Inception (2010)
Amazing movie. Back when it first came out I balked about how 'mind blowing' people thought it was, and I still think a lot of it was lost on those same people... however, this film was Nolan's crowning achievement, it's what he'll be remembered for. I loved his first film Following, but Inception outdoes even his earliest films. Better even than The Prestige or Memento. His more recent films have languished but Inception is something that will become his legacy. So mind bending, such a great film. I recommend psychedelics be ingested prior to viewing
9/10
Fitzcarraldo (1982)
This was my first time watching a Werner Herzog film. The subject matter of the film is odd yet entirely entertaining and based upon a true story. A mad looking, wealthy South American man falls so in love with opera that he attempts to build an opera house in the middle of bum-fuck-nowhere native territory along some river where most expeditions had gone missing.
The acting, especially from the lead character played by Klaus Klinski is superb, but what really made this two and a half hour film enjoyable was the gorgeous, sweeping imagery. A visual feast you might say.
While I don't plan on rewatching it any time soon, I greatly enjoyed it, and plan to explore more Herzog films in the near future. It's on Amazon Prime right now for those that are interested.
8/10
Twelve Angry Men (1957)
Apparently, this was based upon a play (didn't know till my wife mentioned it), and what made this film uniquely superb was that the whole film takes place in a single room/scene essentially. It raises questions to the viewer about our inner biases that I'm shocked to have seen in a 1950s film. All of the actors really put forth amazing efforts and are very convincingly average Americans.
It wasn't the most entertaining of films, but for what it is, it excels. I highly recommend giving it a watch, and it seems to be an especially apt film for our times, pointing out that 70 years on, Americans are still the same biased, racist ass people we've always been.
Also on Prime for those that are interested.
8.5/10