Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden)
YouTube essays on cinema, philosophy, and meaning.
YouTube essays on cinema, philosophy, and meaning.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values this work for the added psychological depth it provides to Sheriff Bell's backstory.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends Blood Meridian: Like Stories of Old values it as a modern classic that acts as a harrowing masterpiece, characterized by mythic storytelling and existential depth.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values this work for its dense, revelatory passage that functions as a profound meditation on the meaning of existence.
““What was here to be found was not a thing.””
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values this film as a masterclass in using the camera to make the audience feel watched and trapped within a feedback loop of desire.
“Even at almost 20 years old, Zodiac’s opening scene remains as provocative as ever, and it’s not even the most disturbing one in the movie.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) praises the film as a perfect adaptation that successfully distills the core themes of the novel.
“This is the best I can do.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) praises the film for its successful cultivation of a distinct, perceptually realistic relationship with the audience despite being fully computer-generated.
“the fully computer-generated alien planet that James Cameron has created here, to me, is just beyond beautiful, and in many ways, more engaging and more perceptually realistic than some movies shot in the real world”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values these films for their ability to evoke rugged landscapes that feel physically visitable.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends this for its poignant, tonally balanced exploration of trauma and recovery.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends this for its visceral and affirming portrayal of maternal overwhelm.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends this for its masterful navigation of moral ambiguity and the consequences of actions.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends this as the best example of a film critiquing modern societal structures.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values this film for its ability to offer a creative perspective on dormant everyday truths.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends this because it captures a powerful, sincere rumination on agency and the life one is given.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values this film for its explicit articulation of the dangers of hardness, which complements the non-verbal themes captured in Beau Travail.
“Hardness and strength are death’s companions. Flexibility and softness are the embodiment of life.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends this film as a masterpiece that captures a visceral, sensory, and affirming vision of masculinity that is rarely seen in cinema.
“It’s the way men can so easily mistake being self-actualized for merely being hardened, how easily they think they’re strengthening themselves through discipline, when in reality, they’re actually becoming more fragile, like the brittle wood of a dead tree.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values the film for its radical honesty and ability to find truth in the lives of marginalized individuals.
“It immediately captures the essence of Gumo and the essence of Karine's fascination imagery scenes and characters.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends this film because its parallels with The Crossing allow for a clearer emergence of the deeper story regarding cosmic forces.
“The 2025 movie Train Dreams recounts the life of a logger who experienced love, loss, and the struggle for meaning at the turn of the 20th century.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends this film for its specific demonstration of how raw, imperfect demo recordings can possess more emotional truth than polished studio versions.
“We're losing everything I like about the demo. It's getting buried under these layers.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values this film for a specific elevator scene that perfectly illustrates the independence of passion from external success.
“Men like us, we jump to free our souls.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) recommends Oppenheimer.
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) praises this film as a masterpiece for its ability to dissolve the power dynamics of the gaze through mutual observation.
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire for example, I think, is a masterpiece in part because it so wonderfully creates an environment in which its female characters are momentarily freed from the confines of their male-dominated society”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) highlights Anne Hathaway's character in this film as an example of a woman being treated as a real character rather than an object.
“she’s at least treated as a real character and not being subjected to… you know.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) praises the documentary for laying out the foundational basics of the male gaze despite some rigid analytical misfires.
“it’s not exactly considered to be the best discussion on the subject. Like, it can definitely be a little too rigid”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values this work as a vital document of the pre-digital "before time" that captures the essence of meaningful, isolated adventure.
“Long Way Round might just be one of the last documented analog adventures, one of the last portraits of a world that was right on the precipice of changing forever.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values this work because it effectively deepens the conflict dynamics of its franchise and explores the mechanics of oppression.
“Andor seems to be the only Star Wars story right now that's allowed to actually deepen the dynamics of the conflict it represents.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values the series as a beautiful, open-hearted portrait of a legendary filmmaker that provides deep insight into his creative process.
“a beautiful portrait of one of our greatest filmmakers, featuring openhearted conversations with the man himself, his family, and co-workers.”
Like Stories of Old (Tom van der Linden) values the show's vivid exploration of subconscious human dynamics and its unique aesthetic style.
“I absolutely love this show. I think I've seen the first two seasons like four times now.”
