What I Was Watching in September 2021
This month was a struggle for movies. I started off strong, but then due to travel and friends in town, the movies fell by the wayside. It was just mad dashes between plans and catching up on shows to clear out my DVR, but I suspect as the weather gets cooler and I start indulging in fall rainy days in on my couch or hiding out in a movie theater, it’ll ramp back up again. We’re getting close to where the blockbusters give way to Oscar potential, after all.
The Green Knight
Rented
I went from dying to see this movie to being extremely wary after hearing multiple people say it was style over substance and not much more. It was a critical darling, and Dev Patel did as much as he could, but the film was convoluted and baffling and left me wondering what on earth I had watched and how such a legendary story managed to become so bleak and bland.
The Verdict: 2/5
The Courier
Rented
There is something wonderful about both Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachel Brosnahan in a period film. It just fits so perfectly, and when it’s teaching me something I absolutely had never heard about in all my history classes, it doesn’t get much better. This isn’t exactly an exciting thriller, but it easily held my interest the entire time.
The Verdict: 4/5
Point Break
HBO Max
I have no idea what compelled me to watch this other than a vague memory of the Office Ladies podcast raving about young, handsome Keanu Reeves, and that part I definitely got. I was also thrilled to find a new-to-me Patrick Swayze film, and while it was far from being a masterpiece, it was a fantastic time capsule as to what an action thriller in the 1990s looked like.
The Verdict: 3/5
Big Fish
Hulu
While I wasn’t overly impressed by this movie, I will say it was unlike any other Tim Burton film I’ve ever watched. There was definitely some weirdness, which is absolutely a Burton trademark, but it felt more fantastical than downright strange. Helena Bonham Carter as a witchy character was the only real thing that felt like I was being smacked in the face with some Burton, but it definitely was unique.
The Verdict: 3/5
Bull Durham
Hulu
You would think that after being wowed by A League of Their Own, and being devastated that it took me so long to see it, it wouldn’t surprise me to have the same revelation about another modern classic baseball film. This was unlike any other sports movie I’ve seen and balanced the game and the romantic comedy perfectly. I laughed, I swooned over one of Susan Sarandon’s outfits and I loved every second of it.
The Verdict: 4/5
Charles & Diana: 1983
Hulu
While runtime wise, this may not count as a true movie, but it sure felt like one. The Harry and Meghan focus of tabloids over the last year or two combined with The Crown has definitely reignited the public’s interest in the royal family, especially Diana. This gave an interesting look into this marriage, and helped show just how much Netflix’s semi-fictional program may have gotten right.
The Verdict: 4/5
Labyrinth
HBO Max
This movie is absolutely insane. It is bizarre, it is hilarious and it is filled with some ridiculous puppet creations. I loved it. It’s not a great movie. I’m aware of that. It’s so dated and cheesy. But it was a baffling delight. David Bowie is just…David Bowie-ing all over the place, we get a baby Jennifer Connelly and I noticed immediately that one of the goblin puppets is absolutely voiced by the same person who voiced Elmo. That’s all I needed.
The Verdict: 3/5
City of Angels
HBO Max
I was incredibly disappointed in this movie. I recognize I’m coming at this movie as a young woman in 2021, but I’m sorry, at no point in my life would I have ever seen Nicholas Cage as a dreamboat. And the ending of this simultaneously annoyed me and yet felt predictable by the time I was 20 minutes into the film. Also, for one of the greatest 90s songs to be written for this movie (“Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls, of course) and for its entire music video to be centered on it, I was very annoyed we didn’t even get a full minute of that amazing song in the movie.
The Verdict: 2.75/5
Pleasantville
HBO Max
Thankfully, following City of Angels immediately with this made me remember why I like movies. Watching this in a post-WandaVision world helped highlight the genius of this film by recognizing its influence so present in a huge Marvel property. It did not take very long for Pleasantville to win me over, even if it did create more questions than it answered by the credits were rolling.
The Verdict: 3.5/5
I want to definitely indulge in some Halloween or fall appropriate movies this next month, despite being utterly terrified of the entire genre of horror as a concept. Any favorite movies for this time of year you think don’t get the respect they deserve? Let me know in the comments.