This month has a bit slower on movies, but there are still some decent ones so let’s get into it. I think moving forward, I would like to have some sort of “theme” of what I watch in a month just to make life feel more festive and romanticized. I know we all need those pockets of goodness in these trying times. However, until then, here is the small and mashed up assortment of things I watched this month.

A Complete Unknown (2024) Directed by James Mangold *Theater Watch!

I just didn’t get around to seeing this in December, so I was glad to catch it in theaters this month. Bob Dylan’s music is one that I had come across in middle school and it really did change me. It changed my perspective on the world and opened me up to so much when I was younger, so I was excited to see that this was coming out. While I have been a fan of his music, I really didn’t know much about him or his life. I do think this story was interestingly put-together and while I’m not sure of it’s “historical” accuracy I think it gave a nice depiction of the time and his attitude towards the whole thing. I think focusing on this specific event gave us a nice look into Bob Dylan as a person while still keeping that mystery he has. Overall, I liked it and thought the performances were great! I mean, Ed Norton?! Probably my favorite performance in the film but I think everyone else was just on par.

A Real Pain (2024) by Jesse Eisenburg

I was really bummed that I didn’t get to watch this in theaters as it wasn’t showing close to me, but I knew I would get around to it eventually and I’m so excited I watched this earlier in the year. This movie was sweet, sad, and overall heartwarming. I thought Kieran did such an amazing job playing that lost character who simultaneously brings light and joy into other people’s lives. In contrast Eisenburg’s character is an OCD ridden perfectionist who finds it hard to connect with people. Both characters, on an adventure to their grandmother’s in Poland home after her passing. The movie explores the experience of grief on so many levels and is a movie I really do suggest seeing. Despite all the sadness there is also a quietness to the movie that makes you sit, think, and brings almost a weirdness of somber calmness over you. Maybe, it’s just knowing that with all of our different experiences and generational traumas we can still share sadness and grief.

A Sacrifice (2024) Directed by Jordan Scott At Home

This film was entertaining, but I don’t think anything too special. I will say the performances were pretty good and overall these cultish movies will always be intriguing to me. I think for the theme, I wish it had more complexities and depth to it. There were also so many moments that were just given to the audience rather than having it be discovered or “worked” for. It was for the evening we watched it, a good source of distraction for lack of a better word to just escape into a story for a while. So if you’re looking for something with interest and a bit of mystery this is for you!

Saturday Night (2024) Directed by Jason Reitman

The pacing of this movie was fantastic and really drove home the essence of what the production of a SNL production is like. The cast was also STACKED and really well casted, in my opinion. I also loved that it just focused on the night of the first live show, rather than the lead up to SNL overall. I’m not the biggest fan of anything akin to an origin, but I do like a good underdog feeling and this had the perfect balance of both. Also, every movie in the 70’s just really sends home the message that it was a wild time full of chaos and a bit of anarchy. A good watch for some vibes!

Puppy Love (2023) Directed by Nicholas Fabiano and Richard Alan Reid

Sometimes you just need a feel good rom-com to help you fight the anxieties. (Honestly, I think good rom-coms are dying and is it Netflix’s fault? A topic for a different day.) I wasn’t expecting much from this one, but it turned out to be a really fun watch and a nice way to end the day. Look, I think there are movies for every occasion and we don’t always need to be drowning ourselves in cinematic masterpieces. Sometimes you just need a cheese, a laugh, and something downright silly to pass the time.

One of Them Days (2025) Directed by Lawrence Lamont *Theater Watch

Another one of those movies that just brings out some fun and laughter. Keke Palmer is one in million imo and really brought that added oomph to the movie. The characters in this movie felt very charismatic and relatable in a way that felt universal, although tethered to their situations. It felt like a classic comedy but with some modern twists that I do worked out for them. I do think it’s one a movie worth seeing and while it was successful in what it was achieving, it didn’t feel like it was trying too hard.

That’s it for the movie round-up this month! What movies should I watch next?

Song recommendation for this week: Put your playlist on shuffle and go!

Thank you, Love you.

-Rae