I’m enjoying on Letterboxd certain titles where the app mechanics have been customized for twisted humorous effect. E.g., click “Like” for Heart Eyes, and the icon tuns into bleeding heart eyes emoji. Or, click “Watched” for Everything Everywhere All at Once, and the icon becomes a roaming eyeball.😂

I’m constantly adding recommendations to my lists, and this title came from a newer NPR podcast ep where film critic Walter Chaw spoke glowingly of the folk horror movie Heresy (2024). Regular readers of my posts hopefully will recall that I adore folk horror. This one is a haunting, taught gem.

Now that I’m on Letterboxd — which was long overdue, I feel — the growing pains of fleshing out my account and (as the saying goes) establishing my presence are in full swing. AND I encourage folks to find me there! BUT the whole establishing presence will be an as-time-allows endeavor, methinks. 👍🏼

If I described how much Halloween (1978) has influenced me, we’d be here all night. So I’ll simply say that I love it and am rewatching it right now.

I am having a moment. I’ve been an ardent Kevin Smith fan since the mid-‘90s, Dogma is my third-favorite Smith film, and I’ve not seen Dogma (1999) since its theatrical run. For better or worse, I’ve waited on it to be rescued from release-rights limbo. And here. We. Are. 💙 Now watching the 4K of …

No, not “the tank movie.” (Though I also like that one.) Anyone who enjoys the revenge-film subgenres should understand that Fury (1936) is a progenitor of those, and a grand cinematic experience with a lot to say. Fritz Lang directed Sylvia Sidney and Spencer Tracy in this riveting social drama.

Turns out the doggos aren’t overly interested in Ninotchka. I’ll pick something with a tad more zip to watch next.

Starting today with a classic from the collectively amazing movie year of 1939, Ninotchka. Been wanting to see this romantic comedy since I read Illeana Douglas’ autobiography years ago, as her grandfather, Melvyn Douglas, stars along with Greta Garbo in the title role, Ina Claire, amd Bela Lugosi.

Today’s holy trinity of physical-media acquisitions: Dogma 4K, The Hitcher (1986) 4K, and Split Second Blu-ray. 💙 Like Cube says … It was a good day.

Fight data centers! 🚫

I’m a freak who doesn’t sleep (much) — and I like it that way. Affords me way more time to read, to take walks, to listen to music, to smell the literal and metaphorical flowers, and to watch Deathstalker II with commentary by director/co-writer Jim Wynorski and actors John Terlesky and Toni Naples.

Continuing my predilection for film commentaries, I’m now taking in Dark City (1998) director’s cut — which is the version I prefer — with the commentary track by Roger Ebert, who fiercely championed this movie. Like him, I’ve been a fan of it since seeing it theatrically upon its original release.

Extremely disappointed and angered by A24 — rather, AI24. #supporthumans #fuckai

Safe to say this is now on my calendar.

This evening, I’ll be guesting on a podcast recording for The Final Cut discussing my favorite 1995 vampire film, Habit. I’ve posted about it and its writer-director Larry Fessenden a few times, and for good reason. Looking forward to this latest podcast talk with my friend Mark the Movieman!

Tonight, I’m revisiting my favorite Michael Mann movie. And that’s saying a lot. I even love The Keep. Heat (1995) is one I saw upon its original release and was meh on it for a couple decades before rewatching it — and that’s when it blew my mind. It’s a superlative crime drama.

The second feature of the night is The Severed Sun (2024). I’m in the mood for some art-house folk horror. I’ve heard a lot of great things about this movie and am looking forward to seeing it.

Tonight, I’m delving into the Belgium tax-shelter film Reflection in a Dead Diamond (2025). I’ve been looking forward to watching this one for awhile.

Happy Juneteenth!

Beavis & Butthead are now on Netflix. The original vids, with the original music videos included. This rules. #beavis&butthead

Drop some HEROES 👩‍🚒🦸‍♀️🖤🦸🏼‍♂️👩‍⚕️

You know how sometimes you’re just in the mood for wearing sweatpants or eating cranberry muffins? I get that way about watching Evil Dead movies. So, tonight’s late-night feature is Evil Dead Rise.

The Hitcher is peak Rutger. And the film is brilliant. The question is never: How does Jim stop John while saving everyone else there? Everyone else there is already dead. The question is: Does Jim have the guts to accept that and still stop John so that John doesn’t go on to kill even more people?

I wanted an example of the numerous memorable minor roles Hauer played. Hence, the fourth RutgerFest movie is Sin City (2005). His portrayal of Cardinal Roark exudes disturbed and, despite his comparatively brief time onscreen, he manages to stand out in a film where EVERYONE brought their A-game.

I made plans months ago with a buddy to see this theatrically, and it was always a given I’d be getting the Blu-ray, but now I’ll be getting the theoretically extended cut Blu-ray as soon as it comes out.

That’s the third movie (that I’ve found so far) in the last year that I’ve lost to the infamous Warner Bros. disc rot. Time to upgrade to the 4K Blade Runner Final Cut. 👍🏼

Today’s thrift finds. Picked up these DVD box sets at my public library; both look fresh out of the cellophane. The horror set goes for @$60. (I paid $4.) Curious why, I did some research. Turns out Mark of the Vampire (1935) and The Return of Doctor X (1939) are harder to come by on physical media.

Objectively possibly the best movie in Hauer’s filmography, Blade Runner (yeah, the Final Cut) is the third title in our RutgerFest. His Roy Batty is ironically the emotional core of this, one of the greatest films ever. His “Tears in Rain” monologue is so powerful and immortalized, it has a name. 💙

I hate that new/remodeled theaters have laid out seating and added ambient lighting to be more conducive to phone use. It has encouraged people to think phones are OK during a film. I used to be the person during a movie who told the a-holes on their phones to put them away. But now it’s ubiquitous.

RutgerFest continues with Flesh+Blood (1985). When I was in college, this was a popular party movie. That footnote aside, this flick is pulpy and in some ways hasn’t aged well at all. But Hauer is incredible, as is the legendary Jennifer Jason Leigh. (Wait a sec …) Plus, it’s a Paul Verhoeven film.

Launching our RutgerFest is Split Second (1992). Even among Hauer fans, this one often goes unnoticed or isn’t well-liked. Au contraire, it’s a total cult-film blast. I first saw it in college with my best friend/roommate, and to this day, we still quote it. It’s one of the big guns in his oeuvre.

FILMNERDNESS 101 FILMFEST: RUTGER HAUER So many performances to pick from. As always with the FN101 fests, I’m selecting titles I want to share; this isn’t a best-of list. Also as always, I’m watching them all via physical media. That said, here are 5 Rutger Hauer roles — and movies — that I adore.

Rewatching Barb Wire for the first time this century, and my opinion has changed. The cast and crew understood the assignment, and they delivered. E.g., the visuals (not a lewd comment) are strong and comic-book art in their perspective. This isn’t high art, but it’s consistently fun and engaging.

I haven’t watched Alien Nation in many years, but I recall liking it a lot. Mandy Patinkin, James Caan, and Terrence Stamp — wow. I also enjoyed the short-lived TV series that it inspired.

Guess who’s back? a) Backstreet b) My boyfriend c) Jack d) I’m

In its 5th weekend, for the 4th consecutive weekend, Obsession has earned more domestically than it did on its opening weekend. Unearthly. For comparison, E.T. (1982) accomplished this feat for 5 consecutive weekends after its opening domestic weekend, per Box Office Mojo.

Some sci-fi movie fans are Star Wars people. Some are Star Trek people. Some are Planet of the Apes people. I’m Terminator people.

To the sad gaggle who — even if you won’t admit it — take issue with the new Supergirl movie due to her lack of a Y chromosome, your opinion doesn’t matter. Legions of babies screaming at the tops of their lungs will be heard by others, but their infantile opinions will still be ignored.

This week, Filmnerdness 101 is on (or at least mostly on) hiatus while I’m several hundred miles from home visiting family. I hope everyone has a pleasant week, and I look forward to talking with you soon!

Merge two movies Nightmare on Elm Streets of Fire

Weather permitting, tomorrow night, I’ll be attending my first show — Allen 3 in 35mm — at Screenland Armour cinema in Kansas City for Friday Night Frights! It’s a 500-mile jaunt with thunderstorms forecast for most of the drive, but looking forward to seeing @nightmarejunkhead.bsky.social there!

If you haven’t seen Persepolis or read the graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, do. I’ve been banging the drum for them and Satrapi in general since I was a comics journalist and Persepolis was first published (in two volumes) in the early 2000s. The world has lost a powerful and much-needed voice.

Let me be clear: If you in any way do not support the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, do not follow me. I will block you. Period.

A few faculty colleagues are coming over to Casa FN101 today for a post-semester pizza-and-caffeine/snacky stuffs get-together, and we’ve each selected a film to watch. They are: - Dr. Strangelove (1964) - Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) - *Risky Business (1983) - Send Help (2026) * - My choice

I’ve been a huge fan of Mr. Scorsese and his work for decades. But I vehemently and absolutely disagree with his stance here. This is wrong.

If you enjoy Backrooms, you may want to check out this article. I’ve had ties to Oshkosh, Wis., for more than 20 years, including that for the last 5 years, I’ve helped organize an annual indie-horror filmfest there. Also, my favorite eatery there has long been reportedly haunted by multiple ghosts.

You will not find a finer MCU movie, period. I’m a lifelong comic book fan (20,000+ comics since age 11), and this is my 2nd-favorite comic-book film (behind Unbreakable). Logan is superlative, with all the feels. At the end of the day, this is the comics film I come back to, again and again. ❤️

I randomly played this video on YouTube, knowing nothing about the artist or the song, having no clue the footage is from the notably underrated 1985 comedy-drama Just One of the Guys. Would some boutique label please give this film the full-on Blu-ray treatment already? Great movie, and great song.

ROLL THE BONES NIGHT 10 films. I roll a 10-sider die. Til I crash. Follow along in the comments. 1) The Hitcher (OG) 2) 13 Ghosts (OG) 3) Fury (1936) 4) Tremors (1990) 5) Dead & Buried 6) The Hunger 7) La Cienaga 8) Dead Man (1995) 9) My Own Private Idaho 10) Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie

Whilst cogitating upon the merits of Top Secret! this morning (as one does), my brain spontaneously compiled a list of my favorite Val Kilmer roles (not a ranking of the movies themselves)… 1) Tombstone 2) Kiss Kiss Bang Bang 3) Real Genius 4) Top Secret! 5) Heat 6) The Saint 7) Top Gun 8) The Doors