THE DANMAN CAN

"Can you find the wolves in this picture?" Martin Scorsese 's  Killers Of The Flower Moon  (2023) is a compelling, visually captivating, richly woven story delivered by an octogenarian.  Robbie Robertson 's final score is moody, droning, and hypnotic—reminiscent of the bass-playing of  Mark Sandman  (of  Morphine ) and the scores of  Nick Cave  and  Warren Ellis . The accompanying soundtrack of old blues and indigenous music marries perfectly to the movie. The sense of authenticity and genuineness is impressive, but thankfully the film never tips into documentary territory and retains its emotional core. Recommended for fans of  There Will Be Blood   (2007) [ review ],  The Irishman  (2019) [ review ],  Heaven's Gate   (1980),  Days Of Heaven   (1978) [ review ], and  Boardwalk Empire   (2010–2014). Martin Scorsese Feature Films Ranked Top 20 Directors Top Films Of 2023

 "Peking duck or Kung Pao chicken?" Tsui Hark 's revolutionary sisterhood action comedy,  Peking Opera Blues (1986), is a wild genre-mashing ride featuring frenetic energy, genuinely surprising tonal shifts, and a whopper of a finale. Bonus points for using songs from Peter Gabriel 's 1985 Birdy soundtrack , which I recognized before confirming on Wikipedia .

"In 22 seconds, I could break your fucking spine. In 22 seconds, I could pinch your head off like a fucking insect and spin it all over the fucking pavement. In 22 seconds, I could put 22 bullets inside your ridiculous gut. What I seem unable to do in 22 seconds is to keep you from fucking up my film!"

R.I.P.  Sam Kieth  (January 11, 1963 – March 15, 2026), my favorite comic book artist, responsible for my favorite comic book,  The Maxx  (later an animated series on MTV). I was so taken by Sam's art that I had a page from the first issue of The Maxx  tattooed on my back (by the also insanely talented Cory Kruger, who did my entire backpiece; pictured below). Sam wrote and/or illustrated many, many other comics as well, all worthwhile, and I have no doubt in my mind that I missed something from my collection in the images below.  Kieth had a one-of-a-kind (and instantly recognizable) voice and style, often blending techniques and media in ways that no other comic artist did. His work ran the gamut from child-like sketches to beautifully painted fine art, and his stories were deeply human and characters deeply (often endearingly) flawed. You'll be missed, Sam .

Another perfectly serviceable, entertaining film by Radio Silence , purveyors of perfectly serviceable, entertaining films. Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come (2026)* includes some fun (if a few underutilized) additions to the cast and some creative kills, but it's a touch longer than it needs to be and I wish the visual style was a little more distinctive. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett Feature Films Ranked *The title card for the film does not include the "2" and, personally, I think it's better without it (also, it's not necessary).

Liquid Sky   (1982) is a truly bizarre, unique, and highly influential cult film. I first saw it when I was 13 or 14 years old and it left a definite impression. If you love weird, transgressive cinema,  Liquid Sky  delivers one of a kind neon thrills with its blend of amateur acting (including brilliant dual androgynous performances by  Anne Carlisle ), early '80s NYC backdrop, Punk/New Wave fashion, a squonky/eerie  Fairlight CMI  score, and experimental style. I loved screening this for an unexpecting audience!

Perhaps it's the surreal and fantastical elements or his lack of shying away from occasional dark moments that set  Nobuhiko Obayashi 's films apart, but in another director's hands the same stories would feel overly sentimental. No one captures the qualities of youth (excitement, confusion, embarrassment, sincerity, melodrama, love, heartbreak) in the way that he does. The Girl That Leapt Through Time (1983) is a beautiful motion picture filled with Obayashi's visual flair. 🎶The idiot pear takes 18 years🎶 Nobuhiko Obayashi Feature Films Ranked

"I don't take my skates off." "It, it kicks. It, it turns. It curls up your belly. Makes you wanna freaky deaky, right?" "Those are really cool. Are they lizard?" "No, they're Italian." "This is the film I want them to remember me by." Paul Thomas Anderson Feature Films Ranked Top 20 Directors

"The sky is sure full of stars tonight." David Lynch Feature Films Ranked Top 20 Directors

I appreciate its ideas, its audacity, and its production design, but The Bride! (2026) could have used better editing, a shorter running time, and wow, what a schizophrenic film (reminded me a lot of 2013's  Gangster Squad   [ review ]).