What I Watched in January 2022

Spiderman: No Way Home (2021) — 01.01 ♥ | dir. Jon Watts

[4.5/5 stars] The first day of the year, my brother, dad, and I packed into a theater to watch the new Spiderman after somehow convincing my mother to let us go. For my brother and my dad, this was their first movie in theaters since COVID began. I am not the hugest fan of Marvel movies, I wouldn’t go as far to repeat Scorcese in saying that they are not real cinema, however, I do think they are overproduced and the main motivator for their creation is amassing profit. Marvel movies are something I think most people watch for enjoyment and not entirely critical understanding and analysis of peak cinema, at least that’s what I do. I will admit that this movie was fun — it was enjoyable to watch the last three Spidermen all team up and fight villains from their respective universes, and I did almost cry when Aunt May died. There are some fun mementos from past Spiderman movies and it was a good return to theaters.

Twilight (2008) — 01.08 ⭮ ♥ | dir. Catherine Hardwicke

[3.5/5 stars] I watched any of the Twilight movies last year in August when introduced to me by a family member of mine. She loves these movies, able to quote any line and explain the history of the movies like it happened to her. Ever since I’ve watched Twilight that day in August, I have loved it as well. It’s easy to see why teenage girls in the early 2010s were absolutely losing their minds over this movie, it spawned what I see as “The Era of Fantasy/Dystopian Films staring Hot White Boys” (see The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner, etc.). To these mainstream movies, Twilight tries to be the edgy, alternative sister. And it is this forced edginess as well as the absolutely absurd writing and plotline, that are what makes me love this movie, because it is ridiculous. From the intense fan wars between Team Edward and Team Jacob to the humorously incoherent soundtrack, the Twilight movies, especially the first Twilight, are so absolutely ridiculous and that is why I love watching them.

Three Amigos! (1986)— 01.15 | dir. John Landis

[2/5 stars] Three Amigos! is a dad movie, and I say that because I watched this with my father and he has a much well-rated view of this movie than I do. I want to blame it on the generational disconnect in jokes and not being my sense of humor, but I didn’t really connect with this movie.

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) — 01.15 ⭮| dir. Chad Stahelski

[4/5 stars] This is another movie I watched with my dad (on the same day, go figure). And with this movie as well as the John Wick series in general is where my dad and I share a lot more in common. It’s a gritty, neo-noir series following the Keanu Reeves as an assassin, who wouldn’t love it. The action sequences, the adrenaline, the immortality of Wick, and the fact he’s doing all of this over a dog make this great.

Eternals (2021) — 01.15 | dir. Chloe Zhao

[1/5 stars] The last movie of my apparent January 15th movie marathon was Eternals, which I watched with my family. I remember how much media hype this movie received, but it was an illusion. This movie was a 2-and-a-half hour snooze fest where I had to keep myself from dozing off. Following my negative and unsurprisingly similar experience with director Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland, which I could not finish because of how uninterested I became, it’s upsetting this movie received as much press as it did. Even Marvel’s manufactured action and adrenaline could not save this waste of time.

Spree (2020) — 01.17 ⭮ ♥ |dir. Eugene Kotlyarenko

[4/5 stars] I watched Spree for the first time last year, following a recommendation from someone online. I absolutely love this movie and has caused me to explore the genre of “fame and insanity” even further. Kurt’s disconnection from the world, leading to going on a murder spree of obsession and narcissism, is such an interesting story to follow. Only a truly insane man would play the Gummy Bear song while running someone over after poisoning them.

Casablanca (1942) — 01.19 ♥ | dir. Michael Curtiz

[4/5 stars] This was my first film in my Film Studies class, which my teacher chose to reflect how lighting, especially in black and white films, instead of the typically taught Citizen Kane. This was also my first film that I analyzed by formally breaking down the plot, the characters, the setting, the cinematography, the editing, and the sound. I marked how the shadows and lighting reflected differently on Ilsa and Rick, as well as how the difference in the color of the attire symbolized the mortality of each of the characters, among many other great things. Since I’ve taken an interest in film, I’ve always wanted to get more into older films, so Casablanca has been on my list for a while and I’m glad this new class gave me an opportunity to dive into them.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) — 01.24 ⭮ | dir. Anthony and Joe Russo

[2/5 stars] I saw Avengers: Infinity War in the theaters, along with all of the other Marvel movies, and I remember liking them at the time. But, in the four years since then, I’ve grown to dread watching them. The action and repeated plot points (mainly the unnecessary reminder of mortality and humanity, either through a superhero or their family dying) become old eventually. Most of the plot of these movies rely on the emotional toll of death and the exhilarating feeling of action, being reproduced to regenerate profit. Since my exploration into better movies, it’s been easier to see how monotonous the MCU is.

The Last Duel (2021) — 01.24 | dir. Ridley Scott

[3/5 stars] The Last Duel by Ridley Scott has a star-studded cast with Matt Damon and Adam Driver, and even though I don’t like medieval movies (I am not the biggest fan of Shakespearean Old English and the grip it still has on contemporary art), but given that, this movie was still deserving of 3 stars.

Clueless (1995) — 01.25 ⭮ | dir. Amy Heckerling

[4/5 stars] Clueless is such a fun watch and there’s really no argument over the impact it had on the future of chick flicks and romcoms. It also sculpted a lot of the slang people used in the late 90s. Cher is commonly mistaken as a superficial valley girl who would lose her head if it wasn’t attached, however, she is so much more than that. A loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, Cher is a girl constantly meddling in her friends’ love lives, leading to drama within her own. Always a fun time.

Twilight: Eclipse (2010) — 01.29 ⭮ | dir. David Slade

[3/5 stars] I already mentioned why I like the Twilight movies, so I’m not going to go over that again. However, I think that the Twilight movies decline in quality and rating overtime, hence the 0.5 rating drop. Nothing can ever compare to the power of the original Twilight, sorry not sorry.

Legally Blonde (2001) — 01.30 ⭮ | dir. Robert Luketic

[3/5 stars] Two romantic comedies in a week? I think I have a problem. Legally Blonde shows that being feminine does not have to be a sacrifice for being smart, while also highlighting the problems of sexual assault and harassment for women pursuing male-dominated careers, all under the eye of over-the-top and likeable Elle Woods. I don’t think there’s a lot I could say about Legally Blonde that hasn’t been said before and that’s a compliment.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) — 01.30 ⭮ | dir. Blake Edwards

[2.5/5 stars] I selected this film for my first film essay of my aforementioned Film Studies class. The topic was to explain why the film should be a part of the film canon, arguing for its deeper language, developed characters, soundtrack, icon status, etc. I chose Breakfast at Tiffany’s because I remember doing a deep analysis into Golightly’s symbolism when I watched the film for the first time a year ago, so I already knew that I had some writable material. However, upon rewatch, I remembered I really didn’t like this movie a whole lot. Besides the depth and contrast of Golightly, this movie doesn’t have much more to offer — other than a distasteful amount of completely unnecessary anti-Asian racism. I then remembered how much it bored me the first time I watched it, and how the only thing that kept me watching wasn’t intrigue in Breakfast at Tiffany’s per se, but rather Golightly.

Sunset Boulevard (1950) — 01.31 ♥ | dir. Billy Wilder

[4/5 stars] I ended January with the amazing movie that is Sunset Boulevard. This movie was on my watchlist for as long as I can remember and I’m so glad I got to finally watch it. The storyline is intriguing, beginning at the end for intrigue and then explaining the backstory. Norma Desmond is an incredibly interesting character, who you feel angry with and sad for all at once. The Sunset Boulevard plot also has premise in the real life actors who played it, with Gloria Swanson being a silent film star and Cecil B. DeMille playing his respective self. Engaging and captivating, from start to finish.

Films this month: 14 | Films of the year: 14