You might’ve missed writer-director Francis Galluppi’s debut feature “The Last Stop in Yuma County” when it rolled out direct-to-video not long ago and without a ton of fanfare. Even if you had heard about it you might not have paid much attention anyway, unless you’re particularly attuned to new instances of noir-ish, Coen Brothers-esque indie fare. But seeing how this kind of thing is squarely in my wheelhouse, when I heard that it was a better-than-average example of a noir-ish, Coen Broethers-esque indie film, I rented it straightaway. And it’s really good! Given its lack of recognizable stars, obviously limited budget and not particularly original premise—a group of strangers converge on a diner and encounter a pair of criminals and some really bad luck—it’s far better than it has any right to be. If you’re at all sympathetic to the admittedly old-fashioned notion that “a good time at the movies” can be had from watching a bunch of normal people pitted against their worst instincts—without a happy ending—this might be one for you.

On the other hand, if gentle-hearted affirmation of the value of platonic friendship is more your thing, you might be more interested in Pablo Berger’s animated adaptation of “Robot Dreams,” originally a graphic novel by artist and writer Sara Varon. The virtually dialogue-free film is a Spanish-French co-production, but it’s also one of the most poetic odes to pre-9/11 New York City that you’re likely to see. The story, which revolves around a friendship between an anthropomorphic dog and a robot, takes place in Manhattan in the 1980s, and the level of faithful urban details it reproduces from that era is extraordinary. The drama itself is similarly loving; it renders its characters and their caring friendship with tremendous sympathy and affection without resorting to the maudlin tactics common to less inspired animated movies. Had the movie run about fifteen or so minutes shorter, it could’ve been a masterpiece, but as it is, it’s still well worth a watch.

Roundup

Here’s the full list of all eighteen movies that I saw in June. This is the latest in my monthly round-ups of the movies I watch. You can also see everything I logged in May, in April, in March, in February, in January, and summaries of everything I watched in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016. Also, you can always keep up with what I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd—where I’m also writing tons of capsule reviews.

1. “The Last Stop in Yuma County” (2023) ★★★½
   A handful of strangers stuck at a diner encounter some terrible luck in this debut from director Francis Galluppi that far exceeds expectations.
2. “The Hudsucker Proxy” (1994) ★★★★
   Rewatched. Completely on point send-up of late 1930s screwball comedies, even if it oddly sets its action two decades too late.
3. “Topkapi” (1964) ★½
   Extremely zany 1960s heist movie that is so listless and meandering it’s hard to believe it’s from Jules Dassin, director of the magnificent “Rififi.”
4. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024) ★★★★
   Rewatched. On second viewing, this is an even richer movie and more clearly its own artistic statement rather than just a sequel to a masterpiece.
5. “Mothra vs. Godzilla” (1964) ★
   So bizarre in so many ways that you’re almost beguiled by its randomness, but it’s just not that fun.
6. “Hit Man” (2023) ★½
   A perfectly fine premise from a revered director somehow gets reduced to a steaming pile of mediocrity.
7. “Heathers” (1989) ★★★
   Rewatched. Its surreal, daydream-like vibe is still a very effective grounding for a very dark tale of high school angst and morality.
8. “Mad Max” (1979) ★★★½
   Rewatched. I previously underestimated this movie. The filmmaking and craft here are all raw but visionary.
9. “Water Lilies” (2007) ★★★★
   This debut from “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” director Céline Sciamma shows she was on point from the very start, and one of the best directors working.
10. “Mad Max 2” (1981) ★★★★
    Rewatched. Still stunned by the leap of faith that director George Miller took to get from the very first “Mad Max” movie, which was by comparison just a sketch, to this bracingly crafted, fully realized vision. Incredible work.
11. “Robot Dreams” (2023) ★★★
    This delightful, hand-drawn adaptation of a graphic novel is a rare expression of genuine belief in the value and difficulty of platonic friendship, and an ode to the lost New York City of the pre-9/11 years too. Almost a masterpiece.
12. “All of Us Strangers” (2023) ★★★
    A gay man meets a new lover and revisits his parents at the same time in this beautifully made but thickly precious weepie. The ending is a bit of a head scratcher but the real achievement here is Andrew Scott’s performance.
13. “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) ★★★★★ (contains spoilers)
    Rewatched. This is my eighth time watching this! And yet it was a very different experience revisiting it after “Furiosa.”
14. “A Little Romance” (1979) ★★½
    Two young kids in late 1970s Paris fall in love and run off together in a proto-“Moonrise Kingdom” from director George Roy Hill. More charming than it is actually good, though.
15. “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” (1985) ★★½
    Rewatched. The other Mad Max movies get better with each viewing but I’m sad to say this one gets worse.
16. “Hearts Beat Loud” (2018) ★★½
    Could’ve been called “A Very Brooklyn Christmas,” even though it doesn’t take place at Christmas—it’s just so peak-boro. But it’s also kind of winning, with two lovely lead performances by Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons as a father and daughter who start a band together.
17. “Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid” (1982) ★½
    A valentine to black and white noir from the 1940s that gets flattened out by all the technical contortions it goes through to pay homage to those films.
18. “Zola” (2020) ★★★★
    Terrific, blast-of-energy filmmaking enlivens a crazy Twitter-thread about two exotic dancers on a road trip. I really dug this.