Here's my January in Film -- the good, the great and the boring.
1) In Vogue: The Editor's Eye
Fact: I love a fashion doc. I will watch any documentary about the fashion world, from haute couture to street style. I love the colors and textures of fashion and seeing the hard work that goes into something we all have a relationship with, intentionally or not. I'm not, however, a big Vogue reader. But I still enjoyed this film! It's a fascinating look at the role of fashion editors and the many different ways they operate; the importance of a harmonious relationship between the editor, photographer and model(s); and the intense women behind a publication that's entering its 126th year.
2) The Normal Heart
The Normal Heart was one of those films I'd wanted to see since I first heard about it, but kept putting off because I knew how much it would affect me. I knew I would cry through the whole thing...and I was right. To severely understate it, the AIDS epidemic is one of the most tragic, heartbreaking, infuriating things that has happened in recent history. And this film takes an unflinching look at it all. The performances are all outstanding, but I was particularly impressed by Jim Parsons (save this man from The Big Bang Theory already, jeez). I have a feeling it is a film that will stick with me for a long time.
3) Sunshine Cleaning
This is a dark little film -- sad, but not without laughs. I don't know if it was because I watched it immediately after The Normal Heart and was already emotionally compromised, but this film hit me harder than I expected. It's a character film that delves beyond its quirky premise -- two sisters start a "biohazard removal and crime scene clean-up" service -- to get at deeper themes. At its heart, its a film about the pain every person drags around, the losses we've all felt and that no matter what happens in our life (as bleak as it sounds) we all end up the same. Good performances from everyone, but man, I love Amy Adams. She can switch from blinding optimism to deepest sorrow faster than almost any actor I've seen.
4) Marie Antoinette
It took an entire hour for this movie to get even remotely interesting, and then it was still...meh. I'm not a huge fan of period pieces in general, but I'd heard this one was ~unconventional~ and it kind-of was -- just not enough for me to like it. I did enjoy the "I Want Candy" scene though, so watch that.
5) Definitely, Maybe
Y'all, this movie was cute as puppies. If I had seen it when it first came out in 2008, I would have seen it a million more times by now. A "mystery love story," it's got a crazy-charming cast and I genuinely wasn't sure how the story was going to work out -- a rarity for rom-coms. It's a damn delight. Watch it if you just want to feel better.
6) Lady Bird*
All women have complicated relationships with their mothers. I have a very complicated relationship with mine. So going into Lady Bird -- a film very much about the relationship between mothers and daughters -- I knew there was potential for serious emotional impact. And while it affected me differently than I predicted, I did cry twice and would have definitely cried the entire time if I had seen it with my mother. No matter who you are, parts of it will feel familiar. But if you're a woman, you'll probably leave it feel both better and worse about your relationship with your own mom. I know I did. (I also saw it in theaters, at night, when it was cold outside, which is the absolute best way to see a movie. When you step back out into the real world, everything feels a little more cinematic.)
7) It (2017)
For months, I couldn't decide if I wanted to watch this movie or not. I talked myself out of seeing it in theaters because I was afraid it would be too scary (because hi, clowns are terrifying, always). But I was also intrigued by its good reviews and I love a good Misfit Kids Band Together™ story. I was still arguing with myself about it right up until I clicked "rent." Then, I practically had a panic attack watching the opening scene. But after that, I got really into it! It was actually a really great movie, a coming-of-age film that just happens to feature a killer clown. I highly recommend it, especially if you're already a horror fan. And even if you're not, the kid actors make it worth it -- just be ready to hide behind a pillow every time Pennywise is on-screen.
8) Raiders of the Lost Ark
Hello from 1981, I have finally seen an Indiana Jones movie! And I loved it! It had it all: Action! A strong woman! A nazi monkey! That score! (Ask me about John Williams if you want me to yell enthusiastically for several minutes.) And, of course, Harrison Ford's beautiful face/voice/entire self. It was a little more fantastical than I expected (which, duh, it's Spielberg + Lucas), but that just made it even better. It was seriously so much fun to watch and I plan to watch the other three very soon.
This month, I also read Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher; started watching Waco, The Assassination of Gianni Versace and the new season of The X Files; and discovered/rediscovered these songs.
Here's to a fruitful February!
5) Definitely, Maybe
Y'all, this movie was cute as puppies. If I had seen it when it first came out in 2008, I would have seen it a million more times by now. A "mystery love story," it's got a crazy-charming cast and I genuinely wasn't sure how the story was going to work out -- a rarity for rom-coms. It's a damn delight. Watch it if you just want to feel better.
6) Lady Bird*
All women have complicated relationships with their mothers. I have a very complicated relationship with mine. So going into Lady Bird -- a film very much about the relationship between mothers and daughters -- I knew there was potential for serious emotional impact. And while it affected me differently than I predicted, I did cry twice and would have definitely cried the entire time if I had seen it with my mother. No matter who you are, parts of it will feel familiar. But if you're a woman, you'll probably leave it feel both better and worse about your relationship with your own mom. I know I did. (I also saw it in theaters, at night, when it was cold outside, which is the absolute best way to see a movie. When you step back out into the real world, everything feels a little more cinematic.)
7) It (2017)
For months, I couldn't decide if I wanted to watch this movie or not. I talked myself out of seeing it in theaters because I was afraid it would be too scary (because hi, clowns are terrifying, always). But I was also intrigued by its good reviews and I love a good Misfit Kids Band Together™ story. I was still arguing with myself about it right up until I clicked "rent." Then, I practically had a panic attack watching the opening scene. But after that, I got really into it! It was actually a really great movie, a coming-of-age film that just happens to feature a killer clown. I highly recommend it, especially if you're already a horror fan. And even if you're not, the kid actors make it worth it -- just be ready to hide behind a pillow every time Pennywise is on-screen.
8) Raiders of the Lost Ark
Hello from 1981, I have finally seen an Indiana Jones movie! And I loved it! It had it all: Action! A strong woman! A nazi monkey! That score! (Ask me about John Williams if you want me to yell enthusiastically for several minutes.) And, of course, Harrison Ford's beautiful face/voice/entire self. It was a little more fantastical than I expected (which, duh, it's Spielberg + Lucas), but that just made it even better. It was seriously so much fun to watch and I plan to watch the other three very soon.
This month, I also read Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher; started watching Waco, The Assassination of Gianni Versace and the new season of The X Files; and discovered/rediscovered these songs.
Here's to a fruitful February!
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