Sam Van Haren
@samshotfirst.bsky.social
Associate Editor @talkfilmsociety.com Host of Keanu Believe It podcast, featured on various others. Talks too much about movies, cartoons, and Keanu. ♿️ he/him
Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/8EtJ
Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/8EtJ
Pinned
Sam Van Haren
@samshotfirst.bsky.social
· Dec 31
My Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2024:
Dune: Part Two
The Substance
Rebel Ridge
The Wild Robot
Furiosa
Hometown Prison
A Different Man
Challengers
A Quiet Place: Day One
Love Lies Bleeding
Dune: Part Two
The Substance
Rebel Ridge
The Wild Robot
Furiosa
Hometown Prison
A Different Man
Challengers
A Quiet Place: Day One
Love Lies Bleeding
Reposted by Sam Van Haren
Update: He was fired illegally and now we officially have zero income. The phones will be shut off soon and we're both expecting calls from potential jobs over the next couple weeks. I need to make $300 by the end of the week to keep them on. If you can help in any way it is needed. Thank you.
my dad suffered a freak accident 2 nights ago when a butane torch lighter exploded in his hand, giving him third-degree burns. he had a skin graft today and is going to be out of work for weeks. any help is appreciated
vm SiobhanIrv
$JunkBlader
PayPal.me/junkblader
vm SiobhanIrv
$JunkBlader
PayPal.me/junkblader
November 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Update: He was fired illegally and now we officially have zero income. The phones will be shut off soon and we're both expecting calls from potential jobs over the next couple weeks. I need to make $300 by the end of the week to keep them on. If you can help in any way it is needed. Thank you.
Why are we taking a Radar Online article about the dev of the new Bond with zero direct quotes from the actual writers at face value?
November 11, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Why are we taking a Radar Online article about the dev of the new Bond with zero direct quotes from the actual writers at face value?
DEATH BY LIGHTNING is exceptional. Love the way it takes a mostly forgotten period and gives it a slight satirical edge to hammer home that we’re dealing with the same damn issues a century and a half later. Everyone is great in it, but I was especially taken by Nick Offerman.
November 11, 2025 at 3:31 AM
DEATH BY LIGHTNING is exceptional. Love the way it takes a mostly forgotten period and gives it a slight satirical edge to hammer home that we’re dealing with the same damn issues a century and a half later. Everyone is great in it, but I was especially taken by Nick Offerman.
If you stay in the Nazi bar to tell the Nazis they suck, you’re still hanging out in a Nazi bar.
November 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
If you stay in the Nazi bar to tell the Nazis they suck, you’re still hanging out in a Nazi bar.
I’ve been loving THE OUTER WORLDS 2! The moment to moment gameplay is much improved over the first (which I already enjoyed), the flaw system is super interesting and cool, and the companions’ stories are varied and nuanced.
November 10, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I’ve been loving THE OUTER WORLDS 2! The moment to moment gameplay is much improved over the first (which I already enjoyed), the flaw system is super interesting and cool, and the companions’ stories are varied and nuanced.
If your whodunnit pilot doesn’t get me to watch through to at least the end of the first season, you well and truly fucked up.
November 10, 2025 at 3:51 AM
If your whodunnit pilot doesn’t get me to watch through to at least the end of the first season, you well and truly fucked up.
I don’t disagree with most of the harsh criticisms leveled at WELCOME TO DERRY. Tone is all over the place and trying to explain/quantify Pennywise is real dumb. But I’m still enjoying it as a gonzo showcase of horror imagery.
November 10, 2025 at 3:18 AM
I don’t disagree with most of the harsh criticisms leveled at WELCOME TO DERRY. Tone is all over the place and trying to explain/quantify Pennywise is real dumb. But I’m still enjoying it as a gonzo showcase of horror imagery.
New glasses came. The usual adjustment weirdness aside, already noticing a huge improvement. So that’s how 4K is supposed to look.
November 10, 2025 at 1:09 AM
New glasses came. The usual adjustment weirdness aside, already noticing a huge improvement. So that’s how 4K is supposed to look.
PLURIBUS pilot is excellent. Smart, creepy, and funny. Hooks are fully in and I can’t wait to see where Gilligan and co. are taking us.
November 9, 2025 at 1:34 AM
PLURIBUS pilot is excellent. Smart, creepy, and funny. Hooks are fully in and I can’t wait to see where Gilligan and co. are taking us.
The most parasocial I get is getting the warm and fuzzies when I see another artist I admire in the “the director wishes to thank” section of the credits.
November 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The most parasocial I get is getting the warm and fuzzies when I see another artist I admire in the “the director wishes to thank” section of the credits.
It occurred to me while laying in bed that in some scenes Oscar Isaac is doing a riff on his Apocalypse performance as Victor. But with a great script and genius director it, you know, works!
November 8, 2025 at 5:59 PM
It occurred to me while laying in bed that in some scenes Oscar Isaac is doing a riff on his Apocalypse performance as Victor. But with a great script and genius director it, you know, works!
I’m glad I hadn’t seen Elordi in anything prior to FRANKENSTEIN. It allowed me to just fully accept his Creature as he was. Similar to the impact seeing Doug Jones as Abe Sapien at 13 had on me. Transformative.
November 8, 2025 at 4:12 AM
I’m glad I hadn’t seen Elordi in anything prior to FRANKENSTEIN. It allowed me to just fully accept his Creature as he was. Similar to the impact seeing Doug Jones as Abe Sapien at 13 had on me. Transformative.
Simply put, FRANKENSTEIN is wondrous. Shelley’s timeless classic channeled with meticulous care through Del Toro’s heart and soul. Isaac is a twisted joy, but Elordi really is as brilliant as everyone is saying - a beautifully heartbreaking turn. More than worth the wait.
November 8, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Simply put, FRANKENSTEIN is wondrous. Shelley’s timeless classic channeled with meticulous care through Del Toro’s heart and soul. Isaac is a twisted joy, but Elordi really is as brilliant as everyone is saying - a beautifully heartbreaking turn. More than worth the wait.
Everyone shut up I’m about to watch FRANKENSTEIN.
November 8, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Everyone shut up I’m about to watch FRANKENSTEIN.
Not going to lie, the fact that I get to watch FRANKENSTEIN tomorrow without all the prep required (it’s substantial) for me to get to a theater… well, it rules frankly.
November 7, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Not going to lie, the fact that I get to watch FRANKENSTEIN tomorrow without all the prep required (it’s substantial) for me to get to a theater… well, it rules frankly.
First half of DEATH BY LIGHTNING is fantastic. Wonderful performances, and the writing is sharp and funny.
November 7, 2025 at 2:23 AM
First half of DEATH BY LIGHTNING is fantastic. Wonderful performances, and the writing is sharp and funny.
Joe Dante is still alive and he’s not directing the new Gremlins? Does not compute.
We don’t need a new Gremlins but if you’re going to do it, do it right.
We don’t need a new Gremlins but if you’re going to do it, do it right.
November 6, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Joe Dante is still alive and he’s not directing the new Gremlins? Does not compute.
We don’t need a new Gremlins but if you’re going to do it, do it right.
We don’t need a new Gremlins but if you’re going to do it, do it right.
“There’s nothing sadder than a white man who cares.”
THE LOWDOWN is the show of the year. A vital work of fiction with heart and distinct personality. Sterlin Harjo is a genius and Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon is instantly an all time TV character.
THE LOWDOWN is the show of the year. A vital work of fiction with heart and distinct personality. Sterlin Harjo is a genius and Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon is instantly an all time TV character.
November 6, 2025 at 2:15 AM
“There’s nothing sadder than a white man who cares.”
THE LOWDOWN is the show of the year. A vital work of fiction with heart and distinct personality. Sterlin Harjo is a genius and Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon is instantly an all time TV character.
THE LOWDOWN is the show of the year. A vital work of fiction with heart and distinct personality. Sterlin Harjo is a genius and Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon is instantly an all time TV character.
Still laughing about that person who got pissed at me on the other site for calling THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE trash. I was using trash in complimentary terms. That movies undeniable trash in most of the best ways.
November 6, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Still laughing about that person who got pissed at me on the other site for calling THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE trash. I was using trash in complimentary terms. That movies undeniable trash in most of the best ways.
Nearing the end of my first read of FRANKENSTEIN. In some ways it’s obvious this was written by a teenager but it adds to its power. There’s no pretension in her questions of who we are and why we’re here.
November 5, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Nearing the end of my first read of FRANKENSTEIN. In some ways it’s obvious this was written by a teenager but it adds to its power. There’s no pretension in her questions of who we are and why we’re here.
I’m older than the mayor of NYC and I feel weird about it. Regardless, fuck yeah Zohran!
November 5, 2025 at 4:32 AM
I’m older than the mayor of NYC and I feel weird about it. Regardless, fuck yeah Zohran!
The credits of BLACK PHONE 2 end with “This movie is not to be used to train AI”. I see you and appreciate you @crobertcargill.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 3:48 AM
The credits of BLACK PHONE 2 end with “This movie is not to be used to train AI”. I see you and appreciate you @crobertcargill.bsky.social
A super solid sequel that takes risks and pushes the lore to some unexpected places. The last act is some primo dream horror madness. Editing and performances help it rise above its pacing issues and some story shakiness.
Now watching BLACK PHONE 2
November 5, 2025 at 3:28 AM
A super solid sequel that takes risks and pushes the lore to some unexpected places. The last act is some primo dream horror madness. Editing and performances help it rise above its pacing issues and some story shakiness.
Now watching BLACK PHONE 2
November 5, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Now watching BLACK PHONE 2
Movies allow for anything and nothing matters so cast Samara Weaving as their kid.
New Fraser/Weisz Mummy movie is exactly what I needed to hear. And the supernatural bent in ABIGAIL helped make it my fave Radio Silence’s movie. So that’s a great pick imo.
November 5, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Movies allow for anything and nothing matters so cast Samara Weaving as their kid.