By popular demand, here is the official Mystery Grove Film Recommendations list. Watch all of these *in order* if you want to truly understand the world we live in today.

Miami Blues (1990) is a deep-fried noir about a handsome psychopath who steals an detective's badge and goes on a robbery spree through the South Florida criminal underworld. One of the hidden gems of reactionary cinema.

The Duellists (1978) follows two rival French officers through the Napoleonic Wars. A minor insult sets off a decades-long series of duels between the men, neither willing to abandoned his honor.

Excalibur (1981) condenses several Arthurian legends into a single spectacular epic. One of the most hypnotic and visionary films of all time. Please watch this if you see nothing else on the list.

Barcelona (1994) is a wonderful comedy that follows two estranged cousins, one an insecure businessman and the other a boorish naval officer, who reunite in Spain for an aimless summer. Great reflection on family, romance, and getting older.

Nightfall (1956) tells the story of an artist framed and left for dead by bank robbers. With the help of his model girlfriend, he must elude both police and the criminals while hunting for a hidden fortune.

Andrei Rublev (1966) follows the Russian icon painter through decades of struggle, showing how a man who came from one of the bleakest times in human history could end up creating art that still inspires today. One of the best films on religion.

Sorcerer (1977) is a slick and mean-spirited thriller about four desperate men hired to drive highly unstable explosives to an oil well deep in the jungle.

The King (2019) is a modern retelling of the rise of Henry V. Refreshing new perspective on an often rehashed story, tons of great period detail.

Point Break (1991) is a sprawling action epic about an FBI agent who goes undercover to hunt down a gang of surfers funding their independence from modern life through brazen daylight bank robberies.

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973) tells the story of two legendary outlaws in the last days of the Old West. The bodies stack up as one tries to buy his freedom with the other's life.

First Man (2018) is one of the most criminally underrated films of all time. This retelling of Neil Armstrong's journey to his historic moonwalk is an ode to American masculinity.

Headline of the Harvard Crimson's review: "In ‘First Man,’ Triumph for White Male Dreams"

Legionnaire (1998) is a pulp action classic following a proud boxer who is forced to enlist in the legendary French Foreign Legion after accidentally killing a mobster.

The Lady Eve (1941) an extremely funny romantic comedy about a beautiful card hustler trying to seduce a bumbling millionaire. I cannot recommend this (and Preston Sturges's other films) enough. Great banter and sight gags. Nothing like it today.

Russian Ark (2002) follows a ghost and his long-dead European aristocrat companion through the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, bouncing through several hundred years of shared history and culture. Innovative and beautiful; shot in a single take.

Total Recall (1990) is a muscular sci-fi masterpiece about a construction worker who finds himself wrapped up in a interstellar conspiracy after paying for memories of a dream vacation to Mars. Please watch this, Zoomers.

The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) follows a small time New England crook as he scrambles to betray enough of his criminal associates to secure a reduced sentence from his cynical police handlers. As gritty as a crime thriller can get.

Master and Commander is the king of naval combat movies. Tracks a British warship hunting and being hunted by a much more powerful French vessel at the height of the Napoleonic Wars. Watch it with your dad.

Брат (Brother) follows a recently-discharged conscript in Yeltsin-era Russia as he moves to the big city to follow his hitman brother. Great gangster movie that's very relevant today.

Брат 2 (2000) picks up immediately where the first film left off, with the conscript and his brother embarking on a twisted adventure to the South Side of Chicago to rescue a hockey player from mobsters. Deals with the diaspora experience and finding your place in the world.

Maverick (1994) is a great western comedy starring Mel Gibson as a fast-talking and cowardly gambler trying to scrape together enough money to enter a once-in-a-lifetime poker tournament. Made by the Lethal Weapon crew.

Das Boot (1981) follows a German U-boat in the closing stages of WW2. Realistic (an actual U-boat "Ace" served as a technical advisor) and moving film about brotherhood in times of extreme hardship. Watch the Director's Cut.

To Live and Die in L.A. (1984) is an ultra-stylish thriller about two Secret Service agents who go rogue to take down the counterfeiter who murdered their mentor. Pitch black. Probably has the best car chase of all time.

In Sinister (2012) a desperate true-crime writer moves into a "murder house" and discovers a cache of snuff films. Despite increasingly disturbing encounters, he resolves to finish his next great book. Manages to make an investigation extremely spooky.

Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) is about a good-hearted dockworker unable to fight in WW2, but too ashamed to go home. He is befriended by a squad of recently-returned Marines, whose scheme to return him to his family without losing face quickly spirals out of control.

Proof of Life (2000) is an understated and realistic look at the Kidnapping & Ransom industry, following a specialist as he negotiates for the life of an American engineer taken hostage by South American guerillas. Old school thriller with top-notch action finale.

Inherent Vice (2017) is a beautiful and surreal detective comedy set in the last days of California's Hippie era. Great filter to determine whether or not someone "gets it."

Under the Silver Lake (2019) is an ultra-dark comedy conspiracy thriller set post-gentrification Los Angeles. Buried by the studio on release because of its message. Very relevant today.

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) is a perfect action-comedy about a New York Transit Police captain's negations with professional criminals who have taken a subway car full of people hostage. Not a single wasted moment in the movie. Just great.

Unknown Soldier (2017) tells the largely-ignored story of the Continuation War, a massive conflict between Finland and the Soviet Union that lasted from 1941-1944. Probably the most realistic depiction of WW2-era infantry combat ever filmed. Very powerful message.

Miller's Crossing (1991) is a perfect gangster movie about a mob fixer who finds himself trapped in a web of conflicting loyalties and betrayals, forced to chose between death and losing what little innocence he still has. Great way to spend an evening.

Support Your Local Sherriff! (1969) is a classic western comedy about a fast-talking drifter who charms his way to the top of a corrupt town. Packed full of ultra-quick jokes and sight-gags; you'll pick up on something new to laugh at every time you watch.

Blackhat (2015) follows an elite cybercriminal released from prison to help investigators unravel a global financial terror network. All about freedom and dignity in the digital age. Watch the director's cut if you can find it, much better than the theatrical release.

Silence (2016) is a wonderful film about two Portuguese missionaries in the early 17th century who infiltrate Japan during the height of Christian persecution to search for their lost mentor, rumored to have renounced his faith under duress.

Ran (1985) is an inspired adaptation of King Leer by Akira Kurosawa, one of the greatest directors of all time, set in feudal Japan. The climatic battle sequence is unforgettable.

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) chronicles the life of the titular Japanese author through vivid adaptations of his works. Spectacular; a passion project from everyone involved.

The Killer (1989) is the king of Hong Kong action movies, following a good-hearted hitman and the dogged detective hunting him. Extremely influential.

Bloodsport (1988) is an incredible film about a US Army Captain who goes AWOL to fight in a brutal underground full-contact martial arts tournament in Hong Kong. President Trump said this is one of his favorite movies.

Overlord (1975) is an must-see film that intersperses incredible archival footage of the air campaign over Britain and France with the narrative of a British conscript, haunted by visions of his own death during the upcoming D-Day landings. One of the best movies on WW2.

Kung Pow! Enter the Fist (2002) is a martial arts parody following "the Chosen One" as he attempts to escape an army of mysterious assassins. A truly timeless classic.