5FFF: Best of the early 2010s

Blue Valentine
Ryan Gosling Oscar, where is it?

But seriously, this was so good and so not what I expected. I can’t believe this didn’t have a better showing at the Oscars— huge oversight not nominating Gosling and Cianfrance in my opinion. Right up there for me with Cianfrance’s following film, The Place Beyond the Pines.

A Separation
A neatly contained and intriguing family drama (tragedy?) from Ashgar Farhadi. The pacing and perspective-shifting were extremely effective, and the acting was great. I will definitely be returning to Farhadi’s other work in the future.

Frances Ha
I guess I just don’t get it...? Or maybe it’s just not my cup of tea. Either way, it’s just kind of a no from me.

PS. Adam Driver *almost* singlehandedly made fedoras sexy, and that’s why he is the actor of our generation.

Enemy
Hell yeah. Villeneuve, Doppelgangers, Gyllenhaals, hazy color palettes, frenetic scores, spiders, confusion, mania, amazing final shots--
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.

Under the Skin
Quite literally a masterpiece? Love the colors and the score (which I know is a super unique thing to say) and I just can’t wait for whatever Glazer does next.

---

What is 5 Film Film Festival (5FFF)?
In short, 5 Film Film Festival is an ongoing personal project to help me watch more classic films. For each mini “festival,” I will choose a random theme (be it a genre, actor, director, etc.) and curate five movies that fit that theme to watch for the first time. When I started this journey, I posted my brief, unpolished thoughts on Letterboxd. I like this more informal, less pretentious mode of watching older movies, so as I begin documenting the project here on the site, don’t expect a lot of in-depth analysis— every “review” will read more like a “first reaction.”

If you’re like me, and you have more than a few blind spots in your cinematic knowledge, then consider joining me on this lifelong endeavor. Watch along, recommend themes, and organize some mini festivals of your own!