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wattwrites · 4 months

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January 2024 in Movies and TV

A collection of mini-reviews about the movies and TV shows I've watched during the past month.

A lot of these are 2023 releases I didn't get round to when they released, So I'm playing catch up a little bit this month. Please note that I only watch things I'm personally interested in and please remember these are just my opinions. If you would like to read my reviews in full, Please go to my Letterboxd.

MOVIES:

09.01 - Hercules (1997, Ron Clements.) 3/5

Beautiful animation, some really under-rated visual sequences. Meg and Hades are the best characters, They have so much charm. Plot is a little stiff but the characters for sure make up for it.

10.01 - The Boy and the Heron (2023, Hayao Miyazaki.) 3.5/5

A powerful piece about grief and displacement, Our protagonist continues to venture through the world despite his loss. Breath taking animation and some superb voice acting, just really beautiful.

10.01 - Saltburn (2023, Emerald Fennell) 3/5

I didn't think this was as crazy or as good as it was made out to be, Casual movie watchers need to stop misunderstanding artsy films. There were a few moments that gripped me when I first watched it but seeing it all be picked apart on social media ruined this movie for me. I found Felix really likeable and I went into it knowing that Oliver was a piece of shit; Rosmund Pike and Alison Oliver gave some of my favourite performances.

12.01 - Poor Things (2023, Yorgos Lanthimos) 5/5

My favourite movie I saw in Janurary, A visual treat for anyone who likes traditional gothic horror, the visual effects and the set design was beautiful and I genuinely felt so emerged in the world. Kinky and gorey and does not hold back on a single punch, Bella is unashamedly herself and learning to find her way in the world and I've never experienced such a well rounded character arc before.

13.01 - Fantastic Mr.Fox (2009, Wes Anderson) 3.5/5

The first of several Wes Anderson movies I watched this month, I really like the flare in his movies. George Clooney plays the character so well and all the characters are so charming - I did think it got a bit overcomplicated in the middle but isn't that just Wes Anderson to a T. Beautiful animation and genuine well done slapstick comedy, a family treat.

14.01 - Wish (2023, Fawn Veerasunthorn) 2.5/5

Disappointing is the best way to describe Wish, It did have some merit but for what was supposed to be Disney's 100 Year movie it fell extremely short. Flat animation, boring characters and generic plot progression. Fine for kids who don't pay attention but there is very little of actual worth, I can't believe this came from Disney the same year as Across The Spiderverse.

15.01 - Arrietty (2010, Hirosama Yonebayashi) 3/5

Pretty music, great animation as usual but not quite to the scale of some other Ghibli productions. The voice acting really blew me away on this one, Mark Strong was a great choice for the stoic father but Olivia Coleman really went above and beyond in her performance. Neat, warm and cozy - The ending felt really simple but it was a good middle of the road Ghibli movie.

19.01 - The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014, Wes Anderson) 4/5

Fun, silly and warm. The whole movie felt like it took place in a toy box. Loved seeing all the usual Anderson offenders, I've started playing guess who when I watch one of his movies. I would give anything to hang out with M. Gustave of the Grand Budapest Hotel. Ralph Finnes was a fantastic choice, He embodied the role so well.

20.01 - Princess Mononoke (1997, Hayo Miyazaki) - 3.5/5

Easily the most brutal Ghibli I've seen, Doesn't hold back on its message at all and it was a fantastic visual metaphor for Man vs Nature. Great animation for the time, solid secondary characters and good voice work.

24.01 - Ghostbusters (1984, Ivan Reitman) - 4/5

My first time properly watching this movie and I loved it, can't believe it took me so long to watch. Oozes with charm and tone, The goofy spooky vibes are on point and every character is very unique. Fun popcorn cinema, It's extremely silly but takes itself seriously when it needs to. I found myself wanting more of the four Ghostbusters just bouncing off each other, All these big personalities play off each other so well.

26.01 - All of Us Strangers (2023, Andrew Haig) - 3/5

I completely misunderstood this movie and didn't go into it knowing it was a sixth-sense / supernatural movie so my first viewing left me very confused. Its full of very heartwarming moments, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell play the parents very well and there is genuine connection between the characters. Confusing and a little disappointing but it does pack a punch with some of the emotional moments, There was a few times it genuinely chocked me up.

27.01 - Watership Down (1978, Martin Rosen) - 5/5

I personally don't know how to put into words how much I love this movie, It was a favourite of mine during childhood and it still holds up. The music and the tone is so strong and never once does it lose its pacing, You can tell the animators and production team really cared about the story. The commentary on nature and war was cleverly done, Not in your face but very present and the voice work was fantastic for the time.

27.01 - Raiders of The Lost Arc (Steven Spielberg, 1981) - 3/5

Goofy and fun but packed with really well executed and well directed action. The monkey broke my heart, I was rooting for her and she was a snake! Indie is kind of a scumbag but Harrison Foord plays him so well I can't help but love him, He'd make me crush on him too tbh.

28.01 - The Holdovers (Alexandar Payne, 2023) - 4.5/10

For a movie with such hurt and wounded characters at this core, This movie continually upholds the message that life can go on. Three protags all grieve something; a different life, a family, a child and all come together in this beautifully human story. Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa and Da'Vine Joy Randolph all play off each other so much, hats off to them all.

31.01 - Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023, Sam Fell) - 2.5/5

Big tonal change from the original tbh, I liked how gritty and dark and actually hopeless things felt. The uncanny valley vibes (for chickens) are kinda on it and the animation is pretty good but the over saturated colour pallet really doesn't do anything for these characters.

Television:

17.01 - Ted (2024, Seth MacFarlane) - 3.5/5

Packed with laughs and surprisingly human moments, the characters are all very fleshed out and I genuinely get the chaotic family vibes. Actual comedy and not just Family Guy-esque jokes, The whole season felt like a nicely wrapped gift. Not sure if I want more but I enjoyed it for what it was.

21.01 - Hazbin Hotel (2024, Vivienne Medrano) - 3/5

I was really conflicted going into watching this show as I don't have the best opinion of the creator but I was surprised. Good characters, fluid animation and some musical bangers. It hasn't quite blown me away yet but as of time of writing the finale hasn't aired yet.

#films #movies #reviews #cinema #oscars #award season #emerald fennell #hayo miyazaki #wes anderson #animation #live action #reviews.txt #disney #wish #hazbin hotel #vivziepop

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