Top 5 Movies of 7/22/2020

I absolutely love this movie, and as much as I love his other films, I think it's Scorsese's best. A heartwrenching story about a man battling himself inside and outside the ring. Let's not forget those ring scenes, with the quick cuts, flash bulbs, smoke, blood, sweat, I don't think I have seen any other boxing films even remotely come close to that.

It is as sweeping and epic in the classic film sense as it is brutal and intense in the modern film sense. That finale with the pacing, editing and music is so haunting and visceral you can barely breathe while watching it. When it comes to epic period films, it's this and Braveheart. Today, LOTM won.

I was introduced to these films through Shogun Assassin, and had no idea there were actually 6 films in the series. I could easily include River Styx (Pt 2) or some of the other ones as they are all great. The father and son bond in vengeance. The geysers of blood. The baby cart and its intricate rigging of weapons. Amazing, absolutely amazing stuff. I just can't get enough of it.

I don't think Harsh Times gets the credit it deserves. Bale in absolute beast mode acting, combined with David Ayer's meticulously layered LA noir which feels as authentic as food truck street tacos.

I've always thought of Guy Ritchie (in his early days) as a sort of British Tarantino, but with more of a Coen Brothers sense of humor and quirky characters. Lock, Stock is brilliant writing, and it's so damn funny. And it's a great representation of that late 90's style-driven, auteur filmmaking.