Westworld (2016-22)

Westworld was supposed to be HBO's successor to Game of Thrones in terms of epic fantasy and expense and violence and nudity. And it had a promising start. Season 1 was top notch TV. It delivered on the spectacle and the mind-blowing twists. And it had a philosophical bent to it. There were some really beautiful, poignant episodes--I specifically remember Akechata's Season 2 episode 8 titled Kiksuya. Season 2 was actually quite good in retrospect with its biblical scope, but I didn't see that until the end. While watching season 2, I found it to be kind of a drag. Seasons 3 and 4 did absolutely nothing for me. They were so complicated and boring. How did they lose the magic of Season 1? It became a totally different show. Once they left the park and entered "reality" it became too convoluted. And it's not like season 1 was even easy to follow. I'm glad they finally pulled the plug because I had felt obligated to slog through the last two seasons.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Taika Waititi's first foray into the superhero world of Marvel is one big joke. That's not necessarily new for Marvel, think Guardians of the Galaxy. But the action really takes a backseat to the unrelenting, self-aware comedy. Overall, it is an enjoyable movie. It's just fun. Cate Blanchett must have been paid a ton of money to do a superhero movie, much less a comedic one. She is superb as always. But I think the real star here is Jeff Goldblum. I personally think he is one of the funniest actors in Hollywood. He has this nonchalance to his delivery that is so disarmingly funny. The premise of the plot, which mostly takes place on a bizarre lost junk world run by Jeff Goldblum, is kind of wonky. It is totally irrelevant to the Avengers storyline and even Thor's storyline, an awkward diversion from the main battle. But the actual Asgard part of the arc is rather clever. That is where Ragnarok comes into play. There is a brilliant resolution of mythological proportions. I won't give it away, but the serious part of the plot is actually quite well done.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Widely considered to be the first horror film to win the Oscar for best picture,  this film epitomizes the thriller genre.   Anthony Hopkins is so delectably creepy as the legendary Hannibal Lecter.  Although Hopkins steals the show,  Jodie Foster holds her own and develops her own juicy character of Clarice Starling.  Hannibal is a psychopathic mentalist who analyzes people,  using his skills to mess with people.   But Clarice sees through it and it is revealed that Hannibal can be useful in solving her case.  The two form a bond of sorts that is difficult to describe.    As with all horror movies,  the cinematography is very important.   It keeps you at the edge of your seat in anticipation,  whether it's through the lenses of night vision goggles or watching the elevator descend. Unlike many horror movies today,  the writing is superb.  It's so smart and Hannibal's dialogue is so creepy that it stays with you.