Dr Ben Sayle (100/100)
@bensayle.bsky.social
Writer. PhD in International History. Other interests include TV, film, gaming, and literature. Playing Hundred Line (not spoiler free, endings 100/100).
The Last of Sheila is a fun time, but Sleuth (1972) absolutely clears.
Makes 140 minutes feel like an hour.
Makes 140 minutes feel like an hour.
Might continue my evil movie streak by rewatching The Last of Sheila and Sleuth back to back.
February 18, 2026 at 8:52 PM
The Last of Sheila is a fun time, but Sleuth (1972) absolutely clears.
Makes 140 minutes feel like an hour.
Makes 140 minutes feel like an hour.
Reposted by Dr Ben Sayle (100/100)
The scene where they reach the border of the actual Zone itself is my favourite of the whole film.
The idea that attaining your deepest desires would be horrible less because there's a cruel twist or being grandiosely morbid, but because you realise how banal they (and so you) really are.
The idea that attaining your deepest desires would be horrible less because there's a cruel twist or being grandiosely morbid, but because you realise how banal they (and so you) really are.
February 12, 2026 at 5:48 PM
The scene where they reach the border of the actual Zone itself is my favourite of the whole film.
The idea that attaining your deepest desires would be horrible less because there's a cruel twist or being grandiosely morbid, but because you realise how banal they (and so you) really are.
The idea that attaining your deepest desires would be horrible less because there's a cruel twist or being grandiosely morbid, but because you realise how banal they (and so you) really are.
Reposted by Dr Ben Sayle (100/100)
While Stalker's a different story from Roadside Picnic, it makes sense the Strugatskys still loved it when it reflects a lot of the same territory they explored with the book.
Meanwhile Stanislaw Lem probably saw Solaris and wondered what were all these Mother Issues doing there.
Meanwhile Stanislaw Lem probably saw Solaris and wondered what were all these Mother Issues doing there.
February 12, 2026 at 5:54 PM
While Stalker's a different story from Roadside Picnic, it makes sense the Strugatskys still loved it when it reflects a lot of the same territory they explored with the book.
Meanwhile Stanislaw Lem probably saw Solaris and wondered what were all these Mother Issues doing there.
Meanwhile Stanislaw Lem probably saw Solaris and wondered what were all these Mother Issues doing there.
Reposted by Dr Ben Sayle (100/100)
Saruman before his mind became metal and wheels.
the ent enjoyer
February 15, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Saruman before his mind became metal and wheels.
Fun fact about "She Walks At Night", the upcoming eighth Kosuke Kindaichi translation.
It's the first Kindaichi title to get a translation that isn't in the 1977 'imaginary soundtrack'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LZ...
It's the first Kindaichi title to get a translation that isn't in the 1977 'imaginary soundtrack'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LZ...
The Adventure of Kohsuke Kindaichi (1977) Soundtrack - The Mystery Kindaichi Band ミステリー金田一バンド
YouTube video by Yum Yam
www.youtube.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Fun fact about "She Walks At Night", the upcoming eighth Kosuke Kindaichi translation.
It's the first Kindaichi title to get a translation that isn't in the 1977 'imaginary soundtrack'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LZ...
It's the first Kindaichi title to get a translation that isn't in the 1977 'imaginary soundtrack'.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LZ...
The franchise's turn towards Apocalyptic Mythos makes the first Mad Max basically being a vigilante cop movie very funny.
There's even a scene where they've caught the villain only for the smarmy defence lawyer to show up and get him released like it's Dirty Harry.
There's even a scene where they've caught the villain only for the smarmy defence lawyer to show up and get him released like it's Dirty Harry.
February 17, 2026 at 9:59 PM
The franchise's turn towards Apocalyptic Mythos makes the first Mad Max basically being a vigilante cop movie very funny.
There's even a scene where they've caught the villain only for the smarmy defence lawyer to show up and get him released like it's Dirty Harry.
There's even a scene where they've caught the villain only for the smarmy defence lawyer to show up and get him released like it's Dirty Harry.
Thinking back to Cult of Takumi and it is so funny that Takemaru and Yugamu basically had this conversation.
February 16, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Thinking back to Cult of Takumi and it is so funny that Takemaru and Yugamu basically had this conversation.
Might continue my evil movie streak by rewatching The Last of Sheila and Sleuth back to back.
February 16, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Might continue my evil movie streak by rewatching The Last of Sheila and Sleuth back to back.
Watched Demons (Shura) by Toshio Matsumoto a few days ago. Right now available on Youtube with subtitles.
Probably one of the most evil films I've seen in a while. Utterly rancid vibes from beginning to end (complimentary).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS4W...
Probably one of the most evil films I've seen in a while. Utterly rancid vibes from beginning to end (complimentary).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS4W...
DEMONS (1971) AKA SHURA - Toshio Matsumoto 4k exclusive full movie
YouTube video by Alexander Bergman
www.youtube.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Watched Demons (Shura) by Toshio Matsumoto a few days ago. Right now available on Youtube with subtitles.
Probably one of the most evil films I've seen in a while. Utterly rancid vibes from beginning to end (complimentary).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS4W...
Probably one of the most evil films I've seen in a while. Utterly rancid vibes from beginning to end (complimentary).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS4W...
Saruman before his mind became metal and wheels.
the ent enjoyer
February 15, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Saruman before his mind became metal and wheels.
Reposted by Dr Ben Sayle (100/100)
you: AI-upscaled and colorized Truman isn't real, he can't hurt you
me:
me:
February 14, 2026 at 12:00 AM
you: AI-upscaled and colorized Truman isn't real, he can't hurt you
me:
me:
While Stalker's a different story from Roadside Picnic, it makes sense the Strugatskys still loved it when it reflects a lot of the same territory they explored with the book.
Meanwhile Stanislaw Lem probably saw Solaris and wondered what were all these Mother Issues doing there.
Meanwhile Stanislaw Lem probably saw Solaris and wondered what were all these Mother Issues doing there.
February 12, 2026 at 5:54 PM
While Stalker's a different story from Roadside Picnic, it makes sense the Strugatskys still loved it when it reflects a lot of the same territory they explored with the book.
Meanwhile Stanislaw Lem probably saw Solaris and wondered what were all these Mother Issues doing there.
Meanwhile Stanislaw Lem probably saw Solaris and wondered what were all these Mother Issues doing there.
The scene where they reach the border of the actual Zone itself is my favourite of the whole film.
The idea that attaining your deepest desires would be horrible less because there's a cruel twist or being grandiosely morbid, but because you realise how banal they (and so you) really are.
The idea that attaining your deepest desires would be horrible less because there's a cruel twist or being grandiosely morbid, but because you realise how banal they (and so you) really are.
February 12, 2026 at 5:48 PM
The scene where they reach the border of the actual Zone itself is my favourite of the whole film.
The idea that attaining your deepest desires would be horrible less because there's a cruel twist or being grandiosely morbid, but because you realise how banal they (and so you) really are.
The idea that attaining your deepest desires would be horrible less because there's a cruel twist or being grandiosely morbid, but because you realise how banal they (and so you) really are.
"In this house, we only accept 90s Simpsons. The show started with Bart The Genius and ended on Grift of the Magi and that's final."
The two greatest American animated shows are The Simpsons, which ended in 1999 as an eternal treasure never to be tarnished by outstaying its welcome, and Batman TAS
February 12, 2026 at 4:40 PM
"In this house, we only accept 90s Simpsons. The show started with Bart The Genius and ended on Grift of the Magi and that's final."
Zero evidence but firmly believe Tolkien's early idea of the Blue Wizards' Fall being starting cults that last after Sauron was background for the dropped LOTR sequel.
Later on he changes it so that they came earlier than Gandalf & did sabotage Sauron's Second Age recruitment plans out East.
Later on he changes it so that they came earlier than Gandalf & did sabotage Sauron's Second Age recruitment plans out East.
Gandalf really is heroic when you consider that there were originally five wizards and one of them turned evil, two of them fucked off and went out east to have orgies, and one is just super into talking to gophers. The one last hope of free peoples was the stoner and that crazy mfer did it.
February 12, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Zero evidence but firmly believe Tolkien's early idea of the Blue Wizards' Fall being starting cults that last after Sauron was background for the dropped LOTR sequel.
Later on he changes it so that they came earlier than Gandalf & did sabotage Sauron's Second Age recruitment plans out East.
Later on he changes it so that they came earlier than Gandalf & did sabotage Sauron's Second Age recruitment plans out East.
Rewatched a bit of Barry.
Very funny that Bill Hader said Barry wouldn't stand a chance against Walter White and once lied at a Q&A that Sally was based on him after a fan said she hated her.
Very funny that Bill Hader said Barry wouldn't stand a chance against Walter White and once lied at a Q&A that Sally was based on him after a fan said she hated her.
February 10, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Rewatched a bit of Barry.
Very funny that Bill Hader said Barry wouldn't stand a chance against Walter White and once lied at a Q&A that Sally was based on him after a fan said she hated her.
Very funny that Bill Hader said Barry wouldn't stand a chance against Walter White and once lied at a Q&A that Sally was based on him after a fan said she hated her.
Reposted by Dr Ben Sayle (100/100)
It is pretty funny that JG Ballard wrote a story involving a notebook whose owner can write the deaths of others more than forty years before Death Note.
February 9, 2026 at 11:46 PM
It is pretty funny that JG Ballard wrote a story involving a notebook whose owner can write the deaths of others more than forty years before Death Note.
My favourite Taxi Driver story remains a critic friend of Scorsese's saying he hated the movie because of how much Travis sounded like his own darkest thoughts and Scorsese going "Fair, but that's the movie's whole point."
“Taxi Driver” turns 50.
On Martin Scorsese’s dark premonition of America: www.inverse.com/entertainmen...
On Martin Scorsese’s dark premonition of America: www.inverse.com/entertainmen...
50 Years Later, Martin Scorsese's First Masterpiece Is More Relevant Than Ever
Half a century later, Robert De Niro's iconic loner in 'Taxi Driver' still endures in Martin Scorsese's dark premonition of America.
www.inverse.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:16 PM
My favourite Taxi Driver story remains a critic friend of Scorsese's saying he hated the movie because of how much Travis sounded like his own darkest thoughts and Scorsese going "Fair, but that's the movie's whole point."
Welcome To Dongmakgol is a great film to watch next to Joint Security Area. Unhesitatingly sentimental.
The Throne's a lot of fun too.
The Throne's a lot of fun too.
more Korean movie recommendations that is almost never discussed in the West
February 8, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Welcome To Dongmakgol is a great film to watch next to Joint Security Area. Unhesitatingly sentimental.
The Throne's a lot of fun too.
The Throne's a lot of fun too.
Inspector Japp: ...and so, ladies and gentleman, that's why all private detectives are jobless con-artists who aren't worth the dirt off your shoe.
Hercule Poirot eavesdropping offstage: :(
Inspector Japp: Except my good friend Hercule Poirot who is truly a great man.
Hercule Poirot: :D
Hercule Poirot eavesdropping offstage: :(
Inspector Japp: Except my good friend Hercule Poirot who is truly a great man.
Hercule Poirot: :D
February 7, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Inspector Japp: ...and so, ladies and gentleman, that's why all private detectives are jobless con-artists who aren't worth the dirt off your shoe.
Hercule Poirot eavesdropping offstage: :(
Inspector Japp: Except my good friend Hercule Poirot who is truly a great man.
Hercule Poirot: :D
Hercule Poirot eavesdropping offstage: :(
Inspector Japp: Except my good friend Hercule Poirot who is truly a great man.
Hercule Poirot: :D
The episode prior has Hastings take the detective role because Poirot's retired for five minutes.
His big gambit to make the culprit confess is literally "once they see how sad they've made these perfectly nice people, they'll obviously feel guilty and turn themselves in."
His big gambit to make the culprit confess is literally "once they see how sad they've made these perfectly nice people, they'll obviously feel guilty and turn themselves in."
There's an episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot where he watches G Men (1935) with Hastings and Japp and basically gives it a one-star review on his Letterboxd.
February 7, 2026 at 4:50 PM
The episode prior has Hastings take the detective role because Poirot's retired for five minutes.
His big gambit to make the culprit confess is literally "once they see how sad they've made these perfectly nice people, they'll obviously feel guilty and turn themselves in."
His big gambit to make the culprit confess is literally "once they see how sad they've made these perfectly nice people, they'll obviously feel guilty and turn themselves in."
There's an episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot where he watches G Men (1935) with Hastings and Japp and basically gives it a one-star review on his Letterboxd.
February 7, 2026 at 4:45 PM
There's an episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot where he watches G Men (1935) with Hastings and Japp and basically gives it a one-star review on his Letterboxd.
Found out about the Hundred Line prequel novel about Hiruko and it really leans into the "what if Junko took some, but not all, of her meds?" side of her character.
February 5, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Found out about the Hundred Line prequel novel about Hiruko and it really leans into the "what if Junko took some, but not all, of her meds?" side of her character.
Rewatched Whiplash a week or so ago. Forgot how well Miles Teller depicts Andrew as miserably living on auto-pilot when he tries to move on from jazz.
Movie doesn't agree with Teller (or Andrew tbh), but it really sells how & why someone gets so passionate about something to an unattractive degree.
Movie doesn't agree with Teller (or Andrew tbh), but it really sells how & why someone gets so passionate about something to an unattractive degree.
February 4, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Rewatched Whiplash a week or so ago. Forgot how well Miles Teller depicts Andrew as miserably living on auto-pilot when he tries to move on from jazz.
Movie doesn't agree with Teller (or Andrew tbh), but it really sells how & why someone gets so passionate about something to an unattractive degree.
Movie doesn't agree with Teller (or Andrew tbh), but it really sells how & why someone gets so passionate about something to an unattractive degree.
I get why Christie decided to write Hastings off though. He's very much a Watson & she likely felt it got in the way of making Poirot not just Belgian Holmes.
eg The Chocolate Box in Poirot's Early Cases has almost the exact same "If I ever get too big a head..." bit as Adventure of the Yellow Face
eg The Chocolate Box in Poirot's Early Cases has almost the exact same "If I ever get too big a head..." bit as Adventure of the Yellow Face
Watching the David Suchet Poirots. I often forget that Hastings is only in fewer than a third of the actual Poirot books. The same with Japp.
Even if you only read the books, depending on where you start, some will inexplicably feel like there's a Hastings-shaped hole.
Even if you only read the books, depending on where you start, some will inexplicably feel like there's a Hastings-shaped hole.
February 3, 2026 at 5:54 PM
I get why Christie decided to write Hastings off though. He's very much a Watson & she likely felt it got in the way of making Poirot not just Belgian Holmes.
eg The Chocolate Box in Poirot's Early Cases has almost the exact same "If I ever get too big a head..." bit as Adventure of the Yellow Face
eg The Chocolate Box in Poirot's Early Cases has almost the exact same "If I ever get too big a head..." bit as Adventure of the Yellow Face