#205: Twelve Monkeys (1995)

When and how did I watch this?

October 20th, 2015, on Amazon Prime.

Had I seen this film already?


What did I know about the movie before watching it?

I remember seeing previews of this one as a kid.  I’ve been mildly curious about it since, and I sort of knew I was going to love it upon viewing.

What do I know about it now?

As expected on a list of greatest movies of all time, it’s a movie that will change the way you see everything. I’m not even sure how to explain it, really, short of giving away plot details.  That said, everything in the film is important — and while it ventures into surrealistic situations often, it somehow lands in an unforgettable, unavoidable reality. Brad Pitt is nuts, which is both hilarious and entirely convincing.  Bruce Willis is a bit weak, but he didn’t have to be brilliant for this to work.  And the final 20 minutes are full of moments I will never forget. I’m still catching my breath here.

What are some themes in the film?

Fate, psychiatry, humanity, existentialism, time/space

Did this affect me personally?

It has me pretty messed up right now, and I doubt it will soon fade.

Why is this ranked #205?

Psychological thrillers are favorites among movie goers and Internet nerds (Inception, Memento, etc.) It might not ring true for the drama junkies, but it works for just about everyone else and commands respect.  It’s hard to say it’s “better” than everything previous to 205, but it is certainly better than several movies above it.

Did my wife watch/like it?

She was enraptured and blown away likewise.

Would I watch it again?


Would I recommend it to a friend?

Yes, but make sure you’re further away from going to bed than I am.  Yikes.


Without question. It doesn’t have to oust the timeless classics, but it needs to be considered if you want to include the best of the psychological thriller type.

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