What I Was Watching In September 2020
I really should learn better than to make plans in 2020. I figured, sure, September is when I’m going to get myself together. Watch all the things, enjoy all the media. Instead, I got slammed by work, overwhelmed by other projects and am having the bummer of a realization that despite being at home a lot, I don’t always have the energy or bandwidth to actually watch something I want to.
I have a few smaller goals for October: review a movie or two in longform, finally explore Apple TV+ before I lose my free year of it and to actively fit more movies in. Especially ones that others recommend.
The Ides of March
Prime
I truly thought I had seen this movie, but then realized that it’s just been on various to-watch lists for so long that I have seen the movie cover for so long I filled it in my brain. I didn’t realize that George Clooney wrote and directed the film, and I have to say it didn’t quite go how I expected, which was a pleasant surprise.
The Verdict: 4/5
Hotel Artemis
Prime
Pretty sure my brain combined this and Bad Times at the El Royale - again, why brain, why do you do what you do, so I was truly surprised at the way this one went. It was incredibly fun to see Sterling K Brown in this role, and there seemed almost a supernatural element that made this one of the more unique movies I’ve watched lately.
The Verdict: 3.5/5
Practical Magic
Hulu
I realize now this should have waited a month to get into the spooky spirit of things, but I am just mad at myself that it took me this long to watch it. Baby Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, Stockard Channing….a witchy but almost realistic plot, everything about it is a full win. This definitely will not be the only time I watch it.
The Verdict: 4/5
Best in Show
Hulu
So I’m still trying to figure out if I liked this movie. I think maybe I did? I’m not sure. However, I know it’s a pretty legendary film and is a titan of the comedy world. Maybe i can recognize its value without enjoying it? Is that insane? I think this movie made me question too many things for being a truly silly film about a dog show.
The Verdict: 3/5
The Unicorn
Hulu
I had literally zero expectations for this movie. All I knew was that Lucy Hale was in it and that it had something to do with a threesome. I expected a mediocre, raunchy film. And instead I got a weirdly fun romantic comedy that actually was pretty interesting and well acted. This may be the most pleasant surprise of this month’s watching.
The Verdict: 3/5
Fighting with my Family
Prime
For reasons I don’t fully understand, I’ve decided to be a Florence Pugh fan, so seeing this movie was a necessity. I know nothing about wrestling and the world that surrounds it, but this movie was a complete delight. Pugh is basically unrecognizable and is fully immersed in the role, and the supporting cast provides all the feels and all the laughs.
The Verdict: 4/5
The Hustle
Prime
I wanted to like this movie. I had some semblance of a hope for it. But I’m sorry, I just don’t think it was very good. I actually really enjoy Anne Hathaway for the most part, but this did not have much of any kind of joy for me. It was hard to like literally any character in this story and I was basically waiting for the story to end.
The Verdict: 2/5
Molly’s Game
Netflix
Aaron Sorkin may not be the best person to throw support behind, so I hate to say this, but I really freaking love what this man produces. Normally, he doesn’t do the best with the women in his story-telling (excluding The West Wing’s CJ, of course) so I was nervous about a based-on-a-true-story film whose primary character is female. Thankfully, I was taken by surprise with this film and found her fascinating.
The Verdict: 4/5
Steve Jobs
Netflix
When I realized this was both the other Sorkin film and the other Steve Jobs film I had yet to watch on Netflix, I decided to give this movie (the Fassbender one, not the Ashton Kutcher one) a shot. Simultaneously I liked and didn’t like it. It is not very fun to watch, but there are a lot of stories about Jobs not being the most delightful person, so maybe I didn’t enjoy it since it just…was more accurate.
The Verdict: 3/5
After
Netflix
I go fully back and forth with Netflix teen romcoms. They’re either amazing or terrible, with few hovering in between. This one was terrible. It took every single trope I actively dislike in both coming of age stories and romantic comedies. I’m pretty sure I left the room for about 15-20 minutes of it and came back, caught up immediately and still didn’t care. And to be honest, the plot didn’t even stick with me. Very meh.
The Verdict: 2/5
All Together Now
Netflix
I think this would be the movie I watched this month that I’d shout about from the rooftops. It’s another based-on-a-true-story tale but one I was not expecting. Go into it knowing nothing and just prepare yourself for the emotions. I cried, a lot, both happy and sad, and Auliʻi Cravalho (the voice of Moana) is incredibly charming and talented in the lead role in telling a beautiful story that will definitely tug at the heartstrings.
The Verdict: 4/5
Here’s hoping I figure out some better time management and use these evenings and weekends as it’s getting darker and colder curled up with some great new movies. (Recommendations always welcome and appreciated.)