What I Was Watching in February 2022
When I think about this past month, I just sigh heavily. I feel like I really leaned in hard to my media consumption in January and managed to burn myself out only 58 days into the year. So this month’s list is a bit shorter, but I’m hoping to pick up steam again slowly over the next month - my birthday month! But for now, here’s everything I saw in February (other than the ridiculous amount of Castle I’ve been watching).
Annette
Amazon Prime
I do not know the last time I disliked a movie as strongly or as immediately as I did this one. I like the actors in this film. I love musicals. I’m not even opposed to a plot more on the weird side of normal. But wow, this movie annoyed me. I liked literally no character in this film, it took turns I will never be able to make sense of and there was a puppet type child that will haunt my dreams forever.
The Verdict: 1/5
Belfast
In theaters
I was irrationally excited that Belfast came back to theaters once the award nominations were announced. I adore both Kenneth Branagh and Jamie Dornan and it turns out when you combine the two, it’s even better than I expected. I am not sure it’s the most groundbreaking film, but it’s about the troubles in Ireland when religious tensions hit a high and it’s a beautiful movie to watch.
The Verdict: 4/5
The Stepford Wives
Hulu
Over the past decade or so, I’ve leaned a lot more into the thriller or psychological horror genre than I used to. While this is pretty light on the horror, there is that element to it. I feel like I knew so much about this movie just by living in culture but it was not what I was expected. The actual plot took some turns that were almost laugh out loud funny (and maybe not intentionally so), but the cast is so incredible, they sold it without a problem.
The Verdict: 3.5/5
Kimi
HBO Max
I am very much becoming a Zoë Kravitz super fan. She’s almost the sole force of this movie and it’s incredible how much she is able to pull off. For so much of the runtime, she’s the only one we really see, and it takes a hell of an actor to carry a film. It’s full of suspense and her character makes choices that actually make sense, rather than the normal thrillers that can often make you scream at the screen and tell them, “Don’t go in there!”
The Verdict: 3.5/5
Independence Day
HBO Max
Once again, my coming late to a film definitely dampens my potential enjoyment of it. As cheesy and dated as this insane movie is, even a couple decades can’t dampen the power of the president’s inspirational speech. It’s a solid cast of actors, but there were so many times I did a double take at some dialogue or a plot line. I’m not going to lie. This movie is ridiculous. But there’s definitely a lot to enjoy if a crazy sci-fi action flick is your jam.
The Verdict: 2.75/5
The Photograph
HBO Max
How did it take me two years to watch this movie? Don’t worry, I’m ashamed of me too. A romance starring Issa Rae is always going to be a yes for me. Was it cliche? Absolutely. Was it exactly what I wanted to be? Absolutely. You get to watch beautiful people go through the ups and downs of love. There were more wonderful moments than the trailer could hold and it gave me all the feels. It did what it intended to perfectly.
The Verdict: 3.75/5
With hiatus season over (a thing I was celebrating this winter), my evenings are filled up with a lot of currently airing shows. What’s your favorite thing you’re watching lately?