For me, Boogie Nights was the most unexpectedly touching family drama ever (with a fantastic soundtrack). Also, Burt Reynolds in one of his best performances.

As for Wes Anderson, I really liked Rushmore, unexpectedly enjoyed Royal Tenenbaums, LOVED Grand Budapest Hotel, and liked Moonrise Kingdom. I think Grand Budapest Hotel is the only one I'll rewatch, though.

I'm also an unabashed Wes Anderson fan. Bottle Rocket is one of my all-time favorite movies. Moonrise Kingdom is the only one I wouldn't go out of my way to rewatch. It's just kind of eh.

Anyone seen Thelma? It's a Norwegian psychological/supernatural thriller about a young woman with a very conservative Christian upbringing who goes to college in Oslo and starts having strange seizures, developes a same-sex attraction, and exhibits psychic powers. There are a number of wtf moments that gradually get explained.

I expected it to be weird, but it was more messed-up (in a good way) than I anticipated. I've seen it three times now; it's the kind of movie that sticks with you.

It's gotten great reviews but I think it only had a limited release here in the US and didn't do great business here. It recently came out in iTunes so I imagine it's available on disc as well.

I saw about half of it - I kept falling asleep. I wasn't sure what to think of the ending, whose side the movie was ultimately on.

I don't think the movie was on anybody's side.

I've only just learned that PT Anderson is married to Maya Rudolph (!) -- she's guest starring in The Good Place right now but I've loved her in loads of stuff before. Apparently, they've been together for 15+ yeas and have four kids. Then I came across this gifset of PT Anderson interview re. genesis of Phantom Thread and it made me laugh and laugh: [link]

It makes for a fun compare/contrast between this and Aronosky and mother! re. relationship power dynamics and RL bleeding into art.

Yeah, I feel like I must have known that before, but it sure felt new when I heard it recently.

Thelma sounds familiar - that might be the movie we watched about half of and had to turn off for some reason. I should watch the whole thing. Scandinavian movies tend to have a cold dark humor I just don't get.

Oy - Three Billboards. I'm off to read all the articles I've been avoiding the last three months. I felt so manipulated. I was not cheering the bumbling asshole doing good. I was only half cheering the righteously angry mom acting out.

I've only just learned that PT Anderson is married to Maya Rudolph (!)

Related: [link]

I felt so manipulated. I was not cheering the bumbling asshole doing good. I was only half cheering the righteously angry mom acting out.

I'm feeling good about my life choices. Even though I won't have seen most Oscar movies this year.