The MacGuffin Men

Greta Gerwig's direction, musical numbers, Margot Robbie's subtle performance, feeling trapped by capitalism, and the greatest Zack Snyder joke of all time.

Big faces in IMAX, camera placement, wildly aggressive editing, blockbuster Stan Brakhage, and Christopher Nolan reckoning with his own influence on cinema.

Henri-Georges Clouzot's influential mystery, twist endings, the film's depiction of Christina's inner struggle, the use of sound, and the repeated motifs of bars and water.

Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen's illustrious careers (both together and separately), the remarkable precision that links the dancers to the filmmaking, and the film's deserved place in cinema history.

The film's long journey from book to screen, Nicole Kidman's performance, the production design, and Paul King's direction.

The tactile feeling of a film that is made in computers, the film's use of Miles' love of hip-hop, and the emotional through lines that carry the film.

The greatest movie title of all time, Jordan Peele's growing canvas, the contrast between big and small, Keke Palmer, being seen, and the magic of Daniel Kaluuya's eyes.

The continuing incredible choices of John Frankenheimer, Kirk Douglas, how famous Burt Lancaster was, and Rod Serling's feature film career.

Thomas Vinterberg's early days contrasted with his modern work, Dogme 95, Mads Mikkelsen, the film's thoughtful but non-committal stance on alcohol, and that one goddamn perfect scene.

Our own collective case of sequelitis, the structure of the movie, whether knowing more about Benoit Blanc is good or bad, preaching to the metaphorical choir, and the Netflix of it all.