Movie-Bangers Of The Year

Hello everyone!

Today we are starting the day with some of the best movies that I have watched this year.

A lot of the titles that I will mention are fairly new, but some are already nominated for awards! 

This year started with my discovery of A24. A24 is an American independent entertainment company that specializes in film production and it’s slowly becoming a pioneer of modern horror and phycological thriller.

I have seen a considerable number of movies from this company and have enjoyed most of them, and they have more movies coming out soon!

 

Movies

 

You Won’t Be Alone

 

One of the most philosophical movies I have ever watched. It is original, strange and real.

The movie starts with a lonely girl that is turned into a shapeshifter by a witch and abandoned in the mountains. As the girl explores a world for the first time, she learns about humanity, community and love.

Is like watching a human that knows nothing about the world coming to life in this movie.

 

Seeing her discovering every part of being a life made me wonder if we were all like that when we were born. Merely lost souls trying to understand feelings, people and the world as something we are meant to belong to.

 

Tár

Tár exposes the privileged life of the most elitist orchestra conductors in Europe. The movie follows her and the people around her including her family, friends and students.

The movie is prolonged enough to focus on her subtle narcissistic tendencies and her obsession with music, as well as her breakdown once a story from her past comes to life to destroy her life.

For a change, I loved the original, yet realistic ending of this movie.

 

 

Stars at noon

The story of an American journalist stranded in Nicaragua. She falls in love with a British man who is working in the country temporarily.

The mixed reviews this film has made me think twice about watching it. After loving “Maid”, I was inclined to watch another film led by the same actress.

 

 

 

Close

A very sad and beautiful movie about masculine friendship. Leo and Remis are two best friends that have spent their entire life together and are ready to start their first year in high school. 

By creating this film, the director had the intention of highlighting the pressures and prejudices of male friendship, especially in young children. 

I love the detailed way in which the small attacks and aggressions from other classmates slowly tear apart the intimate relationship between the main characters.

At such a young age we are extremely affected by the acceptance of our social group. Unfortunately, some beautiful and healthy dynamics aren’t always welcomed.

 

 

 

Triangle of Sadness

A great movie that follows the dynamics of a group of privileged holidaymakers on a luxurious cruise, and the staff that works on the maintenance of the same cruise.

The rich, the cleaners, the pilot, and the many different layers of power and privilege takes a different turn when they get stranded on a deserted island. 

 

 

 

Speak No Evil

A phycological thriller centred on two families that met during a summer holiday in La Tuscany. Months later, the Dutch family invites the Danish family to spend a weekend with them in their country home. 

What started as an exceptionally positive and fun relationship takes a turn after spending only a day with them. 

This is by far one of the most uncomfortable, dark movies I have ever watched. Every part of the movie makes you feel unsettled and contradicted.

 

 

 

Aftersun

I like to consider myself pretty thick-skinned when it comes to movies. However, this film made me bawl my eyes out.

I warn you, this movie will break you. In Aftersun you follow a young father and daughter enjoying their summer holidays in a Turkish resort. The story feels like a recorded memory from the perspective of the daughter, who is now an adult.

There are multiple times in the film when you have to make your conclusions. If fact, you’ve is now full of people sharing their own conclusions regarding the end of it. I don’t want to make any spoilers but you need to watch this movie and prepare to cry a lot!

 

 

Good Time

Two brothers from the New York suburbs prepare to rob a bank without thinking about the consequences. After the robbery goes wrong, one of them is sent to prison. 

I was hesitant about this one. I mean, two gangsters and a robbery gone wrong? I think I have watched that same narrative in at least 9 different movies before. Yet, the amazing reviews pushed me to give it a try and I am glad I did!

It is extremely entertaining and the performances are great.

 

 

  

MOVIE ROUTINE UPDATE

Lately, I have added a new step to my movie routine.

I used to finish a movie from the time the credits appeared.

That was it, the ending. There was nothing else to think about. If I liked it, I would consequently mention it on the blog and try to convince you to watch it too. If it wasn’t great, I would simply forget about it.

Movies are like tiny pieces of art. Often, directors and producers will include notes and make allusions to secret corners that we can miss or even ignore in the watching session.

So I have started watching reviews on Youtube about the flicks that I liked. Most of the films mentioned in this post have some excellent reviews worth watching on the platform. And it has changed the game! I highly recommend spending a few extra minutes checking those after you have finished watching any movie that you enjoyed.

Stories like You won’t be alone, Tar, Aftersun or Speak no Evil will become pieces of art in your memory after you have checked some “Ending explained” videos highlighting allegories and other hidden gems you probably overlooked.

Which have been your favourite movies this year?