The main appeal of these videos (besides just embracing the beauty of an expertly edited, deeply emotional six-minute montage) is that it reminds us of how long a year really is, and just how much has happened in it. “The year went by so fast,” we tend to say, but Sleepy Skunk is filled with movies that feel like they came out a while ago. Can you believe that “M3GAN” and “Cocaine Bear” only came out in theaters this year, the same year as “Wonka” and “The Iron Claw”? Because it doesn’t feel like it.
The other great thing about Sleepy Skunk’s montages is how much they remind us of all the forgotten movies that might not have gotten the attention they deserve. The Chinese war thriller “Hidden Blade,” which went largely unwatched by mainstream American audiences, is spotlighted twice in this trailer, encouraging viewers to check out a movie they might’ve otherwise continued ignoring entirely. It also helps to remind audiences of movies they heard about, but hadn’t gotten around to watching yet. Did you know that “80 For Brady” has a dinner party scene where everybody’s apparently Guy Fieri? Well, thanks to Sleepy Skunk, now you do, and there’s only one way to find out the full context.
Most of all, the mash-up’s a celebration of the many heights cinema has achieved this year. Despite all the turmoil in the industry, we’ve gotten a ton of ambitious, groundbreaking films this year, and that’s worth remembering. In 2023 at least, cinema was still very much alive.