Notes from Curtis...

Movies

2026-02-21

I’ve watched a lot of movies and definitely not kept track of what I’ve seen or what I liked. I’m trying to keep better track of that now so I can go back to old favorites or give solid recommendations to friends. Rating is out of five with five being the highest, no halves or quarters, that’s for chumps.

Title Rating Date Genre Watched Notes
Le Samouraï31972Crime2026-09-29I enjoyed the visuals of color, but being almost black and white. Also the confusing maze like movement thru the police station and Jef thru the city. The ending leaves you with questions, but in a way that you can write your own.
Call Me Chihiro32023Drama2026-08-08A tug of ware between moments of happiness and loneliness. A lot of mundane day to day life in Japan and showing the disconnect between people.
Meek's Cutoff32011Western2026-08-05Despair. It's refreshing to watch a movie with long cuts and no romantic interest driving the story forward. No payoff, but it does it's job in making you desperate.
Rental Family32025Comedy2026-07-29Somewhat Japanese in it's pacing, it feels a little too disjointed. Overall pleasant, but I probably wouldn't watch it again.
Road to Perdition42002Crime2026-07-27A classic prohibition era gangster drama. One thing I wonder is did it really rain that hard all the time back then?
The Third Murder22017Drama2026-06-21A little to translucent from the start. Seemed like the movie was trying to be too clever.
Toy Story 542026Animation2026-06-20Went toa rented out movie theater for a friends birthday party and it was Norris's first time at a movie theater. He did great, as did the other kids. All the familiar cast members and they take on the modern day evil of social media. Apropos for our current time and a good lesson for kids.
Better Off Dead...21985Comedy2026-05-08Full of 80's tropes, but a few good laughs throughout.
Once Upon a Time in the West41968Western2026-04-12Some great long single takes and good music. A classic from Sergio Leone.
Maborosi (幻の光)31995Drama2026-04-04Sad, confusing and lots of room to breath in the long cuts
And Then There Were None31945Crime2026-03-30A fun mystery, bordering on thriller.
One Week31920Comedy2026-03-28There are some great, and risky, stunts. Overall a nice simple short film.
I Wish (奇跡)42011Drama2026-03-22A slow paced kids adventure. I like the nostalgic 'natsukashii' feeling of it. It doesn't move too fast or too slow.
Beverly Hills Cop41984Comedy2026-03-19Feels like a standard Eddie Murphy movie that uses only a single 80's song motif throughout the whole movie.
Samsara32011Documentary2026-03-16Beautiful visuals, but I think it was too long.
Sinners32025Horror2026-03-15I liked the music and the setting, but I'm not sure I liked the spin.
Eating Up Easter32019Documentary2026-03-13Nice to see a documentary produced by a native Rapa Nui rather than another episode of Ancient Aliens. Leaves you more depressed than hopeful.
The Golden Child31986Action2026-03-13Comedy, action and adventure all mixed to some 80's music. Not a serious movie.
The Wild Robot32024Animation2026-03-10Cliche story, but a pleasing animation style.
The Last Emperor41987Drama2026-03-09I wish it wasn't shot in English as it took away from the immersion, but good overall. A classic three act structure.
Kids41995Drama2026-02-26Uncomfortable, but it seems like it set out to do that by 'documenting' kids growing up on the streets in the 90's
Short Circuit21986Science Fiction2026-02-22The robot is the best actor, Norris was enthralled though.
Bottle Rocket31996Comedy2026-01-01Not my favorite Wes Anderson movie. Nice to see young versions of the Wilson brothers.
F132025Action2026-01-01Some interesting shots, but a lame story line. I'm also an F1 fan so can't help seeing the inaccuracies.
Akira41988Animation2025-01-01Dark and gotham like with questions remaining at the end.
Big Trouble in Little China31986Action2025-01-01So cheezy and of it's time. I had no problem getting thru it, but will be fine to never watch it again.
Earwig and the Witch22021Animation2025-01-01Ghibli does 3D animation and it doesn't work for me
A Fistful of Dollars51964Western?The first of the Dollar trilogy and I think my favorite. The pacing is good.
A River Runs Through It51992Drama?One of my top three movies of all time. I saw it as a teenager in the prime of my fly fishing years.
Annihilation42018Science Fiction?I enjoyed the mystery and visuals. It was nothing like I was expecting.
Battle Royale52000Drama?Before Hunger Games and Squid Game there was Battle Royale. One of the first Japanese movies I remember seeing as a teenager. Gruesome, toilsome, campy and excellent.
Castle in the Sky31986Adventure?Falls squarely in the Miyazaki warehouse, but it just didn't have as much an impact on me.
Chungking Express41994Drama?A transportative Wong Kar Wai movie. Struggles with love amongst the day to day life in Hong Kong. Beautiful visuals.
Cool Hand Luke41967Drama?Paul Newman cool as hell as a bull headed prisoner.
Dawn of the Dead31978Horror?The origin of the modern zombie.
Escape from New York31981Science Fiction?A nice gritty dystopian future. Quick pacing and simple plot that moves right along.
Evil Dead II21987Horror?The first one was shocking, but this one just fell flat.
For a Few Dollars More31965Western?The pacing was a bit slower and I lost interest a few times.
Grave of the Fireflies51992Drama?One of my top three movies of all time. I remember on one of trips to Japan watching it with Tram and both of use just crying in the hotel room.
Jurassic Park51993Adventure?One of my top three movies of all time. What can I say I was 5 when it came out.
Midsommar42019Horror?Horrifying and aesthetically pleasing all in one.
Rashomon41950Crime?A good early look at interesting storytelling an interesting storytelling technique. Maybe a little slow moving at times.
The Evil Dead31981Horror?Campy, group of friends in a cabin in the woods.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly41966Western?Great music, pacing was good, but a very long movie.
Tokyo Drifter41966Thriller?A really good old school yakuza movie.
19172019War
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea1916Adventure
2001: A Space Odyssey1968Science Fiction
30 Days of Night2007Horror
A Clockwork Orange1971Science Fiction
A Quiet Life1995Drama
A Spell to Ward Off the Darkness2013Documentary
A Taxing Woman1987Comedy
A Taxing Woman's Return1988Comedy
After Life1999Fantasy
American Me1992Crime
Ancient Forests: Rage Over Trees1989Documentary
And Then There Were None1945Crime
Apocalypse Now1979WarWatch the extended cut
Armour of God1986Adventure
Army of Darkness1992Fantasy
As Tears Go By1988Drama
Asteroid City2023Comedy
At the Earth's Core1976Adventure
Audition2000Horror
Babette's Feast1987Drama
Baraka1992Documentary
Barry Lyndon1975Drama
Barry Lyndon1975Drama
Big Night1996Drama
Blow-Up1966Drama
Bonnie and Clyde1967Crime
Branded to Kill1967Thriller
Breaking Away1979Drama
Certain Women2016Drama
Chinatown1974Crime
Clash of the Titans1981Adventure
Close Encounters of the Third Kind1977Science Fiction
Cocktail1988Romance
Color Out of Space2020Horror
Commando Duck1944Animation
Day of the Dead1985Horror
Daylight1996Action
Days of Heaven1978Drama
Departures2008Drama
Dersu Uzala1975Adventure
Diary of the Dead2007Horror
Die Hard1988Action
Dog Day Afternoon1975Crime
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb1964Comedy
Drunken Angel1948Drama
Emperor2012Drama
Encino Man1992Comedy
Event Horizon1997Horror
Evil Dead2013Horror
Evil Dead Rise2023Horror
Exit 82025Horror
Explorers1985Science Fiction
Fargo1996Crime
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion1972Crime
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song1973Drama
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable1973Drama
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 411972Action
Ferris Bueller's Day Off1986Comedy
Filibus1915Crime
Fire in the Sky1993Science Fiction
Fireworks1997Crime
Floating Weeds1959Drama
Freaks1932Drama
From Up on Poppy Hill2011Animation
Gandhi1982Drama
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai1999Crime
Grassroots2012Comedy
Grizzly!1967Documentary
Grosse Pointe Blank1997Action
Hard Target1993Action
Harvey1950Comedy
Heat1995Crime
High and Low1963Drama
Home Alone1990Comedy
Hook1991Adventure
Horse1941Drama
Hotel Chevalier2007Drama
House1977Comedy
Howl's Moving Castle2004Fantasy
Ikiru1952Drama
In Search of the Castaways1962Adventure
In the Mood for Love2000Drama
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages1916Drama
Isoroku Yamamoto, the Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet2011History
Jarhead2005Drama
Jason and the Argonauts1963Adventure
Journey to the Center of the Earth1959Adventure
Jumanji1995Adventure
Juno2007Comedy
Jurassic Park III2001Adventure
Jurassic World2015Action
Jurassic World Dominion2022Adventure
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom2018Action
Kiki's Delivery Service1989Animation
Kikujiro1999Comedy
Killers of the Flower Moon2023Crime
King Kong1933Adventure
Knives Out2019Comedy
Kokuho2025Drama
La La Land2016Comedy
Labyrinth1986Adventure
Land of the Dead2005Horror
Late Spring1949Drama
Lawrence of Arabia1962Adventure
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx1972Action
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril1972Action
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons1973Action
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades1972Drama
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance1972Drama
Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell1974Action
Lord of the Flies1963Drama
Love & Pop1998Drama
M1931Drama
Madadayo1993Drama
Mannequin1987Comedy
Marty Supreme2025Drama
Master of the World1961Science Fiction
Matilda1996Comedy
Millennium Actress2002Drama
Minbo, or The Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion1992Comedy
Moonrise Kingdom2012Comedy
Muppet Treasure Island1996Family
My Darling Clementine1946Western
My Neighbor Totoro1988Fantasy
My Neighbors the Yamadas1999Animation
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind1984Adventure
News from Home1977Documentary
Next of Kin1989Action
Night of the Living Dead1968Horror
No Regrets for Our Youth1946Drama
Ocean Waves1993Animation
Only Yesterday1991Animation
Our Little Sister2015Drama
Paper Moon1973Comedy
Paprika2006Science Fiction
Perfect Blue1998Animation
Peter Pan1924Family
Pom Poko1994Adventure
Ponyo2008Animation
Poor Things2023Science Fiction
Porco Rosso1992Family
Princess Mononoke1997Adventure
Project A1983Action
Raiders of the Lost Ark1981Adventure
Ran1985Action
Remember Me2010Drama
Ride the Wild Surf1964Comedy
Romancing the Stone1984Romance
Rosemary's Baby1968Drama
Sanjuro1962Drama
Scandal1950Drama
Seven Samurai1954Action
Sherlock Jr.1924Action
Shoplifters2018Drama
Slap Shot1977Comedy
Sleeper1973Comedy
Sleepers1996Crime
Sonatine1993Action
Space Jam1996Comedy
Speed Zone1989Comedy
Spirited Away2001Animation
Steamboat Bill, Jr.1928Comedy
Stir of Echoes1999Horror
Supermarket Woman1996Comedy
Survival of the Dead2010Horror
Tales from Earthsea2006Animation
Tales of a Golden Geisha1990Drama
Tampopo1985Comedy
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad1958Action
The Air-Conditioned Eden1996Documentary
The Ballad of Narayama1983Drama
The Big Hit1998Action
The Big Lebowski1998Comedy
The Blues Brothers1980Music
The Boys and the Bees2025Documentary
The Bridge on the River Kwai1957Drama
The Cameraman1928Comedy
The Cat Returns2002Adventure
The Chaser2008Crime
The Darjeeling Limited2007Adventure
The Day After Trinity1981Documentary
The Eel1997Drama
The Eternal Zero2013War
The Four Musketeers1974Action
The Fourth Kind2009Mystery
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun2021Drama
The Funeral1984Comedy
The General1926Action
The Gold Rush1925Adventure
The Goonies1985Adventure
The Grand Budapest Hotel2014Comedy
The Hidden Fortress1958Drama
The Idiot1951Drama
The Karate Kid1984Action
The Karate Kid Part II1986Adventure
The Land That Time Forgot1974Science Fiction
The Last Dance1993Drama
The Last Unicorn1982Fantasy
The Lost Boys1987Horror
The Lost World: Jurassic Park1997Adventure
The Menu2022Comedy
The Mighty Ducks1992Comedy
The Most Dangerous Game1932Thriller
The Parallax View1974Crime
The Princess Bride1987Adventure
The Quiet Duel1949Drama
The Red Turtle2016Animation
The Royal Tenenbaums2001Comedy
The Sandlot1993Family
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty2013Adventure
The Secret World of Arrietty2010Fantasy
The Spiders: Part 1 - The Golden Sea1919Adventure
The Spiders: Part 2 - The Diamond Ship1920Adventure
The Story of Yanagawa's Canals1987Documentary
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya2013Animation
The Taste of Things2023Romance
The Thin Red Line1998War
The Thing1982Horror
The Three Musketeers1973Action
The Time Machine1960Thriller
The Toy1982Comedy
The Trial1962Crime
The Valley of Gwangi1969Fantasy
The Void2016Mystery
The Wailing2016Horror
The Wild Bunch1969Western
The Wind Rises2013Drama
The Yellow Sea2010Drama
They Live1988Science Fiction
Three Days of the Condor1975Thriller
Throne of Blood1957Drama
Time Bandits1981Family
Tokyo Godfathers2003Animation
Tokyo Story1953Drama
Tora! Tora! Tora!1970War
Trainspotting1996Drama
Treasure Island1990Adventure
Two Years at Sea2012Documentary
Universal Soldier1992Thriller
Vanilla Sky2001Mystery
Waikiki2023Drama
WarGames1983Thriller
Warlords of Atlantis1978Adventure
When Marnie Was There2014Animation
Whisper of the Heart1995Animation
Woman in Witness Protection1997Drama
Yojimbo1961Drama