Hobbies – Junction Point

Five Faves – Twist Reveals

I love a good twist ending. I am usually pretty good at seeing what’s coming before it hits. So when the writers pull off something unexpected, it’s a fun surprise.

Today I’m going to highlight five favorite movies with a twist reveal and I hope you let me know your list as well.

The Usual Suspects

Any list I make like this has to include this movie. It is a modern classic whose reveal shouldn’t pack quite the punch that it does except for how expertly it’s paced and acted. The movie has lost some shine after Kevin Spacey’s allegations so I don’t blame you for staying away if you can’t separate the art from the artist. I’m not sure I have even seen this since that news broke but I have multiple memories of showing this film to someone else for the first time and seeing their reaction once the twist hit.

Source Code

This one may not be on everyone’s top five but this one is one of the most rewatchable for me. Gyllenhaal gives a charming performance in what fits another type of movie list for me, Groundhog Day movies. This one is a lot of fun and should be watched if you get the chance.

Inception

Probably my favorite movie on the list even if it’s not my favorite twist. In fact, I’ve seen pretty convincing arguements in different directions on the validity of the twist in general. But sometimes the fun is in not knowing.

Lucky Number Slevin

The most unheralded movie in this batch but one that was a total surprise for me. And an awesome one. This was one of those throw away movies on a boring night that a friend and I watched and I’ve thought about it ever since. Seriously, go watch this one.

The Truman Show

I saw this movie in bits and pieces for the longest time, not being able to see it all at once. The central twist here is so integral to the plot and so laid bare early on but the concept here is one that has always stuck with me. Haven’t you ever had that moment where you’re sure that it must be televised somewhere? Like, this has to be a joke, right? Awesomely executed.

Five Faves – Groundhog Day Movies

Welcome to the first edition of a post series where we’ll highlight a number of favorites, in no particular order, in a given category. Last time I talked about bringing forward a few favorites in the Groundhog Day genre. So let’s get into it.

Groundhog Day – I really gotta put respect on Groundhog Day itself with the first selection. It is not the first time loop story. I don’t even think it’s the best time loop story. But its success basically created the genre. I didn’t even call them time loop stories in the header of the post. Just think about when you’re describing a movie to someone else, “It’s like Groundhog Day meets..” There’s a reason, because the humor and charm of Bill Murray and the cast here had people looking at this plot device and becoming really introspective. It captured hearts and imaginations.

Edge of Tomorrow – This one is probably my personal favorite. Tom Cruise starts off the movie as the fully unlikable Major William Cage. I think that he plays against his natural charm initially draws viewers in and Emily Blunt’s hardened soldier persona mix well. The movie uses Cruise’s many failed attempts at first surviving and then later at being heroic both as humor and progression. We get a very visual view at his character’s progression. Plus, the action is super fun.

Palm Springs – Andy Samberg has me wishing for more movies with him in it in this comedy that may draw more from the spirit of Groundhog Day than any of the movies since. There is humor, heart, and a healthy dose of nihilism. Samberg’s character has resigned himself to a lifeless existence of always living. It’s only after someone else is caught in the loop with him that his outlook changes. More dramatic than you’d expect from a Samberg role while still funny.

Source Code – This one is a joy ride. On a train. Nearly the entire movie’s plot develops while Jake Gyllenhaal as Captain Colter Stevens lives the same short commute on a passenger train over and over until the train explodes. The story uses this short commute instead of a singular day while also throwing in another wrinkle in the genre that I thought hit pretty hard.

Naked – This was an unexpected hit for me. I caught this on one of those lazy Netflix nights and was really glad I did. The strength of Naked is its comedy with Marlon Wayans absolutely killing the lead role, living his wedding day over and over. These movies often focus on the personal growth of the main character and this one really gives believable and relatable chunks of growth behind all of the silly situations and laughter-inducing scenes. I think I need to watch this one again.

Okay, so that’s the first Five Faves for the site. Do you like that idea? If so, what others should we do? What are your five faves in the category? Thanks for reading.

Everyday Here All at Once

I absolutely loved Everything Everywhere All at Once. I can’t really speak to it winning Best Picture since I saw exactly zero of the other nominees. But it’s an excellent film. It’s creative, enthralling, and makes you feel something while watching it. Movies with multiverses in them are very popular right now. It seems like most of them use the concept to involve alternate versions of people or places for sake of the story and how it impacts it. Or maybe just adding a cool nostalgia factor. But Everything Everywhere All at Once stays introspective with its use of parallel worlds, instead giving our main character Evelyn the chance to glimpse herself with different choices made. She sees how her loved ones are impacted by small decisions. It really reminds me of one of my favorite movie tropes, when characters live the same day over and over. I think I’ll always see these as Groundhog Day movies.

I am really good at looking at my decisions, analysing them until I know how to properly beat myself up over them. In the last post, I talked about trying to keep the correct focus and not be too caught up in the past or too focused on the future. But because the what-ifs and possible outcomes of the past are so romantic, I still get caught up sometimes. Groundhog Day films give us the chance to imagine getting the chance to fail without permanent consequences. A practice makes perfect plan of attack but hyper focused on a singular day. Most of these flicks don’t see a full breakthrough until there is the payoff of character growth. That growth usually shows up as a perfect day from the main character’s point of view. One where they glide through the day’s challenges with beauty and grace that comes through the earned precognition from the first one or two acts. It’s hard not day dream about that scenario.

One of the upcoming posts I’m going to take a look at some of my favorite films in the genre. It’s a pretty specific plot device but there is a fair bit of variety and if the movie uses it, I’m definitely interested. Do you love Groundhog Day movies too? Which one is your favorite?