What I Was Watching in January 2022
I thought I was going to be bummed out when so many of my weekly shows were on hiatus and I didn’t have that reliable source of entertainment to get through dreary January, but instead, I was able to get a head start on watching a lot of the nominees for the SAG and Golden Globe awards. Getting to watch them at my own pace rather than cramming them all in two weeks before the Oscars has been a delightful change. Is this my version of being a responsible adult?
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
HBO Max
I was so upset when this movie was only in cinemas for a couple of weeks here in Nashville, and I was fascinated from beginning to end when I was finally able to stream it on HBO. Somehow, my knowledge of pop culture, both secular and religious, overlooked Tammy Faye Bakker so it was both a history lesson and a huge dose of, “I’m sorry…what?” Exactly what I wanted it to be.
The Verdict: 3.5/5
The 355
In theaters
I had high hopes for this movie, and between how exciting the preview seemed and the cast list alone, my expectations were probably too elevated. That may have been why I was a little disappointed in The 355. Some of it seemed even more formulaic than I anticipated and there wasn’t nearly enough character development for so many interesting people to be on the screen.
The Verdict: 3/5
Nightmare Alley
In theaters
Continuing the trend in movies that were a slight disappointment, this was the second of a double feature earlier this month. I think a lot of this movie’s flaws could have been solved by cutting it down by roughly 30 minutes, but even then, I’m not sure what would be left behind. The acting was good and the bones of the plot had quite a bit going for it, but it fell a bit short.
The Verdict: 2.75/5
The Tender Bar
Amazon Prime
And now we pivot fully into expectations being exceeded. I really need to learn that when I know nothing, it’s much easier to be impressed rather than disappointed. I’m weirdly wary of Ben Affleck lately, so to be completely proven wrong was an utter delight. As my friend put it, not a ton happens, but not every good movie has to have a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Verdict: 4/5
tick, tick…BOOM
Netflix
Once again, I only knew the bare bones of what this movie was about: the man who created Rent. And that it was a musical starring Andrew Garfield. Turns out, there’s nothing more I needed. I went through the whole spectrum of emotions watching this movie, and it’s exciting to see a movie that’s this much fun actually up for some award nominations.
The Verdict: 3.5/5
Encanto
In theaters and on Disney+
Next up: animated movies! I hadn’t heard much buzz about this movie until recently, despite it having been in theaters for quite some time. It’s a really cute movie and works well in this new age of Disney where a plot doesn’t require a prince and a love story. However, it is a bit too long and even though the songs were catchy and well done, none of them stuck in my brain for ages after.
The Verdict: 3.25/5
Ron’s Gone Wrong
Disney+
Ron’s Gone Wrong filled the Big Hero 6-sized hole in my heart that I didn’t know I had. This movie is endearing and continues this trend of technology-based animation that has endless amounts of potential. Baymax still have the primary place in my heart, but this is one cartoon I would recommend to anyone. There’s humor, emotional moments and an adorable little tech creature. What is there not to love?
The Verdict: 4/5
Passing
Netflix
I read this book for the first time last year and was incredibly impressed by it, and I couldn’t wait to see it translated into film. I was taken aback by the fact that it was in black and white. Considering the plot is entirely centered around a Black woman who ‘passes’ for white, the stark coloring of the film hid the fact. The acting is fantastic and they stay very close to the book, but I couldn’t shake the confusion around that choice.
The Verdict: 3.5/5
Away We Go
Amazon Prime
I can’t even remember how I found out about this movie, but when I found out it was John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph as a couple that travels around the country to figure out what feels like home, it was an obvious addition to the ‘to watch’ pile. It was certainly funny, but a couple of the characters in it came off as more unsettling than amusing.
The Verdict: 3/5
The King’s Daughter
In theaters
As I mention way too often, I love a trash movie. I got to see this one in an entirely theater other than the friend I went with. We were able to laugh and mock as we went along. If it gives you any indication of how terrible it is, just google Pierce Brosnan + this movie and enjoy the wig. It’s one of the many reasons this film was hidden away for almost a decade after it was filmed in 2014.
The Verdict: 1.5/5
The Lost Daughter
Netflix
From one daughter to the next, I decided to let this one redeem the previous. While that wasn’t easy to do, this Olivia Colman-led film was intriguing and very unpredictable. The ending unsettled me and I’m not the biggest fan of final scenes you’re supposed to interpret and decide for yourself. Colman’s performance (and Dakota Johnson’s as well) was definitely worth the watch.
The Verdict: 3.25/5
Swan Song
Apple TV+
Mahershala Ali is an actor I don’t often seek out, but am always thrilled to see. And this movie gives you double for your time. It’s a take on the concept of clones in a way I haven’t seen yet. (Now that I think about it, I really have seen a weird number of movies involving clones.) Add it a solid supporting cast and some incredibly stunning scenery, and you get a unique sci-fi film that was truly fascinating.
The Verdict: 3.25/5
I’ve even managed to sneak in a couple of small shows here and there, including the most recent season of Emily in Paris and The Chair in its entirety. Turns out, I’m actually a big fan of hiatus season.