• My pick: the cast that got me to press play, and a warning before you do

• The rewind: one of my all-time favorites, with a score I still can’t shake

• Member Spotlight: Elettra G (aka EleGu) and the Italian movie that found her when she needed it

• Club picks: five from you

Let’s get into it!

🍿 My pick

Life (2017)

Directed by: Daniel Espinosa

Other notable movies by Espinosa: Morbius, Safe House, Child 44

Sci-fi · Horror

Runtime: 1h 44m

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds, and Rebecca Ferguson

Synopsis: On the International Space Station, a six-person crew retrieves a soil sample from Mars and finds something alive inside it.

Where to watch · Parents’ guide

It’s like a cross between Alien and Gravity.

I decided to press play on this one because the cast was exciting. I love Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds in almost everything, and having Rebecca Ferguson was all the extra push I needed.

But I have to warn you, this is not an easy watch. Don’t watch this alone at night with the lights off. It will haunt you!

The ending is absolutely CRUSHING! It’s one of those endings that’s open to interpretation—part of what makes it so fun to watch.

⏪ The rewind

Predator (1987)

Directed by: John McTiernan

Other notable movies by McTiernan: Die Hard, The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard with a Vengeance

Action · Sci-fi

Runtime: 1h 47m

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers

Synopsis: Dutch Schaefer leads a rescue team into the jungles of Central America, where something they can’t see starts hunting them.

Where to watch · Parents’ guide

If Life leaves you wanting another crew of experts versus one alien, go back to 1987 and the jungle.

This is one of my all-time favorites. Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime, paired up with John McTiernan directing, and a teriffying cat-and-mouse game with an alien in the jungle. I mean, c’mon!

The score is permanently etched in my brain. There’s a CRAZY scene in the middle with Bill Duke going absolutely bonkers with a minigun. It’s one of the many rewatchable scenes for me.

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🔦 Member Spotlight: Elettra G (aka EleGu)

Writing from: Italy · EleGu on Substack

Where I watch

Either on my cozy blue couch at home or, even better, at the movie theatre.

Both with my husband, so we can comment right after. If we’re at home our adorable cocker spaniel Violetta will be on the couch too.

My comfort movie

When Harry Met Sally... (1989) • Where to watch · Parents’ guide

Or other ‘80s-’90s rom coms.

Though I do often unwind watching horrors, so you might catch me watching Scream or Jaws instead.

A scene I’d rewind forever

La Marseillaise scene from Casablanca! I could watch it on a loop and it would still be one of the most powerful scenes in movie history.

A movie that found me just when I needed it

Cinema Paradiso (1988) • Where to watch · Parents’ guide

Having grown up in Italy, I’ll have to say Nuovo Cinema Paradiso. I first watched it in the spring of 2020, when I was alone in London, waiting for borders to reopen and restrictions to ease, so I could fly home for a few weeks that summer. My only comfort was in movies.

The score by Ennio Morricone is one of those that, to this day, will still bring me to tears. So nostalgic.

The film reminded me of home and childhood. I could really picture my younger self in Totò: dreaming of a world beyond his small town through cinema, but also eventually deciding to leave and seek his fortune elsewhere.

I’ve rewatched it countless times since, and it still hits just as hard.

My top 5 of all time

1. Casablanca (1942)

2. The Shining (1980)

3. Jaws (1975)

4. Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1988)

5. When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

My movie collection

My Letterboxd grid of favorites.

🎟️ Club picks

Thanks to everyone who sent in a pick this week.

Thanks to everyone who sent in what they’ve been watching this week. And a special welcome to Andrew, who happens to be subscriber #100!

Little Fish (2020) · 1h 41m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: The WTK Cut on Substack: After Sinners and The Bone Temple, I wanted to explore more of Jack O’Connell’s dramatic work. Olivia Cooke, who I’ve loved in everything I’ve seen her in, made this an easy pick. I laughed, I cried, and the love story felt deeply relatable. Having lived through COVID, the uncertainty surrounding their relationship hit especially close to home.

Klaus (2019) · 1h 37m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Brendan A. on Substack: It was nearing Christmas and I saw that it got a great critical reception. Since then it’s become an almost yearly rewatch. Its unabashed sincerity and sense of wonder. It’s a film that isn’t afraid to hope.

Pride (2014) · 2h · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Mark James on Letterboxd: The cast! A who’s who of British thespians: Bill Nighy, Paddy Considine, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, and Andrew Scott. Plus a very early George MacKay and a pre-Baby Reindeer Jessica Gunning. This movie goes from a nice, crowd-pleasing ride into a genuinely powerful motion picture during the bread and roses scene. It’s either that or Professor Umbridge waving around a purple dildo.

The Barn (2016) · 1h 28m · Where to watch
Submitted by: Andrew M. on Substack: Recommended for fans who love ‘80s-era horror films. How well it felt like a movie you would find in a video store in 1989.

The Dog Stars (2026) · 1h 58m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Motley Nerd on Substack: Honestly, the trailer made it look like a really good movie. Plus, I’m a sucker for a movie with a dog companion. Most post-apocalyptic films are filled with zombies, explosions, and/or action. This was a deliberately paced, slice-of-life movie with action sprinkled throughout.

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🎬 What's the best Arnold Schwarzenegger movie that isn't a Terminator?

Drop a comment below with the title and one sentence on why. You can also drop it in the Club chat, where I’ve started a thread.

Until next Thursday, be kind, rewind.

— Gannon

• My pick: a family dramedy that swings from big laughs to waterworks

• The rewind: two quirky dorks on a road trip, and one trampoline scene that gets heavy

• Member Spotlight: Ben Whiting and the ramen movie he wants the whole club to see

• Club picks: three from you

Let’s get into it!

🍿 My pick

The Hollars (2016)

Directed by: John Krasinski

Comedy · Drama

Runtime: 1h 29m

Starring: John Krasinski and Margo Martindale

Where to watch · Parents’ guide

It had me laughing out loud a bunch, but also had me in tears.

I really enjoyed this movie! It’s a fantastic, down-to-earth story that’s executed by a phenomenal cast and new director in John Krasinski—all I needed to consider watching this one.

If you’re not familiar with this one, here’s the gist:

John Hollar is a struggling artist in New York. When his mom needs surgery, he heads back to his Midwest hometown and lands right back in the middle of his family.

It’s in the same category as This Is Where I Leave You, This Is 40, and Dan in Real Life. I think just about anyone can relate to this movie, and I’d recommend it to anyone.

There’s a scene in the hospital where someone gets a haircut. It’s so incredibly sweet and heartwarming.

It brought tears to my eyes.

⏪ The rewind

Away We Go (2009)

Directed by: Sam Mendes

Comedy · Romance

Runtime: 1h 38m

Starring: John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph

Where to watch · Parents’ guide

If The Hollars leaves you wanting more Krasinski, this one’s the lighter follow-up.

Burt and Verona are expecting their first baby when Burt’s parents suddenly announce they’re moving to Belgium. So the couple hits the road, visiting friends and family across North America to figure out where they want to raise their kid.

Krasinski and Rudolph are huge quirky dorks, and yet you can’t help but love watching them together. It’s a very fun and sweet road trip adventure for a growing family.

There are some fantastic side characters in Allison Janney, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeff Daniels.

There’s a scene on a trampoline that gets real heavy and left me with a big, goofy grin.

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🔦 Member Spotlight: Ben Whiting

🎟️ Club picks

Thanks to everyone who sent in a pick this week.

I Love Boosters (2026) · 1h 45m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Laura B. on Substack: Keke Palmer, outrageous fashion, and a massive middle finger to capitalism got me pushing play faster than a booster clearing a designer rack. So many things to enjoy about I Love Boosters. It’s an absurdist capitalist critique bubbling over with creativity and heart, with a killer soundtrack, and laugh out loud scenes. Absolute bananas!

If I Go Will They Miss Me (2026) · 1h 29m · Where to watch
Submitted by: Chad C. (Cinema Sugar) on Substack: Saw it at the 2026 Chicago Critics Film Festival (now available on VOD). It’s a singular, achingly intimate story with a magical-realism take on the universal experience of fatherhood.

Maurice (1987) · 2h 20m · Where to watch
Submitted by: Hot Mess Girl on Substack: It was free on YouTube and, at the time, I thought Hugh Grant was hot. Everything. It’s just beautiful. The cinematography, the story itself, the acting. The scenes with the hypnotherapist. Acceptance of self. I also love period pieces.

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Share your Club pick →

Thanksgiving is three weeks out, so let’s talk family movies.

🎬 What movie did your family watch over and over when you were a kid?

Drop a comment below with the title and one sentence on why. You can also drop it in the Club chat, where I’ve started a thread.

Until next Thursday, be kind, rewind.

— Gannon

• My pick: a bunker thriller that feels almost pleasant, right up until it doesn’t

• The rewind: a J.J. Abrams classic where the kids steal the show

• Behind the scenes: the Spielberg phone call Abrams thought was a prank

• Member Spotlight: Bardiya and his top 5 of all time

• Club picks: two from you

Let’s get into it!

🍿 My pick

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg

Thriller · Science Fiction

Runtime: 1h 44m

Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman

Where to watch · Parents’ guide

There are some terrific thrills and suspense throughout, along with a chilling performance by John Goodman.

I enjoyed this one after a second viewing!

If you’re not familiar with this one, here’s the gist:

After a car crash, Michelle wakes up in an underground bunker. The man who runs it, Howard, says he saved her life, and that the air outside isn’t safe to breathe anymore.

If you love a good suspense thriller with a side of sci-fi, you’ll dig this one. Skip it if you’re not into sci-fi thrills and intrigue.

As the story develops, the day-to-day of living in the bunker starts to seem normal, even pleasant. But then things take a turn and start unraveling.

That’s when the pacing dramatically picks up and the tension skyrockets.

⏪ The rewind

Super 8 (2011)

Directed by: J.J. Abrams

Science Fiction · Adventure

Runtime: 1h 52m

Starring: Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning

Where to watch · Parents’ guide

If 10 Cloverfield Lane leaves you wanting more sci-fi from J.J. Abrams, go back to the one he directed himself, with a gang of kids and a Super 8 camera.

If you’re not familiar with this one, here’s the gist:

In late 1970s Ohio, a group of friends filming a homemade zombie movie witness a devastating train derailment. Soon after, their quiet town is gripped by unexplained disappearances, strange phenomena, and a growing sense of fear, as they uncover that something terrifying has been set loose.

Amidst the countless lens flares from J.J. Abrams, I still really like this movie. It feels very much like a nod to classics like E.T. and The Goonies.

The kids in this movie show tremendous heart and trueness to their character. Some incredible casting there. Some of the best parts in this movie are just the kids being kids and interacting with each other.

Skip it if you’re not into sci-fi thrills and intrigue.

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🎥 Behind the scenes

In 1982, J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves were teenagers who’d just been noticed at a Super 8 film festival in L.A. Then Steven Spielberg’s office called. Kathleen Kennedy, who worked for Spielberg, wanted them to repair the Super 8 movies he had made at their age. Abrams was sure it was a prank call.

Decades later, Reeves directed Cloverfield, and Abrams made Super 8 with Spielberg as a producer.

You never know how things will play out years later, but this story made me smile.

Next time you watch Super 8, stay for the end credits. That’s where the zombie movie the kids shoot all summer, The Case, finally plays.

It’s absolutely delightful!

🔦 Member Spotlight: Bardiya Sadeghi

Writing from: San Jose, CA · Bardiya on Letterboxd

Where I watch

We had a baby boy in July and I’m on night shift, so for the last 3 months I’ve been catching up on my watchlist while he feeds and naps. Baby boy was a big fan of Isabelle Adjani in Possession.

My comfort movie

Any movie from my childhood, the first live action Ninja Turtles, Back to the Future, Gremlins, Indiana Jones, Bloodsport, or any of Jim Carrey’s comedies from the 90s.

A scene I’d rewind forever

The podrace from Phantom Menace. No other scene can match that sense of speed and the sound design is unreal.

And Qui-Gon betting the Queen’s mission and a kid’s freedom on one death race? Absolute degenerate gambler. Love that Jedi wisdom.

A movie I’ll defend

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) • Where to watch · Parents’ guide

I am an official member of The Last Jedi defense force:

Deleted Scenes

In Defense of The Last Jedi

I’ve been putting off writing this piece because The Last Jedi discourse never ends well, but I love this movie too damn much to stay quiet… The Last Jedi is a genuine feat in serial storytelling. And the way it was received, scapegoated, and ultimately abandoned by the same studio that made it, tells you everything you need to know about what’s wrong w…

Read more

3 months ago · 101 likes · 123 comments · Bardiya Mazda

My top 5 of all time

1. Jurassic Park (1993)

2. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

3. La Haine (1995)

4. Casino (1995)

5. Heat (1995)

My movie collection

I just ordered new shelves so the collection is a mess right now, so I’ll share this purchase from my latest trip to Paris… not only do their stores still sell 4Ks but you can find them for movies like The General, Zone of Interest, Bloodsport, and Megalopolis for only 15€ each!

🎟️ Club picks

Thanks to everyone who sent in a pick this week.

Superman (2025) · 2h 9m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Adam Z on Substack: The first teaser had me hooked, along with everything that James Gunn had been saying with regards to his approach to the character. After that first teaser, I just knew it was a must-see for me. The feeling of hope and optimism after I left the theater. I cannot remember the last time I left a superhero movie feeling such joy and hope.

Rear Window (1954) · 1h 52m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Sarah S on Letterboxd: My coworker lent me a Hitchcock box set, complete with his best works! Filming set. They had to build a whole apartment building (exterior so we could see all the cheeky neighbors) for the film.

Want your pick in a Thursday newsletter? Club picks are open to everyone, and it takes about a minute.

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Super 8 saves one of its best bits for the end credits, so let’s talk about the ones worth sitting through.

🎬 What movie is worth sitting through the end credits for?

Drop a comment below with the title and one sentence on why. You can also drop it in the Club chat, where I’ve started a thread.

Until next Thursday, be kind, rewind.

— Gannon

Let’s get into it!

🍿 My pick

Speak No Evil (2024)

Directed by: James Watkins

Thriller · Horror

Runtime: 1h 50m

Starring: James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis

Where to watch · Parents’ guide

What a terrific thriller! I saw the trailer for this once and knew I just had to see it. This is definitely “my” kind of movie.

I felt like I had to hold my breath a lot while I was watching. That’s a good sign of proper suspense and tension in a film.

If you’re not familiar with this one, here’s the gist:

An American family accepts an invitation to spend a weekend at the remote English farmhouse of a British couple they met on vacation in Italy. Their hosts seem friendly at first.

James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis are both amazing! I really enjoyed watching their two characters play off each other in such convincing ways. And when the story finally clicks into place toward the end, it does so in spectacular fashion.

If you liked The Invisible Man from last week, this one sits right next to it for me, along with Split and Get Out.

It starts out somewhat normal and harmless. Then it gets more and more awkward and uncomfortable, and it ends truly disturbing. That progression made for an incredibly effective thriller experience for me.

⏪ The rewind

Planet Terror (2007)

Directed by: Robert Rodriguez

Horror · Comedy

Runtime: 1h 45m

Starring: Rose McGowan and Freddy Rodríguez

Where to watch · Parents’ guide

If Speak No Evil has you holding your breath, this one’s the exhale: horror where the gore is played for laughs.

In typical Robert Rodriguez fashion, this is a weird movie with a very specific story it’s trying to tell in the only way he knows how. But he pulls it off perfectly, I think. If you’re not familiar with his filmography, I can see how someone would dismiss this movie right away.

The amount of blood, guts, and gross-out gore is astounding, but it’s used for humor. Some standout performances from Josh Brolin, Michael Biehn, and Freddy Rodríguez, too.

Behind the scenes: In U.S. theaters, Planet Terror only ever played as half of Grindhouse, a 2007 double feature with Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof. Between the two movies ran some incredible fake trailers for movies that didn’t (yet) exist. One of them, Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving, became a real slasher movie in 2023. So a Planet Terror rewatch this week lines you up for next month, too.

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🔦 Member Spotlight: Rachel B.

Writing from: Florida · Rachel on Substack

Where do you usually watch movies, and who’s on the couch with you?

I watch movies in my living room with my mom, who is my entertainment partner. We talk about the actors, we discuss the funny dialogue, what we like or don’t like. It’s been a beautiful tradition for years.

What do you put on to watch when you need to unwind?

Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) • Where to watch · Parents’ guide

When I want to unwind, I want to watch something funny and lighthearted, nothing I have to pay attention to too closely. I could recite it word for word. I’ve loved it since I was a little girl, and I’m always in a better mood when I’m watching it. You can’t get too much more nostalgic comfort than, “Billy, we gotta talk.”

What’s one movie scene you could watch on a loop, and what makes it hit?

The Rocky IV training montage in Russia. Great music, great visuals. It’s just amazing and never gets old.

What’s a movie that found you just when you needed it?

Rambo: Last Blood (2019) • Where to watch · Parents’ guide

The 2019 film Rambo: Last Blood found me exactly when I needed it. This movie is not for the faint of heart, but it is an amazing film.

I first saw the movie a few months before my eighteenth birthday. At the time, I did not realize just how much it was going to positively affect my life. But to this day, it is the movie that has helped me the most, in more than one way.

I was not a rebellious teenager. I never snuck out, never partied, never even needed a curfew. I know, crazy. :) But I did have a bit of a stubborn streak (and by bit, I mean a lot), and right in the middle of my seventeenth year on earth, I went through a phase where I wanted to be treated like an adult and felt like I could make my own choices, even if my mom didn’t like them.

As soon as I started saying to myself, “I don’t want to do this and she can’t make me,” I saw and heard in my head scenes from Last Blood when Rambo’s niece hadn’t listened to the wiser, older people in her life who’d tried to keep her safe. I recoiled as if flames had just erupted in front of me. I don’t even think it took five minutes for that slightly rebellious side of me to die completely, and I owe every bit of that change to Last Blood, and Sylvester Stallone specifically.

If I had watched that film years before almost turning eighteen, I could have forgotten the message, or never truly learned it. But seeing it when I did helped me avoid any early adulthood blunders, and I will never be more appreciative of a film.

Your top 5 movies of all time, (as of today).

1. Rambo (2008)

2. Die Hard (1988)

3. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

4. Iron Man 3 (2013)

5. London Has Fallen (2016)

Show us your collection

This is my own Iron Legion. I have almost every single Iron Man suit Tony ever wore in the movies, as well as Tony himself. I love collecting the Funko Pops.

That’s awesome, Rachel—thanks for sharing!

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🎟️ Club picks

Thanks to everyone who sent in a pick this week. This batch runs from 1970s noir to a brand-new football doc.

Chinatown (1974) · 2h 10m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: John M. on Substack: I pressed play because of Sam Wasson’s superb book The Big Goodbye. What stayed with me was the chilling realization that truth does not necessarily bring justice, and that power can corrupt not only the institutions meant to protect us but also the very possibility of setting things right.

Spy Game (2001) · 2h 6m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Bear Savo on Substack: I recently rewatched this. I was scrolling Netflix about 10 years ago and took a chance. I like the two leading men, Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. The score is definitely dated, but the Cold War intrigue is sharp, the story is tightly woven, it’s well shot, and well edited. Directed by the legendary Tony Scott.

The Night House (2020) · 1h 47m · Where to watch · Parents’ guide
Submitted by: Steve on Substack: I heard it was good, watched the trailer, and needed to see it. The way I felt after watching the trailer, I was very interested.

Miller Night Football (2026) · 43m · Where to watch
Submitted by: Nathan C. on Substack: I love the NFL and grew up watching Monday Night Football. As soon as I saw HBO released this short doc on the fast and unusual tenure of [Dennis] Miller on the revered sports broadcast, I was all in. This experiment would have probably been successful if there hadn’t been a change in leadership at the network. Also, it’s great to see Miller reflect on the experience and still get a kick out of his own jokes.

🎬 What horror movie makes you laugh more than it scares you?

Drop a comment below with the title and one sentence on why, or send it through here. You can also drop it in the Club chat, where I’ve started a thread. The best picks land in next week’s newsletter and on the club’s Letterboxd list.

Until next Thursday, be kind, rewind.

— Gannon

Let’s get into it!

🍿 My pick

The Invisible Man (2020)

Directed by Leigh Whannell

Horror · Thriller ·

Runtime: 2h 4m

Starring Elisabeth Moss and Aldis Hodge

Where to watch

This movie was surprisingly scary to me! I remember hearing about this on a podcast and thought it sounded interesting enough to check it out. And boy am I glad I did!

If you’re not familiar with this one, here’s the gist:

Cecilia escapes a controlling relationship with a wealthy tech genius. When he turns up dead, she starts to believe he’s still around. She just can’t see him.

Once I understood the plot mechanics, the suspense and tension in me increased significantly. I wasn’t sure what was coming next, and I really felt the stress and anxiety coming through the main character.

It has a terrific, original screenplay and firmly goes on my list of favorite films of 2020. I’d put it in the same class as Ex Machina, another great thriller.

And there’s a kitchen fight scene that dropped my jaw to the floor! I kept thinking to myself: “how the heck did they DO that?!”

⏪ The rewind

Easy A (2010)

Directed by: Will Gluck

Comedy · Coming-of-age

Runtime: 1h 32m

Starring Emma Stone and Penn Badgley

Where to watch

If The Invisible Man leaves you checking every empty corner, this one’s your palate cleanser.

Easy A is arguably the movie where Emma Stone perfected her acting chops and launched herself into stardom. Her character, Olive, is unapologetically sure of herself and doesn’t give a lick what anyone else thinks. Stanley Tucci has a terrific supporting role.

It’s a fun, coming-of-age teen comedy. My wife and I will often quote parts of this movie back and forth. I’m gonna keep it PG-rated but the quote has the word “tally-wacker” in it LOL.

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🔦 Member Spotlight: Nathaniel O.

Writing from: USA · Nathaniel on Substack

Where I watch

Usually in my room or the living room late at night to completely unwind. I’ll flip-flop between diving into a movie solo or turning it into a watch party with my siblings.

My comfort movie

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) • Where to watch

It has everything I can ask for in a movie. Action, comedy, romance, a hot woman lol. In all seriousness though, this is the movie that made me fall in love with cinema. Whenever I return to it, I’m automatically happy.

A scene I’d rewind forever

The Tiny Dancer bus sequence in Almost Famous. In this scene, Stillwater’s lead singer, Russell Hammond, is completely wasted after a long night of partying away from the band. Tension on the tour bus is already sky-high because of a new band T-shirt where Russell is the only one clearly visible while everyone else is left blurry in the background. But the moment Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” starts blasting on the radio, everything changes.

It’s an iconic scene, but my main reason for loving it is because it proves music can heal things regular words just can’t. Watching the frustration melt away as the whole bus starts singing along, laughing, and just cherishing the moment together gets me every single time.

My hidden gems

I have three movies I wanna recommend that don’t get talked about enough.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) • Where to watch

Brad Pitt has publicly said it’s his favorite movie he’s ever done, but when I hear people mention his best movies it doesn’t get talked about. This one is in my top 20 all-time favorite movies.

Road to Perdition (2002) • Where to watch

When you hear Tom Hanks, this movie doesn’t get mentioned as much as Forrest Gump or some of the others, but I think this is one of the strongest performances of his career. The main theme of the story is a father who will go to any lengths to make sure his son doesn’t go down the same road he does. It’s absolutely brilliant!

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) • Where to watch

The theme of this movie is sons trying to escape the sins of their fathers. It’s a beautiful tale of how our choices can not only affect our lives, but also the lives of the generations that follow us. I cannot recommend this movie enough!

My top 5 of all time

1. Almost Famous (2000)

2. There Will Be Blood (2007)

3. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

4. The Green Mile (1999)

5. The Last Samurai (2003)

🎟️ Club picks

Thanks to everyone who sent in what they’ve been watching this week. Paul actually answered last week’s question, so he goes first.

Evil Dead Burn (2026) · 1h 50m · Where to watch
Submitted by: Paul D. on Substack: I’m a fan of the franchise and was curious to see where they were taking it. The craziness and brutality really stuck out. Mostly practical effects on top of that. For a movie that’s close to 2 hours it didn’t feel like it. EDB never lets you relax. Just grabs on and doesn’t let go. Stay for the post credit scene.

Pumpkinhead (1988) · 1h 26m · Where to watch
Submitted by: Blair N. on Substack: The film was on my to-watch list for a long time, and I finally committed to watching it. The creature design and atmospheric ambiance of the film, by first-time director Stan Winston, from his own special effects group, shine. You can also see why the acting performance of veteran Lance Henriksen stands out; he is backed by a pretty good group of other acting performers. Where the film suffers is in pacing and some of its continuity. That’s because the original studio for the film went bankrupt before the movie was released. I can see why this folk horror film became a cult hit.

The Judge (2014) · 2h 21m · Where to watch
Submitted by: Rachel B. on Substack): I love Robert Downey Jr. and wanted to watch more of his filmography, and the plot intrigued me. This was simultaneously the most dramatic film I’ve ever seen, and the least drag-you-through-the-mud emotionally damaging. The fact that those two things could actually go together, on top of a stacked cast of breathtakingly amazing actors made for one of the best movies I’ve ever watched, period.

The Uprising (2026) · 2h 8m · Where to watch
Submitted by: Overpriced Popcorn on Substack): Andrew Garfield. Sometimes an actor’s name is all the persuasion I need. An unusual and refreshing take on Robin Hood’s origin story, offering something a little different from the familiar legend.

Easy A got me thinking about the lines that we use all the time in our house.

🎬 Your turn: What movie do you quote back and forth with someone at home?

Drop a comment below with the title and one sentence on why, or send it through here. You can also drop it in the Club chat, where I’ve started a thread. The best picks land in next week’s newsletter and on the club’s Letterboxd list.

Until next Thursday, be kind, rewind.

— Gannon

Plus a rewind that makes me tear up every time, and our first Member Spotlight from a fellow club member: Coby, making his case for The Monster Squad.

Let’s get into it!

🍿 My pick

No One Will Save You (2023)

Directed by Brian Duffield

Sci-fi · Horror

Runtime: 1h 33m

Starring Kaitlyn Dever

Where to watch

I first watched this one three years ago this week, and it landed on my top movies list for 2023.

It’s a really tight 90-minute flick that moves like a freight train! It has A Quiet Place vibes, which is tremendous. Kaitlyn Dever is amazing, and she’s in almost every frame.

If you’re not familiar with this one, here’s the gist:

Brynn lives alone in her childhood home, shut out by the rest of her small town. One night, strange noises wake her up, and whatever’s in the house isn’t from around here.

Two things to watch for:

• Almost no dialogue. The first and only line of dialogue is spoken an hour and nine minutes in. Love that! Everything you learn about Brynn comes from what Dever does on screen, not what she says.

• The score and sound design. Sound design is every creak, footstep, and strange noise you hear. With nobody talking, it does a lot of the storytelling. The score and sound design play a major part in this film, and they’re terrific.

There’s a scene towards the end, out in the street at night. I won’t say what happens. I just remember my skin crawling.

It was executed and shot so well!

⏪ The rewind

Warrior (2011)

Directed by Gavin O’Connor

Drama · Sport

Runtime: 2h 20m

Starring Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy

Where to watch

From one movie with almost no words to one about a family that can’t find them.

I’ve seen Warrior four times. I caught it in a theater when it came out, then couldn’t wait to watch it again once I could buy it at home. It hits a little differently (no pun intended) every time.

This movie has a whole lot of heart! It’s an incredible story about family, brotherhood, and pride.

Nick Nolte makes me tear up every time. Such a vulnerable performance. (It earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.)

There’s a scene in a casino hotel room between Paddy (Nolte) and his tough-as-nails son Tommy (Hardy). Tommy finally breaks and comforts his dad as he weeps.

Ugh. Wow. So heavy.

And the final fight tears me up too.

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🔦 Member Spotlight: Coby C.

Vernal, UT · @raisedbyvhs on Substack

Where I watch

In the living room, and my wife is on the couch with me for sure.

My comfort movie

I have a few comfort movies for when I really need to chill: Back to the Future (1985) and The ‘Burbs (1989).

A scene I’d rewind forever

100% it’s the opening sequence of Back to the Future. It’s PERFECT. And when he skates off into Hill Valley while “The Power of Love” drops… AMAZING!

My hidden gem

The Monster Squad (1987) · Directed by Fred Dekker · Horror · Comedy · 1h 22m · Starring André Gower and Robby Kiger.

Where to watch

My October hidden gem has to be The Monster Squad.

If you grew up loving The Goonies but wished it had Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon, this is your movie.

It was directed by Fred Dekker and co-written by Dekker and Shane Black. Somehow it completely bombed at the box office, then spent the next few decades becoming the cult movie it probably always deserved to be.

It feels almost genetically engineered for kids who grew up in the ‘80s. Bikes, walkie-talkies, treehouses, monster magazines, kids wandering around town without their parents knowing where they are, and actual monsters that are allowed to be scary.

And it has one of my favorite versions of Frankenstein’s monster. Tom Noonan makes him genuinely sympathetic and gives the movie way more heart than you expect going in.

It’s funny, weird, occasionally surprisingly dark, very ‘80s, and only about 80 minutes long. If you’ve somehow never seen The Monster Squad, October is the time.

And yes, Wolfman’s got nards.

My top 5 of all time

1. Back to the Future (1985)

2. The Lost Boys (1987)

3. The Monster Squad (1987)

4. Signs (2002)

5. The ‘Burbs (1989)

My movie collection

My current top four and my latest four watched.

🎟️ Club picks

Thanks to everyone who told me what they’ve been watching this week.

The Death of Robin Hood (2026) · 2h 3m · Where to watch
Corbin (The Autourist): Went to it in the theater. I'm a huge Pig fan, willing to commit two and a half hours to anything Michael Sarnoski directs. The gnarly violence, quiet deconstruction of mythos, and Jackman x Comer performances are astounding.

Two Club members picked Van Helsing this week, for two different reasons. What are the odds?!

Van Helsing (2004) · 2h 12m · Where to watch
Jon McBrine (Substack): An arbitrary watching of vampire movies for Halloween led me to this mid-aughts, fun-filled fang flick. What kept me coming back for more of the wacky wire work and blood-sucking CGI was the fun factor. I scoffed at it when it first came out, but with age comes wisdom, the kind that helped me embrace the goofiness and roll with it.

Hellish Views (Substack): My sister used to watch it when I was a kid, and the camp performances, wild mishmash of monster lore, and truly excellent score made it an instant favourite. Richard Roxburgh as Dracula: what a wacky casting choice, but it really works. His performance is great.

It’s October, so let’s turn the lights off for this one.

🎬 Your turn: What’s the scariest movie you’ve watched alone?

Drop a comment below with the title and one sentence on why, or send it through here. You can also drop it in the Club chat, where I’ve started a thread. The best picks land in next week’s newsletter and on the club’s Letterboxd list.

Until next Thursday, be kind, rewind.

— Gannon

Every Thursday, you’ll get a handful of picks from me and, soon, from you. Each newsletter rotates through a few sections.

For newsletter #1, I’m also going first in Member Spotlight. So you’ll get to know me a little further down.

🎬 My pick

The End of Oak Street (2026)

Directed by David Robert Mitchell

Sci-fi · Adventure · 1h 39m

Starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor

My rating: ★★★★ | Where to watch

I caught this one in a theater back in August. It’s still one of my favorite movies of the year.

I went with my dad and had a great time. It took some unexpected turns that made it more interesting than the trailer led on. I really enjoyed following the family and tried to put myself in their shoes as the world around them turned to chaos.

If you’re not familiar with this one, here’s the gist:

A family’s whole street gets yanked out of 1982 and dropped into the age of dinosaurs. It nails that suburban ‘80s feel. The dinosaurs turn the neighborhood into one long game of hide-and-seek.

Two things to watch for:

• Split diopter shots. The foreground and background are both in focus at once, like two pictures stacked in one frame. I counted at least half a dozen. What is a split diopter?

• The one shot. A chase on foot down the street in one continuous take, with no cuts.

There’s a scene towards the end where the entire core family is in peril and there’s seemingly no way out of it. I remember feeling physically uncomfortable in my seat.

That feeling is one of the many reasons why I love movies so much!

⏪ The rewind

Jurassic Park (1993) · Steven Spielberg · Sci-fi · Adventure · 2h 7m · Sam Neill, Laura Dern

My rating: ★★★★★ | Where to watch

If Oak Street leaves you wanting more dinosaurs, go back to the one that started it all.

Jurassic Park is one of the all-time greatest films. The mix of practical effects, visual effects, creature design, and animatronics still looks incredible today! And that score will always be burned into my brain.

Behind the scenes: Remember that rippling cup of water before the T. rex shows up?

It all started in Spielberg’s car when he was listening to Earth, Wind, & Fire and noticed his mirror shaking to the music. He wanted to recreate that same feeling on screen for the movie. He put his effects team up to the task and they finally nailed it by running a guitar string through the bottom of the cup and plucking it for every footstep.

Brilliant!

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🔦 Member Spotlight: Gannon N.

Virginia · Rewind Movie Club on Substack

Where I watch

Most nights, I unwind with a movie in my basement home theater. I’ve got a nice 4K OLED TV and 5.1 surround sound. I usually watch alone. My family’s taste and mine don’t overlap much, and that’s OK.

My comfort movie

Superbad (2007). It’s my guilty pleasure. It’s dumb, crude, offensive, and incredibly quotable, and I still laugh my face off every time I see it.

A scene I’d rewind forever

It’s in the beginning of the movie. Evan and Seth are on the phone with each other. Evan walks out of his house and climbs into Seth’s car, and they keep talking on the phone the whole time. It’s quirky, awkward, and kind of charming. Their conversation beautifully sets the stage for the rest of the movie.

My hidden gem

Barbarian (2022) · Zach Cregger · Horror · 1h 42m · Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård

Where to watch

This one scared the bajeesus out of me. The first 45 minutes are super intense!

Then there’s a much-needed 15-minute break from the suspense in the middle, and it sets up the second act beautifully. The pacing gave me exactly what I needed: intense stretches, then calmer stretches of plot and character—and time to catch my breath.

The cinematography, score, and casting are terrific. It has several holy s**t moments, and I was physically uncomfortable in the dark for days after.

My top 5 of all time

1. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

2. Jaws (1975)

3. Die Hard (1988)

4. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

5. The Dark Knight (2008)

My movie collection

For purists, this may be blasphemy, but I’m a digital media guy 😵. I used to own hundreds of DVDs and Blu-rays. Then I ran out of shelf space and went all-in on digital.

I buy everything from Apple, so it all lands in my Apple TV library. I can stream it on my Apple TV box and my other Apple devices.

Back in 2017, Apple upgraded a bunch of my purchased movies to 4K for free. That was a nice surprise.

Right now, I’m at 1,455 movies.

🗳️ Club picks

Starting next Thursday, this section is yours.

So here’s my first question for the club:

What’s one movie you think everyone should see?

Drop a comment below with the title and one sentence on why, or send it through here. You can also drop it in the Club chat, where I’ve started a thread. The best picks land in next week’s newsletter and on the club’s Letterboxd list.

Until next Thursday, be kind, rewind.

— Gannon

Hey, glad you’re here! 👋 My name is Gannon Nordberg, and I run Rewind Movie Club.

Rewind Movie Club is for movie lovers who catch the practical effects and the perfect needle drop, and want to:

• Press play with confidence, with picks from people who share your taste instead of an algorithm guessing

• Find old favorites worth a rewatch and new releases worth your night, without 40 minutes of scrolling first

• Talk about what you noticed with fellow fans who care about the same details

It’s free, and it lands every Thursday.

“If you’re tired of endless scrolling trying to decide what to watch, this Substack has you covered. Lots of great suggestions from our community of film fanatics.”

— Laura Barney, Beyond the Frame

If you just want something great to watch this weekend, start here:

→ 3 movies to watch this weekend, from alien horror to ‘80s monsters

👋 Who am I?

Hi, I’m Gannon.

I’ve logged and rated over 1,500 movies, and I’ve been a Netflix customer since the red-envelope DVD days in 2006. I grew up on T2, Jaws, and Die Hard. These days, my main pick each week comes from the last 10 years, and The rewind brings back an older favorite.

Most nights, I unwind with a movie in my basement home theater. Usually alone. My family doesn’t share my taste, so a lot of great movies ended with nobody to talk to about them.

Turns out alone is a great way to watch. No phones, nobody talking over the score. The only thing missing is someone to tell afterward.

I’m no film critic. I’m the friend who always knows what to watch next. That’s why I started Rewind Movie Club. My picks are one half of it. Yours are the other.

Subscribe now

🍿 Subscribe and you’ll get

Every Thursday, I’ll send you a free newsletter with a handful of picks from me and fellow club members, so you always know what to watch next.

Each newsletter rotates three or four of these:

My pick: one recent movie that stuck with me, and why

The rewind: an old favorite worth another watch

Club picks: recommendations from fellow members

Member Spotlight: a fellow member’s comfort movie, favorite scene, and top 5

The list: a genre roundup or tier list

Behind the scenes: the stories behind the movies we love

Subscribers also get the Club chat, where we swap reactions all week. I’m in there every day, and I reply.

📼 Here are the newsletters to start with:

• 3 movies to watch this weekend, from alien horror to ‘80s monsters

• A disturbing thriller and a gory Rodriguez rewatch

• The kitchen fight that dropped my jaw to the floor

• A 1982 street, a pack of dinosaurs, and my top 5 of all time

P.S. Want your pick in a Thursday newsletter? Club picks are open to everyone, and it takes about a minute.

Share your Club pick →

Until next Thursday, be kind, rewind.

— Gannon