I like movies that take a clear point of view. Sometimes that means restraint and craft. Other times it means chaos, excess, or sincerity pushed right to the edge.
Below are a few buckets that describe my taste pretty well.
Food, Craft, and Obsession
I’m drawn to movies about people who care too much about what they’re making.
Ants on a Shrimp
A quiet, obsessive portrait of Fine Dining.
Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent
A great look at ego, ambition, and how creativity collides with institutions. Smart, human, and a little sad.
For Grace
Not really about food. It’s about perfectionism, standards, and what happens when your identity is wrapped up in excellence.
Spinning Plates
A surprisingly grounded documentary about restaurants as life projects. Less romantic than it sounds, which is why it works.
Controlled Chaos and Gonzo Energy
I have a soft spot for movies that don’t pretend to be moral guides.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Pure Dionysian energy. No lessons, no redemption arcs, just full access to impulse and madness. Refreshing in its honesty.
Foodies
Messy, indulgent, and self-aware. Knows exactly what it is and leans into it. I met one of the guys featured in it.
Unfashionable or “Wrong” Opinions
Some well loved movies just don’t land for me, especially when sentimentality overwhelms substance.
I’m generally cold on movies that lean too hard on emotional manipulation or moral signaling without enough depth. A lot of “uplifting” cinema falls into this trap for me.
Movies I Don’t Like That Many Do
Jesus Camp
Heavy handed and ideologically narrow. More unsettling than illuminating, and not in a productive way.
Chariots of Fire
Prestige without momentum. Earnest, but emotionally flat and dramatically inert for me.
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
The sentiment felt engineered. Too aware of its own emotional beats.
Cronos
Interesting premise, but the pacing and tone never fully cohere. Felt more promising than satisfying.
Rear Window
I get the historical importance. I don’t find it compelling as a viewing experience today. Too restrained, too slow, too obvious.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Visually impressive, but exhausting. Style overwhelms substance and emotional grounding.
It’s Such a Beautiful Day
Felt like abstraction for its own sake.
WALL-E
The sentimentality loses me.
These aren’t claims about objective quality. They’re just where my taste diverges from consensus.
More I like
I also love movies that are sincere, dumb, or fun in ways people underestimate.
Disturbia
A perfect modern thriller. Tight pacing, clear stakes, and no pretense.
Saw
Much smarter than it gets credit for. Simple moral logic, executed with commitment.
The Big Green
Pure childhood nostalgia. Completely earnest and not embarrassed about it.
Man of the House
Not subtle. Not prestigious. Surprisingly effective.
The Land Before Time
Emotionally devastating for a kids’ movie. Short, honest, and unforgettable.
Jack Maguire 