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twistedtummies2 · 2 months

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Top 10 Portrayals of Inspector Lestrade

Having just finished my list of my favorite fictional detectives, I felt it was time to return to my absolute favorite of the bunch: Sherlock Holmes. In the past, I have done lists related to Holmes himself, as well as his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, and his arch-nemesis, Professor Moriarty. I recently revisited those three countdowns to see if I would change anything, and…at the moment, no, I think they’re still pretty solidly set. HOWEVER, I’ve never gone over any of the other major characters in the Sherlock Holmes universe since those three. I haven’t covered his other allies, or any other noteworthy antagonists he faced. So, I decided it was time to fix that problem. These lists WILL have descriptions, but they’ll be very brief, partially just because I don’t have a TON to say about most of the characters/portrayals involved. We’ll start off with a Top 10 devoted to Scotland Yard’s most competent detective, Inspector Lestrade.

In the books, Lestrade is one of Holmes’ closest compatriots. While the super sleuth frequently interacts with various Scotland Yard officers, Lestrade is the most recurring, and has the most rapport with Sherlock. Their relationship is an…interesting one, to say the least. On the one hand, the two do care about each other, and there is some level of mutual respect under their respective, prickly surfaces. However, the pair bicker constantly, and always seem to be trying to one-up each other. Holmes concedes that Lestrade is probably the best detective at the Yard, but with the caveat that he is “the best of a bad bunch.” Lestrade, meanwhile, often tries to downplay Holmes’ unique skills in favor of boosting his own ego, and is forever frustrated by Sherlock’s antics. At the same time, he recognizes Holmes is very helpful to himself and the force, and for all his faults, he always manages to help the Inspector catch the crooks in the end. Indeed, the main reason Lestrade usually fails is because he ironically tends to jump the gun: he’s someone who fails to look at the big picture, or else notice the smaller details, which is what Holmes is very good at. If he just took his time more, he could probably get to the bottom of things more quickly…but Holmes can do all that in an instant, so it’s a good thing he’s hanging around. Different interpretations throughout adaptations and reimaginings of the Holmes universe have reinterpreted Lestrade in a number of ways (and with no less than two different pronunciations of his name; “Leh-strawed” seems to be the most common, but a couple choose to say “Less-trade”). Some versions of him are more comical and bungling, while some are more serious but still not quite as brilliant as Holmes. Some make the character more bullheaded and easily angered, while others make him more supportive and friendly. Many of the best find some sort of balance between these disparate elements; while he may not get the kudos that Holmes and Watson get, Lestrade is an interesting character in his own right, with a lot of layers writers, actors, and directors can play with. Having said that, here are some I particularly enjoy. So STOP IN THE NAME OF THE LAW! Here are My Top 10 Favorite Portrayals of Inspector Lestrade.

10. Frank Finlay, from A Study in Terror & Murder By Decree.

Finlay played Lestrade, by sheer coincidence, in two completely different films that have the same premise: Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper. He looks, sounds, and generally behaves exactly the same in both movies, too. It’s rather uncanny, really.

9. Eddie Marsan, from the Guy Ritchie Films.

In the first film, Lestrade is a major character, and the way they play with his relationship with Sherlock is surprising; it’s just a shame he’s little more than a cameo in the second film.

8. Jeffrey Jones, from Without a Clue.

Arguably the most bumbling version of the character on this list. However, since this movie is an outright comedy, I don’t mind this. Plus, Jeffrey Jones is just a lot of fun as an actor, in general.

7. Peter Madden, from the 60s BBC Series.

In some ways, I think this might be the most book-accurate take on Lestrade, especially in terms of physical appearance. Madden only played the character in the first season of the series; in the second season, actor William Lucas took over. Weirdly enough, Madden did appear in the second season playing a completely different character in one episode. Not really sure why he was recast.

6. Dennis Hoey, from the Universal Films.

Alongside Jones, the most bungling version of Lestrade, frequently used as comic relief. In most of the films - not all, but most - he makes Nigel Bruce’s infamously doofy Watson look like a genius in comparison. He’s a lot of fun, though, and the chemistry between the three performers is great every time.

5. Rupert Graves, from Sherlock.

Arguably the most serious version of Lestrade on the list. I love the sort of normalcy he brings to the crazy world of Holmes and Watson, and the way he’s able to just put up with all the nonsense Sherlock shoves onto him, as well as find ways to rein Holmes in.

4. Archie Duncan, from the 50s TV Series.

This Lestrade is able to be extremely funny without actually being a moron; while he always needs Holmes to help him out, it’s mostly just because he’s impulsive and hotheaded, and therefore doesn’t always think things through or notice the details Sherlock notices. (Just like in the books.) Duncan, like Peter Madden, would weirdly play other characters in the show BESIDES Lestrade, including a villain in one story. Very talented performer who was always good to see in action!

3. The Version from Moriarty the Patriot.

This is probably the most friendly and encouraging version of Lestrade on the list, though he still gets righteously annoyed with both Holmes AND Moriarty in the series. I love his energy and the integrity the character has in the show; like Holmes, he’s willing to bend the rules to see justice done, and will never give up no matter what, which explains why they like each other above all else.

2. Akiko Morison, from Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century.

This version is a female descendant of the original inspector, named Beth Lestrade. She actually was more of a standout to me in this show than Watson was! Once again, this version isn’t depicted is an idiot - she’s fiery, strong, and very good at her job, with great instincts. Her problem is that, once again, she doesn’t always pick up on the details or fully understand the situation, which leads to conflict and her need to have Holmes around.

1. Colin Jeavons, from the Granada Series.

The definitive take on Lestrade, just as Jeremy Brett was the definitive take on Holmes, in my opinion. Jeavons plays Lestrade as a slightly pompous and rather sarcastic police officer, but he also seems to be one of the versions of the character who has the best sort of relationship with Sherlock. I love the chemistry between the pair, and how they each seem to sort of admire each other, though neither will ever admit it. At the same time, that competitive rivalry between the two has rarely been showcased better. Altogether marvelous.

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insanely-lovely-and-random · 2 years

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My favourite part's of Baz Luhrman's Elvis 2022:

1. The trippy ass opening sequence that felt like it should be part of a 3d rollercoaster ride with the billboards and zooms round Las Vegas.

2. Just the way Tom Parker says "He's white" is fucking hilarious. And really says it all.

3. The buildup of the Elvis reveal with the fly fly away flashbacks before he goes on for the first time, that build up hella pays off.

4. The moment he transforms into Elvis like Clark Kent becoming Superman in his pink suit, the burst of electric guitar and the shots bouncing round on the beats is incredible.

5. Him dissapearing into the curtains with sheer disbelief on his face after the crowd went wild.

6. The radio presenter introducing Beale street, make's me laugh everytime.

7. The fairground scene where Parker being a creepy ass villain talks to Elvis in the Mirror Hall, him popping into frame is genuinely terrifying.

8. The way Elvis says and just the way the looks into the distance as he describes the Rock of Eternity.

9. The tension and sheer manipulation at play when Elvis parent's sign a deal with devil.. Parker I mean.. That zoom in on Elvis pressing his mom's hand down is magnifique.

10. Tutti. Fricken. Fruitti.

11. B.B. King telling some hard truths about how Elvis is safe cause he's a white boy people are making money off.

12. The cuts to the rally just before Elvis' preformance and the look he gets in his eye just as he thinks "fuck. that".

13. Wiggling. The. Finger.

14. Trouble. The whole song and scene.

15. Parkers utter bafflement in the line "He didn't listen to me." Truly not grasping how his puppet could possibly disobey.

16. The shot of him in the car looking up at fireworks, looking so so lost is haunting and beautiful.

17. The modern cover of Can't help falling in Love is perfecto.

18. The first shot of the Viva Las Vegas montage where during the freeze frame Butler genuinely looked the spit of Elvis.

19. The spinning shot of Elvis as we go into the trippy mess of Edge Of Reality and the look on his face with the water dripping as it all takes it's toll is so real.

20. The Hollywood sign scene. The way he sit's staring out, the shades, his boot propped up. Hell even the brief mention of the sign as a reflection of his career could easily be cheesey but he sounds so goddamn honest.

21. The way he laughs hearing his careers in the toilet completely self aware.

22. Rebellion uno 2, him not giving a damn what the Colonel thinks!!

23. Everytime Parker says Here Comes Goddamn Santy Clause. Tom Hanks has always been a comedic actor in leading man disguise.

24. The leather suit. The guitar he wears for no discernable reason as he doesn't play it at frist and then hands it off to somone but who cares!

25. The bloody look on Parkers face when the Whorehouse dancers and Kung Fu comes in.

26. The huh huh huh noise made as the song builds.

27. Bobby Kennedy getting shot and the frustration and pain as he says "It has everything to do with us."

28. When Parker threatens he'll have to leave him should he disobey and the absolutely glorious, "Hmm." .... "Um Hm." The man didn't even have to use actual works and spoke sooo much with those sounds and look alone.

29. Honestly the haunting way he plays "Here Comes Santa Clause" alone is hella beautiful.

30. That spin of the camera as we see the hugh red Elvis sign and his beautiful white suit.

31. The sheer emotion in the original song and Butler's preformance during "If I Can Dream" is a Goddamn masterpiece.

32. The headlines proclaiming his comeback!

33. Parker trying to claim credit as the special was his idea is just so narcissistic and sooo him I just can't even.

34. The score of the whole thing but during the hospital scene where Elvis tries to leave Parker a creepy slot machine type writer background song plays and just chills.

35. The utter horror I feel when told about the International Elvis says "The Snowman strikes again" and I scream internally every. Single. Time. NOOOOO

36. FUCK ME. My favourite scene in the entire film is him redoing That's Alright Mama Vegas style. The Ba ba Buuum "Raise the octave". BA BA BUUUUM. The silk shirt. The belt. The exhilaration in his eye's and acting. The drum part when he's just "Hah hah hah hah". Fuckkkkk.

37. The journey of song told as he preforms it and the three way cut shot of how it lead to this moment!

38. The punch in the gut of Suspicious minds, the lyrical metaphor and his entrapment plays out real time. The way the Colnel says "Now how are going to pay me." With a horrifying giggle. The fast cuts as the writing gets laid out. 5 Years.

39. The Vegas style I Will Always Love You. The best version of that song👌

40. Backstage as everyone rejoices completely oblivious to what has happened and the way the Colonely llaughs then cries as he witnesses Elvis joy. Is he actually a touch remorseful? Is it just relief his debts are cleared? A mix of both? Who knows but my God it's awful.

41. The montage of the tours, the icnoic outfits, Hunk a burning love one of my fave Elvis songs and those bloody capes, my God it was helluva look!

42. The callback to the beginning as Elvis collapses hearing from Jerry and the utter repulsion on his face as he stares at the Colonel as he's covered with water, says it all. His face acting is genuinely incredible in this movie.

43. The Apollo 11 style split screen and music as he gets injected just one of those touches that makes me think you creative guy you Baz!

44. The way he says and preforms the whole angry scene on stage, the way he says Colonel's an alien, the way his anger escalates, the screaming of fired and the quiet final "You're fired." Before LITERAL mic drop and walk away.

45. The heartbreak we feel as we see him about to leave the hotel only for Parker to be sat waiting for him sinking his fangs back into him again.

46. The insults Elvis throws at Parker is so raw and real and clearly he's so so tired and he is just trapped.

47. The way the Colonel says "The thing about the rock of Eternity my boy is that it's forever just beyond our reach." And that fucking hurts.

48. The face acting of Austin in that scene as he reacts to what the Colonel says is beyond words. The lighting is fabulous.

49. The chilling instrumental as Elvis gives in closing his blinds and telling his dad to send up Doctor Nick and the utter helplessness as he leans on the couch.

50. The way Elvis sits in the car in his jumpsuit with Priscilla the exhaustion in his body language and voice as he says he's out of dreams. How he never made anything lasting. How he thinks no one will remember him. And how horrifying it is the Elvis probably really didn't know how huge and lasting hims impact would actually be.

51. Him mouthing I will always love you.

52. The shot of him looking up as the plane flys and quiet subdued story of the bird that would die if it stopped flying.

53. Parker saying how it wasn't his heart or the pills or himself that killed Elvis but love. Because in a twisted way that's one of truest things he's said in the entire movie.

54. How Parker recalls he saw his last peformance, that he could barely walk but when he sang that song..

55. "Unchained melody from the album Unchained melody.. makes sense.." God Elvis could be funny.

56. The real Elvis during Unchained melody. That voice reverberates with so much feeling and strength despite him being weeks away from his death. He sang with his entire soul and he had a loootta soul.

57. The flatlining noise as Parker fades from the shot and we're left with the back of Elvis spreading his cape like wings reminded of how he couldn't fly away but left the only other way he could.

58. Elvis has left the building.

59. The plain white font for the lines about Parker and Elvis having his in glorious, glorious gold.

60. The credits starting with the utterly bedazzled BAZ LUHRMAN. And I say thank you to that man! Thank you so so much. I love. This. Movie.

I know it's pretty much the whole movie buuut what can I say 🤷‍♀️

#elvis presley #rant #movie #movie rant #elvis #elvis 2022 #baz luhrmann #cinema #movie list #list #favourite moments #top 10 #top 60 #best of #austin butler #tom hanks

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yuttikkele · 10 months

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WATCHED NIMONA DIEGO THE SQUIRE SOLOS

#nimona #skyrocketed to my top 10 list of movies in one watch my guy #diego the squire #ack #text post

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trasho-pando2011 · 7 months

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Sometimes when I see someone simping for a character, I end up simping for that character

It's like it's contagious

#something something joker #silly crazy clown guy #i haven't watched like any batman stuff other than like top 10 lists from years ago.. clips on yt and some clips from the games #oh and the lego batman movie. forgot abt that #I'm not as much of a nerd as i say i am #but i saw posts abt the joker and now I'm probably gonna watch one of the cartoons just because i saw some posts abt the silly clown guy #(y'know if i don't procrastinate)#thank u random person on this site that i forgot the name of but i know starts with M #trasho's random ramblings

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torturedpoettsv · 2 years

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my top 10 most favourite movies:))

Dead Poets Society

Tamasha

Jab We Met

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

The Pianist

Interstellar

Veer-Zaara

Taare Zameen Par

Sanam Teri Kasam

Call Me By Your Name

#tbh there are manyyy movies which are my favourite #and this list #of top 10 fav movies #keep changing #so some movies might change the ones which are in the list #nothing is permanent yk #hehehe #faltu ki philosophy #desi shit posting #desiblr #cinema #Bollywood #desi blog

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villianoftheweek · 6 months

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Just watched evil dead 2 and i may or may not be in love with Ash williams

#Worst horror movie ive ever seen 10/10 #i fucking loved it #My dad suggested i watch it and i was hesitant at first for some reason #Its on my top 5 favorite movies list now #It was dogshit in the best way possible #Evil dead 2

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atwentywhore · 2 years

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Another day, another horror list! **Halloween Addition**

Happy Halloween friends! In honor of this most special holiday, I figured I’d give you guys another horror list. This one will be a little different though... Instead of listing movies, I will be listing my Top 10 HOTTEST Horror Villains. Please keep in mind that this list is 100% subjective and if you don’t agree with me, that’s fine (even though you’re wrong).

Anyways... Hope you all have a safe Halloween and without further ado, in no particular order, here are my Top 10 Hottest Horror Villains:

1. Jennifer Check from Jennifer’s Body (2009)

2. Pyramid Head from Silent Hill (2006)

3. Yamazaki Asami from Audition (1999)

4. Brahms Heelshire from The Boy (2016)

5. Baby Firefly from House of 1,000 Corpses (2003)

6. Candyman from Candyman (1992)

7. Queen Akasha from Queen of the Damned (2002)

8. Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th (1980)

9. Alcina Dimitrescu from Resident Evil (2021)

10. Stu Macher from Scream (1996)

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lionydoorin · 1 year

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amber being a redditor is so funny but she also feels so much like a tumblrina lmfao

#and her letterboxd not only has only horror movie reviews but she has a list where she ranked all of the stab movies #stab one is the top 1 (just like scream 1996 is the best)#and of course stab 8 ranks last #her review for stab 8 is a bunch of curse words and sad emojis because she cant handle the shit they did #and of course she has at least 10 rewatches of stab one w reviews. just lots of character analysis and movie trivia and yeah #since shes a stab 1 purist the other ones are pretty simple reviews and shes always comparing them to the first one #ma talks scream #tumblrina amber #amber freeman #ma ur rambling

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mediamixs · 10 days

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Top 10 British Horror Movies

British horror cinema has a rich history, producing some of the most iconic and terrifying films that have left a lasting impact on the genre. Here are the top ten British horror movies, showcasing the diversity and excellence of British horror filmmaking:

1. Don't Look Now (1973) - Nicolas Roeg's psychological chiller is a masterclass in atmospheric tension, exploring grief and obsession in a haunting tale set in Venice.

2. The Descent (2005) - Neil Marshall's claustrophobic horror follows a group of women trapped in caves, hunted by subterranean creatures, delivering a tense and terrifying experience.

3. Shaun of the Dead (2004) - Edgar Wright's zombie romp is a hilarious blend of horror and comedy, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as two friends trying to survive a zombie apocalypse in London[4].

4. The Wicker Man (1973) - Robin Hardy's cult classic is a slow-burning, atmospheric horror that explores paganism and sacrifice on a remote Scottish island, starring Christopher Lee.

5. Kill List (2011) - Ben Wheatley's dark and unsettling film follows a hitman who takes on a mysterious job, descending into a world of horror and the supernatural.

6. The Haunting (1963) - Robert Wise's adaptation of Shirley Jackson's novel is a classic haunted house story, featuring a group of people invited to a mansion with a dark history.

7. Saint Maud (2019) - Rose Glass's critically acclaimed film tells the story of a devout nurse who becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient, blurring the lines between faith and madness.

8. Dog Soldiers (2002) - Neil Marshall's werewolf horror follows a group of soldiers who find themselves under attack by the creatures while on a training exercise in the Scottish Highlands.

9. The Innocents (1961) - Jack Clayton's adaptation of Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw" is a gothic horror classic, featuring a governess who begins to suspect that the children in her care are being haunted by malevolent spirits.

10. Prevenge (2016) - Alice Lowe's film follows a pregnant woman who is convinced that her unborn child is urging her to kill, exploring themes of grief, trauma, and the supernatural.

These films represent some of the best of British horror, showcasing a range of styles, themes, and eras that have contributed to the country's rich horror heritage.

#horror #movies #british horror movies #top 10 list

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twistedtummies2 · 2 months

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Top 10 Portrayals of Mycroft Holmes

In my last couple lists for the supporting cast of Sherlock Holmes, I discussed two of his closest allies: Mrs. Hudson and Inspector Lestrade. It’s now time for another of his allies, though perhaps the most begrudging of them all: his elder brother, Mycroft Holmes. Mycroft is an intriguing character, because there are essentially two completely different ways to portray him. In the original books, Mycroft is declared to be even smarter than Sherlock is, which is already quite interesting. What makes him even more fascinating, however, is the reveal of his career: Mycroft “IS the British Government.” He’s the head of political and military intelligence, his power seemingly second only to the Prime Minister and the Royal Family themselves. With so much power and brilliance, one would expect Mycroft to be a rather imposing figure…but in Conan Doyle’s stories, the character is actually depicted a sort of comical figure. Mycroft is a sort of stereotypical, pompous bureaucrat in the books; like Sherlock, he’s a trifle eccentric, as well as rather pompous and slightly foppish in demeanor. The humor comes from his blustering attitude and exaggerated rotundity, which are completely at odds with the potential for something more dangerous when you realize what and who he really is. As a result of this dichotomy, different reimaginings and adaptations of Mycroft tend to gravitate more towards one side or the other: some versions play the character very much in the Conan Doyle vein, as a comically uppercrust caricature. Others, however, have focused much more on his political prowess, making him a much more serious character, with the humor stemming now from his dandy manners and the relationship he has with his brother. In the books, Sherlock and Mycroft have a SLIGHT sibling rivalry, but they actually seem to get along fairly well; most reinterpretations, however, really play up that rivalry and have the two constantly at each other’s throats…but when push comes to shove, that brotherly love still shines through. With so many different ways to handle Mycroft, choosing my favorites was rather difficult: this duality to the character and the way he’s been portrayed means that he is both easy to mess up and yet hard to mess up at the same time, if you can imagine such a paradox. I think, however, that the choices I’ve made are more or less finite, though a few may rise or fall on the scale depending on my mood, more than anything else. With that said, here are My Top 10 Portrayals of Mycroft Holmes!

10. Rhys Ifans, from Elementary.

It took me a while to warm up to this version of Mycroft, but ultimately I did come to like him. In here, instead of being the head of British intelligence, Mycroft is simply an AGENT of said intelligence: he’s essentially this universe’s version of James Bond, a suave and classy spy for MI6, who works under the facade of a restauranteur. While I do have a few issues with this take on the character, overall I think it’s an interesting one; a big part of what makes him good comes from Ifans’ acting.

9. Robert Morley, from A Study in Terror.

This Mycroft COULD have been in my Top 5, at the very least, if he had a larger role. Morley is probably the most book-accurate take on Mycroft ever, but he’s only in the film for a couple of short minutes, and…well…frankly, he has absolutely NO purpose to be in the story at all. I feel like someone just included him BECAUSE they wanted to see Robert Morley play this character, and…fair play to them, I suppose, I’m glad it happened. I just wish he had more of a reason to be there, and more screentime in his pocket.

8. Peter Jeffrey, from Hands of a Murderer.

In this period remake of “The Woman in Green” (one of the Basil Rathbone films), Jeffrey’s Mycroft ends up being kidnapped by Professor Moriarty, who is seeking information he wishes to sell to enemy agents. (Which actually sounds similar to a completely different Rathbone movie, “Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon,” but I digress.) While his role is relatively peripheral, I enjoy Jeffrey’s work with the character, and they really play around wonderfully with the relationship between the two brothers.

7. Richard E. Grant, from Sherlock: Case of Evil.

While Mycroft’s role in this film is small, his presence is important: it’s revealed that part of the reason he is such a reclusive figure is because he was captured and tortured by Moriarty (after the previous pick, I’m sensing a pattern) during Sherlock’s first encounter with his arch-nemesis. Mycroft’s brain is as sharp as ever, but his body still bears scars. This is one of the most supportive takes on the character out there, and Grant plays him very well.

6. Boris Klyuyev, from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson.

Arguably one of the funniest versions of Mycroft, in my opinion. This Russian-made TV film series used Mycroft fairly often, and he was always fun to see in action, really leaning into the comedy of the character from the original stories, and even doing a few new things with him, such as having him help Mrs. Hudson during “The Tiger Hunt” (their adaptation of “The Empty House”). Very, very amusing to watch.

5. The Version from Moriarty the Patriot.

This version takes some obvious cues from the rendition from “Sherlock,” portraying Mycroft as a more traditionally handsome, limber fellow, and really emphasizing his power as “the very embodiment of the British government.” However, he’s a much “warmer” character than the BBC version, which I think helps make him stand out, and gives him a little more of the humor that was present in the original stories. In Japan, he's voiced by Hiroki Yasumoto; the English dub is played by "Black Butler" star himself, J. Michael Tatum.

4. Stephen Fry, from the Guy Ritchie Films.

Mycroft appears in the second film, “Game of Shadows,” in another case of a “small but important” sort of role. Some of the funniest scenes in the film are thanks to him, and he’s also important in terms of the movie’s climax and conclusion. Fry is a shockingly book-accurate take on the character for the modern era, both in appearance and portrayal, and I think that’s a big part of why I like him. For all the things these films did differently from Conan Doyle, Mycroft almost feels ripped straight out of the pages.

3. Christopher Lee, from The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.

Lee was the first “serious” Mycroft, depicting the character as a more athletic and icy sort of character. This is ironic, since “The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes” is mostly rather comedic in nature, although it does have its hard edges. With that said, while he is a bit more dramatic than earlier interpretations, he still has a lot of humorous bits and moments. Plus, it’s Christopher Lee: of COURSE he’s awesome.

2. Mark Gatiss, from Sherlock.

Gatiss not only plays Mycroft in the series, but is also one of its chief creators. As if the guy needed MORE power. This version rather famously plays up Mycroft as a very, VERY authoritarian figure: much colder and more mean-spirited than almost any other interpretation. At times, he’s more of an antagonist than a protagonist in the show. However, he does still have a heart hidden under his dictatorial ways, a fact that’s made clear literally from the start of the series, and does help Sherlock out in various ways throughout the show. I was sorely tempted to make him number one…hopefully the person I chose instead won’t disappoint.

1. Charles Gray, from the Granada Series.

Gray first played the character in the film “The Seven Per-Cent Solution,” but it’s the Granada series (with Jeremy Brett as his younger brother) that I REALLY recognize him for. Alongside Robert Morley (and possibly Stephen Fry), I would argue that this is the most book-accurate take on Mycroft there’s ever been. I love how even though he is depicted as the generally more lighthearted figure from the original stories, he’s not played up as a caricature or a cartoon, and can be serious when the moment calls for it. The show even had two episodes where Mycroft took the place of each of the Baker Street gang, with one episode teaming him up with his brother, and another teaming him up with Watson. Gatiss may be more recognizable nowadays, but for me, Gray IS Mycroft, just as Brett IS Sherlock and Colin Jeavons IS Lestrade, plain and simple.

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thefilmsnob · 15 days

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Glen Coco's Top 10 Films of 2023

Hello, lovely reader. I had a really well-written intro about blockbusters and art house films, but the more I read it, the more I doubted its validity, and after spending hours writing the rest of this article, I couldn’t be bothered to do research to support it. And it’s already $&@%ing May 2024.

ANYWHO! 2023 was a great year for movies and you’ll also have a great time reading about my picks for the top 10 films of 2023...after the runners-up and the standard bonus track...there’s always a bonus track.

RUNNERS-UP

-Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

-Bottoms

-The Holdovers

-Nyad

-Past Lives

#10b. (Bonus Track) The Zone of Interest

Director: Jonathan Glazer

Starring: Christian Friedel, Sandra Hüller

A film that's not exactly easy to recommend, The Zone of Interest follows Rudolf Höss, commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp during WWII, and wife Hedwig, living with their five children on a property adjacent to the camp. And like the fence that divides the family's idyllic home from the very horrors of the camp which they enable, I'm still divided about the ethics of this production. Yet, there's no denying Glazer's boldness and craft, using simple yet crisp framing, mundane dialogue, sparse music and an aura of indifference to juxtapose the family's living conditions with those within the camp, whose faint sounds of screams, gunfire and hellish machinery may as well be the the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves to their ears. It's a rare film that's undeniably disturbing yet bereft of explicit violence, nudity or even harsh language, omissions that accentuate the chilling nonchalance of evil on display. What remains, especially the quietly profound finale, will surely stay with you and, considering the implications, it should.

#10. Maestro

Director: Bradley Cooper

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Bradley Cooper

Maestro follows the familiar biopic template about brilliant artists who excel professionally but struggle personally, yet writer/director/producer/star(!) Bradley Cooper has crafted a richer, more stately product than so many other paint-by-number biographies. Having already showcased his film making prowess with 2018's A Star is Born, a film that also explored the complex relationship among love, artistry and stardom, Cooper continues this analysis with his examination of iconic composer Leonard Bernstein. In the process, he stages some breathtaking scenes, especially one involving a heated argument between Cooper's Bernstein and wife, Felicia (Carey Mulligan), that's devoid of cuts and full of passion, or another in a grand cathedral where Bernstein triumphantly conducts his orchestra like a force of nature, sweat dripping down his feverish visage. Primarily, though, this is a vehicle for two sensational performances from Cooper and Mulligan who capture an enticingly complicated and fraught relationship in the shadow of a legendary career.

#9. Beau Is Afraid

Director: Ari Aster

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix

Wikipedia describes Beau Is Afraid as a 'surrealist tragicomedy horror film', so, if nothing else, it's...different. Some may find Ari Aster's film insufferable, but if you view it as one big, absurd metaphor for crippling anxiety (GAD, specifically) and familial guilt, it becomes a mesmerizing fever dream of a journey that will resonate with anxious people in general but also with certain ethno-religious groups who are inclined to satirize themselves (think Seinfeld and Curb). Here, Joaquin Phoenix plays Beau, a meek, neurotic soul, living alone in a dingy apartment on an impossibly dangerous street overrun with miscreants he must avoid at every turn just to go to the corner store. Sadly, he must travel farther than 50 feet to bury his mother while facing utterly bizarre threats and situations along the way, even venturing into a fantasy world made of felt at one point, concluding with one of the most outlandish yet oddly perfect endings you'll ever see. It's not quite on the level of Aster's milestone achievements Hereditary and Midsommar, but it's unquestionably original and a further sign of the film maker's boundless potential.

#8. Asteroid City

Director: Wes Anderson

Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Edward Norton, Bryan Cranston, about a dozen other actors you'll recognize

My description of Wes Anderson changes with every film he releases, oscillating between 'insufferable' and 'genius'. With Asteroid City, I lean toward the latter. His latest film is more fun and inviting, less fussy and pretentious. That's surprising for a film whose plot involves a retro-futuristic 1950s in which we're shown a documentary about the production of a play called 'Asteroid City', which actually is presented like a film and forms the majority of the narrative. The black & white, box-screened documentary contrasts the widescreen, brightly coloured 'play', which features a youth astronomy convention held in the titular desert town and the stories of its equally colourful attendees. It's a tad convoluted, but the final product is a visual and structural wonder, every scene composed of delectable sets filled with objects meticulously arranged and photographed to appear at once realistic and fantastical. And, though ample attention is placed on aesthetics, there’s plenty of room for the surprisingly touching story. Anderson also concocts one of the zaniest scenes you'll see, involving a surprise guest that, inexplicably...works.

#7. The Killer

Director: David Fincher

Starring: Michael Fassbender

On its surface, The Killer might seem unoriginal, superficial or repetitive, with the stereotypical soulless assassin routinely taking out one target after another. But, this deliberately crafted film from David Fincher challenges these perceptions in two major ways, one obvious, the other delightfully subtle. The first occurs at the end of the opening act in which Michael Fassbender’s Killer stakes out a hotel room, awaiting his target while describing the life of an assassin and his routine like an art in chilly voice-over, enlivening an otherwise inert sequence. But, when the time comes to take the shot…he misses. This is where the Killer goes into survival mode, hunting down his associates before they can get to him and 'clean up his mess'. What once seemed like a straightforward survival story, however, slowly reveals itself as an assassin's quest to prove to his employers that he is, indeed, the elite killer they hired. Fassbender’s deft performance is invaluable to this development within a broader story about humans' insatiable need for purpose.

#6. Air

Director: Ben Affleck

Starring: Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Ben Affleck

There's a quirky trend lately of making films based on popular products like Barbie dolls, Cheetos, Tetris, Pop-Tarts and, in the case of Air, Air Jordan sneakers. And, although the origins of a shoe may not seem like prime material for a feature length film, the result is both fascinating and exhilarating. It may also feel strange cheering for a corporate giant like Nike and one of its executives (Matt Damon) as if they were underdogs, but the veteran Damon, alongside co-star and director Ben Affleck, sells us on his effort to sign Michael Jordan as Nike’s new spokesman and save their basketball shoe division. Affleck wisely keeps the tone light, but the characters’ endeavors are still gripping as is the dialogue from this superb cast; they make shoes sound riveting, in the same way The Big Short did for credit default swaps. This is exemplified in the climactic negotiation between Damon’s character and Jordan’s mother, played by Viola Davis, who’s fiercely protective of her son's interests. Sure, capitalism drives this story, but scenes like this, a battle of wits and emotions between two acting greats alongside their industrious counterparts, remind us there are still human beings amidst all the bar graphs and quarterly reports.

#5. Poor Things

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Starring: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef

Director Yorgos Lanthimos has become one of the most unique cinematic voices of a generation. With Poor Things, his latest curiosity, he recalls elements of Frankenstein, breathing new life into those ideas to tell a modernized story about Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), who's resurrected by the eccentric Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), replacing her brain with that of her fetus, creating a woman with an infant's mind. Within Lanthimos's wondrous re-imagining of the Victorian Era, Bella embarks on a journey to discover both the world at large and herself. As she travels from London to Lisbon, Alexandria to Paris, she's confounded by this augmented world's beauty--its unique colours, textures and geometry-- but also its cruelty, all facets that help form her character. These elements are produced with vivid digital and practical effects to create a dream-like, absurdist environment like something out of a children's book, ensuring the audience shares in Bella's astonishment. Stone's performance is equally astonishing, depicting a metamorphosis from awkward, naive, dependent child to assertive, autonomous, curious young woman, combating the pettiness and insecurities of overbearing men in the process. It's an empowering story as effective as the striking costumes, sets, score and every other element that floods our senses.

#4. Anatomy of a Fall

Director: Justine Triet

Starring: Sandra Hüller, Milo Machado-Graner

Anatomy of a Fall might seem like a conventional legal drama and therefore easy to overlook. The premise is simple: a boy (Milo Machado-Graner) finds his father dead below the attic window of their family’s French chalet. Sandra, (Sandra Hüller), the boy’s mother, is the prime suspect considering her turbulent relationship with the husband and the fact she was the only other person home. We see the responses to the death, the investigation and the trial while questioning if it was a murder, suicide or accident. It’s a basic procedural, but the execution by director Justine Triet and her incredible cast elevates this story immensely. Through the enthralling dialogue and gradual revelations, we learn things when the characters do; the audience isn’t omniscient like with similar films, even after the verdict. It’s also decidedly non-sensational which paradoxically piques our interest even more in this story that mirrors reality and a solid but imperfect legal system. Hüller’s performance is crucially ambiguous; there're no winks or telling looks at the audience. Essentially a prestige version of Law & Order, this is one of the strongest legal dramas you’ll see, demanding and earning your complete attention.

#3. Killers of the Flower Moon

Director: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro

At 81, the legendary Martin Scorsese is still churning out masterpieces like his historical epic Killers of the Flower Moon. With its grand scope, sweeping cinematography, heartbreaking but essential story and an eclectic score that infuses a variety of genres with Native American sounds, this is pure cinema. The criticized 206 minute runtime is necessary to do justice to the injustice suffered by the once prosperous Osage Nation at the hands of ingratiated white folks through a calculated, systematic and prolonged series of heinous acts. In 1920s Oklahoma, the despicable William Hale (Robert De Niro) instructs his nephew (Leonardo DiCaprio) to marry an Osage girl, Mollie, (Lily Gladstone) in order to inherit her wealth, and also kill her family members to maximize the payout. Scorsese's go-to leads give appropriately slimy performances, especially De Niro, but they don't overshadow the tragedy orchestrated by greedy, duplicitous, small men. The Osage people and their rich culture remain in the spotlight, especially Mollie who exudes a quiet dignity and stoicism, transcending the typical victim plot device. You may know how this story ends, but its presentation is completely unexpected with an inspired denouement that summarizes the unforgivably lenient consequences for those complicit in this very American nightmare.

#2. Oppenheimer

Director: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Matt Damon, and the rest of Hollywood

Following his rare misfire, the loud and grinding Tenet, Christopher Nolan’s back in top form with Oppenheimer, a perfectly balanced film that showcases his many strengths as he tempers his occasional indulgences and somehow turns a scientist’s biopic into a blockbuster that’s gained a Marvel-sized audience. That’s partly due to his propulsive style that pushes the story forward at a brisk pace despite the three-hour runtime, as well as his signature sharp cuts, short scenes, temporal shifts and layered narrative strands. But, it’s also due to a doomsday scenario not unlike those in comic book films, except grounded in reality and, thus, scarier. Specifically, it examines the man responsible for that potential scenario, J. Robert Oppenheimer: ‘Father of the Atomic Bomb’, played in a rare leading role by the underrated Cillian Murphy who crafts a complex portrait of a man whose ambition was often at odds with his conscience, a man who had to live with decisions that resulted in so much death in WWII and quite possibly beyond. Complicating the story and adding to its urgency are several tense hearings that underline the political ramifications of these actions and the motives behind some of the most important decisions in history. Yet, wisely, no one’s portrayed as simply good or evil, certainly not Oppenheimer; life’s too ambiguous for that. Essentially, the film is people talking in nondescript rooms, but with such a stellar cast realizing Nolan's singular vision, it's as exciting as any Avengers flick—hell, it even features Robert Downey Jr giving his career best!

#1. Barbie

Director: Greta Gerwig

Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera

This may surprise people since I don't include many comedies on these lists nor box office juggernauts; if you look back at my last two #1s, you'll understand. But, Barbie isn’t just a cultural phenomenon, it’s truly an extraordinary film. It says a lot about writer/director Greta Gerwig that my favourite movie of the year isn't even my favourite movie she's made. It also says a lot that she's turned a plastic doll into a coherent and wildly entertaining feature length story with sympathetic characters and profound themes, whose opening sequence alone defies expectations of what this film could be.

Possessing otherworldly beauty and exceptional acting skills, Margot Robbie is a no-brainer for the role of Stereotypical Barbie who lives in a hot pink utopian society where the Barbies, composed of various races, body types and gender identities, hold all positions of power while the Kens, including a priceless Ryan Gosling as Beach Ken, chill at the beach and try to woo the ladies. This occurs on a meticulously constructed set, built on a solid foundation of whimsy and completed mostly with stunning practical effects in place of tempting CGI, resembling a colourful diorama, at once fantastical and tactile just like the toys that inspired it. However, Barbie's sudden preoccupations with mortality lead her on a quest into the real world to find the girl who's controlling her and it’s around this point when the story shows it has more on its mind than just brand promotion, exploring a myriad of social issues with the same fervor used to entertain. Without tying up everything in a neat package, Gerwig's story has feminist underpinnings but a kind that is sympathetic to male struggles as well, even though the patriarchy and bro culture are rightly judged via the impressionable air head, Ken. There's even an admirable amount of criticism toward Mattel. We’re not only treated to hilarious, candy-coated entertainment but a smart film for adults that kids will also enjoy and whose insight will benefit both.

At the center is Robbie, whose role is deceptively complex, requiring an actor with more than just beauty to be at once effervescent and existentially preoccupied. Both her performance and the story are capped off with one final word that recalls—fittingly—the final word uttered by Nicole Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut, appropriate considering Barbie begins with an explicit reference to another Stanley Kubrick masterpiece. It’s a word that Robbie announces with aplomb when it would otherwise be whispered with embarrassment; a word she wields like a weapon, charging forward into a new life in the name of unapologetic femininity.

#top 10 films 2023 #2023 #movie review #movie list

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allieinarden · 21 days

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I pride myself on having hit the most niche Simpsons gripe of all time which is being the sole “Barthood” hater.

#The episode based on the movie Boyhood #“Hate” is a strong word. I love what they were trying to do with it (10 stars for character design) and it had some nice moments and ideas #However long (very long) story short I feel like the real audience for Barthood is people who are peripherally aware of the show #It leverages the power of the characters as pop cultural symbols to tell a more universal story about growing up not necessarily about Bart #So it’s like an interesting 22-minute short film I just don’t think it’s a good episode of The Simpsons #The Simpsons #Anyway I keep seeing this episode on every top 10 modern episode list and I’m like somebody tell them to watch Bartless instead 🙏

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ravenlocksentwisted · 5 months

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Anyone have links to top 2023 horror movie lists?

I'm looking for anyone who has lovingly put together a list of their faves (rather than algorithmic SEO trash), on or off Tumblr.

#horror #horror movies #top 10 list #film #movies fandom #movie review

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sepostscreencaps · 2 months

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My dad consoling me back in 2010 after I found out there wont be a Shrek 5

From Soul Eater post chapter 3

#soul eater post #chapter 3 #death the kid #lord death #man remember when the internet didnt ruin shrek #like I loved the first two movies still do but now its like oh they are haha ironic movies or something #idk legit top 10 movies list from me would contain shrek 2

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mad-serotonin · 2 months

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It’s been a while since I’ve been active on tumblr and I’ve realized just how much I’ve missed it!

If anyone wants to chat about art or anime or ask any questions the ask box should always be open!! (I have a lot of thoughts in my lil brain that I’d love to discuss)

I look forward to making some friends on here again!!! Any old mutuals on here please shoot me a message too I’d love to talk!!!

#anime #manga #anime fanart #haikyuu #sk8 the infinity #genshin impact #fairy tail #dr stone #black clover #asks #send asks #asks open #talk to me #I’ll talk about any anime if I know it #if I don’t I guess I’ll have to just watch it #also any non anime show or movie related stuff is welcome too #maybe I’ll do some top 10 lists as a little get to know me

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mylifeincinema · 4 months

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My Best of 2023: My Top 10 Films!

Finally! It’s time for My Top 10 Films of 2023! 2023 was another weird year for me in terms of film. As usual, I had a few I championed, but, yet again, a lot of the big guns didn't land the way I'd expected or hoped. As a quick reminder - My Top 10 Films isn’t necessarily a list of the ‘best’, or ‘my favorite’, but rather a mix of the two that takes both sides of the A&E into as equal consideration as humanly possible. Definitely keep that in mind, especially the fact that how re-watchable each film is weighs in significantly. So, in terms of all that, this list nails my 2023.

First, here are some Honorable Mentions (in no real order), most of which spent at least a little time in the Top 10: Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest (which really deserves that 10 spot, but it's about as far from re-watchable as it gets); David Fincher's The Killer; Sofia Coppola's Priscilla; Kelly Fremon Craig's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.; and Takashi Yamazaki's Godzilla Minus One. Any of these could easily claim that 10 spot on another day. As for Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon? Sorry, y'all, but it barely cracked my Top 20. No matter how incredibly well-made it was, it was still a solid hour too long. And worst of all, it felt it!

Okay, without further ado, here they are…

My Top 10 Films of 2023!!

10. Danny & Michael Philippou's Talk to Me

Damn. This was fantastic. I’m still really pissed I missed it in cinemas. Such a super creepy, perfectly executed premise fueled by surprisingly good performances and genuinely terrifying moments, throughout. I especially love that it never heavily relies on jump-scares and just how brutal these spirits get. The desperation and hopelessness of the third act is just the cherry on top.

9. Greta Gerwig's Barbie

Hilarious. Bold. Heartwarming. And not at all subtle. Margot is perfection, which doesn’t always work in the film’s favor, but it knows and acknowledges that, and becomes more interesting by doing so. Gosling is hilarious and interesting and delivers one of the most absurdly audacious performances of the year. Gerwig’s vision, here, is dazzling not only in its use of practical effects, but also its brazen approach to the film’s message.

8. Christopher McQuarrie's Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1

Tom Cruise is out here doing the important work in a time when said important work is more essential than ever. This is a big-screen spectacle of an action film with exciting fights and chases and stunts that get more and more impressive, wild and outlandish throughout. As to be expected from the franchise, the cast all deliver rock-solid performances, and McQuarrie’s work behind the camera is every bit as good as Fallout, despite Fallout still probably being the better of the two films, overall. The plot, action, and editing here are all perfectly intense, working beautifully together to create a truly jaw-dropping piece of action cinema. Once again Cruise and friends prove decisively that popcorn flicks can be art, too, folks. Big, loud, crazy, fun art. So damn good.

7. James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3

Loved it. Every single moment is earned. The needle drops get better and better and build up to a joyous, cathartic, downright amazing moment at the end. James Gunn directs the hell out of his pitch-perfect script, allowing these characters to evolve in a manner as interesting as it is entertaining as it is organic. The Winter Soldier is still the best single film in the MCU, but this trilogy is its heart and soul. Finally… Cosmo is such a Good Dog.

6. Wes Anderson's Asteroid City

There’s good reason why Wes Anderson is one of my very favorite living directors. Asteroid City is a fine example of pretty much all of them. It’s visually stunning (How the f*ck did that production design not get nominated?!) , superbly acted, and written with as much quirky humor as it is raw emotion as it is perfectly balanced existentialism. I may still not quite be fully sold on the framing device, but all-in-all, this is a purely Andersonian oddity, and I loved every minute of it. Plus, I really want to be friends with that roadrunner.

5. Alexander Payne's The Holdovers

Genuinely hilarious and sneakily heartfelt. The tender moments play out so naturally that they pack an emotional wallop, then the brilliant Paul Giamatti or Da'Vine Joy Randolph lets out a perfectly delivered line that’ll absolutely floor you. And I just love the look of it, every single piece of this film looks and feels like it’s straight out of the ‘70s. So good. Probably my favorite Payne?

4. Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things

Despite being significantly overlong, Lanthimos' Poor Things is still just so damn good. I hate that Emma Stone’s odds are going down, as she delivers what will likely remain a favorite ‘til the end of the decade. Mark Ruffalo is also a blast, and is very much the upset I'm hoping for most come March 10. I honestly didn’t think he still had a performance like this in him. Dafoe is magnificently weird, and every time he graced the screen was a treat. Yorgos went off, here. This is probably his best work yet. It’s also one of the most visually interesting films of the year. I absolutely loved how this movie was shot. And it’s very easily better than the book. So, y’know, there’ that too.

3. Dos Santos, Powers & Thompson's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

A masterful amalgamation of animation styles, narrative ideas and next-level voice performances. As visually breathtaking as it is emotionally ambitious as it is structurally exciting and entertaining. This is the exact type of comic book movie that still has me excited for comic book movies.

2. Wes Anderson's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar & Three More

I'm kinda cheating, here, as this is technically a collection four individually released short films, and not the originally planned anthology feature. But I don't care. These are all fantastic; masterclasses in adaptation, blocking, production design and acting, the lot of 'em. I want so badly for Wes Anderson to just adapt Dahl's entire bibliography. Head HERE for my full thoughts.

And The Best Film of 2023 is…

1. Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer

A truly staggering achievement. As ambitious and bold a biopic as we’ve gotten in a very long time. Nolan understands the mechanics of this man and his story in a way that's so philosophically nuanced, and directs scene-after-scene of characters discussing physics and politics in a that makes it edge-of-your-seat shit.

Thank you for reading!

-Timothy Patrick Boyer.

More of My Best of 2023...

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