DECEMBER MOVIE WATCHLIST
AT THE THEATER… BUT STILL AT HOME
All photos of movie posters found via Amazon
Watching films has got to be one of my favorite activities in the world. I can’t even really explain why. There’s something about the dimming of lights, the intentional focus, and the crossing-over of worlds — my own and the one on the screen. My years have always been filled with movies, new and old, but this year especially. 2020 brought more time to kill, so I was able to re-watch certain movies while also crossing some off of my ever-growing watchlist!
1. The Godfather, 1972
Photo via Paramount Pictures
A true classic.
The Godfather is said to be the greatest movie of all time. After years of observing scenes from this movie as my dad watched it alone in our family room, and after hearing references and listening to impressions, I have finally come to understand the hype.
This Italian mafia movie is everything: Crime, murder, danger, family, culture, and more. I found myself subscribing to the romanticization of everything that is evil in this world. The presentation and balance of every element in this movie is perfect.
It’s a cinematic masterpiece in my eyes, from the script down to the performances.
It has also been added to my top 5 favorite movies ever. That list will be coming soon.
2. Call Me By Your Name, 2017
Photo via Sony Pictures Classics
Time for some reflecting.
Call Me By Your Name was my first experience with Timothee Chalamet and I look forward to watching him evolve as an actor. His performance in this film was nothing short of raw and truthful.
Aside from Sir Chalamet, the film itself is the perfect presentation of living and living fully. It’s confrontational and forces You to ask yourself: “Have I actually been alive?”.
3. Meet Joe Black, 1998
Photo via IMDb
An enchanting love story — romance, family, and death.
Meet Joe Black, starring the one and only Brad Pitt, is an extremely mystical story. It dances between reality and complete fantasy, but somehow does an incredible job at staying believable and truthful.
My eyes were glued to the screen for every single second. And that’s hard to find in movies these days (at least for me). The dialogue is thought-provoking and the romantic chemistry that the two leads share is truly enchanting.
4. Kramer vs. Kramer, 1979
Photo via Columbia Pictures/Getty Images
A good fight.
Who doesn’t love a good divorce story? I’m kidding.
I love dark stories. I love sad stories. I thought that’s what this film would be. A lot of fighting, a lot of pain and devastation. But I was wrong and was pleasantly surprised by that. If you’ve seen Marriage Story on Netflix, wipe it from your mind. This movie is nothing like it.
Kramer vs. Kramer captures the truth of divorce by exploring gender roles and parenthood and t focuses less on the relationship (or lack thereof) between the parents.
Also, the young actor who plays Billy, was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in this film… and he was eight years old.
5. Harriet, 2019
Photo via IMDb
Your history lesson.
I don’t have much to say about this movie other than go watch it. It’s really good.
Everything I learned in AP American History came to dance with everything I saw in this movie and it was thrilling.
Just go watch it.
6. Lady Macbeth, 2016
Photo via The New York Times
Horrifying. Like really scary.
I love all things Florence Pugh. I think she’s becoming one of my favorite female actresses and I’m so in awe of her blatant boldness and emotional variety.
This film has nothing to do with Shakespeare or his classic story of Macbeth, but follows the same outline of bloodshed and shameless terror. There is fierce desire inside of all of us… but how far are we willing to go to get the things we want. This movie challenges the idea of how far is really too far.
