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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 10h

1915 E3 of The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever is live! @jeremymathews.bsky.social selects a couple National Film Registry entries, another acclaimed American drama, a short comedy, and a Russian "horror..." all of which include some kind of double-exposed "specter!" Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

On I SAW THE TV GLOW, Jane Schoenbrun’s best movie

Its depiction of the fraught experience of being an outsider finding common cause with another on the basis of a niche, and in one case, “forbidden” interest is certainly relevant to me. But I SAW THE TV GLOW also has the very clear connection to the discovery of a trans identity in a young person. Schoenbrun portrays these concerns with an ominous tone, demonstrating the tainting of their innocent and natural discovery as a function of oppressive forces, whether they are at home, school, or work. And yet, they still inject surreal moments, sometimes explicitly comedic and other times so uncanny that they elicited a chuckle out of me from discomfort. I SAW THE TV GLOW is an incredible achievement for a still-flourishing filmmaker, standing as Schoenbrun’s most cohesive and affecting film.

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Reposted by Tristan Ettleman

Tanya Goldman @tanyagoldman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Happy Silent Movie Day! Need recs? Look no further than @ettletodd.bsky.social's "The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever" podcast. He's compiled a list (currently through 1914) based on guests and listeners' picks. ⬇️ www.the5bestfilmsofeveryyearever.com/list

the5bestfilmsofeveryyearever.com

The List — The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I was finally able to catch TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA and had been preparing to do so by watching Jane Schoenbrun's previous films (most of which I had not already seen). And so I've written about their movies here. trettleman.medium.com/the-jane-sch...

trettleman.medium.com

The Jane Schoenbrun Movies Ranked

Upon its wide release in 2022, WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR got a lot of buzz that put Jane Schoenbrun on my radar. I caught up with…

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Here is an excerpt from my conversation with K.M. Soehnlein about CONFESSIONS II for the season finale of The Complete Catalog: Madonna. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It's here: Madonna E18, season finale, of The Complete Catalog! CONFESSIONS II is still pretty fresh, but author K.M. Soehnlein and I attempt to unpack the darkly beautiful club experience that is this surprising sequel and anticipate its legacy as a late-career success. Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Here is an excerpt from my conversation with Anthony Slide about THE BATTLE CRY FOR PEACE for The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever: 1915. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

1915 E2 of The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever is live! Prolific film historian, author, and archivist Anthony Slide personally knew some of the people that acted in his selections from 111 years ago. It was a pleasure getting his secondhand and historical insight! Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

On NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE, Matt Johnson’s best film

The ambitious emulation of ’80s adventure movies, and a certain time travel one especially, comes with the kind of touching heart that accompanied them as well. A few “set pieces,” knowing they were created in Johnson’s bizarre half-staged/half-guerilla filmmaking style, such as the 2008 sequence, are genuinely jaw-dropping. And in centering 2008 (which was the middle of the run of the web series), NTBTSTM becomes such a great encapsulation of nostalgia bait and resisting it. NTBTSTM is an incredible culmination of Johnson and McCarrol’s strange journey to play at the relatively modest Toronto nightclub that is the object of their obsession, The Rivoli, and it could stay that way. But I also wouldn’t mind if the boys came back every seven-ish years to once again prove why NTB is so special. In the meantime, and ahead of what looks like a step into bigger budget filmmaking for Johnson, NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE is his best film yet.

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

It took me so long to see TONY that Matt Johnson released his third directorial work of 2026 earlier this month, Stavros Halkias' special UNCLE STAV. I have been in Matt-Johnson-Land for months now and I love it. I've written about his films. trettleman.medium.com/the-matt-joh...

trettleman.medium.com

The Matt Johnson Movies Ranked

I enjoyed Matt Johnson’s BLACKBERRY upon release, improbably moving past its seemingly boring subject matter about the making of the…

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with Abdi Nazemian about MADAME X for The Complete Catalog: Madonna. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Madonna E17 of The Complete Catalog is live! The penultimate episode! It's a great and wide-ranging one as I discuss MADAME X with author, screenwriter, and producer Abdi Nazemian. We think it's underrated! Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my brief season intro for The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever: 1915. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

1915 E1 of The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever is live! As one of the season's guests will put it, there's a white-hooded elephant in the room while talking about this year. And although only one guest officially selects it, THE BIRTH OF A NATION's shadow looms over all the conversations. Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

On GOLD ALBUM, Weezer’s latest

As mentioned, the SZNZ “EPs” suddenly became “albums” in Weezer-land as part of the promotion of WEEZER (GOLD ALBUM) to make it their 20th. And as also mentioned, I see it as their 21st anyways (and I’ll mention why just one more time for good measure). Regardless of this minutae, which I kind of make a preoccupation in my life, the record is good! Perhaps my highest praise can be found in my comparison of it to certain elements of MALADROIT’s sound. There’s a rockiness that’s of a kind with that cult classic, but even Cuomo’s voice, 20 years later, takes on a reedier quality that hearkens back to that record. Regardless of comparison, a number of tracks are immediately catchy, like “Don’t Make It Weird” and indeed essentially the whole first half of the album. GOLD ALBUM falters a bit in the second, but overall, it’s a rousing confection, albeit with a decent edge both lyrically and instrumentally, that cements Weezer’s ability to be fresh and enjoyable over 30 years into their career.

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Weezer released their 20th album (21st by my count, though) a few weeks ago. I added my thoughts on GOLD ALBUM to my piece on their discography. trettleman.medium.com/the-weezer-d...

trettleman.medium.com

The Weezer Albums Ranked

Weezer is my favorite band. Why yes, I was an angsty white nerdy teen, how did you guess!?! Regardless of the popular and/or not-so-kind…

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Reposted by Tristan Ettleman

Brian Darr @hellonfriscobay.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Wrapping up, for now, my writing about the films of 1914, tied to my guest spot on @ettletodd.bsky.social’s year-by-year cinematic history podcast. Excited to be in the listener’s chair for his 1915 episodes, which should start dropping soon… boxd.it/gilwH9

boxd.it

A review of Fantômas: The False Magistrate (1914)

This post will finally close out discussion of one of my summer 2026 highlights: discussing five of my favorite films from the year 1914 with Tristan Ettleman on one of his The 5 Best Films of Every Y...

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with JT_Lizzard about REBEL HEART for The Complete Catalog: Madonna. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Madonna E16 of The Complete Catalog is live! Friend of the show JT_Lizzard joins me to talk REBEL HEART, an album we have mixed feelings about. She ends up higher than me on it, but in spite of its bleak reputation, there are pleasures to be found! Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my season finale for The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever: 1914. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

1914 E7 of The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever is live! I set up this season kind of promising the ubiquity of World War I, but even though it was at least mentioned in every episode, it didn't dominate the discussions. Still, disruption, evolution, and modernity were common themes! Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

The sun pug struggles to keep his eyes open while surveying his domain atop the pillow pile

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

On PAPA’S BOAT, Dana and Alden’s new and nearly best album

PAPA’S BOAT comes after the biggest gap between Dana and Alden’s albums at about 14 months, which indicates their incredibly prolific release cadence in the few short years they’ve been active. It also indicates their incredible range expressed within that time, as the album plays even more explicitly with rock, pop, and Brazilian music influences than the previous and similarly experimental/cross-genre SPEEDO. There are still hints of the tone of something like COYOTE, YOU’RE MY STAR on my favorite track, “Napa 86,” but the amount of featured vocalists on this record represents the group’s diversification. PAPA’S BOAT is a rousing listen, driving forward with an eclectic energy that nearly makes it Dana and Alden’s most impressive work yet.

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Last month, these young jazz guys Dana and Alden released their new album PAPA'S BOAT. I added my thoughts on it to my piece on their small but rapidly growing discography. trettleman.medium.com/the-dana-and...

trettleman.medium.com

The Dana and Alden Albums Ranked

I became aware of the jazz duo/group Dana and Alden through Alden’s quite popular TikTok account gucci_pineapple. His surreal yet seemingly…

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Indeed it is til tomorrow morning! Vote at www.the5bestfilmsofeveryyearever.com/list or just reply here with your top five films of 1914 to be counted in the overall list, Chaplin or no Chaplin!

the5bestfilmsofeveryyearever.com

The List — The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with Michael Dango about MDNA for The Complete Catalog: Madonna. Links in quoted post!

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Reposted by Tristan Ettleman

Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever: 1914 ends next week! Submit your top five for the year at www.the5bestfilmsofeveryyearever.com/list or reply here by Monday 9/7 to be included in the overall list calculation. Please share around, we’ve been getting more and more submissions!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Madonna E15 of The Complete Catalog is live! @michaeldango.bsky.social and I talk MDNA, an album with its share of problems but also bangers! Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with Bret Wood about BILL JOINS THE W.W.W.’S for The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever: 1914. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

1914 E6 of The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever is live! Filmmaker, author, and Kino Lorber's Bret Wood ranges from epic drama to short comedy to paint a picture of American film of the year. Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

On PETAL, Ariana Grande’s latest album

It’s too much of a cliche to say PETAL is a “mature” record, especially since many have proclaimed it and, like, the past four Grande records as such. But there is a self-assuredness lyrically, and most importantly to me, musically and in a production sense that is really impressive. Perhaps that is because of the reined-in nature of its making, with Grande and Ilya co-writing and -producing the bulk of the songs solely by themselves (and still serving in those roles on the others). PETAL’s best tracks, like “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” thrum with a cool groove and catchiness that Grande hasn’t been able to re-capture in over half a decade. But the album isn’t just a repeat THANK U, NEXT, even as its slinky vibe recalls that bombshell release. PETAL is introspective and fun, a cohesive artistic statement that never settles into a malaise in spite of its recurring aesthetic threads.

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with Sydney Urbanek about HARD CANDY for The Complete Catalog: Madonna. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Madonna E14 of The Complete Catalog is live! Music writer Sydney Urbanek joins me to talk HARD CANDY, an album with an iffy reputation that we still on the whole quite like! Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with Beja Margitházi about THE UNDESIRABLE for The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever: 1914. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

1914 E5 of The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever is live! Professor Beja Margitházi's picks start in Canada and move east from there, hopping between genres and ending on an early directorial effort for Michael Curtiz and a representation of the cinema of her native Hungary. Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Man, Tim Curry too!? Two legends gone in as many days. His body of work is amazing but I can’t believe the first things coming to mind are LEGEND and the way he delivers “sppppaaaaace!” in the FMV sequence of RED ALERT 3. Comfort performer.

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

On REALITY AWAITS, The Strokes’ latest and “worst” album

So to be clear, even at last place, I enjoy REALITY AWAITS. Receiving some negative attention for its continued reliance on electronic sounds and autotune for Casablancas’ voice, the album is nevertheless a moody and atmospheric experience in my view. Granted, its highest highs are not exactly rousing or deeply moving and its lowest lows simply bring the album into a place of relative malaise. But even as The Strokes’ “worst” album, REALITY AWAITS stands out amid contemporary rock/pop as a work of compelling composition and thoughtfulness.

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dolly Parton. I did a deep dive of her albums a few years ago (and there are a lot) and it was such a pleasure. Insane body of work to enjoy forever.

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

It came out a month ago, but hey, want to know my thoughts on The Strokes' latest album, REALITY AWAITS? I added them to my piece on the band's discography. trettleman.medium.com/the-strokes-...

trettleman.medium.com

The Strokes Albums Ranked

Heralded as the prodigal sons of the 1970s’ down-and-dirty rock music revival upon their debut in 2001, The Strokes have since taken a…

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with @ptklein.com about CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR for The Complete Catalog: Madonna. Links in quoted post!

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Madonna E13 of The Complete Catalog is live! Some people call CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR Madonna's last great album (although II has seemed to disrupt some of those opinions). @ptklein.com and I don't exactly settle on that conclusion, but we do revel in the exhilarating, sweaty club feel! Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Here is an excerpt from my conversation with @hellonfriscobay.bsky.social about THE MASQUERADER for The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever: 1914. Links in quoted post!

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Reposted by Tristan Ettleman

Alan Zilberman @alanzilberman.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

There should be a name for the concept when you encounter a take so bad that you feel it *demands* a reply, but the magnitude of its awfulness also cautions you not to bother.

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

1914 E4 of The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever is live! Each of the picks from @hellonfriscobay.bsky.social comes from a different country and most of them operate in quite different narrative modes. Great conversation! Links 👇

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

On THE INVITE, Olivia Wilde’s latest and best movie as director

My nerves were on fire the entire time I watched THE INVITE and that’s a great thing. Seth Rogen’s character is such a dickhead but the film’s greatest strength is slyly teasing out the sources of the neuroticism of both his and Olivia Wilde’s characters before we get the big revelatory monologue(s). And more impressively, the same goes for Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, who have more depth than the “enlightened neighbors” characterization may have led to. The performances are great, with Olivia Wilde pulling out some of the most incredible faces I’ve seen in a minute. The apartment is tastefully set dressed, making it feel truly lived-in, and the cinematography (shot on film I believe) and lighting contribute to that vibe, operating as essentially a stage play (which THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS itself was based on). THE INVITE toes the line of deep discomfort, laugh-out-loud comedy, and final, stirring emotional appeal so well, making it a great resurgence for Wilde’s directorial career and her best work yet.

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Just saw my first gray hair(s). Cool

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I finally caught Olivia Wilde's latest film as director, THE INVITE. I added my thoughts on it to my piece on her work in that role. trettleman.medium.com/the-olivia-w...

trettleman.medium.com

The Olivia Wilde Movies Ranked

Olivia Wilde, a buzzy director on the heels/in the midst of a well-known acting career turned controversial tabloid figure, has made three…

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Tristan Ettleman @ettletodd.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with Giulio Mazzoleni about AMERICAN LIFE for The Complete Catalog: Madonna. Links in quoted post!

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