TBW Update: March 16, 2023

Akira Kurosawa, Jim Jarmusch, Wes Anderson, and more.

According to Letterboxd, I've watched 73 films so far in 2023, which averages out to about one film per day. Some were short films, but there were also longer ones like Seven Samurai (1954) and Ben-Hur (1959) that were split over two days.

I could go on and on about everything I've watched so far, but today I wanted to share some of my observations with you. Originally, I had planned to write a post about how Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), Stagecoach (1939), and Secret of the Incas (1954) all influenced Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). But, as I watched them again, I realized that Treasure of the Sierra Madre needs to stand on its own, and Stagecoach has John Wayne, who I can't support because of his racism. Secret of the Incas was just dull, so we'll skip that.

But, on a brighter note, I've been introducing my wife to some of my favorite directors, and I'm happy to report that she's loving Wes Anderson and Jim Jarmusch. She had only seen The Life Aquatic (2004) before, but we screened The French Dispatch (2021) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and she adored them both. And, when we watched Dead Man (1995) and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999), she appreciated the space those films gave her to breathe and think.

We also tried to hit some classics, like The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Ben-Hur (1962), and On the Waterfront (1954). My wife enjoyed the first two, but she found On the Waterfront to be boring. She doesn't quite get the appeal of Brando, and seems to need a little bit of either period-piece drama or genre weirdness to keep her interest.

But, on a positive note, she loves Kurosawa movies, and not just for the action. We’ve watched Seven Samurai, as I noted, as well as The Hidden Fortress (1958) and Rashomon (1950). She appreciates the cinematography, acting, and storylines, and I can't wait to introduce her to more of his films.

So, that's what I've been watching lately. If there's anything you want to see more of or less of, let me know in the comments. I'm always looking for new recommendations, and I'm excited to see what the rest of the year brings in terms of great cinema.

I hope you’re doing well today.