What I Watched In September 2022

I’m a fan of George Miller’s work but was surprised to learn about THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING (2022). I guess after the adrenaline rush of the last Mad Max film I had forgotten how good a director he can be when the story isn’t being told in high energy action form. This new film has Tilda Swinton as an introverted professor and Idris Elba as the (no joke) djinn she accidentally summons into her life. I find it hard to imagine two such dissimilar concepts filling the same cinematic space in my head but I swear this intimate romance is the best film I’ve seen all year much as FURY ROAD was in 2015.

In a way this movie was made for film nuts or insatiable readers intent on devouring stories in an attempt to understand them and, through them, understand our own emotions, desires and needs. Swinton’s character is smart enough to know that the ‘three wishes’ she is presented with are more likely a curse than a gift, but the newly freed magical creature must discharge his duty or be once again a prisoner. So, we watch the cautious woman and the sympathetic Djinn work to find the best solution to their mutual problem. This plays out as a series of beautifully told tales of past events in the Djinn’s life that illustrate the mistakes and tragedies that had him in his bottle prison for so long.

This is a gloriously emotional film that I encourage everyone to see. It is a romantic fantasy that doesn’t insult your intelligence. It is a fable that contains books of wisdom to impart. It is an exciting, engaging look at the realities of life, aging, acceptance and how letting go of someone you love can make you the happiest person alive. THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING (2022) presents a vision of life that is glorious and wonderful. It has reaffirmed my love of this world and the very flawed people around me. See it.

The List

THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING (2022) – 9

THE BLOB (1958) -7 (rewatch on the big screen!)

MANIAC (1963) – 7 (twisty Hammer thriller)

BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES (1970) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

HOTEL FEAR (1978) – 7 (fascinating Italian drama)

WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR (2022) – 7

HUNCHBACK OF THE MORGUE (1973) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

HALLOWEEN KILLS (2021) – 7 (rewatch on Blu) (extended version)

THE HOUSE ON THE BAYOU (2021) – 6 (interesting horror thriller)

SANTO VS THE RIDERS OF TERROR (1970) – 5 (rewatch) (aggressively odd Santo tale set in the 19^th century)

BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN (1967) – 8 (Harry Palmer dealing with mad Americans)

DOWN THREE DARK STREETS (1954) – 6 (Noir FBI tale)

CHICAGO CONFDENTIAL (1957) – 6 (DA Brian Keith convicts the wrong man)

FIVE STEPS TO DANGER (1957) – 6 (Interesting crime tale with Sterling Hayden)

VAMPYRES (1974) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

ARE YOU IN THE HOUSE ALONE? (1978) – 5 (OK TV movie – overlong)

THE BROTHERHOOD OF SATAN (1971) – 8

LET’S KILL UNCLE (1966) – 6 (fun William Castle black comedy)

THE DEVIL INSIDE HER (1977) – 6 (completely insane possessed baby film w/Joan Collins)

HOCUS POCUS 2 (2022) – 6 (better than the first)