Films like Melinda and Melinda.

Melinda and Melinda (2004) reads as Neutral, steady, measured comedy / drama, inventive in texture. Ambivalent, intimate, measured. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Synecdoche (2009) poster
1. Synecdoche2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

101 Reykjavík (2000) poster
2. 101 Reykjavík2000

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Leaves of Grass (2009) poster
3. Leaves of Grass2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Bottom of the Sea (2003) poster
4. The Bottom of the Sea2003

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

A Somewhat Gentle Man (2010) poster
5. A Somewhat Gentle Man2010

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Reverse (2009) poster
6. Reverse2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Weather Man (2005) poster
7. The Weather Man2005

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the heightened unreality; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

The Matador (2005) poster
8. The Matador2005

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Nobody Else But You (2011) poster
9. Nobody Else But You2011

Keeps the heightened unreality and the intimate, personal stakes; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

Nina's Tragedies (2003) poster
10. Nina's Tragedies2003

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) poster
11. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil1997

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Misfortunates (2009) poster
12. The Misfortunates2009

Keeps the heightened unreality and the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are Melinda and Melinda’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

Find my film for tonight — 60 sec →