ONE MOVIE, PAST/PRESENT/FUTURE THAT YOU SHOULD WATCH EACH MONTH OF THIS YEAR
2021 has already kick started in full gear and only God knows what madness lays ahead. Fingers crossed, it makes last year look like a detour through hell in comparison. One problem I think we can all agree on is the mass uncertainty surrounding the movie calendar. Drooling in anticipation over a movie close for release only to have it slingshot into oblivion is becoming too common an occurrence. Never fear my fellow movie lovers, for here is a list of one movie (whether old or upcoming release) you should watch each month and why you should. Movies can be best enjoyed when they’re watched at the right time and under the right conditions and I’m here to help you make the best picks for each month. Let’s get to it:
After exiting a year soured by so much negativity and bad buzz, you want to begin a fresh year with all the positivity you can muster for the journey ahead. This why you should check one of the best classics of Hollywood, It’s a wonderful Life. Not only is this 1947 release completely timeless, filled with fantastic dialogue, great acting and directing, it reminds us of what really matters in life. It shows us that in spite of numerous challenges and letdowns, we can still make a difference when we remember to fill this cold world with the perfect antidote: Kindness and her sister, Love. After a difficult year for many, It’s a wonderful life is the perfect film to help you face the year ahead with the right attitude.
Every technology makes stunning strides closer to realms we used to dream off. What better film to put than into perspective than Her. This 2013 release was a Best Picture nominee and for good reason. It has stellar acting from the talented cast including Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Scarlet Johansson’s voice, but what really makes this worth watching is it’s commentary on the advancement of modern technology and it’s hold and influence in our lives today. Her is also a beautiful and very convincing love story that sounds bizarre on paper but is executed so perfectly that it will have you rooting for a man and his Operating System. It makes for great Valentine’s Day viewing.
The only film on this list that has not yet been released, I recommend Kong vs Godzilla because of two dopamine inducing words: Blockbuster Cinema. After being away from the cinema for so long, if there is one movie in the massive list of movies coming out this year that should be seen on the big screen, its Godzilla vs Kong. It may not turn out to be a critically acclaimed film but after settling for the small screens at home for so long the prospect of seeing two iconic, colossal monsters duking it out in the cinema is an experience hard to turn down. Just don’t forget your masks!
It’s April, the year is picking up and Easter is around the corner. Here’s a beautiful Netflix movie from Bong Joon˗ho about a powerful relationship of a little girl and a new breed of animal in the form of a rather unusual super pig called Okja. This dazzling and at times heart wrenching tale contains stellar social commentary about the torturous processes animals go through and the deceptions corporate organisations use to thrive. This film is one of the few that educates and leaves you emotional. Don’t forget wonderful performances from Seo˗Hyeon Ahn, Jake Gyellynhaal, Tilda Swinton, Giancarla Esposito, Steven Yeun, Paul Dano and Lily Collins.
May is the month summer blockbusters begin to reel in. They tend to be massive hits or misses in the bunch but here’s a film that went largely unnoticed in the summer of 2018 but was better than any blockbuster movie that year by a mile. Invisible Man director Leigh Whannell knocked it out of the park when he burst on the scene with this one. Upgrade follows a paralysed man recently widowed by the same people responsible for his paralysis. He gets another chance at life and vengeance when he is offered a chip that restores his mobility. This Sci-Fi action flick is exactly what you will need in May to kick start the summer vacation. It will entertain the hell out of you and leave you wanting more. If you’ve already seen it, you know it’s worth revisiting. It stars Logan Marshal Green.
You’re halfway through the year. I bet you could use a good laugh right about now. How about 2011’s Tucker and Dale vs Evil. This film takes your conventional slasher film premise and turns it on its head. Tucker and Dale have their vacation cut short as they are mistaken for serial killers by a group of college students. It has a brilliant social commentary on prejudice and for a gory film is filled with a lot of heart and humour. Starring Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine in the lead, this one to check out or at least revisit.
The 90s are filled with classics and awesome films to choose from. One movie that doesn’t get brought up enough is the Truman Show starring Jim Carrey, Laura Linney and Ed Helms. This film warned us of the superficiality and ubiquitous nature of reality TV and social media before it was even a thing. This summer vacation before you dive headfirst into these pleasures, take a moment to be entertained and educated by this movie. An emotional tale about Truman, a normal middle class salesman discovers a groundbreaking truth about his entire existence. Sorry, I can’t give you more information without spoiling a huge chunk of the movie. Trust me and give this movie a watch.
Here is the perfect film to roundup the summer break. Charlize Theron and Set Rogen are the partnership we didn’t know we needed in one of the funniest films to come out in 2019. Long shot tells a tale about a love story between the Secretary of State and her ditty but ambitious journalist friend. Romantic comedies tend to be criticized for being unrealistic, cliché or even toxic; however this film finds a way to be entertaining and somehow realistic at the same time. It also side steps the pitfall of getting preachy of modern social and political issues and delivers an extremely entertaining and heartwarming flick that should be seen by all. Its wort seeing if for noting, to give you one last laugh before ending the summer break.
It seems almost impossible for a modern day Tom Cruise movie to move under the radar but that’s exactly what happened in 2017 when American Made came out. It was a shame too because the film was told is a true story about a n former airline pilot wo flies drugs into the US for Colombian drug dealers and flies weapons and secrets for the for the CIA was not only compelling, it was very entertaining. Tom Cruise brings is A game in this role and is character, though devious and opportunistic, is very charismatic and sympathetic in to. Performances aside, the plot moves along seamlessly and keeps you following wide eyed and entertained not only by the ambitions of the Colombian drug lords but my the deceitfulness and secrecy of the American government. Tis film will leave you entertained at the time of the year when fatigue as normally creeping in and we’re longingly looking forward to the holidays.
It’s October now and horror movie season is here. If there’s one genre bombarded with clichés every year, its horror movies. So to avoid that pitfall, a film you should totally check out is the 2013 release, Under Her Skin. Scarlet Johansson is an alien who uses disguised as a woman who uses her beauty and to lure unsuspecting men to their deaths as she harvests their life force. While it’s more of a slow burn tan a balls to the wall mayhem characteristic of most horror films, it is extremely compelling as Scarlet’s alien studies human behaviour and what it means to be a human being. The lure of the film comes from watching the villain cane as she is molded by her new environment until she is someone completely different. This enthralling film is worth seeing more than once.
This 11th suggestion is quite the anomaly but hey, it’s November, and after a grueling 11 months, I’m sure you can use a little weird. Lakeith Steinfield, Tessa Thompson, Armie Hammer and Danny Glover all star in this take by Boots Riley that comments on capitalism like you’ve never seen done before. A young aspiring broker secures a job where he receives timely advice to use a white voice for is sales instead of is normal black accent. This unconventional change in tactics catapults him to the top. However, he discovers a groundbreaking conspiracy. Sorry to bother you is an extremely, entertaining and funny 2018 flick that will leave you entertained and shaking your head in disbelief at the same time. Definitely worth checking out for the weirdness alone.
Congratulations, you made it to the end of 2021! The holidays are back, the family’s all together and Santa is getting is sleigh ready. You’re probably tired of seeing Home Alone, Die Hard and Elf every year… or maybe you’re not, they are classics for a reason after all. A great movie for the season is 2020’s Fatman, starring Mel Gibson, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Walton Goggins. Santa and Mrs. Santa are real is this film and no one cares. Santa’s deal with the government to provide toys for kids is falling apart because as we all know, kids are getting naughtier every year. Another thorn in Santa’s flesh is an assassin hired by an obnoxious kid to murder him because he got coal for Christmas. This film is as entertaining as it is unconventional and is held up by excellent performances from its lead characters who play their roles with immense conviction in spite the unusual plot. Fatman comments excellently on the commercialization and superficiality of Christmas and how to carry on with what you believe in even when all motivation is lost. It’s such an underrated film that I can’t recommend enough for all viewers who will be looking for something different tis Christmas. It as an R rating however, so don’t gather the kids around.
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