steven spielberg, 2001

recommended for all of cortis

after james and martin's live where they discuss about movies and technology vs humans i felt like this movie might be an interesting one for them.

content note: violence, sexual content, emotional distress

jemaine clement, 2014

recommended for martin

first of all, the movie is hilarious! i rewatch it at least once a year. it's interesting to see vampires not as cool, mysterious creatures but as ordinary people who struggle to fit into the modern world and fight over chores.

content note: graphic violence, explicit language, sexual content

guillermo del toro, 2025

recommended for all of cortis

this is ur sign to watch frankenstein (2025). beneath the horror is a deeply sad story about loneliness, abandonment, and a creature who only wants to be loved, turning the question from “what makes a monster?” into “what happens to someone who is never loved?” this one stayed w me.

content note: graphic violence, disturbing imagery, mature themes

celine song, 2023

recommended for james

this film has a lot of what-if moments and i feel like people who have watched it have different interpretations by the end of the story. i don't think james is the type of person who dwells in the past so i wanted to know his take on this one.

content note: explicit language, substance use, mature relationship themes

yoshifumi kondo, 1995

recommended for juhoon

i just know he would loveeee the love story and the magic in the story, as well as the aesthetic of the movie as a whole.

luca guadagnino, 2017

recommended for james

i really admire how james views life and the way he thinks. call me by your name is such a thought provoking film + it's so beautifully written and shot. i would like to hear what he thinks of it. especially his interpretation of my favorite quote "is it better to speak or to die?"

content note: age and power imbalance, sexual content, heartbreak

dev patel, 2024

recommended for james

based on his ‘letterboxd’ i think this movie suit his taste and the fight scenes are very well executed

content note: graphic violence, explicit language, sexual content and drug use

andrea arnold, 2016

recommended for james

james often talks about his love for film and cinema, so i wanted to recommend one of my favorites. it beautifully captures the duality of young adulthood through romance, poverty, abuse, comedy, and naturalism, all while feeling messy, raw, and strangely beautiful. the cinematography and soundtrack are also incredible, and i think james would really appreciate how authentic it feels.

content note: sexual content, explicit language, substance abuse

toshiaki toyoda, 2001

recommended for martin

“teacher, aren’t there some flowers that never bloom?” the movie follows a group of teenage boys as they think about life after graduating high school. i think martin would really enjoy both the plot and its aesthetic, especially the color palette.

content note: graphic violence, suicide themes, psychological distress

jared hess, 2004

recommended for all of cortis

in my opinion, cortis will find this movie enjoyable as it comedically emphasizes the significance of forming genuine friendships and being authentic, rather than prioritizing popularity.

wes anderson, 2012

recommended for james

since james enjoys watching movies, especially ones with a stylized appearance, i think he'd really enjoy the quirkiness of moonrise kingdom as well as the costuming (which draws on 60s aesthetics) and filming style of wes anderson in general.

content note: mild sexual content

kenji nakamura & kiyotaka suzuki, 2025

recommended for all of cortis

i’ve never watched an animated movie or series as unique and experimental as mononoke, with its quirky, colorful visuals and complex story exploring people, society, and psychological horror. i especially thought of james as an anime and cinephile, but i think all of cortis could enjoy how creative and thought-provoking it is, and i’d also recommend checking out the original 2007 series.

content note: reproductive themes, supernatural horror, sexual themes

david frankel, 2006

recommended for juhoon

classic, exquisite, timeless. i chose to recommend this for juhoon because he exudes such a model aura and i do think he would find the movie fun

content note: explicit language, sexual content, body image issues

chris columbus, 1990

recommended for all of cortis

home alone is a great christmas watch and is incredibly funny. despite the humor, it has so many great lessons

content note: slapstick violence, explicit language, suggestive content

catherine hardwicke, 2008

recommended for james

my personal rec for none other than james cullen. the cinematography of twilight never gets old and is a cult classic because it's just that iconic, and has shaped pop culture in more ways than one

content note: violence, sexual assault, suicide themes, kidnapping, toxic relationships

harald zwart, 2010

recommended for martin

martin has recently been seen interested in boxing, and i think martial arts isn't too far off. karate kid is a classic with an amazing performance from the legend jackie chan and a plot you'll never forget

content note: bullying and violence, grief, substance use

harald zwat, 2013

recommended for martin

martin reminds me so much of jace herondale in terms of the musical talent, courage, wit and loyalty towards his friends and family. i see him loving the cinematography and the building structures. this is one of my favorite fantasy stories of all time - the world building is immaculate too.

content note: violence, sexual content, substance use, supernatural themes

tim burton, 2005

recommended for james

a classic adaptation from roald dahl, and it's a tim burton adaptation at that. james just feels like a tim burton character in a good way, and i also think he would enjoy the story for what it is.

content note: mild violence, frightening themes, mature content

jirassaya wongsutin, 2025

recommended for james

it left me distraught for a week but its genuinely such a great film

content note: mature themes

shoojit sircar, 2015

recommended for all of cortis

it’s a light hearted movie with a heavier message.
given that they enjoy movies like the before trilogy they might enjoy this one!

content note: mature themes