Favorite Film Discoveries 2022

Posted on by bernardovillela

Introduction

This is an idea I first saw on Rupert Pupkin Speaks wherein he lists his favorite “new-to-me” titles of the prior year. My 2021 viewings were as varied through time periods as others, and I saw some oddball films and interpretations of themes (like vampires), more on each specific title below.

During the pandemic years, and a little after that, I neglected to post these. I did one for 2023 and will now make up for the years I missed.

2022

Beautiful Boy (2018)

A devastating and beautifully performed film all around.

Vampire’s Kiss (1988)

This is a film that I knew of through memes but hadn’t actually seen. That fact, however, did not spoil or detract from the experience. An early big, fantastic turn from Nicolas Cage.

The Amusement Park (1975)

When I heard a George Romero film that had disappeared for decades was restored and would be on Shudder, I was excited but The Amusement Park exceeded my already high expectations.

The McPherson Tape (1989)

Found footage rarely works for me. However, this film never overstays its welcome, it utilizes VHS in a stripped-down, authentic low-budget approach of a paranoid concern that was quite timely in this film.

The Runner (Devandeh)(1984)

Made a trip to Film Forum for this restoration from Kino Lorber. Its a lyrical and wonderful film that marked a new stage in Iran’s presence on the world cinema scene.

Decasia (2002)

I’ve written in the past about the work of Bill Morrison, as opposed to Frozen Time this is less documentary more artful expression that is quite transcendent.

The Dybbuk (Der Dybuk) (1937)

This was the first sound version of this Jewish myth and is included in Kino Lorber’s Yiddish film box set and is captivating from start to finish.

My Grandpa is a Vampire (1991)

This is a film I might’ve been aware of as a kid, but I never saw it until Severin put it out on video. It’s a funny, goofy throwback that’s worth seeking out.

A Dog of Flanders (1935)

I’ve seen a few versions of this story and this one does go hard after the tear-jerking aspect of the source material.

Favorite Film Discoveries: 2021

Posted on by bernardovillela

Introduction

This is an idea I first saw on Rupert Pupkin Speaks wherein he lists his favorite “new-to-me” titles of the prior year. My viewings were a little more plentiful in 2021, but I still neglected to post a list of discoveries. However, I can construct a list now due to my tracking activity on my Letterboxd. I didn’t see films from as wide a range of years this year that stood out, but there were still some interesting discoveries.

Cameron’s Closet (1988)

This was an Amazon Prime discovery and was genuinely the most surprising discovery of the year. Not only hadn’t I heard of it but it’s rather impressive. The bones of this horror story were strong enough such that I sought out the novel afterwards.

Boarding School (2018)

Boarding schools are places rife with horrific possibilities on film. Finding new or interesting takes on the trope can prove a challenge, in 2021 I discovered not one but two well worth seeking out. This one dealing with misfits, an odd couple, and a boy obsessed by the image of his deceased grandmother.

Boy Missing (Secuestro) (2016)

This particular boarding school tale hails from Mexico and is unafraid of mixing social commentary and class amidst its unsettling and uncanny occurrences.

I Remember You (Ég man þig)(2017)

A small Icelandic town bears many mysteries waiting to be unearthed in this moody and atmospheric psychological horror tale.

Faust (Lekce Faust) (1994)

This Jan Švankmajer film was one that took me a while to see. His rendition of Goethe’s classic tale was well worth the wait and as iconoclastic as one would expect from as unique a filmmaker as Švankmajer.

Cowards Bend the Knee (2004)

If you’ve followed my blog through the years know that I am very fond of the work of Guy Maddin. Such that whenever I get to see one of his works it’s likely to be a new favorite. And whenever I happen to see a work of his that’s new to me it’s likely to become a favorite.

I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016)

A local murder spree along with struggles with mental illness paint a far more intricate portrait than the title would have you believe, featuring two standout performances by Christopher Lloyd and Max Records.

Véronica (2017)

For a film using the Ouija board trope, this one does that most of it scares with a great deal of finesse and focusing on characters.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

For some reason this Taika Waititi film was one it took me a while to see. However, when I did it was well worth it. Another funny and heartfelt Kiwi film in his repertoire.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Yes, this was another one that managed to be a blind spot of mine for years. There was never an explicit reason this was one I hadn’t seen, just hadn’t gotten around to it yet. Now, I’ve seen it multiple times including one big screen viewing.

2025 BAM Award Nominations

Posted on by bernardovillela

Last year I purposely delayed my BAM Award nominations to keep in step with Oscars. Those nominations being delayed due to the devastating wildfires allowed me to deliberate further and, frankly, be a little lazier. This year the delay was all my own as I have been acclimating to life following a liver transplant.

Best Picture

28 Years Later

Bring Her Back

Hamnet

I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)

Nickel Boys

One Battle After Another

Relay

Sinners

Weapons

Young Hearts

Most Overlooked Picture

Bring Them Down

Freaky Tales

Relay

The Surfer

Young Hearts

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson One Battle After Another

Danny Boyle 28 Years Later

Ryan Coogler Sinners

Zach Cregger Weapons

Walter Salles I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)

Best Editing

Tony Cranstoun The Surfer

Geoff Lamb Bring Her Back

Jon Harris 28 Years Later

Andy Jurgensen One Battle After Another

Michael P. Shawver Sinners

Best Foreign Language Film

Not Awarded

Best Actress

Jessie Buckley Hamnet

Jodie Comer 28 Years Later

Sally Hawkins Bring Her Back

Fernanda Montenegro Vitória

Fernanda Torres I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)

Best Actor

Tom Basden The Ballad of Wallis Island

Leonardo DiCaprio One Battle After Another

Michael B. Jordan Sinners

John Lithgow The Rule of Jenny Pen

Josh O’Connor Wake Up Dead Man

Best Supporting Actress

Glenn Close Wake Up Dead Man

Ariana Grande Wicked For Good

Amy Madigan Weapons

Mia Sara The Life of Chuck

Teyana Taylor One Battle After Another

Best Supporting Actor

Miles Caton Sinners

Ralph Fiennes 28 Years Later

Benicio Del Toro One Battle After Another

Tim Key The Ballad of Wallis Island

Delroy Lindo Sinners

Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Leading Role

Julia Butters Freakier Friday

Bodhi Rae Breathnach Hamnet

Ana Sophia Heger She Rides Shotgun

Madeleine McGraw The Black Phone 2

Sora Wong Bring Her Back

Helena Zengel The Legend of Ochi

Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Leading Role

Benjamin Evan Ainsworth Everything’s Going to be Great

Isaac Amendoim Chico Bento e a Goiabeira Maraviosa

Billy Barratt Bring Her Back

Christian Convery The Monkey

Lou Goosens Young Hearts

Alfie Williams 28 Years Later

Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Supporting Role

Trinity Jo-Li Bliss Avatar: Fire and Ash

Anna Julia Dias Chico Bento e a Goiabeira Maraviosa

Olivia Lynes Hamnet

Violet McGraw The Life of Chuck

Audrina Miranda Jurassic World: Rebirth

Lorena de Oliveira Chico Bento e a Goiabeira Maraviosa

Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Supporting Role

Benjamin Chivers Fountain of Youth

Jacobi Jupe Hamnet

Miguel Mora Black Phone 2

Benjamin Pajak The Life of Chuck

Jonah Wren Phillips Bring Her Back

Marius De Saeger Young Hearts

Best Cast

28 Years Later

Bring Her Back

One Battle After Another

Hamnet

Sinners

Best Youth Ensemble

Chico Bento e a Goiabera Maraviosa

Hamnet

Bring Her Back

Young Hearts

The Legend of Ochi

Weapons

Best Cinematography

Autumn Durald Arkapaw Sinners

Michael Bauman One Battle After Another

Jomo Fray Nickel Boys

Radek Ladczuk The Surfer

Stephen Soderbergh Presence

Best Art Direction

Dan Clay, Ewa Galak, Carsom McColl, and Gareth Pugh 28 Years Later

Vanessa Cerne, Michael Bell, and Max Nadilo Bring Her Back

Florencia Martin, Alex Max Cahn, Albert Cisneros, and May Mitchell One Battle After Another

Hannah Beachler, Jonathan Cappel, Timotheus Davis, and Jesse Rosenthal Sinners

Rick Heinrichs, Jim Barr, Dean Clegg, Kate Suzanne Hunter, Chloe Kletsa, Hugh McClelland and Quinn Robinson Wake Up Dead Man

Best Original Screenplay

Ryan Coogler Sinners

Zach Cregger Weapons

Alex Garland 28 Years Later

Rian Johnson Wake Up Deadman

Phillipou Brothers Bring Her Back

Best Adapted Screenplay

Chloé Zhao, Maggie O’Farrell Hamnet

Murilo Hauser, Heitor Lorega, Marcelo Rubens Paiva I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)

RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes, Colson Whitehead Nickel Boys

Paul Thomas Anderson, Thomas Pynchon One Battle After Another

JT Mollner, Stephen King The Long Walk

Best Costume Design

Leticia Barbieri Chico Bento e a Goiabera Maraviosa

Ruth E. Carter Sinners

Carson McColl, Gareth Pugh 28 Years Later

Deborah L. Scott Avatar: Fire and Ash

Malgosia Turzanksa Hamnet

Best Visual Effects

28 Years Later

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Bring Her Back

The Legend of Ochi

Sinners

Best Sound Editing and Mixing

Bring Her Back

F1

One Battle After Another

Sinners

Weapons

Best Hair and Makeup

28 Years Later

Bring Her Back

The Toxic Avenger

Hamnet

Sinners

Best Score

Ludwig Goränsson Sinners

The Newton Brothers The Life of Chuck

Francois Tétaz The Surfer

Cornel Wilczek Bring Her Back

Young Fathers 28 Years Later

Best Song

“Steve’s Lava Chicken” Jack Black A Minecraft Movie

“Morning Evening” Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan The Ballad of Wallis Island

“I Lied to You” Miles Caton Sinners

“Joy” The Pocket Queen The Life of Chuck

“Happy Together” Susanna Hoffs & Rufus Wainwright The Roses

Best Soundtrack

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Caught Stealing

Heads of State

I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)

Sinners

Best Documentary 

Not Awarded

Robert Downey, Jr. Entertainer of the Year Award

TBA

Ingmar Bergman Lifetime Achievement Award

TBA

Neutron Star Award

TBA

Special Jury Awards

TBA

Film Discoveries: 2020

Posted on by bernardovillela

Introduction

This is an idea I first saw on Rupert Pupkin Speaks wherein he lists his favorite “new-to-me” titles of the prior year. My viewings were down in general in 2020 overall (rewatching sitcoms and watching sports when they resumed in ghostly stadiums got me through it) but there were things worth noting, even things that were not brand new. Some are rather short and can be viewed in their entirety below. There are few selections that come from varied eras to be found.

During the pandemic years, and a little after that, I neglected to post these. I did one for 2023 and will now make up for the years I missed.

The Prince and the Pauper (1920)

This was an offering from Grapevine Video, as one of the oldest adaptations of a story I’ve seen many versions of this one was a must-see especially considering it was directed by Alexander Korda before he emigrated to Hollywood.

Witches (1990)

This was a film that somehow slipped through the cracks during my childhood. I’d heard of it off and on and eventually it became a title I could not longer avoid. And it proved to be an entertaining and unhinged eighties oddity.

Dawson City: Frozen Time (2016)

I wrote about this film for the 2020 O Canada Blogathon. If you like what you read there Kino Lorber has made the full documentary available on their YouTube channel.

September (1990)

This was a title I picked up as part of Twilight Time’s clearance sale following their announcement that they were ceasing operations. Woody Allen‘s dramatic works are often overlooked and this was one of the ones I had yet to see. When he worked with Mia Farrow the works were a notch better, when there were other regulars like Dianne Weist involved they got even better.

Paganini Horror (1989)

I’d not heard of Paganini Horror before it was released by Severin Films. But the combination of the iconic violinist and composer and giallo was too good to pass up, and the score alone makes this film worth watching.

Film History Friday: The Kuleshov Effect

Posted on by bernardovillela

Following the end credits of the recent film Good Boy a mininature behind-the-scenes featurette serves as the film’s stinger. In it the director, Ben Leonberg, mentioned that the reason Indy’s (the dog’s) performance seems so emotive is due to the Kuleshov effect.

Here’s Hitchcock synopsizing it in one of his interviews with Truffaut:

“Yes, in one of his (Pudvokin’s) books on the art of montage he describes an experiment by his teacher, Kuleshov. You see a close up of the Russian actor Ivan Mosjoukine. This is immediately followed by a shot of a dead baby. Back to Mosjoukine again and you read compassion on his face. Then you take away the dead baby and you show a plate of soup, and now, when you go back to Mosjoukine, he looks hungry. Yet, in both cases they used the same shot of the actor; his face was exactly the same.”

There is also a shot of a woman in which Mosjoukine was interpreted as being in love. Like Hitchcock I’d only read of the experiment that cemented a piece of film theory. But in Good Boy the footage was shown. After having seen it, I looked it up to share here. Enjoy!