What to Watch: Winter Recommendations
Everything has been disorienting this past year and it doesn’t feel like we can count on anything being “normal” or what we’d expect, but the show, so to speak, must go on. The Oscars extended their award season window to allow movies that bleed into 2021 to qualify for the ceremony. With an April air date, it is going to be the latest ever Oscar air date in the history of the show.
That said, many of my winter watches centered around films that are currently part of the awards conversation. AND it was the first time that I invited you guys to vote on movies for me to watch and review.
I REALLY appreciated all of the votes and a chance to watch a few movies that have been sitting on my list for a while.
2020 may not have given us much in the way of movie theater experiences, but if you were paying attention, it did give us a handful of phenomenal movies. I’m especially struck by how many first-time directors are on this list. The world still turns and artists are still making art. Thank goodness. Without further ado, here are a few recommendations for your next movie night.
The Best Movies To Get A Break From The Heavy
Wolfwalkers
One of the most stunning films I’ve seen in a long time, Wolfwalkers is giving Soul a run for its money in the animated feature category this awards season. The story is about a father/daughter relationship and a young girl’s journey discover who she is. It’s all anchored in an endearing friendship between two girls trying to protect what they love. I feel like I should give the disclaimer that even though this movie is a light-hearted watch, it did make me shed a tear or two. But, I can tell you you’ll walk away feeling a sense of hope. Promise. You can catch Wolfwalkers on Apple TV+
Soul
After a disappointing start to the year with Onward, Pixar gave us something special in Soul to remind us that they’ve still got some important stories to share with the world. In this crazy, chaotic time, it feels like a breath of fresh air when it’s hard to remember to be present and thankful for this life that truly is so fragile. The movie reminds us of that in true, existential Pixar fashion by following a Jazz musician’s accidental death and journey to “The Great Before” where he learns how souls are formed and what our purpose is in life. Soul is currently streaming for free on Disney+
The Best Movies About Fighting Injustice
Time
Garrett Bradley came out swinging with her first documentary feature about a family fighting a decades-long battle against the American prison system. The film is gorgeously shot and stitched together with black and white original and archival footage of the family. The film also boasts a sweeping classical music soundtrack. Bradley helps us understand how our prison system puts human beings in an endless loop of injustice and presents us with an inspiring figure engaged in the fight against it. Watch Time on Amazon Prime for free.
Promising Young Woman
Emerald Fennel, the director of Promising Young Woman is a true marvel. She’s an actor (Call The Midwife and The Crown) turned writer / show runner (Killing Eve), turned director who planted her flag with this unconventional revenge thriller. I don’t want to take the fun out of actually watching the movie by discussing it too much, but I will say it’s one of the most effective films I’ve ever seen that deals with our culture’s insidious frat culture / victim-blaming problem. Promising Young Woman is no available to rent on VOD.
Red, White, and Blue
Much ink has been spilled this awards season about whether or not Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology should be considered a series of TV episodes or a series of movies. The five “episode” anthology was released straight to Amazon Prime and each one is roughly the length of a feature film, but the episodes are in contention at the Emmys (instead of the Oscars) and were released in a few select theaters? If anything, the series proves that the world of entertainment is irrevocably changed. However you want to categorize it, each story is as brilliant as the last and Red, White, and Blue was my favorite among them. Catch Red, White, and Blue on Amazon Prime or BBC.
Mangrove
Also in the Small Axe series, Mangrove is a courtroom drama based on a true story that dare I say, was a more successful genre film than the similarly staged Trial of the Chicago 7 which came out on Netflix earlier in the year from Aaron Sorkin. There’s something so real and lived-in about McQueen’s stories that spans several generations of persecution that the West Indian community in London suffered. Mangrove is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
Judas and the Black Messiah
This movie was one of the first of the Warner Brother 2021 releases to drop on HBO Max in the controversial move from the major studio and it made an unassuming debut. This movie is anything but unassuming. Based on the real life story of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton and the informant who infiltrated his Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. The film is a gripping portrayal of an event that deserved a spotlight. You can watch Judas and the Black Messiah on HBO Max.
The Best Movies About The Beauty Of Human Connection
Another Round
This movie was a delightful surprise. The Danish best foreign film contender tells a story about middle aged men trying to reckon with their life choices, but beyond that, it’s a cautionary tale and a beautiful look at the importance of friendship and the importance of nurturing the relationships in our lives. The comical and heart-wrenching beats make for one of the more sobering films of the year, though the characters are far from sober. You can catch Another Round on VOD.
Sound of Metal
If you’ve seen any of his other projects, Riz Ahmed is a revelation who is overdue for his time to shine in a leading performance. I’m so glad he was able to debut his leading man chops in this film about a heavy metal drummer who looses his hearing. His journey as a recovering addict trying to re-discover his purpose is beautifully told by first time feature director: Darius Rucker. I’m hopeful for a Best Actor win for Ahmed. You can stream Sound of Metal on Amazon Prime for free.
The Best Movies About Resilience
Minari
In one of the best movies I’ve seen about the immigrant experience in a long time, rising filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung shares a beautiful portrait of his life as a young Korean boy growing up on a farm in Arkansas. It’s chalked full of great performances, especially from eight-year-old charmer, Alan Kim. It’s a powerful film about fighting for fresh starts and how family and culture shape us. Minari was just released on VOD.
Nomadland
Based on the true story about the town of Empire, Nevada that ceased to exist after the factory the town’s resident’s lives revolved around shut down, this movie showcases a career-best performance from Francis McDormand as she tries to pick up the pieces after her life falls apart…roaming the country and living in her van. Nomadland is currently streaming on Hulu for free.