry to go all film bro for a moment, but it really is that good.

DATE: SEPTEMBER 7    THEATER:  LANDMARK's Ritz five
Finally back in Philadelphia, settled into a new apartment, I made it my mission to go the theaters more often. Bottoms drew in a large crowd of a variety that made me realize that the publicity team succeeded in reaching their target audience. I am very grateful for this, as it was one of the most fun experiences I've had in a theater. Every joke and every bit landed. Maybe mid-budget comedies really can make a comeback.

DATE: OCTOBER 17    THEATER:  PFS East
Going to an advanced screening is an exciting feeling (especially when it's free). The expectations and raving reviews had been building up all year, but it still felt special to get to see for myself before most people I knew. This pretentious vibe definitely lingered in the theater, but it meant that every art kid in that room was locked in. Since it's an intense, so-ridiculous-you-have-to-laugh type of movie, that shared trauma phenomenon was in full effect. No one in that room was excused from audibly gasping or guiltily giggling. Scorsese had constructed an event for film lovers.

DATE: OCTOBER 20    THEATER:  PHILADELPHIA FILM CENTER (Pff32)
After seeing "Killers of the Flower Moon", they handed out pamphlets for the Philadelphia Film Festival. I didn't realize how big these events were until arriving to my first screening, where lines stretched out over the Center City block. Once I finally made it in with the rest of the ticket holders, the event staff informed us it was in fact the Philadelphia Premiere. The laughs were booming from the crowd through the first act, and I was convinced we were witnessing a masterpiece. As the film concluded, and people started filing out, we all contemplated what went wrong. I recall making it to the train stop and still hearing a couple complaining how terrible the ending was. Oh well, we'll always have those first 30-ish minutes of peak Cage.

DATE: OCTOBER 21    THEATER:  PHILADELPHIA FILM CENTER (Pff32)
Only a day after "Dream Scenario", I was back to the same venue to watch another highly anticipated film. From the opening sequence, I was mesmerized by the film's ambition. The cinematography and performances seamlessly weaved you through the highs and lows of Leonard and Felicia's relationship and careers. One of the few times I vividly remember getting chills in a theater was at the peak of the cathedral scene, and I had a feeling everyone else in that packed theater was as awestruck as I was.

DATE: OCTOBER 24    THEATER:  PFS BOURSE (Pff32)
A matinee showing of an animated docudrama narrated by Jeff Goldblum? You gotta love those empty theater experiences. The feeling of getting your preferred seat, no one in your periphery the entire time. It's like getting an exclusive screening just for you.  After many blockbuster, primetime screenings, I had been deprived of this experience for some time. This was also the first time I ordered what is now my staple theater combo: Junior Mints and a Hot Coffee. For the most part it was cozy and musical, and then the film recounted the horrors of South America's geopolitical crises through the 1970s. Definitely sits with you.

DATE: OCTOBER 24    THEATER:  PFS EAST (Pff32)
For the second half of my PFF back to back, I went to see this Japanese drama. All I knew of it was that it had won the Queer Palm at Cannes. The first act was one of the most intense and chilling openings I had ever seen. In a theater where everyone else surely had no idea what they were getting themselves into, this was heightened, and the gasps were more prominent amongst the film's effective use of silence. One of the rare occurrences where I was more intrigued as the mystery began to resolve. A masterpiece of a screenplay, and one of three films I felt most affected by this year.

DATE: OCTOBER 25    THEATER:  Philadelphia film center (Pff32)
After finding out this won Japan's Oscar bid, I immediately snatched up a ticket for the following night. I entered that theater hoping it was mid, just to validate my pain over "Monster" not getting a chance at further awards. Now I'm faced with a different pain, as I must admit that it is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. I won't even talk about the movie itself, but what the theater felt like afterwards. I heard multiple people telling their friends, "I feel so happy". People were smiling with a near-impossible contentedness. It was intoxicating. I walked to my train stop looking at the city in a completely different light. It is a movie that changes your brain chemistry.

DATE: OCTOBER 25    THEATER:  PFS BOURSE (Pff32)
I had heard some buzz at the previous screenings about this film, and I was fortunate that it was playing one more time. It felt like everyone else in the theater had a similar reason for being there, they just had to see what all the fuss was about. The introduction from the PFF staff was glowing, as they called it their favorites of the festival. They told us that the nine year old star, Sofía Otero, was the youngest recipient of the Silver Bear for Leading Performance in Berlinale history. Okay, the expectations are set, let's just start the movie already. From beginning to end, I was moved more than most movies with double the budget and technical prowess had ever moved me. A good, timely story over all else, as proven by it's word-of-mouth success.

DATE: OCTOBER 28    THEATER:  PFS EAST (Pff32)
Going into my 5th straight International Film, I was excited to see one that had consistent Oscars hype around it, not to mention it was my birthday. Not a film with many laughs, but every intended bit landed with the audience, and the workplace drama captivated us all. Not sure it stuck the landing at the end with everyone, but still worth all the awards season coverage it had been getting to that point.

DATE: NOVEMBER 1    THEATER:  LANDMARK's RITZ FIVE
The perfect film to watch right after Halloween to get you in the holiday spirit. It's a perfect mix of comedy and melancholy, as these three lonely, disagreeable souls reluctantly find solace in each other's company. Also a film that doesn't compromise too much of it's message in order to appease a wide audience. Didn't think too much of it leaving the theater, not to say I didn't enjoy it, but I certainly feel like it has been growing on me even more over time.

DATE: NOVEMBER 3    THEATER:  LANDMARK's RITZ FIVE
Aside from the general Oscar buzz, the only thing I had read of the movie was Ayo Edebiri's Letterboxd review that the dog stole the show. For a film with countless nuanced performances that confront you with the limits of the judicial system and personal accountability, I think I'd have to agree. I can not for the life of me remember the vibe of that theater, but I remember all the mini moral debates that sparked off in my head afterward.

DATE: NOVEMBER 10    THEATER:  PFS BOURSE
A lot to appreciate about the movie, but there were a few too many instances where my mind wandered off wondering when it'd start to move along. I'll still advocate for these type of films in the industry, as the typical biopic formats are starting to get stale, not to mention how problematic their idolizations can be.

DATE: NOVEMBER 27    THEATER:  PFS BOURSE
Here are my exact thoughs as I was watching: "Wow! This film is a visual delight, what a treat! Wait where is he goin- oh my god, oh no, oh no, oh no".  I can also recall the visceral, full body responses from those in my periphery, and everyone else's grossed out laughter. A lot unfolds in that movie. I'm not sure if it intended to have some conclusive "moral of the story", but it didn't need one in order to haunt your memories.

DATE: DECEMBER 6    THEATER:  PFS BOURSE
Having never seen a Godzilla movie before, I was not expecting it to pull on my heartstrings and ultimately leave feeling uplifted. That's all I have to say.

DATE: DECEMBER 8    THEATER:  PFS EAST
Mystery surrounded Hayao's "last" film, as the studio chose to not give much away, and I must say; I preferred that. I chose dubbed for my first viewing, as the English voice cast had too much starpower (sorry, subbed supremacists). For some reason, nobody had chosen to sit anywhere in the front section, so I took advantage and sat ahead of everyone. Now, I'm not a front row psycho, I'm talking about the first 6 or 7 rows unaccompanied. Uncanny. The entire audience behind me felt like voices in my head quietly commentating the trailers, but once the movie began, I felt like I was all alone in that theater.  The movie took time to lean into the token otherworldly, fantastical elements that Ghibli is known for, but once it was in, it was IN. The warawara taking flight accompanied by Hisaishi's "Rain of Fire" is now one of my favorite movie watching memories ever.

DATE: DECEMBER 17    THEATER:  LANDMARK's RITZ FIVE
The bizarre, explicit nature of the film made it a very unique experience to be amongst an audience. Sure, you get plenty of collective chuckles over the silly antics, but then you get a lot of awkward silence during certain sequences. Regardless, the artistry and craftsmanship that went into the film made it a stunning feast for the eyes and ears.