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
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I love how day for night scenes are not just incredibly well accomplished in the Benoit Blanc movies, but have become one of the signatures tying the films together.
December 13, 2025 at 5:10 AM
I love how day for night scenes are not just incredibly well accomplished in the Benoit Blanc movies, but have become one of the signatures tying the films together.
Rian Johnson has now used Star Wars and the whodunnit to tell stories about grappling with faith, reckoning with the past, and the ways dogma can twist good intentions into ruinous hate.
December 13, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Rian Johnson has now used Star Wars and the whodunnit to tell stories about grappling with faith, reckoning with the past, and the ways dogma can twist good intentions into ruinous hate.
Between CHALLENGERS and WAKE UP DEAD MAN, Josh O’Connor is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Dude has it.
December 13, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Between CHALLENGERS and WAKE UP DEAD MAN, Josh O’Connor is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Dude has it.
WAKE UP DEAD MAN:
Man of science, man of faith.
Johnson’s best directed Blanc mystery is also the most grounded, empathetic, and moving story featuring the sleuth yet - while still being a funny and twisty ride. Cast is strong down the line but Josh O’Connor is especially terrific.
Man of science, man of faith.
Johnson’s best directed Blanc mystery is also the most grounded, empathetic, and moving story featuring the sleuth yet - while still being a funny and twisty ride. Cast is strong down the line but Josh O’Connor is especially terrific.
December 13, 2025 at 4:08 AM
WAKE UP DEAD MAN:
Man of science, man of faith.
Johnson’s best directed Blanc mystery is also the most grounded, empathetic, and moving story featuring the sleuth yet - while still being a funny and twisty ride. Cast is strong down the line but Josh O’Connor is especially terrific.
Man of science, man of faith.
Johnson’s best directed Blanc mystery is also the most grounded, empathetic, and moving story featuring the sleuth yet - while still being a funny and twisty ride. Cast is strong down the line but Josh O’Connor is especially terrific.
I’m gonna find out whodunnit with my boy Benoit
December 13, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I’m gonna find out whodunnit with my boy Benoit
Turns out that those celebrities who are famously creeps are in fact creeps
December 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Turns out that those celebrities who are famously creeps are in fact creeps
Happy new Rian Johnson movie to all those who celebrate.
December 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Happy new Rian Johnson movie to all those who celebrate.
Remedy is my favorite game studio and it’s not close. Not only do they consistently impress with bold gameplay and phenomenal storytelling, but they are undeniable champions of accessibility. CONTROL RESONANT will be mine.
December 12, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Remedy is my favorite game studio and it’s not close. Not only do they consistently impress with bold gameplay and phenomenal storytelling, but they are undeniable champions of accessibility. CONTROL RESONANT will be mine.
Christopher Lee as Saruman is one of the greatest things in the history of the form.
a statue of a man standing in front of a mountain with a river in the background .
Alt: Christopher Lee as Saruman on top of Orthanc Tower in FELOWSHIP
media.tenor.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Christopher Lee as Saruman is one of the greatest things in the history of the form.
Casey Hudson directing a new Old Republic game is so much better than a remake. LFG!!!!
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Teaser Trailer
YouTube video by Star Wars
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Casey Hudson directing a new Old Republic game is so much better than a remake. LFG!!!!
As good a time as any to start my first LORD OF THE RINGS rewatch in three years. Going with my relatively new approach of splitting them in half and making a week out of it.
a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small thing
Alt: Boromir holds the One Ring on a chain. Says “It’s a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small thing”
media.tenor.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:56 AM
As good a time as any to start my first LORD OF THE RINGS rewatch in three years. Going with my relatively new approach of splitting them in half and making a week out of it.
The Game (Ad/Trailer Show With Some) Awards are starting soon.
December 11, 2025 at 11:52 PM
The Game (Ad/Trailer Show With Some) Awards are starting soon.
What actor's facial expression in a movie will stay with you for the rest of your life?
December 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
What actor's facial expression in a movie will stay with you for the rest of your life?
Craig Gillespie has one of the weirdest filmographies around.
December 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Craig Gillespie has one of the weirdest filmographies around.
Heck yeah, SUPERGIRL looks rad. Sci-fi True Grit speaks to me.
December 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Heck yeah, SUPERGIRL looks rad. Sci-fi True Grit speaks to me.
“‘Jerky’ is just a term non-jerks use to badmouth innocent jerks.”
December 11, 2025 at 3:10 AM
“‘Jerky’ is just a term non-jerks use to badmouth innocent jerks.”
Started METROID PRIME 4. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Art direction is terrific and on a pure graphical level it’s likely the best a Nintendo game has ever looked.
December 11, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Started METROID PRIME 4. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Art direction is terrific and on a pure graphical level it’s likely the best a Nintendo game has ever looked.
“This is such a massive disappointment. I basically hated it! 6/10 stars”
-every other user review on IMDb
-every other user review on IMDb
December 11, 2025 at 1:32 AM
“This is such a massive disappointment. I basically hated it! 6/10 stars”
-every other user review on IMDb
-every other user review on IMDb
You have to scroll past user reviews on IMDb mobile to get to the budget/box office section. And sometimes you don’t scroll fast enough and some monumentally bad take tries to ruin your night.
December 11, 2025 at 1:22 AM
You have to scroll past user reviews on IMDb mobile to get to the budget/box office section. And sometimes you don’t scroll fast enough and some monumentally bad take tries to ruin your night.
I love the occasionally wacky but more grounded heartwarming family comedy BOB’S BURGERS has become. But man, those first much joke heavier seasons are some of the funniest TV ever. Crack me up no matter how many times I watch.
December 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM
I love the occasionally wacky but more grounded heartwarming family comedy BOB’S BURGERS has become. But man, those first much joke heavier seasons are some of the funniest TV ever. Crack me up no matter how many times I watch.
My most anticipated. This and THE ODYSSEY are going to be keeping me going this winter.
Genuinely excited to get the director of Duel and Jaws being scary again.
December 10, 2025 at 9:02 PM
My most anticipated. This and THE ODYSSEY are going to be keeping me going this winter.
If Rian Johnson does end up making a Muppet movie, I hope it’s a musical centered on Rowlf.
December 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
If Rian Johnson does end up making a Muppet movie, I hope it’s a musical centered on Rowlf.
Watched THE SALVATION. Great acting and consistently interesting shot composition elevate what is otherwise a by-the-numbers revenge Western be it with a Danish twist. Mikkelsen, I think, is incapable of being less than compelling.
December 10, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Watched THE SALVATION. Great acting and consistently interesting shot composition elevate what is otherwise a by-the-numbers revenge Western be it with a Danish twist. Mikkelsen, I think, is incapable of being less than compelling.
PTA’s best next to TWBB and my favorite after MAGNOLIA.
December 9, 2025 at 9:11 PM
PTA’s best next to TWBB and my favorite after MAGNOLIA.
I wish it was Friday already. I need my Benoit Blanc.
December 9, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I wish it was Friday already. I need my Benoit Blanc.