Titane (2021) directed by Julia Ducournau

A movie I have really only seen once in full but man what an impression that viewing made. This film is so constantly expanding and journeying into places you would never expect but you feel every moment. Whether it be the wildly surreal body horror, the emotional swings or the unexpected beauty, Ducournau is one of the most interesting voices in contemporary film. The lengths this film goes to in service of creating shocking and memorable moments  Titane is a film that I would say is not for the light of heart, but it is easily one of the most underdiscussed classics of the last couple years. 

Hundreds of Beavers (2022)

Hundreds of Beavers answers the question of what looney tunes and an indie budget would look like pushed to the absolute brink. This film is a mammoth accomplishment in making something from an underground perspective, with some of the funniest bits and physical comedy of recent memory. A true exercise in what someone could do with a lot of time, whimsy and visual effects skills and I adored every moment of this. If the media landscape was one that was healthy, we would have millions of beavers.

La Chimera (2023) directed by Alice Rohrwacher

La Chimera feels like a dream. Not in the Lynchian way that that term is commonly used, but in the feeling of a hazy daydream or a nostalgic memory. Josh O’Conner is doing career best work and truly adds so much dimension to what could have been another common drifter character. There is so much texture and love placed into every scene in this film and it really helps support the love I personally have for this film. Easily one of the most beautifully shot films of the decade, I will always love the look and feel that this radiates.

Oddity (2024)

Oddity was an absolute shock to me when I first saw it and I am so excited for McCarthy’s next film Hokum which I will be seeing at the Florida Film Festival. A short but excellent thriller that takes full advantage of it’s unseen and unsaid implications in a much wider supernatural world. This film thoroughly scared me in multiple different ways and the characters were surprisingly compelling given how these films can normally turn out. I will always be a fan of films that truly make you sit in suspense and dread as things slowly escalate and this is one of my favorite examples.

Sorry, Baby (2025)

Sorry, Baby was a film I always knew I would like, but even I was surprised by how amazing this was. Eva Victor is not only the writer and director of this film, she is the main character and does an amazing job in all 3 roles. This is another film that feels like a dream, just a much harsher and realistic one. The dangers of the real world slowly creep into what feels like a very comfortable film and are showcased in a way with tremendous care and empathy and I really appreciated how consistently funny this was even in its darkest moments.