Ryan Zhao

One of my dreams is to start a Beatles cover band that appends the Hey Jude outro to every song performed.

Before clicking to full-size the image: "is that Kyle McLaughlin?!"

The Legend of Hei II (#3 on this list) is an incredible animated film. It's in my personal top five of last year. Tricky to recommend because it doesn't seem to be easy to stream or even purchase, but if you get the chance, it's very good. The action, the worldbuilding, the quiet moments...

Bang-On Balls: Chronicles🟩
So much attention to the design of its lavish open worlds, dense with visual jokes and references, but the gameplay encourages players to barrel through it. Such intentionality in service of chaotic gameplay; the feeling of sloppy play (complimentary). Fascinating, fun! ⚽

Chess of the Wind, Louie Bluie, A Town Called Panic: Back to School Panic!, Chimes at Midnight
#LastFourWatched

Though it would be very interesting if Safdie was an upset. But I'd rather see him win with his brother.

A few indie darlings muscled out. One nom for If I Had Legs. None for Sorry, Baby or Die My Love. Crowded categories where they'd best apply, so I get it.

International Feature will be a highly competitive award this year. Love it.

Director will be between PTA and Coogler; both are deserving.

Nominations are out. Quick reactions.

F1 on the best picture list is surprising. Feels like an outlier.

Surprising to see No Other Choice and Wake Up Dead Man get zero noms.

I don't think it's a *great* animated feature, but I expected a nom for Ne Zha 2 in animated for sheer scale. Over Elio.

Searched for plain white backgrounds and this result made me laugh.

What a thrill

Bloodborne will get a Switch 2 patch before a PS5 patch.

Not only invoking the title, but also the plot of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (they were delivery drivers as well). I'm interested to see where this goes.

Frogun Encore🟩
I didn't quite vibe with the first Frogun, but this sequel is a marked improvement. Feels better, more streamlined design, and the new camera angle helps. Still, not *quite* where I'd want it to be. Some annoyances with controls, and the timing of a few challenges feels punishing.

I'm just going to say that it's strange that *so many* of the films that Orson Welles directed and acted in made either major or minor plot points of remarking on his character's weight.

Being a cop in the 1970s must have been so easy. Call in Columbo and just go ahead and arrest the second person he talks to. I'm a proponent of due process and proper procedure for evidence-gathering, but, come on -- it's a technique that doesn't miss.

The funny thing is -- Mr. Bean has a number of very distinctive facial expressions and this sassy "did I do that?" open mouth camera-take is definitely NOT one of them.

It was modeled on the image below, but his expression there is more self-amused; hardly a definitive Bean expression, itself.

Forgot to name Raul Julia, but you know him. He's just that SPECIFIC.

Went to a British-style pub in Tampa with a mural of England celebrities on the back wall. Amused by this Mr. Bean portrait which, strangely, looks more like Nathan Fielder.

Throwing into the mix Edward G. Robinson, Peter Lorre, Steve Buscemi...

Maybe I'm just a bug-eyes guy?

Extremely open-ended question. Who is the most *specific*-looking person? Not necessarily *good*-looking or *bad*-looking. Just extremely specific?

What is that on the horizon? Concerns? Hand me my spyglass.

If you tell me that was the primary animating force of the Bonnie & Clyde / Easy Rider revolution, I'd believe you.

Was there a specific year in which movies ceased opening with extremely loud blasts of brass-heavy orchestra? Because it seems that every movie I watch before a certain point in time blows my eardrums out immediately, and I can't quite pin down when that turning point was.

Despite his best efforts, classically-trained actor Jared B. Fogle wasn't so lucky.

Had to go out back to grab the shovel from the shed tonight.
God it's fucking cold. I hate the winter...

Graphic novel cover Ribs Woman by Junji Ito, featuring two young people in front of a large skeleton, drawn in black-and-white.

@pftompkins.bsky.social @scottaukerman.bsky.social @cbbworld.bsky.social SHE’S RIBS!!

Don’t look at me like that. I can’t be the *only* one in this bubble tea shop watching Au hasard Balthazar on my iPad.

Top ten favorite films I saw for the first time in 2025, regardless of their year of release:

1. Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
2. The Fall
3. In the Heat of the Night
4. Monster (2023)
5. Smooth Talk
6. Anatomy of a Murder
7. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
8. Mars Express
9. Sinners
10. Mother (2009)