Confession: My movie knowledge is embarrassingly limited. Growing up, my parents never had a Netflix subscription, so aside from the occasional trip to Regal with friends, I rarely watched movies. A few weeks ago, inspired in part by my more film-savvy friends and in part by my affection for entertaining Letterboxd reviews, I took the plunge and shelled out $6.99 for a basic Netflix plan (with ads — I’ve become very familiar with the perfume ad that plays each time).
I’ve found that I have a hard time getting into TV shows, but have really enjoyed watching movies recently — I think the medium’s immersive nature and ability to tell a complete story within the span of an hour or two particularly appeal to me.
A favorite YouTube channel of mine is Karsten Runquist’s, a film school guy that makes short, clever video essays on various films that are receiving a lot of buzz, from the year’s critically-acclaimed Oscar darlings to the new Minions movie. In an ongoing series on his channel, he recaps the movies he’s watched each month and his thoughts on them.
I’m copying him for this week’s blog post, though my list is a pale imitation in terms of both volume and discerning taste. Here are the movies I watched in October and November, in chronological order:
Oct 7 2022: Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
If my Twitter feed in October was any indication, Olivia Wilde’s most recent directorial endeavor might be most famous for the alleged drama behind its filming. I’m always down for a psychological thriller, though (see blog post #2), so I went to SMG in Wheaton to visit Meg at work and watch Don’t Worry Darling. It was pretty good — my Letterboxd rating was a solid 3.5 / 5 stars. Definitely not the first to do the “something sinister lurks beneath the surface of idyllic small town” concept, but entertaining to watch; I especially liked the hallucination sequences.
Oct 11 2022: Amsterdam (2022)
Possibly my least favorite movie on this list. One has to wonder how an all-star cast like this one manages to fall flat; I blame the script, which managed to simultaneously be wildly confusing and extremely boring. Since we had the next day of school off, a few friends and I impulsively decided to watch a movie, and picked a 9:30 showing of Amsterdam. Approximately thirty minutes in, I was the only one left awake, which didn’t help the matter — nor did the fact that I quickly lost track of the plot. My sleepy companions and I agreed: not good.
Oct 30 2022: Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
Here’s the thing: I did not actively watch this movie so much as I was in the room while it was being played, desperately trying to tune out the screams. I’ll be the first to admit that I am not a horror movie person: easily startled, frequently paranoid, and generally not someone who enjoys creepy dolls or possessed children, I tend to avoid the genre. The little of this movie that I watched was with my eyes half shut and hands over my ears, so I really don’t have much to say about it. One idea I had for a blog post was actually to force myself to watch horror movies, but I decided against it after this.
Oct 31 2022: Scary Movie 5 (2013)
Cannot believe there were four of these previously and they made another one. I watched this one on Halloween with friends. It’s a spoof of the typical horror movie, but not really to my taste (no more toilet humor. Please), and halfway through, I was waiting for it to be over.
Oct 31 2022: In The Tall Grass (2019)
I was roped into watching another horror movie by my braver friends, and, unsurprisingly, watched this one through my hands. I think this one was actually scarier because of the quietly sinister atmosphere — a field of tall grass should not incite as much terror as it does here. Once again, not a super clear idea of what happened here, but I’m sure it was very exciting. The road on the way home afterwards was foggy and dark and I was scared for my life.
Nov 1 2022: Black Adam (2022)
Bears all the recognizable elements of a 2020s superhero movie: mid-action sequence “witty” dialogue, slightly trite messages about “being a hero,” and… an unexpected appearance from Noah Centineo? Sort of fun, but not particularly moving or memorable.
Nov 5 2022: Shiva Baby (2020)
Easily my favorite of this list. With a runtime barely over an hour, landing at 78 minutes, Shiva Baby is a sharp and well-executed comedy/drama that at times feels like more of a thriller. Adapted from director Emma Seligman’s NYU senior thesis, the movie feels fresh and smart, and features a fantastic central performance from Rachel Sennott.
The concept: directionless college senior Danielle and her parents attend a shiva mourning the death of some distant family friend, where Danielle finds herself bombarded with uncomfortable and overwhelming questions about her future. The situation is made worse when Danielle encounters not only her ex-girlfriend Maya but also her sugar daddy Max, who she is horrified to discover is married and has a baby.
The claustrophobic cinematography and horror-like score build tension masterfully as the plot unfolds. Within the single setting of the house, the film is able to accomplish so much — simultaneously anxiety-inducing, hilarious, and legitimately moving, it manages to feel universal. Definitely a new favorite.
Nov 18 2022: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between (2022)
A coming-of-age type rom-com that was cute enough at first but ultimately fell flat for me. The central conflict is a “breakup pact” between the two love interests, and though I love Talia Ryder, by the end, I struggled to find a reason to support them staying together — it wasn’t particularly compelling, and the movie is fairly predictable and doesn’t do much new.
Nov 22 2022: Do Revenge (2022)
Actually so fun. I’m not usually a huge fan of twenty-something actors playing high school students, but I’ll overlook it this time because Do Revenge is such a legitimately entertaining movie. Snappy and self-aware, it shouldn’t be as good as it is. With an Internet-era-take on Agatha Christie’s Strangers on a Train, the plot’s revenge-driven twists never fail to amuse.
Nov 24 2022: Molly’s Game (2017)
The premise of the movie is immediately intriguing: it follows the true story of Molly Bloom, a former competitive skier who begins hosting an underground, high-stakes poker game with players that range from famous actors to the Russian mob, and the later consequences she faces. I always find stories where the protagonist makes increasingly risky decisions compelling, and this was no exception. The storytelling is fast-paced and riveting.
Nov 24 2022: Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
A pretty classic movie I figured I should finally watch. I love a good heist.
Thanks for reading, sorry if this was all over the place — my brain is fried. Drop me movie recommendations in the comments.
Hi Ivy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
Always excited to read another post of yours. Indulgent, perhaps, but the world continues on!
I, too, have an embarrassing lack of film experience. Yesterday at work, my coworkers almost disowned me for never having seen Clueless. I recognize I am in the wrong for it. My inexperience stems from my parents not subjecting me to many famous films, as well as a lack of personal action to conquer them. I tend to get stressed out by the inaction of watching the screen, guilting myself for not being productive. Movies are more palatable than tv shows, as I can finish them within a few hours and feel like I have accomplished something.
You introduced me to Letterboxd, and I have become an enthusiast since. Lacking my own input, I am fascinated by people with a lot to say. Mia's profile is endlessly impressive, and I similarly enjoy keeping up with yours.
I have only seen a few of the movies you mentioned, but I must say that you have to give In the Tall Grass a second shot. You left right before the climax, and I feel like I wronged you by subjecting you to an hour of rising action in which they are just wandering a field and growing increasingly sweaty. It is so good, I swear.
Anyways, thank you for the film recommendations, and I will put Shiva Baby on my list!