Accounted For (Patreon)

On the one hand, I'm sorry to see The President's Analyst—a film I loved the one time I watched it, ages ago—get clobbered for a second time. On the other hand, it's always a pleasure to see someone's long-held request finally win voters over. Missing has come and gone several times, occasionally being replaced but always eventually returning, and now finally, unexpectedly triumphs in its 41st week. Appears to be streaming on Peacock at the moment (with ads if you don't pay for their premium deal).

I'm doubly glad that an old-timer won the poll proper given that this month's random drawing saw two comparative youngsters hit the top. (Since I've gained a bunch of newcomers recently, I should perhaps explain: In order to ensure that less popular requests still stand a chance of getting watched/reviewed, I also pick two random titles each month—the top two in a randomized list of all outstanding requests, with each film getting one entry for each week it's been in the poll. That's what you see part of above.) Prince of Darkness (also on Peacock) I haven't seen since its original theatrical release; pretty sure I hated it then, but I didn't really know who Carpenter was yet. I distinctly remember mailing a letter to a friend at college—no email yet for most of the population!—in which I listed various things I'd learned from watching the film, one of which was "A human being can be impaled upon a bicycle, if absolutely necessary." That and someone idiotically looking up at some ceiling goo (?) with an open mouth is all I remember. Before Sunset (which I own on Blu-ray; it's also on HBO Max) I saw twice in 2004 and pretty much adored but never wrote anything about. Until soon! 

It's been one hell of a year, almost literally, and I can't imagine anyone not looking forward to it being over. My profound thanks to all of you—from those who've been here since day one to those who signed up in the past week in order to find out what I thought of Tenet—for your life- and sanity-sustaining support. Let's hope brighter days are ahead.