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
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER: The kids are alright.
Great movie. Thought the opening was a bit messy, understand its thematic importance but didn’t fully thread the needle for me. Once Infiniti (a revelation) shows up, though, it’s dynamite. Absolutely love the dialogue and how it’s shot.
Great movie. Thought the opening was a bit messy, understand its thematic importance but didn’t fully thread the needle for me. Once Infiniti (a revelation) shows up, though, it’s dynamite. Absolutely love the dialogue and how it’s shot.
November 15, 2025 at 3:53 AM
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER: The kids are alright.
Great movie. Thought the opening was a bit messy, understand its thematic importance but didn’t fully thread the needle for me. Once Infiniti (a revelation) shows up, though, it’s dynamite. Absolutely love the dialogue and how it’s shot.
Great movie. Thought the opening was a bit messy, understand its thematic importance but didn’t fully thread the needle for me. Once Infiniti (a revelation) shows up, though, it’s dynamite. Absolutely love the dialogue and how it’s shot.
Not making the mistake of getting my hopes up for an announced Star Trek movie actually materializing. Fool me four times…
November 14, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Not making the mistake of getting my hopes up for an announced Star Trek movie actually materializing. Fool me four times…
Should all go according to plan, I’ll be watching ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER tonight. Excited, and honestly glad to be watching now that most of the hype and discourse has died down.
November 14, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Should all go according to plan, I’ll be watching ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER tonight. Excited, and honestly glad to be watching now that most of the hype and discourse has died down.
I’m beyond exhausted by the way most people talk about movies these days. Critics, journos, bloggers, folks on letterboxd and here. It’s all just a rush to have a take, pick a side, join a team. It’s a shitty way to experience art. Influencer culture is everywhere.
November 14, 2025 at 3:27 AM
I’m beyond exhausted by the way most people talk about movies these days. Critics, journos, bloggers, folks on letterboxd and here. It’s all just a rush to have a take, pick a side, join a team. It’s a shitty way to experience art. Influencer culture is everywhere.
If Jacob Elordi isn’t a creature made from the reassembled remains of dead soldiers in that WUTHERING HEIGHTS movie then I’m probably going to skip it. Sorry, Margot.
November 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
If Jacob Elordi isn’t a creature made from the reassembled remains of dead soldiers in that WUTHERING HEIGHTS movie then I’m probably going to skip it. Sorry, Margot.
Rolled credits on OUTER WORLDS 2. Awesome game. Already plotting my next playthrough in which I’ll be going for psychopathic sarcastic weirdo who hits everything.
November 14, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Rolled credits on OUTER WORLDS 2. Awesome game. Already plotting my next playthrough in which I’ll be going for psychopathic sarcastic weirdo who hits everything.
POKER FACE news is very confusing. I like the idea of a new Charlie every couple seasons but I can’t tell if this was planned or not. And was it cancelled or renewed or both??
November 13, 2025 at 6:27 PM
POKER FACE news is very confusing. I like the idea of a new Charlie every couple seasons but I can’t tell if this was planned or not. And was it cancelled or renewed or both??
Started the new season of THE WITCHER. Hemsworth the Younger is doing a good job as the replacement. The Geralt and Ciri bits are still compelling and exciting but, as has been the case since S2, the court intrigue scenes are boring and nonsensical.
November 13, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Started the new season of THE WITCHER. Hemsworth the Younger is doing a good job as the replacement. The Geralt and Ciri bits are still compelling and exciting but, as has been the case since S2, the court intrigue scenes are boring and nonsensical.
“How is buying breakfast for you not nice?”
“Tim, it’s systemic racism.”
“Tim, it’s systemic racism.”
November 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
“How is buying breakfast for you not nice?”
“Tim, it’s systemic racism.”
“Tim, it’s systemic racism.”
The new Steam Machine and Steam controller looks cool as hell. This might be the PC gaming solution I’ve been waiting for.
November 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The new Steam Machine and Steam controller looks cool as hell. This might be the PC gaming solution I’ve been waiting for.
I’m mad I didn’t think of this
November 12, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I’m mad I didn’t think of this
I have trouble swallowing pills so whenever someone tosses a couple horse pills in their mouth and swallows them without water in a movie I can’t help but gag a little.
November 12, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I have trouble swallowing pills so whenever someone tosses a couple horse pills in their mouth and swallows them without water in a movie I can’t help but gag a little.
Reposted by Sam Van Haren
The #MakeMeWatchIt duo are joined by the inimitable @odstspartan.bsky.social of @a4epodcast.bsky.social to hunt monsters as we talk @realgdt.bsky.social's #Frankenstein and go full spoilers on #PredatorBadlands. Hope you like nerd shit, because we're loaded for bear.
open.spotify.com/episode/4ymV...
open.spotify.com/episode/4ymV...
Episode 55: "Android Backpack" - Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein / Predator: Badlands
open.spotify.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The #MakeMeWatchIt duo are joined by the inimitable @odstspartan.bsky.social of @a4epodcast.bsky.social to hunt monsters as we talk @realgdt.bsky.social's #Frankenstein and go full spoilers on #PredatorBadlands. Hope you like nerd shit, because we're loaded for bear.
open.spotify.com/episode/4ymV...
open.spotify.com/episode/4ymV...
Y’all are going to make me mute “Bond” at this rate.
November 11, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Y’all are going to make me mute “Bond” at this rate.
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!