I love movies, and I’m an evangelist for outstanding films that may be overlooked by people who will appreciate them. This blog allows me to make those recommendations, along with my rants and ruminations.
You don’t need me to tell you that Green Book, Lincoln, The Social Network or The Artist are good movies. What’s important to me is that you don’t miss the less well-known gems: Winter’s Bone, Hell or High Water, Truman, Leave No Trace, I’ve Loved You So Long, Incendies, The Kid with the Bike, Tell No One, The Secrets in Their Eyes, Take Shelter and the like.
I see a lot of movies – between 150 and 200 each year (plus movies from previous years that I watch on streaming platforms and Turner Classic Movies).
Each Friday, I post Movies to See Right Now with my recommendations of the movies currently in theaters, on VOD and on TV. On other days, I post my comments on films that I’ve seen or other rants and ruminations about the movies. I pride myself on avoiding spoilers. If you subscribe, you’ll get an email letting you know each time that I post.
I also don’t wait for the end of the year to publish a Top Ten list. I keep a running list of the year’s “Best – So Far” that first appears in May or June..
My taste gravitates toward the independent, foreign and documentary films on the art house and festival circuits, and I love classic films, too, especially film noir, westerns and suspense thrillers. You can sample my taste with my Best Movies of 2021, Best Movies of 2020, Best Movies of 2019 and Greatest Movies of All Time.
There are genres that I tend to skip: science fiction, horror, zombie, superhero, action and chick flicks. But I will see a film in one of these genres if it supposed to be especially good or have a fresh take on the genre: Ex Machina, Lady Bird, Iron Man, District 9, Zombieland, etc. Still, with all the movies that I do see each year, I always watch less than half of the box office leaders. I’m just not going to see Transformers, The Avengers, Twilight or Mission: Impossible.
I also cover my favorite Bay Area film festivals: Cinequest, San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM), Mill Valley Film Festival, Noir City, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival and Frameline.
I’m also an inveterate list maker. Not only do I love to rank the best films of the year, but I have fun with Best Prison Movies, Best Sports Movies, Best Drug Movies, Best Foodie Movies, Great Hillbilly Movies, Worst Teeth in the Movies and all the rest.
Why “Movie Gourmet”? Well, “Movie God” and “Roger Ebert” were already taken, and I like to cook and to eat well, so…
Why didn’t you like Pacific?
Why didn’t you like Pacific on HBO?
Well, The Pacific is clearly an excellent work and it’s not that I didn’t like it. It just didn’t get me hooked after the first two episodes. Two things: 1) The structure didn’t work for me and 2) I had just read/seen something on the Battle at Alligator Creek at Guadalcanal, and the depiction of that battle on The Pacific didn’t exceed my expectations. If I were a professional critic with the obligation to review every major release for my public, then I would have given it more of a chance. I wish I had a more satisfying answer, but there it is. I’m glad you enjoyed and admired The Pacific so much.
Did you like Letters from Iwo Jima?
Didn’t I see it with you?
Great service for the rest of us. Now how about those business cards?
MovieGourmet,
Paul Bunnell (director of Johnny X) turned me onto your blog…I directed an indie detective movie called FUZZ TRACK CITY. Would you have any interest in writing about it? Here’s a trailer…
Love your blog by the way! Cheers!
Steve
Steve –
I would be interested in writing about FUZZ TRACK CITY if I can watch the movie. Let me know.
Best of luck with the film.
Scott
The Movie Gourmet
Hi,
I am Venkatesh Joshi from iflashymovies.com. iflashymovies is a blog for all movie lovers. I am just wondering if you accept guest post on Hi,
I am Venkatesh Joshi from iflashymovies.com. iflashymovies is a blog for all movie lovers. I am just wondering if you accept guest post on themoviegourmet.com or not and wanted to get in touch with you.
I am interested in contributing a Fantastic Guest Post for the themoviegourmet.com Readers. I found out some interesting topics for providing on themoviegourmet.com
* Top 10 films of Martin Scorsese
* Top 10 film directors of all time.
* Top 10 underrated films of all time.
What do you think? Interested in these topics? Ohh! Have the better suggestion for the topics? I see. I’d be happy if you suggest any better topic than these three.
I just want to contribute to your site by doing an an guest post.
If you accept it, I will provide Infographic related to these subjects.
I need a single do follow backlink from the guest post.
I am Waiting for your reply,
Cheers,
Venkatesh 🙂
Thank you for reviewing The Automat!