🎥 Twilight (1998) ★★★
Probably the last film by Robert Benton I will watch. It was not a great film, but an OK murder mystery, with a talented cast with Reese Witherspoon, Susan Sarandon, Gene Hackman and (again) Paul Newman.
🎥 Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) ★★½
Again a lot of visual spectacle (especially in 3D) but again a very problematic storyline…
“I believe when my work arrives at one mood, it’s as if I am praying.”
– Morton Feldman 💬
🎵 This afternoon, I was listening to ‘For Bunita Marcus’, one of my favourite compositions by American composer Morton Feldman. I first heard it in 2008, while I was in St. Petersburg, and was immediately hooked. This quote very strikingly captures the spirit of all his music.
🎥 Nobody’s Fool (1994) ★★★½
After Kramer vs. Kramer, I decided to watch another film directed by Robert Benton. I really liked this one too. A tragicomic portrait of grumpy old Sully (Paul Newman) based in a small town during a snowy winter was just what I needed.
Currently reading: Zingend brons by Luc Rombouts 📚
🎵 Ryuichi Sakamoto’s latest album 12 is one of his best albums yet. A heartfelt, yet beautiful musical journey in which he reflects on his battle with cancer and mortality. 
⚽️ FC Utrecht 1 - 1 Feyenoord, Galgenwaard Utrecht (8 Jan 2023). Every once in a while, we like visiting a local football match. There was a great atmosphere, although my daughter was even more impressed by the minute of silence for Pelé before the game.
🎥 Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) ★★★★
Somehow, I’m watching a lot of classic Family Drama films lately. Perhaps because now I’m getting older, I can relate more easily to the themes covered? I liked the hopeful message of Kramer vs Kramer. Made me grateful for my own family situation.
🥾This afternoon we had an unexpected but very enjoyable walk in the wintery forests of Doorn.
🎥 Ordinary People (1980) ★★★★½
4 times Oscar winner. The directorial debut of Robert Redford. What a great drama film this is. In my opinion, this is the best Hollywood film ever made about family, personality conflicts, grief and mental illness.
🎥 Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) ★★★½
Yet another film by Philip Kaufman. Great build up of tension and paranoia in the first half, after which it turns into a full-blown horror flick. Very much enjoyed Donald Sutherland as health inspector.
🎥 The Right Stuff (1983) ★★★★
Just realised that I already watched an earlier - and just as great - film by Philip Kaufman. With Sam Shepard as the ‘supersonic’ hero Chuck Yeager.
🎥 The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) ★★★★
A young Juliette Binoche and Daniel Day-Lewis (among a great cast with Lena Olin, Stellan Skarsgård, Erland Josephson) in an adaptation of Milan Kundera’s famous novel. Curious to see more films by Philip Kaufman.
Yay! As of today (and with a little help from @Manton :), I’m running my micro.blog from my own custom domain! And from now on, as an added bonus, I can even participate in the Mastodon fediverse from this same online identity. Feels just about right!
🎥 Fear and Desire (1953) ★★★
Stanley Kubrick’s directorial debut, and I liked it very much. I don’t really get all the hate this film gets. Being a student film made on a tight budget, it really has to be watched like that.
🎥 Full Metal Jacket (1987) ★★★★
While working on a new project proposal, I came across this great quote by Albert Einstein:
“If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first fifty-five minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.
– Albert Einstein 💬
🎥 Avatar (2009) ★★★
Rewatch with the family at home, in preparation for the sequel in our local cinema. Our daughter loved it. I enjoyed watching it in upscaled 4K, but found the story even more problematic than the first time…
🎥 White Noise ★★★
Watched with friends. We agreed that it was a well made film with a lot of visual spectacle, but also a bit over the top regarding references to other films and genres. Nevertheless, a nice first watch of the year.
I’m looking at the statistics on my micro.blog and I think I found my natural blogging rhythm: about 3 short posts per week feels about right.
Next up: quit Twitter, add my own domain name, activate ActivityPub, and create a mastodon compatible username.
Onwards to 2023!
🎥 Loving Vincent (2017) ★★★½
“The conscious is a theatre with a single seat…”
– Douwe Draaisma 💬
Currently reading: Het Verborgen Raderwerk: Over Tijd, Machines En Bewustzijn (1990) by Douwe Draaisma 📚
I’m re-reading this book on AI that I first read more than 20 years ago. It’s still a fascinating read, in light of the new wave of AI tech that became public recently.
🎥 Scrooge (1970) ★★★½ & A Christmas Carol (1984) ★★★★
Both films bring back vivid memories from my childhood. After a rewatch of the 80s version with my youngest daughter, I think I slightly prefer George C. Scott’s interpretation above Albert Finney’s.
🎥 The Fallout (2021) ★★★★
Beautifully shot and heartfelt film written and directed by Megan Park, about the aftermath of a school shooting and how teenagers are dealing with a traumatic experience like this, among all normal challenges. Jenna Ortega is a very talented actress.
